The Next Investment Cleaning Business Owners Will Be Making
In honor of The Janitorial Store's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, we gave away 10 Lifetime Memberships throughout the year.
In our last survey we asked cleaning business owners to share the next investment they'll be making for their business.
Below are several responses, but before we get to that we'd like to announce that the winner of this month's Lifetime Membership is Krishnan Vaidyanathan of Chennai, India!
Here is Krishnan's response:
My next investment will be in Training Infrastructure. This includes video recording of training sessions. There may be lot of standard videos available for training across different skills. However, recording in an environment where the environment is very familiar to them and language spoken by them should make their understanding much easier and comfortable. Apart from in-depth technical skill based training by subject experts with adequate knowledge and personal experience, I also would concentrate in all basic soft skills (dress code, communication, understanding the objectives of the company and their role in the same, etc) to ensure that the training is wholesome. As in every process this should also go through PDCA cycle (plan–do–check–adjust) to ensure continuous improvement in the training process.
A full fledged and structured training to all employees irrespective of their previous experience and knowledge/skill levels shall ensure a very high consistency in cleaning levels; the way equipment is handled/operated/maintained etc. When each employee of our organization exhibits the same level of professionalism, the customer satisfaction is going to be also very high. This ensures higher level of retention of business and each satisfied customer shall vouch for my brand image and hence growth.
Investing in the training and development of your employees is always a good choice. Your employees are the ones who deliver your services so without well-trained employees your business will suffer.
Following are additional responses from cleaning business owners on their next business investment:
Buying my 4th vehicle and a new carpet cleaner. The new car will let me hire more people. I had to say no to new clients this year because I could not keep up. The new carpet cleaner will bring me lots of business. Again having to say no on carpet cleanings makes me feel sad. I will have my son help run this part of the business. He has his IICRC certification.
CRM and APP for activity tracking. We've separated our HR needs into two parts. First, we need real-time information that the employees reached their working places (together with statistics of the time they spend there). Secondly, we need to follow up on the quality of their work. These 2 improvements will get us more customers with less management time.
In starting up a business, there is a lot that I need to make my business successful. After using all the best resources that I have to promote my business, I would definitely consider buying a new vehicle. My car now is very old and is not in good shape all of, is broken most of the time, causing me trouble to make it to my appointments. I need to increase my clientele, and I need to able to keep ongoing appointments with my customer. With no excuses.
The next investment is knowledge. I am going to enroll in several classes to become a certified carpet cleaner. This will help me understand how to determine different types of stains and how to effectively clean them, as well as learn the different types of fibers and tips and tricks on how to clean them. Being certified shows the customer we are serious about our business and want to make sure they can count on our knowledge to get the job done and not just be a fly-by-night carpet cleaner.
Cleaning equipment. Specifically vacuum and trash can with rollers. Currently someone is sabotaging our little family-owned business by breaking the tools we need (vacuum) so in order to operate we need to have these things. In order to grow we need to perform, even with our current workload, a standard that we know is necessary to keep us and others healthy then we can take on more business....it all starts with the basics right?
My next investment that I will make in my business will be marketing along with hiring additional employees. So far I have relied on referrals because I had other business interest and my main focus was not my Janitorial business. However, I have realized that my experience as an entrepreneur should be used more effectively by expanding my Janitorial Services business. Effective marketing is a key factor to any business and having trained employees to meet the expansion is critical. Deciding where and what type of clients to focus my marketing to is also very important in my success. Consequently, I think that this will be my growth plan for increased profitable sales.
Cleaning Equipment. Competing in the industry.
Hiring a manager and registering as a disabled veteran minority. Hiring a manager will help assist with managing my business. Becoming a disabled veteran minority and getting the certificate will help go to the top of the bidding list.
My next big investment will be a truck mount. We will be more productive, we can expand in commercial carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning and next water damage restoration.
I will be making an investment in carpet cleaning equipment.
When I go to the ISSA Convention one of my main goals is to meet with different vendors and take full advantage of this opportunity so i can test some of the equipment first hand and do it all in one place. The reason I am making this investment is to keep my customers all in house; and what i mean by that is, there should be no need for my customers to look elsewhere to have their carpet cleaned because if they do look elsewhere, they may just find another commercial cleaning company that will do it all and I do not want to risk that. Also, the money that can be generated is well worth the investment. I also plan on making an investment in becoming certified as a carpet cleaner as well so I can offer my customers the best possible service.
Getting my decals redone on my van and possibly putting a new van in the lineup. It will certainly make us more visible with the new decals as they will be brighter and more attention grabbing.
The next investment will be floor care equipment. Stripping and Waxing plus Carpets. Here in Texas we have all taken a hit in the Oil Field Industry. Since I have a Commercial Janitorial Cleaning business, I also have had a few accounts put on hold due to this situation. That is why I have decided to take on floor care and for the Customers that I have currently. This will help my Business grow to another level and once the Oil Field Industry perks up again, I will be able to offer this to them as well.
Hiring a manager. Free me up to make the business grow.
Hiring a Supervisor. This will free up my time by not having to go check up on jobs, fill in for employees. Help me be in the role of owner more than owner/operator.
We will hire a floor service technician. Currently, only one of our co-owners does the floor service. Hiring another person to do that almost exclusively will help keep us on schedule with our service commitments.
Joining a local Chamber of Commerce. Networking with fellow members.
We need to invest in the right software for scheduling and customer relationship management.
We are currently still doing all scheduling manually and keeping track of customer reminders, etc. by way of post-it notes. This is no longer acceptable and we cannot continue to do so. We have been investigating scheduling software for some time now and are yet to find the right solution for us. We hope to have the software allow for employees to check schedules online and see instructions for customer visits at their convenience. The right CRM software should help with remembering customer history and reminders. This investment is toward a more efficient and professional operation.
Our next investment will be into a training manager. Someone to be accountable for all training related activities. Our company culture is based on quality. Quality requires training, measurement, and corrective actions. We spend so much energy on training that the owners are unable to focus on growing revenue. This will help the owners focus on revenue.
Back pack vacs and new t-shirts. The vacs will help with time management and the t-shirts advertising.
Cleaning equipment, office equipment, hiring new office manager. We are currently growing out into other markets and it will allow us to have good people in place.
Next investment I will be making in my business is hiring a manager, buying a truck and cleaning equipment. Hiring a manager will allow me to invest more time in my 2nd business. The truck and cleaning equipment will allow me to take on more contracts.
Floor Cleaning Equipment. After studying long and hard I have decided to add Floor Care to my Janitorial Cleaning Business. Due to the dramatic downfall in the Oil Field Industry where we live in West Texas. Steve has giving me so much good information that I'm ready! Thank you! Tiara
Computer server upgrade. Increased efficiency plus additional flexibility for field staff.
Hiring help. Businesses opportunity is there but I need help to do the cleaning.
Computer and Software. It will help us be more efficient. Our current computer is super slow.
Cleaning equipment and get some certifications. I will be able to take on more accounts and hire more people.
I'll be investing in USPS zip code specific direct mailers to grow the residential side of the business. This action will increase our overall service volume.
Software app. Speed up the process of developing cleaning bids.
More certificates. Presenting a higher level services standards. Company image. More profit.
Wood floor cleaning and maintenance training. When I give out postcard advertisements to potential customers, more than half of them ask if we do wood floors. Some would like their floors refinished and some would like theirs simply cleaned.
A floor scrubber. We will be able to better deal with that lovely salt and sand known oh too well by us Minnesotans! Effectively it will help us to provide better floor care to our clients with larger facilities.
Buffer and janitorial floor equipment. This will help us expand more into commercial cleaning.
A bigger vehicle so that I can haul more equipment. I'll be able to take on jobs.
Finding a great attorney. I want to find one I can build a relationship with that cares about my business as well. I know it will help my business to get the correct legal advise and have someone to contact when it is needed. At this time we search for our own answers and only reach out when it feels severely necessary. This is too risky to continue doing.
Cleaning equipment. It will be used to save on renting equipment and not worrying about having the equipment I need.
Cleaning equipment. I will be able to offer green cleaning.
Tablet computer for day time customer visits and evening employee visits. When I visit clients having a tablet computer will allow me to account history so that I know when we last performed carpets, floors and other services. When I visit the staff I can perform safety meetings, training on the spot based on the need of the employee as well as sign forms.
The next investment I'll be making in my business is a biz coach since I am not making the income in my business that I want/need to make.
This means a biz coach will be able to figure out how to impact my bottom line, so I want to hire a biz coach who can help me specifically with my business income. I want someone who can bring out of me what's inside of me to impact my income. If I am not making the money I want and need, then I would want to INVEST in a biz coach. That means spending money I have. Now I know some will frown upon using credit cards or loans, but honestly, it's truly the quickest way to get what I need to get my business moving. I want to be smart about it of course, and not overextend myself. But I do want to take a leap and put some skin in the game. I will be looking for biz coaches with payment plans so I can start implementing right away and making money before my next payment is due.
Updating my equipment and more computer training to help me keep up with the paperwork.
Better equipment better results. With better computer skills I, the owner, will be able to get my business out there more without the expense of paying for advertising or an unneeded extra person. I am a very small but reputable company. I don't have the extra income for an office person, but with more training I would be able to promote more and better to help build up the client list to have the funds for such an position. And give someone else a job.
Finding ways to get more customers so I can afford your membership. Having a membership will provide necessary help for me and my employees.
Sales appointment setter. It will help build the business.
A new car. We will hire a new team and be able to carry out more cleans as we are almost at full capacity now.
Train my staff using tips from The Janitorial Store. Have a office space to be more professional.
With more trained employees we have better client retention as well make teams. With the office space the professional looking and environment will be retaining staff and reflect in our better production.
We are buying propane stripping machines to increase productivity in our hard floor care services. Increase efficiency and allow for additional growth within the same time frame.
I am expanding and will hire a team manager. This will put two eyes on our clients. We will work hand in hand in making Professional Housecleaning, LLC a household name.
Hiring Staff.
The time has come for me to hire employees and delegate what I do at the current time to those employees, so that I may concentrate on growing my business. Along with hiring, I will be researching equipment, certifications, and bidding and estimating software. The Janitorial Store has all the resources I need to grow my business. If I win this membership then there is nothing in my path that can stop me from growing. Training materials, software, online resources, anything pertaining to the cleaning industry will be at my fingertips along with the membership discounts and special pricing.
Vehicle and hiring a manager. The vehicle will help because I can hire maids who don't have a vehicle to ride as a team and the manager can train and help with everything so I can free myself up to do the administrative and promotion of the business more.
Cleaning equipment. This will help the growth of our business by introducing the new cleaning facilities into the terrain of our operations and clients for total quality service.
My enviro cleaning company has been researching a steam machine. I believe this investment will take me too new heights in my area Still doing my research. No one in my area seems to promote this. Also, it goes well with my green clean safe enviro cleaning products. This will turn a higher yield in profit due to offering more cleaning projects for my clients. I cant wait to implement this strategy.
Purchasing an office building.
Getting the business out of my house will contribute to the growth of the business in many ways:
1. More exposure (higher traffic area = more exposure)
2. Allows me to conduct business in a more professional way: interviews, walk ins for job applications, room for training and employee meetings
3. Parking lot for business vehicles ~ passers by will see logo on vehicles
Oven cleaning dip tank and another van. There is a lot of demand for professional oven cleaning and I plan to capitalize on it.
Website & Quickbooks. Hopefully Increase sales and management of funds.
The next investment I'll be making in my business is branding ourselves with a better logo and colors as well as uniforms for our employees.
Image is very important and is something we are currently lacking. This will help the growth of our business because our new colors and logo on all of our vehicles and marketing will be noticed by our community. They may not always remember the name but when they see our vehicles with the distinct colors and logo they will start to recognize us and we will catch their eye. Next time that they are in need of cleaning, they will remember us.
App that allows prospective clients to book an appointment easily and fast using their smart phone. I've been researching how others do it. Clients will find it easy to book an appointment and do so more often.
Vehicle and cleaning equipment and of course other certifications. A certificate verification will help me gain more business as with the gains I'll need to prepare myself in a better vehicle and with up to date equipment.
Hiring others to help me expand my business. A few months ago I purchased some training CD's. With these helpful CD's, my goal is to start hiring a few individuals in order to help me grow my business.
The next investment I will be making in my business is some tools to start doing the preserving properties with the government. I signed up to start cleaning foreclosed homes. Best thing I have done so far in this business is sign up to start cleaning properties that have been foreclosed on. That put my foot in the door and opened up bigger and better opportunities for me to expand my cleaning business. I have already made $5,000 in one week of signing up.
Crime Scene/Trauma Clean Up Certification. This will open up more business opportunities.
A cargo trailer to replace one that is about to explode all over the highway. Simply put, the old trailer is literally falling apart. The look of it is very distracting from being able to present ourselves as a professional company. A newer trailer will create a more favorable impression of our company.
We've already started with new cleaning & office equipment and we've added a new vehicle. Soon we will post to hire a mew manager and working on certifications.
With adding new vehicle and new office equipment and software this gives us more flexibility to be in other locations and with the new office equipment. Computer specific, this allows us to hold more information and to have greater speed running dual monitors for greater efficiency and handling incoming calls, outgoing calls setting appointments, and invoicing and tracking data. This will also help to solidify our standard procedures of operations.
We would also like to take the time to thank the Janitorial Store for all of the wonderful resources so that we do not have to re-invent the wheel. Although we had a vision we still would have to build everything in the bricks were already built for us we just simply have to buy them cut them and fit them in. Once again thank you for your wonderful resources.
Quickbooks. It will help me keep track of my finances and payroll. Knowing how and why money is being spent will help me determine my pricing, thus better profit margin.
My next business investment is in my wife. I am currently helping with the startup of her cleaning business. There is so much to do at times its overwhelming, but we are making progress. Business cards, flyers, door hangers, web pages, pay pal accounts and the list goes on and on. But without her none of this would be possible. She is a dynamic person who really loves what she does and it shows in her work ethic. She's friendly and her customers are genuinely happy with the level of the service she provides.
Joining chamber of commerce. Having a ribbon cutting for 13 years of service in this community. Something I never did for a grand opening when we were excepted as a business from the city of Ames. This will help Kamm's Cleaning be more of a partner with other businesses in Ames. It will give us more information on how we can help the community. In being a part of this people will be more aware of our company. It will be a big exciting step for Kamm's Cleaning.
Air purification and proper resource management. Having cleaner air to breathe will not only lead to longer life expectancy but will increase the output of individuals working in the effected area. The proper management of resources and distribution of such creates an environment of trust between business partners and their employees which leads to sustainable growth.
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