"Invention" vs. "innovation."

A recent E-mail from an equipment customer asked:

Bill,
There have been some posts on bulletin boards about the invention of steam carpet cleaning and truck mounts. One guy said you claim that you invented steam carpet cleaning. Another one said you didn't invent truck mounts. Is this true?
Allen

Watch for "A history of cleaning carpet." It will be published in February on this web site in honor of our 50th anniversary in business. It's about the Bane-Clene system but recalls many of the industry's pioneers and puts inventions, innovations and developments in chronological order.

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Could this be a joke?

The UN has a North Korean in charge of their disarmament conference. North Korea has tied up a good portion of our military for more than sixty years. They've been caught shipping weaponry to terrorists. They test long-range missiles, blow up nukes and violate nearly every UN sanction and resolution aimed at them.

No! It's not a joke. The UN, the Trilateral Commission, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are the jokes. And the jokes are on us, the U. S. taxpayer. We put most of the money in these obnoxious entities. Our Federal Reserve has been hard at work for nearly a century trying to force us into a one-world currency and a single government to rule the planet so they can control the monetary system.

There's nothing more profitable for banks than a war. They have been known to finance both sides so they always win. Banks have caught that proverbial body part in the wringer by letting greed get in the way of good business judgment and monetary bubbles are bursting all over the world. All signs in the current world economic crisis point to the need for an old fashioned war to get the banks and money folks back on top.

The problem is this war won't be like past wars. Unstable governments have nuclear capabilities and when the nukes start falling, look out below. By the way, Iran, Pakistan and China are also on that UN disarmament panel. Both the White House and Vice President Biden's home have massive, new subterranean construction projects underway that look very much like bunkers. I hope I'm wrong!

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Bane-Clene owner rings the bell

The State Journal Register, of Springfield, Illinois, reported that Darell Tureskis was the only person left still ringing his bell. He went without food for 60 straight hours and said it was worth it because he believes in the Salvation Army’s cause.

Darell, who owns Nyilas Carpet Cleaning, set a world record for Salvation Army bell ringing out of twenty four who started at locations across the country. In an interview with the newspaper he said, "It’s just unique to stand there and make an impact for people who may be having a lot of bad luck.”

A Salvation Army spokesman said, “I was extremely impressed with Darell and amazed he went that many hours. This has brought a lot of attention to the Salvation Army, and hopefully we’ll be able to help more people in need during the holidays.”

Congratulations Darell! We're all very proud of you.

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Merry Christmas

Many companies are trying to remove Christ from Christmas. This movement started back in the 1930's when Hollywood came up with Merry Xmas. Some municipalities won't allow a Christmas tree and call it a Holiday tree instead. I even heard that Wells Fargo bank wouldn't allow Marines to collect "Toys for Tots" on their property this year.

As a former Marine, I'm appalled with that decision and wonder when citizens will have enough of these progressive antics and take back Christmas. You won't see it mentioned much on television or in advertising, but let's not forget whose birthday we celebrate on the 25th. May I wish everyone a blessed and happy Christmas.

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Here's a new idea

This e-mail came from a west coast customer. This is a clever idea.

Subject: MTO Advisor serving in Afghanistan


We have many pets, belonging to clients that serve as Pet Urine Consultants to MTOClean Los Angeles. Criteria for membership is being the suspect in a request for carpet cleaning and urine stain/odor removal.


Our clients enjoy the postings and currently, over 100 pets are members. The response has been so high that we have recently added Cat Urine Consultants to the list of pets doing research for MTOClean in their homes


We are especially proud of "Dini", a Search Dog with the United States Marine Corps. He holds the distinction of being our only "Combat Veteran !"


The bold print below is his entry on MTOClean's Facebook page. The entry has drawn many comments, support, and wishes for his safe return to the USA from our Facebook friends. Click on the Facebook link to see his picture, he is a beautiful dog in service to his Country


One of our Pet Urine Consultants on duty with the Marines in Afghanistan. "Dini" is a Search Dog currently deployed to combat operations in Afghanistan. His hobbies include locating and killing Taliban, sniffing fellow Marines, and sleeping next to light machine guns whenever possible. In addition to locating Taliban, "Dini" is conducting research on removing urine stains from Persian rugs.

Semper Fi "Dini !"

Jack Hoar

MTOClean Los Angeles
(626) 914 1678 Office
(626) 914 1680 Fax

MTOClean is a professional "One Stop" cleaning service offering commercial and residential clients multiple service components. Our Carpet Care truck mounted units utilize "Bane Clene" extraction equipment, the finest available to the consumer.

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An e-mail from a friend from the past and my answer:

Bill ,

   I wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you and your family and all of the associates at Bane Clene on your upcoming 50th Anniversary in business. I was recently building the Facebook page for my new employer – HydraMaster and US Products, and I could not help but think of you and your company as I was posting an article I wrote about Longevity in the carpet cleaning equipment and chemical manufacturing industry.

   Longevity is a powerful thing. 50 years in our wonderful and crazy industry is really something to celebrate. It speaks to the integrity of the Bane family, and the care you have always shown your customers.

   I often think about the original times back at the AIDS convention (RIA) when you and my father had to deal with all the shampooers wondering what these new fangled extraction machines were. You and Ralph tell/told some great stories about those days.

   Congratulations again, best to your family, and best wishes for your future.

God bless,
Doyle Bloss, Marketing and Brand Manager
HydraMaster/US Products

Hi Doyle,

Thanks for the thoughtful note. We humans must be wired together someway. Last night, as you wrote to me, I was busy in our Florida hideaway updating my history of the industry (from my perspective of course)....and your dad was on my mind. Is that spooky or what?

I met Ralph at a convention in Cleveland in 1973. We were right across the isle from each other and joked back and forth for three days. I kidded him about the thing he was selling looking like a big Juke Box and he would come back at me with it being better than the Iron Lung I was trying to peddle. Ed York was there and snubbed us both in his usual arrogant manner.

On the last day in Cleveland, Ralph came over and said, "Bill, tell the truth. Have you sold anything?" I sheepishly had to admit I hadn't. He said, "How about I buy one of yours and you buy one of mine and then we can go home and say we didn't get skunked?"

When he acquired Steamway from Seabloom Ralph asked me to be his distributor in Indiana and I was flattered. The last time I saw him was in Toledo, I think it was in '93.

Your new company brings back memories of Bob Langley. What a fun guy. Thanks again Doyle. All the best to you in your career.


Bill

PS - The only good thing to come out of that Cleveland meeting was that I met Ken Hilbert there. In 1976 Ken bought one of our systems and has been one of the best customers anyone could ever hope for. I didn't know this when I told Ralph I got skunked.

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Noise Abatement

Don't tarnish the image of your company by having a blaring radio in your truck or a boom box parked on the porch or patio of a customer's home. Don't carry these noisemakers into commercial jobs either and please don't even wear headphones. These devices imply a lack of respect and attention to the job.

And speaking of noise, a constant noise level of 85 decibels (most truck mounts exceed that) will damage hearing. Be sure to sell the fact that you operate the quietest system in the cleaning industry when talking with prospects about your service. Peace and quiet is a precious commodity in today's noisy world and it is a strong selling point.

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Sound Excited

If there is one thing that will turn off a prospect, it's the sound of a voice on the telephone that is bored. This ho hum attitude can pervade even the most carefully managed business. When someone answers your telephone, they should sound pleased that the caller has chosen to call. In short, the person who answers should be excited that the opportunity to be of service to someone has presented itself.

The same thing is true of service crews. Not much irritates a customer more than a person entering their home or place of business and acting as if they'd really rather be some place else doing something else. Our livelihood depends on satisfied customers. Act like it is really important, because it is the most important factor of our lives at that point in time.

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More can be better

An electronics industry publication predicted that more people will spend more time at home during the coming decade. They cite the recession among some other reasons and predict that home entertainment will grow exponentially.

That's good news for those of us in the cleaning business. More people spending more time at home means more dirt which means more sales and more profit.

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The Sheriff from Hell...

There's more to know about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County in Arizona. For instance, he started chain gangs so inmates could do free work on county and city projects. Then, to be safe, he started chain gangs for women so he or the county wouldn't be sued for discrimination.

Sheriff Joe said, "Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes, not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, so they can go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers’ money and enjoy things some taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves."

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"Remember Pearl Harbor"

That was the battle cry of WWII. President Roosevelt said, "Sunday, December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy..." Not many are alive who remember that fateful Sunday morning when the dastardly attack took place on our Pacific Fleet. Those who were will never forget. Unfortunately, most others have forgotten it.

"Remember the Alamo" and "Remember the Maine" are slogans that would never be forgotten, but now they're relegated to the pages of tattered history books that are routinely ignored or revised by many teachers. "Remember September 11" is the latest of infamous dates that unfortunately will also be just a faded memory in the future.

We don't learn from our history. Thank God for the brave troops who protect our freedom and for the first responders who protect us in this land of plenty. With all of our problems, people still want to come here legally or illegally. But, freedom is not free!

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A legal scam

Some car dealers are exploiting tax credits and are a definitive explanation of what is wrong with our government today. Dealers buy high gas-mileage cars with a few hundred miles on the odometer from other dealers and then sell them as used cars. Then they claim the $7,500.00 federal credit on their income tax.

Nearly every government program or subsidy is abused more than it's used. It's time for politicians to run the government like a good business or get out. (Notice I said 'good' business...not like some of those corrupt car dealers who bend the rules.) This is just one small example of the corruption generated by Washington edicts.

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Never, never, never.....

..... tell a customer how busy you are. If it’s not true and you’re just trying to impress them, it won’t work. Even if it is true, you should never tell them. Customers want to feel they are your highest priority and telling them that you’re busy may lead them to believe that they are not going to get your best effort.

Make your customers feel that they are important to you by giving them your complete and undivided attention. Customers who feel that you are attentive to their needs and realize they are important to you will remain a satisfied and loyal customer in the future.

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