Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ianharper on April 11, 2007, 12:42:33 pm
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Guys
this idea works two ways first it will off-set your carbon for each job, and second its a great way to thank your customer for doing business with you.
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/shop2.html
Respect
Ian Harper
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Hi Ian
I have already been in contact with them over this, I will let you know how I get on. ;)
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a firend of mine does this for his heating and plumbing business, every boiler installed he pays for a tree. its a good idea
with his profit margin, its a good ploy, for our 50 quid job, or 120 quid job, its not really worth it, not for £12 anyway!
Also Ian, my customers thank me when i have done the job for them in the first place, the only time i'll reward them is if they recomend me to a friend. why shoulfd i thank them, :-\i work dam hard, and run my business on honest morals
it would be interesting though to see whether they would rather go
for a tree, or ten quid cash in their hand for reccomending a friend! :o
john
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John
with respect your minimum needs to go up to £75 for 1 1/2 hrs work.
by the time you setup and get started no job will less that an hour.
if you work hard and lots of hours this is a sign that you need to put up your prices. the measure of how much you can get from a prospect is if you get every job you quote then your to cheap.
please don't take this the wrong way.
respect
ian harper
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What a load of Bull what I want to know is did cavemen plant a tree when a volcano erupted or when they invented fire. carbon emissions have been around since time began. this green thing is getting out of hand and is just another way for us to pay more taxes.
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fibretech,
your may be right, but there is an old saying
"enter into the conversation going on in peoples minds"
respect
Ian Harper
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I prefer the old saying;
'bullshiit baffles brains' :D :D :D
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that's what the scientists are doing to the governments?! or what some product produces do to us, it about time we found out the truth about some of the claims, where has the independent view gone. most people in the know in this service are link to business that sell to us?
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Ian "enter into the conversation going on in peoples minds" I first heard that from one of joe's tape of the month club interviews I think Robert Chaldini talking about influence. Now don't get me wrong but this is how I see things, I turn up at customers house ("Client") wearing uniform clean sign written van on time etc, all that's in customers mind now is "he Looks professional, talks professional and cares about the quality of work he doe's. How much will this clean cost me" We can go on about pricing but i'm not going to get into that game of price per sq ft topic.
Not once have I been told you can only clean my carpets if you use GREEN cleaning agents. 19 years in business mate not once. All these people who tell you about emissions like the politicians etc who leviy taxes on us are paid big money most have 2 homes drive big cars and travel all over the world. Don't get fooled mate they use more carbon emissions than you or I and you won't see Bill Oddie round at there house planting any firkin Trees either.
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your right my friend, its fashion and cool to think you are green. people say one thing and do another. it just something different when they tell their friend how they had their carpets clean and it was carbon neutral. that's life.
If you do an audit you can build these question in to it, for example when i audit for my maid service i don't want to be judged on price alone, so i go though my cleaning audit asking all types of question that they know relate to cleaning but don't want to think its anything other that easy, because easy is cheap.
not one prospect that has had cleaners before knows if they used the same cloths in the bathrooms and kitchens. I have seen cleaners come in and out of homes all their kit in one bucket and the cloths all mixed.
it about giving value to the service that you provide. if you don't, they will expect cheap. for them it just soap and water. they don't know how much time and money you invest in yourself.
I for one don't want to be judged as the same as someone that has not put any effort in to education or experience like i have. my staff are a direct refection of my knowledge and the level of service is higher than someone that thinks they can clean.
I am sure that when you quote against someone that has just bought a van and machine and not even done the basic course gets the same money as you. how can you be sure that you are being judged differently if you don't put the questions in prospects minds first?
self interest and showing what one has is all some people are interested in, its a shame but we have to deal with these people its the reverse of a chave.
the green issue is not about whats right or wrong its about good business practices. just like littering we all have a responsibility to the environment we live in.
Choice is what people want, they just like to be different. nothing wrong with that. its what people brag about how theirs is different.
did you read about David Cameron rubbish bag and all the no so green stuff he had in it. this is the world we live in. you do what i tell you and I'll do what i want. we need to question claims put to us and not believe everything. trust is earned.
respect
Ian Harper
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Fibretech,
Every week I am asked about my green products. two quotes today solely as a result of the products and systems I use.
I think we all share the scepticism over the impending disaster they all keep talking about, however its out of our hands and the government has more money than you and me so they can keep advertising and talking on the issues for as long as they like until Mr & Mrs Homeowner are convinced (as many are now) and start to ask specific questions about whats being put into their furniture and carpets when cleaned as many do now
Also I have noticed a rise in pregnant and new mums requesting 'safer' cleans.
The kind of potential new client that I target would ,i believe, rather like the idea of having a tree planted in their name. :)
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Woodman, I use safe cleaning agents I also offer "cleaning for health" have gone down the road before with all the companies who have a better product etc. they are all fizz and no Bang. they say we will promote this it never happens.
I clean for mums too offer my healthy home package, but nobody says are they green chemicals they want to know if they are safe but never asked if they are green. How can you be sure they will plant a tree for you. When my grandad past away we were offered to plant a tree for him as a remembarance at a stately home with a plaque. Paid for it, guess what IT NEVER HAPPENED
Ian, I have been a piranha member since 1997 I am also an Gold member of Dan Kennedy Inner Circle I know how to get the "best bang for the buck" from all my clients I don't price cheap they are all left with why I'm different from other cleaners message. I do provide an abundance of information and "Message to Market Match"
What I'm saying is that when you get a call most people ask "How much do's it cost to clean...? not "If you clean for me will you plant a tree"
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Fibretech
so what is your USP. i have just dropped my 10 great offers for this green approach as one of mine. with the Internet you can can many USP's that will message to market match, all for free. why limit your message?
Did you go to Joe's boot camp in 1999 in the USA?
you will also know that pre selling cuts out the how much do you charge question.
respect
Ian Harper
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I'm afraid I have to side with Fibretech on this.........I have offered Healthy Homes cleaning and advertised the Safe and Biodegradable aspect over the past 15 or so years and have only ever been asked about the safety " for kids / pets "never asked about the Green aspects.
When we get professionals to run the country, rather than pontificating amateurs, who waste millions annually, I'll find it very difficult to change.
rob
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I have a theory that it is a human need to have something to worry about that may harm us or our family. In the absence of anything real we create it and put energy into solving it.
I think whether you believe in global warming etc or not, never underestimate the marketing potential of it. If someone can shamelessly take more money out of your pocket for green' taxes or put it in a manefesto and people still vote for them with a smile on their faces, that's powerful.
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just think about all those science projects that have new funding now!
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exactly, like there's no such thing as self promoting scientists.
Intelligence is nothing compared to 'creativeness' ;)
The earth will spit us out one way or another.
Have a great weekend.
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Ian, Yes I have a U.S.P thakyou and it works well for me, I was at the extravaganza with joe in the u.k yes i know all about pre selling I have spent fortunes with joe and Dan kennedy but guess what people dont always read all of your ad.
I have the consumer message line, & guides and umpteen cleaning for health reasons, i offer a Prepondarance of prove but what I'M SAYING TO YOU IS Is planting TREES going to make you a wealthy Carpet Cleaner! By the way this is not a personal attack on you just becareful who you listen too, "The world is full of Kings & Queens, Who BLIND YOUR EYES & STEAL YOUR DREAMS"
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Have your carpets cleaned and save your children's future.
PS! Free do gooder ribbon with every tree planted so people give you the recognition you deserve as a enviro do gooder- the world will still thank you even after are long gone. Comes with a handy ribbon clip for all your other ribbons!
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At risk of repeating myself,
Every week for at least the past year I have had at least one enquiry for 'green'
cleaning, if their not asking you doesn't mean their not finding out elswhere.
The point that goes with this seems to be completely lost with some people Mike for example, see past your negative attitude and you might just see an opportunity looming. ::)
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Trevor, am i the mike you are referring to? if so I don't have a negative attitude towards green issues, I just don't believe it is a high priority to most of our customers.
I'VE JUST DELETED A BIG LONG ANSWER
but I've shortened it to this simple fact. no one has asked me about green cleaning or how my cleaning effects the planet, I don't go around with my head stuck in the mud, I'm speaking to customers and other carpet cleaners every day, and what the other carpet cleaners are saying is they don't get asked either.
i can clean greener than most of the carpet cleaners who try and sell themselves as treehuggers, and if anyone ever asks, I'll do it, but at risk of repeating myself, no one does!
Mike
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There are two things here--- carbon emissions and chemical pollution.
Carbon emissions causing global warming IMO is Bull, just another way to raise more taxes. The Earth has been through temperature cycles ever since it began and the amount of CO2 has lagged behind the temerature rise every time. It is governed by the Sun's activity and varies over thousands of years with shorter 'wobbles' superimposed.
Chemical polution is another matter, some of the cleaning products used by Mrs Housewife are horrendous read the labels and then do a bit of digging on the net to find out the real impact of some of these things. I have at last persueded my wife to stop using those that make her cough when she is using them
I advertise that I use biosafe products and get a lot of enquiries - and jobs from this. I am not saying that the average detergent based carpet cleaning product is evil but some are better than others by a long way.
Rant over I'm having another beer.
Trevor
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but the average mrs housewife doesnt really care they just want clean carpets............
if mrs h was concerned about the enviroment would she still put bleach/ or other cleaners down toilets or drains..........
i think that mrs h would care if we offered a discounted clean for us using enviro friendly cleaning solutions...then maybe!!!!
if people ask... then we can provide.but i dont offer this as a standard cleaning procedure...............provided at a ramped up price of course ;) ;) ;D
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I do believe the 'green issue' is more prevolent on the web - imagine typing 'carpet cleaning' and you will get carpet cleaners - now type 'green carpet cleaning.
irrelivant of what YOU get, the answer will be a 'GREEN' carpet cleaners, all depends on what THEY the customer are looking for on the web!
I agree you are looking for the minority BUT if GREEN washing up liquid is 50% more and they buy it do you think they may buy carpet cleaning at a better rate than MRS "I'm only asking for a friend?"
Shaun
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Hi Guys
Yes Shaun, I did a job wednesday which was specified "green', used Prochem Pureclean aka sodium tripolyphosphate , MS to some.
A 25 % premium was added and the customer was very happy.
Green carpet cleaning will become bigger, particularly at the higher end of the market which is where I want to be.
Cheers
Doug
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Doug could i ask how you learned to green carpet clean so quickly to offer this service. did you attend any training courses or have to pass any exams, or even register onto any websites.
or did someone just say 'can you green clean my carpet? and you said 'yes'
as soon as this green cleaning becomes big and people start asking about it I will jump on the bandwagon.
Mike
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BLOODY HELL!!! AFTER READING DOUGS POST AGAIN I'VE JUST REALISED I'VE BEEN A GREEN CLEANER AS FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND HAD'NT EVEN REALISED IT
I'VE CLEANED WITH M/S AND RINSED WITH JUST FRESHWATER FOR OVER 7 YRS!!
:D :D :D :D
mike
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Hi Mike,
Yes I had to register on www.greencarpetcleaners.co.uk ;)
I supose 8 years working an Industrial chemist also helped a little ;D
Cheers
Doug
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Doug, I'm well aware of you impressive CV :D :D
the point i was trying to make is, we all can become green cleaners when the need arises we already have the knowledge and it takes little change. so we should concentrate on what is important to customer now and leave the green until its needed.
mike
ps this is the last time i'm going to post on green issues because I'm starting to sound like a broken record and its getting boring ::)
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Yet another Doug web site
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Hi Guys
We are at the forefront of our industry and I include lots of CC's on here in that statement.
We are always looking at better products , equipment etc so why not educate the customer along the way, afterall we advise to avoid fairy Liquid, Vanish Oxi on wool etc on an almost daily basis so why not greener cleaning.
Of course the cynic could suggest it's all just marketing hype, which of course a lot of it is , but some of that hype turns into change for the better.
Ian,
I've got 15 CC ones, it's my hobby along with beer
Cheers
Doug
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guys
the issue here is message. not so much about you and how you clean, or the prospect asking you its about matching a market that is out there.
The reason you are not getting prospects talking to you about the green issues is that by your own admission you don't ask for those type of people to do business with you because its not in your message. with respect.
how many different messages do you have? i have three main one's at the moment, house selling, asthma sufferers, and basis carpet cleaning, plus i am working on a forth, upholstery cleaning that sells both fabric and leather. all sell just one message and not weakened by lumping them all together.
by using different media and different messages i talk to that one need. being general can have drawbacks. you cant be everything to everyone as this weakens the message.
for example, free newspapers. most have home for sale in the middle pages, someone that's is thinking of selling will look to see if homes like theirs are selling for what price. its a fact that most people when making large spend decisions can start to take in info two years before buying, (pre selling)
so anyway, a leaflet talking about improving the sale value though clean, nice smelling, carpets and the link to the sellability of a house will match that person need more than a general carpet cleaning leaflet. placed into a free newspaper and will put in on their radar. (message to market match)
Doug, be careful if you have lots of the same text on them Google will drop your ranking, its happened to me and i am having problems fixing it. lucky we have Yahoo and MS
Respect
Ian Harper
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Can’t believe it wife went to Morrison yesterday why I don’t know (normally uses every little helps) think they need to look into my welfare daily amount 30% salt the product must have been 100% as that all I tasted (thought I was back in TN they like a bit seasoning) sod the carpets
Len
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Hi Mike, no not you the other one,
I would like the have seen the long answer you gave though :D
I won't repeat what I have already said on the subject (again) either, as you say this subject will raise it's head again very shortly.
Any way off to do a 'Green' clean now ;)
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::)
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A post I made on another forum about the same subject:
As a supplier of said products and a larger proportion of traditional products I can see both sides of the argument. The EU is currently testing every chemical in everyday use. Already some popular solvents many of which were used in carpet cleaning have been banned. The reasons vary from being carcinogenic to being non biodegradable in the environment. Which basically means they don't break down and over time build up until they will start to affect our water supplies and food chains. If we just carried on using them it would be very difficult to eradicate them from our water supplies etc. Its our children we have to think of here.
There is a major transport operator currently using Nemesis Degreaser to clean their garage floors. This is where hundreds of buses are stored overnight with the resulting drips of oil and diesel causing build ups on the concrete floor. What do they do, they can't just pour a detergent degreaser on and wash it down the drains. They have been and using an oil seperator to capture the waste oil. However the water remaining was still highly poluted and was still classed as hazardous waste. Using Nemesis has enabled them to drastically reduce the efluent held in the water as the degreaser floats to the surface with the oil. The remaining water is much cleaner and they hope to have clearance shortly to dispose of this down the sewers. This will save them hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.
I know this doesn't directly relate to carpet cleaning but gives an insight in what is happening in the larger world outside.
You will find more and more commercial customers will be demanding eco friendly products to be used on their premises.
You mustn't get all this eco stuff mixed up with global warming which is a completely different issue. Recycling and using biodegradble products is about not poluting and not using up the worlds resources, which will run out eventually. Global warming still has to be proved in my opinion. It was all started by one Margaret Thatcher. She was the first politician to dedicate money to the study. Why? because she wanted proof that coal fired power stations were bad for the evvironment so she could get rid of the coal mines and also to push Nuclear power who husband Dennis had major investments in.
Traditional detergents are safe to use provided you follow the instructions and don't mix them up with your arm as I have seen my staff do in the past