Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Lee Burbidge on March 14, 2014, 02:42:46 pm

Title: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Lee Burbidge on March 14, 2014, 02:42:46 pm
For more information click on the link http://www.windowcleaningmagazine.co.uk/blog/lee-burbidge-becomes-the-new-owner-of-the-guild/

Over the next 12 months we will be working hard to offer great value for those that would benefit from the Guild and its new Guild Partners, we plan to create a wealth of resources  for window cleaners from writing out risk assessments to saving money on insurance for members.

I am listening to folks about what they want too. Please tell me your ideas.

Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: DaveG on March 14, 2014, 05:52:50 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Lee Burbidge on March 14, 2014, 05:56:49 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?

It will be £25.00 :)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Lee Burbidge on March 14, 2014, 06:01:20 pm
There is a secret negotiation ( cannot say too much right now)  where 1 years free membership will be offered by a supplier, fingers crossed and a bonus for window cleaners I think :)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on March 14, 2014, 06:21:56 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?

It will be £25.00 :)


Robbing B&$£&~@*!! ;D
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: bobplum on March 14, 2014, 06:33:01 pm
this man should be stopped from gaining a monopoly in the cleaning industry, soon he will be dictating to us all, setting rates, we will be indoctrinated thru his use of the media and especially his "youtube " channel.
This man is a danger to our very fabric of our society, our independence as free thinking people  STOP HIM NOW >:(


ps
can you send me the form for the guild please :-* :-* :-*

pps
good luck with taking over the world :P...sir
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: DaveG on March 14, 2014, 06:39:16 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?

It will be £25.00 :)


Robbing B&$£&~@*!! ;D

 ;D ;D

Will we get van stickers for that?  ;)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: andyM on March 14, 2014, 07:37:26 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?

It will be £25.00 :)


Robbing B&$£&~@*!! ;D

 ;D ;D

Will we get van stickers for that?  ;)

Certainly but we've only got the grey one's left......... :P
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: rosskesava on March 14, 2014, 07:44:32 pm
How about a free pen that doesn't work?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Paul Coleman on March 14, 2014, 08:16:06 pm
Hi Lee, will it still be £20?

It will be £25.00 :)


Robbing B&$£&~@*!! ;D

 ;D ;D

Will we get van stickers for that?  ;)

Lee's new sticker will read, "I've upped my income.  Up yours!"
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: stuart mc on March 14, 2014, 08:28:37 pm
how can you own something that was set up by members for the benefit of members, with prices etc being agreed through discussions by members?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: stuart mc on March 14, 2014, 08:34:09 pm
and from memory it was administrated by an agreed committee, I remember it well, I came up with the name
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Dave Willis on March 14, 2014, 08:48:46 pm
I thought Lee was going for the fed a few months back - what happened there?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: rosskesava on March 14, 2014, 09:11:15 pm
how can you own something that was set up by members for the benefit of members, with prices etc being agreed through discussions by members?

I was wondering that.

So is the guild a business?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: stuart mc on March 14, 2014, 09:16:55 pm
how can you own something that was set up by members for the benefit of members, with prices etc being agreed through discussions by members?

I was wondering that.

So is the guild a business?

don't know, it certainly was not when set up, I remember a treasurer being appointed and the promise of no profit was to be made
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 14, 2014, 09:42:14 pm
The Guild was setup as a not for profit community with the aim of giving back to window cleaners - Lee has taken over, taken "ownership" of this project simply because I don't have enough time or energy myself to look after it anymore,.. let alone build it up and drive it to become the huge organisation we all hoped for when we originally set it up.

Let me be clear though - I've handed it over to Lee because I think he's the best man for the job,... no money changed hands at all - that wouldn't be in the spirit of the Guild.

Lee has some great ideas, some of which are already falling into place - - we've spoken at length about his plans and I really believe that the Guild is going to benefit hugely from his energy, enthusiasm and his willingness to listen to the members & give them what they really want.

Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: stuart mc on March 14, 2014, 09:48:29 pm
I don't disbelieve you Nat, perhaps it was just a poor choice of word "owner" that is all I was badly trying to point out
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 14, 2014, 10:25:58 pm
LOL,.. yep, just a bad choice of wording.  ::)roll ::)roll
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Tom White on March 14, 2014, 10:52:45 pm
Who audits the accounts?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 14, 2014, 11:07:33 pm
That's something I've always done myself Tosh, but with such a small budget the opportunities for embezzlement were disappointing to say the least. Hopefully Lee can grow the Guild to the point were this will soon be a real concern and an independent auditor will be required.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: rosskesava on March 14, 2014, 11:42:29 pm
Sorry Nathanael for asking this and thanks for the open and honest answers.

What is the end purpose of the Guild?

Is it just for profit or for profit and benefit for members i.e. mutual benefit.

The reason I ask is I think it's best to lay the cards on the table to start with rather than pretend to be one thing, when in fact it's something else.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: capn sparkle on March 14, 2014, 11:59:30 pm
Well I've not met either Nat or Lee and I've only been a member of CIU since Dec 13 (couldn't be bothered to check - I'm sure someone else will) seen nothing to so far which 'sets the alarm bells ringing' about either of them.

Nat - websites (only good reports)

Lee - video n face book

I'll invest £25 of me hard earned to see if there is any benefit for my business!

Respect due to those that are willing to assist others with their goals in life.

Regards

Cap'n Sparkle
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: capn sparkle on March 15, 2014, 12:01:07 am
December 16th 2013 (lucky guess)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 15, 2014, 08:31:28 am
Sorry Nathanael for asking this and thanks for the open and honest answers.

What is the end purpose of the Guild?

Is it just for profit or for profit and benefit for members i.e. mutual benefit.

The reason I ask is I think it's best to lay the cards on the table to start with rather than pretend to be one thing, when in fact it's something else.


The Guild was never about profit - we said from the very start that we wanted member fees to be as small as possible and the whole focus of the Guild should be about improving the industry, helping window cleaners to build their businesses and work safer, and generally be a force for good.

The low member fees actually backfired on us a little - all our big ideas when we started up required funding, and we simply couldn't bring anything to fruition on the funds we had, so we just lost momentum.

I think Lee is going to re-invigorate the Guild, and he has some clever plans to make the most of the tiny resources that the Guild currently has.


BTW - I'm transferring the Guild website to a separate hosting package that Lee can take full control of today - so the site may go offline for a few hours during this process,.. sorry!
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Clever Forum Name on March 15, 2014, 08:45:10 am
Lee needs to push it more, as this is the first i have heard about a guild. Been cleaning since 1999/2000

Heard about FWC but never really looked into it.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: PoleKing on March 15, 2014, 12:11:59 pm
What will the benefits of it be?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on March 15, 2014, 12:18:30 pm
What will the benefits of it be?


Initially, the benefits will be you being a member of "the master guild of window cleaners" using their logos etc on all your documents, van etc has very good benefits- and it works, I can vouch for that! ;) That alone is worth more than the annual fee.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: PoleKing on March 15, 2014, 12:25:10 pm
What will the benefits of it be?


Initially, the benefits will be you being a member of "the master guild of window cleaners" using their logos etc on all your documents, van etc has very good benefits- and it works, I can vouch for that! ;) That alone is worth more than the annual fee.

Fair point. Ta.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: CleanClear on March 15, 2014, 01:37:25 pm
Who audits the accounts?

Perry Tait might come on board and help with that side of things?   ;D
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on March 15, 2014, 01:47:03 pm
What will the benefits of it be?


Initially, the benefits will be you being a member of "the master guild of window cleaners" using their logos etc on all your documents, van etc has very good benefits- and it works, I can vouch for that! ;) That alone is worth more than the annual fee.

Fair point. Ta.

Plus you are listed on their website- which Nath Jones gave a whole new facelift to just months ago. ;)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: rosskesava on March 15, 2014, 03:14:57 pm
Initially, the benefits will be you being a member of "the master guild of window cleaners" using their logos etc on all your documents, van etc has very good benefits- and it works, I can vouch for that! ;) That alone is worth more than the annual fee.

That's a very good point.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: mufcglen on March 15, 2014, 04:30:10 pm
Hi guys I've always thought about joining one of these groups so I can have a sticker on the van but would like to hear more about what other benefits there are other than paying £25 for some stickers as that's all I seem to read on forums that you get out of it?
I could make my own stickers and design up and plonk it on the van!, I'd love to join some sort of federation though that has a base of good reliable window cleaners and maybe get monthly newsletter etc with advice on insurance,discounts tips etc?
Will definately be going on the site when I get a mo to read more!
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Rogue Trader on March 17, 2014, 08:21:25 pm
I have been thinking of getting some stickers for my vans to liven them up a bit and make me look like i am into something official and i thought of the guild , looked at the site a few weeks back and i could have sworn it said £90 ish, just looked again and it is a blank wordpress site, what do i do to join and how many van stickers do i get for £25?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 17, 2014, 09:49:26 pm
The Guild website is being moved at the moment & I managed to break it - - Paddys day interfered with the repair, but it should be live again tomorrow sometime,..
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ascjim on March 18, 2014, 04:22:05 pm
wtf is the guild  ;)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 18, 2014, 04:47:53 pm
wtf is the guild  ;)

www.mgwc.org
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Rogue Trader on March 18, 2014, 07:21:37 pm
it says 50 euros, not £25 why the discrepancy, i have a number of vans will i get stickers for each?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: 8weekly on March 18, 2014, 07:25:25 pm
Should a guild be owned by one member? Seems daft to me.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: cgh window cleaning on March 18, 2014, 08:04:10 pm
If you are only looking to be associated with something that gets you van stickers you may as well join the federation far more well known and been around for many,many years.
I 'am not knocking the the guild,I think with lee behind it he can take it to good things.

Best of luck with it.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: andyM on March 19, 2014, 09:03:18 am
I do think the "Guild" could make itself more attractive to members by offering business incentives.
As already mentioned Risk Assessments for those that require it and possibly competitive insurance discounts.
Maybe also a competitive rate for business banking if that can be negotiated.
As a member I would be happy to pay an increased subscription charge for these extra benefits.
I've been a member of the Guild since 2010 and to be honest I've only really kept up my membership because I have the Guild logo on my business cards and website.
Other than that so far im not sure my membership has been beneficial at all.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Lee Burbidge on March 19, 2014, 09:22:04 am
I do think the "Guild" could make itself more attractive to members by offering business incentives.
As already mentioned Risk Assessments for those that require it and possibly competitive insurance discounts.
Maybe also a competitive rate for business banking if that can be negotiated.
As a member I would be happy to pay an increased subscription charge for these extra benefits.
I've been a member of the Guild since 2010 and to be honest I've only really kept up my membership because I have the Guild logo on my business cards and website.
Other than that so far im not sure my membership has been beneficial at all.


Great points thank you....
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ascjim on March 19, 2014, 06:06:40 pm
what idiot left caps lock on while crating the site? 1st rule of design!
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: tlwcs on March 19, 2014, 06:58:07 pm
Are you also running the acs 4 um. (don't want to write the right word)
Tony
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 19, 2014, 07:10:07 pm
Are you also running the acs 4 um. (don't want to write the right word)
Tony

Yup - Lee is taking over admin of ACS for me,.. I'll still be around there, but just don't have time to invest in the place at the mo and it was suffering from my neglect.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 19, 2014, 07:27:23 pm
£25 + Public Liability Insurance = Master Window Cleaner?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Rogue Trader on March 20, 2014, 12:26:01 pm
My Questions are still not answered is the cost £25 or 50 euros, and how many stickers do i get as i have a few vans.

Thanks
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Nathanael Jones on March 20, 2014, 01:06:16 pm
My Questions are still not answered is the cost £25 or 50 euros, and how many stickers do i get as i have a few vans.

Thanks

Its £25 for standard membership or £50 for a supplier membership at the moment.
Stickers haven't been shipped out automatically to new members for a while, but instead were available "on request" - Lee will have to confirm if this is going to change. At the moment Lee doesn't physically have the stickers yet, they're still in my office - I'll be boxing up all those bits & bobs & sending them over to him soon. :)

Lee might be making changes to this as he gets feedback from the community,.. and he's also trying to setup a committee to run the Guild too instead of just one person running it, so there may be many more improvements down the line.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Darranvps on March 20, 2014, 05:04:50 pm
Good Luck Lee

I am sure it will be a great success
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Frankybadboy on March 20, 2014, 06:44:09 pm
no comment from lee on here yet  :P :P


sure we could throw some questions at him ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Mike #1 on March 20, 2014, 06:59:42 pm
Seeing as Lee has just taken over we have got to give it a few months to see changes and let new ideas develop ,If it becomes more of an attractive option i will join . Mike
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 20, 2014, 09:55:57 pm
£25 + Public Liability Insurance = Master Window Cleaner?

Maybe I'm missing the point here, but why would spending £25 and providing a certificate of public liability make me a master window cleaner? What would be the difference between somebody who is a member and one that isn't? Is it the window cleaner that has £25 to spare and knows about the guild? It doesn't seem very master when any tom dick or harry can join. Spending £25 does not make one a master window cleaner?
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Clever Forum Name on March 20, 2014, 10:02:07 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1395352919_Untitled.jpg)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on March 20, 2014, 10:05:16 pm
Where exactly does the guild state anything about being a "master window cleaner"?

I think if you care to look it's master guild, NOT master window cleaner. ;)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: [GQC] Tim on March 20, 2014, 10:06:49 pm
Where exactly does the guild state anything about being a "master window cleaner"?

I think if you care to look it's master guild, NOT master window cleaner. ;)

Don't be daft man.
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on March 20, 2014, 10:07:30 pm
Where exactly does the guild state anything about being a "master window cleaner"?

I think if you care to look it's master guild, NOT master window cleaner. ;)

Don't be daft man.

Go on then..............
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: rosskesava on March 20, 2014, 10:33:47 pm
What is the heck is a master window cleaner anyway?  ;D

Someone maybe who's been to Tibet to learn the finer arts of window cleaning from a grand master and then spent 10 years in a cave meditating on the crane style of wfp'ing or perhaps hidden monkey style along with unarmed combat using just a squeegee and an applicator?

Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: wfp master on March 20, 2014, 10:47:42 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1395355628_7nebr.jpgciu.jpg)
Title: Re: The Guild has a new owner
Post by: Rogue Trader on March 21, 2014, 09:38:01 am
 ;D