Got more time than money?
Steve shares the fastest, simplest, cheapest (but not the easiest) way to get more jobs.
Steve Toburen
Should I Hire Techs or Stick to Cleaning Myself?
Steve revisits the thorny topic of feeling torn between the undeniable ease and lack of problems of not having employees versus the advantages of not just “owning a job” and being “chained to the scrub wand”.
Never “present”- RECOMMEND!
Become an expert consultant sincerely interested in solving your client’s problems and they will respond by becoming loyal (and very profitable) Cheerleader Customers.
“I’m hitting a road block on implementing the ‘Stay Beautiful’ program!”
A North Carolina SFS member is getting resistance from customers who don’t want to give up their credit card information for the regular monthly service agreement amount. Steve reminds him that many people are more comfortable with a second option …
Use “Creative Scheduling” for commercial accounts
Steve’s stack of regular commercial “Service Agreements” let him sleep much better. But he did want to SLEEP at night. Learn how Steve avoided doing late night commercial work with his “Creative Commercial Scheduling” technique!
After 15 years as a “Lone Wolf” carpet cleaner, should I expand?
A Portland carpet cleaner is at a cross roads in his life. Get big by taking on employees? Stay small as an owner operator? Steve’s answer may surprise you …
Why you should ban the phrase “No problem”!
When your customer says “thank you” how do you reply? Steve reminds us to “keep it positive” while reminding your client about reviewing you online.
So should I ask to put up a carpet cleaning “yard sign”?
A Houston carpet cleaner is torn on asking his customers if he can install a temporary sign in their yard. Steve likes the concept but as always there are some pitfalls to consider …
“Seeing” is selling…
When first meeting a prospective customer you must “break through” their skepticism. After your contact gives you a tour and shows you their “areas of special concern” simply ask this key question…
My big cleaning business just isn’t fun anymore!
Not all successful companies need to “get BIG”. A proven Colorado cleaner needs help in scaling things back into a manageable size. Steve offers a shoulder to cry on and shares his firsthand experience of what to do when your cleaning business gets out of control.
Always be “on time”!
It is the little details (what we call positive “Moments of Truth” in SFS) that add-up when starting a business relationship.
Sick of being “on-call” 24-7 for water damage losses?
Talk about a love-hate relationship! We all LOVE the big money of an “after hours” emergency water loss. (And aren’t they all “after hours” and usually at the most personally inconvenient time?) But an after hours call can sure play havoc with your personal life! A Nebraska carpet cleaner dumps on Steve and Steve dumps it right back!
Don’t “surprise” me!
Success in business is based on clear, honest and open communication between all involved. Make it easy with a Production Day Sheet.
Getting beat up on regular commercial cleaning contracts?
A Las Vegas carpet cleaner finds commercial customers simply don’t want to commit in writing. Steve shares some hard learned lessons from his 20 years down in the trenches …
Do the right thing! In life and on the job.
What is the best way to “differentiate” yourself from your competition? Steve Toburen says displaying (and feeling) old-fashioned “care and concern” for your clients…