[Bill Robinson]

is there specialised computer cleaning tools
whats invloved do you clean it internally or is it just the keyboards
cannyman

[Musicman]

To carry out such cleans PROPERLY you do need several specialist tools and chemicals.

The clean will consist of keyboards, drive units and monitors/screens - all external.

If I come across such a requirement (I can't be doing my job properly as everyone has a requirement) I sub it to a specialist as they will do a better and quicker job than I ever could.

They can also do deep cleans of computer suites inc sub-floors, acoustic ceilings etc.

Hope this helps.

Musicman

[Tim Downer]

Friend of mine was going to start their own business in cleaning computers, but found the insurance too high for them due to the nature of the cleaning, plus the possible comeback from the client if you broke their computers.....

Having said that, i am in an office where there are around 35 workstations and all the keyboards have dirt, dust and foodstuffs behind the keys, and the computers could do with a clean too......so there must be a demand for this type of cleaning.....or maybe as Cleaning Manager i should do it? Nah

Regards

Tim

[DP]

I investigated this some years ago for my company that I was working for, who had £zillions to put into something on a national basis. However in a report I concluded that although there was a massive amounts of opportunity the charge out rates as being offered by others were ridiculously low and unviable to compete on a national basis at that time.

Now I know this situation has changed slightly and so has the insurance requirements especially when it comes to sub-contracting any type of work unless you can get past the equal liability bit by reverse invoicing or finders fee's of course.

Many these days combine pat testing with this type of work, yet another marginal industry, but there is still plenty out there doing it. I understand the current fee's for cleaning vary between £5 and £10 per complete station + £2 to £3 for pat testing when you can get it.

[DP]

Ummm ok, in short its electrical safety testing. I have just read some of your posts on the other forums. You seem to want to do most things at this time. Any particular favourite industries yet or are you still exploring?

[Musicman]

Cannyman, firstly to answer your question, yes they do use micro-vacuums (among several other things) to clean keyboards.

Necessity is the mother of invention, but sadly for you she gave birth to this idea many years ago 

Personally I wouldn't go down this route as it takes a long while to build up such a business. Anyway, think about it, why would anyone train you up so that you can start to compete with them?

There are few companies specialising in this field as it is a niche market. There isn't a huge PERCEIVED demand.

Take a piece of business advice - if you want to go into business on your own do something that you know about. You are developing an image of Jack of all Trades on here - no offence intended but you've posted on several topics (inc the CC section) and by your own admission you do car valeting, gardening and conservatories.

If you enjoy car valeting so much why don't you focus your energies on that; developing marketing strategies, looking at new markets etc? Are you mobile? Have you targeted business estates trying to work on the 'executive' vehicles? Do you do any sub-contract work for any local dealerships or auctions?

If you can't be successful in something you know just how do you expect to succeed in something you don't?

Good luck in whatever it is that you end up doing.

Musicman

[mrpcclean]

Cannyman, if you want info on either computer cleaning tools, liquids etc etc or if you want some training in cleaning them just go to our site or drop me an email I will try and help if possible

[Martin S]

Musicman.  That's the best post I've read all week.   

Martin

[Bill Robinson]

Cannyman, if you want info on either computer cleaning tools, liquids etc etc or if you want some training in cleaning them just go to our site or drop me an email I will try and help if possible

thanks mrpcclean great site youve got . the Omega Vacuum Supreme was brill ive not seen anything like it this forum has and will teach me a lot its a shame everyone cant be as helpful and as encourageing as you and a few others. im still a kid at this business but learning fast its a shame you have a few bullies here who like to dominate and the odd imature one who likes to stand by and watch. thats one reputation i will try and avoid if theres anything i can do for you let me know
cannyman

[carloso]

hi cannyman

just a couple of words re your last post.

when you ask advice from the point of view of a novice, from a community of professionals, you will get varing strenths of response and content.

the responses you have received so far, are as far as i can see, well rounded an give good and sensible advice.
i would like to take this oppurtunity to commend all the contributers on your posts, and if it is at all needed, defend them from your description of bullying.
i can assure you that if you post openly you can and in some circumtances, will, get much more heavy weight comments back.
 you must remember that these people give of there hard earned experience freely, they never had a forum to help in most cases, they either paid for a course or learnt the hard way.
in closing i feeel that i can only give you two sound pieces of advice.
first   if you post , take all comment as it comes and if you want to dis agree with someone, do it in private by pm, you dont have the experience to start chipping members ,
two   if you don't want to have a mixed but informed bag of replies, don't post

cheers

carl
  ps  for any of those experienced members who feel that they do not need anyone elses defence statements, please accept my apologies

[carloso]

sorry you feel that way.
 
critical comment is good for us all, but you have to have the same thickness of skin to take it,  and understand what is being said and why, as you have to take the knocks that running a successful business will bring.
as a point if you check my posts, i am mainly an asker of advice like yourself, and in fact i am not much more than a newbie myself, compared to the people that i respect and ask advice from.
 you will find many people only to willing to help you on this forum, but you have to be prepared to listen and most will not be bothered with those who throw tantrums, when they do not get there own way
 best of luck in whatever it is you settle on.

carl

[Musicman]

Cannyman.

I guess that your comments are aimed at my post earlier today.

For what it is worth I took quite a lot of time out of my day in an attempt to give you some clear and practical advice to aid you in your business life - the last thing I would want is anyone going to the wall whatever the reason.

I went out of my way to be polite to you, and not to cause any upset - for example stating no offence intended, and wishing you success in your chosen path. My post was sincere and (to most observers) helpful. I even went to lengths to provide constructive advice re the marketing of your valeting business.

I don't dress up my posts in hearts and flowers - the professional world doesn't need or have them and if you want encouragement, whether mis-placed or not I suggest you join a support group!

I would go as far to say that you have been handled with kid-gloves on here; your post asking what PAT testing is was open to all sorts of p**s taking - yet nobody did.

Your perception that you are being bullied, either by myself or others is incredibly wide of the mark. However it does reflect on your character that you interpret advice this way.

I post on here to help people such as yourself, and not to boost my own ego - as I post under a pseudonym what would be the point?

You should take a look at programmes such as The Apprentice or Dragons Den to get a feel for how tough business and the people within it can be.

Steve (your man in Sunderland) is a good bloke and I'm sure will offer loads of great advice - if you're prepared to accept it.

In the meantime can I suggest that you re-read my original post but this time accept that I wrote it in the spirit of the forum and not for any other reason.

In the meantime I apologise for any distress that your interpretation of my post may have caused you, and I repeat that I wish you well in the route that you take.

Musicman

[Bill Robinson]

jack of all trades is that bad

[Fox]

Seemed to have missed something on this thread!  Looks to me like cannyman has been deleting his posts which I must say is annoying in the least as it spoils the flow to a thread.

Anyway

jack of all trades is that bad

In business people have what we call a 'core business' which is one main service and focus.  When the core business is stabilised within the market place people look at branching out or expanding to offer a holistic package. 

Any services offered within that holistic package should be closely associated with your core business, for example, contract office cleaners may offer janitorial supplies, deep cleans, high level etc.

'Jack of all trades' is a bad expression which will be interpreted as 'cowboy'.  Clients tend to seek services from professionals who specialise. 

It is ok to want to do everything but in my opinion you would be better off advertising your services in the local paper as 'odd job man'. 

My post is based on observations of your posts accross the board.  You have been given very sound advice by those on this thread, choose your core business concentrate on that, then look at expanding into different areas.

Fox

[Bill Robinson]

i think its important to test everything before you make somthing your core well not everyhting but have a good idea on the different avenues its good to talk to as many as possible so you can root out the conflicting views whats tradition whats practicle whats superstition and whats a waste fo time
my father inlaw does landscape gardening he has be doin it for years hes now he is 60 i suppose theres a lot on here who would describe him as a cow boy as he doesnt use big machinery he just lays the odd biy of crazy paving down gets on with the dear old ladies even does jobs that doesnt earn him much he calls them "love jobs" as they are for people who havent got a lot ..he even admits to doing the odd disaster but i think theres a place for his type ..
sorry about the deleting it cloggs me system up but infuture i will send you them in a email if you like

cannyman

[Bill Robinson]

oh by the way does this some you up

Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity!

is this what  its a all about for you

[paul@scc]

this is not a dig at you cannyman but everytime someone post something negative about you it seems you go off on one. How would this be if it was a customer make a negative remark would you storm off on one. In this and any buisness you have to be thick skined take everything that is given to you and react in a positive way. I know you looking at different avenues to progress into but so many any you lose you way focus on one at a time and get all the relevent info then move on to the next this will give you longer and a better idea of what you want

[Fox]

oh by the way does this some you up

Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity!

is this what  its a all about for you

In a word YES!  I am not in business for the good of my health, I am in business to make money, it just so happens that it is also one that I enjoy.

It seems to me that you are a little lost and have got off on the wrong foot on this forum.  The latter doesn't matter so much as you are a newbie and people will make exceptions, who knows you may go on to run a very successful business and be able to give others on here very sound advice in the future.

However at present your mistake on here is wanting help from every sector on here as if you are about embark on each.  I do understand that you are exploring different avenues and want to investigate each type of business in this industry.  Maybe a post headed 'I want to be in this industry' would be better explaining that you are not yet sure of which sector would most suit you and asking for pros and cons.

You say you have been in business for a year or so?  In that time you have done various jobs as stated.  Has this not given you a clue to which jobs you like or dislike and which you would be more suited to in skills and experience?

I sincerely hope you find your niche in this industry.

Fox

[garyj]

oh by the way does this some you up

Turnover is vanity - profit is sanity!

is this what  its a all about for you

Sums me up, I'm a businessman, not a charity.

[BSF]

This deleting/editing of posts is really annoying, why do it? it makes other members posts seem irrelevant, 

sorry about the deleting it cloggs me system up but infuture i will send you them in a email if you like

cannyman

Cloggs up your system????

please explain!