Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

Your industry news - first

The original and best - for over 20 years!

We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Walk-thru etiquette...what to say, what to do - and what not to do

To make the best impression when meeting with a potential customer, contractors should become aware of proper 'walk-thru' etiquette, says Terry Sambrowski, executive director of the US-based National Service Alliance, a group purchasing organisation for cleaning contractors that negotiates agreements with manufacturers to purchase products at reduced rates...

"The contract cleaning industry is very competitive. This means that the potential client is forming an opinion about you - and comparing you with your competitors - from the minute you walk into his or her office.

To make the best impression when meeting with a potential customer, contractors should become aware of proper 'walk-thru etiquette.

Among the "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to walk-thru etiquette, are the following:

* Do be pleasant, courteous, patient, and professional with the receptionist; often, the receptionist will be asked about her impression of you

* Do dress in proper business attire. This no longer necessarily means suit-and-tie, but instead wear conservative and appropriate professional clothing

* Do carry information about your company, but present it after the walk-thru is over. The meeting always starts with your potential client discussing her thoughts, concerns, and cleaning needs

* Do point out areas in the facility that could use more attention but do it tactfully. Instead of being critical about soiled grout in the washroom, say: "We use a new machine (technique, cleaning solution, etc.) that's perfect for cleaning grout areas"

* Do ask if the client is taking bids but only if they contacted you; however, phrase it like this: "May I ask you why you contacted me? Are you taking bids?"

* Don't ask how much they are currently paying for janitorial services; this is none of your business and prospects do not like being asked this

* Don't ask what their budget is for janitorial services; this is just another way of asking what they are paying

* Don't ask what company is currently cleaning the facility or how long it has been cleaning the facility; again it's none of your business

* Don't criticise the current appearance of the facility or the cleaning currently being performed; that is your prospect's decision to make

While we don't want to criticise the current cleaning contractor or the service it is performing, it can work wonders to offer helpful suggestions. Even if you are not hired, this prospect will remember where those helpful suggestions came from."

E: [email protected]
W: www.nansa.org

6th October 2016