[Lee Burbidge]

http://www.windowcleaningmagazine.co.uk/blog/is-your-business-incomplete-without-trade-representation/

This topic has been debated a few times. My thoughts......... your responses, more questions asked about us and about them.

[[GQC] Tim]

(Advertise/canvass) Potential customer rings, give quote, house holder agrees to price/frequency, clean house/building, get paid.

So I guess that's a no.

I have yet to be told anything that would change my mind. I've asked, but nobody can give me a good answer as to why I should join a federation.

[Ian101]

Yes and no

[mlscontractcleaner]

(Advertise/canvass) Potential customer rings, give quote, house holder agrees to price/frequency, clean house/building, get paid.

So I guess that's a no.

I have yet to be told anything that would change my mind. I've asked, but nobody can give me a good answer as to why I should join a federation.

Can't help but agree with this man.

[bobplum]

"Why are window cleaners not seeing that the joining of a trade body is as important as buying a bucket and squeegee?.".......bucket and squeegee" bring in money,not take it away
Why do i need to join a organisation to preform my daily business functions?...i Dont
Will it set me a part from other w/cs....No,there are good professional window cleaners across the uk joining a organisation will not make them any better(imo) and if i do join does that mean i am more professional and not a cowboy?...no i dont think so unless i am a cowboy but then you did bring that up a few days ago on here and as we can see there are many definitions of a cowboy

Will it help sell my business to the customer on the door...no,price(predominately) and service are what counts not a logo,it may help with commercial work but i am not really interested in commercial
It may help with up to date information regarding health and safety issues but then so does the CIU and thats free

IN MY OPINION for the average sole trader this is a waste of money it will not enhance your business in any way as long as this industry is not regulated,ie licences or nvq being a minimum requirement only then will this put window cleaners in a different light to the public and the likes of the FWC will have more of a say and influence.

I have been in many organisations as a Plumber,Driving Instructor,being in the umbrella organisations doesn't do anything for your business but having all the right qualifications in the industry's i have worked in does and thats the difference
i look forward to any ones responses........let the argument begin

[rg1]

"Why are window cleaners not seeing that the joining of a trade body is as important as buying a bucket and squeegee?.".......bucket and squeegee" bring in money,not take it away
Why do i need to join a organisation to preform my daily business functions?...i Dont
Will it set me a part from other w/cs....No,there are good professional window cleaners across the uk joining a organisation will not make them any better(imo) and if i do join does that mean i am more professional and not a cowboy?...no i dont think so unless i am a cowboy but then you did bring that up a few days ago on here and as we can see there are many definitions of a cowboy

Will it help sell my business to the customer on the door...no,price(predominately) and service are what counts not a logo,it may help with commercial work but i am not really interested in commercial
It may help with up to date information regarding health and safety issues but then so does the CIU and thats free

IN MY OPINION for the average sole trader this is a waste of money it will not enhance your business in any way as long as this industry is not regulated,ie licences or nvq being a minimum requirement only then will this put window cleaners in a different light to the public and the likes of the FWC will have more of a say and influence.

I have been in many organisations as a Plumber,Driving Instructor,being in the umbrella organisations doesn't do anything for your business but having all the right qualifications in the industry's i have worked in does and thats the difference
i look forward to any ones responses........let the argument begin

Totally agree with this. I am a sole trader and organisations related to my work are for me, a complete waste of time.

[Fin Clearview]

I was once a member of the Federation of master window and general cleaners association, tbh I don't think it improved my business, no client ever asked if I was a member and although they sent me some hse info and PDF logo's for the van - I dropped them after 2 years membership.

[Lee Burbidge]

(Advertise/canvass) Potential customer rings, give quote, house holder agrees to price/frequency, clean house/building, get paid.

So I guess that's a no.

I have yet to be told anything that would change my mind. I've asked, but nobody can give me a good answer as to why I should join a federation.

Hey mayet, just seen your post.... what would change your mind?

[Lee Burbidge]

Yes and no

Why a yes and why a no? 

[Lee Burbidge]

(Advertise/canvass) Potential customer rings, give quote, house holder agrees to price/frequency, clean house/building, get paid.

So I guess that's a no.

I have yet to be told anything that would change my mind. I've asked, but nobody can give me a good answer as to why I should join a federation.

Can't help but agree with this man.

I do see his point but INO what would change things for you? Have you seen whats on offer at WCRA for it members, for example? Is that more the type of trade bod support you would like?

[Ian101]

I have been in many organisations as a Plumber,Driving Instructor,being in the umbrella organisations

didnt know you worked in the umbrella trade Bob 

[Lee Burbidge]

"Why are window cleaners not seeing that the joining of a trade body is as important as buying a bucket and squeegee?.".......bucket and squeegee" bring in money,not take it away
Why do i need to join a organisation to preform my daily business functions?...i Dont
Will it set me a part from other w/cs....No,there are good professional window cleaners across the uk joining a organisation will not make them any better(imo) and if i do join does that mean i am more professional and not a cowboy?...no i dont think so unless i am a cowboy but then you did bring that up a few days ago on here and as we can see there are many definitions of a cowboy

Will it help sell my business to the customer on the door...no,price(predominately) and service are what counts not a logo,it may help with commercial work but i am not really interested in commercial
It may help with up to date information regarding health and safety issues but then so does the CIU and thats free

IN MY OPINION for the average sole trader this is a waste of money it will not enhance your business in any way as long as this industry is not regulated,ie licences or nvq being a minimum requirement only then will this put window cleaners in a different light to the public and the likes of the FWC will have more of a say and influence.

I have been in many organisations as a Plumber,Driving Instructor,being in the umbrella organisations doesn't do anything for your business but having all the right qualifications in the industry's i have worked in does and thats the difference
i look forward to any ones responses........let the argument begin

Good point, what do you consider would help your business? Sole traders have to be supported more by trade bod's?

[Lee Burbidge]

I was once a member of the Federation of master window and general cleaners association, tbh I don't think it improved my business, no client ever asked if I was a member and although they sent me some hse info and PDF logo's for the van - I dropped them after 2 years membership.

Why did you join in the first place? What did you expect from joining? And what was missing for you to drop the Fed? 

[Lee Burbidge]

I have been in many organisations as a Plumber,Driving Instructor,being in the umbrella organisations

didnt know you worked in the umbrella trade Bob 

lol

[Ian101]

Yes and no

Why a yes and why a no?  

No if your just doing normal residential but Ive been thinking of going after some large properties and from an apperance point of view it may look better in the rich posh customers eyes i.e. professional / legitamite etc etc however in reality we all know this dont gurantee anything its just appearance.

[Lee Burbidge]

Yes and no

Why a yes and why a no?  

No if your just doing normal residential but Ive been thinking of going after some large properties and from an apperance point of view it may look better in the rich posh customers eyes i.e. professional / legitamite etc etc however in reality we all know this dont gurantee anything its just appearance.

I guess. Is it fair to say that if somebody is not a member of any trade bod it may be viewed as an oversight by potential customers who may wonder what else this window cleaner does not bother with? Admittedly resi customer are not too bothered but in this area trade bod representation may offer a small comfort of professionalism since the market might be flooded with less professional window cleaners that choose not even to take out a liability insurance?

[William McCafferty]

I am a member of the FSB they cater for all small businesses and offer more than just a free magazine and a sticky label for the van.

[Frankybadboy]

and what about the windys who claim to be in a trade  organisation  and actually are not.

what do they do about this?

[trevor perry]

i am a member of the federation and to be honest dont think it does enough for our industry ie clarryfying work at height regulations into set  dos and donts for fed members, as for helping sole traders my father who was a member of federation  in the 60s remembers that if a member was off work due to illness or a fall etc other members would carry out his round and give the ill membere a percentage of the money to live on till he was better its a shame the same trust of members doesnt exist today.

[Fin Clearview]

I was once a member of the Federation of master window and general cleaners association, tbh I don't think it improved my business, no client ever asked if I was a member and although they sent me some hse info and PDF logo's for the van - I dropped them after 2 years membership.

Why did you join in the first place? What did you expect from joining? And what was missing for you to drop the Fed?  

Tbh I was starting out when I joined, I didnt really know what I wanted except that by joining and being able to use the logo it would improve my image and set me apart from the competition. During the membership I didn't feel it was making much of a difference, it wasnt recognised enough, and it wasn't even regulated, phone up pay your subs that was it, no quality control. I understood that it was never going to be like 'corgi' is for plumbers, but I would only want in again if window cleaning had to have a governing body and I don't think that will ever happen, do you?