WINDOWS WITHSTAND WHATEVER WEATHER

Whether the weather be fine,

Or whether the weather be not,

Whether the weather be cold,

Or whether the weather be hot,

We’ll weather the weather,

Whatever the weather,

Whether we like it or not.

Author Unknown

I have been rolling up my sleeves lately and working to help schedule work for my favorite window cleaning company here in Albuquerque, My Window Man. It might have just a little to do with the company being owned by family. To get the year started out with a boost we are offering a discount to repeat customers. The weather has been incredible, up until today’s windy presence.  We have had cool, but sunny New Mexico skies – perfect for window cleaning.

That condition does not stop customers from questioning the weather. I get amused when I look at their past notes from May or August and it says, “Call me when it is not so windy” or “I will call you when it is not so hot.” I am pleasant with them of course, but weather is weather whenever.

If you windows are dirty, don’t hesitate to hire a professional to clean them in the winter. Cool crisp winter days look better with clean windows.

And, it is always a good time to check out cheap  discounted window covering at For Your Windows.

ANYONE IN DIXVILLE NOTCH NEED WINDOW COVERINGS?

At the risk of leaning to politics, which I am not doing on this blog, I want to mention Dixville Notch. If you do not know what or where that is, don’t feel bad. I am probably older than most of you, and I was not familiar with it either.

Each election year, New Hampshire is the first to hold a primary. Dixville Notch actually opens their polls at midnight and closes them a few minutes later after their small population has cast their votes.

Last night they had nine voters, which was a bit lower than normal. This event has been going on since 1960. The interesting thing about it, is that since 1968, whoever got the most votes for the Republican nomination has won it again for the general election.  Last night there was a tie. Wonder what that will bring.

I find this intriguing. Maybe it is all just coincidental, but small happenings can sometimes manifest much bigger phenomena. Never underestimate the power of a tiny idea.

I bet Dixville Notch is lacking a brick and mortar location that sells window coverings. Guess what! For Your Windows offers what you need at its online store, and it ships nationwide.

A WINDOW TO EAGERLY OPEN

Are you ready?

I am!

I am looking forward to opening the window to 2012.  Most people want to lose weight, save money or quit smoking again. Those are all good resolutions for sure. After much thought here are my top decisions for 2012.

 

1) Be kinder to myself and everyone I meet, know and love.

2) Dress up naked windows that need new coverings by shopping at For Your Windows.

3) Help others keep their windows clean and dressed up as needed.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Happy New Year to all my visitors. Thank you for a great 2011 and please come back often next year.

 

DECORATING INSIDE THE WINDOW

So, where did December go? Actually, what happened to the whole darn year?

I hope all of you readers have finished most of your holiday shopping and decorating, and you are ready to just enjoy time with friends and family. 

We keep it small these days, but is still feels like Christmas.

I will be back blogging about windows, etc. next week,

Have a wonderful Holiday, and thank you for reading my blog.

WINTER WINDOWS

I could say I have been trying to thaw out this week. That certainly is what the fish in the pond outside my window have been doing.  The birdies have been walking on the frozen water every morning.

We had some record cold temperatures here in NM this past week.

It has been fun observing the persistence those window washers across the nation have when the weather turns cold and snowy. Trust me, they are all ready and willing to do their job, which is to make your windows sparkle.

Don’t let the weather stop you from getting yours clean for the holidays. Your window washer will appreciate you!

And, if you are missing your hummingbirds like I am, and want to see windows they are still outside of, be sure to check out the  live Phoebe Web Cam in Southern  California. The first babies of the season are fun to watch. One hatched yesterday, and the other just might today, so visit often.

A HOLIDAY LIST

Is there anything more fun than helping others be successful with their business? Probably not!

That is why I have compiled a list of ways to shop and/or get ready for the holiday season.

Need an assistant to lighten your load, contact Erika. She is virtual!      VPA

A great way to keep in touch…check out Send Out Cards.

If you need a wardrobe addition or a gift idea, visit KikaPaprika.

Pearls make a great gift. These are custom crafted by Claire.  Clarista Pearls

Looking for a photographer in Albuquerque, look here. R Wolfe Studio

Planning a trip soon. Contact Karen at  BTS Cruise and Tour. She knows her places!

Want some help decorating no matter what time of year. Kathleen is the person. Martinez Interiors

If  the recent weather in Albuquerque has damaged your roof, check out Doyle Roof Masters.

Have you seen all the new digital ideas for scrapbooking?  Creative Memories

Behavior modification in the Pacific Northwest…visit a Positive Changes Hypnosis Center

If you need window cleaner or house cleaning anywhere, be sure to check with me. I know a lot of them!

Now, if I may indulge a bit as I keep it in the family.

If you live in Albuquerque and want a massage, contact Kelly.  Massage Works

Want window cleaning in Albuquerque?  My Window Man

If you do any gift shopping (even for yourself) on AMAZON, please use my daughter’s affiliate link. Also, visit her coupon and bargain site often for great deals.  Wheel N Deal Mama

   ALL YOUR AMAZON shopping

and, please remember…

 gift certificates are available at Wallpaper for Windows, and maybe someone you know would like a neat bird feeder or greenhouse, available at the Outside Your Windows department. 

For Your Windows ships NATIONWIDE!

Networking and referring other businesses is almost as much fun as the holidays.

A NEW WINDOW TO HELPFUL INFORMATION

I hope you don’t mind if I blog about a blog today. I love finding new sources of information and tips to run a business. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about customer service, especially since I believe it is an important thing to perfect these days. I know one thing for sure, it is more fun to improve our customer service than worry about the economy.

Check out this article and the whole blog for some great stuff!

12 Most Stupendous Ways to ROCK Customer Service

I wrote my first book, Five-Star Customer Service, with one simple premise in mind: you don’t have to charge Ritz-Carlton prices to give Ritz-Carlton service! After all, a sincere smile costs you nothing, but that alone can build you an empire – just ask Chick Fil-A how that type of warmth is working for them as they compete for customers with McWendy King.

No matter what business you’re in, you can make Five-Star Customer Service your calling card as well. Begin with some of the “12 Quick Tips” I share with each of my Five-Star audiences.

Everyone else out there is making the same sloppy mistakes, treating their customers poorly – and setting expectations low. Follow these suggestions and lock your customers in for life.

Remember, Spoiled = Loyal. Spoil your customers with your outstanding customer service.

1. Make your company a H.I.T.

Hire for attitude. Inspire through pride. Train in skills.

In. That. Order.

Remember: you can teach job-skills to anyone with half a brain, as long as their mind is open to learning. Attitude is key. When hiring, start there or suffer the consequences.

2. “It’s not my fault, but it is my problem” – Disney

Don’t take complaints personally. …But do solve them. The buck stops with you, no matter where you land on the org chart.

3. You are always on a job interview

Who’s to say that your client’s dorky intern won’t be your biggest customer three years from now, or your next boss? Give the same unrivaled level of customer service to everyone you meet, all week long.

4. If it works for Stew…

This one is written in stone outside Stew Leonard’s, “The World’s Largest Dairy Store.” If it works for Stew… I’d at least give it a try if I were you.

Rule #1 – The customer is always right
Rule #2 – If the customer is ever wrong, reread Rule #1

Of course customers make mistakes: they’re people, too! But you’ve got to stop thinking like that, or you’ll never provide Five-Star Customer Service. If the customer wants it, your only desire should be to provide it.

Ted Coiné

http://www.tedcoine.com/

Ted Coiné is the business heretic at the helm of the Catalyst blog. Author and speaker, futurist, and happily-former CEO, Ted is currently writing his third book, Catalyst, about how business will be done in this exciting new century. Follow him on Twitter and join the conversation on #leadbiz.

To read this article in its entirety, visit it here

The other 8 ways are great too.  I really like the one about not fussing at your customer. If you own a business, focus on this customer service issue. You may not be able to change the economy, but you can change how you view and value your customers.

CLOSE THE WINDOW TO INSANITY

I have been thinking a lot lately about marketing, customer service and how both relate to our spending habits and the economy. Nothing like “Black Friday” to stimulate some interesting thoughts.

Back in the 1970′s, I had a retail business in a mall. That particular day kicked off the holiday shopping season. Sometimes it was good and sometimes it was a let-down. Back then the term “Black Friday” had not really spread into all areas as it was a pretty new concept connoting that merchants would actually see “black” instead of “red” in their cash flow.

As a consumer, I still do some shopping in stores and a lot online. However, that Friday is a day that I almost always stay home, purposely avoiding the mayhem. This year, I  am amazed at the way this bizarre marketing strategy has literally crushed the whole concept of Thanksgiving.

How much more money will any given business really make if they open up during Thanksgiving Dinner instead of early Friday morning? I could go on and on and on about all the details, but please someone explain the logic.

Could we just close the window to this insanity for good!

The idea for today is to shop local and support small businesses in your area. I like that idea. I am even going to participate now that my Thanksgiving dinner is digested.

If you do shop online, remember to visit For Your Windows. Gift certificates are available at Wallpaper for Windows, and maybe someone you know would like a neat bird feeder or greenhouse, available at the Outside Your Windows department.

WINDOW BLOG FOG

It really is more accurate to call what I am in a “spin.” but that does not rhyme very well with blog.

This past week flew by for sure as I needed to catch up after being gone for ten days. And now, we have the beginning of the holiday season to offer another distraction.

I have been doing a lot of research about how to run a business better, keep overhead down and provide outstanding customer service. As I was realizing I had not blogged for a full week – and that reminded me of how fast time flies – I was also pondering how everything sort of stays the same as it changes.

Okay, let me explain. When we first started a window cleaning business, we used “independent contractors”  that we trained to perform the window cleaning. It did not take long to find out we needed to treat them as employees to meet standards set forth by several government entities. Even though there are ways around that, they all involve either more than a typical window washer wants to confront, or they create a situation that resembles setting up your own competition.

This morning, I was reading an article about why “virtual employees” are better than “freelancers.” Freelancers are in business for themselves and usually work for more than one account.  Virtual employee is a fairly new term – you cannot even find it yet in Wikipedia.  Maybe I should start a description there. 

I wonder how long it will take for aforementioned government entities to have rules about virtual employees? Virtual personal assistants and virtual offices I can see, but the minute you use the word employee, you are right back to the independent contractor issue. The content does not change just because the form did. 

And anyway, can you imagine a virtual window washer?

Sure is nice to have a virtual online store though. Check it out if you have some naked windows begging to be dressed up for the holidays.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

Did you know that procuring a new customer costs anywhere from 5 to 8 times more than keeping a customer?  If you have a business, you probably already know that. Of course, you need to have a consistent flow of new customers, but your repeat customer base is the real bread and butter.

In the current business arena, where we get bombarded with half -off coupons everyday in our email, our challenge becomes even more apparent. If the work you did last time you serviced any given customer was not exceptional, they won’t think twice about trying someone new who offers a discount.

Not only do your customers want your product or service, they also want to feel appreciated. Feeling unappreciated is one of the main reasons they will look elsewhere. Depending on the size of your customer base, each week choose between 2 and 10 customers to shower with gratitude. Send them a thank you card through snail mail (what a concept these days). If you do quality control by phone, make sure that you also take time to thank them for being such a loyal customer. 

The holiday season provides us with a perfect opportunity to begin making every week

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEK.