[Alex Gardiner]

HI Rainwater,

When I left school I was looking for a job that paid well, had low hassle and was flexible on hours allowing me time for other pursuits. My Dad ran a successful window cleaning business and had done so for a few years, (he used to be in the city in banking but gave it up when the ulcers appeared), I joined as a junior member of the team and despite several forays into other business's I always carried on with window cleaning.

Now many years down the line I wouldn't want to do anything else, apart from sipping a long drink beside a pool in Menorca!!

[matt]

You have mentioned your hols and again if that is bragging it's harmless. The one that impressed me that you managed to slip in the other day when talking about future plans was that you might be do another degree.

yes, another ?? ??  iv mentioned my building background and my degree in building studies in the past, why, i added "another" was i didnt want people who remmber everything i write to say " your a liar, you said last oct that you had a degree", and it does happen

[Londoner]

Its true what you say about a quality van being a turnoff. If I saw one of those franchise vans working in one of "my" streets I would be round that house like a shot as soon as they were gone.
I have never and would never nick a job off another shiner but those franchise outfits overcharge and are fair game.

[Clive McDonald]

You realise that concept 02 site sponsors may be some of what you are talking about. They are a very good set up.

I wanted you to continue your idea vince of us concocting a course between us.(well maybe not me, but I could help with the editing or the presentation or something).

[Davew]

Don't think Concept 20 is a franchise. Cracking looking set up though. Probably better for the commercial work where image may be more important?

[Londoner]

Rain Water, I was pointing out that the carpet cleaning industry has a whole range of courses that you can go on. These courses include practical stuff as well as marketing strategies etc.
I wonder why the same has not happened with window cleaning. The existence of suitable courses would draw some of the interest away from the franchise operators who in my opinion are just ripping off gullable people by presenting a bit of training, some headed notepaper and a van system as a franchise.

I have no desire to get involved myself. I ran training courses for many years when I worked for Kodak and they are hard work. But some of the people who are known experts in their chosen fields would have a lot to offer. The seminars at windex last year showed promise I thought.

[Clive McDonald]

Let's not argue about how widely you can define franchise. Let's just say anything that is well packaged and involves a simple stick to strategy- like having the best equipment and operational marketing methods- concept o2, or Ionics for example?

As for new vans putting people off if there were two Taxi's on your rank, a brand new black cab, or a rusty old banger most people would go with the nice one and it wouldn't occur to say this taxi drivers making too much money.(the other taxi drivers would be the only ones thinking that)

Funny you mention Kodak, they  lost their business because they didn't guess that digital photography would take off and take over so completly.

Carpet people do all that switch and bait stuff. We don't need to trick people.