PCT Poll: COVID-19 and Remote Working
Our latest survey asks: Since COVID-19 began, how often have your employees been coming into the office?
PCT keeps a pulse on the pest control industry with our timely reader poll surveys.
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Registration Now Open for Evolve YT's Foundations of Leadership
The six-week course will begin on Dec. 8, and will be held every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a holiday break on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29.
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Evolve YT's next course Foundations in Leadership in the Leadership Development Series is now open for enrollment. The six-week course will begin on Dec. 8, and will be held every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a holiday break on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29.
Foundations of Leadership, like the other Leadership Development Series courses, is ideal for both emerging and current leaders. The course focuses on the core principles of leadership as well as an in-depth examination into two key leadership books by John Maxwell and John Wooden.
"The course is particularly important for mid-level managers but really can be applicable to anyone," said Phil Cooper, Evolve YT's Chief Transformation Officer. "This course offers all the key components to help build a well-rounded leader."
Unlike other leadership programs, Cooper explained that the Evolve YT Leadership Series brings an applied work-life perspective and provides valuable feedback to the supervisor enrolling the student. Each course includes a final project integrated into the company the student works for, making it real-life and applied.
The final project, which is shared with the student's supervisor, provides each organization a unique insight to their enrolled students. The final project, combined with the student's participation during the course, helps organizations see how committed the student is to success and how vested they are in becoming a world class leader and a world class manager.
To register for Foundations of Leadership, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/foundations-of-leadership-tickets-126602821447. For more information on Evolve YT's Leadership Development Series, visit https://resources.evolveyt.com/leadership-development-series-overview
Deadline to Enter PCT's Annual Photo Contest is Tomorrow
PCT announces the call for entries for our 19th annual Best Pest Photo Contest. The contest is your chance to be recognized alongside your peers for having taken one of the best photographs in the pest control industry.
(Pictured: Bob Richardson, staff entomologist at McCarthy Pest Control, St. Charles, Mo., won last year's contest with his photo of a feather-legged fly.)
PCT announces the call for entries for our 19th annual Best Pest Photo Contest. The contest is your chance to be recognized alongside your peers for having taken one of the best photographs in the pest control industry. Photos will be judged on the three Cs: color, clarity and content. The winning photographer will receive $500. (CLICK HERE to view a slideshow from last year's contest.)
In addition to the photo, please provide: (1) Identification of the pest; (2) Location of where the photo was taken; (3) Anything else unique about the photo or circumstance under which it was taken. Send this year's entry via email to photocontest@giemedia.com or mail to: PCT Online, c/o Brad Harbison, 5811 Canal Road, Valley View, OH 44125. Deadline is Dec. 8.
CLICK HERE to upload your photo.
PCO News
Dr. Chow-Yang Lee Discussed COVID-19's Pest Impact at FAOPMA Meeting
Lee called COVID-19 the "single greatest threat faced by the world since World War II," during his presentation at the recent Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Associations virtual meeting.
Frances McKim
Editor's note: The Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Associations held its Pest Summit virtually last week. UK-based freelance journalist Frances McKim filed the following report for PCT.
MANILA, The Philippines - Forced by the current coronavirus pandemic to hold its annual Pest Summit Nov. 18-19 as a virtual event, it was appropriate the organizers, FAOPMA (Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managers Associations) chose as its title "Survive Covid-19, Protect Your Future." Over 1,000 delegates registered from across the world.
In his keynote address, Dr. Chow-Yang Lee, from the University of California, Riverside said he felt the COVID-19 pandemic was the largest single threat humanity has had to face since World War II. Climate change may well be the greatest danger to the long-term health of the planet, but the onset of this pandemic was just so sudden and so drastic for everyone.
Lee predicted that 200 million people could be infected worldwide before an effective vaccine is available. But how has this COVID-19 crisis impacted upon the urban pest environment?
Pest behavior has changed. With the closure of shops and restaurants, rat activity has become more visible, as has their level of aggression as they seek and fight for food. With home owners are not keen to admit pest professionals, German cockroach numbers have risen.
COVID-19 has changed the landscape of the pest management business and this is likely to become the new normal. Disinfection services will remain in demand, home owners will remain reluctant to admit pest controllers for treatments, PPE will be mandatory and non-contact, or contact-less, pest management services will be in demand.
On the positive side, Lee pointed out that from every crisis springs opportunities. Now is the moment to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring technology as this reduces human-to-human contact. Termite control insurance policies, similar to car insurance policies, could be offered. Tele-pest control, similar to the now popular telemedicine, could be offered as this too reduces personal visits. Another opportunity is the use of e-hailing systems, similar to the likes of Uber, with a response time of around 30 minutes. A suitable platform would need to be created and only licensed PCOs could join.
Finally, Lee calls for all pest management associations to work together on a global basis, as has begun with the Global Pest Management Alliance, free of political ideology, to create unified online training programs relevant to their region.
In total there were over 20 presentations from experts from across the region all addressing some aspect of Covid-19. These are all available to access online from the FAOPMA Summit website for the next year. The event was also supported by a virtual exhibition.
Pest Management Foundation Board Names Three New Trustees
Bryan Cooksey (McCall Service), Stacy O'Reilly (Plunkett's Pest Control), and Billy Tesh (Pest Management Services) to serve three-year terms on the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
FAIRFAX, Va. - On Oct. 21, the Pest Management Foundation's governing board voted unanimously to appoint J. Bryan Cooksey III, McCall Service, Stacy O'Reilly, Plunkett's Pest Control, and Billy Tesh Pest Management Services, Inc., to serve three year terms on the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees also voted to re-appoint Judy Dold of Rose Pest Solutions, and Alfie Treleven of Sprague Pest Solutions. Additionally, Mr. Treleven was reappointed to a two-year term as Treasurer of the Pest Management Foundation.
Jim Fredericks, executive director of the Pest Management Foundation stated, "The Pest Management Foundation is pleased to welcome Bryan, Stacy and Billy as the newest members of the Board of Trustees. Through the leadership of our exceptional Trustees, the Foundation is well positioned to make significant strides in pursuit of our mission of advancing the pest management industry through research, training and outreach."
The Pest Management Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization whose mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research, and outreach. The Pest Management Foundation is affiliated with the National Pest Management Association, the industry's only national trade group. The Foundation has been in existence for more than 40 years and has funded urban entomology research projects at universities nationwide.
For more information about the Foundation visit NPMAFoundation.org or contact Jim Fredericks at jfredericks@pestworld.org