Skip to content
  • Contact Us
    • Request your seat at SFS
    • Subscribe to our weekly QuickTIPS
    • Request Steve’s advice
    • Join us in Industry Forums online
  • SFS Training Options
    • About SFS: “Winning over your caller!” Online Course
    • About SFS: “Hiring the Very Best!” Online Course
    • About VAST Training
  • About Us
    • SFS: “Business Transformation” Curriculum – Day by Day
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 1 – Monday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 2 – Tuesday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 3 – Wednesday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 4 – Thursday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 5 – Friday
    • The Strategies for Success Team
      • Nick Paolella
      • Angela Buege
      • Steve Toburen
      • Bill Yeadon
      • Chuck Violand
    • Why Consider SFS?
    • What Others Say
    • SFS History
    • FAQ’s about SFS
  • SFS Members Only
    • Blue Door Access
    • Operations Manual
  • Jon-Don

Search

Strategies for Success – (SFS)
  • Equipment
  • Training
  • Technical
  • Hiring
  • Telephone
  • Sales
  • Diversify
  • Office
  • Finances
  • Downloads
    • Special Reports
    • QuickFIXs
  • More

employees

Help out a local kid while you save time, money AND irritation!

by Steve Toburen

A wise businessperson knows which fights are worth fighting. Your highly trained service technicians specialty should be making the Cheerleader for future cleaning sales. Support your crews (and avoid headaches) with this System.

Categories quickTIPS Tags cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, efficiency, employees, production, systems, technical cleaning skills, truck mount Leave a comment

Do you follow a 5-Step introduction sequence?

by Steve Toburen

Help your technicians start off on the right foot with these simple introduction pointers.

Categories quickTIPS Tags breaking the ice, carpet cleaning technician, communication, employees, first impression, marketing to women, stage play, systems Leave a comment

“Hiring blind” can be a good thing

by Chuck Violand

Most people depend too much on their sight – judging how a person looks to determine whether they fit the need. Here’s how you can be more objective when measuring job candidates.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, employee development, employee profile, employees, first impression, hiring, hiring interview, relationships Leave a comment

Should I change over and pay commission?

by Steve Toburen
commission or salary

Steve analyzes when a change in compensation may be indicated. Is salary or commission necessarily better? Which way should you lean?

Categories Steve's "Bleeding Hearts" Advice Column Tags commission, employee retention, employees, financial analysis, legal issues, production, recognition bonus, salary Leave a comment

Help your workers to stop ‘limping’!

by Steve Toburen
problem solving

Are you tired of always having to rush into the fray every time your employees face an issue? Remember, “make it easier to do it right”!

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning technician, cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, communication, employees Leave a comment

The why (and how) of firing a marginal worker

by Steve Toburen

None of us enjoy adversarial situations and few conversations can be uglier than terminating an employee!

Categories quickTIPS Tags attitude, carpet cleaning technician, company morale, employee retention, employees, hiring, respect, success, training 2 Comments

Why (and how) to reward your staff with Employee Recognition

by Steve Toburen
employee recognition

Employees are a must for a full size business. How to keep them motivated? Employee recognition is more than just extra pay …

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning technician, employee retention, employees, gratitude, motivation, recognition, recognition bonus Leave a comment

People (including your staff) LOVE money!

by Steve Toburen

We all want excited, motivated employees that are “invested” in the future of our business. The single best, cheapest and most effective motivational technique? Public Recognition! BUT money talks too!

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning technician, cleaning business profit, commission, employees, legal issues, motivating carpet cleaning technicians, motivation, production, recognition bonus, salary Leave a comment

‘Clearly defining expectations’ for your employees

by Steve Toburen

I’ve written reams on how to clearly define your CUSTOMER’S expectations. But what about your employees?

Categories quickTIPS Tags accountability, employees, expectations, hiring interview, management, weekly staff meetings Leave a comment

‘Pre-orient’ your employees with these 4 Core SFS Principles!

by Steve Toburen
orient employees to work in home and businessplace

4 key SFS concepts to orient employees regarding working in the customer’s home or business.

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning training, customer service, employees, training, value added service Leave a comment

When, why (and how) to FOCUS on a new hire…

by Steve Toburen
new hire

The best time to create and build a new hire relationship? During and immediately after your hiring process! Here’s how …

Categories quickTIPS Tags employee retention, employees, hiring, stage play, training Leave a comment

Adding an ‘Employee Efficiency Bonus’

by Steve Toburen

Steve explains how “sharing the pain” (AND the profits) can hold your employees “accountable” while also helping them strive for perfection.

Categories quickTIPS Tags accountability, carpet cleaning technician, customer cheerleader, efficiency, employees, goals, legal issues, motivating carpet cleaning technicians, motivation, recognition bonus, salary, Spot and Spill warranty, upselling 4 Comments

Don’t ‘negatively surprise’ your workers!

by Steve Toburen

Previously I shared how much I hated to be “surprised” by an employee. But it is only fair that you don’t surprise an employee either.

Categories quickTIPS Tags attitude, carpet cleaning technician, communication, company morale, employee development, employee retention, employees, evaluation, management Leave a comment

Tweak your weekly staff meeting

by Steve Toburen
company meeting

What do your employee’s take away from your staff meetings? Give them some homework.

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning technician, communication, employees, moment of truth, weekly staff meetings 4 Comments

Don’t be surprised when your ‘very best’ employee quits!

by Steve Toburen
prepare for when employees quit

Even the best employee quits. What can you do? Take action now by changing the way you look at hiring and employee development.

Categories quickTIPS Tags carpet cleaning technician, employee development, employee retention, employees, hiring, recruitment Leave a comment
Older posts
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 … Page3 Page4 Page5 … Page15 Next →

Account

  • Log in
  • Register
  • Lost password?

SFS Online Training

SFS: Winning over your caller $149

Upcoming dates:

Online Jun. 12, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Online Aug. 6, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Online Oct. 1, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

SFS: Hiring the Very Best $149

Upcoming dates:

Online Sep. 10, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Want even more help?

Join the SFS facebook group!
Join our SFS Facebook group to Grow your Business!

Looking for forms?

Free Form Downloads

Still looking for answers? Ask us!

I WANT TO…

Start

Start a Business


Employees

Add Employees


Freedom

Achieve "Freedom"


More Categories

MY FOCUS IS…

Restoration

Restoration


Residential

Residential


Commercial

Commercial

More Industry Sectors

NEW POSTS

  • Goods versus services? Wassup wit dis?
  • Parking your truck safely and efficiently
  • What’s It Going to Take to Persuade You?
  • Laughing your way through sales calls?

WEEKLY QUICKTIPS

  • A lesson from dentists and quick-lube shops
  • ‘Atone for your sins’ with a Gift Card!
  • “Breaking bread” brings your team together

more quickTIPS...

Sign up for our weekly QuickTIPS

* indicates required

ATTEND SFS

What is SFS?


You now have five SFS training options!


Meet the SFS Team


Even more...

Class Curriculum

What Others Say

SFS FAQs

Join Jon-Don on Social

  • Jon-Don on facebook
  • Jon-Don on Twitter
  • Jon-Don on YouTube

By Industry

Upholstery Cleaning
Fire Restoration
Carpet Cleaning
Janitorial
Smoke Damage
Mold Abatement
Water Damage
Commercial

By Topic

Diversifying
Marketing
Employee Training
Website / SEO
Finances
Pricing
Equipment
Customer Service
Sales
Telephone
Hiring / Firing
Technical

By Resource

QuickFIXs
QuickTIPS
Videos
Procedures
Special Reports
Steve’s Advice
Bill’s Blog
Chuck’s Thoughts

SFS Members

Operations Manual
Contact Steve
Contact Bill

About

What we teach
Our History
Class Reviews
SFS Member Profiles
About VAST
FAQs
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy

Contact

Contact SFS
Request Help
Call Jon-Don
Jon-Don on Facebook
Jon-Don on Twitter

SFS Classes

Check here for updates

© 2025 Jon-Don, Inc. | Privacy Policy