General Article

Four Appealing Traits of a Successful Janitorial Service

The day that Jake Williams ran into his old friend from school and found that he too was in need of a job was the day that he first thought of forming an office cleaning company. He had been racking his brain and trying to come up with something that would not take too much of an initial investment but would rely instead on hard work and discipline. Jake knew that he had that kind of fortitude and was willing to bet that his friend Pete did also. The tricky part was that he had to schedule everything around his college classes and he had to offer a superior finished product in order to gain customers who would contract with him. Jake found that he had good luck getting companies to use his janitorial services because he became so enthused when he would describe what he could do to make their offices shine. As the company took on more and more clients, Jake and Pete found that they were becoming successful and they decided to make it a full time business with college classes postponed to sometime in the future. They both agreed that they needed to take advantage of the client base they had built up immediately to tap into what they both considered a bright future. Many of their customers listed these reasons for contracting with them:

• Promptness – When Jake scheduled with a company he made sure that he and Pete were there exactly when they said they would be. Businesses especially like to have workplace areas cleaned at night so that everything is ready to go when their employees arrive in the morning so they found that much of their work was scheduled during the overnight hours and they were prompt and efficient in their work.

• Superior finished product – Jake and Pete actually asked a retired former owner of a business such as they wanted to start to train them on a paid basis. Following his direction, they became skilled learning the best methods to use and the most fitting equipment for each job. When they actually started working for their clients, this experience was absolutely invaluable. It prompted them to truly give attention to detail while performing their job and gave them confidence in their abilities.

• Reasonable rates – Knowing that businesses become successful when they can gain a loyal following, Jake and Pete concentrated on providing good work for a reasonable rate. They offered discounts for long term commitments to use their company and tried to rely on word of mouth recommendations to build the company reputation. They also offered an option for payment either weekly, monthly or even annually depending on the preference of the client.

• Flexibility on company preferences – As businesses grow or change direction it is sometimes necessary to revise whatever schedules or clean-up routines have been agreed upon. Jake and Pete made it a priority to …

How to Use Business Statistics to Build a Marketing Plan

Analyzing the current market allows you to take a good look at your competitors and where you stand as a business within the market. Are you leading the market or are you far behind from being at the top? Business statistics allow you to see where you are with your product or service. This data not only gives you a ranking, but also allows you to determine what your strong points are and areas that need development and improvement. In addition, you will be able to see areas within the marketplace that are opportunities.

Building a marketing strategy cannot be done without using business statistics. This is because a marketing strategy is designed for branding a company by building a name customers trust and remember. If you don’t know where you stand with the competitors in the market, then it is difficult to build a strategy that will work. A strategy needs to consist of creating a larger customer base, forging ahead of the competitors, building a better product, and a name that customers trust.

Once a marketing strategy has been determined for a company, the steps to accomplish it must be put in place. These steps will be the methods of marketing which work best to achieve the goals set in place. Business statistics can help determine which marketing techniques will work best to achieve the expected outcome. Having the right steps in place to achieve your marketing goals are important if you want the marketing plan to be successful. Statistics can provide data for which techniques and steps have worked for other businesses and also provide information about those that have failed. This way, you can learn from others mistakes.

Business statistics also allow you to determine the approximate cost of a marketing plan also. This information might be the amount of money your competitors spent on their strategies to succeed or it might include internal data of previous years and the amount of money you have spent.

The time it will take for a marketing plan to be planned, designed, and implemented can also be estimated or determined through the use of business statistics. If you have never designed a marketing plan before, then researching market data will be very useful to you. Creating a realistic timeline is very important. The last thing you want to do is underestimate a project by a month or two and be working for free.

A marketing plan relies almost entirely on business statistics and current market data regarding competition, successful techniques, cost, and even the time the project will take. Research is required for total success with a marketing plan to effectively brand a company and build a name customers trust.…

Are Office Cleaning Services At Commercial Places Worthy?

In the modern times we live in today, most of the businesses we see everyday are looking for ways to increase their activity and productivity levels. To ensure that they make the maximum amount of profits out of their invested money, business owners employ a range of strategies that seldom provide fruitful results.

Moreover, the companies are interested in reducing the levels of cost to retain profits. In such circumstances, the best way to increase productivity levels is to invest some money into hiring office cleaning services. It is an established fact that cluttered workplaces are obstructive for employees’ morale and productivity levels. Clean and tidy places keep workers happier and make the workplaces more conducive to work at.

Office cleaning services are relatively low at cost compared to the total cost of employing conventional cleaning methods. The service is worthy mainly because of the quality of services rendered, which make the workplace professional and organized.

Before you finalize a commercial cleaning service, be sure to take quotes from at least top three commercial cleaning service companies. A professional company would always want to meet you and take a tour of your facility before drawing up a quote. Each place is different in size and architecture, so the cost will vary as per the effort required to put in.

When you meet a salesperson, you should look how well groomed s/he is. This tells about the professionalism of the company. Look how neat are their hands, clothes and other things. Are they confident in their speech about their company? Moving to the details about their company, read the literature they provide in detail. The quality and quantity of information provided is an indicator of the kind of services rendered.

Look whether the person is friendly, enthusiastic and interested in working with your organization. Assess how good the salesperson is in locating the deficiencies in the system installed at your workplace. Also, consider the questions that you are asked to evaluate how well they have understood the structure of the systems installed at the workplace.

The best commercial cleaning service company will be able to deliver the best services in the following areas:

1. Odors in different parts of the office

2. Mineral deposits accumulated in drinking fountains

3. Dull, spotted and stained metal surfaces

4. Mineral and soap deposits accumulated on rest room faucets

5. Dust accumulated behind computers and at places above eye level

6. Heavy stains on carpets and floors

7. Dull finishes and wax build up on tile floors…

There are countless factors at play in the success or failure of any particular eatery. While some simply suffer from poor management or subpar food, there are more specific issues that can plague even the most iconic restaurant around. If you are looking for some easy ways to increase your restaurants reputation, there are some surefire ways to set off on the right path. Keep reading for some easy steps you can take toward long-term success and growth.

Offer More Convenience

Sure, diners at the typical fast food establishment are typically looking for something fast and affordable. But that does not mean those in more upscale establishments should ignore the value aspect of the experience. Give the people what they want and they will be sure to come back in the future. This might include expanding the typical offerings to include something to bring in a different crowd. For example, finding out how to get an alcohol permit in Dallas TX could be a consideration in some circumstances.

Offer Better Service

There might be a premium on convenience, but even when that is not possible, service can make all the difference. Making things correctly from the beginning or ensuring that they are made right by the time a customer leaves will ensure everyone leaves with a positive impression. Sure, it is impossible to please everyone. Making each customer’s satisfaction a priority, however, is a great place to start.

Offer Greater Value

First of all, value is not the same as cheap. Even fine dining restaurants must provide value for their expensive dinners. Make sure customers leave with the surety that they reveived the most for their money.
Despite the many intricacies of running a successful restaurant, the guidelines listed above will offer a handy point of reference for anyone in the field.…

Commercial Cleaning – Will Your Premises Pass the White Glove Test?

Commercial cleaning is an area that every business, large or small, should consider carefully. Cleaning a workplace must be a priority. Fresh clean workspaces not only benefit workers but they also impress customers and clients.

Worried About The Standard of Cleaning?

If your workplace cleaning is not up scratch chances are that staff and customers might also be affected. Staff morale can get down if they constantly feel their surroundings are not cared for. Plus there are bacteria that can spread and cause downtime.

Customers and clients will notice:

* Dust

* Smears on glass

* Dirt on floors

* Stained carpet

* Coffee mug rings on tables

* Unnecessary clutter

* Overflowing bins

* Smells

You can almost be assured that if you have concerns, others probably do also.

There are many reasons why businesses don’t look for a commercial cleaning service:

* Worried About Expense – a good service will probably save you money in the long run. By using the proper cleaning equipment they can be done in less time to a higher standard.

* Think Their Business Is Too Small – This simply isn’t true. Even one person running a business from a home office can benefit from professional cleaning routine. If you are holding client meetings in your home office show them you take your business seriously by a high standard of cleanliness.

* Have an existing cleaner – be brutally your cleaner really effective and consistent at having the workplace perfectly clean every day? The worst thing about the cleaner you might have had for years is complacency. Continually hiring and firing has a negative effect as well. Commercial cleaners will always ensure a cleaner is there at scheduled times and the cleaning is always completed to the same exacting standards.

* Other Staff Take Care Of Cleaning – this really is not an optimal way to clean a workplace. Staff who are employed in other areas generally resent cleaning. It can cause unrest if some clean more than others and may not see them available at all times for their regular position. Saving money in this way rarely works.

* You Clean Your Own Business Place – This probably the worst case scenario. If you are running a business you can’t expect to be able to clean your premises to a commercial standard regularly. There will always be times that you miss areas because of other commitments. Things that are missed begin to compound and the busier you get the more you think a quick go over will do. It won’t and this affects the performance of the business.

Cleanliness Checklist

Here are just some of the things that need to get done on a regular basis in a workplace with kitchen and bathroom facilities. There is a lot more to commercial cleaning than tidying up and a quick vacuum:

* Dust all surfaces both visible and hidden

* Wipe all surfaces …

How to Start a Cleaning Business – The Critical Importance of Systems

Take a close look inside any service business start up, and you’ll very often see the same picture. An owner/operator stuck balancing the drive for new business and getting existing business serviced, all the while trying to pay the bills and answer phones. One of the recurring themes that you’ll hear from us at the How to Start a Cleaning Business Blog is the importance of putting systems in place early on so that all parts of the business function smoothly whether you’re there or not.

Every aspect of the business needs to be systemized in the company’s infancy so that down the line you’re offering a consistent product at a reasonable price, growing your business steadily without pulling your hair out, and getting paid to do the work that you’ve just finished.

Here are three of the most vital areas of the cleaning business start up that need to be systemized when the doors open.

Develop a marketing strategy

Many cleaning business entrepreneurs immediately shy away when we begin discussing marketing. It’s one of the areas that they know they need to dial in and focus on, but don’t have a clear enough picture of what should be happening with marketing to take control of it. We’re not saying that you need to spend vast sums of money on marketing here. But before you spend $1 on ANY form of marketing or advertising, you need to understand your demographic and your market so that once that first marketing dollar leaves your wallet, you can effectively evaluate whether or not it was money well spent. You’re never going to get it right each and every time you employ a marketing strategy. That’s why you MUST be able to evaluate your efforts.

Develop an operational checklist

It’s an inevitable situation. You start the business cleaning properties yourself along with your two trusty employees. Then you get the call that your child is sick and needs to be picked up from school. You leave your two fantastic employees to finish the last three houses of the day and that evening, the calls start to come in. They missed the master bathroom at the Jones house. They completely forgot the kitchen counters at the Smith residence. And guess who gets to go back and literally “clean up the mess” tomorrow. Yes, you do. An operational checklist is absolutely critical in the cleaning industry. When you go to McDonald’s do you think they just guess at how long to cook your fries or what they’ll put on your hamburger for toppings? No, they don’t. They deliver the same product each and every time. And you must do that as well in order to manage and meet customer expectations.

Employ a communications strategy

Far too many cleaning business owners are coming close to the edge of sanity each and every day trying to balance operations and coordinating communication with prospective customers and existing …

Working From Home: Organization Is Key!

One of the best things about working as a writer is the fact that you are able to do so from anywhere in the world, providing that you have something to write with. However, most writers still find that they need somewhere that they are able to store all of their materials, as this means that they know where to look when they need to find something. It is very easy to suddenly find yourself surrounded with bits of paper that you’re not even sure if you need, so it is therefore important to make sure that you spring clean your work space every so often.

The first thing that you need to do is to work out what you need to keep and what you don’t. You should make sure that you keep everything to do with the financial side of your writing, as these are things that you may need to refer to later, but there are often lots of pieces of scrap paper that you’re able to simply get rid of.

If you are registered as self employed, then it is vital that you keep good records of every payment that you receive. To do this, you could buy a box file that is specifically for this purpose, and you would then be able to keep everything in date order, which means that you could easily find information when it is needed. It may help to buy a shelf, as this means that you would be able to place a number of files upon it, and it would be out of the way of your working space.

If you keep money in your office, then you should make sure that you have a safe. This is the best option to prevent your money from being taken, and it can sit in the corner of your office without taking up too much space at all.

Being hygienic is vital, as things like surfaces and keyboards can attract a lot of dirt. You should make sure that you wipe these down regularly so that you keep on top of the cleaning before it gets too much for you.

Once you have done this, you should find that you are now in the perfect environment to carry on with your work. You will be much more productive, and this will show in the quality of your writing and your mood whilst you are working.…

Profit From the Rate Cuts Around the World – Look to the Currency Market

Are you sick of the stock market?  Are you staying up late worrying about your retirement account?  Is your stomach permanently tied in knots because of volatility?  Are you dizzy from the markets being up 300, down 800, up 100, down 700.  Are you looking at your statements just wondering why all your money is disappearing?

Is it time to try something new?

Let me tell you, many investors believe buy and hold is dead.

What do I mean?  Just look at the stock market over the last 10 years. Back in early 1999 the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 10,000. Today, almost 10 years later the market’s in exactly the same spot.  No joke.

So if the equity markets aren’t the place to be what’s left?

Have you thought about trading currencies? These days, currencies are easy to trade.  You can do it right from your own brokerage account.  No need to open new accounts or learn a new trading language.

  Another reason to look at currencies: we are on the edge of a recession, not only in the United States but around the world as well.  And I’m not the only one who sees this happening.

Apparently the major central banks around the world feel the same way – they all cut rates in emergency sessions last night.  Our own Federal Reserve cut rates 50 basis points.  Major investors the world over see the risks to the global economy.  In order to preserve investment dollars they’re moving to safe investments.

The safest investment in the world is the US Dollar.

I know what you’re thinking.  “My money is already in US Dollars.”  That’s great!  This gives you an even better opportunity to profit.  And here’s how to do it.

Currencies trade in pairs.  Let me give you an example.

Global investors had moved a good deal of money into Australia over the last few years.  The economy was humming along and their money was earning high levels of interest (in excess of 7%).  This means they owned a great deal of Australian Dollars (The local currency).

A few months ago the Australian economy started to weaken.  Consumer spending slowed, and as commodity prices fell, the economy’s growth slowed.  At the same time the US Dollar was getting stronger.  The risk in Australia seemed big, so money flowed from the Aussie Dollar to the US Dollar. As a result the value of the Aussie Dollar fell. 

Just yesterday, the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates by 1%. This was a huge move.  Consider most rate cuts are 0.25% or 0.50% at the most.  The reserve bank went a full percentage point.  This weakened the Aussie Dollar even more.

Profiting from the fall.

Over a month ago I recommended to short the Australian Dollar.  We went short by purchasing carefully selected put options.  These options spiked in value over the last few weeks and now …

Daily Office Cleaning

One of the most important factors to consider when managing an office is how daily office cleaning will contribute to the efficiency of your office.

When there are no distractions for staff or you, more time will be devoted to completing their work. Dirty desks, full bins and messy floors can be big distractions.

One way in which many offices achieve a clean office is through either archiving or digitising paper files. If you file them onto your office network, then there is no longer any need for the paper file, and so it can be disposed of. When you magnify this by the number of pieces of paper you have in your office, it will make a significant difference to the cleanliness of your office, presenting it in a professional manner to potential clients.

Ensuring that you keep the amount of paper files low will reduce the amount of cupboards and lockers you need for storing out of date files. If you do choose to digitise your office filing system, you will need to resource a back up system of some kind to ensure 100 percent office continuity, in case something happens to your data.

Another office cleaning tip is through setting aside time to actually do it. By timetabling in cleaning time to your business schedule each week you will be able to give the office the deep clean that it needs; removing waste paper, rubbish and all the other mess your staff leave around! If you do need to keep some paper documents, assign them in order of priority, putting the highest priority on top of your storage base and the least at the bottom, allowing easy access to the items you need the most.

Possibly the best tip we can give you is that instead of doing all the work yourself, hire a commercial cleaning company instead. This will allow you to focus on bringing in more clients and profit for your business while still keeping your office presentable and an efficient working environment. When you hire a cleaning company, make sure they can provide references for their current clients and follow these up to make sure they do a good job.

Most cleaning companies are prepared to sign Non Disclosure Agreements as they will be in your office and could potentially see things that should not be public knowledge.

In conclusion, the few office cleaning tips we have offered here will help keep your office as efficient and attractive as possible, attracting new clients and bringing in more profit for your firm. By just following these tips, you’ll instantly transform your mess into success!…

Cleaning Supplies an Office Cleaning Company Should Have

Office cleaning companies take care of all of the picking up, scraping off, throwing out, and cleaning up of offices to keep them looking great. There is a lot of work that goes into making sure the office looks perfect, and along with that, there are a lot of office cleaning supplies that are needed to achieve this.

There are many different office cleaning supplies that every company should have and should know how to use. The basic supplies consist of mops, brooms, and dustpans; they keep the floors dust-free and squeaky clean. A vacuum is vital in cleaning; most companies have carpet in their offices and it needs to look elegant and clean at all times, especially when clients are coming in and out of the office. Industrial vacuum cleaners are essential, because regular vacuum cleaners may not pick up all of the dirt left on the carpet after a long day of work.

Anti-Static Cleaners and Air Dusters are extremely important in keeping sensitive electronics such as, computers, fax machines, printers, and copy machines (anything that can potentially be damaged by liquids) clean. Anti-static cleaners are for removing the dust on computer monitors, and for preventing that dust to come back. Air dusters are cans filled with compressed air that release a blast of air onto the equipment to remove the dust.

Gum removers, all-purpose cleaners, bleaches, and industrial strength glass cleaners are also critical supplies to have in an office cleaning business. Gum removers are not only used to remove gum from the carpet, but can also be used as a cleaner for rugs. All-purpose cleaners work to help remove grease and dirt from tabletops while keeping their surfaces safe. Bleaches are used to disinfect tabletops and office desks, usually containing chlorine which helps kill bacteria. Industrial strength glass cleaners are powerful enough to keep the office windows streak free and clean.

Keeping an office clean and looking good is crucial in a company, and companies like Jani-King offer exceptional office cleaning services.…