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My knee jerk reaction would be… “Will you put that guarantee in writing?”
Sometimes a smaller book will let you focus in a smaller area that you really want to focus in.
Also, make sure you monitor where your calls are coming from. Compute the calls, divide by $dollars$ spent, and compare the price per customer and you no longer have to take the word of any salesman. You just need to do your own little research.Catagory…
How about identification of carpet/fabric and how best to deal with it.When presented with problems x, y, and z, what problem do you tackle first and with what? What is the mix formula for … product?
[/quote How are we going to get a large % of participation?]
1. Talk it up! Encourage everyone. Let them know the benifits of knowing more about their own business, avoid opps, better understanding our products only helps us all.
2. Reward all achievers, starting with the corporate newsletter. Personally congratulate operators on the phone and email as well.
3. Award certificates or plaques, patches, and/or van stickers (chem dry had one for “red alert”) pressented in regional seminars. How about “master technection on board” for the van sticker. Let’s NOT go with “bachelor tec on board”.
Come up with a catchy name that inspires them to elevate their knowledge.
For the Associates Degree, if that is what we want to call it, I feel should reflect the one used at the end of training. (There has been one for about eight-nine months. I just found out about it yesterday.) The first level shouldn’t be that hard for us to do. Levels two and higher are going to be much tougher.
In chem-dry’s and IICRC additional training, it cost the operator with only a certificate to show for it. Oh, and for some a sew on patch or sticker for the van. The wrong answers are noted and explainations of answers are given.
I feel the best recognition could be putting names in the corporate newsletter. Talk it up and make a big deal about it in all our regional seminars. Have a big celebration for 100% State/Country pertisipation. The key is to elevate the education of all, not just to see how well a few can be very competive. More like a completion certificate, insted of A+!, 99%! etc. The number right (%) will be given to the operator of course but keep the focus on the obtaining degree.
I feel the competiveness of a few may dampen the desire of some (or many) we really want to do this. (Those who may already feel a little distant from the company)These are great ideas! I thought the same way years ago. When I presented it to Cody this was his first thought, “We have a hard enough time to get them (operators) to do monthly reports. How are we going to get them to do a questionair?” My thought then went to incentives, but I also realized what Cody was saying. Why do all the work and have little of no response. So my proposal is along the lines of Dennis, except we have three or so levels. First would be the Assoc. Degree. (Basic questions needed to operate a cleaning business) The test would be turned in the last day at Rexburg training (for new operators). Names… “Heaven’s Best Institute of Higher Learning” or “Heaven’s Best Univerity of Carpet Cleaning Excellence”. It will be interesting to see the “Masters” test!
Recognition could come in the way of the newsletter as well as in certificates mailed or awarded in seminars.
I also feel the test should have a “re-certify” every so many years because some questions and answers will change. I feel this would be a great committee project.
I’m in, where do I sign! What would you have my do?Laura,
You might look into Bank of America or US bank. When I check into it earlier both managers said they could do it.I not only think there is a need, I know there is a need, both City and State Owners. I asked about doing a product and use survey about three years ago. For several reasons it didn’t happen. While making visits and asking about needs and concerns (while having dinner, in the van, or while cleaning). Things were broght up that I feel never would have been otherwise. One was the lack of product knowledge. Almost all of them were solved then and there. Most were newer products (last two years). Many concerns were more of a business management. (How to be more profitible, employee issues, advertising concerns etc.) I have chosen to address the products concern at the regional seminars. The business management concerns, will remain in a person by person as needs arise. (not a one size fits all).
By making the visit in their area, teaching them person to person, I was given respect like I was their hero. (In most cases) Gross totals went up in over 70% of the operators. Am I saying it was all me! Not at all. More than anything they felt better about themselves, me, and corporate as well. Ie… Like the smell of being in a new van! Like being seen in a new van!
I have become more aware of their needs, family life, business hopes and dreams. Their success’s and failures have become far more personal. They are like family to me. (more now then ever because of the visits)
As far as the committees, I feel that is in the hands of Cody to dictate how, when, and to whom he may.I have two thoughts on this subject.
!. If we are not doing our responsibilities as state owners, why would Cody ask us (or trust us) with additional responsibility? Now before I get sliced & diced… I understand we only want to help progress and help relieve the large load Cody has.
2. Cody has to find the time to take the leadership on how this will best serve all concerns. (I’m trying to put the focus on what I can do, instead of what someone else needs to do).
In the mean time why can’t we focus on how we can be better state owners. Don’t get me wrong. In many ways we are doing great! Individually, we only need to check out our old dusty “State Owners Duties” sheet and the “Heaven’s Best State Owner Procedures” manual. No one has to feel like they are being singled out or picked on. Just do a regular “state” examination.
The things I love about this forum and state owner meetings are the ideas of how we can incorporate many duties by doing one project. (like operator visits and doing a newsletter for your state (country)).
I would love to see a “what to talk about” section with a prospective buyer on the phone when we receive a call from our advertising ads. It could serve as a reminder of financing… how much down, how much a month, what national magazines we are in and how we are rated, how long to wait until you call them after they recieve the packet, when to write them off, etc.
P.S. I plan on having a section on products in my regional seminairs based entirely upon my operator visits.
So…
Dave, how much an hour do you charge yourself, and how much are you currently indebted to yourself?Sounds like a great idea!
It seems like it would work really well!
All though, it reminds me of a rainbow vacuum cleaner sales demo I saw once.
Ron, I too find this interesting.
I have also wondered, that after the steamers clean, the carpet is stiff & crusty. When we clean the carpets feel soft & fluffy.
Does this have anything to do with the encapsulation or lack of it?
