[Sir Squeaky]

Hmmm....listening to customers, keeping abreast, networking... still not answer.
It's not going to give you more work or better work.

I never said it WAS a waste of time, I'm just waiting to hear a reason why it isn't.
So far no-one has one...

It's like talking to politicians.

[Gleaming windows]

Have you ever been to Windex Roger?

[AuRavelling79]

Squeaky - now come on! Don't be coy - you know old slumps is exaggerating the point to put over your general demeanour - and he's pretty much spot on!  

[Moderator David@stives]

We all know this thread will go around in circles, can we just move on.

the Question is "Windex Why ?

Not will a squeegie make me more money

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Hmmm....listening to customers, keeping abreast, networking... still not answer.
It's not going to give you more work or better work.I suppose being on CIU does not actually give you more or better work, but for me at least, it had helped me over the past 5 years or so to know what I should be doing to 'help myself' to get more or better work. I have never been to a window cleaning trade show, but I have been to a few trade shows when i had a garden design business and found it not only an inspiration but very informative on the way forward.

I never said it WAS a waste of time, I'm just waiting to hear a reason why it isn't.
So far no-one has one... So many people on here complain about suppliers, maybe not you Rog, but at trade shows you do get the chance to see face to face the suppliers that many have been dealing with for some time. Again at a trade show I struck up a 'relationship' with a horticultural supplier that I didn't know before, while I was in business they supplied me. Had I not been to that show I would not have been able to see the quality of plants and would not have dealt with them.

It's like talking to politicians.

I think if you have the view that it is a waste of time, it will be. If you go with an open mind however you may well come back with a different view. Its like CIU in a way. There are those on here who will defend their way of doing things 'to the death' there are others, like you and me, who eventually come round to an alternative way of thinking and are the better for it. I guess unless you try it you don't really know what your missing

[Londoner]

Well I say its worth going to see what some of the new equipment is really like. After this year I might be considering a hot system before next winter.
You can't beat actually eyeballing things and speaking to the people face to face when making your mind up about the product and them.

Websites are good for researching and pricing up but at the end of the day you can't beat actually seeing the stuff for real. Besides Coventry is only a couple of hours drive at the most.

[WILLIS]

I would love to go, I really wanted to attend the HSE seminars.

When Willis (is it Mr Willis?) asked me on here a couple of weeks ago I would have loved to have said yes.

In all honesty the reason Im not going is I CANNOT do enclsoed places with lots of people. Maybe its clostrophobia, is that why I work outside 

Also the jolly in the evenings wouldnt be  my cup of tea.

Having said that I would love to meet the suppliers that I talk to on the phone, Id love to fondle someones pole, whats that recent one that Brodex have brought out?

Theres no doubt in my generally 'closed but trying to keep open' mind that something like Windex can only be a good thing. Suppliers listening to customers first-hand was the first thing that sprang to mind, hearing what they want, what bugs them and what they love can only be good.

Id also like to think I could be a 'player' in this grand old game, but thats not who I am. Thats just not me. But well done to those who are going, I guess if we didnt have these kind of events our industry would be 15 years behind itself; Im sure these things make us a 'WE' instead of a 'ME'.
Matt

Matt .......you may find this strange to believe but I actually hate attending seminars...and am not really looking forward to the Windex semminar, but it’s part of my general commitment to playing a very small part of improving the window cleaning industry. 

Come and attend the seminar, and call in for a coffee on stand B2

[WILLIS]

NVQ 2 IN WINDOW CLEANING?? HAHA   LOL   LMAO PMSL
who the hell come up with that load of poo!!!???
thats is the most stupid thing ive ever heard of. i bet it was a fat bloke in a suit
sitting at his big desk,  who knows nothing about cleaning windows. these people
need shootin !! this country is on its arse, n those prats iant helping !!!!!!!!!!

Hitman

Have a look at what the industry is saying

http://www.training43.com/
http://www.training43.com/pdf/Issue1.pdf
http://www.training43.com/pdf/Impact2010Newsletter.pdf

Its funded .......Contact us for August as most of our current funding for 200 window cleaners has been used

regards

Andy

[WILLIS]

I'm looking forward to meeting people from companies that we've dealt with over the past year and put a face to a name.  Talking to them about their products and services, also looking at new products from different companies all under one roof, I'm sure it will be a good couple of days. Most of the companies represented there are miles from where we live so we'd never go find out what they have to offer if we didn't get to see them at the show.

Susan

Come and have a coffee on stand B2

[Sir Squeaky]

Have you ever been to Windex Roger?

No, but if I wasn't interested I wouldn't be asking the reason why I should.

I'm just waiting for more than politicians dodging the questions!

[actualcleaning]

Trade shows operate for a reason,it's not just the window cleaning industry that has one.
I used to exhibit in the furniture show many years ago at the nec,they also had a ceramics show there,there is the caravan show,i would go so far as to say that every trade/industry would have a show in some form or another...are they all a waste of time,i doubt it but they probably have sceptics who cant see past the end of their noses as well.

[Sir Squeaky]

Trade shows operate for a reason,it's not just the window cleaning industry that has one.
I used to exhibit in the furniture show many years ago at the nec,they also had a ceramics show there,there is the caravan show,i would go so far as to say that every trade/industry would have a show in some form or another...are they all a waste of time,i doubt it but they probably have sceptics who cant see past the end of their noses as well.

Excuse me mate...

No, but if I wasn't interested I wouldn't be asking the reason why I should.

[Moderator David@stives]

From your tone Rog, it looks like you are just out for trouble.

Your first post was a Mickey Take at what D. Woods said.

What do really expect with the replies ?

[DaveG]

After reading all the posts , I want to go now!

[Sir Squeaky]

From your tone Rog, it looks like you are just out for trouble.

Your first post was a Mickey Take at what D. Woods said.

What do really expect with the replies ?

Only because he was being condescending to anyone earning less than 200K.
I'll always give it back, maybe I shouldn't, but I will defend myself.

Doesn't matter, forget it...

[D woods]

Hi Rog / Squeeky

I was beeing condescending to people earning less than £150k not £200k
that would be silly

[Moderator David@stives]

Dave

I thought it would of been those, Turning over less than £5mill 

[Moderator David@stives]

Matt

Its not as claustrophobic as you think, the ceilings are huge, the arena is as big as a football pitch, its not crowded at all.

[D woods]

Hi Dave

 5 Million that would be awesome.

[DaveG]

Hi Dave

 5 Million that would be awesome.

5 Million?.....

You peasants!!