Viewpoint: Want To See Your Name In Lights?

How do you recognize people at your company for a job well done? Patches for their uniforms? Bonuses? Extra days off? Awards at company meetings? All of these perks are great, but I don’t think employees always want to be rewarded with something tangible. Many times, a simple pat on the back and a "You’re doing a good job" will do just as well.

This month, PCT introduces a rewards program that will cost you nothing more than a little bit of your time. In this issue, PCT announces its inaugural "40 Under 40" awards. We’re looking for members of the pest management community who will lead the industry into the years ahead. This awards program is designed to recognize 40 individuals from the pest management industry who are under the age of 40. We’re looking for folks from all areas of the industry — owners, researchers, manufacturer representatives, association officials, regulatory personnel, etc. As long as the person is a full-time employee of the pest control industry and they are 40 years old (or younger) on Oct. 1, 2003, they’re eligible.

Are you that person? Is someone at your company deserving of this honor? If so, please take a moment to fill out the nomination form on page 77 of this month’s issue. Or, you can submit the form online at www.pctonline.com/40under40. Feel free to include articles, copies of awards, customer recognition letters, etc., with the nomination form. We’re all ears.

Then watch for the October issue of PCT — the issue that is distributed at the NPMA Convention — for profiles of our winners. And in November, we will host a "40 Under 40" awards ceremony, which will be held in Houston, Texas.

Another recognition PCT is offering its readers is the PCT Top 100 list. Published last January, the PCT Top 100 was the first list of its kind — a compilation of the pest management industry’s 100 largest firms.

As we expected, folks in the industry really enjoyed this list. I’ve had many conversations with people whose company was on the list and they have raved about the attention they’ve received from being on the list — attention from both inside and outside of the pest management industry. Many companies have used this information in their marketing materials, had plaques made and displayed in their offices, promoted the accomplishment on their company’s Web site — the list goes on and on. It goes without saying that many of you are anxiously awaiting the next list. Well, wait no further.

The list and accompanying profiles will appear in the May issue of PCT. So, please fill out the form that was glued to the cover of the January issue of PCT. Or, if you didn’t receive a form, please visit our Web site at www.pctonline.com/pct100. The form can be filled out there.

I hope to see your company’s name in print in PCT soon!

The author is editor of PCT magazine.