Steve congratulates a Midwest owner/operator for his residential carpet cleaning growth and success. But what now?
Archive | Steve’s “Bleeding Hearts” Advice Column
Steve Toburen answers pleas for help from carpet cleaners, mold remediation and fire and water damage restoration professionals. If you are starting a carpet cleaning business or an experienced small business person you will surely find practical advice here.
How can I speed up production?
Steve offers 8 tips to increase efficiency and speed up production for maximum profits. (Without creating negative moments of truth.)
Should I switch and pay techs on commission?
All compensation arrangements have pros and cons. Steve reviews the options for commercial and other business models to pay techs.
What can I do with my high labor overhead?
Frustrated with high labor overhead? If you have employees it is an issue that requires attention. Steve offers 4 recommendations to offset the costs.
How do you know when to walk away from a customer?
Knowing when to walk away is critical for all service industry professionals. For restorers dealing with insureds even more so.
How to improve commercial cleaning program proposals?
Writing commercial cleaning program proposals is not an easy task. But with Steve’s suggestions you can be sure to include the right information.
Can I (should I?) start a restoration company again?
Should this restorer start a restoration company of his own? There are no easy answers. Steve invites all cleaners and restorers to first establish goals.
How can I hire a salesperson for commercial accounts?
Should a business hire a salesperson or do it themselves? Steve Toburen gives a complete answer to this question to a surprisingly complex question.
How can I reward productive employees?
Careful, calculated compensation plans can reward productive employees. Steve offers practical considerations for residential cleaners before diving in.
How can I compete with the dreaded preferred vendor?
Restoration preferred vendors have transformed the water damage mitigation world for the small independent restorer … and not for the better!
How can I avoid “wacko” clients after buying a carpet cleaning business?
A new carpet cleaning business is concerned that every customer will be off their rocker. See Steve’s reply …
Mitigation versus structural re-construction?
Where is the balance between remediation and structural construction? Your priorities. Steve offers some instrospective questions for meditation.
What to do when a commercial prospect “puts you off”…
How to negotiate with a time-strapped manager …
What is my “business good will” worth?
At the end of the day any business is worth what an informed and willing buyer is willing to pay for it!
How should I bonus my techs on their “Additional Service Options”?
Make it easy for your technicians to sell more on the job and you’ll make more money too. At the same time keep things transparent for everyone.