[View Point] The industry's green service gatekeepers

The question I am most often asked regarding the PCT/BASF Technician of the Year Awards program is: "How do your judges choose the winners?"

I explain that our judges review each of the nomination forms and evaluate each candidate’s performance in the various categories (see pages 147-148 for this year’s form).

The follow-up question I often am asked is: "But what really differentiates one service technician from another?" That’s more difficult to answer, as the scoring really is subjective; however, in the 10 years that I’ve been involved with this program I can say with great certainty that one of the most important factors our judges consider is a service technician’s ability to solve problems in an environmentally responsible fashion. In other words, service professionals who put their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) know-how into action.

For many pest control companies, IPM is a cornerstone of their "green" initiatives, along with other environmentally minded programs such as internal green efforts (e.g., company-wide recycling; reducing energy consumption; and storing data electronically to reduce paper usage). Whether it’s using IPM in the field or doing their part to reduce waste/energy consumption, service technicians play a critical role in helping companies meet their goals of being environmentally sound. It’s for this reason that this year’s Technician of the Year Awards nomination form includes a new question: How does this service professional assist your company with its "green" initiatives? Provide examples of how this service professional uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and/or assists with internal company-wide "green" initiatives.

Throughout the years, PCT’s Technicians of the Year have demonstrated these qualities in a multitude of ways. Look no further than the 2009 PCT Technicians of the Year for examples. Orkin’s Randy Miller, the 2009 Residential Technician of the Year, has reduced fuel consumption (not to mention vehicle wear and tear) by keeping his route organized using a scheduling grid that he created. Miller said there are several days each month when he will run 16 to 18 stops and put less than 50 miles on his truck. Miller also is a skilled IPM practitioner, taking into account the needs of a family, and offering as many eco-friendly solutions as possible.

Similarly, Sean Young, PCT’s 2009 Termite Technician of the Year, is a knowledge-seeker who enjoys learning new IPM methods. It’s not unusual for Young to take home technical reference books and trade magazines from the office.

Rob Van Willigen, PCT’s 2009 Commercial Technician of the Year, has been with Batzner Pest Management for 24 years, and knows the history of accounts. So, if Van Willigen knows that an account has Asian lady beetles at a certain time of year he will treat that account proactively. This practice will reduce trips and perhaps the amount of pesticides used (i.e., had the Asian lady beetle problem become severe).

These are just three examples and I’m sure you can think of plenty of ways your company’s service professionals help your company meet its green goals. What this illustrates is that when it comes to executing green initiatives — as with many other aspects of a pest control business — service technicians are where "the rubber meets the road."

A few other notes about this year’s awards program:

• In addition to the Technician of the Year form that appears in this issue on pages 147-148, PCT also has available for your convenience an online nomination form, which can be accessed at www.pctonline.com/techyear10online.aspx.
• Previous Technicians of the Year have come from small, medium and large pest control companies from throughout the U.S., so companies of all sizes are encouraged to apply.
• PCT and BASF will recognize our three winners at a major industry event in early 2011.

The author is Internet editor and managing editor of PCT magazine and can be reached via e-mail at bharbison@giemedia.com.