VIEWPOINT: Filling The Information Gap

In speaking with PCOs, service technicians and other industry professionals throughout the country, the phrase I hear most frequently is: “What I love about this industry is the way it changes. Every day there are new challenges for me.”

For better or for worse, change is what drives the pest control industry. Breaking developments that can have a significant impact on a pest control operator’s daily activities include regulatory decisions on the local, state and federal levels; industry mergers and acquisitions; new products; new competitors; significant weather changes; introduction of new pest species; spread of pest-borne diseases, etc.

Helping PCOs stay ahead of the curve is PCT magazine, which addresses these pest management and business topics through comprehensive monthly news coverage and cutting-edge, in-depth feature stories. Still, only so much timely coverage can be provided in a magazine published once a month. How does one fill in those information gaps that occur during the 30 days between issues? Fortunately, technology has provided the answer with the advent of the Internet. Now that same great PCT coverage of breaking news is delivered daily to tens of thousands of pest management professionals who access www.pctonline.com.

A good example of how PCTOnline fills the information gap is its coverage of Bayer AG’s acquisition of Aventis CropScience (see cover story). PCOs have a vested interest in this “mega-acquisition” for many reasons including the effects on product pricing; uncertainty over which products end up with which manufacturers; the impact on research and development; and the overall effect continued manufacturer consolidation has on the industry.

In addition to posting breaking news stories detailing the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) approval of the deal, PCTOnline’s coverage of the announcement gave users a direct link to a Web page with the actual FTC ruling. Further, PCTOnline is filled with insightful related stories, including PCT Publisher Dan Moreland’s exclusive Q&A session with Mike McDermott, recently named Head of Bayer’s North America PMP Business.

That’s just one example of how a major breaking news story was delivered in a timely and in-depth manner on PCTOnline. News coverage on PCTOnline that can fill the information gap can be found every day. For example, tick-borne Lyme disease, mosquito-borne West Nile virus and red imported fire ants continue to spread rapidly throughout parts of the U.S. Daily news stories on the spread of these pests and health threats are posted on PCTOnline.

PCOs who check the site daily can learn of potential new business opportunities (as well as preventive measures needed for workers) that might become available should these pests or diseases spread into areas they service.
So become a daily visitor to PCTOnline and stay on top of industry-related news. What you find online could pay big dividends down the road!

The author is Internet editor of PCTOnline.