Backtalk, May 2000

The pest control industry magazines do an excellent job of recognizing prominent people in this industry. There are many awards for technicians and those who have made significant contributions and landmark achievements. These stories are always inspiring and motivating and these people should certainly be recognized as leaders and role models for each of us who work for a common goal. The articles, recognition and awards serve their purpose well.

However, I’ve observed another category of people in this industry who contribute in a totally different way. I am referring to people like my former employer, Jim Roberts of Roberts Pest Control, Mount Airy, N.C. I went to work for Jim in 1991, part time from a temporary employment agency in our town. At the time I was a housewife and mother who was only looking for a little extra spending money. It didn’t take long for me to realize his dedication to his company and his goals as a business owner who took great pride in the service he provided for his customers. I soon discovered that what he did was so much more than just "spraying bugs." I learned that professional pest control offered a valuable and needed service.

Yes, the extensive technical training he has provided to the technicians far exceeds industry standards, but more impressive to me was the life training he offered. We had Dale Carnegie courses, community college courses, Zig Ziglar Seminars and a wonderful library of not only technical books, but motivational books, tapes and videos. Jim demonstrated that if a person grew personally, they would certainly grow professionally. He was an employer who cared deeply about not only the financial welfare but also about the continuing education and growth of his employees. His goal was not to become a wealthy PCO. He searched for ways to develop people and make each of us realize our full potential.

Jim’s son, Jay Roberts, was the 1996 PCT/Zeneca Professional Products Termite Technician of the Year. The next year, Chris Cochran, another employee of Roberts Pest Control, was chosen as a finalist for the PCT Pest Control Technician of the Year. Both are still a vital part of the company. When a leading software company approached me about traveling around the country and training other pest control companies, Jim not only allowed me to do so, but he encouraged it, even though the opportunity took me away from my position at the company for quite some time. The experience gave me a wealth of knowledge about the industry and it made me appreciate Roberts Pest Control even more.

Jim Roberts was a wonderful employer. Why do I make that statement in the past tense? The reason is that I no longer work for him. In November 1999, Jim gave me another opportunity to broaden my horizons. In order to fulfill his goal of extended traveling, Jim semi-retired and sold 51 percent of the company to me. This housewife who just wanted extra spending money is now one of the proud owners of a successful and growing pest control company.

Jim’s daughter, Sunday, recently graduated from college and came to work with me just before the final closing. My goal is now to pass on to her and other employees the leadership quality that I observed in her dad. I hope when I am ready to retire that someone else within this company will step up to the plate, take a firm grip on the bat and once again hit a home run for the company that has been such a source of pride for Jim and for me. One of my goals is to be the motivator and inspiration to the entire staff that Jim Roberts has been to all of us. He has instilled in us the desire to be part of a company that offers quality service to its clients while providing excellent benefits, compensation and working environment.

When the time comes, selling a business to a competitor for "big bucks" may seem like quite an accomplishment. I’d much rather sell to someone who shares my vision and continues to expand my goals and dreams.

If the industry publications had an award for employers, my nomination and vote would be for Jim Roberts.

Thank you for choosing to make Special Olympics Texas a part of your PCT Dialogue Conference kick-off Super Bowl party. The four athletes who attended and I had a wonderful time. It is this kind of interaction that allows our athletes to become part of mainstream society and learn to interact and work with others.

This opportunity, along with PCT’s and Dow AgroSciences’ gift of $1,000, is greatly appreciated. This gift will help enable the ongoing programs of year-round sports training and athletic competitions for people with mental retardation in the greater Dallas area. We truly appreciate your giving spirit.

Don Jamison ("Why I Sold," January 2000) didn’t mention how his employees had helped him and his company grow, improve and develop. Did Don ask his employees how they felt? Or, did he tell us what their reaction was when he advised them of the sale? Oh, I forgot — they aren’t a big part of one’s company. Never mind.

I read the January cover story and the response letters with great interest. I sold my family business last March and the decision to sell after 33 years in business did not come easy.

Don gave some good advice and anyone thinking of selling their pest control business should read the story several times. Don said that 70 percent of his employees left their new employer in the first year. That is too bad for the new owner but just as bad for the employees.

When I finally sold my business I didn’t accept the highest bid; I chose the bid that was best for me and my employees. I insisted that their pay and benefits were virtually unchanged. My wife and I have stayed on to run both of the offices we used to own. Fortunately, the firm that purchased us, Unified Services (formerly Wilson Pest Control), gives us a say in the day-to-day operations and even asks for input.

One year has passed now since we sold and all of our employees prior to the sale are still valued employees. I guess I made the right decision on whom to sell my business to. If you haven’t heard of Unified Services, you soon will.

OWNERS = TECHNICIANS

really enjoy Service Technician magazine. I save your magazine and use it to refer to and I read it from front to back every issue. As the president, owner and technician, I understand your magazine is for the technician. But I’ll always be a technician even though I’m the owner. I left a large company after 10 years because I felt my hands were tied and I wasn’t given enough time to do jobs correctly. When companies get too big, they forget about the people who got them there.

There are a lot of owners who are also technicians who don’t work for big companies. We got sick of being told how to and how not to do things and actually give people a fair price for pest control. Try to remember the "owner/technician." There are a lot of us.