Author Topic: What is the biggest challenge for today's cleaner? (Read 470 times)

Mike M · « **on:** January 09, 2012, 12:55:39 PM »

Just curious.........What do you see as the biggest challenge for cleaners today?

micky navarro · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:34:10 PM »

for a newbie, probably attaining, and keeping loyal customers!

for a veteran, probably keeping who were loyal customers, and remembering how to attain new ones!

Derek · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:05:30 PM »

for me it is finding new clients and booking jobs. slowly getting there tho. every year is a little better

Juan Rodriguez · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:20:24 PM »

What Mickey said.

Also, this is such "an easy to get into industry" that you will always have the perennial low-ball cleaner coming into the market (they have to make a living). Most low-baller disproportionally skew the waters by miscalculating the market and its pricing and, consequently drowns (sometimes taking experience cleaners with them).
While others swim across the bay by attaining a market share with a sound pricing structure. I try to keep with the swimmers and keep from drowning by wearing a life jacket (my life jacket is not competing with the low-ballers).

CACBServices · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2012, 02:43:57 PM »

Depends on how one is getting into the business.

1. If it's pay as you go and build your business on a cash basis, then I think the biggest challenge is patience. (This assumes one does not have a large cash reserve to invest in a new business and live on while they build their business, or a well paid spouse.) We can talk all we want about all kinds of plans and schemes, and more than ever I'm convinced it's about time and hard work. Even if your very first job, and every job after that, leaves the customer loving you it still takes time and hard work to build to critical mass of satisfied customers to make decent money on repeats and referrals. On the other hand, it takes strategic, informed, well financed marketing and advertising to accelerate that process. Most would-be cleaners don't have the knowledge and cash to drive such a plan. As mentioned, they get into it because the perception is that "it's easy to get in to." I think those that have been doing it a while (can I include myself now that I'm in my 5th year) exacerbate the problem when we begin to talk about $$$/hr when we are operating a machine. The more realistic number is $$$/hr including sleepless nights, surfing the web for equipment and advice, knocking on doors and all the other things about running a business that takes time and work. If we talked about the second number I believe we would discourage many from buying their first bucket and sponge. So in the end the biggest challenge is having the energy, patience and guts to stick with it until one is successful.

2. Finance start up - then it's about finding a banker or investor that will work with you. Start up money, especially if your debt to income ratio is not so good, is just really hard to find.

3. For both categories, business smarts. How to run a balance sheet and profit/loss statement, manage customer data bases and contacts and all that non-cleaning stuff can really dog a person.

jeffvanburen · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:30:24 PM »

I would say its heavily related to the economy, alot of cleaners are low balling due to the economy and seeking income without realizing you can't just break even and stay in business, thus creating a ***** market. Fuel prices high yet you have to be careful raising our prices due to low ballers again economy related. Overheads equipment,insurance,vehicle repairs or replacement all cost more again related to economy. Less people working and those that have finally found work are bring home substantionly less money and trying to catch up on bills they have fell behind on, again economy related.

bigchuckie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:47:52 PM »

Marketing. I didnt realize that I would have to become a salesman

ChemBright · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:53:08 PM »

Micky's last statement nailed it. Remembering how to obtain new ones (customers). I find that marketing for me is one of the hardest things to do. It's the finding a good advertiser is what is hard. So many people want my money for advertising and promise the world and then in reality they are kinda like the fly by night carpet cleaner that just wants that first customer and could care less about longevity.

George Barnett · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:55:04 PM »

Overcoming consumer's behavior.

Mo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2012, 08:07:59 PM »

Quote from: Mike Martell on January 09, 2012, 12:55:39 PM

Just curious.........What do you see as the biggest challenge for cleaners today?

Until recently the biggest challenge for me has been cleaning. I don't know if it's because I have done a lot more of it this year or because I hired a helper. I actually enjoy it more when my tech goes out to do the cleaning

I think that might change with a slow January and February, nothing like decrease in income to get you motivated

CACBServices · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2012, 09:10:49 AM »

Maybe I'm just in denial, but I prefer not to name the economy as an obstacle. Makes me feel helpless. As entrepreneurs we have to create our own economy. Yes, expenses are up considerably, but so is revenue. It's been a good year for me and 2012 is starting out just fine. Set up 5 mixed service jobs to be completed by early next week and beginning 2 new janitorial accounts in the next week. Unheard of in the other winters I've been in business. Hope it continues.

However, if we look at the economy I think the upper mid west did not see quite the same impact from the recession as other areas of the country. Our economic swings don't seem so wild and extreme. Yes, lots of people impacted, just not to the degree that you folks on the coasts were. The flip side to this is that when other parts of the country are booming, we don't see the extreme in that direction either.

I really think the biggest obstacle to being successful in any reasonable business venture has to do with character qualities; attitude, endurance, patience, creativity, persistence, guts, willingness to learn, friendliness, self discipline, etc. You either have these qualities when you give it a try, or your entrepreneurial ventures will quickly teach you these qualities.

Mike M · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2012, 10:06:00 AM »

All good points.

Eric - Denial? YES. But that's OK.

So what seems to be a recurring theme is sales and management related?

We have a section for that on our forum but it is seldom used.

I think sales is something that is easy to forget about, especially if things are going good. Most of us are/were relatively small companies with the owner doing most everything. A larger company could have someone dedicated to sales, etc. Maybe the use of some newer tools like phone Apps or booking services could help? There are so many things you could do today its almost dizzying.

Derek · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2012, 11:40:47 AM »

a little off topic, but i know the decline in the economy has helped me more than hurt...clients are cleaning instead of replacing, to save themselves money.

i am very fortunate. i am sure i am not the only one here who has experienced this.

Mike M · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2012, 01:23:05 PM »

Derek - You are fortunate.

Parts of this state have declined beyond that. Some people are having to decide between fuel for heat or food/medicines.

Derek · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2012, 03:23:11 PM »

i am speaking in terms of our profession only. i know ppl are starving the world over, sign of the times. if you can read this then you ain't starving & are fortunate.

Mike M · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2012, 08:17:45 PM »

I was speaking in terms of our profession.

People will clean before they replace when times are tough. This has been a given for decades. There comes a time though when people are too broke to even clean. This is what I was referring to.

Infamousdave · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2012, 10:27:19 PM »

Quote from: bigchuckie on January 09, 2012, 04:47:52 PM

Marketing. I didnt realize that I would have to become a salesman

This is the hardest lesson that most new small business people have to learn. No matter what industry you are in, you are in the sales and marketing business first and foremost.

Derek · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2012, 11:18:16 AM »

ok now i understand you Mike.

Chuck & Dave, i agree with you...finding new clients as i said before, is the hardest part for me. i THINK i am an OK salesman (tho i never wanted to be in sales)...i could be totally wrong tho

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2012, 09:31:27 PM »

Great thread!
Of course u all said it right, so here's my sense..
1. Desire/Drive to be free. 2. the ability to keep # 1 , number 1.
And yes wining friends and influencing as many people along the way as possible..
Which is sales/marketing in its highest form.
All the repeat will come if u do the above In rightful fashion.

Mike M · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2012, 06:00:22 AM »

What seems to be the difficulty with sales/marketing?

Is it that you are bad when you do it or that you fail to start doing it?

It doesn't have to be difficult or complicated. Pick something that works for you and stick to it. I think most suffer because they fail to do anything at all.

CACBServices · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2012, 11:50:19 AM »

I think the difficulty is in "picking something to do" and then doing it well. For instance, some on the board have nominal result with phone book listings. Mine do well. Some have great results with Web site traffic. Mine are okay. And there are a lot options out there to promote your business. So, have I picked the right/wrong things or is it that I could do either better? "Finding the right thing" can take time, study, trial and error and that means money. Start ups usually have to invest (waste?) more money up front figuring out the right mix and the right way to execute that mix. I've tried a bunch of things and have now settled into referrals, occasional mailing (regular and email), phone books and internet. Seems to work for me, but I can't ever know if this is the best mix because there are always other options to try.

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Author Topic: What is the biggest challenge for today's cleaner? (Read 470 times)