In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Eric Bassett and Jake Claus sit down with Sam Taggart, the CEO of The D2D Experts and founder of D2DCon, as he shares invaluable insights on transforming door-to-door sales teams, achieving Golden Door success, and the future of pest control growth strategies. Learn how the top sales performers hit 1,000+ accounts, why hustle and mindset trump everything, and how systems like certification programs and industry leaderboards are pushing the industry to new heights. Plus, discover what makes D2DCon the must-attend event of 2025 for owners, managers, and sales reps alike. Whether you’re scaling your business or inspiring your sales team, this episode delivers actionable advice to supercharge your pest control company. Don’t miss out!

Topics Covered:

• Door-to-door sales mastery
• Creating high-performing sales teams
• Innovations in pest control training
• Leveraging industry collaboration for growth
• Door-to-Door Con: What to expect and how it drives success

From genetically altered pests to researching worldwide solutions, Dr. Cassie Krejci now researches it all. Can she find the solutions that are not only effective and efficient but also safe for the planet and ecosystem? In this episode, we take a deep dive with Dr. Cassie the head of science and innovation at Rentokil.

Stay a step ahead with Syngenta! In today’s episode, Eric and Jake get all of the insights from Marshall Gaster, Head of Marketing for Pest Control, about Syngenta’s Pest Partners Program, as well as past, present, and future innovation. Tune in to get all of the details, and hear their take on changes in the industry over the years.

The dynamics of business partnerships often mirror the complexities of personal relationships, particularly marriages. In today's episode, Eric and Jake dive deep into the complexities of business partnerships and how to navigate them effectively. Tune in for insights on partnership dynamics and a touch of holiday nostalgia!

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Business partnership challenges (6:03)
Business partnerships as marriages (8:38)
Financial pitfalls in partnerships (12:28)
Financial communication in partnerships (14:11)
Contribution levels in partnerships (19:25)
Partnership imbalance and flexibility (21:34)
Partnership imbalance and contributions (24:18)
Positive dissolution of partnerships (30:21)
Conflict in partnerships and communication (31:17)
Unresolved conflicts in partnerships (34:51)

Always empower and encourage your managers, even when they make mistakes. Let them know that it's okay to fail and that you're there to support them. In today's episode, Eric and Jake dive into the critical differences between the mindsets of business owners and employees. Eric highlights the importance of leadership, vision, creativity, and risk-taking for owners. Tune in to learn how to cultivate a successful mindset as you build and scale your pest control company.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Maintaining Influence with Managers (7:04)
Clear Expectations and Roles (9:19)
Employee vs. Owner Perspective (10:20)
Hiring to Replace Tasks (12:07)
Importance of KPIs (14:18)
Partnership Dynamics (16:06)
Transitioning from Manager to Owner (17:35)
Finding a Mentor (20:02)
Giving Room to Fail (22:07)
Parenting Analogy in Business (24:38)
Managing Free Time (26:05)
Empowering and Encouraging Managers (29:13)
Closing Remarks and Appreciation (31:38)

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake discuss the importance of customer engagement in the pest control industry. They emphasize that spending extra time with customers, understanding their needs, and celebrating wins can significantly enhance retention and create positive word-of-mouth. The conversation also highlights the inspection process as a valuable opportunity to introduce additional services to clients. This episode is packed with actionable tips to help you maximize productivity and engagement within your PCC.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Productivity and Engagement (5:36)
Technician Productivity: Cloverleafing and Sales (6:15)
Technician Sales Training and Incentives (8:22)
Technician Retention and Add-On Services (10:03)
Technician Equipment Maintenance and Organization (13:09)
Office and Sales Productivity: Voicemails and Leads (18:03)
Collections and Autopay (20:53)
Win-Back Campaigns (32:01)
Training and Cross-Departmental Training (33:30)
Customer Feedback and Voicemail Follow-Up (40:43)

In today's episode, Eric and Jake record from Pest World in Denver, Colorado. They highlight the importance of networking opportunities at Pest World and reflect on the educational content available, including vendor education and new technology in the pest control industry. They emphasize the dual purpose of their presence at the event: engaging with pest control operators and enhancing their knowledge through high-quality classes. Tune in for insights and updates from this special industry gathering!

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Special offer for podcast listeners (3:51)
PCO community growth and engagement (8:02)
Vendor relationships and discounts (10:18)
Community connections and support (14:08)
Best networking event insights (22:06)
Promo code for membership discount (26:11)
Building a pest control community (28:59)

In any company, the implementation of new policies can often be met with resistance or misunderstanding. In today's episode, Eric and Jake dive deep into the complexities of implementing policy changes within a pest control company, using their recent experience with box elder bugs as a case study. They also emphasize the need for clear communication about the changes, why they are being made, and how they benefit everyone involved, from the company to the customer.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Implementing Policy Changes (4:09)
Challenges of Policy Changes in Larger Companies (5:04)
Box Elder Bug Issue (6:11)
Market Variations and Pest Proliferation (8:02)
Office Staff and Policy Communication (10:12)
Policy Rollout and Staff Resistance (12:08)
Importance of Clear Communication (14:06)
Multifaceted Policy Change Challenges (16:36)
Educating Office Staff on Pest Issues (19:15)
Box Elder Bug Life Cycle Explanation (23:10)
Customer Education and Buy-In (26:15)
Timing and Preparation for Policy Changes (27:00)
Customer Communication Strategy (29:50)

In the pest control industry, it is essential to recognize when a customer may not be worth the trouble. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake address the challenging decision of when to fire a customer. Sometimes, despite the effort to gain and retain customers, certain clients can be more trouble than they're worth. This includes customers who are abusive, unreasonable, or cost the company more money than they bring in.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Original meaning of Halloween (4:12)
When to fire a customer (6:49)
Business with future customers (10:24)
Customer cancellation motivations (14:16)
Customer compliance in pest control (17:15)
Toxic customer relationships (22:02)
Customer abuse of free services (25:25)
Karma in customer service (28:23)
Firing aggressive customers (30:45)
Standing up for your staff (34:26

Customer retention is essential for sustainable growth and profitability. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Erik Maki with Service First Pest Management. Erik shares why companies often lose accounts not necessarily to competitors stealing them, but due to a failure to provide perceived value. When customers feel informed and valued, they are more likely to remain loyal, even in the face of competitive offers.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Music genre choices (5:50)
World-class customer service challenges (9:15)
Customer service in pest control (12:00)
Starting a business journey (15:23)
Entrepreneurial support from spouses (20:27)
Door-to-door commercial sales strategy (22:38)
Getting past gatekeepers in sales (26:45)
Value delivery in pest control (36:38)
Selling preventative pest control (40:05)