BEING KNOWN

It is a common phrase that “we are known by the company we keep”. We are looking at two words in that phrase, “known” and “company”. No one will dispute the value of cultivating satisfied and loyal customers. Also for a company to grow, its name must be known. Your Company name in your ads provides an easy reference for your services and for your Company name being known. The telephone is the “door” to your business. Every call is a potential sale. How your phone is answered therefore becomes very important. If your main telephone number is a land line, then calls are answered with the Company name announced; therefore, the Company is being known. However, in these times, many small businesses phones are answered via a mobile phone. No business line should be answered by just saying a person’s name. If the call goes to voice mail, then the message should identify the Company by name. Not by a phone number or just a person’s name. The way your telephone is answered conveys your Company’s first impression to a caller. Strive to make that first impression something that leaves your Company being known. Related Articles and Information: Advertising - the Essential Element Advertising the Bane-Clene Way Customer Service in the Carpet Cleaning Industry Phone Courtesy Telephone Etiquette in the Carpet Cleaning Business 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 Free 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. Bane-Clene Home Page Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners

PROFITS FROM DISASTERS

Spring is here. With it comes potentially heavy rains, flooding, etc. There are also fires and other events that create opportunities for service work. These are certainly tragic and there are rightfully feelings of compassion for the victims. That said, these disasters can be very profitable. But those profits will come only if the Company is properly prepared with the necessary equipment, chemicals, personnel, etc. Disaster service can disrupt routine scheduling and will require public relation skills since the customer has suffered a traumatic event. Many times the customer wants “new” rather than cleaned and or restored. That is the role of the Insurance Adjuster to negotiate with the customer, so the Company may remain neutral. Once again, if the Company is properly prepared, organized and staffed, there are Profits From Disasters. Related Articles and Information: Cash Flow in the Carpet Cleaning Business Pricing for a Profitable Carpet Cleaning Business Pricing Your Carpet Cleaning Service Water Restoration Related Products: Carpet Dryer / Air Mover Chemical Dry Cleaning Sponges Smoke Off Odor Neutralizer Wall-Clene" Wall and Ceiling Cleaner for Soot and Smoke Water Claw® “Sub-Surface” Extraction Flood Tool for Water Damage and Pump-Out Job 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 Free 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. Bane-Clene Home Page “A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners

SHOULD YOU HIRE A CPA?

The Income tax filing date for 2021 has been extended to May 17 for most individuals, with some exceptions. A majority of Carpet Cleaning Companies fall into the category. There are many changes to the tax laws being proposed. If you have not done so in the past, then now may be a good time to seek the advice and counsel of a CPA to oversee your business’ accounting operations. A good CPA will not technically cost you anything. Instead, you should recognize savings by taking advantage of all allowable deductions and other tax law advantages. Finally, they will keep you out of trouble with the IRS as they will have you file accurate returns on time. Related Articles and Information: Cash Flow in the Carpet Cleaning Business Pricing for a Profitable Carpet Cleaning Business Pricing Your Carpet Cleaning Service 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 Free 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. Bane-Clene Home Page “A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners

DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS

This is something that is taught to children at a young age. However, it is also advice that grownup business people should also adhere to. Covid has forced many companies to close offices and have their employees work from home. It also seems like it has brought the telephone solicitors out of the woodwork. Every week our office is deluged with exotic offers. Some are in the form of robo calls or Google calls and most often “live” general sales solicitations. They all have something in common besides being obnoxious and annoying. We don’t know who is calling so therefore we don’t talk to strangers. Know with whom you are doing business and never buy anything from anyone you don’t know. Stick with that philosophy and you should never be burned by the many con artists, who ply their trade over the telephone. Related Articles and Information: Phone Courtesy Telephone Etiquette in the Carpet Cleaning Business 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 Free 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. “A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures - for Professional Carpet Cleaners

DON'T INSULT YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMER

Whether you have been asked to give a bid or are cold calling, you don’t insult your potential customer. Obviously, no one does this intentionally. However, one of the surest ways to alienate the prospect is to criticize the previous work by saying that it looks terrible. Very likely, the person you are talking to contracted the previous cleaning. Maybe they were dissatisfied, perhaps they thought the previous amount paid was too high? Whatever the reason, your job is to sell them on your company and the service you will provide. While reviewing the areas to be cleaned, mention that it will be your intent to have the appearance of their building to be the best it can be. Discuss the equipment and chemicals you use. Mention your experience and the training that you and your employees have received. Provide references and other facts that lend to your credibility. After this initial exchange of information, turn the conversation to answering specific questions as soon as possible. By answering your prospect’s questions, you should be able to turn any negatives into positives. Above all, don’t insult your customer. Related Articles and Information: Cleaning and Maintaining Commercial Carpets Compare Methods of Carpet Cleaning. Selling Commercial Carpet Maintenance Programs The Customer Is (Still) Always Right Training for Professional Carpet Cleaning Companies Why Bane-Clene Over All Other “Truck-mounted” Carpet Cleaning Equipment? 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 Free 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. “A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures - for Professional Carpet Cleaners

THE FAMILY BUSINESS - Part II

The Blog of March 26, 2021 discussed The Family Business as a blessing or a curse. It explored the good, bad and ugly of such an enterprise. At some point in time, The Family Business may become too large to be operated by just family members. At that time, it will become necessary to expand the business beyond family members or the business will stagnate and not continue to grow. To paraphrase a statement made in the March 26th Blog, treat your employees like family and your family like employees. If this can be accomplished, a business will be well on the road to continued growth and additional success. However, many people express the common feeling “they don’t want the hassle of having employees”. But having employees doesn’t have to be a hassle; in fact, it can be a pleasure. Employees can become just like family...the “business family”. This family can become as large as desired. When interviewing and ultimately hiring these new “family” members, it will be necessary to hire people who will blend in and complement the existing family members. In fact, some of the new “family” members may take over duties and responsibilities of the existing family members. This will allow those members to take on additional or new responsibilities. Ultimately leading to the business having continued expansion and success. The Family Business can be a blessing or a curse. If the founding Family Members treat the new Family Members as a blessing. then it will not become a curse. Related Articles and Information: Building Your Own Carpet Cleaning Business Hiring New Carpet Cleaning Employees Recruiting Tips for Hiring Employees for Your Carpet Cleaning Business 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 Free 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. “A to Z” Alphabetical Index to the Bane-Clene Web Site Articles, Videos and Products for Professional Carpet Cleaners On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures - for Professional Carpet Cleaners