[Matt Seymour]

Have to say that I agree.

The NCCA don't seem to have much clout at all and considering the membership fees they expect people to pay, I don't think it's worth joining.

The BICS on the other hand is a different kettle of fish.

[Joe H]

I did say it was only my comment, I dont know what actually happened any more then any of oyu.
Obviously a solicitor was chosen.

What it boils down to is that carpet cleaners are an independent lot, there self employed, and like doing things there way - and thats why I like my job.
Joining any organisation is not on the agenda generally, no matter what any one of you says.
During this year you all had a chance of joining CLEAN - what happened?   You didnt want it.   Fair do's

[Paul Heath]

Its a shame NCCA missed a very good opourtunity to put themselves in front of the camera. That alone would have made me think of joining.
It would be intersting to get feedback from them ??

[Joe H]

May be they asked and got turned down.
Would you still join?

[wynne jones]

I did say it was only my comment, I dont know what actually happened any more then any of oyu.
Obviously a solicitor was chosen.

What it boils down to is that carpet cleaners are an independent lot, there self employed, and like doing things there way - and thats why I like my job.
Joining any organisation is not on the agenda generally, no matter what any one of you says.
During this year you all had a chance of joining CLEAN - what happened?   You didnt want it.   Fair do's

Spot on Joe. The autonomy that this career provides is very attractive to many, the flip side of course is the potential for isolation unless you make an effort.

Is CLEAN really dead, I think there is more to come from what I have heard (third hand).

BICS as Ian says is a recognised body by many of the people we deal with (commercial), you get broad skill training in cleaning but it's not specialised like NCCA.

[clinton]

Then ncca has been going for so many years and still the public dont know or have ever heard of them :

[derek west]

i don't think its about the public knowing about the NCCA, my problem is they seem to be stagnating. not even attempting to try new ideas. maybe approaching BICS to see if they can be of service to each other  or contacting a massive database of carpet cleaners to encourage them to join so they can push for recognition. a reduced introductory price to raise revenue for a big add campaign. anything really but they just seem to sit on there deminishing revenue with a defeatist attitude. don't think ive ever had an email off the NCCA. have they got a facebook page? are they on twitter? it wouldn't be hard to turn the NCCA around. but i can't see it happening.

[wynne jones]

The public are not interested in trade bodies relating to CC. You can promote it all you want but it's not going to work.

Now I know that sounds very pessimistic but what I'm on about is getting the desired result. Which is? MORE BUSINESS. Forget someone else creating some sort of magical public awareness around quality carpet cleaning, indoor air quality and all that poo.

Go out and do it yourself you lazy bvggers, and don't expect finding someone who will take your money and send you a stream of customers eager to part with their cash, IT AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. But there will be a few pockets lined along the way.

[Paul Heath]

Spot on "d"

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

BICS is promoted by some of the largest companies in the Cleaning Industry and as a way of training staff.

Carpet cleaning by comparison is small beer and will never have a high profile.

NCCA can be useful for new starters if it gives confidence and you market effectively.

Cheers

Doug

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

I did say it was only my comment, I dont know what actually happened any more then any of oyu.
Obviously a solicitor was chosen.

What it boils down to is that carpet cleaners are an independent lot, there self employed, and like doing things there way - and thats why I like my job.
Joining any organisation is not on the agenda generally, no matter what any one of you says.
During this year you all had a chance of joining CLEAN - what happened?   You didnt want it.   Fair do's

Is CLEAN really dead, I think there is more to come from what I have heard (third hand)

Really Wynne ?!
You must tell me more  :

[wynne jones]

Steve

Yes, heard moral had bucked up since you left. 

As I say third hand so who knows.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Well technically I haven't left yet - not that it counts for much though 

[Hilton]

The public are not interested in trade bodies relating to CC. You can promote it all you want but it's not going to work.

Thats not true,

The public and commercial organisations are interested, its just not widely known that  trade body representing CC exists.

The NCCA has done a very poor job in promoting its self, it can have all the top trainers you like showing us how to remove an ink spot but with out actually marketing its self to the public at large its effectiveness in representing those CC is limited as has been shown.

So the 'benefits' of joining are not tangible in as much as its unlikely to actually bring you in any sizable extra business. Of course they will throw up the exceptions who could show that as a result of being a member they picked up this work or that contract but these, I would wager,  are very few and far between.

The Watchdog programme that would rather get the views from a commercial lawyer than a professional carpet cleaner from the NCCA was a case in point and is highly embarrassing for the Association in my opinion, who have lost what little credibility they had with CC who are not already members and I should imagine a great many of those that are.Its no good after the event announcing in your newsletter they were 'approached' by the producers for a comment.The very fact that they ignored them after approaching them sort of proves the point.

There is no doubt in my opinion that the NCCA could be a major benefit to both cleaners and consumers, everything is in place its just not selling itself and seems to be a cosy little backwater organisation, complacently comfortable with its current position completely aloof from both CC and the public at large.

Or am I being to harsh ?

[Joe H]

Its no good after the event announcing in your newsletter they were 'approached' by the producers for a comment.The very fact that they ignored them after approaching them sort of proves the point.

Hilton, that is NOT what I said.... I said they were CONSULTED which in my opinion is more then "approached".
I will quote from the NCCA news magazine.

"Several months ago we were contacted by researchers fro BBC Watchdog, who were investigating a cleaning network called Enterprise Cleaning Services UK Ltd.
We readily cooperated and provided the material they required, which included technical information and an outline of how a carpet cleaning company should operate. We also supplied them with a PAS86".

At least the BBC Watchdog team knew about the NCCA for them to consult with them in the first place.
A later comment in the same article NCCA news magazine states "the programme focused heavily on legal aspects of the case".
Obviously that is why a solicitor was on the programme.
It is clear that the BBC Watchdog team wanted to focus on the legalities of this situation and not on how carpets should be cleaned.
I think it was good that a large organisation like the BBC approached the NCCA for their input to the case they were making.

Obviously, Hilton, you have strong views on the way an organisation such as NCCA should be run, why dont you join and put yourself forward as member of the decision making team, bearing in mind it is voluntary and you only get paid expenses.
Its ok grumbling about something, what the NCCA wants is someone that will actually do something - are you up to scratch???

[Billy Russell]

Mr hatton, You took the words out of my mouth! I've just joined as well!

Hows the motorised Zimmer going

Speak soon

Billy

[Hilton]

Well Joe if your going to be pedantic I will accept that they were 'consulted'.

Just proves my point I am afraid, you say several months ago they were consulted and then promptly ignored, where in the programme was there any reference to having taken advise from the professional body the NCCA.

You seem happy that 'at least' the BBC knew about them, well they certainly kept it a secret.

Surely Joe you must agree that that far from having a legal bod on, we would all have been much better served and certainly the NCCA to have a qualified carpet cleaner on the programme tearing there ability and business practice to pieces as they do with just about every other scam they unearth, a lawyer could then have been asked there view.

As for myself I have been a member in the past, waste of time and money no benefit at all .

But that is not say thay it could be a major benefit, as I have already said, all is in place but I just see it as a cozy coffee club, you imply that as its voluntary that I and others would not be interested in the decision making which is a bit presumptous of you ,I assume they get paid for running the courses don't they?

Am I up to scratch, yes I could get involved and  change a few things but I really do not think they would be interested, by my own admision I am too forthright in my opinions, it would not be appreciated.

But getting back to my original point, you can not be ( I assume your a member) best pleased with the way they failed to get a voice on the programme.

 

[Mark Lawrence]

Hilton

I have to agree with everything you have said - spot on mate.

Mark

[Joe H]

SO what do you expect them to do Hilton to get on the programme???

Barge in and say excuse me but we are having this spot.
It was not their programme - its the BBC,   why not barrage the BBC asking them why didnt they have the voice of the NCCA instead of some legal guy.


and whilst I said its voluntary to sit on the committee, they do get expenses (as I said) - but they did publish a list of expenses and it wouldnt necessarily cover the loss of a days earnings - yes most are like you and I, having a business to run.

Perhaps it would take a few like you and Derek, and one or two others to set alight the NCCA and make steps forward.
I will vote for you.
Are you up for it?
Or are you really one of those that stands on the sidelines and shouts out loud.

[wynne jones]

The public are not interested in trade bodies relating to CC. You can promote it all you want but it's not going to work.

Thats not true,

Can I ask what evidence you are basing this on, or is it an assumption?