Pest Management Professional, October 2013
UNDERCOVER BOSS Continued from page 41 The customers werent preselected or scripted in any way I also didnt know anything about the employees I was going to meet on this journey Our vice president of public relations traveled with me and prepped me each morning about the branchs performance but it was my job to get to know the employees My first job as Bob the Orkin Man was outside Lafayette La with new pest management specialist Chris Turgeau We faced a massive cockroach infestation in a mobile home one of the worst Ive ever seen After the show aired many people asked if we staged the trailer with the infestation No one including me could believe people were living in those conditions but that situation like the others that followed was unstaged and unscripted Chris had been with us for only seven months and with him I realized important messages like why we have certain rules Chris Turgeau and I battle one of the worst cockroach infestations Ive seen Chris Turgeau Lafayette La I was surprised when I was chosen to be a coach for a reality show contestant to learn about customer service because Id only been with Orkin a few months But I was excited to do it and my branch team pulled together to cover my shift the day we filmed When I first met Bob I thought Who is this bizarrelooking guy He caught me off guard My first impression of him was of a mad scientist Bob doesnt fit the Orkin Man profile The company expects a clean appearance His hair was sticking out all over he had facial hair and if I were a customer Id be surprised and taken aback He was nice though and eager to learn I enjoyed spending the day with Bob except we were amidst the worst cockroach infestation Ive ever seen I hated that the familys kids probably had cockroaches crawling on them when they were asleep Continued on page 44 Later that week I flew to Los Angeles for what turned out to be the reveal where I learned Bob was really John Wilson As I was getting on the plane my manager texted me Undercover Boss And I thought No this isnt about me Its about this Bob guy I realize now I missed the clues Bob was too comfortable in that cockroach infested trailer He took everything in stride like an experienced pest control technician When John came around the corner dressed as himself he looked familiar but it still didnt quite hit me because I dont watch the show I felt 1000 emotions as John and I talked I couldnt be happier about the college fund Bob and Rollins set up for my two kids Theyre my life And Im thrilled to travel to Atlanta to learn how to handle difficult customers and see the whole set up there I started working for Orkin by accident but I see it can be a worthwhile career 42 October 2013 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net Photo Studio Lambert 2013 All Rights Reserved Courtesy CBS BROADCASTING INC
You must have JavaScript enabled to view digital editions.
