Technician Tips • Management • Business Tips • 46 minutes

How Second-Chance Hiring Can Improve Employee Engagement

July 9, 2024

Episode Overview

The numbers show success at Five Star Home Services: The Ohio-based company with 240 employees did $44 million in revenue in 2023.

Just as important as the bottom line for CEO Christian Rattin, however, is creative employee engagement and giving second chances to team members who’ve gone through drug-and-alcohol addiction and recovery.

First, there’s his take on competition and “gamification” in the workplace. He finds it keeps employees motivated and incentivized.

“Number one for us is taking care of our employees [and] putting them in a position where they love to come to work every day,” Rattin says.

Gamification means monthly KPI contests among individuals and work teams. The prizes are modest, but Rattin says his employees want to win.

“We try to build a culture that fosters…shooting beyond just making money for the sake of making money,” he says. 

Rattin is up front about his own past struggle with drug addiction. He was able to escape homelessness and rebuild his life and a career that’s advanced to the C-level. 

His personal spirituality pushes him to reach out to others who also have worked to put their lives back together. He says that commitment to offering second chances pays off.

“Some of the things that make me good at what I do today are the experiences I had when I was at my lowest,” Rattin says.

He says so many people who set their minds on recovery are some of the most talented, dynamic, intelligent and creative people you could hope to have as employees.

Christian Rattin recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Rattin’s thoughts on:

  • [6:06] Why companies should put employees first

  • [08:01] How gamification can improve performance and engagement

  • [14:13] Solving the challenge of business acquisitions

  • [18:54] How Profit on Purpose gives back

  • [22:36] The importance of second-chance employment

To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to “Toolbox for the Trades” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.

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Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25% in just their first year with us.

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About the Show

Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. Hosted by Jackie Aubel, this podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software.

Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business.

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