Back Talk, February 2000

The new format for the PCT Online web page is fantastic. I am pleased at a number of things, including the combined content of Service Technician/PCT; the product label database; Service Technician training; and up-to-date news on the home page.

I would like to see a more comprehensive listing of products, but I’m sure it takes a lot of time to get everything entered. The whole format in general has a better feel to it and is much easier to navigate. Hats off to your web-development team!

As a service technician in Dallas, Texas, I am really excited to see "Service Technician Training Online" added to the PCT arsenal of publications. Working in the field tends to insulate many of us from the advances going on in the field of pest control and often PCT is the only source available to us once the initial training is provided by the companies that employ us.

Avoiding becoming "set in our ways" is perhaps the greatest pitfall that we, as today’s technicians, have to face. With the uncertainty regarding what, exactly, defines IPM, ongoing training and keeping abreast of technology is a must and now that this training can expand online and be readily available, technicians no longer have to fear falling behind or becoming stagnant. While there has to some degree been a paradigm shift within the pest control industry from the "spray and pray" to the "inspect then act school" of thought, change has not completely swept through the industry and certainly not throughout the clientele. This is why education is a must; technicians must not only learn new methods, they themselves must become the teachers of their customers in order to bring them up to speed. This is why the vision of PCT’s staff to have an online training center is so exciting. I look forward to growing in knowledge while your magazine grows in an entirely new medium. Good luck.

I enjoyed the article "IPM: Have We Created A Monster?" by Richard Cooper in the October issue of PCT magazine. It was well written.

One error that I would like to correct is the reference to NYCAP. This acronym stands for the New York Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides not New York Citizens Against Pest Control.

Friend Ships (a.k.a. Park West Childrens Fund) would like to thank PCT for its generous donation of the subscription of PCT magazine to our organization. Friend Ships is a humanitarian, non-profit relief agency that collects corporate and private donations of food, clothing, medical equipment and supplies and other much-needed aid. We then distribute these supplies, free of charge, both domestically and internationally to the poor.

We believe your magazine will be important to us as we continue to work to keep our warehouses and cargo vessels rodent free. It is because of companies like yours that we are able to continue in our efforts to bring hope to those in need.

From all the crew here at Friend Ships we appreciate you and wish you much success and prosperity.

In your article titled "Quirky Creative Crazy Advertising" in the September issue of PCT, a company was mentioned that had a special offer of a free service for 100 homes. Effective advertising doesn’t mean that you have to give away your service for "free" hoping to add-on services or sign them up for future service. There are plenty of companies that do that. The Yellow Pages are littered with them and my telephone rings weekly with companies offering their services for next to nothing. What effective advertising does is create customers that are willing to pay for your service — that’s the only way you can stay in business.

Just a note to express my thanks for inviting me to be a participant in the annual Leadership Awards reception recently in Atlanta. I think I have attended every one of your receptions since my induction into this prestigious group in the Class of 1989. PCT and Zeneca Professional Products continue to do a marvelous job of recognizing key people in the industry and everywhere I turn you can be sure it is appreciated.

As a long-time reader and subscriber, I have found that your 3rd Annual Technical Resource Guide href="http://www.pctonline.com/supplements/99techguide/99techguide1.htm"Target="new" class="blue2">(http://www.pctonline.com/supplements/99techguide/99techguide1.htm) has been very helpful in researching products on the Internet. We have especially found it helpful in finding updated labels and MSDSs. I’m requesting another copy for my office staff because I want them to use this vital information. Thank you very much.

R. Shawn Rich, Pest Control Supervisor, E-Town Exterminating Co., Inc., Elizabethtown, Ky.