How can I target the right age group for residential carpet cleaning?

A New York carpet cleaner poses a thorny question, “What is the average age of my customer”? In typical Steve Toburen fashion he takes the “long way around” before answering the original question. But Steve’s long-winded reply contains some great insights on the Emotional Dynamics of the home owner/technician relationship …

Stay Focused!!!

“I solve problems. That is what I do.” How often have you thought that this mantra essentially sums up your business life as a carpet cleaner? And yet Chuck Violand shows that this constant “desperation problem solving” may actually hinder instead of help your cleaning business …

Evaluate me please …

We’ve all heard the story of the “emperor who wore no clothes”. All too often we fool ourselves into thinking we are hot stuff but the perception (and maybe the reality) of our employees is totally different. So how do we get an honest opinion of management’s (our) performance? This Procedure shows you how to see yourself through your “Employee’s Eyeglasses” …

Read more

Gentlemen: Start Your Vacuums

vacuum-at-homeAs an IICRC CCT instructor I continually have to convince cleaning technicians that they need to vacuum every job. The current belief is that less than 10% of all jobs are vacuumed prior to cleaning.

But now a new survey shows an even better reason to vacuum. Men who vacuum and do other household chores tend to spend more time in the bedroom; and I don’t mean dusting the dresser!

Read more

Should I wear a bow tie when cleaning?

A Pennsylvania tech wants to add a bit of pizzazz to his “cleaning presentation”. His boss (being from the “old school” isn’t so sure. “New School Steve” shares his thoughts plus a couple of hints …

Steve’s latest Value Added Service “field trip”

Everywhere you go and every commercial transaction you make should be examined with your “Customer Eyeglasses”. For example, notice what Steve took out of a recent (and very sudden) sojourn to Brooklyn, New York …