Employee Empowerment

Dr. Jim Fredericks, Executive Director, PPMA 

The pest control industry is powered by a committed workforce engaging and interacting with customers daily. People are one of the most vital elements for any business’ success, so it’s important to ensure your business is not just surviving, but thriving with harmony, collaboration, and innovation. As author Sybil F. Stershic writes, “The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.”  

A favorable employee experience creates a positive feedback loop for the business. So, you may want to ask yourself and your leaders, “What is the current culture and climate of the company? Can employees voice their concerns without fear of judgment, punishment, or alienation? Are they advancing in their skills and passion, or are they stagnant in their duties?”  

As leaders, we are responsible for establishing clear and open channels of communication across all levels of the company and creating an environment where employees feel safe to share new ideas and prepared to tackle challenges that arise. 

Empowering employees is not just about giving them the tools they need to do their jobs; it’s about fostering a culture of growth and innovation. A key aspect of retaining and growing the workforce is providing a culture that people don’t want to leave.  

Did you know that people are more likely to remain at a company that provides opportunities for growth and development? Research from ClearCompany shows that “if a company invests in employees’ careers, 94% said they would stay at the company longer.” Offering various training programs to enhance skills and knowledge, creating pathways for employee development and advancement, and encouraging continual learning through courses, seminars, and industry conferences shows that you are invested in the future of your employees.  

A key aspect of RETAINING AND GROWING THE WORKFORCE is providing a culture that PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO LEAVE.

Along the way, you’re also identifying individuals who exhibit leadership potential and offering them avenues for growth, which can help nurture a resilient leadership pipeline. Mentorship initiatives, such as pairing seasoned professionals with newcomers, are another way to expedite employee development and enhance their integration into the company. 

Celebrating employee achievements and publicly acknowledging their efforts in company communications can significantly boost morale and satisfaction and encourage others to continuously strive for excellence. However, there need to be clearly defined job expectations and performance metrics, regular constructive feedback, and prompt addressing of issues to help foster a culture of recognition and appreciation while minimizing potential favoritism and biases.  

Beyond extrinsic motivators like salaries, benefits, and promotions, there are intrinsic motivators that arise from within the individual. These are increasingly valuable and, depending on the generation of your workforce, the principal element for remaining at a job. As author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek says, “If you hire people just because they can do a job, they’ll work for your money. But if you hire people who believe what you believe, they’ll work for you with blood, sweat, and tears.” 

Nowadays, many people want to work for a company with values that align with their own. In fact, some employees even prioritize purpose over salary. The Deloitte Global 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that “nearly all Gen Zs and millennials want purpose-driven work, and they’re not afraid to turn down work that doesn’t align with their values.”  

Our industry’s impact goes much further than eliminating pests from homes. However, the correlation between the everyday pest control assignments and a greater purpose is not always clear to some people. That’s why it’s essential to connect the dots for employees between the professional pest control industry and our impact on the public. This strategy is also reflected in the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) mandate to increase awareness of the role professional pest control plays in preserving the public’s quality of life—in terms of health, property, safety, and time management. 

As your organization grows and evolves, it’s important to continually be on the pulse of employee well-being, which often involves conducting regular surveys, meetings, and check-ins to gauge employee satisfaction and engagement. Additionally, promoting work-life balance with appropriate policies and practices and implementing wellness programs to support physical and mental health can prove significantly beneficial to your workforce, especially in this current climate.  

Through it all, remember that each individual has unique needs, desires, and motivations. Maintaining a balance of extrinsic and intrinsic factors will position your organization for extended success by retaining top talent to serve your customers for the long term.