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Greg, I agree. SO’s need to have more discussion here on the board. The problem is only a few of us actually read and post so it’s hard to make decisions. I do like your idea about starting these issues under their own topics.
Dennis, I agree with you completely. I think a large portion of our meetings should be focused on marketing, not so much on selling franchises, but for the operators and coming up with tools to help them become more successfull. Our operators success will be the biggest factor in the growth of this franchise. That is where I feel we need to be focusing our energy.I want to clarify a few things after reading my previous post. Again, I did gain some valuable information at the meeting. I also understand a good portion of the meeting was to transfer more responsability to SO’s. I just feel there where a few topics that should have taken priority over some of what was discussed. I feel fortunate to be a part of HB as a state owner and as an operator. It’s a great company with enormous potential. Again I look forward to meeting again in January.
I’m in the process of scheduling time to fly out and visit my ops. in KY. I have asked all of my ops., to let me know when my visit would be most beneficial. I’m hoping to get some idea of dates soon. I’m also hoping to have a regional seminar with Tennessee and any other state that may be interested at that time as well. I am very excited to meet with all of my operators one on one and get a real understanding and feel for each of their franchises.
Greg,
This is an operator site. http://www.yourheavensbest.com It’s a site that my brother Jeremy started (actually our sister is designing it) but now we are working together on. It’s in an infant state right now but we hope to have it developed and done in the next couple of weeks. A customer will land on the sites home page/landing page and then be able to select between our areas. There will be a lot of shared content and graphics, however by splitting the site we will be able to have some of our individual info as well- reviews, services offered, specials, etc. Take a look and let me know what you think. Again, it’s just getting started.I’m probably going to get a lot of guff for this but I feel it needs to be said. I look forward to our state owner meetings with enthusiasm. I am excited to talk about and share ideas amongst each other. I feel our last meeting gave us some great tools-the finance program for tracking orders, some of the presentations, and a few ideas that really had to do more with running a franchise (which I do) rather than being a state owner. However, I have to say that I was disappointed in the fact that we did not cover a few topics that I feel are also important. For one I would have liked to discuss our advertising fund and get information on where that money is being spent and what kind of results we are seeing from it. I would have liked to discuss our web site, which in my opinion, still could use some tweaking to project a more cutting edge national franchise appearance. I also would have liked to have spoken more about the TV commercial. In reading the July newsletter Cody informed us of a yellow pages deal in the works-that would have a been something to discuss or at least be informed of. We didn’t touch marketing, which was supposed to carry over from day one into day two. I apologize if I’m coming off upset or as if I gained nothing from the seminar, beacause I did. I just feel there were other important things that needed to be talked about. It was really good to see all of you and I look forward to meeting with you all again in San Diego.
Trevor,
I have a ramp that I bought a few years ago when I hurt my back. It was pretty spendy (EZ Access portable ramp) but worked like a charm. I still have it and would be willing to sell it at a low price to get rid of it. The ramp folds and has a built in handle. It aslo has a case as well. If you’re intersted give me a call.Ron- I agree with you 100%. It would be a huge marketing benefit if we could have our 101 cleaner “green” certified. There is a ton of customers calling me who ask “are you considered a green cleaning process?”.
Dave in PA- ditto the dirtbag-great post.
Dave Devlin- I’m with you. I explain to customers that our solution is a proprietary product, but that it is a non-toxic water and citrus based cleaner. I also explain that our process is environmentally friendly not only because of our cleaning solution but also because we create no waste water.
Call your competitiors and find out what they are charging. My area is very competitve and cleaners are charging $50 -100. I charge $75.
Dave,
this is great news. I know corporate is experimenting with this. Could you re-post this in the tile & grout section. this could be very beneficial for everyone. Nice work!I’ve just begun leaving a 32oz. spotter at every job over $150. If they spend less than that I’ll sell it for a bargain price of $10. My spotters are “lifetime” meaning I’ll refill it during every visit. I feel it’s a great way to keep my name in their home.
$50-75 for the bunch. I did a job today where I charged $120 for 15-20 small (Half of a dime) size spots. It took me 40 min. I have now set a minimum for dye work of $100, if thats all the customer is calling me to do. If I’m already in a home cleaning, howeve,r I’ll give them a better rate.
I agree with jeff to a point. In my area the high end do write checks but they also use credit cards. Most wealthy people will pay off their CC’s at the end of every billing cycle to take advantage of the bonuses I listed before. The biggest reason to accept cards really is if you are trying to grow your business. There are more middle class/family homes out there than high end millionair homes. Middle class America is a gold mine. You may have to break out the pro spot or the fast acting enzyme every once and a while but you charge extra for it. Plus, If they’re paying with a card they are usually going to spend more than if it was cash or check (That’s a proven fact). I still think if you’re not accepting CC’s you’re losing money.
I’m excited to see the ad. I hope It’s going to have the same high quality production and cleverness that the stanley steemers ads have. I just saw the commercial where a boy yells in the background “mom, look at the new trick toby’s learned” and it cuts to a shot of a dog sliding his butt across the carpet. Unfortunatly it’s a great ad. It’s a 10 second ad that is quick, clever, and get’s your attention. That’s what we need. Also, because it’s short it will be more affordable to run allowing operators and SO’s to run it more often. I’m excited to see what corporate comes up with.
Accepting CC’s will increase your business. Especially if you advertise that you accept them. People may not always have the cash flow when a cleaning is needed or wanted, so they tap into their credit. Also, now days a lot of people use their CC’s over cash to gain airline miles, points, cash back rewards, etc. If you’re not accepting CC’s, you’re probably losing money.
