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For those that have a few vans what makes you a successful employer

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Paul-kent:
I hear and read lots of horror stories about employing but unless I plan to work on the tools until I drop dead employing seems to be the only option.

What do you think makes a successful employer what do you do differently to all the other cleaners that have gone back to working on their own in stead of growing their businesses

Smudger:
“Successful” - this could end up in a real big debate as it depends on what aspect you call successful

My honest opinion is this ( and its not meant in any derogatory way at all ) there are all kinds of people some practical, some not, some excel at maths, some at sales -  window cleaning is a “trade” that people fall into wether it’s through redundancy or no other employment and thought of employing is way down or not on the list. So when the time comes little attention has been payed to how to employ, and more importantly who to employ - this coupled with its really hard to let go of your “baby” tends to lead to a failure in employing - with all things being equal that’s pretty logical, as being self employed, doing your own thing, stopping off as and when you feel like it and answering to no one is not a great recipe for employing.

For me, day one the aim was to employ, starting out on windows at 43 I had no desire to be on the glass over the age of 55 - I set up (hopefully) to employ and being really lucky that the wife was a really good recruitment consultant we managed to pick 2 exceptional lads from the get go - we’ve had some frogs to throw back along the way but as it stands I have 5 full time and 1 part time employees - if things continue then maybe another around October to February time.
Others have done it ( he who can’t be named ) and several others that have grown over the years - I don’t know their original objectives but I would hazard a guess they gave it some consideration before taking the plunge, but I’m sure they all have this in common - they are great people persons and can man manage on a natural friendly basis

If you are going to employ - it’s not just about having the work, can you be confidence you can lead by example, deal with things professionally ( I’d. Don’t call them an ar$€ hole - even when they are! ) let go and don’t micro manage - then your in with a shout

Darran

Richard iSparkle:
taking on and managing staff is like anything else, its a skill that you need to develop and you improve over time.

it really helps to have someone who can advise you who has experience of recruitment, how to advertise a job, how to shortlist candidates, how to interview, reference check them... i had Julie from Concept 2O mentoring me through the whole proicess which was amazing.

i think most problems are sorted here. if you recruit well you wont be dealing with half the issues down the line.

then its down to training, setting clear expectations, and giving feedback on their performance.

dont be afraid to sack them if they arent working out. have it clear in your mind what are sackable offences and dont give them the benefit of the doubt on those. it will bite you on the bum in the future if you do.

some quick things i'd say are..

attitude is everything. choose people who want to work hard in a team. WFP window cleaning is easy to train

we offer a 1 week unpaid work trial to anyone we like after interview and reference check. they dont get the job if they arent willing to do that. we rarely make them do the whole week tho. if they arent looking a good fit we let them go early. if they are looking good we usually give them 2 days unpaid them get them trained up paid

dont recruit any one who's worked as window cleaner before. they will always revert to what they know rather than the way you want them to do something

if they are showing signs of not being right in the first 2 weeks they aint gonna get better move on. dont think you can train them

Smudger:
total noobs only for us - if they have worked for others or self employed windy at any time - no interview

Darran

nathankaye:
A good and beneficial topic, been a long time coming 😁
I also think some good advice has been given here and certainly some food for thought for ones thinking about this in the near or not so near future.

I know for myself, in the past I have opted to train ones up and help them start their own business instead. For the record, non of these individuals have encroached upon the same areas where I work.
I have often thought there are too many variables to add additional stress for little financial gain. However as I grow into further exterior cleaning services, it is becoming much more of an ideal way forward.  The only thing which prevents me driving forward with this is my family life at the moment as that takes priority for numerous reasons. However in a couple of years, when the ickle ones are older then this will change.
So I'm quite interested in this thread myself as well

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