The weather is getting cooler, but as pest management veterans will tell you, now is not the time to slow down. Well, maybe you and your team have earned a little breather after months of dealing with heat, stinging pests, ants, and other pest pressures!
While keeping an eye on mice, spiders, and other occasional invaders, this is a great time to step back from the daily fires of summer and assess what worked and what didn't. The decisions you make now can determine whether next season is a success or a dumpster fire.
What worked in your marketing, treatment protocols, and staffing? Were reservice rates higher than expected? How did those new hires and your onboarding process work out? Did your website traffic take a hit from Google's latest algorithm changes or AI?
Here's something I've learned over the years: Whatever challenges you're facing, chances are someone else in our industry has already dealt with them. From treatment protocols to HR headaches, somebody has been there. Maybe they figured it out. Maybe they didn't, and you can learn from their mistakes. Either way, there's tremendous value in having those conversations.
I've had opportunities to visit multimillion-dollar companies such as Arrow Exterminators in Georgia, Massey Pest Control in Florida, and American Pest Management right here in Maryland. Through these visits and my involvement in industry peer groups, I've found so many people willing to share their experiences. In fact, some of the most successful companies in our industry have helped me the most.
And it's often a two-way street. Smaller operators are frequently innovators because they have to be. You might surprise yourself with something you can teach others, including someone at that international company down the street.
Sometimes, the greatest value comes from simply hearing another business owner or manager say, "We're dealing with that, too," or "Here's what worked for us."
That's one of the greatest benefits of being involved in MSPCA.
Whether you need technical training, help building your company culture, or opportunities to connect with your peers, MSPCA offers resources and relationships that can help you and your business grow.
We've expanded our Business Building Blocks program from an annual in-person event to a series of monthly webinars through December, helping companies strengthen their culture, sales, and operations. Business Building Blocks will also return in person alongside the Interstate Pest Management Conference (IPMC) in January, where owners, managers, and administrative staff can gain tools to make 2027 a successful year.
MSPCA continues to offer valuable technical training as well, including our recent Western Maryland Recertification Program and our first training program for Spanish-speaking technicians.
But I've found that some of the best learning doesn't always happen during the actual sessions or CEU presentations. And no, I'm certainly not suggesting you skip the sessions! We've got some great CEU programs planned for IPMC.
Some of my most valuable lessons and professional relationships have come during lunch, over coffee between sessions, or, more recently, during a round of mini-golf at an evening event at PestWorld. Those informal conversations can be just as valuable as what you hear from the podium.
The pest management industry is full of people willing to share their experiences and help others succeed. Whether you're looking for advice on leadership, technical training, recruiting, or running your business, you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
I've personally benefited from the mentoring, advice, and support of many people throughout our industry. It's one of the reasons I value my involvement in MSPCA, the National Pest Management Association, and the Virginia Pest Management Association, as well as organizations outside our industry.
So here's my challenge to you: Make a new connection.
Reach out to another business owner, marketing director, recruiter, or technical manager. Attend an industry event and introduce yourself to someone you don't know. Ask questions. Share your experiences. Be curious and open to learning from others.
Better yet, join us on November 18 for MSPCA's Annual Board Meeting, followed by bocce and networking at Pinstripes in North Bethesda. Tune into one of our upcoming Business Building Blocks webinars, or make plans to attend IPMC January 27 & 28, 2027.
And if you want to take that involvement a step further, consider joining the MSPCA Board, volunteering for a committee, or helping us plan an event. Share something you've learned, or help us develop a program on a topic you'd like to learn more about.
When we help one another grow, we strengthen our individual businesses and raise the standards of our entire industry.
I hope to see you at an upcoming MSPCA event!