[Nathanael Jones]

You may have noticed the new URL in my signature recently,.. and many thanks to all those that have already e-mailed the admin team asking about this project, and offering their support.

I'm happy to say that the Guild will officially open its doors at midnight tonight!

For more info take a look at www.mgwc.org

[TennetClean]

My opinion:

Bad name - sounds super old fashioned

Bad Branding - that coat of arms style logo is just terrible and re-inforces the old fashionedness

Bad website - looks homemade, map of the world but NO members anywhere
resource page with nothing of much substance on it except links to other home-made looking not very professional websites

Bad joining procedure - we have to send YOU references, but who are you? also how much does it cost? what are the member benefits?  I cant see any at all

Bad idea - federation is in decline, the APWC despite hard efforts has failed, the whole idea of associations for window cleaners is a dead duck.  Nobody cares.

No offense Nathaniel, i dont mean to be unduly negative, but we've seen things like this before, they last a few months then they disappear.  To launch anything of any worth takes a serious amount of dosh, and even then window cleaners just don't care about joining stuff, me included.

My advice would be forget it and concentrate on your own business.

[Cleaner Windows]

well, I'll see how it goes for a bit and then I might think about joining, £1 per month is reasonable  good luck with it, although nathaniel may have a point about the coat of arms thing  (no offence either)

Denis

[Nathanael Jones]

My opinion:

Bad name - sounds super old fashioned

Bad Branding - that coat of arms style logo is just terrible and re-inforces the old fashionedness

Bad website - looks homemade, map of the world but NO members anywhere
resource page with nothing of much substance on it except links to other home-made looking not very professional websites

Bad joining procedure - we have to send YOU references, but who are you? also how much does it cost? what are the member benefits?  I cant see any at all

Bad idea - federation is in decline, the APWC despite hard efforts has failed, the whole idea of associations for window cleaners is a dead duck.  Nobody cares.

No offense Nathaniel, i dont mean to be unduly negative, but we've seen things like this before, they last a few months then they disappear.  To launch anything of any worth takes a serious amount of dosh, and even then window cleaners just don't care about joining stuff, me included.

My advice would be forget it and concentrate on your own business.

Positive and supportive as always TennetClean! 

The name was put to a vote,.. forum members chose, not me (I do like it though!)

The coat of arms, again put to a vote

The "website with NO members",.... errr well,... the Guild only opened today,... we have a load of applications, but its going to be a few days before members are approved and appear on the website.

I don't think the Fed and APWC have "failed",... its just the average window cleaner would only use a fraction of the benefits and services that they offer, and therefore finds it hard to justify the member fee. The Guild offers a lot less,.. but with member fee's of £1 a month we're getting a huge amount of interest.

I'd also like to point out that I don't make and money out of this,.. I've paid my member fee like everyone else. The Guild is run voluntarily and on a non-profit basis. Any excess funds will be given back to the members through competition prizes etc.

[aztec]

im in mate just sent off the online form
regards
Lee

[Mr H]

My opinion:

Bad name - sounds super old fashioned

Bad Branding - that coat of arms style logo is just terrible and re-inforces the old fashionedness

Bad website - looks homemade, map of the world but NO members anywhere
resource page with nothing of much substance on it except links to other home-made looking not very professional websites

Bad joining procedure - we have to send YOU references, but who are you? also how much does it cost? what are the member benefits?  I cant see any at all

Bad idea - federation is in decline, the APWC despite hard efforts has failed, the whole idea of associations for window cleaners is a dead duck.  Nobody cares.

No offense Nathaniel, i dont mean to be unduly negative, but we've seen things like this before, they last a few months then they disappear.  To launch anything of any worth takes a serious amount of dosh, and even then window cleaners just don't care about joining stuff, me included.

My advice would be forget it and concentrate on your own business.

I'm glad you think its "Old Fashioned" as it might well help to promote "old fashioned" values such as doing a profssional job and putting value for money ahead of just profit.

If it does disappear in a few months then at least it was tried....

Regards
Mr H

[aztec]

mt thoughts exactly mr h i like the old fashioned statement its trying to make, people seem to trust this sort of image

[Kentish Poleman]

Anything that aids the promotion of a trade is welcome; but there is another one which associates itself in an all encompasing role with 'skilled' industries which is not worth the paper it's written on. I wont name names becuse of likely legal proceedings, but many of you will know the logo on the side of very many different trade's vehicles.  And why dont I like this outfit? Because basically you buy into it, you dont earn it. That is a world of difference in my opinion.

[matt]

The name was put to a vote,.. forum members chose, not me (I do like it though!)

The coat of arms, again put to a vote

Im on a few forums, ive never seen or heard of this till now

what forums ? ? ? ? its not like that secret funny handhshake gang is it ? ? ? ?

[jouk45]

good luck with it nathan, and i hope it works, i think its a good idea, £1 a month who can grumble with that,

[*Chris Browne]

Anything that helps any trade, anywhere, anyhow.............has got to be a bonus, surely? if it goes tits up, then youve lost a quid : Good luck nat.

Chris

[Nathanael Jones]

To everyone who registered since the official launch at midnight (and the few cheeky ones who didn't even wait that long!),..
I've a stack of applications to go through, but I will be getting back to each and every one of you in the next day or 2.

To join, proof of insurance is required (And a valid licence if you are in Scotland), so to speed up the whole process, find your documents, scan them and have them ready to e-mail!
Anyone who doesn't have access to a scanner can fax them in,.. but e-mail is preferred where possible (Save the tree's etc!)

[Bonkors]

Bad Branding - that coat of arms style logo is just terrible and re-inforces the old fashionedness

probably why it was chosen by whoever chose it! they may think it looks more authentic, somewhat representing an establishment.

[sgibsoncleaning]

i like the idea but i must admit i dont like the logo. i would prefer something more modern and eye catching to use. all the other guilds and federations promise a lot but all we need is something to reassure customers that we are legit and insured

[poleman]

I wise you all the luck in the world, as you are going to need it, your better off spending your time on your business, but its a free counrty, so good luck

I wont be joining but still its good to see people standing up and making a change

[Cleaner Windows]

i like the idea but i must admit i dont like the logo. i would prefer something more modern and eye catching to use. all the other guilds and federations promise a lot but all we need is something to reassure customers that we are legit and insured

I agree, I don't know about more modern and eyecatching though, I think it would have you would have to be very carefull choosing one thats modern looking? I say that because I think with something like a guild people might feel more at ease and trusting of an old looking design (maybe I'm wrong?) I think the one nathaniel has got looks a bit too dull and unclear, but then maybe thats just because its an avatar  
I hope it all works out though  

[jouk45]

nathan was bored today heres my badge 
you could have the words the guild of master window cleaners, arched round the brickwork

[sgibsoncleaning]

not what i meant by modern, but something that on the side of my van could instently be reconissed as window cleaning without reading the word.

[bluez]

Initiative, enthusiasm, and action what a combination.

Who cares if some don't like the logo, they don't have to join.  Well done, nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Nathanael Jones]

The guild logo was designed primarily to be printed on transparent 3 year vinyl as a vehicle decal,.. so the silver/grey was chosen as it will work no matter what colour your van is.
Guild members can download versions in red/blue/green/gold etc,.. whichever suits their stationary/website best. My favourite personally is the blue.
At avatar size it does look dismal though!