LeePemberton.com

In last weeks blog I shared some issues that I see as quite challenging right now, and offered some simple and low cost marketing solutions.

A key thought for our industry from my perspective continues to be:

“Marketing is not about how much you spend, it’s about how you spend it!”

Today I want to call your attention to a powerful shift that I see making an impact right now on both the way we go after jobs and the way the jobs come to us. This trend is overwhelmingly powerful and needs attention!

This trend is being referred to as “ROBO” – taken from “Research Online” and  “Buy Offline”

Few things will have a more powerful impact on local businesses like ours than this consumer behavior of researching online and then buying offline (ROBO)! This behavior is now practiced by almost 90% of all computer savvy adults as a way to find local products and services without wasting time driving from one place to another, or wasting time with irritating phone conversations!

What this means is that we have to expand the way we think about our websites far beyond the means to provide information. Our website also must become a tool to invite online searchers and visitors to contact us offline.

Perhaps our websites need local call to action tools such as downloadable coupons, samples and trials.

One of our industry leaders in sharing great guidance regarding using the internet wisely is John Braun, of Hitman Advertising. He currently has a 25 minute FREE webcast with great guidance on using the internet to build your business with very little cost. I strongly recommend you check it out.

Here is the link  http://www.hitmanadvertising.com/workshopwebcast/

“They start in homes and beds, and as people move about, they get transported into office buildings, schools, libraries, movie theaters, retail stores, you name it.” said Michael Potter, professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

This is problem is growing, and your customers need help from you! You don’t have to become a “Pest Control Service” – Good professional cleaning procedures can go a long way to assist in deterring an infestation of bedbugs, as well as good housekeeping guidance from you.

Some initial research is in order as a starter. . . .

Knowlegeable cleaning professionals can start with boning up on the effective use of (#1) Vacuuming, (#2) Clearing “clutter”, (#3) Heat, and (#4) Application of safe and effective products like Microban X590 or SteriFab!

Take the time to follow this link to valuable information provided by the “Health Day News” of April 19th, as well as the additional links that will take you to a wealth of excellent helpful information regarding bedbug infestation in offices. http://tinyurl.com/tipbugs2

Related Articles

• Signs of Bedbug Infestation
  http://tinyurl.com/tipbugs3
• Insect Infestations On Upholstery And Bedding
  http://www.ecleanadvisor.com/public/358.cfm
• Bed Bug Infestation — Nothing To Do With Cleanliness!
  http://leepemberton.com/blog/bed-bug-infestation-cleanliness/
• Additional research links:
  http://tinyurl.com/tipbugs4

I just received a great response regarding my blog from last week from Mark Violand, a long time friend and a dedicated industry authority.

In case you missed it, last week I discussed “add on selling” of “treatments”, strongly suggesting that deodorizing treatments were more saleable in todays market climate. 
(read last weeks blog)

Mark goes on to say  .  .  .  .  .  .

“Yes, odor control and the “smells sell” mentality will always be with us. I wrote an article about scented candles way back when regarding the “scent” industry. [Still as popular.]

Regarding protector sales, I gave a presentation last year for the local SCRT chapter titled “Minding your P’s and T’s”, making use of the words polyester and Triexta.

When you read through all the mumbo jumbo, SmartStrand (Mohawk’s product) does not have protector on it. We all know that the fiber is nearly stain proof to “water based” spills, but not OIL, just like olefin. And in CCT class we learn that the primary purpose of a protector is “dry soil” resistance with liquid spill attributes as well. SOOOO “the cleaner should still let his clients know what he/she knows” and that dry soil resistance is still the main reason protectors should be applied. So the cleaning you perform will last longer because the carpet is resisting dry soil, just not spills.

My 2 cents.

Thanks as always,

Mark Violand
IICRC Certified Senior Carpet Inspector
IICRC Approved Instructor
CFI Inspector/Technical Certification
ITS HardSurface Inspector (wood, laminate and resilient)
CTEF Ceramic Tile Inspector

Cell phones, office phones, computer based phones have changed our world and become incredibly mainstream in todays work place as well as everywhere we are!

In my youth we referred to “filthy lucre” (money) and mothers taught us to wash our hands after handling money! But today we have an unbelievable situation with phones.

Why Your Office Phone Is Filthier Than The Toilet

Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, in his research on office germs, found that the phone is the single dirtiest part of the office!

One place you don’t have to worry about? The toilet seat. “People wipe it down all the time,” says Gerba.

For more information, please visit…
http://tinyurl.com/tip3212a

In 2012, we appear to be undergoing a shift from a business-to-consumer marketplace to a consumer-to-business and consumer-to-consumer marketplace—where buying and selling of products and services is increasingly driven by consumers themselves. To me it is like an out of control – unstructured “Word of Mouth” marketplace on steroids! The so called “Arab Spring” and “Occupy Wall Street” are examples that I see of this type of conduct.

Good or not so good, this is happening because of the incredible ability today of consumers to communicate immediately with each other in massive volume.

All of this is having an effect on your business and your marketplace.

We, as service deliverers, are facing serious, but as of yet, unknown changes! read more

Jim Pemberton’s CleanChat Blog article today reveals his observations regarding the sale of carpet & fabric protection services.

Here is what I see superficially as other major contributors:

* Add-ons are no longer a “slam dunk” aftersale profit builder!
– Consumers now demand good reasons to make these additional investments.

* “Poor” or “Perceived Poor” results in the past are coming home to roost!
– Caused by combinations of inadequate cleaning, preparation, overpromising & underdelivery.

Check out Jims blog:
http://www.jimscleanchat.com/protector-sales-declining/

The big business story right after Xmas was retail giant SEARS / KMART & their announcement that they will be closing up to 120 stores in the upcoming year. Despite the 2% increase in holiday shopping this year, this 100+ year old company struggled.

This years retail results show Macy’s store sales rise while Sears, Kohls and Penneys stagnate or fall.

Why? Perhaps it is the result of what some refer to as a “Secret Weapon” used by Macy’s:

Macy’s same-store sales have been growing each month since early 2010, following the nationwide launch of the “My Macy’s” local customization program.

Analysts say “My Macy’s” is the No. 1 reason for the company’s impressive turnaround, stemming a long string of quarterly sales and profit declines. “My Macy’s” launched nationwide in May 2009, in the troubled aftermath of Macy’s merger with the May department store chain

Looking at Macy’s (M) crowds this holiday season, you wouldn’t know that major department stores have been creeping toward death’s door for 30 years.

Department stores’ share of the retail market fell from over 7% thirty years ago to a low of 2.4% in 2009, says Craig Johnson, president of consulting firm Customer Growth Partners. But last year department stores’ share rose for the first time in 30 years, Johnson says.

CGP estimates its share will rise again this year, to 2.6%. The reason? In a word, says Johnson: Macy’s.
“Macy’s has been increasing its share of the department store sector primarily at Sears (SHLD) and J.C. Penney’s (JCP) expense,” he said.

So what can we learn from all of this? I would like to share some well stated thoughts from a bright young blogger who posted the following article, headlined . . .

Fears for Sears: Lessons from a Dying Brand,
and his first point is really noteworthy to those of us self-employed small business persons . . .

Lesson #1 Don’t Forget to Take Care of the Goose
(check out all three lessons)
Read the whole story at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/tip1230sears

Ready for a frigid winter? Here’s how to beat the cold.
Author: Scott Warrington

Here is a link to an excellent, thought stimulating article from the November Cleanfax. The author, Scott Warrington has over 40 years of experience behind him, and his advice shows it! He details (1) – The human effect, (2) – Equipment challenges (including TMT & portable), chemical concerns, and last but far from least — your customer concerns.

Read more…
http://tinyurl.com/tip111111

Here’s something that I received Thursday Nov 3rd that is important enough to send out to everyone of you …

NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM Nov 9th:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m., EST, and may last up to three and a half minutes. The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.

This is a first test of a nationwide Emergency Alert on all media. The alert will last as long as 3 ½ minutes. This EAS test will be broadcast on radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and on wire line providers in all states and U.S. territories.

Individuals who are not aware of the test may perceive it as an actual emergency message, so it is important to make the public aware of the test well ahead of the testing period.

REFERENCES:
To learn more about the national EAS test, visit FEMA at:
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm
or the FCC at:
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test

My cellphone always looks disgusting, but this article really gave me a different perspective on cellphones and sanitation! Check it out!
- Lee

Nasty Bugs Lurking on Your Cell Phone
By Tim Locke
WebMD Health News

Study: E. coli Found on Cell Phones the Result of Poor Hand Washing
Oct. 14, 2011 — The next time you reach for your cell phone, consider this: A new study found that 92% of cell phones in the U.K. have bacteria on them – including E. coli — because people aren’t washing their hands after going to the bathroom.

Read more:
http://tinyurl.com/tip1028

I love this article! When it comes to disinfection, there is so much mis-information put out as fact that it is really disgusting!
- Lee

The Fantasy Of Disinfection
according to Dr. Steven Spivak,…chairman of the Cleaning Industry Research Institute International’s (CIRI) Science Advisory Council, efficacy in principle is rarely reached when disinfecting is practiced.

“Because of … the time demands of cleaning services, some in the industry have dubbed the practice of attempting to remove harmful pathogens from surfaces “the fantasy of disinfection.”

Read more:
http://tinyurl.com/tip1029

As another year passes for me, I become more and more amazed at the questions I get regarding my age. After thinking about it , I realized there is a massive misunderstanding regarding “age” as far as we humans are concerned. I am aware of many persons who have become “old” after living only three or four decades!

Here is a poem written many years ago that reflects my feeling about our human aging process:

Samuel Ullman was a businessman and a poet with attitudes that mirror mine. He goes to on to reflect his feelings about youth . . .

“Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind.” And then gives this definition . . .

“It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination; a vigor of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease …”

Finally, he says (and I love this statement) . . .

“Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people grow old by deserting their ideals.”

– Samuel Ullman 1840-1924, Businessman, Poet