AWPMA E-Gazette - December 2022

Board Report

As the end of the year is upon us, we can’t help but reflect on all the achievements that have been accomplished by AWPMA in the past twelve months. Three amazing award winners, our first networking breakfast at Pesticon, two online seminars, four in-person networking events across three states, and let’s not forget: a complete rebranding of the association.

The AWPMA Board has been a flourish of activity this last month, notably the sensational networking event held in Perth, WA. Thankyou to Fiona Sheppard for organising the day, and BASF for sponsoring the event. We also hosted a very successful online seminar with George from Yah Marketing, are collaborating with AEPMA to build the careers in pest website, along with our AGM held earlier this month. The AGM was well attended, and we are pleased to welcome back to the AWPMA Board Kuyan Rider, Cassie Ryan, Sarah Cutting, Tara Kiker, Amy Jenkinson, and Sophi-Rose Green. Planning for the next 12 months is already underway, and we have some exciting events planned across the country. Please ensure you are a member of our AWPMA Facebook group so you can stay up to date with all our communication regarding these. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, please remember “Christmas is the only time of year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks. Enjoy!”

Forthcoming issues: November

JOIN US!

Membership for AWPMA is open to all females representing companies and businesses involved in any aspect of Pest Management industry, our association has a strong ethic to grow a supportive community for all women in the industry.

JOIN NOW!!!

WA CROWN TOWERS EVENT

On Sunday 27th November we held our ladies day in WA – Thank you to Fiona Sheppard for organising this event and to BASF for sponsoring the day. The venue for this event was fabulous, with a very picturesque view of Perth. Of course WA turned on that amazing weather for the day so it was blue skies as far as the eye could see.

Without the distractions of escape rooms or axe throwing or swinging a golf club we were all able to get down to what we know best - discussing pest control. It was amazing to see the diversity of the pest management services each company offered in WA and how they differed in size and experience. It was also interesting see the contrast between interstate experiences regarding COVID.

The food at this event was glorious! Some of my favourites were the personalised cookies and cake, they looked fabulous, but they tasted even better. I loved meeting new people at this event and can’t wait for our next WA event to reignite these connections.

Thank you BASF Pest Control AU, for sponsoring our Western Australian event!

Many laughs were had, beautiful food was enjoyed, and connections were made.

Special mentions to.

Fiona Sheppard for her efforts organizing this event!

DB2 Pest Control and Building Inspection - https://www.dbtwo.com.au/

Jacks Creative Kitchen - bit.ly/JCKXmas

Melissa Harder of My Sweet Fix - www.mysweetfix.com.au

WA CROWN TOWERS EVENT CONT.

SOCIAL

Looking to improve engagement with your audience on social media, but aren’t sure where to begin? You’ve come to the right place!

In this free, two-hour livestream, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of various social media platforms, and learn to develop and implement an actionable social media strategy. We’ll focus on how to structure your social media efforts, captivate your audience on each social media platform, and build brand awareness, loyalty, and sales. All in real time, taught by an industry professional.

Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to get maximum engagement from your audience!

What will the livestream learning experience be like?

• Ask questions and build your online network by interacting with fellow classmates and an expert instructor —all in real time via live chatbox and Q&A.

• Learn new skills in the comfort of your own home, or on the go! All participants will be automatically muted with no video.

Takeaways

• Learn how to develop and implement a social media strategy.

• Create an elevator pitch that clearly defines your brand, audience, and key differentiator.

• Understand the difference between major social media platforms.

• Learn how to use the major social media platforms to create content and engage your audience.

• Explain the difference between publishing, listening, and reporting tools.

• Create a weekly content calendar for your business.

READY TO CONTINUE ON YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY?

Check out our course catalog to find your next step. Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional skill set in one of our parttime courses, or go for a complete career transformation by enrolling in one of our immersive courses, we’ve got you covered!

Preparation

• This class is taken completely online, and requires a computer and a strong internet connection.

• We will provide a link to the platform on the day of the class. NOTE: Some domains block our automated emails, so If you don’t receive sign-in instructions within 1 hour of the livestream, please reach out to help@ generalassemb.ly and we’ll send sign-in instructions right away!

INTRO TO DIGITAL MARKETING | FREE ONLINE LIVESTREAM

FRIDAY, 23 DECEMBER, 2022

1:30 – 3:30 AM ACDT

Understanding the landscape and strategy of Digital Marketing today is key to building your brand and driving the bottom line for your business.

In this free, two-hour livestream, you’ll explore the components of brand building and see how modern marketers drive successful campaigns using content, email, social media, paid advertising channels, and more. All in real time, taught by an industry professional.

Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to create your first digital marketing campaign!

What will the livestream learning experience be like?

• Ask questions and build your online network by interacting with fellow classmates and an expert instructor —all in real time via live chatbox and Q&A.

• Learn new skills in the comfort of your own home, or on the go! All participants will be automatically muted with no video.

Takeaways

• Understand how digital marketing can help a business drive their bottom line.

• Learn different tools and strategies used in Digital Marketing today

• Describe and understand the ObjectiveFirst Framework.

• Apply the Objective-First Framework to a real world example

READY TO CONTINUE ON YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY?

Check out our course catalog to find your next step. Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional skill set in one of our parttime courses, or go for a complete career transformation by enrolling in one of our immersive courses, we’ve got you covered!

Preparation

• This class is taken completely online, and requires a computer and a strong internet connection.

• We will provide a link to the platform on the day of the class. NOTE: Some domains block our automated emails, so If you don’t receive sign-in instructions within 1 hour of the livestream, please reach out to help@ generalassemb.ly and we’ll send sign-in instructions right away!

WHS: HOW TO AVOID HEAT EXHAUSTION AND MANUAL HANDLING ACCIDENTS

RAPID SOLUTIONS

As summer business heats up, a strong focus on work, health and safety (WHS) in pest and building inspection jobs is becoming increasingly important. Especially when it comes to heat exhaustion and manual handling.

Being called out to perform pest control work or conducting pre-purchase building inspections requires a certain degree of physical labour. As do most of the job activities in this sector. This opens up you and your crew to many risks, with the above-mentioned two are what you’ve told us are of greatest concern during these hotter months.

Here is a guide as to when these may be a problem and how to avoid them.

THE BIG RISKS – WHS IN PEST JOBS AND BUILDING INSPECTION JOBS

It’s not only hotter during this time of year, we’re working harder than we do at other times of year. Often without taking the breaks we should and unconsciously prioritising speed over safety. Which is why we need to pay special WHS attention to…

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion is always a risk when conducting a certain degree of physical labour, however the level of risk rises significantly during our peak season.

Some tasks increase the likelihood further. For example, the personal protective equipment (PPE) required during pest control jobs can get very hot when worn for an extended period of time. Another activity that will increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion is a roof inspection.

Climbing through a ceiling manhole or crawling under a property and then spending time inspecting for damage and pests in these high temperature areas can quickly become dangerous. There’s a reason why dogs in hot cars can perish quickly. Don’t over-stay your welcome in hot, tight-squeeze areas like this.

MANUAL HANDLING

As for manual handling risks, we all know lifting heavy chemical containers poses the risk of dropping the container, straining your back or causing injury in another way. Manual handling of heavy tool belts and sprayers also poses a

risk of straining muscles or causing some other injury.

And beware the twists and turns that need to be executed through inspecting nooks and crannies for structural faults and pests. Manoeuvring equipment and your body through the space takes concentration and dexterity.

Remember: these two big WHS risks often cooccur, with one causing the other. For example, the heat of summer can cloud your focus quickly and reduce your strength. Especially when you’ve been working too long without a break or water.

TIPS TO AVOID WHS DANGERS

There are some practical WHS safety measures to take to make sure your team reduces their risk of injury or illness.

Here are helpful pointers:

1.

PLAN AHEAD

Preparing for the job well will help you navigate WHS risks successfully. A key tool for doing so is asking your customer plenty of questions about the job site and completing a WHS risk assessment ahead

of commencing. A safe work method statement could also help you not only prepare well but provide evidence of detailed preparation if the job results in an injury or accident.

2. HYDRATE

Make sure you and your team are keeping their fluids up with plenty of water. If you’re working in a remote location without easy access to running water, make sure to bring lots along with you and keep it in as cool a spot as possible.

3. EDUCATE

Teach your workers about heat exhaustion symptoms, correct lifting techniques and the signs of body strain. Talk to them about feeling comfortable with saying when they need a break. Ensure they keep their knowledge up to date on the safest ways of moving through a job. Lead by example – is it time for a Rapid Training refresh?

4.

KEEP IT TOP OF MIND

One way of doing this is making WHS a regular topic during staff meetings and emails. Check in with your people individually on a regular basis to ensure they’re not pushing themselves, especially during peak season. A healthy employee is a productive employee.

5. TAKE MORE BREAKS

During particularly hot days, make sure your workers are able to take additional rest breaks and encourage them to do so. Slowing the pace is better than regretting it later and having to accommodate employee downtime accompanied by a workers’ compensation pay-out.

RECOGNISING HEAT EXHAUSTION DANGERS

When it comes to WHS in pest jobs and building inspection jobs, good practice means recognising the signs of heat exhaustion before it becomes a problem. Heat exhaustion can range from mild discomfort to heat stroke.

Look out for the following stresses as outlined by

the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:

• discomfort – flushed skin, increased sweating, heat rashes (prickly heat)

• mild heat illness – feeling tired, weak or dizzy, cramps, reduced work capacity, reduced attention span, irritability

• heat exhaustion – fainting, headache, low blood pressure, nausea, clammy, pale or flushed skin, normal to high body temperature (up to 39C)

• heat stroke – irritability, confusion, speech problems, hot dry skin. Convulsions, unconsciousness, body temperature above 40C, cardiac arrest

The following actions should be taken if an employee has heat exhaustion:

1. Immediately move them to a cooler environment with good air movement

2. Loosen their clothing and, where possible, remove PPE and unneeded layers of clothing

3. Allow them to drink cool (not ice cold) water

4. Sponge them down with cold water to lower

their body temperature

5. Seek medical attention if the person does not recover quickly or vomits

Struggling with workload and stress during this busy period? Read our guide on Peak Season: How to Cope This Summer.

INSURANCE IS CRITICAL FOR WHS IN PEST JOBS AND BUILDING JOBS

Even with the best WHS protocols in place, accidents can still happen. Make sure you’re well insured this summer with professional indemnity insurance and general liability insurance. Call us on 1300 309 169 to get a quote ASAP if you’re looking to properly protect you, your staff and your business this summer.

INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW GLENN FROM BASF

Tell us a bit about how you got to this position. Experience across several Industries in Sales & Management (Rentokil, Bridgestone) just a couple of examples

What would you say to women who are working towards the goal of becoming a representative of a supplier?

We at BASF actively support women in our Business (currently a National Team of 8 with 50% being women) across all aspects of the Business

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced to date?

In the last 3 years, weather, Covid and Generic product pressure.

What rewards are associated with your role at BASF?

Salary Package, which includes a tool of trade vehicle, phone and computer.

What qualifications or experience do you think would help you to do the job well?

I am a qualified Power Plant Engineer, Pest Operator Licence and a huge amount of experience in different Industries both in the UK and Australia.

What are some of your career highlights to date?

Achieving Business of the year with Rentokil, Sales Manager of the year BASF

Have you had any funny moments on the road in your time as a rep?

Too many to mention, however, in a 6 month period whilst in my current role, I reversed into a tree and hit 2 kangaroos and a cow, so I was sent on a driver training course.

How have you found the pest control industry differs from previous industries you have worked in?

Consistently moving to find better methods of control with new active ingredients whilst being environmentally friendly.

What areas do you feel the industry can grow in?

More digital controls

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? Retired

GET TO KNOW GEROGE PEJOVIC!

CEO / CREATIVE DIRECTOR

After studying design in 2008, George got a job managing a print company working on marketing, print production, manufacture, engineering and design. With a nerdy mindset, he was thrown in the deep end to hone his own skills and learn on the job. This primarily forced him to discover, learn, and build the resilience needed to begin his own business. After assisting in scaling the print company he worked for, demand grew for his services and

he began his career which would later become Yah, in 2012.

Through the first few years, George was able to build relationships with large agencies & fulfillment businesses and ended up working with clientele such as: Corona, XXXX, Moet, Brisbane City Council, Hertz, Suncorp and many others, providing, design, digital strategy and high level print production services.

From there the business grew to a small team of 5 and It was not too long after he realised the market demanded much more. With many clients not knowing where to start, disheartened by failed attempts and how to market their businesses he endeavoured to use the learning and principles to help guide businesses to be strategic and pro-active but most importantlyconsistent.

In 2015 Yah moved offices into Fortitude Valley and got straight to work for large digital organisations which enhanced our digital capabilities and knowledge base, providing design and development to various media companies that enabled Yah to show its level of digital and brand expertise.

Combining the knowledge acquired through this experience George developed the methodology we now call the Yah Way. A process that encompasses the Agile Marketing Methodology delivered through Strategy, Branding, Digital and Print media.

The Marketing methodology Yah Marketing now use to keep up with the speed and complexity of marketing today:

1. Focusing on customer value and business

outcomes over activity and outputs

2. Delivering value early and often over waiting for perfection

3. Learning through experiments and data over opinions and conventions

4. Cross-functional collaboration over silos and hierarchies

5. Responding to change over following a static plan

Every market is different and George is a big believer in discovery, data and experimentation.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

IS IT TIME TO GO PAPERLESS IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Using digital tools to operate your business can increase your efficiency, reduce your costs and be more environmentally friendly. Learn about the benefits of going paperless and follow our tips to help you go digital.

THE BENEFITS OF GOING PAPERLESS

Going paperless means not using paper documents in your business and using digital documents instead.

Going paperless has many benefits including:

• Saving time and boosting your business efficiency

• Reducing business costs

• Being more environmentally friendly

• Reducing human error for your business

• Saving space

• Helping with your emergency management.

Learn more about the benefits of going digital.

HOW TO GO PAPERLESS

1. Check your businesses digital maturity Start by identifying what your business is doing well and where you can improve when it comes to digital maturity. Use our free Digital Readiness Assessment Tool to help you. It takes about 10 minutes for you to complete, and we recommend using it once a year as a digital health check for your business.

2. Use digital tools and software that will benefit your business. Many digital tasks can be completed using easily accessible online software and tools. These include:

• Document management systems – for organising, storing and searching for digital files.

• Accounting systems – for storing and accessing all your financial details. This will make tax time so much easier. With a few clicks of a button, you can produce handy reports to help you complete your tax return.

• Customer relationships systems – for recording interactions between you and your prospective and existing customers.

• Learning management systems – for creating training courses, storing course information and delivering courses. Find out which digital tools and software can help you run your business and connect with customers and employees.

3. Get expert digital support

If you’re a small business owner and not sure how to get started, you may be eligible for support from an expert from the Digital Solutions program. The program will work with you to adopt digital tools to save you time and money, and to help grow your business.

4. Bring your staff along for the digital journey

If you have employees, then the transition to go paperless will have a better chance of success if you bring your staff along for the digital journey. You can do this by:

• Communicating to your staff how the new digital tools will help their work and benefit them.

• Involving staff in decision making about digital tools and software.

• Making sure your staff receive training in how to use your digital tools, before they need to use them.

• Easing staff into change gradually. Remember that going paperless is a journey, and people respond better to small changes over time.

5. Learn what other businesses have done If you need a little inspiration, see how small businesses similar to yours have adopted digital technologies into their business.Check out our digital case studies to get inspired for your business

6. Understand rules for digital marketing Marketing through printed materials, such as brochures, can be costly. You can save money by marketing through digital channels, such as emails, text messages and social media, but it’s important that you understand the rules when sending electronic commercial messages to your customers. Learn about the laws that apply to promoting your business electronically.

BE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY

Make sure your business is prepared this season and know what to do in an emergency situation.

In Australia, natural disasters such as floods and fire can strike without warning, so it’s important to make sure your business is resilient in times of crisis.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS?

Being prepared for an emergency can help you:

• identify risks to critical areas of your business and how to best protect them

• know what you and your staff need to do during an emergency situation

• make sure that if the worst happens, you have the tools and support in place to help you get back to business.