Mission Statements

There is an inordinate amount of money spent on the development of so called "mission statements".

Many consultants are soliciting businesses about helping them prepare a mission statement.

Some not-for-profit organizations spend tens of thousands of dollars for consultants to do this for them.

We have stated before that the "customer is always right" is a simple but effective mission statement.

In business, if you don't know why you are there and what you are doing, then you won't have to worry about a mission statement for long. Think about it.

Related carpet cleaning business information on the Bane-Clene® web site:

1. The Customer Is (Still) Always Right
2. Twenty Steps to Success in the Carpet Cleaning Business

Please read the latest issue of The Clene-Times^® at www.baneclene.com/clenetimes.html.

Thank you for reading Bane's Blog^®.

The Bane-Clene^® Team

Too Many Shoe Stores

A recent shopping trip through a typical shopping center revealed numerous shoe stores plus shoe departments in all of the "anchor" stores. Then there are the countless on line sellers.

Obviously, competition makes business.

Even with all of this fierce competition in the shoe industry, their marketing people realize that they shouldn't snipe at one another where the consumer can read or see it.

When is the last time you saw a shoe company advertise that a competitive Brand X made feet hurt? Or that Brand Y shoes cause feet to perspire and have an odor? Or how about that Brand Z can cause corns or other foot problems?

The carpet cleaning industry does not follow this thinking about their competition. Ads are often negative which confuses the consumer. If they see or hear consistently conflicting ads about what is good or bad for them; does this make them think twice about even having their carpets or upholstery cleaned?

Technical jargon and/or exaggerated claims of results further confuse and complicate their thinking.

Keep your advertising positive. Stress what your Company can do for the consumer. Talk about years in business, training and other positive aspects.

An anonymous quote warns, "There is less to fear from outside competition than from inside inefficiency, discourtesy and bad service".

Related carpet cleaning business information on the Bane-Clene® web site:

1. The ABC's of Advertising
2. Advertising. . . the Essential Element in the Carpet Cleaning Business
3. Bane-Clene® Course to Success Certification Class
4. Carpet Cleaning the Bane-Clene® Way®
5. My Competitors
6. Twenty Steps to Success in the Carpet Cleaning Business
7. Upholstery Cleaning, Care and Protection

Please read the latest issue of The Clene-Times^® at www.baneclene.com/clenetimes.html.

Thank you for reading Bane's Blog^®.

The Bane-Clene^® Team

How Busy Are You!

When you spend the first fifteen minutes of a service call telling your customer how busy you are and why you are late, they will begin to doubt your abilities especially in time management.

Many customers who are of the gentle persuasion and who are guided by extremely good manners will tolerate these long winded explanations. They may even listen to the blow-by-blow account of your personal or family problems. You express views and opinions on politics, world events or religion as they are helplessly trapped. People who work in the service industry often find themselves with a captive audience. You are a "guest" - do not talk too much or you may not ever be a guest again.

Successful people don't have time to talk about how busy they are and never have to explain why they are late because they are not late in the first place.

If your company is not getting a reasonable amount of repeat and referral business, it may because you or your technicians talk too much and discuss non appropriate topics. If customers don't like what was said or discussed, they will go elsewhere.

The best policy at your customers premises is talk centered on what you will do and the other services that you offer.

Related carpet cleaning business information on the Bane-Clene® web site:

1. Bane-Clene® Course to Success Certification Class
2. Carpet Cleaning the Bane-Clene® Way®
3. Four Characteristics of a Successful Person
4. Operator Certification Program for Professional Carpet Cleaning Technicians
5. Twenty Steps to Success in the Carpet Cleaning Business

Please read the latest issue of The Clene-Times^® at www.baneclene.com/clenetimes.html.

Thank you for reading Bane's Blog^®.

The Bane-Clene^® Team

No Excuses!

Perhaps you have said this while trying to "dodge a bullet". "The truck broke down", is an often used excuse in the service industry. Or how does this one sound, "He was new on the job and didn't know about that". While the second one may seem like it worked, deep down nobody wants to feel like they are being serviced by new or inexperienced technicians.

Customers do not want to hear excuses. They want to hear what you intend to do about their problem. You need to say something positive and affirmative or you may never get another opportunity to work for that customer again.

An apology is always in order, whether the problem was yours or was one by a member of your staff. Even if you feel as though it was not your Company's fault. The person answering your incoming calls should be adept at handling problems. Since they are the person initially involved. If it is something beyond their scope, then have them take a message and say the Owner or My Manager will call you back.

Related carpet cleaning business information on the Bane-Clene® web site:

1. About Complaints!
2. Bane-Clene® Course to Success Certification Class
3. Operator Certification Program for Professional Carpet Cleaning Technicians
4. Phone Courtesy
5. Telephone Etiquette in the Carpet Cleaning Business

Please read the latest issue of The Clene-Times^® at www.baneclene.com/clenetimes.html.

Thank you for reading Bane's Blog^®.

The Bane-Clene^® Team