[Crystal-clear]

After number crunching a vat bill that's difficult to pass on domestically I think it's extremely wise to secure more commercial work...

Years ago you used to be able to buy data to call and arrange appointments to meet site managers
There was a data man called Gareth I believe it's been so many years since I did this but I remember I had some success.

Does anyone know where you can buy gdpr now approved data? various things like care homes offices etc.
Also if anyone knows of of any decent cold calling company that targets commercial premises would be nice to know
thanks

[Spruce]

After number crunching a vat bill that's difficult to pass on domestically I think it's extremely wise to secure more commercial work...

Years ago you used to be able to buy data to call and arrange appointments to meet site managers
There was a data man called Gareth I believe it's been so many years since I did this but I remember I had some success.

Does anyone know where you can buy gdpr now approved data? various things like care homes offices etc.
Also if anyone knows of of any decent cold calling company that targets commercial premises would be nice to know
thanks

Yellow pages?  If its in Yellow pages then its available to use.

[Crystal-clear]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

[Spruce]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

The problem comes with handling personal data as we do with residential. We are supposed to confirm with each customer what data we carry and if they are happy with us doing that.

The same thing will apply to commercial. But if they advertise in Yellow Pages or on any online method then I see no issue with that. However, if they don't advertise a managers name then in theory you should get their permission to record it and keep those details on file.

Personally, if I was looking for business and spoke to a customer who gave me his business card, then he/she has given you authority to keep those details on hand for you own use.  But you need to keep those details 'under lock and key' and not 'sell them on.'

If a customer asks you what data you have and they request you remove it then you have to do that.  What I don't  know is how selling a round with customer's names would work.

No one has asked me what data I have on them. A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

[Cookie]

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

I've had a quite a few elderly customers who only gave me their surnames. But their neighbours usually "let the cat out of the bag". So Audrey, Doreen, Sybil I know who you are! 

[Crystal-clear]

Cool shall get on the blower again then!
i remember doing pretty well a few years ago i have a couple of hotels and care homes still some i rang up myself, I think its wise to compete with self employed prices then just plus VAT to the invoice if required to keep the same profit margins.
so i guess a bigger slice of this work i think is a good thing.

[Pete Thompson]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

The problem comes with handling personal data as we do with residential. We are supposed to confirm with each customer what data we carry and if they are happy with us doing that.

Sorry Spruce, but this is wrong.

“Consent” is only one of the six legal basis for processing personal data, and in my opinion, it’s not particularly appropriate for us window cleaners.

The most appropriate legal basis is covered in section 1 (b) of Article 6 of the GDPR; performance of a contract.

“processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;”

We enter into a contract with our customers (whether written or verbal), and can therefore perfectly lawfully process their data in order to perform that contract.

If you choose “consent” as your legal basis for processing their data (which you could do, but I’m not sure why anyone would) then you are burdening yourself with a whole heap of administration and hassle, both for you and the customer.

[Arnold Palmer]

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

I've had a quite a few elderly customers who only gave me their surnames. But their neighbours usually "let the cat out of the bag". So Audrey, Doreen, Sybil I know who you are! 

If a customer refused to give me their surname I'd refuse to clean their windows.

[deeege]

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

I've had a quite a few elderly customers who only gave me their surnames. But their neighbours usually "let the cat out of the bag". So Audrey, Doreen, Sybil I know who you are! 

If a customer refused to give me their surname I'd refuse to clean their windows.

Why’s that? I have never requested (or cared) to find out a single one of my customers surnames. As long as they pay I couldn’t give a monkeys what they are called.

[Arnold Palmer]

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

I've had a quite a few elderly customers who only gave me their surnames. But their neighbours usually "let the cat out of the bag". So Audrey, Doreen, Sybil I know who you are! 

If a customer refused to give me their surname I'd refuse to clean their windows.

Why’s that? I have never requested (or cared) to find out a single one of my customers surnames. As long as they pay I couldn’t give a monkeys what they are called.

So if they don't pay I can chase them up.

Why would they refuse to give you their surname?

[Stoots]

Exactly.

You need full name, address and a contact number for all your customers.

And ideally if possible proof of agreement to clean windows, email, text, Facebook messages etc.

So you can easily chase them for debt and prove the debt if they don't pay.

I've had and still do have some customers who I only have first names and have been bitten a few times by it... but I won't take any new work on without all the info.

[Spruce]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

The problem comes with handling personal data as we do with residential. We are supposed to confirm with each customer what data we carry and if they are happy with us doing that.

Sorry Spruce, but this is wrong.

“Consent” is only one of the six legal basis for processing personal data, and in my opinion, it’s not particularly appropriate for us window cleaners.

The most appropriate legal basis is covered in section 1 (b) of Article 6 of the GDPR; performance of a contract.

“processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract;”

We enter into a contract with our customers (whether written or verbal), and can therefore perfectly lawfully process their data in order to perform that contract.

If you choose “consent” as your legal basis for processing their data (which you could do, but I’m not sure why anyone would) then you are burdening yourself with a whole heap of administration and hassle, both for you and the customer.

Thanks for clarifying that.

So just go ahead with your prospecting for new customers and record their details for your own business use.

I still think your customer has the option to request what details you have on him/her and deal with it according to their wishes. What I do with them after that is something I would have to think about.
I still have a duty of care to safe guard their information.

I haven't sent out one single request for consent to keep customer info as I'm only using that data for my own use to conduct business.

But my main focus is residential. When it comes to business to business then I believe more care is needed. Our next door neighbour is a sole trader dealing with businesses. They were advised to take the consent route.

There was quite a lot of discussion on this topic just over a year ago.
.

[CraigDowney]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

If a customer won't give me their name i wouldnt book them in... how are you supposed to get money off them if they refuse to pay if you don't know their name.

[Spruce]

Seriously? Thanks for Clarifying that I wasn't actually sure

A couple of new customers have refused to give me their surnames (first name only) but its not difficult to get their surnames in time.

If a customer won't give me their name i wouldnt book them in... how are you supposed to get money off them if they refuse to pay if you don't know their name.

You are right.

I have used my discretion with the last one as she was next to a row of 5 houses we do so surrounded by customers we have done for years. We collect in that street and have known of her existence for a long time. Her previous window cleaner stopped coming. He packed up window cleaning and didn't tell anyone; not surprising considering the low prices he charged.  She has always had her windows cleaned by a wfp window cleaner. She did ask one of those customers we do if we would do hers as well.

If she was in a street we didn't work then I would be very cautious. When I first started window cleaning I had an appointment with the Receiver. I was told I needed all my customer's names and addresses on record if they wanted to do an inspection. I've used that requirement several times when I was a newbie to get people's names.

I don't think the Receiver can demand it now with the new data regulations.

People have a right to protect their data but we also have a right to decide how we conduct our business. If they don't trust us with their name then can I trust them to be good payers?

[Shrek]

Who is ‘The Receiver ‘

[Crystal-clear]

The receiver otherwise known as The Taxman..
Ok .. this is gone a little bit off the topic.
In simple window cleaning window cleaner terms


To re clarify
Are we able to pick up the phone and call businesses that advertise on yell.com saying hello luv just your local window cleaner without the gdpr people getting sad

Lol

[Smudger]

Yes   just get on and do it


Darran

[robbo333]

As far as I remember (and I am getting old) you can call any business and ask if they want a window cleaner.

In the old days, you could buy any type of commercial mailing list, from a reputable marketing company, (not sure now) and send them your leaflet.

You can also email any company and ask them if they want a window cleaner, but you have to give them the option to 'opt out' of any further emails from you.

I seem to remember Becky Swan was cold calling commercial work, not sure now.

Personally, I would design a leaflet, specifically for commercial work and find a very good distribution company that will only target commercial work. This is where you will score!

Just to add, I would probably use Royal Mail to deliver; I reckon these are the only people with a good enough database (and ability to deliver to commercials). It may cost more to deliver, but you know it's 'job done'!

[Smudger]

memory serves you well robby.

trying to leaflet commercial only would be very time consuming/expensive  - cold calling works very well

Darran