More from ICS....
How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By brian mckay on 11/3/2006 at 9:57 AM
I run 1 tech. truck/tech full time and have a back up rig I use periodically for overflow work or specialty stuff. I am high end with repeat/referral only, 90% residential work. Very little advertising, small phone book ad, yada, yada. Question is, how do I get 3-4 trucks on the road. I am in a suburban area of Chicago, pop 150-200,000 in my area, lots of cleaners, mostly crap. Am I missing something, why can;t I grow???? Have Howard's and some Joe stuff, put some of it to work over the years.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Bob Wittkamp on 11/3/2006 at 10:09 AM
Go to
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS at JON-DON!
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By John Braun on 11/3/2006 at 10:19 AM
What is the problem?
Marketing related: You don't have enough business to run a second truck.
Management related: You don't have the systems in place or management experience to run a second truck.
Or, is it a combination of the two. Figure out what it is and study all you can on that subject.
Going to Strategies won't hurt either.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Steve Dobson on 11/3/2006 at 10:40 AM
I always say focus on quality.. and the relationship with the customer.
I know that sounds vague.
I you sincerely push quality beyond any expectation that 95% of this industry even knows about.. I mean strive for it.. biz will fall at your feet.
Maybe your cleaning is NO good.
maybe your have NO personality.
Maybe you need to bath.
unfortunately.. this forum is one dimensional.. and some will never get it.
Its not for everybody.
Skimping by and making a living? Maybe.
But to truly be successful and have to throttle growth.. ? very few.. very very few.
Are these harsh words? NO.. they're real.
and as long as we give advice on a one dimensional forum.. dont know the other cleaner.. and how well he actually does/know his trade and what kind of person he is.. both integrity wise and brains wise.. its just generic one dimensional info back.
No matter if you have scott rendall by your side or
SFS under your belt.. if you 'dont have it'.. ya don't have it.
Money cant get ya there.
I say blow all the socks off your other local cleaners. Wow your customers both with that quality and a great personality.
Everything else falls into place..
Ya need a little biz sense.. not much. You can pay for that.
but you have to know what quality is and isn't.. and how to get it.
Ya can't buy that.
Ya have to know it..
therein lies a difference.
But you can make good money being avg and below. Look at all that do.
Sad but true.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Con Schultz on 11/3/2006 at 10:55 AM
I am certainly in with John & bob on this one.... what is your vision - how are you going to get there - can you control it when it starts to run at 120 mph downhill?
Con
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Jon Erickson on 11/3/2006 at 10:59 AM
Quality of work is important, of course. In this case it sounds like this is not the issue. The idea that quality work will automatically fill the schedule is a little naive'.
You need a measurable plan because it is going to be a bit of a jump to get to the next level. The two trucks will need to maxing out night and day before the third can jump in. Or, you are going to need capital to finance the third truck for a brief period as the schedule is getting ramped up.
There is going to be a slight gap.
Either way this transition does not go smoothly, there will be a hiccup or two because you are going to be doing things others cleaners are NOT DOING at the moment.
It is easy to fill the schedule for two trucks. It takes an aggressive, multi-faceted marketing plan that taps into several referral sources such as the local chamber of commerce, carpet retail stores, and referrals from homeowners to go to the next level.
The best thing you could do at this moment is to join your local business clubs and begin to hob-nob with your local business peers. With time you will have a large network of business owners that can give you some sense of security. You are trying things many will never try and you need to be recognised as the local expert in your field, not just another carpet cleaner.
Professional networks deliver quality leads, comraderie, and establish your business as a legitimate, reputable company.
Then you just have to have systems that allow you to duplicate your efforts over and over again.
Modified By Jon Erickson on 11/3/2006 at 11:00 AM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By chris muetterties on 11/3/2006 at 11:02 AM
BRC Systems
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By steve jackson on 11/3/2006 at 11:02 AM
People, its always about people
Start off by hiring someone part-time or full if you have the money. To market your business
They can canvass door to door or make phone calls to set appointments/give estimates
Bottom line is if you want to grow your business, make an investment in someone.
postcards,advertising,yp are all bottomless pits. Start recruiting the best people you can find, you will be suprised to find out someone in your area right now is looking for the exact job you need.
P.S.
PAY people well, dont cut corners on wages.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Aaron Steinblock on 11/3/2006 at 12:11 PM
SFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By brian mckay on 11/3/2006 at 12:23 PM
I attneded
SFS in '97 it was great! I ahve systems and the like.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Richard Chavez on 11/3/2006 at 12:24 PM
Marketing drives sales, increased sales equals growth.
If it's a money issue focus on low budget marketing.
Direct contact takes your time but could yield a lot you work.
That means you off the truck and focusing on marketing.
Once you get the work then what?
TOO MUCH work is just as bad as not enough, you'll need systems in place to handle the work load.
Scott Rendall or
SFS can help you with all of these questions, but it will take commitment!
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Bright-1 on 11/3/2006 at 12:26 PM
If it were me, I'd try to find as much commercial (night)work as possible. That way you still have an over flow truck for residential & don't gotta buy another truck. Plus the "extra truck" is running just as much with out you on it, and is still "extra" during daylight hours. You'll be making $ while you sleep.
Modified By Bright-1 on 11/3/2006 at 12:50 PM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Steve Lillard on 11/3/2006 at 1:13 PM
The most expensive guy is not always the biggest!
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Robert Allen on 11/3/2006 at 1:13 PM
Why not be content, play golf and donate time to a charitable work???
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Jim Bennett on 11/3/2006 at 2:25 PM
"lots of cleaners, mostly crap" how do you know? is it b/c they dont charge high end rates? maybe they are providing good work at a fair price. what is your area like? your high end target market is a small % of the buying community in any area. you may get a few mid income homes to use pay your high prices but not many. what do you include for your high end rate? 20 step system that takes all day for 1-2 jobs? if your not giving the cust everything poss for your big price tag. maybe your not worth your rate.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Ken Raddon on 11/3/2006 at 3:08 PM
Why can't you grow? Heck man, a lot of the guys on here are wondering how you got as big as you are.
It is too simple to say but I will anyway... Do more of what you are doing or have done to get this big. That is most easily done by hiring someone to do the things that they can do so that you can do the things that made you the size you are now.
In a word: FOCUS!
Focus on the things that bring in business and stop spending any time on the things that don't.
It really is that simple.
Ken Raddon.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Gary R. Heacock on 11/3/2006 at 4:00 PM
My opinion- more marketing needed to grow.
It seems to me everything else is in place.
Gary
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Kevin M on 11/3/2006 at 4:03 PM
"I am high end with repeat/referral only, 90% residential work. Very little advertising, small phone book ad, yada, yada."
If you are only repeat and referal yet run an ad in the YP. Your ad isn't with the paper it is on. When you are getting zero jobs from a ad. It's time to get a new ad.
You will need to advertise to add more trucks. The advertising has to get you work. That work you try and turn in to repeat and referal.
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SALES
Posted By sean on 11/3/2006 at 4:17 PM
Focus on people, marketing does not close sales people do. Hire a part-time person to close sales or set appt for you to close.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Shawn B. on 11/3/2006 at 4:33 PM
Very few high end cleaners run 5 or more trucks. You'll need to refocus your efforts on the low, middle, and upper middle class nieghborhoods without losing your current customer base. Also market to your current base.
Modified By Shawn B. on 11/3/2006 at 4:34 PM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Tracy Walker on 11/3/2006 at 4:44 PM
Just let the tech do ALL the work he can and you hit the pavement to get the back up rig going full time. Then hire a floater to help you both and to learn all he can. In about 6 months or so if he is ready give him the second van. You can then hire another floater and start work towards the third van. If someone is sick, out, or quits you and the floater can feel in until they come back or you hire someone else.
P.S. I almost think that if you are doing well with little advertising that you will make as much just staying one truck with a helper. If you need a day off let the helper work solo.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By David GARGAN on 11/3/2006 at 6:12 PM
If your repeat/referral and "doing everything you learned in
SFS back in 97" you should be growing at a rate of 20-30 % per year and you wouldn't need to ask how to put another truck on the
road.It should take care of itself. MAybe you should attend again.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By macca333 on 11/3/2006 at 6:15 PM
Hi Brian
You answered your own Question " very little advertising " its not an expense its an investment get your systems right first everything starts from admin hire a part time book keeper, buy software eg. profit master, creat a website. Image is everything, Who answers the phones we created booking officers exp techs only to take all calls they know how to build runs and answer any enquiry. Ad extra services tile n grout buy a watter otter and we never work weekends or night work must have a life too.
Craig
Good Luck
Modified By macca333 on 11/3/2006 at 6:17 PM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Adam Hale on 11/3/2006 at 6:35 PM
I have always dried the carpet. Chemdry got big from drying carpets not cleaning them. We can do both. I have told several guys in my area to start drying the carpets, airpaths, extra vac passes, ect. And their biz has grow a great deal. I do 0 advertising, and get tons of jobs from word of mouth. All the new custys say I hear you do a great job and the carpets are almost dry when you leave. Just a thought.
Adam
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By bruce swartz on 11/3/2006 at 6:35 PM
getting another truck on the road is the same as opening another location or a 2nd or 3rd fanchise. It takes alot more work to get that 2nd truck up & running full time. in-order to increase your sales you will need to spend more money advertising . your yearly budget should be between 5- 10% of your gross. We only need 6 jobs / day to keep 2 trucks running (3/per truck) 8 jobs/day peak
season.Hire a helper & get them trained. once they are capable let them solo, while you market, sell, & network. Remember this changes what you do carpet cleaning becomes a secondary job. Getting the work now becomes the job. Most companies dont grow because they dont allow any money for marketing or Advertsing, they spend their wad on a 50,000
butler, but they wont spend $1000/month on adv. Refferals will keep you steady, but you need fresh meat every day. We get about 3 new customers everyday from YP. that almost 1000/customers year new. those snowball.
Also look for other carpet cleaners in your area that might want to sell out. there are plenty of 1 man bands looking to get out, that will add new customers & accts.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Steve Lillard on 11/3/2006 at 7:49 PM
I read that guys want to add a 2nd truck but does'nt know when he can after 10 years in the biz, In three years I was running 10 trucks! It takes about 6k a month to run one truck.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Noble on 11/3/2006 at 8:14 PM
Forget the carpet cleaning experts. At this point in your business seek some outside-the-industry general advise on how to grow a business.
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Couple of questions?
Posted By Wiley Gordon on 11/3/2006 at 8:28 PM
1. What are your personal and business goals?
2. what si your growth rate per year now.
3. do u want to grow the high-end residential division, or create "different" avenues for growth....horizontal v. vertical growth....
4. if u dont have immediate answers to these questions u have two fundamental problems...1. no way to measure what u r doing...2. no biz. plan for u to follow to achieve your goals..
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Steve Lillard
Posted By Jim Bennett on 11/3/2006 at 8:52 PM
What did you do to grow so fast? i see your looking to have 5 trucks by next year in a new area. what kind of advertising are you doing, or did? pricing? email me.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Shawn B. on 11/3/2006 at 8:57 PM
YOU NEED TO BECOME A RHINOCEROS!
Charge!
Stop being a cow
Couldn't help it, I just received my book Rhinoceros Success.
Modified By Shawn B. on 11/3/2006 at 9:00 PM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By John VonNida on 11/3/2006 at 10:20 PM
Call Scott Rendall...........
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Bright-1 on 11/3/2006 at 10:44 PM
What Johny V said. Get a mentorship with Scott. It may be what you're looking for.
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Con Schultz on 11/4/2006 at 12:03 PM
lots of good insight above - Wileys post 6 up is very insightful
Con
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Matt Himebaugh on 11/4/2006 at 10:40 PM
Brian...this is a simple answer, but complex action. Focus more on aggressive marketing and you WILL get more trucks on the road. Personally, I am happy now being owner-operated w/ a full-time helper. I haven't lost many jobs(maybe 4-5 in 1 yr.)because I was too busy. If you aren't losing jobs, you're ok (and not that busy). But, if your goal is to have WAY more business, advertise and GET those extra trucks on the road. I'm young and like the physical work. Plus, I've heard horror stories of hiring more employees and having the headaches of more overhead, employees screwing up, etc. But, many have success w/ multiple trucks. A local competitor has 5 trucks in my area and does very well. But, he's been in biz longer and is a hustler. I'm not there yet. Still learning. I hope to hire some guys in the next few years. If you're past that point, just FOCUS on your marketing and have a goal in mind. You WILL be a success.
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Re: Jim Bennett
Posted By Waldo on 11/4/2006 at 10:40 PM
If Steve Lillard had it so good in Michigan why did he leave? I heard he is one of those guys that drives around in a unmarked white van. Dont believe everything you read here.
Golden Boy
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Scott Rendall on 11/4/2006 at 11:37 PM
Lillard's the real deal. I've seen his trucks many times in MI and the ones I saw (at least 3 that I saw) were marked. He sold so he could live in a warmer climate. Can't fault him for that. I'm ready to pack it up for warmer climes myself!
Winter's approaching and it's almost time for us bears to hibernate.
Scott
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Shawn B. on 11/5/2006 at 12:19 AM
As Scott said, Lillard's the real deal. He lives about 2 miles from me and he definitely has his van nicely lettered up. The guy definitely isn't scared to spend money to make money.
If I'm not mistaken he still owns part of the business in Michigan. Lillard can speak for himself though
The weather is definitely much warmer during the winter here in NC than it is in MI.
Modified By Shawn B. on 11/5/2006 at 12:29 AM
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Re: How do I take a high end bus. to next level?
Posted By Tracy Walker on 11/6/2006 at 8:53 AM
Waldo you make no sense. Lilliard has a very nice lettered
butler here in Charlotte and will probrably be adding more soon. As far as growing fast. If you have the desire and resources to market like you have 5 trucks instead of one you can add more trucks. Steve has been there done that so he has the knowledge and systems to handle the work load. I think alot of people just buy a shiney new truck and think work will fall in their lap. If you want to be a multitruck operation you have to become a full time marketing company that just happens to clean carpet.
SFS graduate's
Posted By David GARGAN on 7/9/2006 at 12:12 PM
Those of you who went through
SFS and went home to start making changes in your business I have a question for you. Did you find it hard to get your employees on board with the VAST program? I have a guy who is a great cleaner, customers love him but he is resisting the changes. I've introduced more paper work which he hates, he thinks the cheerleading checklist is not neded because people already like things the way they are(because there are no complaints) I try to tell him how this will bring us to the next level and will benefit him but he doesn't see it.
He has been doing things my way for two years and change seems hard for him. My way of doing business only worked partly. I can see the light after
SFS and know it can be much better. I even bought the tape series from Steve T."winning on the home front" but he's not getting into it. Says tapes are boring. So do I start over with another employee?
A lot of this is my fault for not running my business like a real business all this time and now to make him change is turning out to be a big deal. I was carefull to make small slow changes so I didn't overwhelm him. I would introduce 1-2 small things a week. AM I the only one having this problem?
David
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Dan Pauselius on 7/9/2006 at 12:28 PM
Like Steve Toburen says, the changes will weed out mediocre employees. I personally would rather have a so-so cleaner who had awesome customer relation skills than a great technical cleaner with so-so customer relation skills.
I would implement the bonus programs first. Money motivates most people. He will soon see that doing it your way will bring him a better paycheck.
I waslucky, after
SFS the only person I had to convince was me, so many changes happened on that Monday. My only employee works in the Janitorial side of the biz and has great customer relations abilities. As a matter of fact, the first thing I did when I got back was to start giving her an attendance bonus. One of the best things I ever did. Since I did that, she acts like she has a vested interest in the success of my company.
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Good points, David and Dan ...
Posted By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 2:48 PM
Getting your people on board with Value Added Service is a consistent issue our
SFS members face when they return from the
Strategies for Success seminar.
Simply put, everyone is naturally resistant to change. (And my guess is the average carpet cleaning tech is even more stubborn than the average employee!)
So what to do? Here are ideas from some
SFS members. (Hopefully others will chime in.)
Most importantly- "WIIFM"- If you don't explain "What Is In It For Me" then no one wil change. After all, why should they? If there won't be any "consequences" to ignoring you why should they put themselves through an inconvenient disruption of their comfortable routine? Remember that these consequences can be positive or negative:
Positive consequences:
1. More money- If you bonus your people when they upsell (and you should) than believe me, with Value Added Service they will sell more.
2. More fun- It is just a lot more enjoyable working with people who like and trust you.
3. Fewer callbacks- Homeowners are not going to put your work under the magnifying glass if they FEEL you are a quality individual.
Negative Consequence:
1. You will fire their butt.
2. Give lots of recognition- People can't get enough of it. Track how well each employee is doing with his Service Index re: making Cheerleader. Then when he meets goal proclaim his triumph to everyone within the company.
More later if others don't bring them up. But I am working under ICS deadline and can't spend more time here. (Even though I would like to.)
Steve Toburen CR
Director of Training
Jon-Don's
Strategies for Success
PS All of the above having been said, I agree with Dan about it sometimes not being worth the pain to try and convert some anti-social employees. Move them into commercial work where they won't deal with the customer or just get rid of them.. Life is too short to work with people you do not like.
Modified By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 4:35 PM
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Martin Sutley on 7/9/2006 at 5:10 PM
Not being a
SFS graduate, my opinion may not be appreciated, but I'm gonna offer it anyway. One of the things I remember from meeting Dave a few years back is that he's a good guy. In fact, he struck me as the kind of guy who would be friends with just about anybody ... and certainly with his employees.
I know it's not fashionable to say this in these enlightened days of touchy feely personnel management, but you really can't be personal friends with most employees.
If he doesn't make the change, then YOU make the change.
And, the sooner the better.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 5:54 PM
Once again I find myself reluctantly in agreement with the Porkmeister.
Dave, assuming you have properly oriented your tech on WHY you need these changes implemented and explained WIIFM and he still is resisting you- dump him.
As we discussed, Dave, an employee's acceptance or denial on Value Added Service is a valuable "litmus test" re: his or her future with your company.
Let us know how it goes but I will say life it toooo short to work with marginal people.
Steve Toburen CR
Director of Training
Jon-Don's
Strategies for Success
PS My philosophy with employees was simple. If I asked an employee to do something that was a)not unsafe or impossible to do and b)was not illegal and c) not against their religous or moral beliefs then I expected them to either give me a convincing reason why they could not perform OR I expected (helped) them leave my employ. Respect and appreciate your people but do not let them hold you hostage.
PPS Martin, I always appreciate your comments. Even the editorial criticisms. Of course, if you were a
SFS member ...
Modified By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 5:56 PM
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Martin Sutley on 7/9/2006 at 6:20 PM
If it were FREE ...
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By David GARGAN on 7/9/2006 at 7:07 PM
MArty nailed it. I need to be more of a boss then a friend to people who work for me. Thanks for the advice guys. If things don't change I will have to move on and find somebody new or it will hurt me. I know that now.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Harry Hides on 7/9/2006 at 7:23 PM
David, I've been working on implementing what I learned at
SFS for over 5 yrs and it is painfully slow especially when the local unemployment rate is 3%....
But money and bonuses do motivate. For example if you hire someone at $10.00 an hour - since you're in the deep south - and would be prepared to give them a raise of 1-2 bux over the next year or two - DON'T - instead give them a way to earn the raise if each and every day they follow the system for 10 days in a row - if they mess up then they start over - no bonus for 10 days minimum.
Basically it's a raise that you can take back anytime.
Modified By Harry Hides on 7/9/2006 at 7:27 PM
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Shorty Glanville on 7/9/2006 at 8:09 PM
Looking forward to doing
SFS in a couple of months and these guys kicking my sorry butt back into action.
I think even working on your own, one tends to get into a rutt, and can't see the wood for the trees, so to speak.
I believe a lot of us need a good shake-up every so often.
Cheers,
Shorty.
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Harry, Harry, Harry ...
Posted By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 8:31 PM
Just when I think my favorite stubborn Canadian curmudgeon and general all around trouble maker is stuck in his groove you come up with these strokes of brilliance.
I feel the concept of a fixed raise is a very dangerous thing in our industry. (Given Pete's "doom and gloom" posts lately I am even more sure of this!) Once you give the raise it is fixed in concrete, no matter the future performance of the employee or outside business conditions.
I love your idea of giving generous bonuses based on attaining assigned performance goals. The ultimate goal is where the employee "earns their raise".
A classic example of this is raising your protector prices to where you can afford to pay the employee a generous commission AND you still make money.
Now when your techs come whining around looking for a dollar an hour raise you say, "Nope, won't do it. (Long pause here.) You deserve much more than a measly buck an hour. I won't settle for less than giving you three dollars more per hour." (Dumbfounded silence here from your employee.)
Then continue, "All you have to do is sell protector on 50% of your jobs and based on our average job ticket you will average more than forty dollars more per day!"
I love it. Takes the monkey off your back.
Steve Toburen CR
Director of Training
Jon-Don's
Strategies for Success
PS David, good for you re: getting tough. However, before you drop the guillotine would you please review my "Eight Tough Questions" to ask yourself BEFORE you fire an employee. (Especially one who has been with you for two years and is a "great cleaner".) Not to toot my own horn but you'll find the info in your June issue of ICS or on this web-site. (This site is much more than a bulletin board. Evan loves it when I say this.)
PPS Have you sent this fellow to our one day Value Added Service for Technicians seminar? We developed it just for situations like this to get technicians on board after the owner has seen the light. Everyone knows your people won't listen to you. After all, you're just the boss ...
Oh, and Shorty, we'll be delighted to have you. Are you coming to Tampa or Chicago?
Modified By Steve Toburen on 7/9/2006 at 8:47 PM
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Martin Sutley on 7/9/2006 at 10:12 PM
On a related subject ... have any of you had, or known anyone who has had, success paying strictly on percentage bonus, or even a marginal salary plus bonus?
Seems to me, when I start to hire again, I want to try and nip some of the employee BS in the bud by paying a percentage of the work performed.
Just a thought.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Shorty Glanville on 7/9/2006 at 11:09 PM
Hi Steve, I've been had by many people in the past.
Sorry, warped sense of humo(u)r, I'll be at Roselle, straight after Connections.
That Bill better have me booked in. LOL.
Enjoyed a coffee with Fred Geyen yesterday, said to say g'day to Bill.
We're getting that many visitors from the 'states here lately, it's a wonder we're not the 51st state.
Cheers,
Shorty.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By John VonNida on 7/9/2006 at 11:16 PM
Never felt comfortable with an employee who thought I worked for him. Sounds like you've given him more than a fair chance to get on board with your Program. I wouldn't tell him "Change or Else". I'd ask him one more time if he will do things your way and if he questions it or wants to argue...Just tell him his services are no longer needed.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Robert Selleck on 7/9/2006 at 11:33 PM
Yep
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Michael Ellis on 7/10/2006 at 3:04 AM
Marty...I pay strictly on commission and it works like a charm. Employees don't drag butt on the clock and know that moving with a sense of urgency pays.
Also, if they move too fast and get a call back....it's on their dime.
Of course, I think I pay a healthy commission too.
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Re:
SFS graduate's
Posted By Lee Cory on 7/10/2006 at 7:58 AM
You said your guy is a great cleaner and the customers love him.
Many would die to have an employee they could say this about.
If you get rid of him, send him my way.
), but that is not the point, the customer is not only happy but we turned her in to a cheerleader and I didn't break a sweat. 8) 
