Friday, April 27, 2018

Say What You Mean

Some people take forever to get to the point and “say what they mean”.

When making a presentation and giving an estimate to a prospective client, truer words were never spoken.

It’s important to avoid that mistake. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.
  2. Be specific by saying exactly what you want to say.
  3. Be brief and speak to the point (the clients’ needs). Trying to cover points that are not relative dilutes the message you are trying to convey.
  4. Be clear with your message and keep it simple.

Related Information and Articles:

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

Bane-Clene Paper CatalogFree packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.




ABC - Sitemap

“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site




Print this page

Friday, April 20, 2018

Lack of Communication, Not Competitors Hurt a Company

Much has been written about communication and its importance to the success of a company. Small businesses with 2 or more employees or larger operations “must” let employees know why they are asked to do things a certain way. Even the simplest task has importance and therefore plays an integral role in the financial results of a company.

Usually when a Company suffers financial setbacks, it is due to internal strife not their competition. Failure to plan, lack of training and internal bickering among family, management and employees are the major reasons for failure.

This failure is usually precipitated by the aforementioned “lack of communication”.

Related Information and Articles:

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

Bane-Clene Paper CatalogFree packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.




ABC - Sitemap

“A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site




Print this page

Friday, April 13, 2018

Hazards in Using Subcontractors/Vendors

Many cleaning firms are using independent contractors or vendors to do their work. The avoidance of payroll taxes, supervision and record keeping are the main reasons for doing business in this way.

There are several downsides to such an operation, all of which are overwhelmingly negative. When you use a legitimate sub, you lose personal control of how your customer is treated. Customer retention is more difficult, as it becomes a distinct possibility that “your” customer will become “their”" customer.

Finally, the IRS is probably the best argument against using a sub. The IRS has always given attention to carpet cleaning, floor cleanings, janitorial services, etc. If after an audit a subcontractor is deemed to be an employee, penalties and interest will be applied and an audit may be extended to previous years. Ultimately, if the penalties and interest can not be paid within a certain time frame, some companies have been forced to liquidate.

Some of the criteria the IRS applies to determine if a subcontractor/vendor relationship is legitimate are as follows:

  1. Do the subs set their own hours?
  2. Provide their own trucks, equipment and supplies?
  3. Provide their own insurance?
  4. Hire their own help and pay payroll taxes?
  5. Have the freedom to do similar work for others?
  6. Work without your supervision?

Related Information and Articles:

These are just a sampling of the factors the IRS will apply in determining if a firm is employing legitimate subcontractors/vendors.

If you use an outside company to do your work, be sure they meet the requirements for subcontractor status. Once again if you fail, it will could be financially painful, even to the point of putting you out of business.

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

Bane-Clene Paper CatalogFree packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.


Friday, April 06, 2018

How Do I Successfully Sell The Job?

There are many facets of B.Y.O.B. (Building Your Own Business) and being able to the sell the job is but one of them. Here are some basic ideas and principles.

  1. Sell the benefits of clean carpets with the emphasis on good health and indoor air quality.
  2. Sell the fact that your cleaning method is recommended by the nation’s carpet mills and fiber manufacturers. Mention the warranty requirements by mills and have a sample of one of their brochures.
  3. Sell your assurance of high quality service and the prolonged life of properly maintained carpets.
  4. Emphasize special training, education and certifications you have completed to properly maintain the investment they have in their carpeting.
  5. Be able to knowledgeably and properly answer any questions or ease any qualms they may have about you or cleaning in general.
  6. Finally, Ask for the job. So many do a great job in selling
    but they don’t ask for the order.

Related Information and Articles:

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

Bane-Clene Paper CatalogFree packet of information about Bane-Clene can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-428-9512 (U.S. ONLY!). Your information packet will include a full color catalog and price addendum. Packets will arrive in approximately 2 weeks through standard United States Mail.

You can also order the packet at the Catalog Request Form.