The SFS / VAST team of Jeff Cutshall, Chuck Violand, Bill Yeadon and Steve Toburen share their insights into the best business practices and how you can make it alone in the Cleaning and Restoration Industry.
When there is a problem with a customer do you handle it immediately? Or do you take the low-profile route and let your office staff or technicians face the heat? Big Billy Yeadon tells us how Southwest Airlines handled a stressful situation recently …
Do you ever feel like you are leading the troops in a daily war? Chuck Violand brings up that your soldier employees need much more than a pay check. They need emotional support and comfort. How can you deliver? One great way is with FOOD!
Do you “fritter away days”? Chuck Violand fights this tendency to waste time. Read here Chuck’s musings on how to avoid this destructive habit and live your life to its full potential.
VAST instructor, Jeff Cutshall, not only will dramatically improve your technician’s attitudes and actions in the customer’s home- he also runs his own commercial carpet cleaning business. Jeff shares how his company has cleaned up big time with “encapsulation” and just why you should get on board …
There is a very thin line between “controlled delegation of authority”(good) and “total abdication of responsibility”(bad)! Chuck Violand has been reflecting on this struggle as he engages in his favorite hobby- baking bread!
It is the “unspoken dread” among cleaning professionals. Sure, we make a lot of money and have all the toys. But many carpet cleaners worry about ever achieving true financial independence while they are still young enough to enjoy it! Steve Toburen shares how he retired from full time business at the age of 38 by giving readers two great links and one even more important date in Las Vegas next September …
Bill Yeadon starts each marketing class at SFS by asking “How do you ‘differentiate’ yourself from the competition?” This is one of the hardest questions you as a carpet cleaner will ever answer. A recent post by Steve Yastrow not only explains why this “differentiation process” is important but also explores a unique way of how to do it …
Many times your job applicants aren’t liars. However, they may be “overly optimistic”. Other times they may be simply clueless! This is bad enough when hiring a new technician. But it can be disastrous for your carpet cleaning business when you take a managerial applicant’s previous work experience at face value …
Cleaners and restorers can learn a lot about how to run their operations from the legendary Walt Disney. After 55 years, Disney continues to be the most visited place in America. As with so many other things in life, it is focus on the little things that makes the difference …
A variety of ideas on how to improve your facebook business page.
Big Billy Yeadon weighs in with what may be the most profitable way to price your carpet cleaning services as an owner-operator. In the final analysis it will be up to you. But first check out Bill’s musings …
Outside of arguing about the best truck mount (which invariably is owned by the person talking) there is nothing that causes more disagreement among carpet cleaners than “how to price” the job. My take? They all work! Let me explain why …
Before you get the answers let me explain the purpose of the quiz. It ultimately comes down to the term “anchoring”. What is “anchoring” and how does it affect the structure of your cleaning prices? Read on …
College can be a wonderful gift and a great opportunity. OR it can be a four, five or six year party that wastes time and money. After reading a New York Times article Steve reflects on today’s cleaning workforce …
Does even the word “Social Media” intimidate you? Is everything just too confusing? Do you still manage to play your 8-track tapes in your cleaning service truck? Is that what’s bothering you Binky? Well, help is on the way from our “friends” at Microsoft …