Home Cleaning Business Secrets

Author: [Canada] Besse
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: From a market perspective, the cleaning industry has great potential to develop into a large business with multiple branches and franchised stores. Your business will grow to the point where you rent an office, hire workers, purchase transportation vehicles, and even develop your own products and design personalized customer services. Maintaining a small-scale business is also a challenge. The size of your business is limited only by your own expansion desires and financial goals. You can choose to operate quietly and conduct small-scale operations near your home. Ultimately, the decision is yours. For those who have previously held middle management positions, entering this industry means they will have the opportunity to earn equal amounts of money in less time and obtain higher management positions. The home cleaning business can be profitable from start to finish, even if you retire or sell the business. The value in your business lies in the advantage it provides you, which is something that those working behind the scenes as cleaners and many individuals who rely on cleaning for a living do not possess. Regardless of your goals, this book is your guide to success. The reward of success is profit and the sense of achievement from your work. With common sense, skills, and determination, you can succeed.
1. In-depth Analysis
(1) A. Before You Start
(2) B. Is This the Business for You
(3) C. Fill the Gap
(4) D. You’re on Your Way
2. Go All Out: Take Action
(1) A. Choose Your Target Market
(1) Assess Market Potential
(2) Confirm Your Customers
(2) B. Measure Your Competitors
(3) C. Compliance
(1) Regional Regulations
(2) Insurance
(3) Business License
(4) Commercial Taxes
(4) D. Determine Your Business Name
(5) E. Determine Your Company’s Structure
(1) Sole Proprietorship
(2) Partnership
(3) Corporation
(6) F. Specialized Services: Your Lawyer and Accountant
(7) G. Buy an Existing Business or Franchise
(8) H. Rent or Buy
3. Set Goals and Start Financing
(1) A. Describe Your Mission
(2) B. Anticipate Your Needs
(1) Analyze Your Costs
(2) Your Cash Flow Input
(3) Calculate Your Break-Even Point
(3) C. How Much Should You Charge
(4) D. Adjust Your Predictions Regularly
(5) E. Fundraising
(6) F. Your Business Plan
4. Refine Your Skills: Organize Your Business
(1) A. Understand Your Business
(1) The Joy of Cleaning
(2) What You Need for Cleaning Work
(2) B. Organize Your Headquarters
(1) Work From Home
(2) Set Up an Office Outside Home
(3) Arrange Your Office
(4) Safety Concerns of the Location
(5) Transportation
(6) Telephones and Answering Machines
(3) C. Manage Your Banking and Company Accounts
(1) Your Billing/Payroll System
(2) Your Bank Statements
(3) B/F System
(4) D. Collaborate with Suppliers
(1) Stay in Touch
(2) Get Discounted Prices
5. Marketing
(1) A. Be Present: Let People Know You Exist
(2) B. Shape Your Image
(3) C. Advertising Strategy
(4) D. Yellow Pages
(5) E. Promote Your Business at Trade Shows
(6) F. Direct Mail Marketing
(7) G. Cross-Promotion
(8) H. Timing
(9) I. Get Maximum Benefits
(10) J. How to Use Colors Correctly in Promotional Materials
6. The Gold in the Cleaning Cloths: Pricing Your Services
(1) A. Your Goals
(2) B. Quoting and Pricing Techniques
(3) C. Profit-Margin Pricing Process
(4) D. Value Contracts and Pricing
(5) E. Save Your Customers Money; Save Yourself Time
(6) F. Basic Requirements for Quoting
(1) Always Visit the Worksite
(2) Be Prepared for Customer Questions
(3) Always Visit the Worksite Personally
(7) G. Payment Methods
7. Focus on Labor Resources: Hiring and Deploying Employees
(1) A. The Purpose of Hiring
(2) B. Analyze Employee Deployment Needs
(1) Who Are the Ideal Employees
(2) Attract Employees
(3) C. Carefully Analyze Employee Responsibilities
(4) D. Interviews
(1) Location
(2) Application Forms
(3) What You Need to Know
(4) Design Interview Questions
(5) Conduct Interviews
(5) E. Probation Period
(6) F. Work Uniforms
(7) G. Legal and Regulatory Requirements
(1) Understand the Legal and Regulatory Requirements
(2) Tax Reporting
(3) Other Requirements
(4) Other Steps
(8) H. Benefits and Incentives
(9) I. Termination
8. Training
(1) A. Basic Principles
(2) B. Build a Training Venue
(3) C. Meet Company Standards
(1) Encourage Employees to Learn Through Practice
(2) Keep It Simple
(4) D. Tips for Trainers
(1) Explain or Describe the Job in Detail
(2) Demonstrate How to Complete a Task
(3) Let Each Employee Try
(4) Observe Employee Performance
(5) Praise or Re-guide
(5) E. Incentive Programs
(6) F. Timetables
(7) G. Injuries and First Aid
(8) H. Compensation
9. Focus on Customers, Retain Customers
(1) A. Face-to-Face with Customers
(1) Appearance
(2) Flexibility
(2) B. Good Customers, Bad Customers
(3) C. Say Goodbye, Cancel Services
(4) D. New Customers: When to Say No
(5) E. Points to Pay Special Attention To
(1) Pets
(2) Children
(3) Vendors
(4) Losses
(5) Valuables
(6) Broken Items
(7) Cleaning Supplies Shortage
(8) Customer Equipment Shortage
(6) F. Safety
(7) G. Special Services
(1) One-Time or Seasonal Work
(2) Help Private Housekeepers
(3) Pet Sitting
10. Daily Operations
(1) A. How to Catch Up
(2) B. Inform Employees of New Information
(3) C. Handle Complaints
11. The Fun Basics of Cleaning
(1) A. Cleaning Tips
(2) B. Time-Saving Cleaning Tips
(3) C. Tips for Home Cleaning Teams
(4) D. Tips for Cleaning Windows
(5) E. Tips for Cleaning Walls
(6) F. Tips for Cleaning New Buildings
(7) G. Tips for Cleaning Offices
(8) H. Understand Your Cleaning Supplies
(9) I. Inventory Control
(1) JIT Inventory Management System
(2) Labeling Bottles
(10) J. Product Safety
12. Quality Control
(1) A. Each Employee Responsible for One Task
(2) B. Adjust Work and Team Schedules
(3) C. Your Collection Policy
(4) D. Customer Issues
(5) E. Employee Theft
(6) F. Always Be Ready to Serve Customers
13. You’re on the Path to Success