Why I joined the PWNA

I wish the PWNA well...

I get nervous when I hear that contractors run it though, to be honest. We are not exactly the smartest people in the world to be running organizations. I've seen too much foul play, too much good ol' boy-ism things that plague different orgs and eventually somebody will get tired of some scumbag in the org doing crappy work and the org not doing anything about it.

Don't ask where I've seen this before...
 
HotShot_Anthony said:
I wish the PWNA well...

I get nervous when I hear that contractors run it though, to be honest. We are not exactly the smartest people in the world to be running organizations. I've seen too much foul play, too much good ol' boy-ism things that plague different orgs and eventually somebody will get tired of some scumbag in the org doing crappy work and the org not doing anything about it.

Don't ask where I've seen this before...
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Is that and orgs business to police its members?

Im not trying to argue in T's thread but this is a good subject.

I personally think thats not the contractors job, its customers place to weed out bad contractors.

Like everything there will be bad people, all my life someone someplace is doing something wrong.

I worry about me, I will not police my fellow contractor or will i Rat him out.
 
I don't worry about anyone else either, Ron. But, when that contractor is sporting the same logo that would be on my paperwork and the customer has a bad taste in their mouth from their shoddy work, I want nothing to do with that org. It degrades the quality of the organization as a whole.

Then, when the org is shown proof after proof, after proof of the consistently crappy work coming from this contractor, virtually ruining the org's reputation, they do nothing about it.

What will PWNA do differently to stop something like this from happening? Or, will it just be money talks like the rest of the orgs out there besides the Grease Police where money couldn't buy your way in?

And by the way, I'm not knocking the intentions of the other orgs. I think they all set out with good intentions, but there is just something about contractors running organizations that suck arse. I think the board needs to consist of 3rd parties that have no dog in the fight so to speak. They just run the organization effectively, period.
 
HotShot_Anthony said:
I don't worry about anyone else either, Ron. But, when that contractor is sporting the same logo that would be on my paperwork and the customer has a bad taste in their mouth from their shoddy work, I want nothing to do with that org. It degrades the quality of the organization as a whole.

Then, when the org is shown proof after proof, after proof of the consistently crappy work coming from this contractor, virtually ruining the org's reputation, they do nothing about it.

What will PWNA do differently to stop something like this from happening? Or, will it just be money talks like the rest of the orgs out there besides the Grease Police where money couldn't buy your way in?

And by the way, I'm not knocking the intentions of the other orgs. I think they all set out with good intentions, but there is just something about contractors running organizations that suck arse. I think the board needs to consist of 3rd parties that have no dog in the fight so to speak. They just run the organization effectively, period.
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Who runs the grease police? This time I'm not being a smart alec I really don't know anything about the grease police. How is it set up differently?
 
The Grease Police organization is disbanded as of now. It was setup differently in the way that RESULTS got you membership. Was it perfect? Nope, was it better than any other org I've ever seen, YEP!

Where we ran into a big problem was the "educational" part of it. We got tired of training our competition just to have them go stab you in the back and low-ball your price. They could have the same tools, same knowledge, etc... and if they had an ounce of work ethic, with a smaller company, they could clean house.

You guys will see. It will eventually come down to a couple BIG companies controlling everything because they have either bought everyone out, or using their deep pockets to kill the little guy with different forms of "regulations" that they have put into place. You will either have to join them, or you will be out on your arse. Mark my words.
 
HotShot_Anthony said:
You guys will see. It will eventually come down to a couple BIG companies controlling everything because they have either bought everyone out, or using their deep pockets to kill the little guy with different forms of "regulations" that they have put into place. You will either have to join them, or you will be out on your arse. Mark my words.
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I don't mind the "buy out" thing. I've been on both ends of that spectrum, buyer and seller, and usually it works out well for both parties.

As far as the "regulations" go I will fight that everywhere I see it. Are you fighting it where you see it Ant? I hope that when the time comes we can join together as I can see you hate it as much as I do.
 
HotShot_Anthony said:
I wish the PWNA well...

I get nervous when I hear that contractors run it though, to be honest. We are not exactly the smartest people in the world to be running organizations. I've seen too much foul play, too much good ol' boy-ism things that plague different orgs and eventually somebody will get tired of some scumbag in the org doing crappy work and the org not doing anything about it.

Don't ask where I've seen this before...
Click to expand...

You know Ant those are some good points. I never was for just a contractor org. only. I always supported that in a board there should be a balance of Contractors,Distributors and manufacturers. Maybe in that balance there should be a higher % of Contractors. There should also be an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO WORKS FOR THE ORGANIZATION PERIOD!!!!!!!!! Not the other way around which is what your seeing with that "Other org". The PWNA has done a good job to weed out some of the bad weight. They had a President resign in midterm a few years ago because of a Conflict of interest(Man that was my only tough times when I was a Board of director there).

The worst org. that I have ever been involved with was where the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR paid himself and called all the shots. That is a sure fire way to KILL an org. that had all the ideals in place to be a "Somebody" in this org. business.
 
Guys, the logo and shotty work means nothing. You have a driver licensed and continue to speed.

Its not about a logo, the association is never going to impress a customer from that respect.

It simply says your in the game, your tuned into changing laws and policys in your industry.

Smart business people know that a cert or association doesnt garantee anything.

Look at it like this, if you dont have the association then your ignorance can affect them. But if your associated then if you screw the pooch they now know your just neglagent. This can give some assurance that they did the do diligence to the best of there ability. ( its never a guarantee)

I would like to see them not take the respnsibilty but the awareness of the proper methods.
 
HotShot_Anthony said:
When you are a small company, you have to worry about it, Ron. I network with non-competing companies all the time - plumbers, electricians, carpet cleaners, fire suppression, etc... but guys that do the same work I do, ain't no way anymore.
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I realize its real for you, its not for me. I cannot worry about it, alls I can do is do what I do.

I have had customers employees stab me in the back, I'm sure it will happen again.

I cannot let the people who are dishonest keep me from my freedom.

I guess we just look at things different, I will have folks hurt me in the future and most I dont even know it happens.


So Join the PWNA Ant, come along for the ride. It might be fun and you might like it. You will never know unless you get on board.
 
This last week In Nola I realized why I'm and association member.

The power in number are great!!!

If the power in number be the sole reason I will stay a member of all the orgs I feel are important to my dollars.

People should be supportive of all positive moves twords the future.
 
Tony Shelton said:
After more than a year of looking at current industry orgs with a microscope, I joined the PWNA this week.

Here's why.

First it is an org that has stood the test of time. There have been some failures in its past. After reading literally hundreds of posts on the subject one of the standouts of the org is that it's leaders aren't afraid to confront failure, admit to it and move on. This wasn't always true, but time has taught a valuable lesson and added value to the org.

Second, the BOD of the org is filled with contractors that actually pressure wash for a living whether they personally do the work or have employees. The BOD is filled with guys who have proven to be successful in the pressure washing industry. They represent the goals that any one of us can accomplish if we just utilize the information they can impart to us.

Third, time has allowed any "hate driven" influences to be expunged from the decision processes of the organization. It is simply a contractor organization with the sole purpose of helping other contractors and as a networking vehicle to bring the industry together.

Fourth, I have met and spoken with more than 1/2 of the board personally. You guys know me. In some cases I asked some hard questions (some of which I already knew the answers) and not once did I get a dishonest answer.....even when it was less than flattering to the org. This is a good sign.

Fifth, of all the members I have met who are just simply members, virtually none of them gave "bennies" as a reason for joining. Almost all quoted "education", "networking" and "bettering the industry". When you pull together an organization of contractors who only join to RECEIVE something in return, you end up with an organization filled with receivers and a handful of "givers" who get saddled with all the work. Eventually that resentment and hatred that the org is founded on will start to come out and end up being directed towards the members.

Sixth, In the years of operation of the PWNA I can't find any information that gives me the indication that the PWNA members look down on nonmembers as inferior contractors. It may have happened in the past, but I can't find any indication of it today.

Seventh, the org actively appears to be working with government officials in a PRO-industry manner. The PWNA is willing to represent the contractor using common sense rather than simply telling the government to "tell us what to do and we will do it". I would like to be a part of a historical movement that represents our industry as common sense, logical businessmen rather than simply polluters who don't have enough sense to know what to do.


Is there room for more industry orgs?

Sure.

But taking a few part time contractors and getting them together with the purpose of making an org that excludes some individuals is not a good foundation.

Can an existing organization with a faulty foundation change from an org of hate and inexperience and evolve into something good for our industry?

Sure.

But it can't happen without full recognition of the problems and a study of mistakes made by other, more time-tested orgs like the PWNA and a commitment not to make the same mistakes.


This is the first org I've joined since the 90's if my memory serves me right. But the PWNA appears to have learned from it's mistakes the mistakes of others and could very well lead our industry into a prosperous future during tough political and economic times.
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Do you mind if we use the
Testimony
 
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