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Thanks Paul
I thought I would be on here more often but shewhomust has Parkinson’s and as her full time carer I’ve been run off my feet
At this point we’re having some respite so I’m trying to get some of my life back and this forum has always been stimulating
I turned 80 recently and suddenly realised I can’t do some of the things I used to take for granted but I’ll put my 2 bobs worth in when I can

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Many years ago on this forum we talked about getting the right balance I know when I first started as the business grew so did my work load
This went on for a number of years then one day someone asked did I know of any part time jobs
Training took place over a few weeks and my first subbie started then word must have spread before I knew it I had 5 sunnies and I was able to take time off
I was then able to work on my business so that there was balance

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Thanks Suze
Business haven’t really change that much over time
So we live in a digital time which doesn’t change business basics
If we haven’t got business basics then you won’t succeed
It’s been interesting looking at small businesses as to how they operate how they treat potential customers and how they treat their staff.
I’ve been observing as an outsider and must admit it’s been interesting
Firstly how is your Customer Service
This Is where your potential customer quite often makes up their mind if they want to do business with you
Honesty
How do you sell to the potential customer
Do you have a sales pitch.
Why not just be yourself
I was in Sales and Marketing for most of my working life and yet I never sold anything If your product or service was good it sold itself
Punctual
If you make an appointment time then make sure you are early. Not late
If your running late a phone call is most important and in this digital age everyone has a phone
Elderly potential customers
If you have a product or service that the elderly can use how do you treat them
Many elderly retired people often has more disposable income than you do so be warned they can make or break you
Ok its nice to be back
Thanks Suze

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What about SIGN HERE

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Marketing is the way to let everyone know you have products or services that they may need.
It also depends where you want to sell your products or services.
Start small, start local then expand your area as you grow your business.
Trying to take on the worlk can be a little bit expensive, but taking on local via community groups, because the local newspaper no longer exists.
Are you developing your customers to become a group that raves to others of your fantastic products or services you have. Are you encouraging them to do so.
Do you talk to strangers in the street or at the shops
Can you tell someone what your business does in less than two minutes
Advertising is a necessity as is a website, but you will be amased how much local business you can generate by just talking to local strangers.

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Probably the best thing that has come out of lockdown is that my grandson has learnt how to wash his hands correctly.
I’ve also found an old friend that I lost touch with over 50 years ago.
We were in a Music group for several year he played drums and I played Clarinet. We went to the UK same times the Seekers but we were more into jazz
Have also spent time helping cleaners. Many wanted to discount their prices but I have advised not too

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One of the nicest things that have come out of lockdown that those in the Cleaning industry the small or Soloist business are actually helping each other.
We introduced this idea back in 2008, but only the carpet cleaners took it up.
Now I’m seeing commercial cleaners doing the same thing especially when it comes to decontamination of offices.
I’m hoping this will remain after Covid

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Paul – FS Concierge, post: 270483, member: 78928 wrote:

Applied to business, I like the question, If you were a customer of the Best (insert your type of business here) Commercial Cleaning Company in the world, what would that be like?

How would you interact?
How would you be treated?
How would issues be resolved?
What would the results be? and on it goes.

Within this context, it is not a luxury to ask this but almost a duty.

Cheers,
Paule
My answer to that, it would be awesome, as there would be no issues to be resolved and you would be treated with respect and you could interact any time you felt like it.
There is a small commercial cleaning company in Bendigo that is gradually building to this level.
A few of the older guys in the industry have been guiding the owner with suggestions and moral support for a couple of years now..

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I was cleaning a carpet in a three bedroom unit. The Tennant wasn’t happy as there was this grey area on a beige carpet. To please her I scrubbed and scrubbed trying not to over wet the carpet. Then it dawned on me I closed the blind and turned the light on. Bingo the grey area disappeared.
It was a shadow from the window.
I hadn’t been cleaning carpets very long at that time and there were no courses, that has now changed

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Yes well it’s been a while since I last posted about 12 months then I was involved with the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre trying to raise much needed funds funds, but it appears that I have friends in the most unlikely places as I sent out a few emails to people that I know that funds appeared from SDH saving a couple of people’s jobs and got extra space for the exercise gym for cancer survivors. To this day I have no idea who it was that arranged this but I did appreciate the help.
Actually the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre is always looking for donations small or large. This centre is located at Concord Hospital..
I’ll see what I can do to pass on some of my knowledge and experience

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I’ve done both pay Ltd and sole trader.
You mentioned a subbie is he working for you more than 80% of his time or just casual when you need him.
For me I enjoyed the freedom of being a sole trader.

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Unless things have changed dramatically, I used my local newspaper to get local jobs. I had a Web site but it didn’t pull in the customers. Many of my colleagues use Facebook and another thing to look into is joining an association, get a bit of training, then increase your prices. Because you may be too cheap.

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That’s a difficult question
My first business was a Fashion Agent that was 42 years ago
My second business I started in 1987. Which was a Cleaning business
My third business I started 11 years ago when I retired which was a Cleaning Association.
I am back into cleaning at the age of 76 and can’t see me retiring in the bear future.
When you find something you love it no longer becomes work it’s something you look forward to doing.
So would 42 years be ok.

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How time flys when your having fun. And a big thank you to those that have donated to the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre.
Sydney Health has made a considerable contribution and Bendigo Bank also donated $ 20,000 dollars and to top it of Concord Golf Club a. further $ 5300.
Things are looking very positive but we still have a long way to go.
We are currently organising some fund raising events for later on this year and hopefully I’ll be able to post here soon with the dates and what they will be.
I’ve been watching the forum but haven’t posted for a while but that is about to change.
See you soon
Burgo

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Friends of the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre is our new Facebook page
Have a look and like if you please

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