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/

Last week I read a delightfully simple article in the INC newsletter that is really worth passing on . . .

It is titled:
How to Make a Successful Cold Call
by Geoffrey James

There’s a quick and easy way to get a potential customer interested.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the conversation…

Read more here…
http://tinyurl.com/tip1-20a

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

John says: “The bitter truth that no one ever tells you about marketing is that everything doesn’t always work every time. So if you want to stay busy, you MUST take action with several items.“

Go to his blog for more than 20 tactics that can boost you winter volume, (the last five are restorer specific! Print out his list and do something!

Here is the link -
http://tinyurl.com/tiphitman

And, while you are at it, plan to join us February 1st here at the spacious Boston Spectrum at the “Restoration BootCamp”.

For more details, follow the link below -
http://www.pembertons.com/bootcamp

 I have just reviewed a “must read” article from the “Restoration & Remediation” trade journal, written by Walter Lumpp, titled “What the Looming Consolidation Means to Restoration Contractors”

Mr Lumpps’ observations are insightful and will give you some serious issues to consider as you consider your business future! Here are a few excerpts as he speaks regarding the “Wal-Mart effect”. . .

• “Because Wal-Mart has unmatched buying power, it can dictate to suppliers what price it will pay for their products”…
• “Global competition that could drastically alter the way you and I do business is entering our industry”
• “Major insurers are reportedly joining forces with Crawford through pilot programs”…

For the full article and another to follow, use this link . . . http://tinyurl.com/tip1202a
—————————————————————————————————————-
Walter Lumpp
Walter Lumpp is executive director of the National Institute of Restoration, the nation’s premier association of building professionals dedicated to the repair, cleaning and restoration of property damaged by fire, wind, water or other disasters. For more information, call (434) 973-4200.

This is some incredible stuff! Can you imagine technology where gentle water bubbles can produce the cleaning power of high pressure washers?

This information was sent over by Cliff Zlotnik (the “Z-man”) and his cohort Joe Hughes at IAQ Radio Friday morning. I strongly recommend that you get on their list so you are kept up to date on cutting edge technology in our industry.

Click on this link to READ MORE:
http://tinyurl.com/IAQ1111

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

An every-increasing “good fit” for them is green, and this doesn’t mean the color of money. Disinfecting and deodorizing services for clients who may already have a contract cleaning or in-house cleaning staff is proving to be a popular option for restoration contractors.

For complete article, please visit…
http://www.ecleanadvisor.com/public/875.cfm

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

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