[Arnold Palmer]

Customers: develop your systems. My quote system lays out our terms so there is no grey area. Everybody is aware of how this is going to work. Does it eradicate all "messers"? Of course not. It really does help though.

Employees: I've been told time and time again: don't work with friends or family. I've done both for two decades. No idea how I make it work, I think I'm firm but fair, others might disagree.

[Crystal-clear]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

Lee the haters are going to hate don't worry mate when you talk this forum waits:)

Tell us one thing I think you only accept gocardless customers what is the percentage strike rate say out of 100 enquiries that are happy to use you when they see direct debit they decide not to would you say 50 50?
I believe you use gocardless from the very first clean I found this was a very hard sale again talking from a much much smaller scale

[Crystal-clear]

You can't make it up sometimes!

I had a text this week cancelling,  I've been cleaning the house for over 2 years. 'Hi Bungle, we no longer require window cleaning services, thank you for all your work. Katie'

This sounded a bit suss as the interfering old hag next door but one cancelled last week due to her 'nephew' starting a window cleaning round up.

So I text Katie back asking why she's cancelled. I get a reply that the house is on the market plus the old window cleaner (who'd disappeared) has turned up again!!!

So, you put your house on the market and hire the old window cleaner until it's sold? Fecking hate lies I do!

I've just texted her back (after 2 days). "I've found this reply a kick in the teeth to be honest!! If I did a crap job or was overpricing then I'd appreciate to be told! Thanks for your previous custom."

Once she left her front door open when she went to work and I rang her to tell her so.

No loyalty in this game. I should know better, but I always get suckered!

Mate the truth is she just doesn't want to spend any more money anymore on window cleaning and she doesn't want to say that so she says the old window cleaner has turned up I really doubt he has turned up after 2 years think about it think about all the one offs you done would you turn up after 2 years randomly

[John Mart]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

The problems being talked about here I wouldnt even hear about day to day in my business, thats someone elses job to sort out. I would go mad otherwise.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

One day. With perhaps 5 vans I could step back from the crap, but at the moment it’s just me. 

[Lee Pryor]

Yes we only take on new customers that will use go cardless. Over 4300 on there now. About 600 customers not on there yet that we have had since before go cardless that we are slowly moving over, however we wont clean if 1 is still outstanding when the round comes back to them.

Out of 100..... at least 90 or more.

Yes its harder before the first clean but our leaflet tells them this so most are prepared before they call.

You just have to be firm and stick to your rules. If I go to tesco and get to the till with my food can I pay by cheque? No. Can I pay a few weeks later or after the next 3 visits? No! why should what we do be any different?

I love it when people decide to not use us for this as they were just going to be another twat trying to not pay.

[Lee Pryor]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

The problems being talked about here I wouldnt even hear about day to day in my business, thats someone elses job to sort out. I would go mad otherwise.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

One day. With perhaps 5 vans I could step back from the crap, but at the moment it’s just me. 

It was just me up to 4 vans. Fact is its hard. Are you the sort of person that wants it bad enough to push through to the other side where things actually get easier or are you the sort that will just plod along year after year in the same position, then 20 years later wish you had when your body falls apart and you cant do the physical work anymore?

The time is going to pass regardless of what you do, might as well make the most of it.

Only you know the answer and only you can make it happen.

[nathankaye]

Having had a settled round for a year or two before making the decision to expand I had pretty much zero problems with total b e l l ends but now with so many new ones you pick up total dorks and actually when I take them on, often my spidey senses are tingling. But I still take them in the pursuit of growth.

But how do I stop myself getting wound up by them? How does Soupy or Lee Pryor deal with it? Lee obviously has a short fuse  so he must get annoyed at times.

Answers on a postcard?

I've not read all the replies, so not sure if been said but,
Basically mate, grow a pair!  Haha I'm sure some would say same to me, but expanding your business is great but is it worth expanding your business with customers who mess you about only for you at some point in the future to dump them anyway.

[John Mart]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

The problems being talked about here I wouldnt even hear about day to day in my business, thats someone elses job to sort out. I would go mad otherwise.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

One day. With perhaps 5 vans I could step back from the crap, but at the moment it’s just me. 

It was just me up to 4 vans. Fact is its hard. Are you the sort of person that wants it bad enough to push through to the other side where things actually get easier or are you the sort that will just plod along year after year in the same position, then 20 years later wish you had when your body falls apart and you cant do the physical work anymore?

The time is going to pass regardless of what you do, might as well make the most of it.

Only you know the answer and only you can make it happen.

Well that’s the reason behind the expansion. I’m 55 this year and for the first time off the tools. Not even covering holidays. We should end up with a net growth of 500 regular customers this year (one full van basically) and looking to do that for the next two years at least to 5/6 full to the brim vans.

[Crystal-clear]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

The problems being talked about here I wouldnt even hear about day to day in my business, thats someone elses job to sort out. I would go mad otherwise.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

One day. With perhaps 5 vans I could step back from the crap, but at the moment it’s just me. 

It was just me up to 4 vans. Fact is its hard. Are you the sort of person that wants it bad enough to push through to the other side where things actually get easier or are you the sort that will just plod along year after year in the same position, then 20 years later wish you had when your body falls apart and you cant do the physical work anymore?

The time is going to pass regardless of what you do, might as well make the most of it.

Only you know the answer and only you can make it happen.

Well that’s the reason behind the expansion. I’m 55 this year and for the first time off the tools. Not even covering holidays. We should end up with a net growth of 500 regular customers this year (one full van basically) and looking to do that for the next two years at least to 5/6 full to the brim vans.

well done was it canvassing?

[Lee Pryor]

Theres no reason why you shouldnt achieve your goals. Stay focused, break the end goal into smaller 6 mothly chunks and work towards each one at a time. Then the end goal takes care of itself.

[Lee Pryor]

I find visualising where  I want to end up really helps. In my head I already have 20 vans on the road and the life that goes with it. I picture those things every day and my life moves towards that picture seemingly by itself.

The sentance at the bottom of my posts is a powerful thing to consider.

[John Mart]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

The problems being talked about here I wouldnt even hear about day to day in my business, thats someone elses job to sort out. I would go mad otherwise.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

One day. With perhaps 5 vans I could step back from the crap, but at the moment it’s just me. 

It was just me up to 4 vans. Fact is its hard. Are you the sort of person that wants it bad enough to push through to the other side where things actually get easier or are you the sort that will just plod along year after year in the same position, then 20 years later wish you had when your body falls apart and you cant do the physical work anymore?

The time is going to pass regardless of what you do, might as well make the most of it.

Only you know the answer and only you can make it happen.

Well that’s the reason behind the expansion. I’m 55 this year and for the first time off the tools. Not even covering holidays. We should end up with a net growth of 500 regular customers this year (one full van basically) and looking to do that for the next two years at least to 5/6 full to the brim vans.

well done was it canvassing?

Leaflets.

[Dry Clean]

I dont have a short fuse at all. I get frustrated by haters thats all.

Anyway.

The fact is when you expand especially fast small problems become big problems quickly. The business model has to change to cope with that. I pay my office staff to deal with customers ect day to day. I do not answer the phone or deal with any customers. I just deal with the bigger picture things, the numbers, the goals and planning........ You are probably feeling the stress as you are taking on too much yourself, a clasic mistake in many businesses. Learn to let go,  delegate and free yourself up to cover the more important things.

I found over the years there are key times that you become the very thing holding the development back because there is only so much 1 person in any position can do. Learn how it should be done then teach someone else  and step aside to the next roll. That is how I have managed to completely remove myself from almost every process in the business. I can go on holiday or take 5 weeks off following surgery (as I just have) and return to not only find everything fine but growth in my absense.

When you take on a large amount of new customers there is always a period of settling down afterwards where you clear out the messers and the new ones get used to your routine with them.

Put people and processes in place, let them do it and you wont need a thicker skin. Well at least until you come on here to share your achievements and be torn to pieces by people who wouldnt have a clue where to start to do what your doing.

Just remember if it was easy to really grow and expand everyone would be doing it. Its bloody hard, expensive and a million miles from what most on here experience day to day.

You can do it. Remind yourself of that every day. I do....

Lee the haters are going to hate don't worry mate when you talk this forum waits:)

Tell us one thing I think you only accept gocardless customers what is the percentage strike rate say out of 100 enquiries that are happy to use you when they see direct debit they decide not to would you say 50 50?
I believe you use gocardless from the very first clean I found this was a very hard sale again talking from a much much smaller scale

Haters ? there are a few on here that are so caught up in their own hype that they believe if somebody is disagreeing or being critical of what they are doing it can only be down to hate.
Unfortunately when it comes to business talk on the forum its arrogance and not hate that ruins it.

[Lee Pryor]

If you say so. If you don't have something positive to say on this thread and more importantly it's topic then why say anything at all.

People like you view confidence as arrogance which it is not. I disagree with your statement and feel there is far more hate and negative attitudes than there is arrogance.

Your post is negative and has nothing to do with the subject matter of this thread.

Why not stick to threads you can make a positive contribution to.

[Kev Martin]

You can't make it up sometimes!

I had a text this week cancelling,  I've been cleaning the house for over 2 years. 'Hi Bungle, we no longer require window cleaning services, thank you for all your work. Katie'

This sounded a bit suss as the interfering old hag next door but one cancelled last week due to her 'nephew' starting a window cleaning round up.

So I text Katie back asking why she's cancelled. I get a reply that the house is on the market plus the old window cleaner (who'd disappeared) has turned up again!!!

So, you put your house on the market and hire the old window cleaner until it's sold? Fecking hate lies I do!

I've just texted her back (after 2 days). "I've found this reply a kick in the teeth to be honest!! If I did a crap job or was overpricing then I'd appreciate to be told! Thanks for your previous custom."

Once she left her front door open when she went to work and I rang her to tell her so.

No loyalty in this game. I should know better, but I always get suckered!

I am not quite sure why you even replied?  I would have just accepted it and moved on?  You seem very wound up over one poxy customer!

[Marc Stock]

Theres no reason why you shouldnt achieve your goals. Stay focused, break the end goal into smaller 6 mothly chunks and work towards each one at a time. Then the end goal takes care of itself.

My goal of hitting the 60k mark is nearing now, and im starting to get that feeling of, oh wow! its really quite simple. I am a little behind on my 15month push to 80k, its going to be more like 20 months tbh, I reckon i will be at he 60k mark by the end of this financial year and will have another van up and running for my next push to 80k and then to 120k.

I stopped updating on here because of the haters; and i just had to say to myself i am doing this for me and no one else; my way my rules my business.

[Johnny B]

In response to the original post, I used to take every cancellation personally, but when I started to look at it objectively I realized that it is just business.

Customers may cancel for any number of reasons. I never ask why they cancel (as if they would be truthful anyway) and just thank them for their past custom before wishing them well in the future.

John

[Shrek]

I’m not saying we don’t appreciate customers but ‘a drop in the ocean’ comes to mind when you get an idiot on the books

[John Mart]

I’m not saying we don’t appreciate customers but ‘a drop in the ocean’ comes to mind when you get an idiot on the books

I know, I know, I know. And Johnny’s post above too. I know. Doesn’t stop it though. 

[Dry Clean]

If you say so. If you don't have something positive to say on this thread and more importantly it's topic then why say anything at all.

People like you view confidence as arrogance which it is not. I disagree with your statement and feel there is far more hate and negative attitudes than there is arrogance.

Your post is negative and has nothing to do with the subject matter of this thread.

Why not stick to threads you can make a positive contribution to.

People with confidence dont need to throw a hissy fit when somebody says they could be doing something wrong, 8 weekly pointed out how easily you get upset on here when he started this thread, you blamed it on haters  and I disagreed.