The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

Please give a warm Boardroom welcome to one of Paul’s all-time favorite CFOs, Tony DiLucente. Although a CFO, there's a lot more in this conversation than just financial strategy. How did Tony maintain consistency through ServiceMaster’s rotating CEO program?  The Boardroom may or may not mention the Rentokil / Terminix transaction in future episodes. No promises. It’s time to get Tony’s input on the deal, and his thoughts on integration and synergies. Since the conversation dives into M&A deals, why not set the record straight on ServiceMaster’s acquisition of Alterra in 2015? Rollins is the industry’s unicorn, but is Rollins’s Achilles heel its own family trust? From leading and lagging indicators to M&A to taking a company public, you don’t want to miss this interview with Tony!  Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

Paul and Patrick compare notes from recent Potomac | TV episodes, wouldn’t you know it’d uncover Jarl Dahlfors Anticimex Road Show investor presentation? A quick conversation about Steve & Michelle Mote, Shawn Hollis, and Sebastian Tomassoni turns into a pop quiz comparing Patrick’s list of Sebastian’s list (Anticimex’s VP of M&A North America) and comparing it to Jarl’s Top 14 List. Want to have some fun with this episode, and play along with The Boardroom Buzz? … Just like the Mexican’s love life, this won’t take long. Before you listen to this week’s episode, write down your list in order for comparison sake. And then, rank them. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

When it comes to public relations, there’s a lot to learn. Who better than Mike Harris from Uproar PR (not Puerto Rico) to discuss PR? Take it from the guy that can make drywall exciting. Nothing is guaranteed, but can public relations be held accountable for ROI? Listen to hear if getting national coverage is bad for a regional business. And when it comes to crisis management, do you really want your technician giving a soundbite to the media? In other words, if you’re in crisis mode, is it too late to plan? From Running of the Chihuahuas to making the Inc. 5000 list to $50,000 pool cues, step on in for this great discussion on all things PR. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

You first heard about SOLitude Lake Management back in Episode 70 with Jay Davis and Jason Pananos, but where (or who) gave SOLitude its start? Kevin Tucker steps in to share his backstory and breaks down the basics of lake management. Surely it’s a recurring service, but is it year-round or seasonal, is it route-based, is there any competition out there? Speaking of competition, you’re going to love to hear Kevin’s two cents on competing on price. From sales and marketing to vendor relationships to managing referrals, Kevin unpacks a lot in this episode. Seth avoided lake management years ago so his pest techs didn’t become champion fishermen, while Fat Pat suggests the Enterprise Rent-A-Car recruiting model for pest control. What do you think Paul thinks about four-year degrees? Mommy, Mommy. Look at that man’s back. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

The King of Route Density, Tony Sfreddo, surprised us all in his Potomac TV debut. It’s time to take another shot in “The Great Civil War” compensation discussion. Does compensation affect the bottom line or M&A? Pick a team. Are you Team Tony, Team Patrick, or Team Seth Goes Both Ways?  Both pay structures have their benefits and limitations, but listen for Seth’s creative incentive in this week’s episode. From paychecks to diabetes, could it be a home run when it comes to CEO’s knowing their front line employees? Speaking of culture, which word du jour will send this conversation down a rabbit trail? Anxiety fills the air when it comes to the economy, and the employment market is ever-changing. How’s this for a new concept: hiring for life. Would you subscribe to this method? Hurricane Ian left a wake of destruction in the Ft. Myers area, but there is a great story you don’t want to miss. Listen in on the conversation with PestCo’s Jared Borg and Southwest Florida Pool Pros Chaz Hambling. Big Boardroom Buzz shout out to Infinite Pest’s Jason Woodbury! Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

Brett Madden. Problem solver, risk taker, inventor, author, esquire, but don’t call him boss. From problem child to Cigar Aficionado, hear how younger Brett had a gift for observation.  Brett has found his way in and out of both bird and bug businesses. Take note of his takeaways after selling his first bird business.  From sales training to emotional response to listening skills, this week’s guest shares his 40+ years of experience. Now making a run at both Aviaway and Egnyter, this alpha male can’t be stopped. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

You’ve likely heard the term EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System). Maybe you read Traction. Heck, maybe you’ve drunk the Kool-Aid. The real question is: Have you read Rocket Fuel? Expert EOS Implementer Mark C Winters teamed up with Traction’s author, Gino Wickman, to produce the groundwork for the top of your accountability chart.  So what, or who, is at the top? Enter the Visionary and Integrator. Mark argues it’s this one-two combo “that will get you more of what you want from your business.” Hear how the two top-level leaders work together to dream-up and execute ideas. From management to strategy to entitlement, this interview covers the gamut of leadership and execution. You’ve heard Paul mention a few times on The Buzz that the founder is not always the best CEO. What’s Mark’s take on this? With Patrick and Seth’s new business launching the week of PestWorld, can Patrick extract free advice from Mark in this interview? So what’s next for you? Join the free Rocket Fuel Community, or check out Rocket Fuel’s Crystallizer Assessment. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

EBIT, EBITA, and EBITDA all sound and look similar, but what sets them apart? USA vs rest-of world; buy-side vs sell-side; there are many views and preferences on the matter, but Paul brings clarity to the complications. From different brand names in the same market to brand positioning to outsourced capabilities, The Boardroom Buzz welcomes your questions (thebuzz@potomaccompany.com). Don’t miss the literal million dollar question: with all of this capital pouring into pest acquisitions, what does it mean for non-sellers? Paul gives his first-hand accounts of both the infrastructure (or lack thereof) in post-Hurricane Fiona Puerto Rico and Europe’s financial predicament. Which is worse? You be the judge. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd

Paul Giannamore and behind-the-scenes Producer, Dylan Seals discuss the past, present, and future of The Boardroom Buzz as well as the introduction of POTOMAC | TV, a YouTube Channel that seeks to delight, entertain and inform Service Industry owners and their families.  Watch now at WWW.POTOMAC.TV Produced by Verbell.Ltd

Pest control in Europe is different, but how? Futura Germany CEO Daniel Schröer steps in to share the perspective from his side of The Pond. Both Daniel and his business partner, Oliver Klute, are second generation bug guys. It must’ve been their destiny to develop and distribute the world’s first digital mousetrap. Think you’re just too white and nerdy? Listen to how Futura Germany’s tech differs from Episode 74’s Ronen and Ethan’s. There is more pressure to be green in Europe, in fact, the IPM pyramid takes on a new shape. Is this interview the beginning of getting on the same page for “green” in the industry? Beyond virtue signaling with green pest, what mindset must you need to succeed with green tech? Winter is coming. The Boardroom conversation steers towards remote work, inflation, sanctions, and energy in this Europe-centric chat. Audio Mixing and Editing by www.verbell.ltd