Feeding your carpet cleaning troops …

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!

How commercial “encapsulation” cleaning transformed my company!

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 …

“Baking bread” by developing your cleaning/restoration business managers OR maybe just yourself!

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!

So can a carpet cleaner “cash out” at a young enough age to actually ENJOY retirement?

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 …

How can cleaning and restoration contractors ‘differentiate’ themselves from their competitors?

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 …

The deadly trap of “assuming” when hiring carpet cleaning/restoration managers …

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 …

What can carpet cleaners learn from Disney?

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 …

The Great Carpet Cleaning Pricing Debate- Part II

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 …

The Great Carpet Cleaning “Pricing Debate”- Part I

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 …

Do college graduates make good carpet cleaning employees?

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 …

Social Media for over 35 (and counting) carpet cleaners!

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 …