A few weeks ago I taught a class for continuing education credits to the pest control industry in what is called a roadshow. Trade associations set up these classes around the state of Georgia to assist those working in the pest control industry to acquire the necessary class credits to renew their licenses, permits, and id cards. Georgia is one of the best states for these classes in that many are available for free if you are a member of the association. The fee for nonmembers is minimal, a bargain and these fees are always a business deduction at tax time. I taught a one hour class on structural invading animals, the business of structural invading animals and not about the animal themselves. I also taught a one hour class on wildlife, the investigative process (from the time a call comes in until I have finished the job and got paid). These classes had to first be written/developed and then approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture which governs pest control in Georgia through the Structural Pest Control Commission. Then the photos and words were arranged to fit a power point presentation ready for the audience, a lot of time and effort went into these classes. The pest control industry, overall and nationwide, has always had illegal operators, lowballers and thieves. Unfortunately, these people make the good guys look bad as well. Ask you pest technician how many hours of ceu’s he or she does a year. There is a direct connection to the quality of work performed and the number of hours of classes any person does. Having done some consulting for some of the finest pest control companies in Georgia, I can see where quality starts at the top and filters itself down through the rank and file of the organization. A good business owner will lead by example and not by do as I say and not as I do, a good business owner will understand that continuing education is an asset and not a liability, a good business owner will send employees to these classes and not be afraid to educate the workers, to make them smarter, to help all parties involved. I personally have to do a minimum of 46 hours a year of ceu’s to maintain my credentials, but realisticly do more like 80 to 90 hours a year. I know all industries have some type of requirements for license renewal and it is a good thing they do,,,,,imagine if most people you hire for various services did not have the most recent info with which to make decisions regarding their ability to serve your needs. A word of caution here—— nusiance wildlife control all across the nation does not have enough classes and training to serve the needs of the nusiance wildlife control industry. A lot of people like myself are doing things today to help, to lead, to provide better info that is honest, up to date, and effective. If you are having an animal problem in your home,,,,,, do your reaserch. Check credentials, business license, proof of liability insurence, better business bureau, etc.. Buyer be ware.
Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category
Continuing Education Credits
Friday, March 26th, 2010Field of Greens
Sunday, December 6th, 2009A few months ago I did a vendor table at what is called The Feild of Greens. It took place on a nice organic food farm just outside of Walnut Grove, Gerogia. This was an all day event that is certainly family friendly with food, music, games for kids, and about 1,000 people who are all interested organic foods. A dozen or so of Atlantas best chefs were there cooking some awesome foods for tasting, wine was given away for tasting and many items were given away at the end of the day in a raffle/drawing. Sometime during the day a big beer truck was brought in and it became a very relaxed atmoshpere with kids able to roam freely on the property along with dogs of many kinds. Everybody was looking out for everyone with mutal respect and no rudeness was observed, all kids and pets were safe where ever they were on the property. Most of the other vendors were arts and crafts, organic food farmers and vendors, and other people like myself who are eco-friendly in our work with our own customers. Plenty of parking was available, the weather was warm with a little overcast and a slight breeze, and the day was a great success for me and the other vendors as well. Most of the arts/crafts people and the food farmers were doing demonstrations throughout the day and hoping to make new customers for themselves. A lot of organic food was tasted and purchased by the end of the day and I personally think everyone went away happy and glad they had come to the event. Just as things were unwinding for the day, a few clouds came up and we had rain at closing time. This was the 14th annual Feild of Greens and will occur again in mid September, 2010, mark your claendars accordingly. I will certainly be back.
The HERO guy on the interstate
Monday, September 14th, 2009A few days ago I had to go downtown Atlanta for a few errands and decided to drive my car, a 2008 Pontiac Solstice sports coup convetible. After finishing my business, I put the top down, my sunglasses on and started up 75 north on the connector. After going about 3 miles or so, some papers in my pocket blew out and were floating around in the car. I was slowing down to park on the outside shoulder and retrieve my papers, so I put on my emergency flashers and proceeded to stop. I leaned over to pick up the papers and immediately saw the big yellow rescue truck with flashers everywhere. I had not been on the side of the interstate for more than 10 seconds and help was already behind me. These guys are good. The driver got his stuff ready, departed the truck and walked along fast moving traffic towards my car. When the driver got to my car, he ask if anything was wrong and I answered no, I was only picking up papers that blew out of my pocket. He replied that it should be illegal for a car as pretty as mine to be broke down on the roadside, we laughed and I replied that it is illegal and we chuckeled some more. This man was very nice and polite, I thanked him for a quick response, apologized for taking him from more important duties,and we parted our ways. These men and women who are HERO drivers are constantly putting their lives on the line to help those of us who have stopped for any reason on the interstates. I applaud these people and ask that you slow down a bit when passing them or any other motorists that has a break down. HERO drivers are tops in my book.