[JJdomestics]

There is a new franchise domestic cleaning company started up in my area and has matched my hourly rate ( although they don't supply the cleaning products) and they pay thier cleaners alot more too. I had a call today which I believe was an information call rather than an honest enquiery and i'm a teeney weeney bit worried about how well they will do as they seem to do everything I do. They have even worded their leaflets almost the same.

[garyj]

Don't worry, the customers you have won't jump ship and it might even be a bonus for you!!! Just think of all the marketing and leaflets they will put out making people think of having there own cleaner, they might not want to go with a national company and it might be the jolt they needed to phone you.
There will always ( I hope!!) be competition, new companies starting, others going bust or packing it in.

Don't worry, it shows there is a market in your area, you'll be fine 

[JJdomestics]

ahh what an encouraging message thank you.

[martin19842]

hi there,

competition is good, it keeps you sharp and focussed.

regards

martin

[garyj]

ahh what an encouraging message thank you.

  . sshhh, don't tell anyone I'm actually NICE, its taken me years to hone my harshness  .


Martin is running a thriving business and at the time of his expansion a few years ago was offering to help anyone else setting up in the exact same line of business. That's how much he views competition.
If you are good and confident in yourself and the service you provide the customers will find YOU.

[myvanwi]

We have had franchises set up in our area, but they have paid a fortune for the franchise so have a lot of pressure on them to succeed. Within the first two years they carry on spending spending spending, most try to sell them on after a while. There are very few that make the money that they had expected to make when they took out a franchise. Also they are tied to a small geographical area that they can not go out of. The people who buy these franchises generally are not people that want to get their hands dirty and are looking for a management business. The last point is that they tend to follow the franchise plan to the letter and dont use their own initiative and business does not work that way.
If I were you I wouldn't give them a second thought, just carry on doing what you are doing and doing it to the best of your ability. Keep your eye on the franchise and see how long it takes them to make any money - usually year three if they last that long.

[JJdomestics]

They have placed ads on the local radio station and have very fancie advertising going on.  Ive been so stressed recently because of this. No one else has really bothered me as I offer little extra things like CRB checking staff that none of the other cleaning companies in my area do until now. Yep you are all right and I shall be putting my business head on and make sure all my clients are kept happy.

[martin19842]

hi there

myvani,  you wouldnt give them a second thought.  i would always consider them, even if its only to learn from their errors.

even if its a management franchise, in a competitive world they would have made some business decisions, to invest an amount of money.  if there plan is to exit within in say five years, then you get bet your boots, they will work hard to achieve a viable if not fantastically profitable business.

obsession with the competition is unhealthy too.

keep focussed, keep your business lean, the key to any successful business are orders and sales, even if the market tightens, you must always remember to continue your sales activity.

sell, sell, sell, and then resource to the sales level.

kepp your operation professional, and it makes life easier

regards

martin

[myvanwi]

They have placed ads on the local radio station and have very fancie advertising going on.  Ive been so stressed recently because of this. No one else has really bothered me as I offer little extra things like CRB checking staff that none of the other cleaning companies in my area do until now. Yep you are all right and I shall be putting my business head on and make sure all my clients are kept happy.

They wont be putting many ads on the radio as it is horrendously expensive. Also for many reasons radio is unlikely to have any impact. I have run a radio campaign myself for another business and it was a complete waste of money unless you can afford to run the radio ad for many months.

[JJdomestics]

It was really late at night when I heard the advert so not many people would have heard it. Mind you saying that I did. :-) . Someone I know had a brief interview with the owner and she told them that she doesn't have any hours at the moment but she could go on her books as a cleaner They have researched into my company as they mentioned me alot throughout the conversation. I think I am one of their main competitors and I wonder how they will try and get more business. I think they will up their game when the work doesnt flood in.

[glenda hollis]

Well you just concentrate on doing the wonderful job that you do. Domestic clients will not move if they are happy, no matter what they opposition charge or offer. Granted that it may limit your sucess in gaining new clients, but you haven't said whether you current priority is maintaining what you have or is finding new clients. Do you have as much work as you need? Do you have a rotation of clients or do they stay with you? If you are their main competition then no wonder they've been reading up about you, but i dont see that as a bad thing. Dont forget if they are a franchise they will be very limited and restricted as to what they can do  so sell yourself on your independance and use these new people to your advantage. I take it you dont want to name this outfit? Not even their initials?

[JJdomestics]

I do like a steady flow of new clients to keep my name out there. The majority of my clients have been with me since I started 4yrs ago so I don't think they would move but depending on what "special offers" they come up one or two maybe tempted. We shall see what turns up!

[glenda hollis]

Special offers is not enough to make people consider having complete strangers clean their home. Taking on a cleaner is a big trauma and a worry for most people. You could possibly charge 50% more than you do and your existing clients wouldnt flinch. I dont suggest you try this of course. My point is that if you are good then you wont lose anyone. If you do and they say its because of this new outfit then think long and hard as to weather this is the real truth or whether they were not as happy as you thought. You seem to have no problems keeping clients. Who are these new cleaners?