Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ian101 on April 28, 2010, 04:36:19 pm
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Often hear stats along lines of 6 in 10 new start up businesses fail within 3 years (not sure of exact stats but you know the kind of ones I mean)
So what makes the difference between a sucessful W/C business and those that come and go ??
Also for the long termers how many do you think you have seen come and go ?
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Well as still being a newbie myself I think in window cleaning if you are commited to it and are able to do a good job then you will sucseed. If your not cleaning then you should be out pushing for more work. I had no work for today so I spent it out posting leaflets and if I wasn't wathching my kids now I would be out door knocking, but that can be done over the next couple of days.
I dont know how it compares to other types of business as I've never had my own business before, but most people either want a regular window cleaner or know some one who does.
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volume of work and motivation.
Don't believe all the crap about not having a business if you don't employ or expand. If you have plenty of work and food on the table and no debt then you have a successful business in my opinion.
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What makes a successful W/C business? Is having more money than all your mates
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volume of work and motivation.
Don't believe all the crap about not having a business if you don't employ or expand. If you have plenty of work and food on the table and no debt then you have a successful business in my opinion.
I agree only volume of work should be quality work as much as possible :)
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set a target for where you want to end up and when you hit that target you are a self made success with a great bussiness.
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You need to be driven to success. It got to be in your nature. Been able to motivate and manage your self. Be pro active and tenacious take hold of opportunities and take charge of your future .Meet preset goals and set more when you have reached them. Know who you are doing this for. All these will make you succeed. I think the stumbling block are all these. As we have seen chaps with all the equipment and still drop out.
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Never set a goal in my life. I haven't found cleaning windows as complicated as that to be honest. In fact it's the easiest occupation I have ever done. I just go out, clean windows and come home. Never door knocked for more than two days, delivered about a hundred leaflets the first couple of weeks and that's it. Work has just come to me easy peasy. Never bothered with NVQ, OSH, GOSH or any other TOSH (although I have joined the Guild - gets me some fancy badges for the van and the chance to chat to the more sensible cleaners from here). I think so many on here over analise the whole business side of things. Commercial work is different but a good return and a successful business is within the reach of most people with half a brain. ;D
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Reliability as well!
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Never set a goal in my life. I haven't found cleaning windows as complicated as that to be honest. In fact it's the easiest occupation I have ever done. I just go out, clean windows and come home. Never door knocked for more than two days, delivered about a hundred leaflets the first couple of weeks and that's it. Work has just come to me easy peasy. Never bothered with NVQ, OSH, GOSH or any other TOSH (although I have joined the Guild - gets me some fancy badges for the van and the chance to chat to the more sensible cleaners from here). I think so many on here over analise the whole business side of things. Commercial work is different but a good return and a successful business is within the reach of most people with half a brain. ;D
I'll second that. never even been tempted to read "jim's mowing" either! ;D
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although I have joined the Guild - gets me some fancy badges for the van
Don't waste your money bud!!! ;)
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Dave & goals,
don't get you not setting goals!
How do you feel at the end of?
I have targets for each day. I reach them, feel satisfied & am then motivated for more.
10 years in this Biz for me & I look forward to each day. Mind you there has to be purpose to these targets, not justca relentless gain in earnings. I personally don't want yo employ but would gladly lend work to friends for their own personal use.
I think I'm acontrol freak. As long as my fingers on the pulse.
Kevin.
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Dave & goals,
don't get you not setting goals!
How do you feel at the end of?
I have targets for each day. I reach them, feel satisfied & am then motivated for more.
10 years in this Biz for me & I look forward to each day. Mind you there has to be purpose to these targets, not justca relentless gain in earnings. I personally don't want yo employ but would gladly lend work to friends for their own personal use.
I think I'm acontrol freak. As long as my fingers on the pulse.
Kevin.
What if the goal is not to set any goals ;)
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although I have joined the Guild - gets me some fancy badges for the van
Don't waste your money bud!!! ;)
My £20 badge helped me get a 5k contract the other day. ;)
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A successful business needs only 1 thing:
More money coming in than going out.
Accountants call this "profit"
Motivation, Targets, Goals. ::)
All that is middle management chuff which is designed to try and generate "profit"
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Kev, I just don't see any point in setting goals ??? I go out do the best I can and come home, tot up my earnings, some days are simply brilliant! Other days can be dreadful, it just doesn't phase me. As long as my weekly/monthly earnings are pretty good then I have nothing to worry about, the bills get paid and the only debt is a small mortgage. When I start to struggle then I'll bump the prices up. If I set a target of say £250 for the day and I don't make it then what? Worry because I didn't work fast enough or late enough?
I could earn £300 a day in the summer months if I worked to eight thirty at night but what for? Life's too short. ;)
I have plenty of work, plenty of money, no goals whatsoever and consider I have a very successful business. Alan Sugar types would disagree. I'm not Alan Sugar and for that reason I'm out!
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to me success is having enough money to pay ur bills, spending time with ur family and not having to worry about where ur next wage is coming from
i would rather have a round with 100 custy making enough to have fun, than 12 lads 6 vans and spend all my time worrying and chasing money
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Kev, I just don't see any point in setting goals ??? I go out do the best I can and come home, tot up my earnings, some days are simply brilliant! Other days can be dreadful, it just doesn't phase me. As long as my weekly/monthly earnings are pretty good then I have nothing to worry about, the bills get paid and the only debt is a small mortgage. When I start to struggle then I'll bump the prices up. If I set a target of say £250 for the day and I don't make it then what? Worry because I didn't work fast enough or late enough?
I could earn £300 a day in the summer months if I worked to eight thirty at night but what for? Life's too short. ;)
I have plenty of work, plenty of money, no goals whatsoever and consider I have a very successful business. Alan Sugar types would disagree. I'm not Alan Sugar and for that reason I'm out!
Alan Sugar is not allowed in the den, so your not out.
Will not bother saying my goals as others seem to not like them, can't ever do well at window cleaning, we just earn a bit spend it earn a bit more then die. ::)
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volume of work and motivation.
Don't believe all the crap about not having a business if you don't employ or expand. If you have plenty of work and food on the table and no debt then you have a successful business in my opinion.
Agreed 100% :)
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Kev, I just don't see any point in setting goals ??? I go out do the best I can and come home, tot up my earnings, some days are simply brilliant! Other days can be dreadful, it just doesn't phase me. As long as my weekly/monthly earnings are pretty good then I have nothing to worry about, the bills get paid and the only debt is a small mortgage. When I start to struggle then I'll bump the prices up. If I set a target of say £250 for the day and I don't make it then what? Worry because I didn't work fast enough or late enough?
I could earn £300 a day in the summer months if I worked to eight thirty at night but what for? Life's too short. ;)
I have plenty of work, plenty of money, no goals whatsoever and consider I have a very successful business. Alan Sugar types would disagree. I'm not Alan Sugar and for that reason I'm out!
Alan Sugar is not allowed in the den, so your not out.
Will not bother saying my goals as others seem to not like them, can't ever do well at window cleaning, we just earn a bit spend it earn a bit more then die. ::)
We all die, it's being content in life that counts.
Be happy - die
work your bollox off - still die
Do whatever makes you happy :)
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Story with a Moral
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.
Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them.
The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab,
died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson,
went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney,
was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger,
died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of the Bank of International Settlement,
shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore,
also committed suicide.
However: in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was
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<!--[endif]-->
What became of him?
He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral:
Screw work. Play golf.
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Story with a Moral
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.
Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them.
The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab,
died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson,
went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney,
was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger,
died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of the Bank of International Settlement,
shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore,
also committed suicide.
However: in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
What became of him?
He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral:
Screw work. Play golf.
Golf it is then, then saying that im liking the gas company
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Will not bother saying my goals as others seem to not like them, can't ever do well at window cleaning, we just earn a bit spend it earn a bit more then die. ::)
I'd like to hear your goals Ian!! :)
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Story with a Moral
In 1923, Who Was:
1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?
These men were considered some of the worlds most successful of their days.
Now, 80 years later, the history book asks us, if we know what ultimately became of them.
The Answers:
1. The president of the largest steel company.
Charles Schwab,
died a pauper.
2. The president of the largest gas company,
Edward Hopson,
went insane.
3. The president of the NYSE,
Richard Whitney,
was released from prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator,
Arthur Cooger,
died abroad, penniless.
5. The president of the Bank of International Settlement,
shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street,
Cosabee Livermore,
also committed suicide.
However: in that same year, 1923, the PGA Champion and the winner of the most important golf tournament, the US Open, was
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
What became of him?
He played golf until he was 92, died in 1999 at the age of 95. He was financially secure at the time of his death.
The Moral:
Screw work. Play golf.
To be fair I think it will be my golf that kills me
Lee
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Will not bother saying my goals as others seem to not like them, can't ever do well at window cleaning, we just earn a bit spend it earn a bit more then die. ::)
I'd like to hear your goals Ian!! :)
My goals or his ??? :)
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Will not bother saying my goals as others seem to not like them, can't ever do well at window cleaning, we just earn a bit spend it earn a bit more then die. ::)
I'd like to hear your goals Ian!! :)
My goals or his ??? :)
Window washers is called Ian isn't he? I'm interested in what other peoples goals are also, but like Ian (window washers) said, most on here don't like it if your doing well for yourself!!! so I don't post my targets/goals etc anymore.
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I could earn £300 a day in the summer months if I worked to eight thirty at night
So could I, but I'd have to finish early!! ;)
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sitting indoors feet up cold beer and 310 in pocket for a days work. quite successful
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How much money does one actually need. I have been around the world and had some great times. As I come over the hill and back into my village nothing I have seen really beats the view. I went to my local tonight and had a drink with my 15 year old at the bar after he finished washing up. That takes some beating. He is saving for a vietnam trip next year with the school. My grandad never left his village and drove a morris minor till he died. Anything I did or owned never bothered or impressed him , he had everything he wanted and i think was happier than I'll ever be. As long as i was happy he was. Looking back though I think I missed the point.
He who dies with most toys still dies!!
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just remember to always be promoting synergy.
the key to successful business.
I don't miss management meetings on a Friday evening
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He who dies with most toys still dies!!
Very true... but he had a lot more fun!!!!!!!!! ;)
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my goal in life is to still be cleaning windows at 90
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my goal in life is to still be cleaning windows at 90
good on ya m8 ;D some1 has gotta keep toppin up my pension ;)
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well the answer to the question who won the 1923 US open was Gene Sarenzen, who coincidentally invented the sand wedge and the explosion bunker shot ( I play golf).
the question of success is an odd one.
how about being financially secure (not necessarily rich, just comfortable)
having some free time
having a good home life
being content.
funnily whisky gives me that feeling too.
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I just want nice home no money problems oh and a ferari too ;D ;D
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Reliability? hmmm i'm not convinced on that one. I know one window cleaner who is as unreliable as you can get - he hasn't lost a single customer. I'm pretty unreliable these days too - haven't lost any yet for being a month late.
I'd be interested to know if my customers prefer I clean their windows in a downpour on time or come back a week later when I can fit them in.
Many newbies think reliability is the key. The only way to be 100% reliable is to clean in all weathers with a full round. That is more to benefit the windy than the customer. :-\
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Reliability? hmmm i'm not convinced on that one. I know one window cleaner who is as unreliable as you can get - he hasn't lost a single customer. I'm pretty unreliable these days too - haven't lost any yet for being a month late.
I'd be interested to know if my customers prefer I clean their windows in a downpour on time or come back a week later when I can fit them in.
Many newbies think reliability is the key. The only way to be 100% reliable is to clean in all weathers with a full round. That is more to benefit the windy than the customer. :-\
Good point, I reckon the "average" WC clean to a decent standard so the things that we also should pay attention to, such as reliablity, make the difference. Reliability isn't the key, but is very important IMHO
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Reliability? hmmm i'm not convinced on that one. I know one window cleaner who is as unreliable as you can get - he hasn't lost a single customer. I'm pretty unreliable these days too - haven't lost any yet for being a month late.
I'd be interested to know if my customers prefer I clean their windows in a downpour on time or come back a week later when I can fit them in.
Many newbies think reliability is the key. The only way to be 100% reliable is to clean in all weathers with a full round. That is more to benefit the windy than the customer. :-\
I see your point - by reliability, I'm including general reliability of the type you describe. The people I'm picking up say things like "Last saw my last one in November"/"Last guy turned up twice then never saw him again", etc, etc. I think what I'm trying to describe is the gross unreliability that we've all experienced. Being a little late for a good reason is different.
Your unreliable other cleaner you mention is heading towards trouble when someone gets round to canvassing his area.
By the way, I think it's a poor reflection on our business that customers do accept unreliability on the grounds that they know anyone canvassing is likely to be short-lived, so they stick with people giving them bad service...
V
Hi V
Good luck for Tuesday.
What I find is customers will tell you they can not get a reliable cleaner but when you go at the agreed period, they are the one's who say can you leave it this time as they are still clean.
The one's that can not get a reliable cleaner are often unreliable custies>
Lee
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i think a lot of newbies start and come on here and think its easy, just go out and the jobs come, do 3 months realise it is hard work, a lot of the trad gear they bought was a waste of money and should of gone wfp from start (i wish i did) and cant understand why custy aint just coming up to them in the street asking to have the window cleanes then go get another job and jack the window cleaning in saying it didnt work,
my uncle started a wc round, lasted about 7 months, only little round earning about 750 a month, jacked it in as he started working less hours, so became a waste of time, and went a got a full time job
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Often hear stats along lines of 6 in 10 new start up businesses fail within 3 years (not sure of exact stats but you know the kind of ones I mean)
So what makes the difference between a sucessful W/C business and those that come and go ??
Also for the long termers how many do you think you have seen come and go ?
ian 4get that nonsense lad if u got a gud ammount customers
for arguement sake yeah a 100 a wk ten quid a clean wot more do u need !!!!
jus be reliable honest n do a gud job end off
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Mr Macawber said -
'Income 20 shillings, expenditure 20 shillings and sixpence, result misery.
But income 20 shillings, expenditure 19 shillings and sixpence, result happiness'.
Simples. :D
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i worked for 10 years building 5 companies including 2 health clubs i was on course for making 4 million if the plans had come off for a chain of them ,
bottom line after 20 hour days for 10 years i ended up losing the lot!
now im happier ticking along window cleaning again and my philosophy now is ''you dont have to own it to enjoy it'' working in nice villages with great gardens and views with no aggro looking after them and earning money while im there
i now jealously guard my time with my youngest daughter (2) as i missed out on my first two kids being so busy
when she starts school i may step up a gear and do more work but right now i'd consider myself very lucky
i would consider