Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ste M on February 14, 2010, 10:35:29 pm
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How do you approch these? I have a few round my way and was thinking of giving them a knock but not sure if this is the right way to approach it, do you e-mail them first or is it just a case of knock and ask for the manager?
cheers ste
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I too am about to do this, From what I have been told it is the Facilities Manager we need to be contacting.
Not sure on the best way, Maybe a letter directed to their post, followed by a call?
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yes ive got a few round my way, also i know of one or two offices in the middle of nowhere so i definalty think there up for grabs and could be well worth it
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Wish you the best of luck mate.
I have absolutely loads of offices around here, only in a small ish town of about 40,000. Welwyn garden city.
Lots of big companies head offices.
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are there many wc's around there?
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Im not too sure to be honest mate. Some area's seem to be really taken. But I have hit a few good estates really.
Have seen about 8 other regular and reconsable wc/little firms, but there must be more.
Sometimes have a crap time canvassing due to jobs being taken. But again still pick stuff up.
Where you from??
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Liverpool mate, im about the only wfp in my area, i have pushed my round really hard the last few days and ive picked up some very nice jobs, its the first time ive done this and i found the no's hard at the start now i dont, i just thank thme for there time and move on, who's to say there only saying they have a wc just so they can get rid of you but afterwards they think you were nice, polite and very proffesional that they dont look at your leaflet and decide to give you a go.
I was hoping to get two new builds near me but when i got to them they had already gone to about the only other wfp guy near me, just sods law and as dissapointed as i was i soon forgot a bout it when i picked up a massive job the next day without even trying
manners cost nothing, i always say this to myself when i knock, if there rude then i still just says thanks for there time and bye.
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I always am polite and come across well. Dont think there is any way you can try and build a business or expect to be treated well without manors.
Missed out on a care home last month, Left it too late. But there will be more.
Few people with Wfp around here now, But always see them on their ladders??
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Ive got a feeling this year is going to be very good for me, if i do things right then i think i will grow to exactly how i want it, a few big contract would do nicely though, i got a nursery last week, inside and out as well every time, ;D
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Ste.
What I would do if I were you is get some flyers/cards made up and then call in at each home and try to speak to the manager or even the caretaker and leave a card.
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ste, i got 5k delivered the other day and the response ive had so far is brilliant, in fact its that good im scared of dropping to many haha. i will go round these homes and clubs next saturday i think mate.
cheers
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Any chance I could see your leaflets please Ste? Maybe email a copy? I have got my latest ones being delivered on Wednesday, A6 double sided 350gsm. Would send you a Pdf of that to have a look at?
5000 for canvassing, But going to order 20,000 when these are delivered if I can assure myself I will get a 0.5% return.
Are you delivering individually or in a bulk lot of leaflets and what sort of properties are you going with mate, All?
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Mailed!
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I do canvass any way. The leaflets where something to do in the days I dont have work, Which is too many considering how long I have been doing this.
8% is amazing. I am hoping for 0.5 minimum, But would be over the moon with 1%.
Going to get them out end of the week and weekend. Got three of us delivering them. And a fourth in the evening.
Misses is going to know and get some leads too.
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back at ya mate
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mine may be just down to luck, i also think my appearance and mannarisms help though, i spent 20 minutes chatting to an old lady on saturday, she lived in a huge house and was asking me about how it all works, i gave her all the info but she never asked for a qoute, i just handed my leaflet to her and had a nice chat, i then wished her a good day and said it was nice to talk to her, i have a feeling she will call back ;D
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I recently have had a few people that where very interested, More so than the usual il call you types. So hopefully they will call.
Think Il be out in the sticks on Saturday now!! ;D
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where in liverpool u from ste???
im only in ellesmere port
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where in liverpool u from ste???
im only in ellesmere port
knowsley mate
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I'm from Scottie road mate
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im from netherlwy origanally, posh part of liverpool
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i used to clean williie hills there ;D
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where is willie hills lammy?
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i used to work over there contracting for sefton council fittin upvc fascia and gutters thats knowsley isnt it???
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sefton council is more north end, i:e bootle and southport way
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sefton council is more north end, i:e bootle and southport way
come ed mate, you cant say Southport without giving Crosby and formby a mention ;D ;D ;D
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yes but crosby and formby always complain that southport gets all the attention so im just being consistent ;D
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Hi ste,
First thing is to try to find out as much as you can about the business. If it’s a care home then I would park outside one day, walk in and check how dirty a couple of the downstairs windows are – better out of sight of the reception entrance. I also suggest you phone the local council and ask them to send you out a list of all the care homes in the area. The list will have the names of managers, addresses and telephone No’s.
Usually start by phoning them up and asking the receptionist to tell you who is responsible for looking after the cleaning side of things. That is all you want to achieve at the moment. When the phone is answered most receptionists give their name so that’s the start.
“Good afternoon, ABC Care Home, Tracy speaking, how may I help you?”
“Hello Tracy, yes please can you help me. My name is Ste from Ste’s Window Cleaning. Please can you tell me who is responsible for all cleaning related matters in your Care Home?”
“It’s Joe Bloggs but he isn’t in at the moment (or busy, in a meeting etc.)”
“No problem. Please can you tell me what exactly his position is within your company, thank you.”
“Yes, he is our Cleaning Manager.”
“Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. I’ll try to contact Joe another time. Please can you tell me when the best time to catch him then?”
“First thing in the morning is best, usually before nine.”
“Thanks again Tracy, Bye”. Then put the phone down, your job for today is done. You take these steps as most receptionists think of themselves as the first line of defense against sales people - after all you are selling a service. You now also know that Joe, being the Cleaning Manager, won’t have the final authority to employ your services as it will probably need to be sanctioned by the MD as well.
Then phone the following day.
“Good morning, ABC Care Home, Tracy speaking, how can I help?”
“Hi Tracy, it’s Ste, please can I speak to Joe…….Joe Bloggs!” (Ask in a way that she believes you are a business acquaintance of Joe’s. This is a casual request as though you have a document in your possession from Joe that needs a small alteration before it can be actioned.)
When Joe answers the phone say, “Hi Joe, Tracy suggested that you are the very person I speak to with regard to cleaning matters at the Home. My name is Ste, and I was wondering if I could pop around at a time convenient to you to talk about the window cleaning service we offer to businesses such as yours. Is it more convenient for you if I pop around before nine or would you prefer it a little later on in the day?”
At this point you will then be told whether they would be interested in your services or not. Some Care Homes use outside window cleaners, others use their own cleaning staff. If the windows are not very clean, then you may offer to clean a few (a couple upstairs and a couple downstairs for free so they can evaluate your service – no more). It they use outside contractors, then try to find out if they are on an annual renewable contract, and if so when the renew date is due – so you can contact them about 6 – 8 weeks before that time. How are they cleaned, ie., do the cleaners still use ladders and what Health and Safety requirements does the care home adhere to? We have one around here that forbids their staff to use ladders but the window cleaner still uses his ladders. Write out a list of exploratory questions and practice these out loud so they roll off your tongue as it were before you speak to them. You have I mouth and 2 ears so let them talk and don’t butt into their response. Don’t jump into a pause in the conversation, but rather let them carry on with their thought.
Prepare a list of benefits that the Care Home will receive by using your service as opposed to someone else’s. Don’t be afraid to tell them how happy your customers are with your service and the lengths you go to, to ensure the water you use is 100% pure, etc.
If you make an appointment, please go well dressed and clean – I don’t think a suit is necessary, oh and also clean your van – first appearances mean everything. Take a note pad with you and look professional. If asked to quote, take your time and ask if you can take pictures of the building to refresh your memory while preparing their ‘estimate.’
Remember, use each phone call as a lesson on how to improve for the next one. Ask yourself what you did right and then what you would say differently next time.
Good luck.