MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Management is often guilty of hiring people and then failing to educate and train them adequately. Also in some instances, they are not provided the necessary tools to properly do their job to the best of their ability. Almost without exception, a business that succeeds in attracting new and repeat customers is propelled by its staff. This staff is known for being informed and helpful. Whether they work in the field, behind a counter or on the phone. A friendly and caring attitude is indispensable for good customer service. This is a quality that should be sought at the time of hiring and then cultivated through training sessions and follow up procedural meetings. To develop a team with this winning spirit, management must be willing to devote the time, energy and resources necessary to train their staff. They should educate, instill knowledge and confidence and ultimately empower them to represent the Company to the best of their ability. Esprit De Corps and loyalty of staff members can be enhanced by a reward for service above and beyond what is normally expected. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways and may be tailored to what fits best within the structure of the Company. In any business, management must educate, train, empower and reward employees so that the Company will have success and be profitable. 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 The 15 Factors of Success in Carpet Cleaning Business Training for Professional Carpet Cleaning Companies Twenty Steps to Success VIDEO: Bane-Clene® Business Management School What Makes a Company Successful 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 On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures for the Professional Carpet Cleaner

MEMORIAL DAY MAY 27, 2024

The custom of honoring those who have fallen in battle by cleaning and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition. It was originally called “Decoration Day”. In early rural America, this duty was usually done in late summer and became an occasion for family reunions. After the “Civil War” the practice became more prominent as America’s need for a patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead. After “WW I”, the day was expanded to honor those who had died in all American Wars. The tradition of wearing red Poppies as a symbol of this day was actually the idea of an American, Miss Moina Michael. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. The first national commemoration was observed on May 30th.1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. It is considered the unofficial start of Summer. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of “The Indianapolis 500” which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It's 108th running will be Sunday May 26th. The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from “Decoration Day” to “Memorial Day”, it was first used in 1882. However, it only became the most common name after "WW II" and was not declared a Federal Holiday until 1967. While the passing of an act in 1968 created 3 day weekends for Memorial Day and other holidays, it has also no doubt contributed to a general nonchalant observance by some people for this important day. We at Bane-Clene® do not take that nonchalant attitude. We realize that our great country is just that because of the dedication and countless sacrifices of the men and women who have fought and died to keep us. We are the Land of the Free because we are the Home of the Brave. 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 On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures for the Professional Carpet Cleaner

THE PHONE

The phone is the life line of a service business. Granted there are advertising campaigns, web sites, customer referral, etc. These and other tangible efforts are designed to do one thing, make the phone ring. From that point forward, how that call is handled will determine the outcome of the call. Will it be a “sale” or a lost opportunity? In many instances, service companies rely on voice mail or answering services to handle the initial contact. Whether by necessity or design, these are not the best ways to handle the phone inquiry. Many times, a potential customer is “shopping” therefore they are looking for immediate answers. The majority of the time, they may leave a message but will more than likely be making other calls to competitors. Possibly by the time their call is returned, they may have made a “buying” decision. For the sake of this blog, the discussion will presume the phone call has been answered “live” or returned before the potential customer has made a buying decision. Calls should be answered with a “smile” on the phone representative’s face. Callers can actually “feel” the smile as well as a grimace or frown. A cheery voice and the ability to answer questions are worth their weight in gold (literally). A phone voice is a lot like a handshake. It should project strength and sincerity. Welcoming and pleasant phrases should be employed at all times. If possible, avoid putting the potential customer on hold. If needed, ask permission by saying “may I put you on hold for a few moments while I check our schedule or resolve the answer to your question”? If putting the call on “hold” is necessitated, be sure the call is muted. That way the customer doesn’t hear abject background noises or actual conversations which may be either distracting or potentially embarrassing. The phone should be viewed as importantly as the tools and technicians used in the Company. Failure to do so will prevent a chance to display the quality of the service business. Related Articles and Information: ABCs of Advertising Advertising - the Essential Element Advertising the Bane-Clene Way Phone Courtesy Telephone Etiquette in the Carpet Cleaning Business Why Doesn’t My Advertising Work? 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 On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures for the Professional Carpet Cleaner

MOTHER’S DAY Mother’s Day will be celebrated on May 12, 2024, in The United States of America and many other countries around the world. It is an honoring of the Mother of a family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence mothers have had and continue to have on our society. Mother’s Day can trace its roots to ancient Greek, Roman and Christian traditions; also Native Americans believe in the tradition of Mother Earth. All of these traditions have taken on their own type of celebration and recognition. The modern Mother’s Day began in the USA in 1911. In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother’s Day as a national holiday which would be recognized on the second Sunday of May. Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®

PROSPECTS

Marketing for individual prospects may appear at times a costly investment in a business. We are certainly not advocating abandoning or scaling back that portion of an advertising program. What we are encouraging is calling on your local businesses in aligned fields. These Companies are in constant contact with individuals and other Companies that will be prospects for Carpet, Rugs and Upholstery cleaning services. First and foremost on the list are Carpet Retailers. One can only imagine the number of potential prospects they come in contact with on a daily basis. Their customers have engaged them in the purchase of carpeting and or rugs. So, it is only natural that their customers contact them about cleaning and whom they recommend. In fact, with many carpet warranties requiring periodic cleaning then this contact could be priceless. Other contacts for residential cleaning could include Maid Services, Window Cleaners and other related services such as Dry Cleaners. They also have contact with potential clientele. On the commercial cleaning side, there are Janitorial and Building Maintenance services. Finally, one off the wall contact would be Veterinarians. Why? Well their clientele (furry friends) occasionally have accidents and these accidents may require cleaning and deodorizing. Whomever is approached should obviously be offered a demonstration. Credentials and affiliations with appropriate organizations should be provided. A Certificate of Insurance is another important item. Any references that can be provided will only enhance a presentation. Any or all of these prospects would want to align themselves with a high quality professional cleaning services. Related Articles and Information: ABCs of Advertising Advertising - the Essential Element Advertising the Bane-Clene Way Carpet Retailers 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 On-Line Spot & Stain Removal Guide & Procedures for the Professional Carpet Cleaner