Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

Customer service is the cornerstone of any business. If your customers aren’t happy, then you don’t have any customers. Your employees should be trained on the best ways to resolve all different types of complaints or problems your customers could have. And, your employees need to know how important that customer resolution really is. In the past, one unresolved complaint could go unnoticed and not have a large effect. Now, one unresolved complaint can turn into an online rant that can reach all of your customers and potential customers.

Customers Require Resolution

When customers have problems with your company, their shopping experience, their purchase, etc., they want a resolution to it. In fact, they expect a resolution. No matter what, a customer wants to be satisfied with your company, and they will usually give you a chance to make it up to them if they aren’t satisfied right away. Without a resolution to their problem, customers will be unhappy with your company, and you could very well lose them as a customer for good. If you want to hang onto customers, you need to be able to resolve their problems.

Image via CrunchBase

Dissatisfied Customers Will Vent

It’s extremely important to resolve customers’ problems because dissatisfied customers will want to vent. When people are unhappy with the products or services they purchase, they usually don’t keep quiet about it, especially if they tried to get a resolution from the company itself and weren’t pleased with the response. Many dissatisfied customers will vent to a friend, family member, or coworker, and this alone is enough to make you lose another customer. Now, dissatisfied customers can go a step further; they can vent online, where they can share their experience with everyone and get your attention to remind you how dissatisfied they are.

Negative Reviews Matter – A Lot

It’s no secret that negative reviews can make a huge difference in the success of a company. If a restaurant has a few bad reviews on Yelp, they could go out of business, and that’s not an exaggeration. When you resolve your customers’ problems, you can catch negative reviews before they even start. At the very least, if a customer still wants to complain online, they will hopefully include the fact that your company did do something to resolve the issue. People don’t want to give their business to companies that don’t do everything they can in the way of customer service. Mistakes or issues are forgivable, as long as you address them properly.

Make sure all of your employees – even those that don’t typically interact with customers or address their complaints – know proper ways to resolve customers’ complaints. Hold regular training sessions, and be sure to monitor and assess the way your employees handle complaints. The best way to prevent negative reviews from appearing online is to make sure there is nothing negative anyone can say about the way you treat your customers or handle your business.

Joshua Reynolds is an expert reviews tracker and avid blogger.  He is currently teaching others about proper online reviews management and customer service.

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Guest Post Published By Thomas Ballantyne

Today is Earth Day! 

As PCO’s, let’s issue a public decree this Earth Day: 

Pest control professionals nationwide, make a pledge to join the hundreds of other PCO’s and go paperless! 

A Plea For Paperless Pest Control

A single pest control technician can use upwards of 10,000 pieces of paper each year. With the average tree only producing 16.7 reams of paper, each pest control technician is responsible for using 1.2 trees a year just to do their job. With the number of pest professionals worldwide, that equates to some 178 million trees that are no longer part of our ecosystem. 

Of U.S. manufacturing, paper production is the second largest user of energy and water; and third largest contributor to pollution. As a country, and as pest control professionals, we can help to change this. 

Pest control professionals nationwide, let’s make a pledge to join the hundreds of other PCO’s by going paperless! 

Paperless Pest Control

As a way to go green, save on costs, promote professionalism, and increase efficiencies; many pest control companies are trying to go paperless. Some have made the jump. Others are reluctant, or simply cannot because of roadblocks set by state legislature. 

One major barrier to paperless pest control is that certain states mandate PCO’s keep hard copies of records and reports. Other states say you must simply be able to provide these records if and when they are needed. What will it take to update outdated state laws nationwide, so that all pest control companies can go paperless? 

With the progression of technology, and efforts on Capitol Hill, a paperless scenario is looking more and more like a reality.

Paperless Reporting: NPMA Legislative Day 2013

With the advances of technology today, many pest control companies have gone, or are trying to go paperless. Unfortunately, PCOs have run into a major hurdle. Some states require pest control operators keep hard copies of pesticide records, use reports, and consumer info sheets—Even if a company has invested a large amount of money to go paperless. 

Pest management operators lobbied Congress last month at NMPA’s Legislative Day. Their plea for was for federal lawmakers to allow, not mandate, nationwide paperless pest control. Pest control operators hope this new legislation will give PCO’s the ability to keep records and reports digitally. Since each state’s laws are different regarding these records and reports, the issue needs to be dealt with on the Federal level. 

Pest management professionals argue that many of these state mandates were written in the 1970s and 1980s before people could imagine today’s technology.

Keeping Treatment Records: Government Roadblocks

All states in the US require pest control companies to keep treatment records. These records typically include: properties treated, pests treated on the property, applicator’s license number and the pesticide(s) used. Depending on the state and the pest treated, treatment records must be kept for at least 2-5 years. 

Many states are quickly coming around and accepting electronic submissions for these reports and a few progressive states are pushing forward for the complete digitization of invoicing and work orders. Most states, even if they allow a large portion of your records to be digital will still want a paper copy left at the customers location. 

Some state’s laws simply say that a company must provide treatment records. This means a pest control company can store these records electronically, and then print them off when needed. Other states require pest control companies to keep hard or paper copies of treatment records. 

As a PCO, work with your state and see if we can push these boundaries. Laws most likely state that a pest control company must provide a treatment record. Don’t just assume that you need to keep hard copies. Ask if you can keep digital copies, and print of these records when needed. 

If not, pressure your state government to update these laws to better match today’s technology.

Paperless office (Photo credit: Dimi15)

A Few Benefits Of Going Paperless

The benefits of going paperless are almost too many to count. Here are a few highlights: 

Increase Efficiencies—Going paperless not only saves a lot of time, but can also improve efficiencies. Time savings come from reducing the redundancy of work, meaning only doing something once. At first, a few minutes a day may seem trivial, but look at the actual data. In a pest control office with 5,000 active quarterly customers, nearly 8000 minutes can be saved each day across the company. Over the course of a year, that’s almost 50,000 hours! 

Save On Costs—Studies show, reducing paper by 60 percent results in an average savings per employee of $360. You also eliminate the costs of storing treatment records. The time savings and improved efficiencies alone can save a pest control company hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, depending on your techs hourly wage. 

Organization—Paperless efforts help to reduce office clutter in your office. It’s a lot easier to find a record with the click of a mouse, versus digging through boxes or filing cabinets of paper. 

Promotes Professionalism—The appearance of using up-to-date technologies, like those needed for paperless pest control, gives customers the perception that your up-to-date on all of the latest pesticides and pest control techniques. It’s good business! 

Helps Save Planet—Reducing the use of paper by 60 percent eliminates 200 pounds of greenhouse gas annually. Like I mentioned before, one tech going paperless can save one tree a year.

Bulwark Exterminating Goes Paperless

Bulwark Exterminating has made many efforts to go paperless over the past few years. Faxes sent to the company are no longer printed out, but go straight to email. Bulwark’s service tickets are also emailed to customers. Customers have the ability to access their invoices electronically, as they are now emailed directly to them; saving even more paper. Additionally, sales contracts can now be completed electronically. 

One of the most significant advancements for Bulwark’s paperless pest control efforts has been the company’s ability to carry out paperless routing. Bulwark Pest Control’s new propriety software uses smart phone technology to aid in service routing and customer satisfaction. This software has been implemented in all 12 of Bulwark’s branches. 

Each morning, technicians receive an email on their smart phones. With these emails, technicians are able to access their routes, customer contact information and custom service notes for each customers. This eliminates the need to receive their daily routes via fax or personally stop at the office before work to print off and collect unnecessary paperwork. 

With these combined efforts, Bulwark Exterminating has been able to successfully eliminate over 60,000 sheets of paper a month! Read more about these efforts, here.

Make Paperless Pest Control A Reality

Go Green (Photo credit: kenneoh)

Most pest control businesses have already deployed the majority of the infrastructure required to enable convenient electronic access, and a small investment will provide wireless and remote access. 

The first step is to provide convenient electronic access to pest control documents, from anywhere at any time. Additionally, the use of paper needs to be made inconvenient. It is critical to do both. If paper use is made inconvenient without offering a great alternative, there will be loud complaints by employees and technicians within the company. 

After all these years, and with the increase in technological advances, paperless pest control is almost within reach. Let’s continue to work together and make it happen!

Spread the word for paperless pest control!

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Anthony Ball

Illustration of Supply Chain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

No matter the size of a business, supply chains demand a sizeable cost percentage. In tough times, reducing chain spend wherever possible will give organizations – especially smaller ones with less budgetary leeway – a competitive and monetary edge. But with something as comprehensive and complicated as a supply chain, how do you judge where savings can be made?

1. Start Small- Perform Cost Analysis Of All Chain Components & Implement Changes Slowly

Knowing what you’re spending, where and why, will help eliminate unnecessary cost. Though this sounds obvious, over time it is easy to loose track of such intricacies, so a detailed spend analysis should be conducted regularly.

• Remember that economizing your supply chain is not an umbrella action. Each component should be reviewed individually to ascertain cost benefits and drawbacks, then risk assessed before changes are implemented.
• Prioritize your changes to address the most pressing business needs and secure future amendments. The costs saved from one change may fuel and stabilize the next. Take the time to make informed actions rather than hastily implementing numerous renovations for security, profit and long term saving.

2. Negotiate With Manufacturers & Suppliers

Where better to start saving than at the basic supplier level? Examine suppliers to ensure you are still securing the product you want for the best cost. You can then decide if current partners are most cost effective, (and negotiate if not), or source new, lower cost options:

• Reducing costs with current suppliers. The lower risk option, if you can negotiate reduced costs this will prevent breaks in production, and will benefit a continued partnership. Negotiating rather than moving may be better for smaller businesses with a less established product who cannot afford to risk production stability. This however, is only effective if suppliers are minded to help. If suppliers deal with larger, more influential clients, they may be unwilling to change for smaller businesses.
• Finding lower cost suppliers. This may be the best option if you have made as many cut backs as possible and are still seeing a decrease in your margins, or, if cost negotiations with current suppliers have been unsuccessful. Sourcing new suppliers increases risk but allows for better costs and innovative approaches. Before switching, assess if business can adjust to the risks associated with changing suppliers or manufacturers.

3. Be As Seamless As Possible

The tighter a supply chain, the greater the potential for savings. To make processes as integrated and streamlined as possible, review supply chain performance management techniques:

• Audit all aspects of your supply chain (manufacture to supply, warehousing and fulfillment  to review performance and efficiency. Implement up to date supply chain management software to keep processes as cohesive and responsive as possible.

• Processes, people and technology should all be reviewed. You should be able to save costs by updating and better structuring any of these. Make sure the people involved throughout your supply chain know your money saving goals, and that these goals integrate with processes and technologies to create a synchronized ’savings-focused’ chain. For example, implementing new warehouse and transport management systems may better suit budget and increase efficiency.

Initially this will require investments of time and money, but will save both in the long run. Additionally, using supply chain forecasting to predict and cater to stock demand will improve efficiency and reduce wastage burdens.

Logistics versus Supply Chain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4. Optimize Your Logistics

Plane, train, rail, road – whichever you choose, ensure products are shipped and distributed in the most economical way; at every stage in your transportation network.

• Check that you are not using express delivery for all shipments, as this is expensive and may be a source of unexplained costs. If transit does not have to be speedy, try to use a cheaper option; rail, or even water is more cost effective than shipping by air.
• Regarding imported goods, awareness and compliance with non-tariff trade barriers and restrictions will save money and prevent wastage.
• If possible, consolidate shipments. If you have a number of regional or single country suppliers, consolidate goods into as few shipments as possible to save space, time and cost. Smaller businesses with smaller shipments will often not fill container loads. If other businesses can be found, who import/export to the same locations, forming shipping partnerships may be beneficial.

In the end, when reducing costs in any business situation, it’s most important to maintain a proactive attitude. Only then can challenges be addressed and benefits beyond savings reached.

Alastair is a freelance writer and supplied this article for 2touch a company based in the UK which provides fulfilment services. For more information visit www.2touch.co.uk

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Guest Post Published by Thomas Ballantyne

Image via CrunchBase

Everyone knows Facebook can be a powerful marketing tool. It allows you to connect with a broad audience, provides a venue to interact with customers, and can give your company a personal feel. However, to be effective, Facebook must be used correctly. There are a number of mistakes that some companies make that turn off potential customers.

1. Posting Too Often

Of course it is a good idea to post frequently. It keeps customers engaged and coming back for important information. However, there is also a point where it becomes too much. If you are posting five times a day, people are going to get annoyed and stop following you. Many people recommend no more than once a day.

2. Not Posting Enough

On the other hand, you don’t want to be completely silent on Facebook either. People need a reason to follow you. If you haven’t posted in weeks, people will think you are irrelevant or that there’s no reason to follow you. Be consistent.

3. Uncreative Content

People will only like your page if they think it has something valuable to offer. There are so many people on Facebook that you need something to set you apart from everyone else. Post creative content, even if it doesn’t seem to have a direct connection to the product or service your company sells.

4. Unresponsive to Fans

One of the best elements of Facebook is the opportunity to engage with fans of your page. If people ask questions or give compliments, they will be offended if you don’t respond. The more you engage customers the more they will be willing to purchase your services.

5. Arguing With Customers

While it is important to engage with customers, always keep it positive. Never get into arguments about a product, even if a person is wrong. There are people that will intentionally try to get a negative reaction out of you. Simply apologize when people complain and stay out of fights.

6. Posting the Same Topic Over and Over

People need variety. If you just post about the same thing every time, people will get bored and stop following you. Try to add variety to your posts. Not everything has to be directly about the product you sell. Try to engage customers in interesting conversations about a wide variety of topics.

7. Not Having a Plan

You simply will not be successful if you don’t start out with a strategy. This is essential for any type of marketing campaign. Understand what type of audience you want to target and how you will reach them.

8. Focusing Too Much on Numbers

Some companies feel that the ultimate goal of a Facebook page is to get as many followers as possible. This isn’t necessarily true. A greater focus should be based on the actual content of the page and how it is impacting viewers.

9. Ignoring the Analytics Feature

Some people don’t look at or don’t even realize Facebook gives you analytics about your page. Looking at these stats will tell you how many people are viewing your page and what types of posts are working.

10. Not Having a Cover Photo

This is free advertising space. Facebook is frequently coming out with new profile features, so pay attention to them. Pictures are the first thing people will pay attention to. Keep them updated and visually appealing.

About the Author: Lindsey Patterson is a freelance writer who specializes in the latest social and technology trends, specifically involving the use of social media. She is currently a consultant for Vivint. Follow them on Twitter here.

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Guest Post Published By Thomas Ballantyne

The Sky’s the Limit (Photo credit: w4nd3rl0st (InspiredinDesMoines))

Being able to bring in business is great, but keeping a customer loyal is even better. It has been proven time and time again that it takes less effort and money to keep a current customer satisfied than it does to bring in new business. There should be no question that repeat business is absolutely essential for success.

Here are some best practices for generating repeat business:

Superior Customer Service

This first bit of advice may seem too obvious to mention, but it is crucial. You can’t just have good customer service; you need to have superior customer service. Your business has to stand out above every other competitor in the market place. Competition is fierce thanks to the internet, so you have to react immediately to questions and concerns, connect with customers on a person level, and make them appreciate the little extras you do to demonstrate how important they are to you.

Stay In Touch With Clients

Just because a project is complete, that doesn’t mean you should not remain in touch with the client. Start by checking in on them to see how their business is doing and then follow up a little while afterwards to see if they need anything. Be sincere and spend more time listening, than talking. It is not an active sales call, it is just checking in to ensure they are still satisfied with your product or services.

Little Extra Touches

I mentioned the importance of little special touches in the first point, but ensuring repeat business means taking this step further. The superior customer service needs to continue beyond the sale itself. It could be something as simple as thanking them for their business after every sale or acknowledging their birthday by sending them a special offer in honor of their special day.

Keep Them Informed 

Existing customers should be the first ones you contact when you need to market new products and services. They have already trusted in your services once and if it was done right the first time, they will be likely to buy a new product or service with less convincing. This also helps reinforce the practice of staying in touch with past customers.

Watch Your Competitors Closely

Don’t kid yourself. Your competition is working hard to steal your customers out from under you. It is important that you pay attention to the marketing efforts of your competition, as well as any deals or incentives they are offering your customers. Double check your prices and services against what else is available on the market, so your business stays competitive.

Keeping customers happy takes superior customer service, constant contact, little extra touches, as well as keeping them informed of new offers and products. Pay attention to what your competitors are doing to entice your customers to switch and stay ahead of the game. Repeat business is the easiest business to retain, but it won’t happen without effort on your part.

The article is posted by Gerwyn Wallto. You can find more articles on a Web Billing Software website.

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The online reputation of your business is so important that you literally cannot afford to sit idly by while it develops on its own. Here are four ways that you can be proactive in managing your online reputation and help steer things in the right direction.

Image via CrunchBase

Actively Monitor Your Reputation

You should be constantly monitoring your reputation online, not waiting to hear about the buzz after the fact. Actively monitor your reputation by frequently (every few days or so) checking each of the review sites your business is located on, including Yelp, Google+ Local, and other niche websites. When you claim your listings by joining a site, you can usually opt to be notified by email when a new review or rating appears, so always take advantage of that feature.

Also, set up Google Alerts for your business, and Google will email you each time it indexes a new page with the search terms you specify. Set up several Alerts. You should use your business’s name, of course, but also use any variations of it, your name, your employees’ names, and other terms and names that are unique to your business.

Encourage Online Reviews

Positive online reviews are like gold for your business, but you can’t just sit back and hope that you’ve pleased your customers enough that they’ll get online and write reviews for you. You should be encouraging online reviews any chance you get. When you speak to customers in person, ask them to consider writing a review and include the name of a review site in your suggestion. When people make a purchase online, have an email automatically sent that includes a link to exactly where they can write a review. Remind people through your website, blog, and social networking pages that you encourage reviews, and you should get lots more.

Promote Your Reputation

You can also be proactive by helping people read about your business online. If you want to generate more positive feedback and more customers, take advantage of chances to encourage people to check out the positive reviews that others have already written about you. Include the links to read your reviews in emails. Create a separate page on your website that lists all of your reviews, and update it frequently. As long as your reputation online is generally positive, keep that momentum going by being proud and getting everyone else to see why your business rocks.

Respond to Reviews

Whenever you get a new review, you should consider responding to it. Customers like to know that their voices are being heard (or their reviews are being read), and you can show them that you’re listening by thanking people for their comments, whether they were good or bad. In the event of a bad review, try to turn it around by responding with an apology, and when possible, something that can help make up for a person’s poor experience, like a future discount or refund. Your responses will help offset the negativity as well as further encourage the positives.

Garrett Payne is an online review management professional with a special interest in review tracking. Garrett suggests those involved in review monitoring tips for handling their online reputation correctly.

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Small Business Administration Awards Luncheon (Photo credit: MDGovpics)

Becoming a successful small business owner takes hard work and absolute dedication to your vision. Unfortunately, not all small companies survive past their first year. To help your company’s chances, you need to embrace some of the most important habits of successful small business owners.

1. Set Specific Goals

Small business owners must constantly set and meet new goals to build success. At first, these goals start small, such as meeting a particular sales quota over the course of a month. Once the company becomes more established, small business owners must make loftier goals to keep themselves and their team from becoming complacent.

2. Manage Money Wisely

For a beginning small business, there is little room in the budget to misplace or squander money. Every cent matters when you’re trying to build a company with only your own savings and pocket money. Successful owners know how to save money when the slow season begins and when to invest money to stimulate growth.

3. Work as a Team

Although a small business owner may have started her company on her own, she will eventually need to bring in more team members to help her company grow. Learning how to let go of some tasks is a difficult job for any business owner. However, a well-managed team can accomplish more than any one person.

4. Work Hard from Dawn to Dusk

From balancing the budget to tracking down new clients, small business owners must tackle a daunting array of tasks every day. If you don’t have the discipline to tackle each of your tasks and keep problems from getting out of hand, your business could quickly become an unmanageable mess. Additionally, your employees will have trouble staying motivated if you spend all your time on the golf course.

5. Manage Your Time

Learning how to manage time effectively is a critical skill that triumphant small business owners quickly develop. You must learn to prioritize your tasks and spend time on important projects first. Getting distracted by a minor issue can derail your entire day.

6. Take Calculated Risks

Owning a small business is a risky venture that offers great rewards. Owners must have the courage to take a risk on an opportunity that could give the company a huge boost. Smart business owners understand, however, that not all risks are worth attempting.

7. Balance Home and Work

Although balancing home life with work is often difficult, it can be especially hard for a small business owner. Your business depends entirely on you, making it tempting to stay late each night or work long hours on the weekend. However, too much work and stress can hurt your ability to function and work efficiently. Effective business owners must learn to maintain relationships and interests outside of work.

This article was written by the team at Horizon Business Systems in Perth, Western Australia. Accredited MYOB EXO accounting and business management software implementers.

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Going Out of Business (Photo credit: reinvented)

In tough economic times, many people are turned off by the idea of starting a small business. Statistics it may seem are not in their favor. Even when someone does get a business off the ground, keeping it running smoothly and successfully requires more energy than some may be willing to muster.

While situations vary depending on the product or service you sell, there are certain practices to keep in mind if you are trying to keep a small business afloat. Consider the following five points.

1. Maintain the Strengths You Already Have

This usually means maintaining those employees your company would be crippled without. There are likely certain people in the company that are masters in their particular skill. Do everything you can to make sure you don’t lose them. If the possibility exists to do so, consider hiring a backup. Then train that person in the same work. It may be a financial investment, but think of what would happen to your company if that person were suddenly gone.

2. Keep the Workers Happy

Workers are of course the lifeblood of the company. In addition to having backups for particular skills, make sure everyone is working at their optimum level. Address the needs of the employees directly. Sit down and talk with them. Ask them how they are doing and what you can do to help them succeed. Send out emails with helpful tips, encouragement, or praise for good work. When employees know they are appreciated and that their opinion matters, they are more likely to provide quality work.

3. Address Customer Needs

If the customers aren’t happy, the business fails. Recognize and let them know that you know times are tough. Use advertising that appeals to the tough economic times. Offer deals and promotions, as well as products and services that people will want even in a financial crisis. Almost everyone seems to be cutting back on consumption. People are only buying what’s necessary and cutting out the luxury items. Convey to the customer that your product is something they really need, even if they don’t have excess money to spend.

4. Cut Down on Expenses

Many business owners focus only on how much they are selling. While this is certainly the most important thing to consider, don’t forget that a company can save money by cutting back on their own expenses. If your business is small enough, allow employees to work from home. This will save office rental money as well as things like paper, desks, etc. If this isn’t possible make sure all the office supplies are in good shape. Get frequent tune-ups on things like printers.

5. Learn to Delegate

When a small business starts out there may only be a few employees. At that stage there will likely be one person who calls all the shots. As the company begins to grow however, that becomes less and less effective. To increase productivity, learn to delegate responsibilities throughout the company. This will save both time and energy.

About the Author: Robert Cordray is a freelance writer and expert in business and finances. He has received many accolades for his work in teaching small business news.

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How To Enhance Your Image With Strategically Designed Pest Control Uniforms

This past weekend I was going for a late afternoon walk with my wife and daughter when something peculiar caught my eye. I passed a pest control technician getting out of his truck wearing nothing more then shorts, sneakers and a tee-shirt (I’m in Queen Creek, Arizona). If it wasn’t for a small vinyl decal affixed to his truck window, I would have never of guessed he was a pest control technician.

Since this experience, I have been doing some digging. Come to find out, almost 37% of pest control professionals are not required to wear a standard uniform. These numbers vary somewhat depending on the reports you read, but not wearing pest control uniforms definitely raises several safety and image issues.

Uniforms Enhance A Safe And Secure Image

A survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates found that 83% of consumers believe that uniforms make it easier to identify who can help them. The survey also found that 87% of business owners and managers want to see contractors in uniform to help confirm that they are who they say they are.

With this data the question must be asked,

“Why aren’t all pest control professionals wearing uniforms?”

Safety And Security Issues

Security issues can easily arise for pest control businesses when technicians visit residential and commercial customers. Although the right protective gear provides the most important safety measure against chemicals and equipment, other enhancements of employee safety helps protect both your workers and your customers. A strategically planned uniform program can be a strong solution to a variety of security and safety issues.

Uniform Suppliers

Uniform rental and service companies provide assistance to customers going beyond just providing new uniforms. Many will also pick up dirty uniforms, wash them, and deliver clean ones. These companies can also help ensure that uniforms are ideal from a functional standpoint. They can help you select styles, fabrics, designs, and colors. There are thousands of uniform companies across the country to choose from, so pick one that best fits your pest control business needs.

How To Enhance Your Pest Control Image With Strategically Designed Uniforms

If your pest control technicians are not wearing uniforms, make them start now. Here are some pointers to help you get started and get your company on its way to an enhanced secure image.

Brand your pest control business. Your company name, logo, slogan, and other unique identifiable business elements need to be incorporated into all possible items employees wear.

Be unique. Pick colors and styles that make your technicians immediately recognizable when out on service calls. Don’t go too crazy with colors and styles because you still want to have a high sense of professionalism. With that being said, you also don’t want your techs blending in with the crowd.

Design uniforms that would be difficult for competitors to copy. Use company logos, colors, slogans and other design elements as precisely and consistently as possible. Extend these across all job functions so they are clear to other employees and customers. I know this can be challenging for some techs in the field, depending on the specific pest you’re eradicating, but do as much as you can.

Make sure uniforms keep employees safe. This is a no-brainer in the pest control industry. Choose performance fabrics that wick away sweat and moisture as many techs focus on working in cramped, hot spaces.

Spread the word about your new look. If you get new uniforms, or change an existing design, let your existing customers know about it through an announcement. Hand out business cards or postcards with pictures of your techs in their new uniforms. This is also an effective marketing opportunity. “New look, same great service.”

Keep uniforms in good repair. A technician’s less-than-neat uniform may cause customers to feel uncomfortable with him or her, potentially impacting feelings of safety and security. A uniform supplier will ensure that needed repairs are made to your uniforms, stains are removed, and worn uniforms are replaced with new ones.

Keep track of uniforms. If your employees aren’t laundering their clothing at home, store uniforms collected for laundering in a secure location. Ensure managers collect all uniforms distributed to employees who resign or are terminated.

Get to know your suppliers. Just as your uniforms identify your people when they visit accounts, ensure that your office staff can easily identify uniforms of vendors who service your office. They should understand the need for caution if there’s any question regarding a worker’s identity.

Strategically Planned Uniforms

A strategically planned uniform program can be a strong solution to a variety of security and safety issues, not to mention aid in your pest control businesses’ brand awareness. There is no reason why your technicians should not be consistently wearing strategically planned uniforms. It’s just good business.

Your thoughts?

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Anthony Ball

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Four Points of Inventory Control

Do you operate a business where products must be stored and distributed in multiple locations? If so, then you are aware of how important it is to keep an updated inventory control system. Several factors function within this system, wherein each transition and distribution point must be supervised and documented. Keeping management connected with each division of the company is key. Here are four points to discuss at your next managerial meeting, to help tighten inventory data and maximize efficiency.

• Product Analysis: A crucial part of strong inventory management is a thorough knowledge and documentation of the services and goods at hand. Make sure that each division of the company knows how to evaluate and input product information into your system so that information remains current. If you are operating a small business, you may overlook smaller details related to product data. This can be easily remedied. Small business must keep records of product data, even if the information does not seem to directly affect sales. The statistics of your business will increase your knowledge about sales trends and enlighten you about possible overhead that may have an impact on your budget.
• Site Representation: If your products are traveling to multiple locations or distributed among warehouses and store sites, it is essential to keep close contact with personnel at these locations. This may seem like an obvious point to address, but many key players are easily overlooked. Communication with those in control of the items that create your business should be frequent. On a basic level, your factory, showroom and warehouse
  representatives handle your materials, which you rely upon for business growth.
• System Cohesion: All positions of management should be familiar with your inventory control providers and be able to navigate within the system with ease. A firm command of data entry protocol is necessary. In addition to this, management must have the ability to translate a body of information, including thorough product evaluation, into the data system. This way, all areas of the company will be abreast of new developments and all progress. Making data cohesive throughout your organization will serve to eliminate many financial errors.
• Employee Training: Some inventory companies provide on-site employee training for businesses with fast-growing product and client bases. Inventory system companies can bring each element of your business together to function as a better whole. The most successful businesses put an emphasis on the importance of each employee being familiar with the system. This means understanding each person’s tasks within the system, but more importantly, the system as a whole. The team of people that comprises your business is only as intelligent as the most ignorant individual. Make inventory knowledge and management a priority.

Gabriella only writes about topics that interest her and one of those happens to be moving. If you would like more info regarding inventory system companies, please visit http://www.unigrouplogistics.com/

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