[Dave Willis]

Ian, how many Franchisees did you need to come off the tools completely may I ask?

[Ian Lancaster]

6

[Dave Willis]

Thanks 

[8weekly]

6

[Ian Lancaster]

That was to give me an income at least as  much as I could earn on the tools by myself.  Bearing in mind I now work about 2-3 hours a week (except when I'm canvassing) I reckon that's not bad

[8weekly]

That was to give me an income at least as  much as I could earn on the tools by myself.  Bearing in mind I now work about 2-3 hours a week (except when I'm canvassing) I reckon that's not bad

That's the reason I decided to employ to be honest. The returns are far greater for an employer. Of course I accept that so is the stress and then there is VAT and so on. I reckon two full time employees are needed to achieve the same result. Anyway, I've no wish to hijack and I accept it's horses for courses.

[Spruce]

If I was employed full time as a canvasser by anyone, I would want to know what was expected of me to succeed and I would want to know what the long term prospects were/are for me. I would also want to understand how my employer would handle those leads or customers I signed up as it would be important to my job satisfaction.

A short term canvasser will be told that X number of leads are required and this is the pay. If any of those drop out then they are either replaced or deducted from the bill.

Ian's experience is probably much better than mine, but how many leads can you process a day? In other words, if I got 5 qualified leads today, and 10 tomorrow and 10 the following day, are you geared up to do all those first cleans and integrate them into your customer base? As you are slowly growing your business getting another franchisee on board and up to speed doesn't happen over night. Have you got time to do both?

I would also consider that 10 leads at £15 average per clean isn't going to pay my wages, even if a first clean premium is obtained.

I would immediately realise that my future career prospects as a canvasser with the business hinges on how well you, as my employer, handle those leads. If you can't handle them because you haven't the infrastructure or staff to do it, then my job won't last long.

[Perfect Windows]

I have the ability to knock.  I've been a salesman all my working life.

It's very simple.  I still clean windows.  I want customers to be coming in while I'm working. Leaflets do that and I'm thinking through whether employed canvassers would do the same.

Vin

[Katy]

I think this is getting over complicated, employ somebody for sure, but its a numbers game, I make 25 calls an hour for commercial work....... Maybe just dip your toe, try somebody that you trust, and take it from there... Theres risk attached to most things, give it a shot and if it dosent work, least you know.  Vin youve just said your a salesperson??? Im only questioning that as I have been for 25 years

[Katy]

@ Dave Willis I think the saying is work smarter not harder

[Spruce]

I think this is getting over complicated, employ somebody for sure, but its a numbers game, I make 25 calls an hour for commercial work....... Maybe just dip your toe, try somebody that you trust, and take it from there... Theres risk attached to most things, give it a shot and if it dosent work, least you know.  Vin youve just said your a salesperson??? Im only questioning that as I have been for 25 years

So has Vin 

[Perfect Windows]

If I was employed full time as a canvasser by anyone, I would want to know what was expected of me to succeed and I would want to know what the long term prospects were/are for me. I would also want to understand how my employer would handle those leads or customers I signed up as it would be important to my job satisfaction. Good point

A short term canvasser will be told that X number of leads are required and this is the pay. If any of those drop out then they are either replaced or deducted from the bill.I'm open to all ideas about how to pay

Ian's experience is probably much better than mine, but how many leads can you process a day? In other words, if I got 5 qualified leads today, and 10 tomorrow and 10 the following day, are you geared up to do all those first cleans and integrate them into your customer base? As you are slowly growing your business getting another franchisee on board and up to speed doesn't happen over night. Have you got time to do both?We could handle pretty much any number up to about 15 a day.  The existing franchisees all want to grow and there's generally a new one hoping to up to speed as fast as possible

I would also consider that 10 leads at £15 average per clean isn't going to pay my wages, even if a first clean premium is obtained. I think the problem is not the one of paying enough when the leads are coming in but being able to pay when times are slow, e.g. through winter

I would immediately realise that my future career prospects as a canvasser with the business hinges on how well you, as my employer, handle those leads. If you can't handle them because you haven't the infrastructure or staff to do it, then my job won't last long.Good point, well made

Thanks for the comments; plenty of food for thought. 

I thik I may be more minded to paying an hourly rate to avoid reluctant customers recruited because the knocker needed the deal.  I know it brings up other problems, of course.

[Perfect Windows]

I think this is getting over complicated, employ somebody for sure, but its a numbers game, I make 25 calls an hour for commercial work....... Maybe just dip your toe, try somebody that you trust, and take it from there... Theres risk attached to most things, give it a shot and if it dosent work, least you know.  Vin youve just said your a salesperson??? Im only questioning that as I have been for 25 years

I was a salesman from 21 until I started in WC, so 26 years.

I know there's risk attached to everything; I started a business when I didn't need to, for heaven's sake.  There's being prepared to take a risk and there's complete recklessness with any potential employee's life - it would be unfair of me not to be sure before I took someone on.   I'm far less concerned about any risk to me than the risk to anyone I took on.

[Katy]

You must have savvy then?  If you were a salesperson, surely you would look for those qualities in somebody else?  Im only observing.....

[Katy]

I dont understand the risk? you try it out, you set guidelines and if it dosent work it dosent work, its getting rather complicated, you pay a wage for a certain amount of hours  - its not difficult, why make it hard work?

[Dave Willis]

@ Dave Willis I think the saying is work smarter not harder

It's a P take 

[Katy]

cool

[Perfect Windows]

I dont understand the risk? you try it out, you set guidelines and if it dosent work it dosent work, its getting rather complicated, you pay a wage for a certain amount of hours  - its not difficult, why make it hard work?

Katy, I'll say it again.  I'm not particularly worried about risk on my behalf.  The risk lies in employing someone, finding out it isn't working and having to tell them their job's gone.  It's not in my style to take someone on without thinking it through if by doing that I do harm.  I can take the risk but I don't see why an employee should take more risk than absolutely necessary.

All I've asked for is some advice from people who've done what I'm contemplating.  Nothing more.  I'm trying to glean information.  I'm not trying to justify anything or to argue a case.  I'm not overcomplicating it; I'm just trying to find out other people's experiences.

[Katy]

ok

[Mick Kent]

Why don't you just use Mark at Whizz Bizz and be done with it?? its value for money and you get guarantee for your buck! he lives less than 20 miles from you, could realy transform your business??. no decent door to door salesman are hourly paid, you will be paying someone to doodle up and down roads and not giving it there all! door to door canvassers all thrive on commission!. The tried and tested 1 clean value of job works a treat.
You seem to like over complicating things that are realy straight forward. If your not prepared to do it yourself or pay commission to someone you take on then give Mark a call! you wont go far wrong!.