So, I placed a bid for a large janitorial cleaning contract that I'd really like to close. The bid is worth over $60,000 per year, so I figure it is worth putting a little money in to.
I met with the manager who is in charge of making this decision and she seems to like me, but is still loyal to the current company. She also informed me of where the current cleaning company is falling short (setting off the alarm and breaking things and trying to hide it).
I submit my bid a little under what they are currently paying and threw in a few freebies for floor services, but didn't actually close the sale before I left. However, I tried something different today and wanted some feedback.
I went to Edible Arrangements and had an basket made of assorted dipped fruits and it ended up costing about $100, but that is a small price to pay if the contract is paying over $60,000 per year. On the card I wrote something like this:
Jennifer,
Thank you for meeting with me last week to discuss your cleaning service needs. Please let me know what we can do to earn your business and add you to our list of happy customers. In the meantime, please enjoy a treat with your co-workers!
Sincerely, Extreme Cleaning Solutions
What I was hoping to do was to get her to think about us again and realize that we really want to earn her business and to show that we are willing to go the extra mile. I did all I could when presenting my company and I left her with a professional looking competitive bid.
Should I follow up with her on Thursday since she should get this tomorrow or should I wait for her to call? The message is very short because there was a size limit, but I think the message is clear.
Let me know what you guys think.
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Extreme Cleaning Solutions (410) 980-1053
Phil Rogers
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
Nice touch to closing the deal, I would be careful to bend to far over backward, re-enforce how you can provide superior services and address the concerns they may have with the other co. and what you can put in place to prevent those issues or how they can address them if it does occur. But it was a nice touch and professional as well. Kim R
Tell her how much you like your big HD Flat screen TV. Then ask her if she has one. "No? You don't have one?" "I'm surprised, I think you should have one." Wink wink.. lol
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Elephant Roof and Exterior Cleaning Raleigh North Carolina David Hoover 919-207-0666 Benson NC. Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC
haha. Kim, thanks for the advice, I don't want to bend too far backwards, and I know I've spent far more trying to get residential customers before, so why not? I was more looking for whether or not I'd look like a creeper haha.
David, I would tell her that I will get her one from the same place I stole mine from. lol, just kidding.
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Extreme Cleaning Solutions (410) 980-1053
Phil Rogers
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
Steady as she goes mate! Just stay on course and focused as you have put yourself out there without being overbearing. A follow up in a 5 to 10 day period is just good business and indicates your serious.
Good luck with that. We currently clean for a large school district and after 4 straight years it's still the backbone of our yearly income. It has allowed us to buy the equipment to start roof cleaning and pressure wahing, and we now service all the districts pressure washing needs as well.
How did you know what the other company is currently charging? Did you see the contract yourself? If not how do you know she didn't throw you a curve? If she did show you the bid then that tells me your statement as to her being "loyal to the other company" is hooey!
Be careful what you wish for and use your own numbers.Those large number jobs can look like big profits but they could also sink you. IMHO
Aaron, she showed me the contract without me asking since her boss was getting fed up with them setting off the alarm and breaking things without owning up to it. I guess it is wrong, but it benefits me by seeing the current contract, so I am not complaining.
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Extreme Cleaning Solutions (410) 980-1053
Phil Rogers
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
It absolutely benefits you! Run with it. But just remember that she will probably be shopping your contract around like that 1 day as well and that's just business.But that tells me it's probably more about price.
Aaron, good advice, much appreciated! I asked her how she felt about the price and she said what she currently pays is fair, but they are messing up a bit too much (even though she likes the owner of the company a lot).
I got another call yesterday for a gym in the area looking for cleaning 2-3 nights per week, 22,000 square feet, wooo! The guys who face colder months could really benefit from these cleaning services in the winter, plus you get the chance to upsell any exterior cleaning services at the same time.
Troy, thanks for the information. It does seem like this is a good path to follow to at least get some steady work. I currently work full time during the day and I'm trying desperately to get contracts large enough to allow me to concentrate on this business full time. With my business, I always meet or exceed my weekly pay earned at my full time job, usually in just 2 days), but in the winter months, we would never make it without something supplementing income, which is where the janitorial services comes in to play.
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Extreme Cleaning Solutions (410) 980-1053
Phil Rogers
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
Well I got this to share, I think its on topic. Weve been doing lil jobs for this realty company past 3 years. Been pushing washing, no bites. I told the owner I'll wash your house for free to show you what I can do. She is in quene with the paid work. Other day she freaked out I didnt put her ahead of other work, paid work. I think I got a lil too generous?
Maybe she has a heightened sense of self importance? You have to make a living!
You hit the nail on the head there Bro! She pulled the race card too!!! WOW! Every time I go there to get a check, I wait, and wait and wait! Been like that for 3 years!
That's not cool, man! That's one thing you learn owning a business, there are some STRANGE people and you have to learn to handle them all a bit differently.
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Extreme Cleaning Solutions (410) 980-1053
Phil Rogers
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
Phil, thats exactly what it does for us. I also work full time and wash on the weekends and off time. When we started I cleaned nightly to make sure it was done right and over the years have worked my way out, now all I do is send invoices and collect. Well not true, I do get to field a complaint call every so often.