Favorite Articles

Feel like somethings have changed lately? Perhaps there’s been some changes that have occurred in your business without you realizing it. Take a look at your demographics, sales, or traffic over the last year. See if something has happened that has caused your business to stagnate. What could you do to overcome this? Most services save time, money, or headaches for the people who use them. Clearly identify how your offerings uniquely solve customer problems and get regular feedback from customers as you grow and the market changes so you can continue meeting their needs. ...keep reading

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A comfort zone is a psychological state in which things feel familiar to a person and they are at ease and (perceive they are) in control of their environment, experiencing low levels of anxiety and stress. In this zone, a steady level of performance is possible....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- IMPORTANT TRENDS AFFECTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG -- FAQs - Mattress Topper with Black Spot On It & EDUCATION ALERT: IICRC Approved CCT Certification Course - March 17 - 19, 2010, 8 AM - 5 PM....keep reading

It doesn't take a lot of time to create a clear, simple growth plan. In fact, since the service business climate is always changing, it just doesn't make sense to spend days creating a fancy "business plan" that will be irrelevant in a few months time. A clear, simple growth plan is probably the number one thing our successful business owners all have in common....keep reading

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Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- TWO KEY "SECRETS" OF BIDDING COMMERCIAL CARPET CLEANING AT A PROFIT, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG -- Four Tips For "Safe and Easy Spot Removal" From Upholstery Fabrics, NEWS YOU CAN USE & EDUCATION ALERT: Carpet Repair and Re-Installation Course - 2 Day Comprehensive Course with "Hands On" Training -- August 25 - 26, 2011....keep reading

Although it isn't new, MRSA (Methicillian-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is sweeping the nation as the most recent health concern in schools. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this sometimes deadly staph infection is responsible for more deaths each year in the United States than the AIDS virus....keep reading

CAUTION: Cell Phones Get in the Way of Communicating
Technology is disrupting face-to-face communication, making the workplace — and our lives — impersonal. This can be very dangerous!...keep reading

This understanding starts with creating a detailed customer profile which includes some demographic information and, more importantly, data on how they feel and what they think. The more you know about your prospect and their problems, as well as your service products, the better you're able to determine viable solutions for their problems....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- THREE CORE MARKETING PRINCIPLES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - Understanding Fiber Families Key to Getting Better Results in Upholstery Cleaning, NEWS YOU CAN USE & EDUCATION ALERT....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and micro-business trends that may have a major effect on cleaning professionals. IN THIS ISSUE -- TIMES ARE MORE CHALLENGING TODAY, BUT YOU MUST KEEP MARKETING!, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG -- FAQs - Deodorization, CLEANTIP ALERT -- It Seemed So Simple, NEWS YOU CAN USE -- Going, Going, Gone?, EDUCATION ALERT: FREE FRIDAY -- Secrets of Successful (& Profitable) Structural Drying - May 29, 2009, 9 AM - 3 PM....keep reading

There is one Currency that can make a cleaning professional successful today, regardless of global, national, or local economic conditions! It really has little or nothing to do with the amount of secular or technical education you have. It is not the Dollar, the Euro, the Yen or even GOLD!...keep reading

I talked to a cleaner recently about a nice cleaning job he just landed for a local government building. He was enthused that his knowledge of a cleaning problem landed the sale, but during our conversation we discovered that what really got him the job was deeper than that....keep reading

Article include: Wal-Mart, Kohl's position stores for New Reality - Frugal Shoppers, On reaching new frugal consumer, Frugal Shoppers Are Here to Stay and Brand Idiomatics....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- The "Textile Pro's" - Upholstery Spot Removal Warnings by Jim Pemberton & Tips For The Nervous Rug Shopper by Lisa Wagner, RESTORATION BOOTCAMP - Feb 1st, 2012 & NEW BOOK RECOMMENDATION....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- IT PAYS TO MARKET WITH POSTCARDS!, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - Correcting Browning, NEWS YOU CAN USE: Another Vital Help from the R&R e-Newsletter & EDUCATION ALERT: FINE FABRIC CARE WORKSHOP February 18, 2011 & BOOKED SOLID! w/ Jeff Cross - February 25, 2011....keep reading

How You Handle Negative Comments Can Impact Your Reputation!
My "Four Mistakes" article, published 3-30-19 certainly stimulated some strong responses, especially "Mistake #1" - concerning response to a negative comment or review. I spoke out very firmly regarding responding negatively under any circumstances. This article expands on my original comments . ....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- COMMERCIAL OLEFIN AND NYLON CARPETS, CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - When Bad Things Happen To Good Upholstery!, NEWS YOU CAN USE & EDUCATION ALERT: CARPET CLEANING Technician (IICRC CCT) September 15 & 16, 2011....keep reading

April thru June is the time of year in the northern regions that cleaners begin to deal with damage caused to carpets from the use or overuse of ice melters such as rock salt or calcium chloride that is tracked in during the winter....keep reading