Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 09:05:27 am

Title: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 09:05:27 am
As I sat at home in early January looking out of the window at the snow and ice I made some firm decisions.
I was not going to let a bad start to the year affect me. Instead I would use it to my advantage.
I don’t do resolutions but instead I try to form new habits, so I worked out what small adjustment I needed to make to increase my turnover, and set about doing them.
I now get up 30 mins earlier every day,  leave the house to go working 30 mins earlier and work 30 mins longer (Where possible). I have made various changes to both my day and the lads who work for me, (yes, they are happy with theirs)
I have been doing this now for about 3 weeks and it now feels totally normal, (a habit) usually a habit takes about 30 days to form.
The result.... the most productive January ever.
It helped that I just bought out a round from a guy who packed in but the point is still the same, before, we were working to schedule and did not expect to cover the new work in our normal 4 weekly round, but by changing how we work we are doing it easily.
The snow really made me sit and look at how I did things; it has helped me beyond belief.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: ccmids on January 31, 2010, 09:10:58 am
in the spring i will be starting early at least an hour each day
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Londoner on January 31, 2010, 09:20:36 am
I do the same but I set myself a target figure and keep increasing it bit by bit.

The cold weather helped me because it gave me time to get my internet business started and that is now ticking away, albeit slowly.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 09:31:58 am
I do the same but I set myself a target figure and keep increasing it bit by bit.

The cold weather helped me because it gave me time to get my internet business started and that is now ticking away, albeit slowly.
May i ask what your internet business is Vince? anything exciting?
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Londoner on January 31, 2010, 10:19:50 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: leapstallbuildings on January 31, 2010, 10:24:43 am
I intend to start earlier too.  Can't always do that at the moment as it's sometimes below freezing till mid/late morning but I will do this soon.  This will allow me to finish a bit earlier and do a bit of canvassing at the latter end of the day.
I just did a check on my figures and I'm actually about £50 up on my Jan 31 of last year (this is October 1 to Jan 31).  Not much I know but considering all the time off I've needed for freeze up I reckon it's OK.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: G Griffin on January 31, 2010, 10:30:12 am
Jack, you must take the credit. The snow just gave you the chance to think but you made the decisions.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 10:35:23 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Window Washers on January 31, 2010, 10:37:26 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
So hes selling eggs and baskets, thats very clever not many would think of that  ;D
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 10:42:19 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
So hes selling eggs and baskets, thats very clever not many would think of that  ;D
ha ha I should have known better!
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Window Washers on January 31, 2010, 11:01:22 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
So hes selling eggs and baskets, thats very clever not many would think of that  ;D
ha ha I should have known better!
Forgot to say well done Jack for changing things, they say every cloud has a silver lining  ;)
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Jack Wallace on January 31, 2010, 11:44:52 am
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
So hes selling eggs and baskets, thats very clever not many would think of that  ;D
ha ha I should have known better!
Fortot to say well done Jack for changing things, they say every cloud has a silver lining  ;)
Thank you.  I have just been through 4 of the worst years of my life where it seemed everything was against me, But 2010 is going to be a good year for me. I will make sure of it.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: gewindows on January 31, 2010, 11:50:02 am
Good thread Jack, thanks for that.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: rg1 on January 31, 2010, 02:08:30 pm
Nothing too exciting but a steady little earner on a small scale which should grow into a reasonable income. Its just basically selling stuff on ebay. The secret I have found after lots and lots of research is to buy the right stuff at the right price in the first place so I can sell it on.

Its a hedge for me against the risk in the future of a bad back or a trapped nerve that would stop me working. I know others that it has happened to. Theres also stuff like hosepipe bans and falls to take into account and as I get older the appeal of sitting on my backside on a computer rather than scrabbling about in people's icy gardens increases year by year.
  Good idea Vince. Eggs and baskets.
So hes selling eggs and baskets, thats very clever not many would think of that  ;D

Eggs in baskets is agood idea with Easter just around the corner ;D ;D
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: JSMC on January 31, 2010, 02:58:07 pm
so where yer ebay shop? link us as ye never know we may all on here throw business yer way
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: dave.e on January 31, 2010, 05:36:47 pm
my new yeas resolution was to stop in bed an extra 30 min. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 31, 2010, 06:38:59 pm
nice one dave my views aswell  just bought some ones round for 3k hes ad enough nice chap though hope hes sorted just need a lighter pole and a tank any advice on a cheap tank 250 ltr
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: dave.e on January 31, 2010, 07:00:01 pm
nice one dave my views aswell  just bought some ones round for 3k hes ad enough nice chap though hope hes sorted just need a lighter pole and a tank any advice on a cheap tank 250 ltr


Hi Alan i don,t know anyone that is selling a 250 but i will keep my ears open how local are you to brierley hill west midlands mate.
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 31, 2010, 07:08:18 pm
wolverhampton mate
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on January 31, 2010, 07:58:40 pm
give us a ring if you hear of anything mate 07768311378
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: dazmond on January 31, 2010, 11:11:21 pm
SNOW!it was the best thing to happen to my business for years..................errrrrrm!..........no it isnt!...................................................and its back again in the north west! ::) ::)

im still at least a month behind on some work  for the next 2 weeks! ::)

hopefully itll get done soon before my paris trip with the girlfriend in 3 weeks! ;D ;D

at least my bills are paid/food in the cupboard and roof over my head.i should be grateful for that at least!

lets hope the weather improves for all of us!

best wishes

dazmond
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: daz1977 on February 01, 2010, 03:15:48 pm
they reakon we are meant to be having snow in cornwall, what joy,  i finshed work on dec the 18, and have worked 1 days since really, either been snowing, when that finished here sister had a stroke so she had to go back to see her and i got stuck with the kids, she comes back and i get ready to work this week and end up with food poisoning (i think),  been sat in all day, hope the rest of week is great
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: dazmond on February 01, 2010, 05:52:11 pm
i hope u get better soon daz.ive been out in the snow today 1030-0430.thank god for extension poles! ;D ;D

best wishes

dazmond
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: Sean Dyer on February 01, 2010, 06:32:13 pm
its not snowing in manchester!! ??

been ok where i am

good thread jack, i work long hours its best thing, ireckon if i get finished in 4 days instead of 5 easy days id rather have a full day off

im currently using that time to fill my round to bursting point then will change fully wfp and hopefully in time be able to get through more work

at the minute i have a helper on downstairs so i reckon doing a house each, or front / back will speed up tremendously!! plus the supposed speed advantage of wfp over trad on domestic but only time will tell there!!

Well done though and good luck

Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on February 01, 2010, 07:04:54 pm
got stuck in a traffic jam for 2 hrs then went to work then got stuck in another for a hr m6 shut i think bugger did some work though hope u ok daz i always thought it was sunny and warm by u
Title: Re: SNOW!! It was the best thing for my business in years!
Post by: dazmond on February 01, 2010, 10:15:29 pm
it was ok to work even though there was a few inches of snow and ice on the ground.above freezing so water didnt freeze on the glass.no ladders strictly trad pole today! ;) ;) ;D ;D

a washout forecast tommorrow so haircut and swimming baths for me i think! ;D ;D

best wishes everyone.

dazmond