Pest Management Professional - June 2023
Question of the Month
2023-05-29 11:38:41
What’s a good tip for working with distributors?
[ OUR EXPERTS WEIGH IN ]
JUDY BLACK
“You can minimize the surprises you give your distributor by forecasting as accurately as possible, and giving your distributor a heads up if you have put in a bid on a big job that is going to require a large materials and supplies, or M&S order. They will realize you may not get the job, but they can review their inventory and decide whether they should stock up.”
GREG BAUMANN
“Distributor representatives know more than anyone what is trending in the area, such as what’s working and which pests are an issue at the time. Use their intel to your advantage.”
PAUL HARDY
“Our industry has been blessed to have distributors serving as great assistants to pest management professionals. The keys to our success include mentorship and good products, both of which they can offer.”
DESIREE STRAUBINGER
“Many distributors offer classes for continuing education units either in person or virtually. Take advantage of these when planning for your licensing needs. Also, you can lean heavily on a distributor to help choose the right products for your services. Manufacturers work closely with distributors, so they have the most up-to-date information on products.”
JERRY SCHAPPERT
“Realize they are busy, too, and perhaps deal with just as many, if not more customers than we do. A little time and grace in your dealings will go a long way.”
PETE SCHOPEN
“Distributors, in many instances, are the ‘gatekeepers’ between the vendors and pest pros. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your distributor to meet vendor representatives. These vendors, in turn, can supply you with training materials, speakers and samples.”
DOUG FOSTER
“Treat them with respect; value the services they provide; and build that relationship into a partnership. My distributors are critical to the success of my business.”
KURT SCHERZINGER
“Use distributors as a resource for opinions on different products. They have all the manufacturers’ products at their fingertips and if something isn’t working for you, they often can tell you what others are using that is producing results.”
PMP’s REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Dan Baldwin, BCE*
Hawx Pest Control
Dr. Michael Bentley, BCE
National Pest Management Association
Judy Black, BCE*
Rollins Inc.
Dan Gordon
PCO Bookkeepers
Bobby Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services
Dennis Jenkins*
ABC Home & Commercial Services of DFW
Raleigh Jenkins
ABC Home & Commercial Services
Jerry Schappert, ACE*
The Bug Doctor
Pete Schopen
Schopen Pest Solutions
Sheri Spencer Bachman, ACE
Pest Control Business Coach
*Also a PMP Editorial Advisory Board member
PMP’s EDITORIAL
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Hamilton Allen, BCE
HomeTeam Pest Defense
Greg Baumann
Nisus
Michael Broder
BHB Pest Elimination
Foster Brusca The Pest Posse
Doug Foster
Burt’s Termite & Pest Control
Paul Hardy
JP Hardy Consulting
Dr. Faith Oi
University of Florida
Eric Scherzinger
Scherzinger Pest Control
Kurt Scherzinger, ACE
Scherzinger Pest Control
Mark Sheperdigian, BCE
Rose Pest Solutions
Desiree Straubinger, BCE
BASF
► MORE ONLINE
For more suggestions from our experts and to share your own, please visit PMPPestTalk.net.
©North Coast Media. View All Articles.