Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: paul@scc on March 18, 2005, 12:57:45 am
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As Ian richards posted on
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?board=2.0
I think that it a really good idea but there is not really any movement forward all this talk then it disappears. So heres what i propose if there is a positive feedback then i am willing to push it forward.With the co-operation of the forum
here is what is initially required
a) A single phone number which can link the customer direct with there area cleaning operative just by inputting there area code and also put them through to a helpline with the area co-ordinator
b) A website that will offer help and information to both customer and member it will also offer more carpet cleaners in a single area who will pay less for just advertising on the website
c) An area co-ordinator who will liason with members and an elected board of trustees
d) A advertising campaign that would focus on carpet cleaning and help people understand the need for it
e) Every cleaner would have there own area set on population and distance
f) there would be no price fixing all cleaner would be able set there own prices
Please be aware that this is a simple plan of course the details would have to be tweeked abit and there would have to be a solid interest im not say anything about being a member of a organisation as that would have to be decide at a later date. Plus there is not an idea of pricing for joining fees all i would like to know is those with intrest in pushing it forward and those that are interested in helping to set it up
Please get back to me with the area you are intrested in and see what we can all work on
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Paul
If its a National deal, ie National contract then you would have no choice but to have a fixed price agreement otherwise the propossed national customer will be getting charged different prices in each areas.
Best regards Nick
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Paul,
While I realize you are dynamic and want what is basically a good idea to grow, i beleive that the details are far to complex to thrash out completley on the Forumn but it is useful to gauage feeling.
However I beleive most of us will be in Milton Keynes,
If we all get along The East Anglians and anyone else who would like to come could be invited to a Summy Day out in Newmarket, and see if we can formulate a plan that would benifit all of us.
At least we all get to know one another and swap idea, remembering these events cost in lost income, because even if you are not full out you should be doing marketing activity.
Regards
Ian
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as i have already said i am interested in the whole idea, but not sure that i could get to any meetings at the moment.
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I, however, feel that whatever you may decide to do, you would all need to get it typo'd for spelling mistakes, because you're all terrible at spelling !
???
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Among the many qualities of the gorgeous Emma is the fact she is a qualified proof reader, so she could be of service on that front :)
Paul
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i dont need to spell good im a carpet cleaner
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Right iv had a few good points made and i have to say they are valid
That to get in on major national contracts there would have to be a set price and everyone would have to agree on but i think this would need someone who would have to work on a part time basis at least
The second thing that everyone keeps going on about is how complex this setting up would be. The fastest way with out overlooking any thing is this.
That we get the list of area operatives in fast so that a meeting could be set up. So that a members commity and area co-ordinators could be elected
These would then be able to vote on levels of trainig and payments needed for entry into the organisation
This then would implement the telephone number to be finished which would be set up within a week as i have spoke to a telephone company and they can do what i have suggested
Website wise i think there are a few members on here allready in the process of designing 1 so im sure that they would be happy to intergrate with us
The last stage is the re-education of the consumer but i dont think that will be very complex there all health freeks who should be told why they need there carpets cleaned and not just because they look cleaner
So if you have anymore complex things to throw then im sure the forum can work through it
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It all well and good this idea, which I’m up for, we can all clean carpets, one thing over looked you need a front person’s who can sell this idea to a potential corporate customers and have Emma as it’s side kick so to speak for distraction purposes only.
Stu
Totley agree and gramma also!
Paul
Could not agree more.
Len
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No i dont want to be in a big org and conform to there rules or i would of brought a cd franc
as for the marketing ideas im doing very well for myself
and yes the thought of major contracts would be very nice
I also believe more mouths make a bigger noise and a group of operator would be able to do that .it would give a bigger lump sum of cash to invest on something grander then a leaflet or ad in the paper in advertising as it are job to do and not the ncca,s
I dont wanna say im happy with what ive got i want more thats why i went into buissness for myself
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HI THERE,
ok national contracts-- why do companies want to have a national supplier contract for anything, whether it be a product or a service.?
some of the answers?
1.) they have a single point of contact.
2.) they have a guarantee of supply of service
3.) they can use their national size and strength to negotiate better price and better payment terms.
4.) they have none of the hassle of dealing with X-number of individual contractors spread across a region or nationally.
the HSBC's of the world deal with a national contract for instance, its then down to the "supplier account manager" to resource it.
the specsavers of the world are all franchises, they all deal one to one, no national contract.
therefore
to seriously get an organisation together, to survey and tender for the larger contracts will require a level of resource, at least a co-ordinator- account manager person. and lets be honest about this they arent going to do it for nothing.
to get in front of some of these larger prospective customers requires a high level of experience and professionalism, and whilst i totally agree that most of us have that, actually moulding it into a national consortium will take time.
one contractor not turning up to do one job, could be all that it takes to loose a large contract if the customer is having a bad day.
Reliability, Professionalism, Delivered Service and Price are all key to the success of what you are discussing. along with total committment.
the balance of your existing customer base and the supporting of your larger national clients, the balance of resourcing up to all capacity to supply demand.
Clients are aware of services available, and these larger nationals are fully aware of how to buy the service at the right price.
just an opinion
evrybody have a great weekend, looks like its going to be a sunny one
regards
martin
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Good reading Martin.
As many of you are aware, this national coverage issue is of little relevance or value to me. Many of you will be aware that last year, I walked away from a major contract after nearly 20 years. Yes, a few years ago they wanted national coverage, but had become aware that local had many, many advantages, so I took on another building about 25 miles away to balance the economies for all parties. When they outgrew their one office, they used a different contractor to look after their small satelite office as they appreciated the advantages of "small" and didn't want to put too many eggs in one basket. The other contractor started having problems with quality, so the client called on me to work with him to eliminate the problems (A consultancy fee was charged).
There are several reasons why I declined to renew my contract. I was invited but after much consideration I didn't even attend a meeting or fill in any forms. Never even worked out a cost or price. The successful contractor (not knowing my reasons) even asked me to sub-contrat to him!
Now, to get to my point. I can't realistically see a way for this national networking idea as it stands to bare fruit. Hand on heart, most here will be able to forsee the enourmous number of problems and the limitations it imposes. So... rather than national coverage, as many FM's and management in general are becoming more aware of the advantages of local, why not sell to YOUR strengths and advantages, rather than your perceived weaknesses. We all know that every building within a company group will have differing soiling and cleaning needs, so "one product" off the shelf doesn't always cure all. Yes, have a national brand or networking image to sell and remember that BIG isn't always beautiful.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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Yes, no, good, bad.
I have an idea, but what if.
we could, but maybe,
lets do this, but hang on won't that...
I am getting dizzy. For ever idea someone has, someone has a negative. Well its good to discuss the pros and cons, but you have to move ahead, and as mention, why don't we all gather in central east Anglia, (Newmarket) and discuss this.
We can iron out these points on this site, until we all get together and when we met we can put the idea into reality.
Day to met? weekend or weekday?
Month? what is quiet
Location?
loads more questions but maybe we should set a deadline? If we arrange a day to met , will all then know what has to be done by when.