I know that it is a Friday, and everyone really hates to think on a Friday, but here it goes. I have a couple of questions I would love your opinions on.
First off, if there was a “uniform” provider (basically a clothing vendor that you could use to create your own uniform for you or your people with your logo on it) offering discount pricing, would that be something you would be interested in?
Secondly, are there other services that you would like to see discounts or reduced fees for if we were able to pool buying power (such as insurance, gas cards, collections)? If so, what services would interest you?
Thanks for your feedback on this, and have a great weekend!
Shelby[/FONT]
Sounds like a trade association to me. Many trade assoc. will offer these types of kickbacks to their members. I am not clear on what any of the window cleaning trade assoc. offer. BUT what i can tell you, is that most times the savings are not really that much of an incentive. Take for example…I can order biz cards online for lets say $50, but then add the extra fees and shipping, and it is a wash compared to my local printer. Plus I can always get someone on the phone, proof an item in person, gain some reciprocal business, etc…
And I don’t know about everyone else, but in my opinion, I have usually found the cheapest, best places to work with are local…not online/phone order/mail order/etc
just my opinion, others may have some interest…GOOD LUCK
I think that having a good positive image is important. Any schmuck can show up in torn jeans and a ragady tank top and ask to get the job, but show up looking like you mean business with a clean work vehicle and a clean uniform or at least something that identifies you as a professional and I’d bet it goes a long way in a prospective customers eyes. If the uniform vendor is giving you a good price in your opinion, great! As far as the rest I agree with the idea that it would be something a trade organization provides. I guess I got lucky ordering my cards and brochures on line though. My son inlaw got his cards locally, 500 for $87. My cards look as good if not better than his and even though I spent just over $90 with shipping, I got 5000! Ten times as many for about $6 more! And my brochures cost me $300 for a thousand. Full color tri-fold brochures that I designed myself online for free. So dont br afraid to look around online and compare with local vendors. In case you’re wondering, it was Vistaprint that I used.
What about health insurance? I could see this as being a huge advantage for the IWCA. I could imagine there would be a lot of work in getting this started though…
How about discounts with a cell phone provider?
I think these kind of discounts could really help boost the IWCA’s member base and help retain current members. (I’m thinking about joining soon - some of these offers would push me over the edge.)
[FONT=“Georgia”]Thanks for the feedback so far, full disclosure for those who have not seen me on here shamelessly promoting the IWCA Convention & Trade Show (BTW the full schedule will be announced later this week here on WCR so keep an eye out for that and mark your calendars now to be in Reno in January - sorry I could not help myself) I am with the IWCA but I did not include this in here because I did not want anyone discouraged from providing feedback because they were not a member. I am now working with the benefits committee and we are looking for feedback on services we should go after to get discounts on.
So I guess to clarify my questions;
How many of you all use some kind of uniform for you or your crew and do you think discounts on such a service would be beneficial?
Then what else would you like to see discounts on?
I have seen health Insurance (side note we are working on this one so hopefully we can get that done, so far it is very slow moving, but we are giving it a shot) and cell phone discounts. Those are great suggestions, please keep them coming.
Since cell phones were not on our radar it brings up another question what provider are you on, I would like to at least start with the one that is going to be the best benefit for the masses.
I am not a member, but would definitely look into it if there were discounts for sure. Stuff like cell phone usage, from say sprint or for verizon would be great. Health insurance would be HUGE. The uniforms, not so much. I can get that where I am with less problems like was mentioned before.
Shelby - I thought I smelled a “trade association” in the room…
But seriously…I know of a lot of organizations that offer what you are suggesting. Uniforms, training, shipping, printing, graphic design, websites and hosting, biz insurance, car insurance…you name it.
Even discounts with online and local supply houses. Just my .02 even though i didn’t really answer your question.
Death/injury insurance would probably push up membership as well. Its something that another industry association gave me for free before it went defunct.
Just how international is the International Window Cleaning Association? Because if they offered life insurance, I may even consider joining. Is the international part just to get people to part with their money in other areas of the world? Because they haven’t embraced international working methods especially for safety.
- sorry I could not help myself) I am with the IWCA but I did not include this in here because I did not want anyone discouraged from providing feedback because they were not a member. I am now working with the benefits committee and we are looking for feedback on services we should go after to get discounts on.
