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Never, Never, Never when making an excuse say you have been busy. Customers don’t want to hear that. It implies that they are low on your priority list and you are not concerned about them. For example your running late for their appointment, you should say that you were unavoidably detained and you are terribly sorry. If asked for what detained you, it might be better to state that your last appointment took longer than anticipated. Assure them that when you arrive you will devote the time necessary to fulfill your commitment to them. You should also apologize for any inconvenience this has caused them. Above all do not make feeble excuses such as traffic was terrible, I had a flat tire, the truck broke down, etc. Customers will see right through them for what they are. Accordingly they don’t want to hear the details of your issues. They are only concerned with their issues. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Thursday, March 30, 2023
NEVER
Thursday, March 23, 2023
QUESTION
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Can a question become a quest and therefore spawn an answer? Does a question become a seed for creativity? Does a child’s innocent question state the obvious or raise a philosophical debate? Perhaps a question is a combination of all of these. Where would we be today if the great minds, inventors and explorers had not had a question? Perhaps many of their questions were ridiculed and labeled absurd and unattainable. Thankfully that did not stop them and they persevered. To that end we have medicines, inventions and a myriad of other questions turned into ideas and finally discoveries that have benefited mankind through the ages. While we all won’t possibly ever match the magnitude of the aforementioned accomplishments, we can still ask questions. Ask questions by focusing on matters that affect your life, your work and the everyday actions and situations in your life. Do not automatically decide whether the question bares merit or is ridiculous. Just asking yourself will begin a process. The next step will be to pose your question to your family, friends or co-workers depending on who might benefit from your question and subsequent answer. After gauging their reaction and receiving input, advise and even debate, this will hopefully give you the encouragement to continue your quest for an answer to your question. There’s an often repeated adage that the only stupid question is the one never asked. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Thursday, March 16, 2023
TOOLS
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No matter the vocation or profession, the proper tools will bring success. Watching a professional painter, you quickly realize that they do not use an inexpensive paintbrush. Such inferior equipment, in addition to taking too long, not carrying enough paint and wearing out quickly, produces generally unsatisfactory work. Professional carpenters use heavy duty saws, hammers, etc and always have extra blades and back-up tools with them. You don’t see a farmer plowing 150 acres with a tractor that was purchased at a big box store. The tractors, combines and other tools they use get the job done efficiently and quickly. Professional athletes use the best equipment available and take advantage of constant coaching to attain and then remain on top of their game. The coach’s task is to observe and instruct, all the while keeping abreast of the latest developments in the sport. There are golfers who go out every weekend and “practice to be bad”. They may have professional tools, but instead of seeking advice and coaching from the club professional, they blame their poor play on the wind, the course and even the caddie! To be a real winner and achieve success in any chosen profession or field of endeavor, one must use the best equipment and techniques available. They should seek good coaching, schooling and instruction. Use the proper tools and take advantage of learning from professionals who are winners. Never take advice from losers! Related Articles and Information:
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Thursday, March 09, 2023
HEALTHY
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What is healthy? Dictionaries define healthy as being in good health, being well, feeling good, etc. That definition would presumably relate to a healthy body. Which, while not easy to maintain, doing things like eating right, getting moderate exercise and watching the consumption of alcohol among other things will make the maintenance of a healthy body less difficult. Additionally there are other elements that should be healthy. What about the mind and spirit? A healthy mind is important and probably the easiest to maintain but vitally important because it combines and works together with the body and spirit. Which brings us to the last part of this healthy equation, the spirit. It might be the hardest part to maintain. People get sad, depressed, overwhelmed, etc. All of these can affect the mind and then the body. So here are some simple things to help one’s spirit and keep it healthy and therefore ultimately affect the mind and body. Hugging helps the body and mind. It keeps you healthier, lessens depression, reduces stress, helps sleep patterns. It is invigorating and rejuvenating, plus it takes little or no effort. Smiling reduces stress that may exist in your body and mind. It is said that smiling can trick your brain into happiness. A smile😊 is a frown🙁right side up. Did you smile? If you did then you automatically feel better. Laughter is said to be the best medicine. It is the manifestation of joy and delight. Laughter can decrease stress. It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good medicine. In these trying times, any and all things you can do to stay healthy will certainly benefit you. Now, if only the economy would get healthy that would certainly make us all feel better. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Thursday, March 02, 2023
WHAT DOES YOUR ADVERTISING SAY?
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There are many theories, views or premises of advertising depending on whom you talk to or whom you are paying for their expertise. The bottom line is What does your advertising say? Is it hard sell or soft sell or is it subtle? Whatever methodology you are using, you need to know and understand your market. What are the demographics, potential market share and size of your market? These are just a few of the parameters that figure into the equation. Mostly you need to understand your potential customers needs and what motivates them to purchase to be effective. Once this has been established, then where are you going to invest your advertising dollars? Just spending money does not guarantee a return on investment and consequentially success of your advertising program. TV and radio advertising is typically dominated by those with a large advertising budget, therefore they may not be practical for a small or mid-size business. Print advertising has had its day but is now overshadowed by digital advertising. That said, depending on your market (whom you are trying to reach), print may still offer an effective return on investment don’t overlook it. Digital advertising through Google is tough unless you have a substantial amount of money to invest to try to dominate your market. A potential alternative which would require less money is through Social Media platforms. So What does your Advertising Say? Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, February 24, 2023
SOLVING PROBLEMS
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Solving Problems in a business is not just management’s job, it’s everybody’s. One of management’s main functions should be as coordinators who keep everyone working together.Everybody has a right to an opinion about any problem and should be encouraged to express it. Depending on the hierarchy and size of the company, managers should submit a list of these opinions to their immediate “boss”. Not all opinions will be used, but that is also the job of management to sift through these ideas/opinions and decide on which if any should be implemented. If everyone works on Solving Problems, then a Company is bound to achieve more success and therefore more profits. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, February 17, 2023
TRAINING PEOPLE
Training people is a function that is extremely important and vital to an organization. Unfortunately, it is often done haphazardly or with little or no supervision or done by the wrong person. Just because the person tasked to training knows their job inside and out, they may not be able to “teach” others what they do and how they do it. Being able to communicate and having the ability to show understanding of their own duties are important qualities for someone who will be training people. Regardless of the job, the trainee must learn and understand the basic structure, hierarchy and mission statement of the company. The trainee should have a list or outline of their job functions and the order in which they normally take place. There is a potential valuable side benefit to training. It is that the trainer is outlining and dissecting their own job in order to train someone. It not only “refreshes” the trainer’s functions of their job but shows them how important they are to the welfare and ultimate success of the company. Training people is not for everyone and therefore should be tasked to the proper person. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, February 10, 2023
Indecision
Many business people have the belief that putting off or delaying making a decision will help avoid mistakes. But will the delay avoid a mistake or is it a mistake by indecision? People will say “Call me later”, “I can’t see you right now”, “I’m too busy” or a myriad of other excuses. Once again. the delay of making a decision that is easy to decide only compounds the issue and is indecision at its worst. That is not to say that you should make snap decisions but those that can be decided immediately should be acted upon. Yes or No is the correct decision for most propositions. Answer those quickly and move on; the last thing you want to do is get bogged down by having to many decisions at once. Being bogged down by indecision will lead to mistakes. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, February 03, 2023
ANNIVERSARY
Bane-Clene Corp.® will celebrate our 61st Anniversary - February 4th, 2023We will presume you know the story of how a small start up Janitorial Service morphed into what we are today. An International Manufacturer and Supplier of Cleaning Equipment, Chemicals and Accessories. We don’t have to tell you that being in business has its trials and tribulations. However, more importantly, it has its many rewards for which we are thankful. Here is just a partial list of what we are thankful for:
Lastly, we are thankful that 61 years ago, Wm. F. Bane had a vision and we at Bane-Clene® strive everyday to promote and build on his vision. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free
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Friday, January 27, 2023
Patterns For Success
Businesses fail for a variety of reasons. Many of these are self-inflicted. Therefore, they can be avoided or mitigated. Answering your phone: If your current or potential customers cannot reach you quickly they may go elsewhere. Hiring someone knowledgeable to answer your phone is the best solution. An alternative is to have calls forwarded to your cell phone. If you cannot answer an incoming call immediately, then have customers leave a message and get back with them ASAP. However, DO NOT take the call when you are cleaning in a customer’s home. This is rude and unprofessional. Pricing your services: Be competitive in your market. Being the cheapest may get you more work but are you just trading dollars? Market your service on a value-added basis. Providing high quality service will allow you to charge more. Your image: Your truck should promote a professional image. You should work in professional attire. The perception being, if you look good you are good. Working harder is obviously a good strategy but you should also strive to work smarter. Avoiding these “fails” will naturally increase your profits and develop Patterns for Success. Related Articles and Information:
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, January 20, 2023
Meetings
Are Meetings a waste of time and money or worth every penny of their cost? Are they a boon or boondoggle? Well, the answer to that question depends on who you are talking to. If a meeting achieves the intent of its goal which is solving problems and developing ideas, then mission accomplished. However, too often, meetings leave the participants muttering “What a Waste of Time”. Why is that? Here are a few observations. Very few Companies have developed policies concerning meetings. If firms had a brief, one-page set of policies and these policies were adhered to, then most criticisms of meetings would be eliminated. Once policies are made, they must be followed. These policies can help ensure that a meeting is as productive as possible. Only hold meetings if there is a demonstrated need or concern. If called, the meeting should have stated purposes and objectives and these should be outlined in an agenda. Finally, all meetings should start and end on time. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, January 13, 2023
Age
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The saying goes that Age is just a number. Age has also always been used to describe a period of Time. Among them The Prehistoric Age, The Bronze Age, The Middle Ages, The Space Age and The Computer Age. These and others were considered great periods of human history. They reflected a leap by mankind that allowed us to benefit from new discoveries and advancement. As individuals, we experience stages of life: infants, children, teenagers, young adults, middle age and then finally old age. Along the way, life presents many challenges and tests. Some of these are handled by others for us because we lack the ability to deal with them. By the time we become young adults, we should be meeting these challenges and tests on our own. The prevailing school of thought is as we mature into middle age, we should be at our most productive and consequential time of life. This period of time precludes the eventuality of old age. Once we enter old age, the specter of being over the hill, past our prime and many other cliches enters our lives. However, is that reality? Some say yes but many more say no. Most of those that say yes have not reached that age, so therefore are looking at age as only a number. Those that say no are still engaged in everyday life as business men and women, educators and a myriad of professions that do not discriminate because we have reached old age. Remember age is just a number; do not allow it to define or control your life. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, January 06, 2023
Secrets For Success
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As we begin a New Year, one of the things we want to achieve is Success. Much has been discussed and cussed about what is Success? Here at Bane-Clene®, we follow and emulate our Secrets For Success.
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, December 30, 2022
Happy New Year
January 1st obviously ushers in a New Year. It’s a time that many reflect upon their previous accomplishments and failures. Then we look forward vowing to correct or not to repeat our failures. We also plot and plan for the time to come. Each of us has goals and aspirations. We should always strive to achieve them. If you are not moving forward, then it is inevitable that you will become stagnate or worse yet begin to move backwards. So, after all that reflection, we usually come up with New Year Resolutions. They come in a variety of purposes, personal, family, business and community among them.
The following passage was written by Bishop John H. Vincent in 1909. It is appropriate not only on New Years Day but every day of our lives: “I will this day try to live a simple, sincere and serene life. I will repel promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity and self-seeking. I will cultivate cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity and the habit of silence. I will exercise economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust and a child-like trust in God.” Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, December 23, 2022
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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December 25th is celebrated as a religious (by a majority of Christians) and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. For Christians, it is marked as the day Jesus Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem. Some believe Jesus was the Son of God or a prophet or others have no belief either way. No matter what your beliefs are, take time to reflect upon the meaning of Christmas. It is a time that promotes Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all. May God bless you and your family. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, December 16, 2022
Happy Holidays
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The holidays have been in full swing this month. Many dates are celebrated or commemorated during this month. Naming a few, but certainly not all:
However, even if you don’t practice or believe, they all have many points in common. The one we will focus on is that they all promote “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all”. Once again, no matter what you practice or don’t, if you have not already done so, take a few moments to reflect on that common viewpoint. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, December 09, 2022
Reaching Your Destination
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Do you know where you are going and how you intend to get there? It’s called goal setting. If you decide to “go along for the ride” and let someone else set your goals, you might have a problem. Be sure you have confidence in the people who chart your course. How much confidence would you have in the pilot of an airplane if he came on the PA system and announced, “Welcome aboard ladies and gentlemen! this is your captain speaking. We’ll be flying at 34,000 feet on our trip to Hawaii. I’ve got a pretty good idea where it is and I’ll head in that general direction as soon as we get off the ground.” There would, no doubt, be a mad rush to get off the plane. Yet many people entrust their future to “pilots” who have no sense of direction. Some do not even have a destination in mind when they “take off.” Other people change “pilots” from time to time and wonder why they never arrive anywhere. Trust your future to guidance from advisors who know where they are going! Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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Friday, December 02, 2022
Remember Pearl Harbor
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That was the battle cry of WW II. President Roosevelt (FDR) said, “Sunday, December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy.” Not many are alive who were there that fateful morning when the attack took place on our Pacific Fleet as it lay at anchor. Those who were there will never forget and others not there will never forget it or where they were when they heard the news. As we commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, a thought comes to mind. Will “Remember Pearl Harbor,” “Remember the Maine” and “Remember the Alamo” become forgotten or irrelevant. Will 9/11 succumb to the same fate? Not because those that were there or were aware of it are gone. But because those events have been relegated to the back pages of History books or are routinely ignored by many schools as they “preach” not “teach.” Unfortunately, there has been a tremendous cost in the loss of lives in these tragic events. Thank God for our brave troops and first responders who have been involved in them. In this land of plenty and freedoms, with all of our problems, people still yearn to come to live here. However, please remember “Freedom is not free.” 
Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog® Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/. Please visit our web site at www.baneclene.com. The Bane-Clene® Team. Free Bane-Clene Information Package
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