Pestworld Magazine Focusing on the Business of Pest Management
Famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke once wrote, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” While he likely wasn’t referring to business automation, technological advances have proven to be quite magical for companies across all industries. In fact, studies show that small businesses that invest in technology have a higher chance of success.
Perhaps that’s why companies across all industries are wholeheartedly embracing new and improved technology—and pest control companies are jumping on the bandwagon. When pest control businesses maximize the technology they already have and continually add to their arsenal of tech tools, it allows them to streamline operations, increase productivity and boost their bottom line. Keep reading to learn more about this high-tech hat trick.
Embracing technology
If you want your pest control company to gain an edge in today’s highly competitive business climate, technology is absolutely key.
“I think it is important for pest control companies to embrace technology for a variety of reasons,” says Ari Rogaway, IT director of Sprague Pest Solutions in Tacoma, Washington. “First of all, we live in a connected world, and our customers have to come to expect a connection to that connected world. They want to pay online, get history and trends online and communicate in the same fashion.”
Kurt Scherzinger, general manager of Scherzinger Pest Control in Cincinnati, Ohio, reflects this sentiment. “Customers expect companies to communicate with them digitally now,” he explains. “This type of communication allows for more immediate correspondence and alerts of issues that need to be corrected in a timely manner,” he adds. “It makes your business operations run more efficiently.”
Rogaway points out that companies also gain more insights through the data they collect via tech tools, which can help them make informed business decisions. “For example, we conduct reports that show which markets we want to focus on growing or trends in customer retention,” he explains.
Another reason pest control companies must adopt technology is to attract the next generation of workers. “The younger generation, millennials, are our digital natives,” emphasizes Rogaway. “Millennials are taking over the workforce, and they expect to have state-of-the-art technology tools help them through their connected day. If companies want to attract young talent, better technology can help.”
Last but not least, the right technology can allow companies to slash costs and increase profits. “Technology can decrease errors in a process, cut back on training costs and decrease the amount of time to complete tasks,” Rogaway points out. “When you cut costs, you increase profits. While technology does require some investment, the long-term advantages usually far outweigh the costs.”
In fact, in a recent study commissioned by CA Technologies shows that companies investing in innovative new tech are increasing their revenue at more than twice the rate of technologically-challenged businesses. “In the end, technology allows you an avenue to work smarter, not harder,” Rogaway remarks.
Maximize and expand (in that order)
Before you invest thousands in brand new gadgets and gizmos, you should take a closer look at what you already have in your tech toolbox. “There are a lot of free and low-cost solutions to fill needs of a company,” Rogaway explains. “And many companies already are using things that they pay for but don’t fully take advantage of.”
For instance, he says many pest control companies purchase cell phones for all of their employees—however, they don’t take full advantage of these valuable tools because they only use them to text and make phone calls. Yet, these devices are capable of so much more.
“We will take that cell phone and recommend a ton of free apps to our employee to help make their day easier,” Rogaway says. “We load them with email, maps, notifications, payroll, note apps, scanner apps, printer apps, etc.” He says, in the end, this tactic is a win-win. “The employee feels more connected, and the business benefits from more data and increased efficiency.”
By Amy Bell
