PCT’s Executive Privilege

This month we’re pleased to debut a new feature in PCT called "Executive Forum." These exclusive one-on-one interviews with leading industry executives will appear on a quarterly basis in the magazine, providing our readers with valuable insights on a wide range of subjects, including industry trends, new product innovations and regulatory developments, along with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the industry’s largest, most influential companies. We hope you enjoy it!

Our first "Executive Forum" features Don Claus, director of FMC’s U.S. Specialty Products Business, as well as its Software Solutions Business Unit. As you may know, FMC is going through a dramatic restructuring period, which includes splitting the company’s $4 billion chemical and equipment business. How will this affect the pest control industry? Click here to find out: www.pctonline.com/articles/article.asp?MagID=1&ID=1437&IssueID=142

As I’ve touted in columns in the past, the PCT Media Group is working hard to provide our readers with the most extensive coverage of the pest control industry with www.pctonline.com, our industry-leading Web site. Because of space limitations, we couldn’t print all of the questions and answers we discussed with Claus. But, if you want to read "the rest of the story," log on to our site for bonus editorial coverage. Find out what Claus thinks are the biggest challenges facing FMC, how the termite market is changing and how FMC planned its entry into the software business in 1999 — only online.

Also included in this month’s issue of PCT is the registration information for two important industry conferences: the National Pest Management Association’s Academy and PCT Dialogue. The Academy is next month (July 19-21), while PCT Dialogue is September 12-14. Both conferences feature speakers and events of real value to PCOs. The Academy allows attendees to participate in a variety of team-building exercises and gain valuable business insights while interacting with other attendees.

PCT Dialogue, now in its fifth year, offers pest management professionals from companies of all sizes a chance at some outstanding educational sessions. Topics to be covered include, "Establishing a Vision for Your Company" (presented by Chuck Steinmetz, former president of Sears Termite & Pest Control); "Building Employee Loyalty" (presented by Victor Hammel, president, J.C. Ehrlich); and "Total Organizational Alignment" (presented by Greg Clendenin, president, Middleton Pest Control).

Such management sessions provide excellent occasions for your management and/or sales team to recharge their spirits, as well as glean some new business ideas in the process.

For more information about NPMA’s Academy, visit www.pestworld.com. To learn more about PCT Dialogue, stop by www.pctdialogue.com. Several members of the PCT staff will be attending both events because we don’t want to miss out on these great opportunities. Do you?

The author is editor of PCT Magazine. She can be reached via e-mail at jdorsch@pctonline.com.