Sure, digital books are great but nothing beats the feeling of holding an actual book in your hands. Do you agree? If you do, we have good news! The Window Cleaners Marketing Blueprint is now available in print! For just $99 you can get the step-by-step guide delivered to your door (free shipping to anyone in the USA!).
Feedback has been great! Check out some of the recent testimonials from real purchasers:
"In truth if you buy, and apply this one book you don’t need any others, and you will build a successful window cleaning company. I don’t want to over hype the book. Much of the advice is simple and straightforward, and to the untrained eye one may not at first realize what gems are being given. The magic in this book is in the implementation. Follow the blueprint and you will be successful." -Mike Goeller (Brightview Cleaning)
"There is something for everyone in this book! Even as a seasoned pro, I picked up a lot of solid information and new ideas to implement. Chris did a great job pouring out his experience into these pages. I would DEFINITELY recommend reading it (unless you’re a competitor of mine lol)." -Chris Cartwright (Triple C Window Cleaning)
"I am using the Window Cleaners Marketing Blueprint book. One of the marketing tools was sending a direct mailer with a special $xxx.xx for 20 windows cleaned, plus free screens. The day after the postcards hit, I received 6 calls. Thus far, 4 of the six clients booked the job. This is a great tool to generate some business especially during the summer months. I highly recommend trying it out." -Eddie Willis (20/20 Window Cleaning, LLC)
Prefer the ebook + downloads package? No problem! You can still get that for one low price of $249! Purchase either package here.
Chris Lambrinides taking over the window cleaning blog for a while... what have I done!!
Blog Finished? Nah... just taking some time off for moving house for a little while. Being in Spain has it's difficulties, one of them being arranging internet connection & since I'm moving slightly off grid, it's going to take me a while to organise a company capable of getting connected to the big wide web! I expect to resume blogging sometime around the middle of September, after Mark Munro's show.
Meanwhile, I'll leave you in the capable hands of Chris Lambrinides (pictured) & his team from Window Cleaning Resource. Chris is currently preparing for the biggest window cleaning show in North America - the "Huge Convention", so I'm sure he will keep you posted on what's coming up & fill you in with all of the window cleaning based news. Some UK users will recognise that some of the information is USA based, but don't worry, I'm sure the information will be very useful. Thanks window cleaning blog readers... take it easy!
This window cleaning convention is a HUGE success in the USA. A labor of love started by Chris Lambrinides & Thad Eckhoff.
Countdown to the Window Cleaners Event of the Century: Why did we start The HUGE Convention for window cleaners? Chris Lambrinides talks candidly about why Thad & himself made the journey to create the biggest window cleaning convention in the United States.
My First Convention
I started my window cleaning & pressure washing business in late September 1999. I spent my days working at beautiful houses thinking about building a large business. I pictured having 50 employees. A big shop space and a full office staff dispatching window cleaners all across our county. Working alone gives you a lot of time to think big and daydream.
It seemed like an impossible dream until I attended my first industry convention. In February 2003, I attended my first conference in Atlanta Georgia. I was broke as a joke and had no business trying to justify a such an expense. I had a good feeling about it though and decided to go. As I look back attending this particular conference is one of the best business decisions I ever made. The experience was so great it was almost magical! It wasn’t something specific that I had heard or learned there that made it so great. Rather it was a culmination of things that came together to make such a great experience.
It opened my eyes to what was possible. For the first time, I got to talk to 200 other people that did the same thing I did every day. It wasn’t the classes or the trade show, it was just hanging around and talking shop with my peers. I met guys that were exactly where I wanted to be. There were actually other people out there that were doing what I had been dreaming about. My dream was possible! I went home implemented a lot of what I had learned and everything in my business immediately changed.
The Decline
Over the years, unfortunately, the conventions started to decline. With the advent of online forums, window cleaners didn’t need to attend anymore. They could find out about all the new tools and information with a couple of clicks. Instead of making an annual trip to a far off part of the country, they could get everything they needed from home.
Complacency also played a role in the decline. A board of volunteers detached from our industry follow a formula and put it together year after year. It gets put together quickly, and they accept almost anyone that’s interested in speaking.
You can’t fault the volunteers because they are just that. They are only volunteers! Busy running their businesses, they don’t have the time to put together a great event. The bare amount of effort gets put in, and a mediocre event is the result. Because of these two factors attendance has cut in half over the years.
Building Our Own Convention
For the past five years my partner, Thad Eckhoff had been putting together a networking event. NOLA was its name, a small and intimate event that saw about 75 attendees each year. I attended my first one in 2010, and it blow me away. For the first time in years, there was a great event. The magic was back!
Thad worked all year to put together an incredible list of industry speakers. They spoke on business topics and took the time to interact with the audience. They didn’t talk about equipment, techniques or the latest gear. They spoke with authority on solid business building topics. Real tangible stuff you could learn about and implement in your business right way.
The whole trick to why this worked is he only invited presenters that he personally wanted to hear. He wanted to learn something as well. The bar was set high and there was no fluff. If they weren’t great, they weren’t invited to speak.
Click to enlarge.
Year 1
We set off to replicate the small exclusive networking feel from NOLA in a larger environment. In 2013, we had our first annual convention in Nashville Tennessee. We wanted to see what would happen if we focused all year on putting together one incredible event. How amazing could we make it?
We spent months attempting to put together the perfect event. Speakers were cultivated and vetted. For the trade show, we only invited the best most reputable vendors. Extreme attention was given to every detail. We sourced industry veterans, with real business expertise and professional speaking abilities.
Our first event went off without a hitch, and the reviews were phenomenal. The 250 attendee contractors that attended raved about the experience. The common thread in all the reviews was how much they had gained by attending.
History was made on August 23, 24 2013 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. Not only was this the scene of the first annual convention and trade show of the Pressure Washing Resource Association (PWRA) but it was the most-attended pressure washing convention of the decade!
Around 100 attendees were expected. The final attendance ended up at 224 contractors plus 49 vendors manning 22 trade show exhibits. The excitement was palpable as people just kept filling with more and more people ready to learn how to grow their businesses. Read more.
Due to popular demand the Pressure Washing Resource Association returned to the Gaylord Opryland on August 8,9 2014- this time for a joint convention with the Window Cleaning Resource Association. Once again rooms ran in short supply as the expected 250 contractors turned into 387. Accommodations were secured across the street at The Inn at Opryland, also a Gaylord hotel, and everyone had a place to stay for the big show. Trade show space and meeting space was doubled from 2013, and every square inch of it was filled with education and product displays. Read more.
In 2015, the juggernaut that was the PWRA/WCRA Convention reached the next level. It officially became The HUGE Convention. The location moved to the Gaylord National in Fort Washington, Maryland in the Greater Washington DC area. National Harbor is a destination in and of itself with over 150 shops and boutiques, 30+ dining destinations, and waterfront activities such as boating, movies, and live music
The change of venue proved to be a fortuitous move. Instead of the 400 contractors that were expected and prepared for, last minute ticket sales (including many at the door!) put the number of contractor attendees at a record-breaking 507 “behinds in seats”. The main room was set for 500 but with the 150+ vendors present something had to give.
The keynote address was given by business coach and bestselling author Howard Partridge. “Stop Being a Slave To Your Business” was riveting for all in attendance, contractor and vendor alike. He literally had the crowd on its feet as he rearranged 500+ people to physically demonstrate the four basic personality traits of the DISC system and how they interacted with each other.
The trade show opened at 1 pm and it was packed until 7 pm when we had to turn the lights off and lock the doors. Several vendors mentioned that they had never had sales like this at any show in their history of doing industry trade shows. The first round of prizes and giveaways ended with a BANG!
It will be hard to top 2015's record-breaking show, but TheHugeConvention.com will be back at the Gaylord National in Maryland on August 12, 13 to make a run for the gold again! Get your tickets
Window Cleaners Marketing Blueprint - A Sales Bible: Over 100 Marketing Methods, written by Chris Lambrinides.
Window Cleaners Marketing Blueprint - A Sales Bible: Over 100 Marketing Methods, written by Chris Lambrinides. Hot off the press... Chris has been compiling this Marketing Blueprint over a number of years. This is really more than a book. Its a training program where Chris walks you through over 150 ways you can market your window cleaning business. Step by step instructions with dialog based on his own personal experience. There is almost NO theory in the book. It's all actual things & methods that Chris has done with success in his business. + It comes with 46 downloads. Worksheets, phone scripts, and pre-made marketing pieces.
Chris says..
"I hold your hand and walk you through over 100 different marketing methods I used with success."
"This book is for anyone in the window cleaning business looking to make more money in less time."
"It doesn’t matter if you have a new company, or an old company, a small business or big business."
"This is the instruction manual your business has been waiting for."
A step-by-step guide to creating and improving the marketing of your window cleaning business. The ultimate blueprint that shows you how to fill your schedule with more jobs than you can handle. For anyone that's interested you can download a free chapter here at the foot of the page." This particular free chapter will show you how to do a comprehensive analysis of your local market.
Chris adds, "It's a system I used in my window cleaning business for many years." "Each spring actually, to help me determine where to concentrate my marketing efforts." "I got to a million in sales per year by the 5th year in business." "Grew it to upwards of 50 employees from there." "Then @ year 13 sold the company and had a successful exit."
8:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada), GMT +5 (1 a.m.)
Window Cleaning Webinar Tonight: Chris Lambrinides and Josh Latimer founded cleaning companies from scratch with no money. Fast forward a few years and they had a combined 75+ employees with just under $500,000 a month in collective revenue. Let them show you EXACTLY what they did to achieve this. Better yet, Josh only worked 4 hours a week on his business the last two years he owned it. The content in this webinar series took Josh 2 months to put together. It is REAL insight with zero fluff.
Automate - Learn the nuts and bolts of how to build systems into your business that will create freedom so you can spend your life doing what you really want.
Grow - Josh and Chris grew their combined service businesses to over 75 employees with just under one half million a month in revenue. Learn how you can triple your revenue with-in 24 months from guys who have done it.
Sell - Find out why you should build your business to sell even if you never plan on selling it. Learn the techniques, create real value and equity in your business.
Are you up to date with your window cleaning knowledge?
Window Cleaning Business Owner Magazine: All issues can now be downloaded from the window cleaning resource website. Just click this link or click the picture below to take you there. Articles are written by window cleaners for window cleaners. These magazines will take your business to the next level & feature some amazing topics, resources & know-how!
The Magazine Mash-Up: WCBO (Window Cleaning Business Owner Magazine) and WCM (Window Cleaning Magazine UK), although two different magazines, see the benefits of sharing ideas to
greater serve the window cleaning industry.
Both magazines will continue to bring you the latest in their very unique ways. This one of a kind magazine is a very
special issue. WCM has such
a great relationship with WCBO, Lee Burbidge & Chris Lambrinides thought
it would be kind of fun to create a magazine
mash up of the two publications.
Anglo-American relations between our two
great countries have formed great friendships
and firm Allies. WCBO and WCM, although two different magazines, see the benefits of sharing ideas to
greater serve the window cleaning industry.
Both magazines will continue to bring you the latest in their very unique ways. View here now! The Mash-Up edition features;
2013 Marketing Plan
(All County Window Cleaning)
Marketing a Window Cleaning Business
An Expert Setup
Embrace the Revolution
U.S.A. Window Cleaning Industry News
Thinking of Changing from Traditional
Window Cleaning to a Water Fed Pole
Myth Busting with Perry
Pure Water Generation
Testing Surfaces with our Senses
All About Rubber
The Window Cleaning Magazine website has removed the old members area which was causing a few problems for some people trying to log in. So now anyone visiting the website can now freely access all pages on the site. However, they want to keep members informed of new articles, news and whenever the latest issue of Window Magazine has been published so it’s still important to keep all past members on their subscription mailing list, as well as add new subscribers as they forge into the future and make the magazine even better.
The twice-yearly cleaning will take three weeks, weather permitting.
Williams Tower Window Washers View Tulsa from Above, Oklahoma - It's a very big job to wash the over 5,500 windows on the Williams tower. The tallest building in Oklahoma contracts Budget Glass to do the job. 'It takes an experienced crew like the one we have here today right around three weeks to clean it,' said Williams Company's Jeff Pounds. The two-man team descends in a gondola 32 different times to cover the building, each 'drop' taking over an hour to complete. Although busy, window washer Stephen Hulsey admits to taking an occasional break the appreciate the view. 'The best view is at 5:30 in the morning,' he said, 'right before daybreak and the lights are on downtown, it's just gorgeous.'
Congratulations to Chris Lambrinides & Kate of Window Cleaning Resource who decided to tie the knot after a brief meeting among the squeegee channels in the WCR store room. The happy couple will take their honeymoon in Jamaica whilst Alex Lambrinides runs the show from New Jersey.
Gecko-inspired water-powered robot scales glass, washes windows (sort of): We've seen some pretty impressive Spidey-like robots in our time, but honestly, crawling walls isn't always enough to pique or interest. A robot that can scale buildings and wash windows -- now that's something to get excited about. Like this little wall climber, the gecko-inspired machine enlists the Bernoulli principle, using the flow of water through fluidic vacuum generators that allow the reptilian robot to get a grip on smooth surfaces. Next, the water is directed through a solenoid valve to a piston in the robot's spine, and finally, the excess liquid is expelled and used to get glass gleaming. Currently, the little machine is capable of carrying twice its weight, and uses a small battery to power a "wireless communication system" and the servos used to control its direction. We're definitely intrigued, but judging from the video (after the break), we're pretty sure it's no match for flesh and blood window washers.
PVCWizard will clean-up: Specialist conservatory cleaning company PVCWizard will launch a UK-wide roll-out of its franchise network at the exhibition. Headed by founder John Feeney, it will be the first specialist conservatory and PVC cleaners to exhibit there. John said: “There is a gap in the market and our eye-catching brand offers a unique window of opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to join us. Based on the excellent trading figures of our existing franchise operations, we’ve developed a very attractive package with strong support.” John, who previously designed and built conservatories, set up his business eight years ago in Bartle, near Preston. It now has two franchises. He said: “I was seeing conservatories installed every day, but there was no thought given to how they might be cleaned. “I realised the potential of setting up a professional conservatory cleaning company in a field that traditionally has attracted ‘here-today gone-tomorrow’ operators. It’s a service rarely offered by window cleaners and can be a dangerous and messy job for home owners.” Initially run under the name of Specialised Conservatory Cleaning, the company has re-branded as PVC Wizard as part of its franchise roll out.
Window washer says he is once again touched by an angel: When I wrote recently about Sean Welby’s encounter with “an angel,” I hardly expected a Chapter Two. Welby is the Clairemont window washer who was at a check cashing agency paying his overdue water bill when a woman simply handed him two $100 bills, and said: “I’m your angel today,” and “Pay it forward.” That act of kindness transformed his life. He brought his truck payments up to date and handed out money to strangers. Well, he recently received a touching letter from his anonymous benefactor, to whom he’d given his business card. Having read about him in my column, she wrote, in part: “Angel acts don’t need to be recognized, and it’s not expected, but it sure felt good.” Her only signature was an angel figure. His spirits buoyed, on a whim he bought three $5 lottery scratch tickets and won $500. Two days later, he bought five scratch tickets and won $10,000. “I thought he was going to have a heart attack right there,” said Tom Romaya, owner of Del Mesa Foods & Liquor off Friars Road. “I’ve never seen him in here before.” “I’m guessing she sent me some more luck,” concluded Welby, who will invest his windfall in his business and his church and help a few more strangers. “I’d sure like to know who she is.”
Images of dead bees are being used in a campaign encouraging Londoners to help save urban bees by behaving in a "bee-friendly" way. Seven million Londoners are being urged to buy and grow bee friendly food and do bee-friendly gardening. Pledges of support for London's bees can be made on the Capital Growth website. The visuals and video clips will be used on billboards across the Tube, from Friday. They are based on work by cult artist Magnus Muhr's "dead fly" images. A 'bee-movies' show depicts bees taking part in everyday London-based adventures such as cleaning a window or travelling on the Tube.
Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia: You've seen them still happily going about their daily labours in bone-chilling Goulburn winter winds, rain and sleet and seemingly impervious to the elements. Men and women who make you shiver just to see them at work, and positively shudder when you realise they look dressed for summer even when the June wind chill says it feels like -6 c outside. So how do they do it? Rum fortification, perhaps? Some form of masochism, or example of where there’s no sense there’s no feeling? None of these, apparently. They just don’t feel the cold like most other people. What about cleaning windows outside Auburn Street shops that have their interior central heating set on high? Husband and wife, Christian and Julie Leupin, have been Goulburn’s champion winter tag team at this game for nearly 20 years and laugh off suggestions they might ever cry “foul” in a wintry blast. They, too, say they don’t notice how cold it is out on the street side of shop windows - although Christian does admit to using warm water. Boiling, even. The Leupins have four kids, with the oldest now living in Christian’s native Basel. They bought a couple of Goulburn window cleaning runs after Christian gave up working in Australia as a mainframe computer technician for one of the Swiss pharmaceutical giants. He says the secret to staying warm is always to wear thick warm socks below a flouro jacket and warm shirt. And also coming from a warm house to start work at 7.30am. Coming from Switzerland has nothing do with it.
A watch recovered from the Lockerbie plane bombing is at the center of a legal battle set to play out in Lucas County Common Pleas Court this summer. Cherry Peirce, the widow of Perrysburg architect Peter Peirce, is suing two employees of Estate Jewelry Buyers in Sylvania, alleging that they bought and sold more than $150,000 worth of jewelry that was stolen in 2008 from her Catawba Island home in Ottawa County. One of the pieces was a wristwatch worn by Mr. Peirce, who was one of 270 killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December, 1988. Mr. Kerger said two window washers who had entry to Mrs. Peirce's home stole several pieces of jewelry that were hidden in the back of a dresser drawer. The items included her wedding rings, a 3.5-karat diamond ring, an emerald ring given to her by her late husband, and a watch that was retrieved from the plane wreckage after Mr. Peirce died in the Lockerbie crash.
The New Employment Relationship: Workers Bear All the Risks while Employers Keep the Profits: Luis (pseudonym) worked for a suburban window and gutter washing company for 8 years. Though the company had forced him to sign a contract stating that he was a contractor, and had forced him to incorporate, he was indeed an employee of the company: he reported to the same manager and same office day-in and day-out, he could not set his own hours or take on his own clients, and he could not bid out his own jobs. One day, he fell off of a roof two stories high. Luis was injured badly, but thankfully survived the fall. Though the company had forced him to sign contracts saying he was not an employee, the company knew that these contracts may not hold up throughout the workers compensation process. Thus, the company settled out of court. The settlement was not large, but at least covered the cost of his medical bills. Another worker had a very similar experience at this company, falling off a roof and then winning a settlement out of court.
Upon Luis’ return to work after an extended recuperation period, rather than providing workers fall prevention training and safety equipment, instead the company forced workers to sign even tighter contracts, and to purchase their own workers’ compensation insurance (conveniently deducted from their paychecks). Workers get to keep 50% of the cut, but must also provide their own transportation, pay for their own gas, cover any damages to homes, pay twice as much in tax as employees, and pay out their assistants (the company insists that all workers hire assistants, again violating the autonomy of a truly independent contractor). At the end of the day, sometimes workers barely make enough money to cover their expenses. Luis reports that oftentimes he shows up to a job, only to find out that the company has improperly bid out the job. For example, clients have more windows than reported, or different types of windows that take many hours to clean. However, Luis is forbidden from charging clients more for this extra work. Additionally, the company provides clients with coupon promotions–promotions that come out of workers’ paychecks, even though they have no say in how and when these promotions are given. Finally, since Luis is classified as an independent contractor, he is not entitled to breaks or overtime wages even though he regularly works 12 hour days.
But perhaps most disturbingly, workers are not provided with fall protection gear and safety training by the company. In fact, Luis reports that when a worker on Luis’ team fell off a ladder and grabbed onto a gutter to hang on for dear life, the company’s response was to charge Luis for the damage done to the gutter. And, while workers have received settlements in the past for their injuries, now that they are forced to buy their own workers’ compensation insurance, it’s unclear that the company would pay for the cost of these injuries. More importantly, these injuries are preventable, but workers are not trained properly, nor can they necessarily afford the cost of the protective gear, given their meager wages.
Classical economic theory presumes that if these contracts were really such raw deals, workers would seek work elsewhere. However, classical economic theory does not take into account the power differential between workers and employers. Workers are told that they will not be given any more jobs if they do not sign these contracts, incorporate, and purchase their own workers compensation insurance. They are also forbidden from taking independent clients. In today’s economy, workers who are often recently-arrived immigrants, often lacking knowledge of English and US labor law, feel that they have no other choice but to continue in an abusive employment relationship, especially as more and more employers catch on to this new trend of passing market and health safety risks on to the worker, while they collect all the profits.
Recently the company has fired Luis, ostensibly due to client complaints, though the company refused to give him the names of said clients. Luis believes that the company is actually retaliating against him for pursuing his workers compensation claim. To whom can Luis turn? As an “independent contractor”, he does not even have a right to unemployment insurance–yet another way that his employer has passed precarity on to those most vulnerable, the workers. The Illinois Department of Labor has recognized the severity of the problem of misclassifcation, however, the Employee Classification Act only covers workers employed on construction sites. Here at Arise Chicago, we are attempting to pursue other strategies; but without stronger laws regarding the misclassification of all types of workers, workers are left unprotected and even more vulnerable.
READING, Pa. -- It could take more than a year to find all of the problems plaguing the Berks County Services Center, county officials said Tuesday. With the addition of the new facilities director, Ryan Hunter, last year, the county started a comprehensive survey of the services building. But it could take another year before they get a complete to-do list. "There definitely is going to be a big bill," said Leinbach. "How big? We don't know." The county is currently bidding out contracts for much-needed repairs to the parking garage under the services building. "Water has gotten behind the concrete, in some places has popped concrete off," Leinbach said of the garage. Leinbach pointed to the building's window washing system as another example of lagging maintenance. "The anchor system that was used for window washing has not been maintained and hasn't been used, I think, for maybe 10 years or more," Leinbach said. "We weren't even aware of that."
Mexia stage 2 water rationing: The city of Mexia is under a stage 2 water rationing plan effective immediately. City officials insist that no nonessential water usage be done. Examples being street washing, water hydrant flushing, filling pools, and athletic field watering should be done at this time. The rationing plan limits residential car washing, window washing, and pavement washing unless a bucket is used.
When a company is struggling, the last thing it wants to do is admit it to its suppliers. Everyone from your stock supplier to the window cleaner will want his money upfront. Who’s going to give you nice credit terms if there’s any chance they might not get paid? Large scale suppliers normally insure themselves against a big customer going bust. But in January this year, many of HMV’s suppliers were told that they wouldn’t be insured against HMV not settling its bills. “Right, say the suppliers. “It’s cash upfront for this job.” And if you’re already struggling, that’s the last thing you need. The second reason bad news is held off is to do with sales. When you buy your groceries, you probably aren’t too bothered about the financial position of the store. But large corporations certainly do mind. Usually there’s a dedicated purchasing department, staffed with hard-nosed dealers that extract the best terms with suppliers. If you’re the buyer and you want to renegotiate terms with your supplier, you’ll be in a much stronger position if he’s on the ropes.
The first profit warning probably won’t even look like one. In fact, to the uninitiated, the phrasing of the news release will probably look like a jolly good little story. But there’ll be a sneaky little sentence tucked away somewhere – a phrase laying the foundation for the second profit warning further down the road. I’m talking about a small suggestion that a cost is going up, or a particular market is ‘tough’ or ‘challenging’. It may be a technical issue that’s causing some difficulties and delays. ‘Not to worry’ is the message – ‘we’re on top of things. Look at all this other good news!’ The point is that, in the release, there’ll often be more good news than bad. It’s the same strategy that got two of Downing Street’s spin-doctors sacked; ‘a good day to bury bad news’ and all that. That’s why you need to read company announcements at source and not via newspapers – you may miss the ‘real’ story.
Another new business promotion involves the city's service industries, including those without a store front. "We want to help them establish a connection to the community," Morris said, explaining that the idea stemmed from a request for Chamber window decals by Sunshine Cleaning Service. Through the new program, special window decals will be provided to service-related Chamber members to show they are part of the community. Morris said the chamber is happy to provide information to residents about companies doing business in Plainview regarding chamber membership status. "We're not intended to be the Better Business Bureau, but we can let residents know there is a connection to the community," she said, adding that the chamber gained three new members as a result of an initial contact letter explaining the program.
Judgement Day: As the curtain opens on today’s drama, three men are standing at the pearly gates seeking admission to heaven. The first to plea his case is dressed in a three-piece suit and he tells St. Peter that he lived a good life and treated his wife like a queen. “We lived in a penthouse flat, I took her out almost every night and bought her whatever she wanted, so when I realised she had been with another man I kind of went crazy. You see I forgot my wallet one morning and had to come home for it at about 10 o’clock but when I got there my wife was naked in bed and there were two burning cigarettes in the ashtray.
“I saw two hands on the windowsill so I smashed the window down and the bastard fell to the ground. When I looked out, though, I saw he had landed in a dumpster and was still alive so I picked up the refrigerator, carried it to the window and pushed it out. Unfortunately, it was a lot heavier than I expected and the effort gave me a heart attack, so here I am.” “In you go,” says St. Peter.
The next man is dressed in overalls and he tells the gatekeeper he was washing windows on the 20th floor of an apartment building when his scaffolding broke. “I just managed to grab onto a windowsill and I was starting to pull myself up when some bugger slammed the window on my fingers and I figured that was it; but no, I made a soft landing in a load of rubbish and I was okay, but then this fridge comes out of the sky… and here I am.” “Right, you’re in. Next,” says the saint.
“Yeah, Pete, those were pretty good stories,” says the third man, “but compared with what happened to me they’re nothing. “There I was sitting in a refrigerator, minding my own business…”
Apple's proposed new "spaceship" building in Cupertino features curved glass and an engineering challenge that makes solving the antennagate and white iPhone problems look cinchy. Apple's proposed new "spaceship" building in Cupertino may be made largely of huge sheets of curved glass. It's an aesthetic choice, and a very expensive one. But not too tricky for one of the world's experts in huge glass architecture. But Jobs is insistent on the curved glass model--despite the expense--and it's probably for two reasons. A large curved sheet of glass doesn't flex as much as a flat one, and has added structural strength compared to a flat one--meaning you could clad more frontage with a curved glass sheet than a flat one. And it's an aesthetic choice, since a flat, segmented window facade would need more joins and supporting substructure, each element of which would interrupt the otherwise sleek look. With a curved glass "face," Apple's new building would thus ascribe to the smooth, sleek design aesthetic of Apple's products.
Steve Wilson, President of The Service Companies (TSC), was promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The Service Companies' portfolio consists of JRS International (JRS), Southern Service Corporation (SSC) and Full Service Systems (FSS), three of the most well-known outsourcing providers exclusively dedicated to the hospitality, casino and vacation ownership industries. The Service Companies operate in 38 states, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The Company provides services ranging from turn-key housekeeping and stewarding services to public areas, kitchen, window and chandelier cleaning services. Led by an executive team with more than 200 years of combined experience at AAA Four Diamond hotels and casinos, The Service Companies have an impressive track record, serving a variety of exclusive clients such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Caesar's, MGM, Loews Hotels, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Wyndham Resorts.
The former chairman of a residents’ association this week warned that lives may be put at risk if sliding windows on his estate are not switched for a hinged model. Residents of Bayswater’s Wessex Gardens estate are to be balloted on what type of window they want to see installed in their homes when refurbishment works take place later this year. CityWest Homes, the arm’s-length management organisation responsible for maintaining the borough’s housing stock, said it wanted to give residents a choice of window. But former Wessex Gardens Residents’ Association chairman John Brett branded the current windows “unsafe” and said they had been responsible for a death 16 years ago on the neighbouring Brunel estate. Mr Brett, a pensioner who formerly worked in the housing sector, said he was unable to clean the outside of his windows and that a health and safety expert had concluded they were a risk as residents needed to lean out of them or balance on a ledge when washing them. He said: “Two weeks ago I learnt that in 1995 a resident cleaning the same window in Keyham House on the 11th floor fell to her death. “I told CityWest Homes about the incident and requested that the said windows be removed. Our residents’ association also got in touch with an independent health and safety officer who deals with industrial window cleaning, whose view was these windows above ground level are a risk. “Leaning out, one could drop whatever is being used to clean, thereby injuring someone passing underneath, and there is always the risk of a person falling out of the window.”
Pushed Her Husband out a Window: Amber Hilberling, a young 19-year old wife, is charged with the murder of her 23-year old husband, Joshua Hilberling. It seems this girl has one helluva temper and it isn't safe to be around her and an open window. Some might blame it on pregnancy hormones, but it's obvious that isn't the case with what investigators have found. Amber Hilberling shoved her young husband out the closed window of their 25th floor apartment. The glass shattered as the Joshua Hilberling plunged several feet to his death. Joshua Hilberling was apparently visiting the pregnant Mrs. Hilberling during a leave from his Military airman gig. He was happy to be soon welcoming his new child into the world. It's unclear what happened, but an argument ensued before Amber Hilberling shoved him with her hands out the 25th story window. Witnesses claimed to have heard a loud banging noise, which was Joshua landing on top of a parking garage belonging to the apartment complex.
Shaker Heights Police Blotter: BURGLARY, CLAREMONT ROAD: On May 27 a woman claimed window washers at her home stole jewelry. She reported $2,400 in jewelry wasstolen, including two gold necklaces and a 3-inch pendent.
DIY homeowners look for a fix: Dear Reena: We have a huge mirror in one of the washrooms in our new home, and I've tried cleaning it with Windex and other window cleaners but after it dries, there is a white haze on the mirror. I was thinking maybe the previous owners had sprayed something on it but I can't seem to get it clean. Any suggestions or ideas as to what it is? -Thank you, Maria A: -
This may be the result of cigarette smoke or furniture polish or some other chemical settling on the glass. Begin by scrubbing the mirror with rubbing alcohol. Or try non-gel shaving cream or vinegar and wipe with crumpledup newspaper. If this is not effective, look for a product in your dollar store called Amaze. It does wonders on mirrors. But if the back of the mirror is damaged, nothing can be done to fix the haze.
Three Chelsea Pensioners visited a Hyde Heath pub to celebrate the 90th birthday of a former Chesham window cleaner, George Bayliss. One of the Pensioners, chose The Plough pub as the location for marking the milestone. The former Chesham resident, who now resides at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, was joined by two other Pensioners, Fred Walker and Arthur Barrow, and more than 40 friends and family on Saturday for the big occasion. Pub landlord Chris Herring said: “We at the Plough were amazed to see George and two of his colleagues from the Royal Hospital turn up in full dress with all their medals on.” Pictured: Chelsea pensioners (from left) Fred Walker, George Bayliss and Arthur Barrow at The Plough in Hyde Heath with landlord Chris Herring.
A man who shot his pal in a booze-fuelled row at a north Dublin apartment is unlikely to face a murder charge, sources have revealed. The 51-year-old suspect, who lived in the apartment at Larch Hill in Santry, has admitted shooting Ned Flanagan (50) on Wednesday night and was still being questioned at Ballymun Garda Station today. The Herald understands that he has told detectives that the shooting was a tragic accident and that he panicked and fled the scene shortly after shooting his friend twice in the head with a handgun. Despite having a heavy drinking problem, Mr Flanagan had never been in trouble with gardai and has been described as a doting father to his son Conor -- who he had planned to go on a camping trip with him. "They were very close -- Ned lived for Conor and absolutely loved every second he spent with him," said Grace, who added that Mr Flanagan worked odd jobs, such as window cleaning. At one stage, he lived in a caravan behind Belcamp College. The suspect handed himself into Coolock Garda Station before midday yesterday after consulting with a local priest.
The education of Bobby Prier, Jr. As an Ottawa high school student in the '90s, he didn't care much for the classroom. Now, he's Princeton's hockey coach. His mother, Debbie, remembers her only son struggling with his schooling in Grade 11 and, being the caring mom she is, threatening to take away what was most important to him at the time: hockey. He holds a master's degree in education obtained in 2004 at St. Lawrence University, where he starred as an undergraduate hockey player for four years, from 1995 to 1999, before signing with the Ottawa Senators.
It's a remarkable career path that also included a short stint as a window washer and co-owner and operator - with now Ottawa 67's coach Chris Byrne - of Squeegee Clean Windows. (To hear both tell it, the other just held the ladder while they did all the work.) "It's cool to be intelligent now," says Prier. "But I've got to be honest, I wasn't a great student. We were moving around and I went to three different high schools. "But I certainly understand the value of education now. And Princeton is the most difficult school to be admitted into. It's rated No. 1 ... with Harvard and Yale right there."
Egyptians aren’t early risers, A curfew empties the streets for five hours each night. London brings quite a bit more early bustle to its day. In a downhill mile to the river, still padding in my Egyptian slipper-sandals, I passed four window cleaners. Goza and his helper had barely a moment to chat as they prepared to shuttle from an upscale restaurant to their last client near Piccadilly. His job each day is to be done before others have begun.
Windowpedia Launches by Chris Lambrinides: Over a year ago I mentioned an idea on the WCR window cleaning forum for a new website. Windowpedia is what it would be called, a complete rip off of Wikipedia but with a window cleaning spin. At the time the technology wasn’t quite there to fully launch and develop it, but it is here now and ready to go:
Windowpedia: The idea is simple and similar to Wikipedia, but strictly information that will benefit professional window cleaning. Authoritative articles written by window cleaners, for window cleaners cataloging all the worlds’ window cleaning information.
At first the idea was to just catalog past events, brands, important window cleaning people, terms, definitions and concepts. But as the idea developed further I thought to my self, why can’t this include articles and official how to guides on marketing, advertising, management and more?
Instead of searching the forum endlessly, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go to one spot and quickly pull up an article on how to do bulk mailings with step by step directions? Or maybe even an article on how to properly and effectively clean a residential window with a water fed pole?
Today Windowpedia is a reality and up and running, the only downside is there aren’t any articles written or information posted. We are looking at a blank canvas, if you choose to participate in helping to build Windowpedia on the left side of the page is a sign up button. Create an account and we will get you approved.
What do you get out of participating? Not much, a sense of accomplishment maybe. We will be creating a little contributors page so if you do participate and decide to write something you can get a back link and a listing to your website.
There is already a Windowpedia ..... but lacking any real information, dead in the water & sadly not functioning. It just lists a a few generic terms for windows as seen below. It would be great to get a fuller glossary for window cleaners, don't delay, add your own info' now!
BAR: A generic term for all horizontal or vertical window or door components that divide the visible glass of a basic unit into multiple lites. Examples would be divided-lite muntin bars, exterior and interior thermal bar muntins, or grille bars.
CHECK RAIL: On a double-hung window, the bottom rail of the upper sash and the upper rail of the lower sash, which meet when the window is closed.
CLAD: A designation given to products whose exposed exterior surfaces are sheathed with aluminum to provide a more durable, low-maintenance surface.
DIVIDED LITE: The division of the sash glazing into multiple individual panes. These divisions are separated by muntin bars.
FRAME: Outer components of a window unit (side jambs, head jamb and sill) that enclose the sash.
GLAZING: Either the act of inserting glass into windows or doors or a reference to the glass in a window or a door.
GRILLE: Removable wood dividers made to simulate divided lites. They fit on the inside of the sash against the glass surface.
HEAD: The upper horizontal member of the frame.
JAMB: The pieces of a door or window frame.
LITE: Term used to describe a single opening in a window or door, occupied by a single piece of glass.
MUNTIN: Wooden bars separating the lites of divided-lite windows.
SASH: A wood perimeter around the glass, which allows some independence from the frame. The sash consists of stiles, the vertical sides of the window sash; and rails, the horizontal sides of the sash.
SILL: The horizontal member which forms the bottom of a window or exterior door frame.
WEATHER STRIPPING: A strip of resilient vinyl, plastic or foam material designed to seal the sash and frame members in order to reduce air and water infiltration.
Email marketing for window cleaners. Get a notebook & pen & learn how it's done. Chris Lambrinides from Window Cleaning Resource gives out his ROI (return on investment) for clients in his own window cleaning business. Promoting your products or services by email can be a powerful and flexible form of direct marketing. Through email, you can communicate your messages more quickly and cost-effectively than using paper-based marketing. You can tailor your message to specific types of customer. You can also build customer relationships and acquire new customers through relevant, well targeted emails that interest recipients.
What is Email marketing: Email marketing is a form of direct marketing which uses electronic mail as a means of communicating commercial or fund-raising messages to an audience. In its broadest sense, every email sent to a potential or current customer could be considered email marketing. However, the term is usually used to refer to sending email messages with the purpose of enhancing the relationship of a merchant with its current or previous customers, to encourage customer loyalty and repeat business. And also sending email messages with the purpose of acquiring new customers or convincing current customers to purchase something, often immediately.
Opt-in email advertising, or permission marketing, is a method of advertising via email whereby the recipient of the advertisement has consented to receive it. This method is one of several developed by marketers to eliminate the disadvantages of email marketing. In 2002 the European Union introduced the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications. Article 13 of the Directive prohibits the use of email addresses for marketing purposes. The Directive establishes the opt-in regime, where unsolicited emails may be sent only with prior agreement of the recipient. The directive has since been incorporated into the laws of member states. In the UK it is covered under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 and applies to all organisations that send out marketing by some form of electronic communication.
The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 authorizes a US $16,000 penalty per violation for spamming each individual recipient. Therefore, many commercial email marketers within the United States utilize a service or special software to ensure compliance with the Act. A variety of older systems exist that do not ensure compliance with the Act. To comply with the Act's regulation of commercial email, services typically require users to authenticate their return address and include a valid physical address, provide a one-click unsubscribe feature, and prohibit importing lists of purchased addresses that may not have given valid permission. The CAN-SPAM Act was updated with some new regulations including a no fee provision for opting out, further definition of "sender", post office or private mail boxes count as a "valid physical postal address" and definition of "person". These new provisions went into effect on July 7, 2008.
This week we have a question & answer session with relatively newcomers to the window cleaning supply market. Chris & Alex Lambrinides (pictured left & right with centre, Thad Eckhoff) bust on to the window cleaning scene with a fresh new approach to an otherwise drab internet window cleaning shop search & have caused all sorts of havoc on their way. It has made interesting news for this blog, but with their window cleaning forum & supply shop & now their own magazine – it has also made my life a lot easier. Never a week goes past where some content from their site can be used to inform & educate window cleaners on a new approach or another window cleaning idea, usually by video.
Being window cleaners themselves with their own company “All County Window Cleaning (ACWC),” they know the products inside out because they use them on a daily basis. They are also in a position to inform window cleaners about new products i.e. what works & what doesn’t. Chris is quite transparent when he comes to his business dealing, opening up & showing other window cleaners how he makes his company successful by sharing his business ideas & company paperwork.
Window Cleaning Resource (WCR) has become a phenomenon all it’s own. What was once a forum is now a supply shop serving customers State wide in the US & internationally. If you are on the internet & a window cleaner, it would be difficult not to come across their site sooner or later due to their cunning use of search engine optimization – yep, they even have a guy that can do that for your website too! Often emulated but never quite beaten, most supply shops are following in the after-burn of what these guys set out to do. As they say; “Imitation is the best form of flattery!”
In the hot seat.. Chris Lambrinides:
So how long were you window cleaning for before you started the forum & shop?
Errr, about 7 years.
What made you open a window cleaning forum & shop?
We didn't really like the options available out there for Window Cleaning forums. Bad moderation, lack of technology, and unappealing design. Our window cleaning business had grown pretty large so we were ordering a lot of supplies. We noticed when calling for supplies we knew way more than the order takers on the other end of the phone. That seemed a bit odd to me as they got to play with these tools all day. We got to talking and thought it be a really neat idea to have a store staffed by all window cleaners. People that had actually used the tools before in real life situations. People that could relate to the situation the customer was in on the other end of the phone. Then we thought why not just combine the two. We also wanted to translate our expertise with the products we carried into online format. That’s where the idea for all the product videos came from, we want every single product to have a video.. We are almost there.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Money! It is really tough to have a supply business that doesn't carry "everything" – It’s hard to afford "everything" if the business doesn't have "everything" to sell to make a profit. Its a tough circle, but we finally got it worked out. This has been a great year for us, thousands of new customers, and great loyal repeat customers, it has translated into us being able to completely expand our inventory and stock.
Being hated (by other suppliers), we dabble in everything, so everyone in the Window Cleaning world sees us as competition. The forums, the stores, the organizations and now the magazines, they are all bothered by us.
How do you manage to run a window cleaning business successfully with a window cleaning shop?
The window cleaning business pretty much runs itself. I have a wonderful staff in place that handles everything. Alex oversees the warehouse all day. I work on WCR next door from the Window Cleaning office. I do this so I still keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the window cleaning business. I wouldn't call it micro managing or anything. But I just listen as I work and interject when I need to.
I haven’t found a way to be in massive growth mode at both companies at the same time, my brain isn’t wired for that. So once WCR started I pulled ACWC out of growth mode and into profit mode. A company is much easier to run when not in growth mode. Ill probably switch them up in 2 years or so. I’m very excited about WCR right now, that’s where my brain is at. Right now I have a list of about 320 new things I want to do at WCR. We need some interns!
How many hours do you work in a day?
10 - 14
Out of all the technology you utilize in business – which is your favorite? (Pictured: Murphy the mascot).
The internet.
What is the ‘must have’ for any window cleaner out there, technology-wise?
Probably a smart phone so they can run everything from the road.
You’ve been successful in quite a short period of time – has it changed you?
I don’t think so.. maybe? maybe not?
You’ve had a few run-ins with other suppliers – do you think they envy your success?
Absolutely! We have completely disrupted their business and forced them to completely change the way they operate. You'll see these companies be forced to get out of profit mode and back into growth mode to keep up. I see it being diddled down to 3 or 4 of us in a few years, then down to 2.
At what point did Alex join you in the window cleaning field?
Probably (thinking) like 6 months in, on the weekends. I remember the first job site so vividly, he was absolutely hating it. 6/6 storms that hadn't been cleaned in 10 years. After that, probably 3 summer vacations in a row before he graduated high school.
What bugs you about Alex?
He’s cranky.
Who is the better window cleaner? You or Alex?
Alex.
What’s your nickname in the office?
Not sure, I’m sure I have a few when I’m not around.
Where do you see “Window Cleaning Resource” in 10 years time?
Killing it! - Offering a wide variety of products and services to professional cleaners. We are currently in the States, the top destination for professional window cleaners, to learn, grow, and gain information on running a profitable business. I mean that’s what it’s all about, teaching these guys on the site how to make a very good living thorough professional window cleaning. I would like to expand that Internationally. Get even more eye balls on the site, more opinions, and tid-bits of information from window cleaners all across the world.
(Pictured: Chris solves the problem of how to tell his barber how he wants his haircut - he keeps a picture on his iphone!)
Where do you see window cleaning in 10 years time?
I imagine it will look pretty close to what it does now. Water-fed poles and pure water cleaning will be come even more popular than they are now. I hope we can get to the point here that cleaners think to pull the WFP off the truck before they do the ladder. Kind of a reversal of what’s happening now.
Well I was already producing them for years for my own WC biz, so I figured damn, - these things are good, why hide them away. So I unleashed them and all our internal forms. I'm hoping to release our operations manual and company handbook in March 2011.
What’s your next big purchase for WCR & All County window Cleaning?
Hahah I just last week got a new furnace and hot water heater for ACWC. WCR will definitely be a bigger warehouse. The one we have now is super convenient because it’s right next door but we need more space. More space for products, a larger retail store, a training area for both traditional and WFP cleaning and a real dedicated filming studio type area for the videos.
There are so many window cleaning type shows I want to do that we simply don’t have sufficient space for. We are on the hunt though, if anyone knows of any good buildings for sale in the north jersey area?
What is the most profitable work of All County Window Cleaning? Windows, gutters, pressure washing?
1. We make the most $ from residential window cleaning.
2. Pressure washing is our best add on.
3. And gutter protection installation is our highest margin transaction
On video “Window Cleaning Resource HQ” seems a fun place to work – is it more serious off camera?
We are deadly serious behind the scenes when it comes to managing "customer experience." That includes:
• How the phone call was handled and who spoke to them.
• Was the online check out smooth for them.
• Was everything easy for them to find in the store.
• How quick can we get this order shipped out the door.
• 4 Step process to ensure - they get exactly what they ordered very time.
• Was the order packed with extreme care to ensure safe delivery.
• Did they get the best price.
• Was the shipping price highly accurate to what USPS or Fedex charged.
• Quick invoicing, Did they get an confirmation right away.
• Did they get their tracking # right away.
All those little things that make for a great purchasing experience that we are very serious about. We are also trying to grow very quickly so it gets a little stressful. Everything else is kinda fun and easy going. We drink a lot of “redbull” and walk around barefoot. It is extremely causal through out the office. When a job applicant or sales person comes in they must think they've just entered some ones house.
Mid spring, work is flowing in for most window cleaners and they have some cash to stock up for the year or the next couple of months.
Do you think your business model could be transferred to another field? Have you thought about it?
Well its no secret the business model is basically - open our doors to everyone & show them how we did it with our window cleaning business. Show them what’s possible, educate them, support them, help them and interact with them daily. Help them build great companies. Great companies consume more supplies and services. Add in the best prices, customer experience, and quick delivery.
Could we do it with another field? Probably not - I would like to think we are experts in the window cleaning business. I’m not an expert at anything else so I don’t think we could apply it to another field. But someone else certainly could.
1) The majority of the board of directors didn't like me. So it was kinda hard to want to participate in something where I didn't feel welcome. Don’t get me wrong they have some really smart, cool, successful business people on that board. I would have loved to stay, and learn from them.
2) I became a distraction to the board. They were constantly dealing with complaints from our competitors about things. Dealing with me was a burden for them.
3) There is a new association on the horizon that I’m going to be a part of. Ideas started bouncing around after I got on the board. I knew instantly I wanted to be a part of it, so I figured it would be best to bail early than to hang around a year then quit. This way they can at least fill my spot to the dude who came in 5th or whatever right away.
Who is your hero in the Window Cleaning world?
Oh, I don’t really have one. Don Chute maybe. That guy was so cool, if it wasn't for him WCR wouldn't be here today. He was the first one that allowed us to distribute his products, and he actually helped us hook up with some of our other manufacturers. Real genuine guy, loved him.
What’s next for WCR?
"Changing the industry through education"
I stole that from my friend Ron - this is his site: Pro Power Wash.
Make sure you check it out, but the slogan totally describes what I want WCR to be and do. WCR + a better community feel, better website, better store, more shows, more education, more learning opportunities - Just a better overall experience and product offering for the window cleaners that check in with us on a daily basis.
Pictured: WCR Board Meeting
Your down time consists of what?
Hanging with JR (my baby), snowboarding and reading.
Pizza or Bacon? Choose one!
Pizza - Minimum 10 slices a week.
In the hot seat - Alex Lambrinides;
Who came up with the name “Window Cleaning Resource?”
Chris came to me with the idea about a month before we launched the site with the idea. After going to a soon to be competitor's warehouse, Chris told me that we could do it better. I was sold right then.
Besides the Slayer, which is your next favorite squeegee?
I have always been a fan of the Unger Ergotec. I used the same Ergotec handle for about 6 years before I let someone else borrow it… I never got it back. Lost in a sharp I suppose.
You seem more hands on the tools than Chris – do you prefer it this way?
I do. I always liked getting my hands on new tools and equipment. Now I enjoy sharing all the new toys with window cleaners I talk to over the phone and on the forum. Chris is defiantly more techie then me. I really do enjoy being in the warehouse with the phone ringing like crazy.
How often do you go out & clean your own windows?
When my girlfriend threatens to clean the windows herself.
How many people have you fired at All County Window Cleaning this year?
I only fire 5 to 8 people a year. Mostly people who show up late in the first week of work. Sounds cruel, but I simply don't care about people who have no respect for other peoples valuable time. I'm shocked that in todays economy, people with "easy" window cleaning jobs can't even show up on time.
Alex in Snuggy! (Chris sent this picture).
Who is the nice guy? You or Chris?
Ha! We take turns I think. Chris and I are both very passionate people with real emotions and neither of us hide them well. Chris can tell when I'm in a bad mood and visa versa.
What bugs you about Chris?
His stinky lunch. (Pictured: Chris's brocolli & chicken made to go meals). His only other meal is whisky & pizza.
Who is the better window cleaner? You or Chris?
I'm way better, Chris is a terrible window cleaner. He'll tell you himself.
What’s your nickname in the office?
Don't know. Don't know if I want to know.
Are you the only one in the building without an office? Why?
I have an office in ACWC but I share it with Kate and Stephanie who work at WCR. My real office is in the warehouse. It’s not pretty, but that’s how I like it. It’s kind of cold in the winter and kind of hot in the summer and I can spit on the floor. Just my speed!
Where do you see “All County Window Cleaning” in 10 years time?
I see ACWC being in a similar place to where it is now. We have kind of plateaued for the area we are in. I'm sure it will run a little more smooth though. There is always room for improvement.
What's with this dog picture that I keep seeing every now & then on the forum?
Bad ass dog - comes from page 84 of the "skymall" catalogue on airplanes.. He goes on vacation with us & road trips everywhere. Please note we have a laminated plastic version for vacation so he can come swimming with us. Oh, and he ruins nice pictures.
Where do you see window cleaning in 10 years time?
Not far off from where it is now. This is a slow industry to change. There is a whole new generation of cleaners just starting off now who have a lot of valuable time at their disposal. Lets see if they take advantage of it.
You seem to make all the product videos – did you jump in or were you pushed?
I always seemed to know more about the products right out of the box so I never minded doing them.
Just how many videos have been deleted?
Can't put a number on that. There have been quite a few of product video screw-ups, and the occasional last minute judgement call.
What is the best selling product in the WCR store?
Of the non-consumables, the Pulex Tubex detachable holster.
Scrim – are you a fan now?
I am, when I clean my windows at home, I use one scrim and I'm good.
Larry Llazko (well known forum member) – if he didn’t exist, would you have to invent him?
I don't think Larry could be invented. Love him or hate him, Larry’s a fixture of the forum and I wouldn't change a thing about him. He's the one who has always stuck up for us whenever Chris, WCR or I were being trashed.
What’s the best thing about WCR events?
Always a relaxed environment.
Who is your hero in the window cleaning world?
Don't really have one.
What’s next for WCR?
GROWTH. Expanding on the products we carry to win over a larger share of the market. (Pictured: Alex is constantly making new shelving to store the products).
Your down time consists of what?
Don't have to much of that these days, but I like to work out when I can and in the winter snowboarding takes up a lot of my time.
When’s the wedding? This year or next?
Ha! wait and see. If you got an invite would you show?
