New Experiences Help PMPs Grow Personally, Professionally, said NPMA Academy Speaker

FAIRFAX, Va. – From skydiving onto Empower Field at Mile High (home of the Denver Broncos), to scuba diving, to hanging off a bridge with one arm, extreme athlete Kenyon Salo not only challenges himself with new adventures, but he relates his experiences as a motivational speaker. As the NPMA Academy week 2 keynote speaker, Salo challenged attendees to break down barriers that prevent them from trying experiences in a session sponsored by Corteva AgriScience.

Whenever Salo gives a presentation, he asks his audience what prevents them from trying new experiences and the following four are universally cited:

• Responsibilities (e.g., work and family)

Salo said that in our personal and professional lives people get too focused on those type of blockers; thus, it is much easier to say no to undergoing new adventures. He encouraged attendees to “Say yes and figure it out later.”

The benefit of trying new experiences are many-fold, including the stories (even negative ones) you bring back. “Storytelling is the glue that allows us to connect to humans,” Salo said.

Relating that to the pest control industry, Salo said stories that owners, technicians, CSRs and others gain from new experience help them to better connect with customers. Begin by sharing your stories in your personal life, and work to become a better listener, Salo said. “That’s what your best technicians do," Salo said. "They ask a question and listen. Ask another question and listen. Ask another question and listen. Then they really understand the problem that needs to be solved. Stories that technicians can share with the clients help the clients get to know them on an individual basis” which helps build long-lasting relationships and long-term clients.