How to Raise the Prices You Charge to Your Cleaning Customers
by Steve Hanson
You started your cleaning business to make a profit and earn a living. Most cleaning businesses, whether they do residential or commercial cleaning, start out with the owner doing everything - marketing, cleaning, buying supplies, and even the bookwork. As your company grows and you hire employees and add more clients, your expenses grow too. When you started out you may have under-priced your services either to get new clients or because you lacked bidding experience. So now that your expenses are growing and you've discovered you under-priced your services, what do you do?
First off, understand that raising prices is necessary in any business. Just take a look at things you buy on a routine basis - gas, milk, cleaning supplies, electricity - prices do increase and sometimes take a big jump!
Before you raise your prices to your cleaning customers go back and take a look at your original contract. Does your contact state the original bid price will be good for a certain length of time? If it does you will not be able to raise your price until that time frame has expired. If not, how long have you been cleaning for that client? Even if you originally under-priced your services you may not want to increase your price if you have only been cleaning for the client for a short time. Most cleaning companies wait at least a year before increasing prices. If you don't have anything written in your cleaning contract about price increases, you should start adding a clause about it with your next client. Many companies guarantee their price for a year and state that they take cost of living increases each year (for example, 4%). Or they may state something like, "we reserve the right to increase prices after one year".
Before figuring out a new price go back through your original bid and make sure that you have everything covered so you are making a profit. If your supply costs have gone up dramatically or if you have added expenses (workers comp or more insurance because of hiring employees), make sure the price increase will cover the extra expenses.
Another factor to consider before raising prices is your customer's current satisfaction level. Are they happy with the job your cleaning company is doing? Most people understand price increases and will stick with your cleaning company as long as they are happy with the job you are doing. After all, looking for a new cleaning company takes time and your customer may not get a better price or the quality of work they want from someone new.
But don't be afraid to raise the price on a customer who is constant complainer, especially if their complaints are not justified. You may need to raise your price to cover the extra time you spend in their office (or home).
Once you have all your facts and the new price you need to charge, send a letter to your customer. Let them know that you are raising your prices, why you are raising your prices, and the benefits to them to continue using your cleaning company. Make sure you inform your customer at least 30 days in advance that the price will be going up. Keep in mind that large corporations and government agencies may need more time if they have to run the price increase through a committee or get approval by a board.
The phrase "you get what you pay for" is often true when it comes to cleaning companies. Too low of a price may mean the company is not doing satisfactory work or that the company has undervalued its services and will soon be out of business.
Pricing your services so you make a profit is not a bad thing! Your cleaning company's survival depends on charging your customers appropriately so you can stay in business and make a profit. Good customers will understand a price increase and be happy to continue using your services. And don't be surprised if a customer that leaves because of a price increase soon comes back! Many people eventually realize that a lower priced bid from another cleaning company means their building (or home) is not as clean as when your company provided their cleaning services.
Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store
About The Author
Sunday, March 2, 2008
What You Need To Know About Ipod Docking Stations
What You Need To Know About Ipod Docking Stations
by Terry Roberts
The iPod docking station is probably the �must have� accessory to go with your iPod, especially if you are a constant or frequent user. The docking station allows the iPod to fully charge while still allowing the listener to enjoy their music without interruption. The docking station also keeps the iPod safe and secure, avoiding the chance of damage if it were simply left on a chair or on a table.
There are several different options in iPod docking stations and the choice is largely one of price and convenience. For the tiny iPod Nano, a simple docking cradle gives the basic stability to the player and allows the Nano to be synched to the computer for downloads while charging. While the simple cradle does not have speakers of its own, an audio-out port allows the Nano in the docking cradle to be connected to external speakers, headphones, or even through your computer to play all your favorite songs while charging the battery. Typically these smaller cradle style docking stations are less than $20.00 US.
Larger docking stations for iPod Video or MP3 players typically have built-in speakers on either side of the docking cradle. These speakers are designed to be ultra high quality to preserve the sound from the iPod itself. Many of the larger docking stations come with surround sound speakers, subwoofers, tweeters and 3-D sound processors for an amazing sound quality from a small package. As with the simple cradle docking stations, the iPod is easily connected to the computer with a USB cable or FireWire connection. This allows synchronizing and downloading of songs while charging the batteries on the iPod and listening to tracks through the speakers.
Some docking stations have optional battery power to charge the iPods, typically using four or more AA batteries. This additional battery feature makes it an ideal choice for having to connect to a computer in areas where there are not enough power outlets, or even for playing and charging your iPod outside or in remote areas. Most of the larger, speaker-equipped docking stations range in price from $30.00 to under $100.00. There are some very unique in-wall docking stations that keep your iPod in a safely recessed dock that is permanently mounted to a wall behind or near your computer, but these are usually quite a bit more expensive. In addition many of the docking stations also have radios and additional features to make them more versatile.
When purchasing an iPod docking station it is important to carefully read what size and type of iPod the docking station can handle. Typically iPod docking stations will have additional inserts to allow them to hold a Nano but not all can hold the smaller, new generation of iPods.
About The Author
You Can Put Your Eye Out That Way
You Can Put Your Eye Out That Way
by Tim Bryce
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Independence Day in America, complete with fireworks. This reminded me of when I was a youth and enjoyed setting off fireworks myself. I always found the instructions printed on fireworks rather amusing which said simply, "Put on ground, light fuse, run away." I didn't know exactly where they wanted me to run away to, I had already been to the circus, so I just stood back a few feet and watched the firecracker explode.
Fireworks drives mothers crazy, and I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard my mother warn me, "You can put your eye out that way." I think this was the standard warning for just about anything I did, be it riding a bicycle, playing baseball, swimming, running, or breathing. It is the first cardinal rule each mother must learn in order to bear children. I wasn't alone either, all of my friends' mothers admonished them with this same expression regularly. So much so, that we thought our mothers had formed a conspiracy or some secret society for the sole purpose of maintaining our eyesight.
The power of mothers is rather interesting. Years ago, Jay Leno commented that mothers had the uncanny ability to sniff out just about anything, even better than a bloodhound, such as your secret copy of Playboy you kept stashed away in your bedroom. Back before the Iraq war started, he said we should not have wasted time sending in a team of UN delegates to look for weapons of mass destruction since they never found anything. Instead, they should have sent in a team of mothers who would have pulled Saddam Hussein out by the ear and cleaned up the situation right away. It would have probably saved us all a lot of grief.
Mothers are full of little axioms they use to keep us in line, but I have to think, "You can put your eye out that way," has to be their favorite with "Stop it or you'll go blind" coming in a close second.
About The Author
You can find his work on the Internet at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/timbryce.htm
He can be contacted at: timb001@phmainstreet.com
Copyright © 2007 Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
Fun Canada Day Ideas For The Whole Family
Fun Canada Day Ideas For The Whole Family
by Alice Seba
Canada Day, originally known as Dominion Day, is the anniversary of Canada�s independence from Britain. It is celebrated on July 1st, is a national holiday and is a great opportunity to have fun as a family.
Here are some things your family can do to celebrate Canada Day:
Fireworks celebrations are held in many locations to celebrate the holiday. Scan the newspapers to find out when and where they will be held. Often there are other events such as live music and craft shows before the fireworks show. If there are other family attractions nearby that you would like to visit, leave early and make a day of it.
A tour of historic Canadian places makes an educational Canada Day activity. If your town or one nearby has a good town website, it can be an excellent source of information about nearby historic places. Tours are often available for a small fee. Learning about your country�s history is a worthwhile way to spend the anniversary of its confederation.
Family outings are a Canada Day tradition. A picnic in the park is a great family activity for the day. Pack some sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Load up frisbees, tennis racquets, and other sports equipment. Then head off to the park for a day of family fun.
A family camping trip would be a wonderful way to celebrate. It takes some planning, but camping is truly fun for the whole family. Be sure not to forget the insect repellent, sunscreen, lots of outdoor toys, first aid supplies, and plenty of food. Then take the camper (or tents if you really want to rough it) and head out for an adventure.
Bike trips through scenic areas are a nice way to celebrate while enjoying the country�s natural beauty. Canada is home to many bike trails, and Canada Day is a good opportunity to take advantage of them. If you don�t know where the nearest trail is, check with your local visitor�s center or do an online search.
Canada Day crafts are a creative way to commemorate the holiday. Many Canada Day festivals offer the opportunity to do crafts, but you can also do them easily at home if you wish. You can find plenty of ideas online for everything from handprint Canadian flags to maple leaf hats to Mountie door hangers.
Canada Day festivals are jam-packed with activities that the whole family can enjoy. But you don�t have to go to a festival to have a fun day. You can stay home and have your own celebration, or participate in outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy the abundant natural resources that the country has to offer.
About The Author
http://www.HolidayIdeasForMoms.com is your source for less-stress and more fun all year-round. Claim your free subscription and find more Canada Day ideas for the whole family.
5 Good Reasons For Choosing An Audio Book
5 Good Reasons For Choosing An Audio Book
by Janet Rusky
Did you know that audio books are becoming more and more popular by each day? For example, in 2004, over $124 million worth of audio books were sold in the UK and $120 million in Germany during 2005. Experts say that this year the market is expected to rise by 20% in Europe, and audio books seem to be even more popular in the USA.
But why are audio versions a convenient way to "read" a book?
1) You save time, because you can listen to an audio book anywhere and everywhere, and you can even do other things at the same time. You can listen when driving to and from work, when walking the dog, cycling, working around the house or at the computer, exercising, and so on. The possibilities are endless.
According to a recent survey, in the USA a person is driving an average of 1 hour and 13 minutes daily, which means over 440 hours a year for each driver, or 11 full-time work weeks. This is huge! Imagine how many things you could learn during this time by simply having your MP3 player with audio books at hand.
2) If you love reading but don't have a enough time, audio books can give you the opportunity to read many more books that you would otherwise have time for. Audio books are a great way to fill the "dead" moments we all have in our lives.
3) Audio books are good for older, ill or recovering people and can be a wonderful gift for someone in a nursing institution. This is a gift they can remember and enjoy time after time.
4) Audio books can be a blessing for blind people, disabled people or people with impaired vision. Everyone should have the chance to experience and enjoy a book and in many cases, this is the only way for such persons to do it.
Spoken books can help these people improving their education, help them developing new hobbies and habits and greatly enriching their life, both personally and professionally.
5) The most important skill a child can ever acquire is probably the ability to read, and audio books can be easily used to stimulate literacy in children. Books can be listened to by children while following the story in the paper book. Or they could listen just to gain and improve vocabulary and communication skills. If you want to instill in your child the love of reading, audio books can be a excellent start.
There are many more benefits of using audio books, but even these few reasons should be enough to convince you to enter the exciting world of the spoken books.
About The Author
http://www.best-audiobook-store.com
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Searching For The Best Membership Management Software Across The Web
Searching For The Best Membership Management Software Across The Web
by Mario Churchill
The Web is truly the best venue where you could possibly find the best membership management software. You must be looking for that computer program for quite some time already. And your membership organization might really be badly needing the aid by such types of software.
If you are running a small startup and your labor staff is still very minimal, you must aim to achieve greater efficiency. Your employees must be well adept in using different computer programs as well as the basic operating transactions for your company�s business. However, most workers are finding it hard to balance computer program familiarization and basic business skills.
For example, not all employees are adept in using the complicated and widely used computer programs. They may be experts in the management and operating levels, but their computer skills might not be as impressive. You cannot avoid hiring these types of employees because you are after the quality and expertise in handling important transactions for your company.
Now, you can have a quick remedy to this pressing problem. There are many membership management software that are currently being introduced and sold across the world wide Web. Many software developers have spent considerable time and effort doing research and writing such software products.
Benefits of investing in membership management software
There are many reasons why you should spend capital allocation for buying membership management software. One top reason is that such computer programs will surely infuse all the computer tools and programs that would make everyday transactions in your office more efficient.
Membership management software usually consists of the most practical and widely used computer programs and applications, like those used in basic data encoding, those that are used in making tables and incorporating computations, those used in formal presentations and many more. There are also other basic features like Internet connectivity and basic database applications. Thus, when all these programs and more are combined in one single software, time and effort would surely be saved.
Another advantage of using membership management software is that it will save time. Imagine how many seconds or minutes your employees would lose if they keep on starting up and closing basic computer applications. Sometimes, it is also inevitable that the programs are accidentally shut down, prompting a need for a program restart. With the use of membership management software, everything they would need is already in one package program.
Buying in the Web
Buying a membership management software across the Web is never a hassle. It would be easy. You can download such programs quickly, instantly and conveniently. Within seconds and hours, your office would have the needed membership management software to help your employees make it through each day.
You can do each purchase like a usual online buying transaction, where you need credit cards or a bank transfer account for purchase payments. If you would be lucky enough, there are also free trial versions of such software. However, such trial issues can be used only within a few months.
If you are aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of people behind our startup small enterprise, it would be imperative that you invest in a membership management software. Web purchases would mean so much convenience, so yourself could spend your spare time doing other productive tasks.
About The Author
High Speed Internet Connection
High Speed Internet Connection
by Toh Poh
Internet has almost become a lifeline for the new generation. Many businesses now depend entirely on the Internet. People residing in different parts of world are able to talk to each other via the medium of Internet. Video conferencing is a live example of it. Many marriages are also made with the help of the Internet. The list of benefits that Internet provides is limitless.
But, what would you do when you have a slow speed internet connection that takes a lot of time? That internet connection would simply be useless to you.
The speed at which you are connected to the Internet plays a very important role in enjoying the advantages offered by it. For example, suppose one of your relatives who is residing overseas, has sent you a holiday clip. Now, if your Internet speed is slow then first of all it would take a long time to load the mail website. Then you would enter your user name and password. It would again take extra time to verify it. Also, downloading the clip would be very slow, even if its size is very small. Overall, you can say that having a low speed Internet connection (dial-up connection) is not a good thing.
There are many choices available for a high speed Internet connection. DSL, Cable and Satellite are some of them. You can select the best one from them. Here are some of the common benefits that all these high speed Internet connections provide.
* Viewing of streamlining clips or videos is very easy and fast in these connections. Dial-up connections may not even allow their access. * You can upload web pages and download any kind of information or software with more than twice the speed of dial-up connection. * Downloading of images and huge e-mail files can be done almost promptly. * High speed Internet connection has proven to be a boon for all businessmen. They can now access the world wide web within a few seconds. Their businesses have been highly benefited through efficient and quick video conferencing which would have been impossible in a slow dial-up connection. * For those people who work from home, a high speed Internet connection can assist them in increasing their overall work efficiency and output. * On a long term basis, the high speed Internet connection can prove to be highly economical.
DSL: The best choice for high speed internet connection Now-a-days, DSL has become the leading choice for a high speed Internet connection. DSL works on existing telephone lines. With a DSL connection you can browse the web and talk on the phone at the same time. Generally, a DSL connection requires a DSL router, a dedicated phone line and a network card or a modem for each system. The installation of DSL at your location is the responsibility of the service provider. Last but not the least, this high speed Internet connection is offered at very affordable prices.
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