Employee trouble in paradise…
Business is rocking … yet the office environment has this entrepreneur on his knees looking for how to bring peace to the valley.
employees
Keep your trucks clean and organized
Boost efficiency with clean and organized trucks/ techs. Here Steve offers 5 tips to make a difference right now!
A richer life by “courting” your people.
In his fourth and final installment of his “courtship series”, SFS Instructor Chuck Violand expounds on the true riches to be found in business and (no surprise here!) they have nothing to do with money!
Will a partnership help me grow my carpet cleaning business?
An Idaho cleaner is in between hiring his first employee or forming a partnership. Uh-oh! Time for another one of “Steve’s rants”!
Avoiding the “Mirror Test” in hiring employees
Too many of us hire with this criteria: 1) Blow on this mirror. 2) Is the mirror fogged? 3) Yes? Great- you are hired! Steve analyses the moral, ethical and financial implications of hiring the wrong person.
Now the “courtship” is getting serious!
SFS Instructor Chuck Violand reflects on how to win your employee’s hearts in Part III of his “courtship” series …
The “Courting” Process Continues …
Chuck Violand reflects on the “filtering process” we go though both in a courtship and in attracting the “right people” we want to do business with …
How are you going to motivate yourself for success in carpet cleaning?
Everyone wants success but few ever find it. Bill goes down deep into the human psyche with some soul searching questions about what motivates you as a business owner. Fortunately for all of us there are answers to be found inside us …
Never Stop Courting
Chuck Violand explores the similarities between the relationship of a courting couple and you with your employees, customers, suppliers, and other business “partners” who support you every day.
Steve’s Top 5 “Grow Your Business TIPS”
Increased sales can bring growing pains that have destroyed many small business contractors. Here is some help …
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.
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”…
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!
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.
The hardest phrase to utter …
Many entrepreneurs struggle with verbalizing their gratitude to others. SFS instructor Chuck Violand shares why saying “thank you” is so important and how you can do so …