[MNWC]

Me and my old mucker LJ are going to quote one of the largest factorys in our area on Tuesday.

Were gonna turn up in his nice Volvo in smart but casual dress.

We know roughly the right prices per window for this area but what can we do to stand out from all the rest and hopefully get the job.

Marcus...

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

Turn up in smart dress no casual about it. Wear a suit and tie. Or maybe  uniform, but clean. Most of these places are driven by 2 things 1 cost 2 health and safety. Work out what's most important to then and sell yourself as either value for money or a safe contractor.

Simon.

[MNWC]

Do you really think that a suit is necessary ?

we were thinking smart jeans,shirt and some sort of jacket ??

[Chris Galloway]

Maybe think about the wow factor!

They might remember you guys for wearing suits! compared to anyone else turning up in casual dress.

dress to impress as they always say

[steven ainger]

what about shoes, trousers and a logo,d jacket, if you have one, smart but also advertising who you are

[Roy Harding]

Dress well as already said.

Shake their hand with a warm smile and hand them a business portfolio with ( sample risk assessments – method statements – and copies of any certification – insurance )

Get them to walk you around the site, and use the time to build a friendship.

Stop before going back in and say that you want the job and they want them done, you have a figure in mind. Then ask does he, come to an agreement that suits you both.

Then put it in writing to them straight away.

Roy

[Tosh]

I'd say a uniform is a must; when I say uniform, a pair of clean work trousers (Regatta for example), a signwritten top; clean shaven; no piercings; short-back-and-sides haircut.

Definately not 'smart-but-casual'; that's what you wear to go out on the 'hoy' on a Friday night! :

I'd also say if you want the job (though some may disagree), you've got to go in cheap.  Say stuff like, 'We offer a high-impact-low-cost solution to your window cleaning requirements'; they love that sort of stuff.  I'd suggest some sort of cleaning frequency which does the exterior WFP more often than the pain-in-the-ass interior; where you've got desks to climb over and stuff.  Something like exterior cleaned every-other-month and interior cleaned every-other-clean.

All you're saying is that you'll clean the stuff that needs cleaning well, and cut the corners they don't mind cutting.  But don't say that.

But do tell them that you're a 'safe pair of hands', and comply with all current H & S legislation and will provide a risk assessment, method statement and a copy of your public liability insurance.

The winner of the bid will be the cheapest company who they feel is able to do the job competantly, safely, and without any fuss.

[lovewindows]

Dress well as already said.

Shake their hand with a warm smile and hand them a business portfolio with ( sample risk assessments – method statements – and copies of any certification – insurance )

Get them to walk you around the site, and use the time to build a friendship.

Stop before going back in and say that you want the job and they want them done, you have a figure in mind. Then ask does he, come to an agreement that suits you both.

Then put it in writing to them straight away.

Roy

Agree with all the above apart from the smart DRESS or do you normally crossdress ?

[Tosh]

Roy has a good point; social skills are important. 

[clean]

Agree with all the above apart from the smart DRESS or do you normally crossdress ? Grin

Tosh does     

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

If you see a man in a suit you automatically think he means or is in business. You see a man in smart casual and you think he's out th have a good time or go shopping.

Uniform might work, but if you wear uniform your not the top dog just a manager or supervisor.

Simon.

[Chris Galloway]

If you see a man in a suit you automatically think he means or is in business. You see a man in smart casual and you think he's out th have a good time or go shopping.

Uniform might work, but if you wear uniform your not the top dog just a manager or supervisor.

Simon.

Very good point! I'll remember that

[Pristine Clean]

I'd say a uniform is a must; when I say uniform, a pair of clean work trousers (Regatta for example), a signwritten top; clean shaven; no piercings; short-back-and-sides haircut.

Definately not 'smart-but-casual'; that's what you wear to go out on the 'hoy' on a Friday night! :

I'd also say if you want the job (though some may disagree), you've got to go in cheap.  Say stuff like, 'We offer a high-impact-low-cost solution to your window cleaning requirements'; they love that sort of stuff.  I'd suggest some sort of cleaning frequency which does the exterior WFP more often than the pain-in-the-ass interior; where you've got desks to climb over and stuff.  Something like exterior cleaned every-other-month and interior cleaned every-other-clean.

All you're saying is that you'll clean the stuff that needs cleaning well, and cut the corners they don't mind cutting.  But don't say that.

But do tell them that you're a 'safe pair of hands', and comply with all current H & S legislation and will provide a risk assessment, method statement and a copy of your public liability insurance.

The winner of the bid will be the cheapest company who they feel is able to do the job competantly, safely, and without any fuss.

Yep agree with all that, I must say Tosh, if I had the sense that you have my business would be worth alot more, I will continue to read all of your posts as they either have me in histerics or always good advice.

Dave

[MNWC]

Ok the general consensus looks like to put on trousers and shirt plus a jacket.

and give him the old chit chat about health and safety  blah blah.

What do you use to write on when your going round the site with him ?? Brand new pad ? Clipboard ? A4 Diary ?

Marcus...

[D woods]

Hi Guys
I have priced a lot  commercial premises over the years and I would say smart dress is a must.

[David Slater]

Ok the general consensus looks like to put on trousers and shirt plus a jacket.

and give him the old chit chat about health and safety  blah blah.

What do you use to write on when your going round the site with him ?? Brand new pad ? Clipboard ? A4 Diary ?

Marcus...

A well thumbed black leather A4 size notepad (with A4 pad inside plus space for business cards/mobile/and things!) ....avaible from Tesco for around a tenner and comes with an A4 pad included.

Pull a few pages off the A4 pad or ruffle them slightly or jot down some imaginary quotes on the first few pages....dont want him to think he's the first person you've ever approached with it!



 

[Tosh]

Yep agree with all that, I must say Tosh, if I had the sense that you have my business would be worth alot more, I will continue to read all of your posts as they either have me in histerics or always good advice.

Dave

Thank you for the compliment; but remember I'm still very 'micky mouse'; and I don't mean that too derogatory; I'm doing okay, but I'm basically a one-man-band who works with his Missis when she's in the 'mood' (about three-days-per-week ), but she normally works about four-days-a-week .

I've only been window cleaning for seven years; (in Feb 09), so I'm still very wet behind the ears; I can use a squeegie and stuff.

But I've been lucky enough to quote and help quote for some big contracts; but I've messed up on all of them for one reason or another; mostly due to under-or-over-pricing; or by trying to do a top-job for too-little money.

But I do learn by my mistakes and I rarely get it wrong now.

It's all experience, but experience is the thing you haven't got when you need it the most.

So my point is, don't 'listen' to me too much; I'm no window cleaning guru.

[Tosh]

Marcus,

Let us know what happened, how you got on, and if you got the job.

I'd be interested.

[Andrew McCann]

The winner of the bid will be the cheapest company who they feel is able to do the job competantly, safely, and without any fuss.

Absolutely spot on Tosh.

Andrew

[NWH]

If your looking for wow factor turn up in a thong and a bow tie lol,the women custies love it.