Podcast

Put Your Numbers in Timeout: Building a Call Center People Want to Be Part Of

Jan 06, 2026

1 min read

Put Your Numbers in Timeout: Building a Call Center People Want to Be Part Of

Episode Overview

Steve Short, vice president of sales and marketing at Fox Pest Control, has discovered the transformative power of culture in call center operations.

In a new episode of FieldRoutes’ Pest in Class podcast, Short shares his journey of redefining leadership within the trades, emphasizing that true success comes from prioritizing people over spreadsheets.

Short unpacks his unique philosophy of "putting numbers in timeout" to focus entirely on employee behaviors and mindsets. By fostering an environment grounded in coaching, motivation, and accountability, Fox Pest Control has turned managers into mentors who actively lead from the front.

Join Short and host Amanda Salvatore as they discuss:

[4:45] What a healthy call center really looks like.
[18:48] How to turn around a call center with bad vibes.
[28:32] Why authenticity beats a perfect script every time.

To hear more stories from the pest control industry, subscribe to Pest in Class on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch episodes on YouTube.

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About the Show

The Pest In Class podcast from FieldRoutes is your destination for hearing insight, inspiration, and stories from fellow pest control industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Pest In Class host Amanda Salvatore will interview a new leader each episode as FieldRoutes celebrates the success of its customers while delivering software solutions to help them along their growth journey.