Paging Vince Lombardi
What can you learn from the man many consider to be the greatest coach? It may not be blocking and tackling but is just as important in your game plan.
Make a ‘Preemptive Strike’ on your client!
You’ve surely heard the old saying: “You discover the problem and point it out to the client- they still ‘own it’. But when they find it and complain about it to you- now you ‘own it’!” Here’s how to make this into a system in your company.
Cell phone use by janitorial employees?
A Portland janitorial service manager deals with the frustrating plague of techno-addiction. What is YOUR policy on cell phones and their usage in the field? Steve gives his preferred guidelines.
Ban the phrase “Traffic Lanes”
Words are powerful. Steve illustrates how a simple change of phrase will get you the credit you deserve!
Respect? You have to earn it first!
It is simple- to get respect you have to give it first. Harried business owners especially need to be wary of breaking this rule. Consider carefully Chuck’s thoughts on enhancing your “respect earning potential”…
Quit making your last minute callers feel guilty!
Work with a desperate home owner’s “sense of urgency” and you’ll snare a client for life. Steve shares why and how you should offer “Same Day Service”…
How can I increase the cleaning frequency of our accounts?
How can a big city commercial cleaner tie-up his commercial customers for the long-term and avoid back-breaking restorative cleanings? Zoned “Maintenance agreements” are the answer but how should he structure (and sell) them? Steve weighs in …
Cut your home owner complaints by placing this “Spot and Stain Card” after the cleaning!
Don’t you just hate those nasty call-backs and complaints after you are convinced you left the carpets looking great? (Especially when the customer wasn’t even there when you did the work! Grrrr …) Here is one great way to pro-actively solve this problem before it even starts …
Why (and how) to market to your commercial account’s employees
Use personalized carpet spotter bottles to attract new customers at people’s place of business.
The dangers of “carcass feeding” in your cleaning/restoration business
Chuck Violand shows that we can learn a lot from the efficiency found in a pride of lions roaming the African Serengeti. However, many times new accounts take much longer to bring down than a plump gazelle. So you should just maybe check out Chuck’s warning admonition …
Cut your stress with Red Tags!
Increase profits and efficiency (and lower your blood pressure!) when you avoid missing equipment on the job by insisting on “Red Tagging” the steering wheel!
Beautiful business! So how do I find a buyer?
A Louisiana cleaner\restorer feels the need for change in his life. Is it time to sell or can he make “adjustments”? Steve offers ideas on both options…
Give your clients the “why and what”
Improve your face to face time with clients. Make your great service even better by providing information that the customer can appreciate and use.
How to “convert” a big cleanup into a regular contract account
A Carolina cleaner is all excited about a big job. Steve returns him to reality with a reminder on regular cash flow and how to get it.
The best (and cheapest) employee motivation? Recognition!
Three steps to keep your field technicians motivated in the endless pursuit of making the cheerleader. Hint- a fun combination of cash and public acknowledgement.