NCPMA members gathered last week to listen to industry icons that discussed topics ranging from recruiting to service diversification that will assist them with their business strategies for 2017 and beyond. 

We thank our speakers, sponsors, and conference chair Donnie Shelton for making this a successful meeting.

Technician of the Year Applications Due Nov. 30

The NCPMA Technician of the Year Award is designed to recognize the individual who exemplifies those qualities that best define an outstanding service technician in the pest management industry of North Carolina.   Contest Criteria and Rules: Must be a member of the North Carolina Pest Management Association Must have two years of experience in his/her phase Technician must work at least 80% of the time in the field  Must be recommended by company owner, manager or supervisor Two phases from which to choose: Pest Control and WDO Each winner receives a $250 gift card, one free PCT School registration with one night hotel room and a plaque Winners will be recognized during the next PCT School at the Opening Session   Nominate someone you know and recognize the outstanding work they are doing or make a recommendation to the the technician's supervisor, manager or company owner! SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Hiring Tips: How to Find the Best People for Your Business

By Wes Wooten

Hiring the right employees is critical for the long-term success of your business, and as companies face more competition for the best applicants in this improving economy, companies are working harder to find the best people. 

 
Streamlining your company's search and application procedures is key to having an efficient hiring process. And effective search methods, along with a clear idea of what makes an ideal candidate, can help eliminate unqualified applicants early in the process, saving time for hiring managers. 

 
Here are six tips for hiring quality employees for your pest control company:

1. Use all available resources to find candidates. Finding the right employee begins with your search technique. Online job listings are good starting points, but should not be your only resource. Utilize your current employees to bring in qualified job candidates. A referral program that offers compensation may encourage current employees to help fill an open position.
2. Analyze first impressions. First impressions can be used to gauge a candidate's customer service skills. Customer retention is the key to success for pest control companies, so high-quality customer service needs to be a top priority for every team member.
3. A well-written resume, without spelling or grammatical errors, helps indicate whether the candidate is committed to quality and is detail-oriented.
4. Monitor for consistency. A job history that lists several different positions and companies is not automatically a negative, as long as applicants can explain why they moved around.
5. Don't be afraid to train a new employee from scratch. A candidate with a lack of pest control experience might still be the best choice for certain positions at your company.
6. Offer competitive pay and benefits. Employers need to be prepared to compete for the best candidates, and you will need an attractive benefit package to entice top talent. Analyze what other pest control companies are offering to ensure that your package is competitive, and talk with your current employees about what they feel is important in terms of benefits.

--Wes Wooten serves on the NCPMA PR Committee and is the Vice President of Operations for State Pest Control, which offers residential and commercial pest and termite solutions for customers in central North Carolina.