“Blogging”- A powerful tool for carpet cleaners!
“Big Billy” Yeadon shares his favorite online watering holes for the latest and greatest in marketing and management tips.
management
David Gargan discovers “cleaning freedom”!
Industry veteran David Gargan just loved the physical act of cleaning carpets … until he hit the big 4-0! Learn how Dave “broke free from the wand” and discovered the wonderful gift of personal time with his family.
The difference in “saving” vs. “investing” your time
All cleaners; technicians, managers and owner-operators can benefit from better time management. Chuck suggests cleaning professionals stop focusing on HOW to “save” time and concentrate more on WHERE they “invest” time.
The best business books from 2010- Pick one.
Remember in 2011 you were going to read more than the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition? Well guess what? No more excuses! If you walk into Borders you will be overwhelmed by choices so let us help!
Oh no! It is New Year’s Resolutions time!
Do these New Year’s Resolutions sound familiar- healthier food, more exercise, drink less, sending your SFS QuickTips to that slave driver Toburen? Well the Heath brothers, authors of “Switch” share 5 short tips that will make 2011 different for YOU!
We all need a little “feedback” …
Many cleaning techs are from the Millennial generation and so they expect “feedback”. Do they need to “quit whining and man up” or are your young techs correct in expecting communication from the boss? Big Billy Yeadon shares some thoughts …
Employees blossom in a family atmosphere
Today’s cleaning industry employee wants more than just a paycheck. Steve shares ideas how to promote a fun-loving family atmosphere.
Don’t be a “Chief Problem Solver”- Part II
So Chuck has weighed in earlier on why you need to get out of solving every single problem for your employees. Yet you are probably already there! So how do you get out of being a “problem solving Sugar Daddy”? Follow these four steps to relief…
Avoiding the “Chief Problem Solver” trap- Part I
So how many problems did you solve for your employees yesterday? A lot? Feeling pretty good about yourself? Chuck Violand says “shame on you” if you have become the Chief Problem Solver in your company …
What can a carpet cleaner learn from the “Three Stooges?”
The “Three Stooges”? (We’re not talking about Chuck Violand, Big Billy Yeadon and Steve Toburen of SFS fame!) Nope, Chuck says that we learn how to avoid “Paralysis by Analysis” from Larry, Moe and Curly!
Cleaning professionals- Can you improve your apology technique?
Should you say you are sorry even when it is not your fault? Southwest Airlines’ “recovery system” is just one of the many reasons why they are king of customer service AND make money as their competitors go broke. What does your company do when “it” hits the fan?
What can carpet cleaners learn from Honda?
Even with Honda’s high quality (and profits) their executives still aren’t happy. Why not? Chuck Violand explains and in the process you will learn a valuable lesson for your cleaning and restoration business …
Don’t expect success if you are a “Master of the Excuse”!
As children we are really inventive when it comes to making excuses. Then as we mature we improve even more on justifying our behavior. Chuck Violand brings this dangerous crutch home to business owners. Who do we blame? Chuck says one little book can turn these negative “excuse making” actions around …
Woody Allen- the next carpet cleaning industry guru?
Woody Allen postulated years ago that “75% of success is just showing up”! Chuck Violand focuses on that other vital 25% which you can control …
The two BIG responsibilities of a good leader …
Most of us entered the carpet cleaning industry by the “back door”- as technicians first. No shame in that. But sooner or later most carpet cleaners must morph into being a “leader” in their company. Being a good leader is both simpler and infinitely more difficult than you may have ever imagined …