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Mike_Boxall

  • Posts: 1394
101 Ways to improve your contract cleaning business!?
« on: December 08, 2004, 04:21:56 pm »
Hi

I recently had a booklet from a supplier as a 'free gift' entitled '101 ways to get anyone to do almost anything!'

Aside from the fact that, despite having the booklet, people still ignore me   I thought it might be a good idea to come up with something similar for contract cleaners which we could post here for people to download.

So, has anyone got any simple but effective hints, tips or tricks that would help both new and established contract cleaners.

I can think of quite a few general ones, as follows, but would welcome any more you could think of.

Regards

Mike

Rule # 1 - If you do the same things you'll get the same results!

Don't undervalue your service. Charge a good price for a good job.

Always keep your vehicles clean. First impressions count.

Send a 'Thankyou for your business' card after a customer uses you for the first time.

Try to sell your services to anyone you buy from.

Make use of free editorial in local press. Often they struggle to find stories to fill it. If you have a high profile new customer, or you take on more staff, or move premises, or celebrate 5 years in business (or 10, 15, 20, 25 for that matter!) or invest in the latest equipment to 'keep up with demand' - you might be surprised how easy it is to get something included, particularly if you have a good picture to go with it.

Consider co-operative advertising. Why not halve the cost of printing and inserting leaflets by partnering with another, non-competing, business such as a plumber or electrician. You print on one side and they print on the other.

If a customer is happy with the job ask them to put it in writing. Testimonials are the best way to install confidence in your abilities.

Make an effort to work with 'competitors'. Often they'll have work they could pass on and vice-versa. There's plenty of business for everyone out there.

Always offer add-on services where possible such as window cleaning or carpet cleaning.

Get trained. Good training will help you do a better job faster.

Join, and participate, in an online forum such as Cleanitup 

Tax evasion is illegal but tax avoidance isn't! Always use a good bookkeeper or accountant. They can often save you more money than they cost.

Over to you lot for now............

DP

  • Posts: 576
Re: 101 Ways to improve your contract cleaning business!?
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2004, 11:20:18 am »
Use a good contact management program (like ACT or Lotus) to collate all the information you gather, after all it would have cost you either time or money to acquire it, so why blow it.

You could of course use a simple Excel spreadsheet, but the dedicated programs make handling your information a lot easier and for around a £100 it will be the best investment you can make.
Everyone seems normal untill you get to know them!

Ian Gourlay

  • Posts: 5748
Re: 101 Ways to improve your contract cleaning business!?
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2005, 11:45:05 am »
Ok Mike

How do you get the best table in a resturant,

Mike_Boxall

  • Posts: 1394
Re: 101 Ways to improve your contract cleaning business!?
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2005, 01:01:40 pm »
is this something to do with telling them you're a representative from the Good Food Guide........ ;D