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 …
management
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.
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 home owner complaints by placing this “Spot and Stain Card” after the cleaning!
Don’t you just hate those nasty call-backs and complaints after you are convinced you left the carpets looking great? (Especially when the customer wasn’t even there when you did the work! Grrrr …) Here is one great way to pro-actively solve this problem before it even starts …
After 15 years as a “Lone Wolf” carpet cleaner, should I expand?
A Portland carpet cleaner is at a cross roads in his life. Get big by taking on employees? Stay small as an owner operator? Steve’s answer may surprise you …
My big cleaning business just isn’t fun anymore!
Not all successful companies need to “get BIG”. A proven Colorado cleaner needs help in scaling things back into a manageable size. Steve offers a shoulder to cry on and shares his firsthand experience of what to do when your cleaning business gets out of control.
Will incorporating protect me legally?
So should you incorporate to protect personal assets? We can’t say as a) no one here is an attorney PLUS b) we don’t know your personal situation. But a few thoughts …
Don’t “order” your clients around!
How you phrase a simple customer request can have a dramatic effect on the all-important relationship between client and company.
High or low pricing- which way to go?
A local Dallas carpet cleaner is already successful as a “prestige priced”, high end owner-operator. But now he is questioning his business model and his future …
Motivate your cleaning employees with a weekly contest for Scotchgard “up-sells”!
Business needs to be about more than just making money. Simply put, your carpet cleaning employees need fun in their work day and what is more fun than a good-natured competitive contest?
Painful but very productive
How can you make sure your company’s telephone procedures are on track? Put on your “Customer’s Eyeglasses” through your ears. See how …
Leaving a void on the truck …
When the boss decides to start working on the business instead of on the truck, this leaves a gaping hole … Such are the pains of success!! Steve offers his insights.
How can I help? Should I?
The homeowner/ carpet retailer relationship is a difficult and thorny one. Then along comes an unsuspecting carpet cleaner who just wants everyone to get along …
How can I calm a frazzled customer with a water damaged home?
An Oregon water loss carpet expert struggles with being completely up front with the homeowner of a water damaged home versus the customer’s desire for “Immediate Action”. Guess who wins with Steve?