[nivek]

hi can anybody help me please. ive had my cleaning buissness for about 8months now its running slow i know its hard starting up ive got a chance of a big contract 4 pubs when i go for meetings im so nurvers and get stuck for words how do i get rid of nurves and how to impress the customer what would you do thanks nivek.

[Comfort Sector]

Nivek,

First up don't worry just be yourself. the people that you will be discussing contract terms with are human beings just like you just like the customers that you are dealing with every day.

Preparation is the key before any meeting  make a list  of questions that you think will be asked. Write down answers. Sit in front of a mirror and answer the questions speak just as you would normally do.

Once you have done this ask a friend to ask you the questions and you answer them.

At the meeting.
Arrive on time.
Be Smartly dressed.
Wait until you are asked to sit.
Maintain eye contact with the person that you are talking too, don't stare.
Bring any material or paperwork that you will need.
Don't rush your answers.
Listen to what is being said.
If a question comes up that you didn't expect think before you reply.
When you think that the meeting is about to end always ask  is there anything else that you would like to ask me.

Do this and you will get on just fine it does become easier the more that you do it. Best of luck and stay calm.

[nivek]

thankyou richard for that info it will help me i will try and be calm

[Mike Halliday]

Richards advise is good but it won't make a blind bit of difference, there is no quick fix when it comes to self-confidence.

but it does'nt matter, I've dealt with lots of people who had poor comunication skills, I did'nt think any less of them. some people are smooth & smarmy, some are down to earth & honest (try and be the latter)

the best thing to do is be prepared and talk with knowledge about the contract you are bidding on. visit all 4 pubs and take note on what each one requires, talk to the landlord about any specific problems let the interviewers  know you've invested your time into giving them the best service available.

Mike

[ianharper]

HI

First Good luck.

One very important aspect in your meeting will payment. lots of pubs will want to pay though head office. this can be a very big pain if you have limited cash flow. I have one pub and I got them to pay me cash each week. I am lucky remember that if you have people to pay you might have to go months with out getting any money in.

You will need to price in the cost of this into your price. Dont believe them when they say it will be monthly they dont work in the payment depatment at head office.

Its common pratice now for big business to use small contactors and run them into the ground so that they dont have to pay. this goes on a lot in the building business.

A bad payier is one customer not worth having in my book.

If you want to chat PM me

I know I sound negative, but iI wish someone had told me a long time ago and I would have not wasted my time trying to run a contact business. I have a Very nice maid service that pays cash after every job. and the same goes for my carpet business.

It can Be done my friend runs a contact busness, but he does owe a lot of money to the bank

Good Luck

Respect

Ian Harper

[nivek]

thanks for all your advice it really helps. when people say take all paper work what does that mean as such what sort of paper work