| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| nobby |
Posted - 10 Mar 2006 : 23:15:38
What could the two main pest control organisations in the UK do to improve the public perception of the profession?
Do they represent the industry well in the media?
Lets have some sensible debate. |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dusty |
Posted - 13 Mar 2006 : 03:12:34
Not sure I would be comfortable with an industry association procuring and handing out work. How do they avoid cronieism? Surely that is not what they were structured to do???
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
| NickA |
Posted - 12 Mar 2006 : 12:42:37
JD, Tonys honest answer tells you part of the problem.
Should the BPCA either be leading the pest control industry or obtaining work for its members.
Yes any Association should be putting the merits of their members to the public via advertising.
I know another pestie who about the same time Tony became a member so did he in London and most leads he gets are where councils no longer treat, and they expect cheap prices.Council referred them to BPCA.
Thats a reasonable return on investment Tony.
Prevention for protection |
| Dusty |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 22:31:21
Matt criticism is healthy. With no criticism, there need be no change.
As far as fees are concerned, although I live in Australia, I was prepared to join BPCA to obtain their magazine, but no annual subscription is worth $A1000 ffs and I doubt any association membership is worth paying that much for.
Nick, print media adds promoting BPCA membership benefits to the public would be a good start to create brand name awareness. Something along the lines of sugggesting to the public that by using a BPCA member you can be certain that your family's health and safety is assured. It may prompt non members to join
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
| Matt the Rat |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 19:25:00
We are all quick to critise sometimes. Perhaps all members should ask themselves what they have done for their organisation?
Keep on Killing |
| Tony |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 18:52:05
I get at least �8 in referals from the BPCA for every �1 in membership fees. That is my primary reason for membership and I have no complaints.
Tony Bond
1st Call Essex Wasps |
| NickA |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 11:45:22
But you can pay a lot and get nothing?
Prevention for protection |
| nobby |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 11:42:54
Its a fair point about the cost of membership. Maybe Blatta or someone from BPCA could tell potential members what they would get for their money. You get nothing for nothing in this world. |
| NickA |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 11:34:16
JD, thats being cynical.
Perception will take a long time to change, likely if a pest control market survey was undertaken UK what would the public equate pest control with????
Reread earlier posts when I mentioned TV advertising or lobbying look at replys, OUR industry does not want to spend the money,and that is the first step in changing public perception, not what Association we belong to.
Ask people in Britain have you heard of BPCA,NPTA or CIEH and UKPCO, you can guess the answer. Will know Rentokil, thats pest control.
Reports etc great but Mrs or Mr Average are not going to read those reports.
Invest in changing public perception by advertising not by saying our technicians are PROMPT< DATAS,registered what does that mean when they are looking for someone to deal with their pests.
So is there any Market Research available UK showing what the public really needs thinks about pest control UK.?
Prevention for protection |
| Dusty |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 11:13:23
As I understand it, membership fees for BPCA are over 300 pounds. By my calculations thats heading towards $1000 Australian. Bloody hell, thats a lot of money. Common sense suggests that a stiff reduction in membership fees may see a proportionate increase in member numbers. Or is it perhaps the whole idea to price it out of reach of the mere mortals?
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
| Jonathan Peck |
Posted - 11 Mar 2006 : 01:22:21
Nobby
You may be interested to see that there is a pan-European movement to change the perception of the pest management industry. See www.amsterdam-project.com
BPCA, NPTA and N-PAP are all involved and will work together to bring improvements to the UK industry image. Presentations to associations and organisations in other countries are currently being made and they will be working together to improve the image in their markets.
The project booklet is currently being translated into Italian, French, Dutch and Polish and will be posted on the website in due course.
Expect to see more activity later in the year, when (hopefully) a WHO report on urban pest management is available and when the public officials, whose support is so necessary, are no longer totally taken up with bird flu.
Best wishes
Jonathan Peck
Killgerm Group |
