Pest in Class: Expert Voices in Pest Management

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Mendez, the fascinating owner and operator of Last Call Pest Control in Ontario, Canada.

Rachel shares how her distinctive journey shaped her compassionate approach to pest management. We also dive into how her bold personal aesthetic infuses her business branding, making her business as unique as she is.

As a new mother, Rachel opens up about the delicate balancing act between parenting and entrepreneurship, the power of community support, and her inspiring mission to uplift other women in the industry.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [09:23] A compassionate pest control approach

• [20:45] Rachel’s unique branding success

• [37:32] How to delegate and build trust in your team

• [45:52] Advice for new business owners
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Did you know the ServiceTitan Podcast network has other shows that can really help you not only grow your business but learn more about and use ServiceTitan even better?

We've come out with additional shows to help folks all over your organization get the most out of your time working with us and our platforms.

Today we have a guest episode from our sister show "Toolbox for the Trades", with a great concept to help keep your customers in your circle and coach your techs on the little things that matter most.

Originally Aired 8/20/2024

ServiceTitan is a powerful tool, but just like any major piece of equipment in your shop, you have to know how to use it to get the most out of it.

Customer satisfaction is typically a top priority for inbound service calls, but what about after the technician has left the premises?

Chelle Allen, the owner of iconnectu, joins us to discuss the concept of “happy calls” — customer experience follow-ups made after a service is performed. Chelle explains how these calls not only offer gratitude but also collect valuable feedback to improve services. 

Tune in to hear how happy calls help identify minor issues like technician behavior, create opportunities for additional sales, and strengthen customer loyalty. 

Join us as we discuss:

• [3:33] The importance of following up on the little things

• [10:50] Following miscommunication crumbs

• [19:17] Eliminating in-house bias by outsourcing calls

• [29:21] Using “happy calls” for cross-promotional sales

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• ServiceTitan Thank You Report Guide

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss cutting-edge reward systems that can boost your employees’ performance. 

Chris Anderson, co-founder and VP of Sales at Applause, and Kevin Burton, Business Development Representative Manager at Enzy, join us to discuss their approaches to employee engagement, incentivization, and gamification in the pest control industry. 

Chris shares how Applause has turned technician incentives into a performance-boosting powerhouse. Meanwhile, Kevin reveals how Enzy’s fun and competitive gamification tools light a fire under employees, sparking friendly competition and keeping motivation high.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:24] How Applause creates incentives for technicians, leading to better service 

• [6:34] A real-life Applause success story 

• [15:59] How Enzy gamifies the workplace and creates healthy competition
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Applause

• Enzy
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with two key leaders from Smarter Launch — Cody Smith, Director of Operations, and Bryson McCutcheon, Director of Customer Success.

Cody and Bryson share insights into how Smarter Launch’s innovative proposal software is designed to address common challenges in the pest control industry.

They discuss the software’s standout features, its impact on streamlining business processes, and the importance of building a strong community within the field.

Join us as we discuss:

• [06:19] The appeal of the pest control industry

• [12:51] How Smarter Launch can help your business

• [18:57] A mindset of continuous product improvement
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Smarter Launch

• Field Routes
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Many professional associations across the country provide resources and opportunities for companies to network, connect, learn, and ultimately help each other scale their businesses.

These groups have opened the doors for underrepresented groups to join the pest control industry and to pursue a professional career where they feel supported and included.

These incredible changes motivated Allie Allen to join the National Pest Management Association, where she focuses on memberships and certifications.

She joins us at our Ignite 2024 booth to share the story of her professional journey, her passion for memberships, and why she thinks more women should enter the pest control industry.

Join us as we discuss:

• [3:39] How networking makes the industry better

• [05:54] Why association memberships are important

• [09:48] Why more women need to enter the pest control industry
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• National Pest Management Association

• Pest World

• ServicePro

• FieldRoutes

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we chat with Brianna Neerland, Operations Manager at Kwik Kill Pest Control in Wisconsin. Brianna shares her journey from biotechnology to pest control, along with her passion for making operations run smoothly.

Brianna highlights the importance of efficient routing, automation, and clear communication with clients to keep a pest control business running strong. She also tells some great, relatable stories, including a memorable DIY pest control mishap.

Join us as we discuss: 

• 04:43 Pivoting from biotech to pest control

• 08:11 The importance of routing optimization for efficiency

• 15:19 DIY pest control horror stories

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ryan Englin truly understands how challenging it can be to recruit qualified people. He knows that if business owners want someone to look at them as their next potential employer, they need to make sure that the company appeals to them and meets them where they’re at.

They also need to understand what resonates with the different generations out there in the market who are actively looking for a career and adjust their approach and messaging accordingly.

As the CEO of Core Matters, Ryan and his team are on a mission to help companies in the trades hire the right talent faster and in a way that’s mutually beneficial. He stops by to share his experiences with us, discuss what business owners should be mindful of when recruiting, and talk about how to appeal to candidates from different generations.

Join us as we discuss:

• [04:19] The different generations of talent and what resonates with them

• [12:35] How to appeal to the younger generation

• [21:11] The importance of being seen and heard within the company

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Core Matters

• Titans of the Trades Podcast

• FieldRoutes

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Scaling a small business is always challenging. Sometimes, “winging it” feels like the best tactic that a growing team can do. But what about when a party like private equity enters the picture?

Those investors want to see more concrete processes that can be scaled and don’t rely on knowledge that only resides in various minds across the company.

Laura Gergle, VP of Project Management at Pest & Termite Consultants in Raleigh, NC, tells us how effective project management and documentation of processes and initiatives isn’t just healthy for your business. Effective planning will make your company more attractive to outsiders looking to invest. 

Join us as we discuss:

• [10:14] Why project management makes a difference to private equity 

• [23:50] How project management factors into culture 

• [37:19] Areas that require a different project management approach
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Professional Women In Pest Management
  

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Anyone in sales will tell you that managing a large team spread across different locations and time zones is no small feat. You need to lead and guide them so that they meet and exceed quotas and improve continuously.

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology, sales teams are now able to improve how they work in ways that were previously unthinkable.

This positive disruption motivated Gavin Janis to make the transition from being a user to a trainer of high-performing sales teams at Siro.

He joins us to share the incredible story of his professional journey and how Siro helps record and transcribe face-to-face conversations to unlock missing revenue for sales teams in the pest control industry.

Join us as we discuss:

• [07:35] An introduction to Siro and the platform’s mission

• [11:12] How Siro is used to train sales teams and help them to improve

• [27:46] Success stories from companies that are using the platform
  

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

• Siro

• FieldRoutes

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Get ready for an electrifying episode as we bring you the best insights straight from the floor of Ignite 2024, the must-attend event for pest control professionals in Orlando, Florida. 

We’re diving deep into the future of business operations with cutting-edge AI integrations, game-changing software strategies, and powerful automation techniques that can elevate any pest control business. 

Whether you’re looking to optimize your team’s efficiency, leverage AI for smarter decision-making, or streamline your daily operations, this episode is packed with actionable tips. 

Don’t miss out on these rapid-fire interviews that will ignite your passion and spark innovation in your pest control operations!

Join us as we discuss:

• [00:27] Fun feedback from a first-time Ignite visitor

• [9:58] Exciting AI-powered phone system solutions

• [20:56] Practical advice from a 10-year FieldRoutes user

• [30:07] Best business practices from a FieldRoutes coach

Connect with our guests:

• Kendra Snyder, General Manager at Quest Termite and Pest Control

• Raymond Kidwell, Director Of Business Development at Voice for Pest

• Cliff Killingsworth, Owner of ENSEC Pest & Lawn

• Bill Goins, Customer Service Specialist & Operations Manager at Pest SOS Sales & Office Solutions

You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Pest in Class in your favorite podcast player.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.