Young Ones to Watch: Adam Povlitz

Adam Povlitz recently made the move from Executive Vice President to President of Anago Cleaning Systems, a major career advancement he can celebrate with just 30 candles on his birthday cake.

Povlitz began his journey at Anago when he was 24, looking to make a real impact in his professional life instead of just being a spoke in the corporate wheel.

If his recent promotion is any indication, his drive, ambition and hard work over the past six years are paying off in spades.

How did you end up in your current role?
To get to my current role, I went through every position in one of our franchisee’s offices, put in the hours to learn everything I could here at the corporate office and spent several months in the field traveling to visit all our master franchise owners.

What have been the biggest challenges you've faced?
Becoming an expert juggler. I might be focused on a new system, then have to onboard a new employee, motivate a franchisee across the country, handle a legal matter, and then turn around and change up our marketing strategy, all while balancing the budget. There are always a lot of balls in the air, so it’s imperative to keep focused.

What has been the most important lesson you've learned?
Working things out with your franchisees is like getting into an argument with a family member. Sometimes proving who is right and who is wrong needs to take a back seat to having a good relationship.

What is your primary goal for your career? What do you most want to accomplish?
I’d like to double our domestic footprint and expand further internationally. Over 100 years ago, the sun never set on the colonial British empire, so to say the sun never sets on Anago would be my truly long-term goal.

What has been the accomplishment you’re most proud of so far?
Bringing tablet and mobile technology to the commercial cleaning industry. We’re not your grandfather’s cleaning company anymore.

What would your advice be to the next generation of young men and women hoping to make their mark on the business world?
You are not a unique snowflake. If you want to move ahead, it’s not going to fall out of the sky. You need to make it a point to earn it and then ask for it. And if you’re not the first person at the office in the morning, you better be the last to leave each night.

In your own opinion, what is the formula young executives should follow in order to mature into established business leaders?
Always keep learning new things. Go out of your way to learn more about your business, your industry, and leadership in general. No matter how busy you get, you must continue to grow as a person. Your position and income will not far exceed your personal growth.