PCT on the Road: Three Perspectives on Community Service

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Running a successful business requires giving back to the community where you live and work, according to a panel discussion at the 2008 Academy, presented by the National Pest Management Association.

Steve Good, Terminix, Billy Tesh, Pest Management Systems, Inc., and Chuck Tindol, Allgood Pest Solutions, gave their perspectives on social responsibility at the meeting, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.

“By being involved, business will come to you,” Tindol said. “It will do as much for your business or more for your business than a lot of things we talked about at this meeting.”

Allgood, Duluth, Ga., is very involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on its own and through the Georgia Pest Control Association, as well as many youth baseball league sponsorships.

He said community involvement creates a ripple effect: It improves employee morale, the company’s public image and makes team building easier. He said the key is joining local organizations and not trying to sell anyone on your company.

“You’ve got to join community organizations and get involved,” he said.

Tesh stressed the difference between social responsibility and ethical responsibility and agreed with Tindol the necessity of refraining from selling. Coming to the first meeting of the local chamber of commerce and handing out business cards sends the wrong message, he said.

“People do realize that,” Tesh said.

PMi, based in Greensboro, N.C., is a sponsor of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, a farm team for the Florida Marlins, and does many promotions at games. Tesh also is involved with home builders associations, the local natural science center and the board for Habitat for Humanity.

Tesh said he gives discounts for members of churches or religious groups, and offers a 25 percent discount to military families. On an individual basis, he even gives free services to long-time customers who can’t pay.

“If they can’t afford to do it, you know what? We’re going to do it for free,” he said. “That taught me something about listening to your customers. Let’s help them if you have the opportunity. You will build a customer for the rest of your life. Everyday we do something right, we’re planting a seed.”

Steve Good, senior vice president of business development at Terminix, gave his perspective from a corporate strategy standpoint.

Good said Terminix has three major focuses when it gives back to the communities where it has branches: disaster relief/terrorism; education; and health and human services.

It also sponsors the annual Bug Bowl at Purdue University, an education IMAX movie called Bugs!, and the Insectarium in New Orleans. The company has undertaken relief efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the recent flooding throughout the Midwest.

“By taking care of our people,” Good said, Terminix employees take care of customers.

For more Academy coverage, visit www.pctonline.tv.