How can I get feedback from commercial jobs?
So are comment cards appropriate for commercial accounts? At times, yes. But Steve suggests a more “proactive approach”…
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. More about Steve.
“After 20 years should I convert to a franchise?”
This is a common question and the answer varies based on each individual’s circumstances. Sometimes a franchise might be exactly what is needed. Read on for Steve’s analysis…
She wants me to “price match”! Help!
The “Great Recession” has made it “fashionable to haggle”! Here are some thoughts on how to handle value-conscious customers and the other “can you beat this price” shoppers that inevitably are going come your way.
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.
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 …
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…
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.
Selling the BIG property management accounts?
Making “cold call” sales visits can be downright scary. Steve encourages this Arizonan cleaner to be realistic, offers his advice and some moral support!
Commercial carpet cleaning confusion?
A Phoenix carpet cleaner needs to get commercial work FAST! Steve shares six points that will get things moving IF he has the “fire in the belly”!
How to deal with “I wanna a price now” callers!
Any phone script needs tweaking now and then… Steve Toburen’s SFS carpet cleaning phone script is due for a little fine tuning of its own. With these modifications you now have the option of giving a price over the phone and STILL book the job!
How can I “work” my 70 year data base of installed carpets?
A 70 year old Texas carpet store is expanding into carpet cleaning. So how can they turn their thousands of long-term retail clients into carpet cleaning customers? Steve shares tips on how to win them now … or win them later.
“Help! How do I deal with a business slow down?”
A Philadelphia cleaner’s business hits the wall. What to do? Steve hit’s him with four tough questions and shares four practical ideas to get things back on track.
What equipment should I buy with $8,000.00 for a carpet cleaning start-up?
A young Denver cleaner ponders commercial carpet cleaning. Steve shares great downloads plus how this budding entrepreneur can attend SFS absolutely free!
How can I overcome inertia in commercial sales?
Tired of the “just send me some literature” response? Steve weighs in with step-by-step instructions for this commercial cleaner to overcome inertia.
Burning out with janitorial in New Zealand!
A New Zealand cleaner “bought a job” ten years ago but now finds himself burning out and facing a dead end. Steve shares some options and resources that just might help …