Picture Above: Atkin & Son in the early 80's carrying out cradle work.

Last November 2016, I had the pleasure to attend and support a friend Rich Atkin as his father’s business in the Northern City of Sheffield, Atkin & Son Window Cleaning & Support Services, celebrates its 70th year in business.

George Leonard the father of Peter Atkin, the father of my friend Rich Atkin formed the business on the 1st of October 1946 just after the Second World War.

He had saved up to buy the window cleaning equipment he had needed and with his money he went out and bought a ladder, bucket, leather and scrim.  As do most window cleaners, he started off cleaning houses but then he quickly moved on to include public houses (Pubs).

Peter Atkin picks up the family history, “My older brother George Albert Atkin helped my father as they both worked the window cleaning round they had built up, later they were joined by my other brother James Eric Atkin”.

It was not long before they got their big break by winning a contract to provide window-cleaning services at Hampton House in Sheffield. They quickly gained another contract to provide window-cleaning services for Record Ridgeway Tools also in Sheffield. They would used a large ‘market style’ barrow for transporting the ladders and equipment around.

At this stage the business started to grow really quickly. They acquired another contract to clean windows at Rotherham Technical College. This meant they had to push their barrow from Attercliffe in Sheffield to the Rotherham area. This was not ideal and so it was decided eventually that they would purchase three old bread vans, one of which was used for spare parts.

By this point, the business really started to expand and more contracts were won mainly from Sheffield & Rotherham Councils.

Peter says, “This was at a time when I started to work for the business as a window cleaner. I will always remember being told I had to clean the windows on two new industrial contracts (Hatfields & Brown Baileys).

These were very dangerous sites to work on and required me to take risks I was uncomfortable doing.  Everything went very well for a number of years and we gained a lot of large commercial buildings which had to be cleaned from cradles”.

The business was now providing window-cleaning services to companies like British Telecom, Inland Revenue and The General Post Office.

Peter recalls his sadness and a low point for the business. He lost one of his brothers to heart disease and the recession hit shortly after this; it was a very difficult time for all.  With the closure of the steel works and mines, consequently prices dropped.

“Around about this time my other brother decided to retire and pass the business on to me, a few years later he also passed away.  I managed to ride out the recession but lost a lot of contracts, eventually we started to tender for a number of large regional contracts that covered the Yorkshire area and won”.  We were back on top.

“As they say; As one door closes, another one opens…. and here we are today”.

Picture Below: Son, Rich Atkin presenting to his father, Peter Atkin, a 7oth Anniversary plaque.  Picture Below Bottom: Atkin & Son today.

You have events and then there are events. Ask yourself this; do you want to earn more money, build a successful business, and offer your staff the best equipment and tools for the job at hand? Do you want the care and attention you deserve with product support and training? Well look no further than the 2017 IWCA Convention & Trade Show to be held in Arizona USA, February 8-11 at the We-Ko-Pa Resort Conference Center, Scottsdale.

IWCA President, Noa Pedersen puts it beautifully when he says, “Along with the best networking opportunities in the industry, there are a wide range of seminars for every aspect of window cleaning and for every member of your team. In between taking in educational sessions you will spend time with the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors as they show off all that window washing has to offer”.

I want to tell you a business secret. If you want a successful business, what do you think you need in order to achieve that? Motivational speakers? Insider tips? “I was broke once…” type speakers?

Is that all your business needs? What…? You want to know how to scale up into a multi-million-dollar business? You want to know how to close more bids? You want training?

IWCA has all of that! But here’s the secret your business needs MORE. It needs the full package and I am here to tell you that the IWCA is the only event that I can see that offers the full package.

I take nothing away from any other amazing events and training venues, you must go to them if you see value in them for your business. Most of these guys I know personally. But here’s the deal. This is why I think the IWCA event is UNIQUE.

What’s the point in learning how to make your business into a million dollar company without the support structure? Without protecting that support structure?

Picture below: IWCA 2016, Speed Race within the Trade Show floor. ( I dedicate this post to Mr Brown RIP, I will miss seeing you old friend )

Are you talking SYSTEMS, Lee? Systems do play a part but it’s not what I am driving at. Besides, you can get that anywhere too. The one thing that most events fail to deliver for their attendees is staff development and safety.

Just take a look at any event schedule. Money, money, money, growth, sales, training. That’s all good, I’m all for it but safety and staff development is hardly ever mentioned.

Sure there might be 5 minutes on it somewhere. But only as a footnote if you’re lucky in one or two classes.

As far as I can see only the IWCA actively engages with OSHA. They actively push the safety agenda because they know it’s a big key to your business success. They want to drive the safety standard, because it is so important to your business.

Not only are you and your staff working safely, your prospect clients will see you working safely too – it will win you work! I know – I have taken this approach myself with my own window cleaning company. I have won new business solely because of the safety accreditations my company has. Where I come from SAFETY comes before PROFIT.

Take a look at the IWCA schedule for the 2017 event and you will see what I mean. You will see not only a hands-on safety schedule but lots of classes on how safety can help your business too.

“It’s a no brainer dude!” I hear you saying. And you are right!

2017 will be dominated by the new OSHA ruling and the Safety Director, Stefan Bright will diligently explain all during a session titled Breakfast With Stefan Bright ( Convention Thursday 9^th February, very early). I understand Stefan will also wear a Chefs hat and personally crack the eggs for your omelettes. I’m fibbing of course. He doesn’t own a Chefs hat.

Health & Safety education provides a full business package. This knowledge and experience will put your business ahead of the game. The IWCA is helping business owners understand their responsibilities for the safety of themselves, the staff that they hire and the public that they need to protect. And let’s not beat about the bush, there are safety LAWS and REGULATIONS you need to know as an employer!

When safety goes wrong all that stuff you learned about profit, profit, profit goes straight down the drain, drain, drain. Employee engagement should be a top priority and so should be safety.

Richard Branson said, ‘business is about people’. I couldn’t of said that any better myself.

I quote again the IWCA President, Noa Pederson, “On a personal note, I want to thank the IWCA leadership team, including our management company and our Safety Director, Stefan Bright. This year has brought out the best in those that want to see this association and industry become a better and safer place. I’ve never been more proud to be part of a group of individuals that has dedicated themselves and inspired each other to push our association to be better than ever”.

In my next blog on the IWCA, I am going to walk you through killer classes from the event you cannot miss!

Cut off date for online registration is 23/1/17 – You have 15 days from this blog date. For registration, Schedule of Events, Printable Brochure, What’s included with your registration? CLICK HERE: http://www.iwca.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=845297&group=

X-Line has just released a new addition to their popular X-Line System. The raised platforms are designed to save bending over when reeling from the floor or from the floor of the vehicle.

I know from personal experience of doing both how much effort is involved. Having a sturdy chest level platform has to be a bonus in any window cleaner’s eyes.

The bracket positioning allows easy winding in with the added bonus of creating additional floor space. I bet you’re now thinking, what you can fill that floor space with?

The brackets can be easily retrofitted to any of the three sizes of X-Line Systems out there by simply bolting into the existing framework.

If the X-Line reels don’t take your fancy, the brackets can be customised to fit any reel of your choice. Want to have a HD electric reel installed? No problem, the setup accepts these types of reels too. They can also install underfloor hose guides, allowing you to operate the system with your doors closed.

So do your back a favour and get on the ‘blower’ to X-Line, because at a £100 each tag price, these are a steal.

For more information regarding these raised reel platforms, please give them a call on 0115 9394444. Website: http://www.xline-systems.co.uk/

Watch X-Lines video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0WdxFNK6WI

Black Diamond announces and welcomes Fönsterputsbutiken as their new exclusive Black Diamond distributor in Sweden, Norway and Finland . Fönsterputsbutiken is owned by Ivan Pleinadius, World Champion in Speed Window Cleaning and owner of one of Sweden’s largest window cleaning companies Putsarkungen. (www.putsarkungen.se)

Black Diamond, makers of the popular Black Diamond squeegee rubber had been been looking for the right partner in Scandinavia for some time. Casper Schjorring, the big boss at Black Diamond told Window Cleaning Magazine “We have found Ivan Pleinadius to be the perfect partner. He values quality but also knows how to clean a window. You cannot get any better than a World Champion’s approval, right?”.

Ivan’s words on the product:

“Finally, they have developed a Squeegee rubber in between hard and soft. Hard rubbers are not flexible enough and soft rubbers wear so fast. I’m so happy that finally I find a manufacturer that makes a quality squeegee rubber in between these two issues. I have personally tested and used the rubber and I am delighted with the quality in Black Diamond’s medium squeegee rubber. If you miss to try this versatile and durable squeegee rubber you will regret it!”

– Ivan Pleinadius Multiple Swedish champion and IWCA World Champion in Speed Window Cleaning.

For further information contact

Black Diamond Squeegee, cs@blackdiamondsqueegee.com

Picture Top: Ivan and his partner Marianne and Casper Schjorring of Black Diamond  Pictures Below: Both Ivan and Marianne take part in Speed Window Cleaning.

J Racenstein is now selling the ideal product helping users mix softwash recipes with ease. Lets take a look at the spec…

ProTool Clever Softwash Sprayer is easy to use:

Just fill the 7 gallon chemical tote, you then hook the sprayer up to the tap and start spraying. This water-powered spraying system perfectly mixes your chemicals at the mix rates that you choose. Typically used for mixing SH (Sodium Hypochlorite) at 12.5% and sticky surfactant along with water for cleaning structures.

Just about any building cleaning chemical can be sprayed and with the sprayer capable of mixing and spraying most chemical concentrates this has to be a must in your softwash armory.

The whole thing is easy to set up too. The Clever Sprayer provides precise and constant dosage at various flow rates thus eliminates all risks of under or overdosing. It is externally adjustable and operates continuously. Just set it and leave it.

SH-capable, the Clever Sprayer also supports a wide range of liquid or soluble concentrates.

For more information and videos click here: http://www.jracenstein.com/category/000CL/protool-clever-softwash-sprayer

This March the biggest cleaning show in the UK opens its doors at the ExCeL London event centre. Which show are we talking about? Well, The Cleaning Show 2017 of course.

This event brings in over 5,000 people per show from all over the world and this year will be no exception.

So why should a window cleaner visit this show?

The Cleaning Show has always had fantastic support from the likes of Ionic, FWC and Varitech. Window Cleaning Magazine interviewed the teams responsible for bringing this show to the massess over at Quartz Ltd.

WCM: You’re back at the ExceL! What does the show have to offer visitors this year?

QLT: This year we are delighted that the show is growing to almost double the size of the last Cleaning Show in 2015. With the move to London from the NEC we have seen a real upturn in the enthusiasm for the event again and thousands of really high-quality visitors attending. So, this year will offer a large exhibition with exhibitors who will be demonstrating their latest equipment and services including Kärcher, Unger, Nilfisk, Ionic, Varitech, Nationwide Window Cleaning, Window Cleaning Warehouse, Templa, Makita, the Federation of Window Cleaners and Alexander Swan and many others.

We also have a wide range of free-to-attend seminar sessions which have proved extremely popular in recent years and offer great industry insights, advice and training specifically aimed at small to medium sized companies. We realise that if people are going to spend a day at the show, we need to make it worth their while.

WCM: Will Guinness ever drop in to the Cleaning Show for the Window Cleaning Competition? I’m sure Terry Burrows will be looking over his shoulder for them lol.

QLT: Ha ha! The FWC are officially allowed to adjudicate times for the Guinness Book of World Records and we use their official windows for the challenge. So, if we think someone is very close to the time set by Terry Burrows in 2009 (9.14 seconds) or the record for the fastest female set by Deborah Morris at the 2011 Cleaning Show (13.28 seconds) then we will make sure we judge and film their attempt for submission to Guinness. It’s certainly about time that the records were broken again and we would love it to happen in the UK. I’m sure that Terry won’t mind us mentioning that he isn’t getting any younger. We hope that the cash prize fund will encourage all visitors to have a go though.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE JAN/FEB 2017 ISSUE AND FIND OUT WHAT EXHIBITORS IONIC SYSTEMS AND THE FEDERATION OF WINDOW CLEANERS THINK OF THE SHOW.

Register for your free pass now here http://www.speeddata.co.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=CLE37Visitor&PageNo=30&p=register

DATE: 14-16 Match 2017

LOCATION:

ExCeL London,
One Western Gateway,
Royal Victoria Dock,
London
E16 1XL

COTACTS: http://cleaningshow.co.uk/london/contact

Ever wondered what it takes to window clean glass on the Shard, London? Well, before you start pulling out the calculator, stretching your arm out, closing one eye whilst ‘thumbing’ the horizon with your tongue poked out and all from the comfort of your Shard vantage point. Let us just take a look at some building stats!

The building has 306 flights of stairs with a total floor space of 27 acres and it is the largest building in Europe. So, remember dont try lugging your rope access equipment up the stairs. Try, instead, one of the 44 lifts in the building that will take you 1,016ft to the top.

Now – how about bidding on this job?

There are 11,000 glass panes in the building. The area of the glass façade is 56,000 sq metres (602,779 sq ft), which equals eight football pitches. Each facet forms a shard, a plane of glass gently inclined inwards, rising towards the top. The corners of the development are open and the shards do not touch, allowing the building to “breathe”.

It takes 17 IRATA Accredited window cleaners 3 months to clean. Once the clean has been completed, they start the whole thing all over again. The frequency of cleans for the Shard is 4 times per year.

1,300 Unger squeegee rubbers are used per clean ( 5,200 pieces per year) on this iconic building that towers over the London skyline. The spend on squeegee rubber alone is around £10,500 per year.

Let’s have some fun: Window Cleaning Magazine would be interested in your bid on this site, please comment

So I got into Phoenix, Arizona Sunday gone, took the short cab ride (60 bucks) to the We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Centre for the IWCA 2017 Convention and trade show.

Firstly I would like to thank the board of the IWCA for inviting Window Cleaning Magazine to attend this event, it really is an honour. The warmth and love from this board is outstanding. These guys really care about our industry. They really want fellow window cleaners to stay safe, play safe and grow our businesses. I have a special thanks to Jason York. We share visions, ideas and completely understand each other. The message has to get out to all.

With the new OSHA rulings, a lot of window cleaners will have to get to grips with how these new ruling may or may not effect your business. The IWCA are the right people that carry the messages and they do that through people like myself and my fellow partners in crime Allison Hester of eClean and Mr Draper of AWC. We are a family with similar goals and with safety and education in the industry as driving factors.

I sat in with AWC on the IWCA board meeting yesterday that extended into most of the day. We got the thumbs up and paparazzi jokes. The board had a serious agenda with varying topics from OSHA to Paul West and the new ‘scratched glass’ updates ( we will have more from Mr West later for the readers), and again I thank them for allowing me to witness their world.

I’m geared up today, looking forward to seeing the new attendees in this mornings meeting/registration at 7.30am AZ time. The trade show starts this afternoon so expect some live feed from me.

This afternoon, late should be the best time to catch both my home market in the UK and the US, Canada etc. There is a 5 hour difference between here and the UK. If you miss the LIVE FEED it will be there for you to view later. Of course we will also film Booth Talks for production back in the UK.

I particularly want to get a close look at the new Ettore pole and go into more detail on Tuckers water fed pole – there will be a lot more goodies to show you. There is a lot of soft wash and pressure washing talent here too, people doing great stuff.

If you want to catch any LIVE FEEDS from the IWCA from WCM, sign up for notifications on our business Facebook Page. The link is here https://www.facebook.com/windowcleaningmagazine/

In the past 24 hours, the hotel has seen industry rock stars turn up to attend this event. From serious business owners like Peter Artusa of All County Window Cleaning to well known suppliers and manufactures.  People are flying in from all over the world. Perry Tait of Reach-iT is here ( from China), The UAMCC Ron and Doug are here and many more …. I’m hoping to introduce my readers to all of these great guys…..

Yesterday marked the beginning of the convention for the IWCA Board as they attended to business with a busy agenda. Today, however, the Convention began in earnest for the members as suppliers constructed their booths in the main hall.

The breakfast and keynote session was packed as to be expected for the first day. After IWCA business had been dealt with and finished the schedule quickly moved on to the Keynote Speaker Danielle Cantin.

Danielle’s skills are in marketing and her message today was about getting business owners to think differently about their marketing approach. The session dived into areas of being authentic and relevant to your customers as well as finding out what the hell they really want from you. In other words, what matters to your consumers? Because actually that does make so much sense! This theme was to be carried through with Curt Kempton’s class later in the day called Six Simple Things to Make Your Bids Close More Often and at Higher Prices……. aaannnd breath! Yep Curt. I interviewed attendees to the class afterwards and asked what was the class called. Of course there followed panicked gazes at the room plaque for the title.

But where Curt Kempton’s class title was at least with in Twitter word number counts his entertaining and valuable view on the topic of managing customers expectations and closing bids at better price values was priceless. It was delivered with audience participation in mind. The personal stories of his wife to illustrate his points and actual on the job experiences offered a real life view that was not only easily digestible but fun to learn.

Kempton is the founder of Responsabid also booth attending at the trade show tomorrow. A software he designed initially for his own window cleaning business back in 2010. His session was very funny and very informative.

Below: Stefan Bright IWCA Safety Director during his class on the importance of a documented safety program.

My first class of this morning was held by Stefan Bright, IWCA Safety Director. It touched on topics that will be discussed in more detail tomorrow morning at the Breakfast with Stefan Bright session where all of the new OSHA ruling would be explained. Todays class, however, pushed the message of the importance for safety training and creating accountability and proof that said training was carried out and understood by staff members .

Quite rightly, Bright stated that those that had accidents at work did not plan to have the accident. You as an employer must now plan to prevent that accident!

Side note: Interestingly the US term for UK RA’s ( Risk Assessments) are called ‘Job Assessments’ but the fundamental principles are exactly the same.

Bright further explains the IWCA Campus training and the soon to be released field guide app for your mobile phone. This is due to be released in two weeks although Bright stresses it is a guide only and not a substitute to the IWCA Campus training. The information provided by Bright is solid. What he does not know about H&S is not worth knowing at all. And in his own words, ‘ you cant lie to me when it comes to H&S’, looking like Magnum PI I can only guess he has those same investigative skills to back him up.

Stefan Bright delivered an outstanding session. One that business owners really need to understand. The IWCA are here to help you through these serious topics. WCM’s advice to business owners is to yolk Stefan Bright’s strength in matters of Safety.

Incidentally, did you know that part of the benefits of IWCA membership is that you receive a safety tool box talk in your email account every week? You didn’t? Well you do now…

A nice touch at the IWCA today was the arm bands given out to attendees. The arm band was actually a zip drive containing the IWCA health and safety training programs… When Jason York ( soon to be president) was handing over my band, I thought that it was unique to me – like some sort of special 007 spy thing. That evaporated very quickly when it dawned on me how everybody else was sporting the same band. A great idea and special touch for attendees.

I met a lot of new people today and connected with new fellow window cleaners. What stood out for me were the statements made by members on film for WCM TV. The value they get from this event for their business more than out weighed the membership. One guy I interviewed was attending his third IWCA event. He is still picking up new things for his business today!

The out door demonstrations of water fed poles and squeegees against the We-Ko-Pa Resort Hotel windows rounded off the day before the sun set over a beautiful landscape of mountains and cacti.

END

Below: Curt Kempton's Class on closing bids at higher prices

In my eyes, all associations have value. The only difference is, that perception changes from individual to individual. Because of that it can be difficult to choose the right association for your business. So here, I will try and walk you through it.

Firstly, there are two differences of mind set between window cleaners ( this goes for pressure washing, soft washing etc too). Those that see value in associations and those that do not. Those that do not, need read no further. Those that do, let me tell you… you are switched on. Joining an association ( the right type of association for you ) is part of building a successful business and I will tell you why later.

There are two columns when it comes to choosing the right association. In column 1 is the association that is profit driven, in column 2 is the ‘not for profit’ association ( this includes associations that drive surplus cash back in).

Column one. Can provide all the information you need and provide the tools required for growing a successful business, they will also heavily sell you products and generally the association is treated like a business. There will be little in the way of safety training and they will have no connection at Government level. In short, you will not have a voice in the industry. They only fight the corner of its members if at all and not the industry as a whole whether you are a member or not. Column 1 associations will have a business owner or will be supported by vendors or backed by supply houses in order to drive their sales.

I stress, this is not a bad column list, there is huge value in this. Such associations are full of like minded people that gather at annual events, take the business building classes and get great deals on products. Membership to this column may not provide any points required for Government tenders, Hospitals and other authority contracts (UK). As a business support org, column 1 is a great choice!

Column two. If you are in column 1, then it would be nuts for you not to be in column 2. Thats right – you CAN join as many associations as you wish. How many Facebook Groups are you in? lol ( ok, I know they are free, but you get my point)

Column 2 consists of associations that strive to improve the industry for all window cleaners whether you are a member or not. By being a member of column 2 associations you have a say in the processes that shape your industry, that affect your business activities. Column 1 associations are not interested in that and do not have that interaction. Column 2 associations will have a Board and will act as an employers association. All members have a part to play should they wish.

Column 2 also provides most of the things as column 1, but not for a profit and health & safety is usually the driving force – Safety over dollars/pounds puts your business ahead of the game. Get Health & Safety wrong – and that could be BAD for your business. Most importantly, column 2 has Government contacts and interactions. They work closely with the Government or HSE/OSHA on issues that face our industry. This gives you a voice. Benefits and discounts? Yeah, you still get your 25p off a piece of squeegee rubber but also it may give you 5 points on a tender (UK). 5 points can be the difference between getting a huge contract or not.

NOW let’s look at what your customers think about your choice of association?

Building owners, managers, FM companies that hire your services have responsibilities enshrined in law. Mostly to do with Health & Safety, remember Column 1 associations lack this. They have to deal with Government regulations every day (HSE/OSHA, for example)

They’re not stupid, they know which associations are influential at Government level.

Which column will they be looking for? The one you joined, that has an industry voice, that liaises with Government agencies and has H&S as a driving force or the one you joined to get some help on selling your services, collecting templates and getting 5% off your squeegee rubber. I tell you it’s not Column 1.

So you see,if you like all the bright colours and noises from the column 1 associations, you now can see the real substance of column 2 which sometimes can come across as less bright and little more quiet. These associations know they have to do more to reach out to people. They have to get louder and brighter.

Join both, join 1, join none. It does not matter to me. I know where my window cleaning business will be associated.

Conclusion: Only you can see the value of an association for your business. But only your customers will see the real value in your choice of association for them too.

If you dont care for it, then that is fine. If you do, then depending on your mindset and business needs you will choose what is right for you and what is viewed by your customers as a valuable association or not.

I have talked about visualising your window cleaning business into the size of business you have set for your goal. I have talked about this in previous posts. And there is nothing more powerful than visualising your goals.

You cannot teach it, but you need to own it.

When I started out, part of my visualisation was to be a big company. So what would you say if I said, ‘treat your business like a small company’?

‘I think Mr Burbidge needs medication because he has gone all crazy on us!’ you might be thinking. I must admit this does sound kind of crazy. After all I have been talking about thinking BIG in business for a very long time, its how I roll in my own business.

Examples of thinking BIG – You use the word ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ when talking to clients.

Your website has to look so professional, it almost looks like you are a national player but in reality you might only have two vehicles.

Your uniform is so smart; you must be a massive company with that corporate look, when there might only be 3 in your crew.

Now you are telling us we have to treat our business like it was a small company?

Ok, not exactly… let me explain. Business has two massive components common to all. Outgoing expenses and incoming sales.

Treat everything connected to selling your services BIG, but treat your approach to your outgoings just like you were a small company.

Do you remember when you started your business, when every penny counted? How many times did you work out your incoming and out going to see if you were on track for making your outgoing payments next month? You did it regularly, you wouldn’t overspend or use services for your business that was not essential, right?

Theo Paphitis star of Dragon’s Den would have his staff collect the paper clips that arrived in the mail and reuse them. This guy is worth millions! And here he is asking his staff to save paper clips from the mail.

How many millionaire stories do you hear where they are always trying to get that discount on a deal, they are shrewd businessmen.

Blue-chip companies also drive prices down on services they need in order to get to that bottom deal. What works for them is that everybody wants their business. Yet they have Billions.

Maybe you have heard of a wealthy businessman who was really ‘tight’ with his money? Is this bad? Or is this a case of ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’ mentality?

Firstly, I’m not looking to change you guys into Scrooge McDuck, but I am asking you to consider a quarterly or six monthly task. One that will increase your profit margins and avoid a waste in cash.

My business, just before the Bank crash of 2008 was thriving. Money was flowing in thick and fast. Our staffing level was 60 and I never looked at my finances at all – I had people doing their stuff, my outgoings were, well – ‘going out’.

To me I just signed cheques and didn’t care less as long as the business bank account was bulging.

It was not until after the bank crash that I started to take a closer look at our outgoings. I started to discover waste and unnecessary out goings. The accountant was charging 15k per year for 3k worth of work. When I asked him, he told me that he would come to my office every Thursday for a cup of tea and sit with Julie my payroll and invoicing lady to, ‘make sure everything was ok’.

Sure, I knew he was there, I got kind of used to seeing him at my offices on a Thursday. I never asked him to visit. I saw him as an ‘uncle’ character since he had been with me at the very start of my business. I had no idea he was charging for these visits. These visits were so unnecessary.

Mobile phone usage, do you need that fourth company mobile? Does that cleaner really need to take that van home? Why do we have a rental agreement on the damn photocopier? I thought we had paid for it out right…. The list goes on.

Today in my company I have set a schedule, every 6 months I go through my business outgoings. I am look at the figures as if I was going bust. Do I need that expense? Why is that payment still coming out, I thought that ended? What is this fee for? Why are the cleaning products and their prices not reviewed?

It is the same principle as Mike Michalowicz book called Profit First only applied to expenses directly.

In Mike’s book he talks about the formula he figured out where by instead of taking profit (if any) out of your company last, after all your overheads and expenses. You instead take the profit out first! And you work to that. (By the way I practice this too in my own business and it works! – You will not believe how much cash build up you will have in your reserve business account)

So, if you mentally apply the small business approach when it comes to your expenses review you will ensure that your profits will be maximised, wasteful expenditure is not allowed to roll on year on year, and value for money will be achieved for the services, items and products your business needs to function successfully.

Look after the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves. Think BIG on sales, think SMALL on expenses.

The Cleaning Show 2017 takes place from 14-16 March 2017 at London’s ExCel Exhibition Centre. The event is organised by BCCE Ltd, a company jointly owned by the British Cleaning Council and Quartz Business Media. The British Cleaning Council uses its 50% share of all profits to fund essential work undertaken by its members to further the professionalism of the UK cleaning and support service industries.

With 27.3 million days lost due to work-related ill health or injury in the UK last year, health and safety will be top of the agenda at the Cleaning Show this March 2017.

The Health and Safety Executive will be running a session of free workshops at the Cleaning Show this year to help employers protect their workforce and reduce costs attributed to managing staff absence. Over 550,000 musculoskeletal disorders were caused or made worse at work in 2016 according to the HSE with lifting and moving people or equipment, chemical and biological substance use, repetitive movement and slips, trips and falls the main physical strains facing workers.

A keynote presentation by Tracy Hamilton, Operational Policy Advisor, Entertainments, Leisure, Commercial and Consumer Services Sector, HSE will look at working together to deliver the objectives of the new ‘Helping Great Britain Work Well Strategy’ HSE’s collective efforts to improve health and safety outcomes within this industry.

Tracey’s presentation will touch on some of the main health priorities for HSE over the next couple of years, many of which are known issues for the cleaning industry. Also covered will be details of HSE’s continued engagement with representatives from the cleaning industry as well as useful sources of information for anyone employed in this industry sector.

Other presentations by HSE include:

• No higher than the hierarchy – working at height in the cleaning industry by Colin Chatten, Policy Adviser currently working in HSE’s Operational Strategy Team on Work at Height and Product Safety

• Preventing slips and trips – the importance of good cleaning by Rob Shaw, Technical Team Lead, Falls Prevention, HSL

• Improving health and safety for new and expectant mothers by Rosie Wallbank, Equality and Human Rights Commission and Rachel Grant, Head of Vulnerable Workers Team, Agriculture, Waste and Recycling Unit, HSE

• Occupational respiratory health in cleaning by Dr Amy Gyte, Senior Health Exposures Scientist, Health and Safety Executive

• Musculoskeletal risk assessment and debate by Christopher Quarrie, BSc CIEHF, Specialist Inspector in Human Factors and Ergonomics at the Health and Safety Executive

Thousands have already registered for their passes to attend the UK’s largest hygiene and cleaning event including contract cleaners, facility managers and others with cleaning and hygiene responsibility from care homes, hospitals, restaurants, leisure facilities, academic institutions, transport and major retailers.

Attendees will also be able to try out a wide range of new products, attend a wide range of other seminars including the Future of FM and Business Development advice

Registration to attend is free-of-charge -sign up now at: www.cleaningshow.co.uk

Dom Woolcott ( 27 years old, cleaning windows for 2 years) and Tom Stacey (27 years old, cleaning windows for 10 years) used to work for David Morris Window Cleaning in Cornwall UK. The owner, David Morris can shout out for his wife as being the fastest female window cleaner by Guinness World Record Breakers as well as having a very successful business based in Cornwall mostly servicing national contracts.

Well, it seemed Tom and Dom broke away from David Morris Window Cleaning and started their own business called Stacey & Woolcott Window Cleaning, Newlyn based four months ago.

Proud Master Guild of Window Cleaners members, Dom goes on to say, “We are a small partnership based in the fishing village of Newlyn, Cornwall. We started in late 2016, after leaving the company we worked for previously for some years, to make more time for our young families and build their future. We’ve been lucky enough to already have gained a solid round with loyal and lovely customers, one of which being the owners of the local village hall ( river picture). When we went to quote the job we were originally quoting for cleaning the gutters, then we suggested the windows could do with a clean. Looking at it from the comfort of a solid, dry bridge, it looked easy! We clambered over the wall, pole in hand, and got set up. Only then realising that we had foot deep sills and were going up at an 80 degree angle standing from the river with no initial clue of what we were cleaning from the quoting point.

Seeing that for part of the job we had to stand in the river, we opted for the trusty ‘homemaders’ (something we usually knock up for fishing after a few beers, consisting of waterproof trousers, wellies, and as much gaffa tape as you can get your hands on to stay dry!). After getting suitably equipped, we were in the river, deep in the river, too deep in the river, at that moment we realised….. we really needed waders!

Our website is www.staceyandwoolcott.co.uk please check it out. We also provide our customers with pressure washing, builders cleans, house scrub-downs and boat cleaning.

We love reading Window Cleaning Magazine as it’s super helpful with what’s hot and what’s not, and keeps us up to date with current affairs in our trade!

Dom goes on to day, “We’re getting there man, it’s been graft but well worth it. Cornwall’s a brilliant place for word of mouth business.”

Sponsored by Unger, the Window Cleaning Challenge is a lively and fully interactive feature at the Cleaning Show which will be held 14 – 16 March at ExCeL, London.

The existing world record holder, Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows, will take on all-comers who are trying to break his long-standing world speed record for cleaning three regulation-size windows. Click here to view the details of the current Guinness World record. Terry will be on hand to offer tips and advice to all competitors from experienced window cleaners to absolute novices.

Now I know some window cleaners will moan. “Its clean glass, how about racing with real life dirty windows”…. and the only thing I can say to that it is, try it. There is CASH to be won…. unless your scared and a little dirt on the glass somehow would make you faster.

Have you ever had a go and tried to stay on one of those Rodeo rides. You might have had a bet on with friends to see who could stay on the longest. It’s fun and exhilarating. But we all know its mechanical and not a real bull, right? So are you going to be the one at the end of the bar refusing to join in the fun with everybody else and complaining it’s not a real bull? Na, you going to join in….. and honestly, I know you will not resist having an attempt to beat Terry’s record.

My advice: get in early to practice, with the provided squeegee and soap before the contest, find your rhythm and smash it for CASH!

£250 cash prize awarded each day to the fastest window cleaner!

This year you don’t have to break the world record, you just need to be the fastest on the day. There will be a winner awarded for the fastest time each day and you can try multiple times, but can only claim your cash prize once (so we will have three individual winners in total). The winner for each day will be announced at the following times:

Tuesday 14 March – 16:00

Wednesday 15 March – 16:00

Thursday 16 March – 15:00

To enter, simply complete the form here

Softwashapolooza 2017 kicked off in January this year with the crews of about a hundred different soft washing companies got together again to learn from each other and understand how to improve their businesses.

AC Lockyer CEO of Softwash Systems showed his undying support for the Softwash Systems companies by demonstrating how submerging oneself in your soft washing business can provide a better return on your effort.

In network companies provided several testimonials of how business owners were able to use Softwash Systems education and support in order to build their businesses quicker than they had expected.

Other presentations  were made on marketing your business, improving your management practices and your company. Safety in your business and workplace took a front seat too, including how to be safer on roofs. This was conducted in a classroom with hands on demonstrations. Awesome move!

Outside the meeting rooms networking was going on at all different levels over coffee and lunch with equipment installed on trucks for all to discuss and learn from. There proved to be a lot of learning going on that wasn’t on the meeting agenda which is way a positive indication of the excitement that surrounds this event.

It was reported that most of everyone left the Softwashapolooza feeling that this was the best event that has ever been conducted and all were looking forward to a promising 2017.

Nice touch: Softwash Systems were recognized at SoftWashapolooza 2017 National Conference, for their contribution in raising funds for the AutoNation Cure Bowl, for the benefit of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Softwash Systems are proud to be a sponsor.

Did you know that any blog post on our website can be commented on through your own Facebook account? Thats amazing!! You can ‘like’ and chat about any topics WCM posts. Feel free to discuss the new product reveals, chat about the fun you had at an event or make a comment on any hot topic we are running. Join in, and have a say.

Running a successful window cleaning/softwashing/pressure washing business is about balance. At the beginning of the business you will wear many hats. It will be you that deals with the sales, the work and quality, the after sales, the bookkeeping, the buying, the planning, the scheduling, and the training.

Ideally you might aspire to first base of a real business, getting an employee to help you. Ordinarily, a tipping point of working hours is required in order for you to take an employee on. And then the cycle repeats.

How many times have you been so busy taking phone calls that it has impacted on your days work schedule and in turn your bottom line?

So after a while you throw the phone in the truck and get on with work letting your ansa machine pick up the new sales call.

I bid on two large jobs recently. Both had said they had called 2 or 3 window cleaners other than my company and they said that either they would get back to them, got the ansa machine or no answer at all.

Are you open for business? Biggest things that will CHOKE your business if you want to grow..

• Not picking up – you have to! I remember a phone in my hotel suite this one time. It had a button with a smiley emoji next to it and the words “How can we help?”… Customer attention is paramount. Pleasing the customer is too.

“Why are they not picking up?” they will ask…. They might try again if you are lucky. Hey presto, your not picking up. You have told that prospect that you are too busy for them… but hey, we all get busy so they may leave a message. Most prospects want everything yesterday in reality

• Not getting back to the message in a timely fashion – Anything over 24 hours might as well be dead.

“Hi, you left a message with me 2 weeks ago, you needed a quote for your window cleaning?”

“Hey, that was two weeks ago… we are sorted now.”

Not being prompt in your reply, your bid visit or getting the bid to the customer is demonstrating that you do not care and that they are not that important.

Make your prospects feel important. Treat them like the first prospect on the first day of your new business.

• Here is a big one. You don’t call at all. Wow……. ! You don’t return the prospects call?

Your business is built on reputation. Now, when that prospect gets the right window cleaner for them who are they going to recommend? 75% of the general population would share a negative experience and 42% said they would share a service they would particularly like.

At this moment in time window cleaners have either stayed at home, or have not lasted too long as 80mph wind and rain hits the UK today. A weather related death has already been reported by Sky News. In Torquay window cleaner, Lee Waring had to cancel work on a retirement home using 45 ft poles. Shawshine Services reported high winds in the West Midlands.

Mr Bungalow Local Window Cleaner, Peter Keeffe in Skegness, East Coast of the UK reports Seagulls flying backwards and Kerry Jones from South Wales reports high winds but slightly manageable ( lets see how long that situation lasts)

Will Ogg of H2O reported having to ‘not risk it’ and returned home, meanwhile High Shine Ltd had to cancel work on a Birmingham school. Tom Coyle of Tom Coyle Window Cleaning had to down tools at 11.30am this morning in Nottingham. In Sheffield, Atkin & Son have reported 40mph wind and rain effecting his crew’s schedule. They have just pulled off work at 3pm, so not bad regards still getting some work done..

It gets worse in Fife, Scotland with snow storms reported by window cleaner Chris Fotheringham of Fife Window Cleaning Services and in Forfar, Angus by Stuart Cormie.

It would appear, however, North East of the UK fared better with John Nellis of J Nellis Window Cleaning Services taking the day off expecting the worse. John reports with disappointment “no, rain and no wind, after all in my area!”, then happily announces, “…. Im still taking the day off”. Jason Strawson of All Done Window Cleaning states, “….he is struggling! Struggling to get out of bed”, fortunately for him he is ahead of his cleaning schedule and so he now takes cover under the duvet.

Local window cleaner in Northampton UK, Richard Hyde showed the real spirit of a true window cleaner. Window cleaners are well immersed into residential communities knowing customers on personal terms. Even customers that cancel services for whatever reason get help when needed by their old window cleaner, as in this case. A couple hours ago one lady found a tree sitting not in its usual spot. In fact the wind had completely uprooted it and it now lies on top of her house and car.

Local community spirit kicked in to assist the shocked woman. Richard Hyde and others took chainsaws to strip as much as they could from the tree before the arrival of assistance. Heres hoping Mr Hyde gets a big fat tip…. like a big mug of tea and a barrel of custard creams or at least the window cleaning job back

Personally, I have just learned that my partner and kids have just narrowly escaped brick work falling in the high street. It was serious, they could of been seriously injured. Please take care out there.