If you could learn something from me

Conversation
1

If you could learn something from me that would help you run your window cleaning business… What would it be?

If we grabbed lunch what would you pick my brain about (window cleaning related) ?

2

I don’t even know where to start. Lunch wouldn’t be long enough…

I guess I would figure out how to kidnap you and bring you to Maryland to help me give my business a booooooooossssssst.

3

I would want to know first off, how do you pay your Sales Staff on jobs? One time Commission, % every time you do the Job?

windowman

4

Chris I already have my clipboard ready…

How do you get customers?

What type of advertising do you use?

What has worked?

What do you see that has not worked?

Did you ever have the opportunity to sit with someone successful in the wc industry and pick their brain?

If so what did you learn from them?

Describe your extended internet market strategy (other than your website)/ i.e. social bookmarking sites, blogs, email marketing

5

I want to know how difficult it was for you to make the transition from technician to entreprenur(?) and how you did it,
most importantly how you THINK.

Seth said it best, lunch aint long enough.

6

I would ask how much of a struggle it was and is to maintain the window cleaning supply store. We have a chemical supply company that we operate under a different name and it is so much work to inventory and to learn product and to stay organized. We have to employ a sales team and maintain customers and do demos. It has so much potential, but it is so hard to get to run smoothly. Are you there yet? Can you keep the place stocked?

7

How do I figure out the best marketing strategy for my market?

When do I put down the squeegee for good?..after 2 employees?..after 4?

When do I hire a sales person?

So many questions, so little time…

8

Chris,
I currently go on site to almost every window cleaning estimate we receive and leave a written proposal. I would ask how I can learn to give more estimates over the phone without losing the personal touch.

9

I agree with Paul, What failed?!? So I don’t waste time and resources messing around with it.

10

  1. I’d want to know why you are in the service industry.

  2. I’d want to see your appointment calendar and your check register.

  3. I’d want to know why you were never on the Apprentice.

11

Hey Chris, Your business employs around 40 people, right? I bet you have learned a few things about hiring good help. What are the red flags that you look for in the interview process? How do you avoid hiring the bad apples? Can you tell who’s going to be a star?

12

I would like to know also

13

All of the above. Also:

You started out cleaning as a one man show correct? at what point did you decide you were going to grow your business into a large company?

What are your future goals for All County?

14

What is your repeat formula that works.

15

If you only had a minute, I’d just ask you for the titles of your top three favorite books on business management. I think you read a lot of books, right?

16

I’m sure there would be loads of questions, but I have the feeling we’d end up drinking & talk about something totally unrelated.

17

Yeah your totally right… but im trying to get some topics for a new video series…

hint hint!

So keep the topics coming!

Mike D sense I wont use it the video series:

I kill at least 2 books a week.

Everyone must read in order! :

Emyth Mastery

Outliers

The upside of a Down economy

Ask me in 2 weeks the list is bound to change except for #1 that will always keep its spot.

18

Your investment strategy in your biz. I read Sam Walton’s bio and he continually reinvested into Walmart for the first 20 years or so, then his growth was absolutely exponential.

I wander about your investments into All County, when did you say, “Dude, I’m pretty rich?!”

19

Thanks Chris,
I never expected an answer right away. Maybe I’ll go to the bookstore later today, it’s a rainy Sunday. Why am I not surprised to hear that you read about 2 books a week?

20

Chris, I don’t mean to sound rude but do you have a big company? (sorry, I don’t know everyone yet)

If you have a successful company I guess I would be interested in how you advertise. It seems most companies slack off on advertising and stay the same size. I would want to know what kind of schedule you use for marketing I guess.