[richyvezy]

Hi guys/gals

Appologies for not posting recently but I've been busy trawling through all the various threads gathering as much info as I can. Don't want to bother you guys with questions that have already been answered.

However, I do now have a question (or two) for you. At a recent visit to a Business Manager in our local bank, she mentioned that in her experience of dealing with cleaning companies that start in the domestic side (as ours will do) most potential clients prefer to have their home cleaned on a Friday or a Monday and that we may struggle to find clients who will agree to have their home cleaned during the middle of the week. Is this true and has anyone experienced this hurdle ?

Cheers

Richy

[Cinders]

Hi,

I have heard this too but from personal experience I have not found this the case, I have an even number of clients spread throughout each day of the week!

Thinking about it, clients who have young children tend to be the end or beginning of the week this might be due to the mess the kids make over the weekend and the further mess they make during the week!  The more elderly clients I have just take what is available!

After getting 30 replies back to my questionnaire (for business plan) the most popular day that came out WAS friday in the age group of 26 - 35.  But I would also like to add that this sample also said they wouldnt have a cleaner because they couldnt afford it.

 

[richyvezy]

Hi Cinders

Thanks for your reply. That's a bit of a relief to know. I wasn't sure if she was trying to put us off for some reason, maybe her Son/Daughter is a potential competitor
Going by what you said about your questionaire, I take it the majority of your client's are 35+. Is this correct ? Also interested to know how and where you conducted this questionaire ?

Richy

[mxg]

Richy

I would agree. If you ask people for their preferred day of the week they will generally say Friday and on our domestic rounds it is the first/easiest day to fill.

But its not impossible to "educate" your clients and also to use a little bit of psychology too

Here's what I do

I ask people if they they have a preferred day of the week

If they are not fussy I will say "I think we have a vacant slot on a Tue/Wed/Thu" or wherever you are trying to plug. Keep your premium slots for those that really want them.

If people want 2 visits per week I try and encourage them to go Tues & Thursday

You can "sell" Monday by saying that "its just after the weekend, they don't have to worry over the weekend" because it will all be sorted Monday.

The other thing to "sell" is the regularity - if its going to be done once a week every week THEN IT DOESNT really matter what day of the week it is.

Another thing you can do is have a waiting list for Premium Days because its a simple fact of life that customers come and go and for a variety of reasons- we can put you on Tues for now but when a vacancy comes up for ,,,,, we can swop you.

Hope this helps - its a bit more practical than theory for a business plan


Mick

[richyvezy]

Mick

Very good advise there mate, very much appreciated. I'm beginning to get my head around the "selling" aspect of it. If you portray yourself in the right professional manner the client will hopefully be impressed enough to accept the day(s) you have to offer. Practice will make perfect as they say.....

Cheers

Richy

[Cinders]

Hi,

My questionairre was compiled and distributed by my business advisor to everyone in her office which are all women.  (Train 2000).

At the moment I would say I have the majority of my clients are mothers to be on maternity leave, and elderly clients who cant manage some aspects of cleaning anymore.

Im yet to get a call from a bachelor or young professionals which when setting up the business I thought would be my target market! strange!

But still early days in my business, lots to learn!

 

[John Kelly]

Most of the "business advisers" I have come across haven't got a clue.

[richyvezy]

John

I've been warned of that but as it's free it can't hurt and if I get something out of it even better.
 
We have also been in contact with a business advisor from a local Enterprise agency who, being a young business man himself (currently running 2 small businesses) seems more on our level.  He's promised alot so time will tell if it pays dividends.

Richy