Thad
WCR Sales & Founder PWRA
Why are you up so Late Paul?
He's in Canada.
It's morning over there.
Why are you up so Late Paul?
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...
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.
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.
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...
'Its bread!!! lolLocal networking is the neatest thing since sliced cheese
That's assuming you're dealing with upstanding people that have a sense of ethics and morals. I know some guys that were outright stabbed in the back by peeps that they thought were their friends.
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.
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.