[SunShineCleaning]

The FWC has a membership of 950 ish, we now have 10% of that total on our FWCSOS page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fwc.sos/

Please join and have your say, I have no axe to grind with the FWC, I simply want to make it something that your average window cleaner can benefit from.

Check out the blog as well

http://www.fwcsos.com/blog.html

[PoleKing]

What are you hoping to achieve from it bud?

[SunShineCleaning]

A trade organization most window cleaners will join.

[Tom White]

Imagine you had a magic wand and could produce a trade association that you wanted.

What would it look like?  How would it be ran?  Why should we join it?  I can't think of what I'd want from a trade association.  We're not like some pharmaceutical business; we're generally left alone from government departments as long as we comply with health 'n' safety regulations (in some fashion).

Maybe it's because I don't understand, but I'd struggle to come up with a concept of a trade association I'd want to join.

[SunShineCleaning]

Imagine you had a magic wand and could produce a trade association that you wanted.

What would it look like?  How would it be ran?  Why should we join it?  I can't think of what I'd want from a trade association.  We're not like some pharmaceutical business; we're generally left alone from government departments as long as we comply with health 'n' safety regulations (in some fashion).

Maybe it's because I don't understand, but I'd struggle to come up with a concept of a trade association I'd want to join.

I'd say I can live without you, but I know its not true......

[SunShineCleaning]

Imagine you had a magic wand and could produce a trade association that you wanted.

What would it look like?  How would it be ran?  Why should we join it?  I can't think of what I'd want from a trade association.  We're not like some pharmaceutical business; we're generally left alone from government departments as long as we comply with health 'n' safety regulations (in some fashion).

Maybe it's because I don't understand, but I'd struggle to come up with a concept of a trade association I'd want to join.

As it stands what would you be willing to pay to join?

[Tom White]

No, seriously, I don't think these posts get much of a reaction because many people are like me; we can't see the relevance.

From another post:

Looking from the outside - In My initial feeling is that there seems to be a communication issue between the FWC and its membership. I like the OBR post to join a trade group each business needs a compelling reason.

Ian has just about nailed it here - his observation is sharp - although I think it could go further; there is a communication issue between the FWC and it's potential members.  Yeh, we see the website, the list of benefits don't really look that honest, or they're vague; and we're window cleaners; not stupid (most of us anyway).

[Tom White]

As it stands what would you be willing to pay to join?

As it stands, it doesn't look expensive for the likes of me to join; the cost of membership isn't really the issue for me.  What's the point of membership is more the issue.

[SunShineCleaning]

As it stands what would you be willing to pay to join?

As it stands, it doesn't look expensive for the likes of me to join; the cost of membership isn't really the issue for me.  What's the point of membership is more the issue.

I was really asking what value would you put on it.

[Don Kee]

As it stands what would you be willing to pay to join?

As it stands, it doesn't look expensive for the likes of me to join; the cost of membership isn't really the issue for me.  What's the point of membership is more the issue.

I was really asking what value would you put on it.

If the item/service for sale isn't wanted or has no relevance to the intended audience then it has no value - not necessarily my opinion but i think thats what tosh is saying??

[Tom White]

As it stands what would you be willing to pay to join?

As it stands, it doesn't look expensive for the likes of me to join; the cost of membership isn't really the issue for me.  What's the point of membership is more the issue.

I was really asking what value would you put on it.

If the item/service for sale isn't wanted or has no relevance to the intended audience then it has no value - not necessarily my opinion but i think thats what tosh is saying??

Yes, spot on; thanks.

[SunShineCleaning]

That's fine.

So the FWC  is so irrelevant that its not even worth joining for free?

[Tom White]

That's fine.

So the FWC  is so irrelevant that its not even worth joining for free?

Maybe?

Why doesn't someone from the FWC committee try educating us on the benefits or on what they do; why they need our support?  I mean the list of member's benefits on their website is daft; seriously.

I mean let's look at the top two:

Representation of a government recognised Trade Association

Business investment into an independent non-profit organisation

I can see they've used some nice little buzz words like 'representation' and 'investment'; but what does that actually mean?  Why do we need representing?  What do they do when they represent us?  How often do they represent us and over what issues?

And how is it a 'business investment'?  Not once in ten years has any potential customer asked me, "Are you a member of the FWC?"  A Gardiner's pole is a real and tangible business investment; it's good quality, it's does what it says on the tin; it enables me to turnover a profit.  How does being a member of FWC make it a good 'business investment'?  

Or is it just a bunch of glamorous sounding words to impress a dull window cleaner into joining?  That's not a dig; I really don't know.

This forum has got to be the biggest and best place for their potential new clientèle - so why don't they get involved here and educate us on why we should be members of the FWC, because I really don't know why I should, and I suspect there's many others like me.

[SunShineCleaning]

It has been suggested several times that they join the forums, have their own or even a section on CIU. They have refused all 3 suggestions.

Again its a communication issue.

[AuRavelling79]

It has been suggested several times that they join the forums, have their own or even a section on CIU. They have refused all 3 suggestions.

Again its a communication issue.

Might it be that what they have to communicate doesn't chime with many on here? Bit like Ionics or Brodex? Or ex-members who "try" but can't take the banter and cut and thrust of forum life? So they withdraw.

Could it be it's because they remember the "Phil Hanson" episodes; knowing that the sharp and scintillating minds of CIU will believe their cosy raison d'etre? is survival at worst, £ sterling, jollies and self-importance at best?

Maybe it's a "business decision" taking the principle of Matthew Ch7 v 6? 

[SunShineCleaning]

You swine, Gold

[Moderator David@stives]

Sunshine

10% non paying members, hardly a comparison

 no axe to grind, really?

[SunShineCleaning]

Sunshine

10% non paying members, hardly a comparison

 no axe to grind, really?

I don't even have a grindstone David. I have no previous argument with them.
 Also I think 10% is a good comparison in just a few days we are seeing a conversation about what is good for the industry by people who want representation but don't feel they get it.


At the end of the day the FWC represent all window cleaners whether subs are paid or not.

[Tom White]

Are you on the committee, David, just out of interest?  Or do you want to be on the committee?  In a previous post you said that you didn't think they were doing a lot wrong, which is a fair one, but there's an old dit about someone who never made mistakes never making anything.

What is it that they're doing that's right?

[Moderator David@stives]

Hi Tosh

I have no part in the FWC, i am just a paying member

What are they doing right ? most of the things in this link

http://www.taforum.org/creating-a-new-trade-association