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)

Attending industry events, such as PestWorld, provides a unique opportunity to meet vendors and fellow pest control professionals. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome a very special guest, Allan Draper with .proof Pest Control. Allan shares his experience at PestWorld and encourages attendees to step outside their comfort zones, engage with others, and participate in social events. These interactions can lead to unexpected opportunities and valuable connections!

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)
Bug Bux Podcast Evolution (5:39)
Pro tips for PestWorld (8:32)
Networking at PestWorld (11:21)
The origin story of Bug Bux (18:11)
Community support in pest control (23:47)
Abundance growth mindset (25:17)
Money management and personnel challenges (30:34)
Hiring to replace yourself (34:09)
Industry growth and company value (39:33)

One of the most pressing challenges faced by PCCs is managing incoming calls from potential customers who fall outside their service areas or require services they do not offer. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Phil Kirkeiner, co-founder and CEO of Baton Leads. Phil shares his unique path from studying music to becoming an accountant, and eventually finding his way into the pest control industry through summer sales. His experiences led him to identify a significant gap in the market: the need for a better referral system for pest control leads.

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)
Baton referral network innovation (5:05)
Building referral networks locally (6:44)
Customer service and lead generation (10:37)
Customer retention challenges in business (13:16)
Value proposition in business (20:55)
Pest control industry referrals (24:15)
Grit and self-doubt in entrepreneurship (27:41)
Supportive spouses in entrepreneurship (32:51)
Expanding referral platforms (36:20)

Positive interactions with customers can create a ripple effect within the community. When customers have a good experience, they are more likely to share that experience with others. In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss several key strategies that PCOs can implement to maintain a positive impact on the industry. In addition, they share insights on how inside salespeople can effectively follow up and create a lasting positive impression, even if the initial call doesn't result in a sale.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
Positive impact on the industry (9:32)
Community-focused sales approach(10:22)
Positive interactions build reputation (15:31)
Customer “WINs” Wants, Interest and Needs (18:00)
Positive community involvement in pest control (20:20)
Refreshing pest control perceptions (24:06)
Trustworthiness in pest control (34:44)
Industry impact and perception (38:00)

Whether you're in sales, customer service, or a technician in the field, connecting with your customers personally can make all the difference. In today's episode, Eric and Jake share insights from their own experiences in sales and customer service training. They discuss how a well-crafted script can help your team connect with customers and ensure they feel valued. It's not just about the sale, it's about building relationships.

Topic include:

Introduction (0:00)
Maintaining Customer Experience (5:06)
Sales Training and Communication (8:07)
Creating and Using Sales Scripts (11:06)
Importance of Connecting with Customers (14:48)
Memorize, Internalize, Personalize (MIP) (18:29)
Value Perception and Customer Engagement (22:09)
Technicians' Role in Customer Experience (28:01)
Impact of Genuine Connection (34:04)
Proactive Customer Engagement (38:06)
Jim Carrey Quote on Impact (41:18)

Training salespeople in the pest control industry with honesty, integrity, and a high level of professionalism is essential for the success and reputation of your business. In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss the importance of being proactive and well-informed about regulations in the pest control industry. In addition, they both share their personal experiences of training sales teams with a strong focus on honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)
New Facebook Group for Non-Owners (4:55)
Government Regulation in Pest Control (7:09)
W-2 vs. 1099 Employees (11:04)
Ethical Concerns in Door-to-Door Sales (14:14)
Importance of Honesty and Integrity (16:00) Importance of Sales Team Education (23:50)
Impact of Dishonest Sales Tactics (25:52)
Proactive Training for Sales Teams (31:13)

Communication, education and retention, are all key components of running a successful pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Paul Townsend, the Operations Manager for Animal & Insect Pest Management Inc. Educating customers about the services being provided, the potential risks associated with pest infestations, and preventative measures they can take can help them make informed decisions and feel confident in the services they are receiving. By educating customers, pest control companies can also establish themselves as trusted experts in the field.

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)
Guest Introduction: Paul Townsend (4:02)
AIPM Company Background (6:02)
Educating Customers on Pest Control (13:16)
Technician Roles and Customer Expectations (16:31)
Quality of Customers and Retention (18:34)
Educating Customers on Products (21:01)
Rodent Adaptation and Control Methods (27:58)
Historical Context of Rodent Control (30:07)
Challenges with Changing Regulations (36:55)