October 2015

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ncca

Features:

NCCA GM Social Media Marketing Progress Through Partnership

PictureŠBrintons True Velvet Noodle

October 2015

The official journal of the National Carpet Cleaners Association

Contents

Published monthly by:

03 From the Editor: The National Carpet Cleaners Association General Meeting

The National Carpet Cleaners Association, 62c London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5DH. Tel: 0116 271 9550 E-mail: admin@ncca.co.uk Website: www.ncca.co.uk

04 From the President 06 Another reason not to ‘market by price’ 08 How do you deal with complaints?

Editor Nicky Law

10 Why Social Media is actually so important for small businesses

Editor in Chief Keith Robertson

12 Transfer and save with medical plans from HMCA

Design Editor Nikki Law

14 Did you ever have one of those days?

President/Admin Director Nigel Lay

17 Your work vehicle 18 Progress through partnership 20 Advertising in a complicated world 24 Customers do’s and ‘don’ts following a clean 25 Slavery... in the UK? Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association or it’s officers or members. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the statements within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, or omissions, or matters arising from any clerical or printing errors, and whilst every care is taken of manuscripts and photographs submitted to us, we can accept no responsibility for any loss or damage. ©Carpet Cleaners Association Ltd 1994 (Trading as the National Carpet Cleaners Association). No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Carpet Cleaners Association Ltd.

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Technical Director Paul Pearce Company Secretary/1st Vice President/ Training Director Glyn Charnock Corporate Director/2nd Vice President Allan Simmons Membership Director Martin Johns Marketing Director Keith Robertson Co-opted Franchise Director Denise Pitt www.facebook.com/NCCAFloorCare www.twitter.com/NCCA_floorcare_

The National Carpet Cleaners Association General Meeting 2015

A

ll NCCA members will by now have received an invitation to attend the 2015 NCCA General Meeting, on 14th November at Leicester Racecourse.

The GM will begin in the afternoon at 1pm and is open to NCCA members only. Attendance at the meeting is highly recommended, as it will provide you with the ideal opportunity to update yourself on the progress of the Association during the past year and to be part of decisions that will shape the future of the NCCA. We appreciate that some members may not be able to make the meeting, but would still like to offer you an opportunity to have your say. Online and postal voting is provided for those who know in advance that they are unable to attend the GM, but would still like to cast their vote on the election of Directors for 2016. Electronic voting for all members - who wish to be involved in decisions - is available directly via the members' area of the NCCA website (if you cannot remember your log-in details please contact the NCCA office on 0116 271 9550).

PLEASE NOTE: Votes will be counted by an independent party and therefore must be received no later than midday on Wednesday 11th November. Votes received after this date and time will not be counted.

To accompany the GM there will be a presentation at 9.30am. This will be followed by a buffet lunch at 12pm.

If you haven't already notified us of your attendance, but think you would like to come along, please call us now on 0116 271 9550. *********************** Nicky Law If you would like to view the Newslink Editor minutes from last year's General Meeting, together with the latest audited Association accounts, these can be found in the members' area of the NCCA website within the folder titled 'Documents'. Should you require these documents in hard copy format they can be obtained from the NCCA office.

Email addresses The NCCA are increasingly contacting members via email to circulate relevant Association information. As such, it is MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER that we have your current email address logged on our database.

If you change your email address at any point, could we ask that you please notify us immediately so we are able to update your details. This will ensure that you do not miss any important information circulated by us.

To inform us of any changes, please email: admin@ncca.co.uk or phone the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550.

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From the President

L

Nigel Lay

ast year, when I moved house, I noticed that my new garden was neglected and overgrown. Not knowing what was lying undiscovered below the overgrowth of lawn and flowerbeds, I decided to prune everything back and wait to see what surfaced as the year went on.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised, because plenty of colour appeared in the spring and throughout the summer (lasting until October). However, during the shortest and bleakest months of January and February this year, nothing presented itself at all and my garden looked dull and neglected.

So, to ensure my garden has some colour this coming January and February, last month I went to a garden centre and purchased some early flowering snowdrops and daffodils, which should bring some life to my garden during January and most definitely a colourful bloom during February.

Afterwards, I sat back with a cup of coffee and thought about the bulbs I had planted and the effect it would have on my garden early next year.

My thoughts then wandered to my business, and I reflected on how similar this actually is to a flowering garden. You have to plant the 'bulbs' NOW to ensure that in January and February (which are usually the slowest months for most cleaning companies) you have enough work filtering through to keep you going until March the traditional 'Spring Cleaning' season.

The 'bulb's' you should now be planting, and nurturing, are the marketing strategies you should

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be implementing to ensure your early New Year 'bloom'.

So‌ don't forget (in the rush to the peak Christmas build up) to plan ahead and get your diaries booked for January and February, bringing colour into your life and much needed cash flow into your business.

Member referral report Since publishing a referral statistics report in the last issue of Newslink there have been 80 recommendations for full members provided by the NCCA. This number is made up of 45 referrals from the NCCA office and 35 potential customers contacting members directly through the website,

NCCA Shop Are you making the most of your NCCA membership?

Have you got an NCCA tie, badge, leaflets, survey forms or van stickers?

To see all the NCCA items for sale, log on to the Members' Area of the NCCA website.

Latest TrustMark Statistics Since its launch in April last year, the category of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners on the TrustMark website has been searched a total of 105,141 times!

TrustMark membership within the Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners category is ONLY available to NCCA members. So, put simply, that's over 105,141 times NCCA members' company details have been searched by consumers looking for a carpet and upholstery cleaner on the TrustMark website!

How to apply for TrustMark membership To see joining criteria go to ‘Benefits and Schemes’ in the members’ area of the NCCA website.

If you would like to apply to become a TrustMark member please ring the NCCA office on 0116 271 9550 or email: admin@ncca.co.uk

New NCCA Members Poseidon Specialist Cleaning Lochmaben, Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway Aquatec Carpet Cleaning Services Macclesfield, Cheshire Complete Clean Solutions Ltd Pontypool, Torfaen McLean Domestic & Commercial Services Baillieston, Glasgow Pro Steam UK Ash, Aldershot Carpet Shine Pudsey, Leeds

OPERATIONS MANAGER REQUIRED An exciting new position is being created with a London based long established industry leader.

An Operations Manager with a proven knowledge of textile cleaning and a passion for service quality is now required.

Performance driven individual who can work with and manage an efficient team to deliver excellence in our field of operations.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate past successes and formulate future goals within a high end business.

Experience of curtain cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning are vital to this role.

Ability to motivate and manage staff to fulfil targets is essential.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in driving sales and commitment to quality service. ******** Please apply, including C.V. to: G.W.D. Selection,15 Bonser Road, Twickenham, TW1 4RQ.

Another reason not to ‘market by price’

F

or the past few years I've been frequenting a restaurant that I like. It's more expensive than some, but the food is to my liking and the service and atmosphere is friendly. I don't mind paying more because I like it there. In fact, at one time I was eating there with my wife almost every week. And they were clearly doing something right as it was busy most of the time.

The restaurant has always been a good example of 'message to market match'. They have never tried to be the cheapest. They have never been terribly expensive either. And they have always aimed at the older demographic who clearly were prepared to pay more for a better experience. The right marketing message was definitely getting to the right target market.

However…

Just lately things have changed. I'm guessing that a new marketing director has taken over who simply doesn't understand the marketplace and how it works.

It began about a year ago when I started to get emails from the restaurant offering meals at what was a considerable discount. You know the sort of thing… two meals for £9.99 etc. I'm guessing that the new employee thought that the only way to compete in business these days is to be cheaper than your competitors. But let's follow through on this strategy to see what happened.

One Friday evening, soon after the emails appeared, I tried to book a table only to find that

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David Coker

the restaurant was fully booked with patrons taking them up on their offers. So here I was, a loyal customer, unable to get a table because of all the cheap offers put out by the restaurant. Later, when I was finally able to book, I noticed that the quality of the customer had gone down considerably. Whereas, previously, the restaurant had been quiet and filled with older people, the atmosphere was now very boisterous with a lot of young children out of control. Because it was much busier, the level of service had dropped considerably as well.

So, to sum it up, since entering the 'price shopper’ market and lowering their prices considerably… ŸThey're working much harder to make the same amount of profit (although turnover might be up). ŸTheir staff will be working much harder than before and will probably soon be 'burned out' and leave. ŸTheir customer base has gone down market and, unfortunately, these new customers will be the first to be 'price sensitive' if the prices should go up or they can find it cheaper elsewhere, and the first to leave when money is tight. ŸThey've succeeded in driving away their original target market - the ones that helped to build the business.

All this because of a change to 'marketing by price'!

That's why if you target 'Premium Clients' you don't have to worry about the 'Half-Price' carpet

cleaners, or fret about how they can possibly clean several rooms for a total of £39 etc.

They're working their socks off, probably providing a poor service, trying to cram as many jobs into a day as is possible, dealing with problem customers who simply don't understand the difference between price and value (and who complain about every little thing) and dealing with customers who will drop them the minute they find a cheaper service.

NCCA Member Benefits Adelante Merchant Services 01628 820500 BeValued - Home Options (specialist claims management - insurance work) Call Shaun Mulvey on 01323 418432 Control Account PLC 01527 882901 Hibu (previously Yell) Ask for Corporate Advertising Department 0808 100 7890 HMCA (free legal & counselling helpline) 0117 934 2600 HMCA (medical health cover) 01423 866985 Payatrader 01296 660177 SiteWizard (website creation) 08450 608860

And finally… they will be making very little, or no, profit and will soon be out of business.

Of course, cheapest price can work in this industry IF you have a good profitable reason why you can be cheaper. For example, top quality employees working multiple truck mounts. But how easy are they to find?

And not everyone can boast that they are the cheapest. There's no marketing advantage in being second cheapest! So you might as well be the most expensive, target premium buyers, get better quality customers, work less, provide a better service and make more profit!

Thompson Local Call 03330 145 045, or email info@thomsonlocal.com quoting “Scheme 1” in the subject line TrustMark (Ring NCCA Office) 0116 271 9550

Corporate Member Benefits 20% off RESEARCH and CITRUS products for all NCCA members at Cleaners Warehouse!

Go to www.cleanerswarehouse.co.uk (A registration page has been set up on the site for NCCA members)

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How do you deal with complaints?

I

s your customer being too fussy? Do you try to ignore a complaint in the hope that it will go away? If so, ask yourself a simple question...

“Am I acting like a professional carpet cleaner?”

It is sadly true that many tradesmen, from all disciplines, treat complaints (justified or not) as a waste of time and money. My personal experiences are quite the opposite. I like to assure my customers that any problems noticed upon drying should be reported to me as soon as possible. A problem dealt with promptly will assure your customer of your professionalism and pride in your work, and should reinforce that essential customer loyalty and relationship.

Look at the problem in pure financial terms. It may cost you, say, £30 to service a call-back, but it will save you far more in the long term if you retain your customer’s goodwill for the future.

An approach that works for me is, presuming the problem is correctable, to own up and apologise.

NEVER EVER: ŸMake you customer feel that their complaint is unjustified or that they are being a nuisance by calling you back in. ŸBlame a faulty batch of chemicals. ŸProfess that the problem is purely down to poor installation (let's face it, if the installation was going to cause a problem, you should have already been aware of this when conducting your pre-clean survey). ŸMake excuses... “My concentration lapsed for a moment..” etc etc.

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Ken Wainwright

Always listen to your customer and never make excuses

The public today, I find, are fed up with excuses and buck-passing and find it refreshing that someone will admit to human error.

Finally... when you leave the customer’s house, don't forget to apologise for the inconvenience caused. All being well, you'll be back next year to clean some more carpet.

NCCA survey forms Using NCCA survey forms will: ŸAllow you to record vital information

including any previous damage or inherent problems. ŸProvide you with an evidence trail in the

possible event of a later problem or dispute.

NCCA survey forms are available for members to purchase and come in pads of 100 with a carbonated sheet. For further information, or to place your order, please call the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550.

Why Social Media is actually so important for small businesses David Wing (Marketing Manager - Art of Clean UK)

O

ver the last ten years, Pierre De Wet (owner and operator of NCCA member company, Art of Clean UK) has spent some time marketing his business and, to a certain extent, himself. Like many small business owners, Pierre made use of established marketing methods to publicise his carpet cleaning company - leaflets, billboards ads, sponsorship etc.

Talking about his promotional endeavours, Pierre says, “Marketing in the industry has always been more traditional and has been implemented very successfully by us. But, as time went on, we started noticing a dip in the returns. We make a point of tracking our marketing and noticed the return on leaflets somewhat diminished”.

What Pierre and his business partner Laurence needed was a new angle. As such they took the time to invest in Social Media marketing and, in particular, an employee who could tackle that emerging resource full time. Taking advantage of Facebook, blog posts, Twitter and an array of other sites, Art of Clean established a strong presence in

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the digital word. A presence that, until the last few years, was only really clear through advertising and branding on the sides of vehicles.

But nothing is a quick fix, and Pierre states, “Social Media is a very long term investment, so we are extremely grateful we started when we did (2009/10). Other companies are really struggling to catch up, jumping from leaflets to SM and having to wait upwards of eighteen months before they see results. It's very dangerous for anyone to expect an instant return”.

What Pierre noticed, from his engagement in Social Media, was a massive improvement in the number (and quality) of leads he received and says, “SM offers a voice to your business online; sharing articles and your thoughts, it adds meat around the bones, and it shows who you are and

Diary Dates 2015/16

what your ethos and principles are. Small companies simply cannot afford the kind of ‘branding advertising’ big companies employ.

Social Media allows you to access that avenue - a hybrid between branding and marketing”.

Speaking of branding. Have you met Aunty Gladys? No? Well that's because she isn't real, other than her digital persona that is. Gladys is the brainchild of Art of Clean, a funky, 1950's housewife who acts as the face of the company.

She's the Aunt to the boys out on the jobs and interacts with followers and friends on a variety of Social Media outlets. It's her attitude that gives the company character - her face, her whims and her whit, as seen in her blog posts and 'Tweets'.

“If you're a one-man band you do not want to spend thousands on branding, but when you grow, that's when the quality of your branding becomes more important” says Pierre.

Art of Clean operates five separate blogs, each specialised in an area the company feels is of benefit, not only to them financially, but also as an avenue to impart expert knowledge. Wood sanding, carpet and rug cleaning, stone floor polishing; they are all very important to the company. They also operate a 'Housekeeping' blog - a site where they regularly write articles about things that will help the consumer with their random predicaments, from wine stains to bed bugs, it's all another way for Art of Clean to help.

When asked what advice he might have for other small companies out there, looking to make a real advance in their respective industries, Pierre answered, “Social Media and Digital Marketing is the future. Try it, it really does work”.

NCCA COURSES Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 22nd - 23rd January 2016 18th - 19th March 2016 20th - 21st May 2016 8th - 9th July 2016 16th - 17th September 2016 18th - 19th November 2016 Advanced Spot & Stain Removal 19th February 2016 24th June 2016 7th October 2016 Health & Safety for the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner 17th March 2016 6th October 2016 Leather Identification & Cleaning (Dates for 2016 courses coming soon) All above courses held at NSPCC Training Centre, Leicester unless otherwise stated.

Visit: www.ncca.co.uk for booking forms and further details.

NCCA GENERAL MEETING Leicester Racecourse, Oadby, Leicestershire 14th November 2015 IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at National Flood School, Surrey Tel: 01252 821185 Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician 25th - 26th November 2015 (DATES FOR 2016 COURSES COMING SOON) IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: PAUL PEARCE) Held at NSPCC Training Centre, Leicester Tel: 0116 271 9550 Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician 9th - 10th February 2016 IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: PAUL PEARCE) Held at Alltec Network, Hertfordshire.

Tel: 01763 208222 (DATES FOR 2016 COURSES COMING SOON) IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at Chemspec Europe Ltd, Yorkshire Tel: 01274 597333 (DATES FOR 2016 COURSES COMING SOON) Visit: www.iicrc.org for further details on all IICRC Training Courses.

Transfer and save with medical plans from HMCA

T

he Hospital & Medical Care Association (HMCA) are offering discounted medical plans exclusively to members of the NCCA. HMCA only offer medical plans to membership groups and can offer up to a 40% discount off the underwriter's standard rates. This is a comprehensive plan which provides generous cash benefits for surgery and other charges. You may transfer to HMCA at any age without medical examination, with no break in protection and with a 30 day money-back guarantee.

HMCA has specialised in providing benefits for membership groups in the UK and Ireland since the 1970s, with over 40 years of experience. To keep costs low they only deal with membership groups, therefore, HMCA is not on any comparison websites.

With a HMCA medical plan: ŸNo medical examination is required. ŸNo age restrictions are imposed. ŸNo excess or deductible is required. ŸOverseas and sports cover are included. ŸA personal, UK-based, claims service is provided.

Talking about the medical plan, HMCA's Association Secretary, Jane Blackmore, said: “With HMCA you can get treatment when it suits you.

Initial consultation, in-patient accommodation and treatment can all be arranged speedily. HMCA's view is that whilst the NHS is a resource available to all, it does not treat everything in the place and time that suits you or your family. HMCA's medical plans are designed to provide various benefits for

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the treatment of acute conditions following a visit to your GP, where the NHS are unable to provide you with the treatment you need at a time, or location, which is convenient for you.”

HMCA have worked with some of the biggest associations in the UK and have built up an enviable reputation. One of their recent members, who joined after reading about them in 'The Garden' magazine (the publication of the Royal Horticultural Society), said: “I would like to say that everyone at the HMCA is very helpful, friendly and easy to deal with and that their service is very efficient, easy and fast. We wish we had gone with them years ago.”

HMCA are also able to offer discounted rates to NCCA members for hospital cash plans, dental plans, personal accident plans, travel plans, life cover, income protection and vehicle breakdown products.

For further information and quotations contact HMCA by telephone on 01423 799949, or visit the exclusive HMCA National Carpet Cleaners Association website here: www.hmca.co.uk/ncca

HMCA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All underwriters provide cover under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Going Going - Gone!

BEFORE

Say e dby goo ains! t to s

AFTER

Dye Gone offers a unique new package and application device to remove the severest of dye stains including: coffee, tea, wine, hair dyes, paints, candle colours etc.

No need to mix - just spray - wait and the stain is gone.* *pre-test carefully and rinse out after stain is removed with cold water.

Chemspec Europe, Tong Park, Otley Road, Baildon, West Yorkshire, BD17 7QD. Tel: 01274 597333 Fax: 01274 597444 E-mail: info@chemspec-europe.com Website: www.chemspec-europe.com

Did you ever have one of those days?

Derek Bolton (Honorary Member)

T

he title of this article was the first line of a well-known song when I was a teenager. Not many of you will know of it… which makes me feel really old!

It goes like this…

Did you ever have one of those days, boys?

Did you ever have one of those days?

When nothing goes right from morning till night Did you ever have one of those days? (when you should have stayed in bed!).

Anyway, something happened recently which prompted me to write this article; it might just make you think.

I was always taught as a young boy to have consideration for others, to always be polite and to be a good citizen. Well, I recently did a little job for a long-standing customer (these days, rather than work, it's more of a social outing for me… plus the coffee and biscuits at eleven o'clock are always welcome). As I left the customer's house to begin the loading-up process I discovered that some… 'person!'… had parked their van right up against the back of my vehicle, so close that I couldn't even open my rear door.

Very inconsiderate!

It was a minor irritation really, in the scheme of things, but I started to mull over in my mind some of the things that I have, over the years, made common practice within my business with regard to common courtesy. I would like to share them with you if I may…

OK, when arriving at the customer's house I always knock/ring the doorbell and smile sweetly,

Treat your customer’s home with respect. Always take off your outdoor shoes when entering their property and change into clean footwear.

ready to greet the customer. On being invited into the house the first thing I do (and have always done) is remove my shoes and put on clean footwear instead… it shows respect. I also treat my customer's home with the same consideration I would treat my own, making sure that it is secure whilst I am working and when I leave the property.

Another thing I always try to do when in a customer's house is be as unobtrusive as possible… without being rude of course!

Something I have noticed over the years is that customers sometimes see you as being an

intruder in their property, and you are considered as being 'in the way', even though they employed you to work for them and invited you into their home in the first place! Well, as a married male, I can tell you that I am fully trained in the delicate art of 'keeping out of the way', even more so now that I am 'allegedly' retired.

Parking is obviously another thing I always try to be considerate about. If I can't park my vehicle immediately outside a customer's home I always ask if it's okay to park it in front of their neighbour's house. Why do I do this? Well, sometimes (quite often actually), parking in front

of someone else's property can be a big issue; there could already be 'bad blood' with the neighbours and me taking their parking spot could easily aggravate the situation further.

One thing I never do is park opposite another parked vehicle, blocking the road for larger vehicles. Sadly this doesn't stop others from parking opposite my vehicle which, unfortunately, has been known to lead to an altercation on occasion. I remember one such instance, years ago, when I parked outside a customer's house Continued on next page

Continued from previous page

(there was no other vehicle in the street at the time). Whilst working I heard the sound of a car horn (or in this case a bus horn) outside and, looking out of the window, I saw that a car had parked right opposite my van… still no other cars in the rest of the street mind you! I went outside and explained to the irate bus driver that when I had arrived there was no one else around. Just as I was explaining this, a chap came out of the house opposite wanting to know what all the fuss was about. I told him the story and he informed me that it was his wife's car and it that it was parked outside their house. His immediate neighbour then came out and joined the discussion. Being outnumbered I decided it was much easier (and healthier) just to move my van further up the street; it is strictly against my religion to exacerbate a potentially confrontational situation… I am a devout coward!

Onto a slightly different subject, I recently found myself thinking about how some things have changed over the years with regard to customer's homes. For example, there are far less cigarette smoke contaminated houses these days, thank heavens. Trying to remove the nicotine/tar stains from carpet and fabrics is very time consuming and I always found that you could never completely eliminate the odour as it was ingrained in the very fabric of the building.

Not as many people seem to have glass fronted display cabinets for china and glassware these days either. Years ago it was a 'must have' piece of furniture. Some of these cabinets had a wooden

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fronted lower half (for storage) and, often, there was stored glassware and ornaments inside which couldn’t be seen unless you opened the doors (which I would never do). So I always asked the customer if there were any delicate items

There are some things you just don’t want to have to move... ...a huge television is one of them!

inside and, if so, if they could kindly remove them… better that than me trying to move the item of furniture only to hear the tinkling of expensive glass/china breaking!

Spindle legged tables or cupboards were also more common years ago. Again, there are not so many around these days, however, if you do

come across this type of furniture DO NOT drag it over the carpet to move it… the legs may not be very strong.

Television sets are another thing that have changed considerably. Years ago most of these used to be smaller, with only one wire coming out of the back, and so could easily be moved. Not so today… some of the TV sets are huge! Then, of course, there is also the inevitable mess of spaghetti (wiring) to contend with. Thankfully most customers these days will ask you NOT to move their precious TV's (which tend to take up half a wall!)… I breathe a huge sigh of relief at this point.

Your work vehicle

Conclusion Always remember that, whatever you are faced with during the course of your working day, you should treat your customer with respect. Whether you are faced with a dodgy display cabinet, an awkward TV set, or inconsiderate parking (or even all of these on one job!), you should always treat your customer politely and with consideration.

If you leave your customer with a pleasant memory of your visit, it is likely that you will keep that customer for life. What's more, they (especially the ladies) will inevitably call their family and friends (in fact anyone who will listen) to tell them of their experience. Isn't it fantastic!

Play your cards right and you will have a new addition to your sales team... for FREE! Apply some common courtesy and you might find that your bad day just got a whole lot better, and there was really no need to stay in bed after all!

So... if it’s a rust heap, caked in mud, or in tiptop condition but badly sign written, your customer’s first impression of you may not be a good one.

NCCA Library

There are many forms of transport on the market today and the requirements for each individual will be different, but whether it is an estate car, small van, or a transit van, the main function of your vehicle is to get you from A to B. However, as a business owner, it is also extremely important that your vehicle is always kept clean and tidy. Remember, it is effectively a moving advertisement for your business and will probably be the first thing your customer sees on your initial visit to their home.

You may not be able to afford a new vehicle but you CAN look after what you do have. A re-spray needn't cost the earth but it will make it look so much better.

Also, keep your vehicle serviced. Breakdowns not only cost money, they also cost you in lost work while your vehicle is off the road. Check the tyres; they're not cheap these days. Make sure that your load/machines etc are secured in the back. If you have to break sharply, any loose items will travel forward fast! If that happens you could be injured, or equipment could be damaged.

It is also a good idea to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher... and remember those MSDS sheets!

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Progress through partnership Terry Guilford (The Ultimate Floor Sanding Company)

A

good friend of mine has, as his business slogan, “Progress through Partnership�. It is on all his business cards and letterheads, but probably goes completely unnoticed by most people. This tag line is not referring to partnerships of the male/female variety (or any variation on that), not even legally binding business partnerships, but the business relationships that develop through mutual interest, sound business ethics and even friendship. You see he believes that, as a distributor of products, he should (in essence) be a partner in your business because his success hinges on your success.

All too often, these days, many business loyalties and ties are discarded in favour of a cheaper price, especially if accountants or quantity surveyors are involved. Equally frequently, decisions based on price alone turn out to be bad decisions because they don't take into consideration product quality, work quality, reliability, sustainability or a host of other 'bilities' that honest, legitimate companies provide.

In our own business we have always tried to act in an honest and straightforward manner, making sure that we don't just 'shift product', and that we

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really get to know what we are selling so that we can best advise our customers.

I have noticed that the most successful people I come into contact with never make their main focus price (either their own or their suppliers), but define their own businesses by the 'bilities' they provide and, similarly, look for those same attributes in their suppliers.

It is very easy for any new business to start to supply the same stuff that everyone else does and merely try to undercut the market price for those products/services. An alternative route is to seek out companies with the same focus as yourself and work with them. This is, however, the braver route because, as I have discovered, the world does not beat a path to your door just to buy the best mousetrap (or floor lacquer). However, I have

seen the progress that can be made when I, as a distributor, provide feedback to manufacturers which is then accepted and acted upon. Of course, as someone who mainly trains and distributes, I now need that information to come from my customers and the only way their feedback is useful is if they are well-trained and wellsupported, so that the manufacturer values the opinion they are given.

So here's the thing, good manufacturers and suppliers want to work with their customers and good customers want, and expect, their providers to be fully informed and knowledgeable about the products they sell. It is a symbiotic relationship, and it starts with the service provider caring about what they do and looking for suppliers who care equally. This chain can be very powerful.

Remember, the best paying clients are those who want the best products/services. If you demonstrate to them that you not only use the best products, but have a relationship with suppliers and manufacturers, you are very quickly differentiating yourself from your competitors; in a crowded marketplace this is key to your success.

So where do you start, well firstly look at the marketplace and try and spot an area where things could be done better. Secondly, find the products that will help you improve your service in that area, and identify the best manufacturer or distributor of those products. Thirdly, approach that organisation with humility and say that you are very interested in what they supply and would like to know more about it. Fourthly (is there such a thing as fourthly?), if it looks like it will do what you want, get fully trained on it. Fifthly (?), if you

are still fully convinced that both the product and supplier are right for you, commit yourself to them. Finally (yep, I know this one's ok), work with them by paying on time (remember, they are in business too!) and giving them feedback. If you screw up, admit it, they should help you anyway. If they screw up they will hold their hands up if they are genuine.

So what's the point of this article?………….............. ...................................... sorry I was waiting for an answer. Actually the point, as always, is that there are a lot of service providers out there moaning that they can't get good clients, can't get the money they need/deserve and yet here is a very simple way to put yourself on the ladder to achieving your goals. It isn't the only thing you have to do, but progress will start by partnering yourself with the right people.

NCCA on Facebook Did you know that the NCCA have two Facebook sites?

1) Industry-facing site - go to: www.facebook.com/nicky.law.315 (includes a private Group exclusively for NCCA members - a place where over 100 people are already sharing ideas, advice, opinions and daily stories).

2) Consumer-facing site - go to: www.facebook.com/NCCAcarpetcleaning (contains useful information on flooring and soft furnishing cleaning which is ideal for sharing with your customers and others within your industry).

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Advertising in a complicated world A wise man once said, "The person who saves money by not advertising is like the man who stops the clock to save time."

In this article we look at the evolution of the advertising world, and the complex challenges and decisions it provides to UK businesses, through the eyes of Richard Morrow who works for Thomson Local…

In today's fast-paced, high-tech age, businesses have to use some form of advertising to make prospects aware of their products and services.

Even a famous company like Coca-Cola continually spends money on advertising to support recognition of their products. In 2013 Coca-Cola were predicted to have spent more than £300 million, with plans to spend over £600 million in 2016 to keep its name in the forefront of the public's eye. So the question isn't whether or not you can afford to advertise, you simply must, if you want your business to succeed.

Some questions to consider before buying advertising include: 1. What media is the best to use?

2. How important is creativity?

3. Is there a way to buy space and time that will stretch your advertising budget?

When it comes to advertising a lot of people really don't know what they want, where to get it, or what to do with it after they have it.

Advertising is an investment in a business's future

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Richard Morrow

and, like any investment, it's important to find out as much as you can before making a decision.

So, in order to begin to answer some of the questions around buying advertising it is important to look at where it all began.

Interestingly, the first real signs of advertising can be traced as far back as Ancient Egyptian times when the papyrus plant was used to communicate sales messages on wall posters.

There is also evidence of commercial messages and political campaign displays found in the ruins of Pompeii and ancient Arabia.

If we fast forward and focus specifically on the world of directory and search-based advertising, the first recorded evidence of a paper directory in the United Kingdom can be found in 1880, containing 248 names and addresses of individuals and businesses from London. But it wasn't really until the onset of the 1970s that we can resonate with the advertising world in the format that it’s in today.

In the 1970s, for the small to medium size business (SME), the critical question of what media to use was a relatively straightforward one to answer. With TV, radio and outdoor advertising potentially being unattainable due to cost, the obvious option for many was paper-based advertising with the choices mainly focused around newspapers or paper directories.

Whilst newspapers provided great benefits in terms of regularity and readership, the benefits of paper directories would be equally as appealing to

the SME; with cost, distribution and an engaged audience (wanting an advertiser's product or service) being the major attractions.

In 1973 Yellow Pages produced its first roll-out of directories in the UK, this was followed by Thomson Local in 1981 and more recently the “The Phone Book from BT” in 2003. For most SMEs, up until the start of the 21st Century it was as simple as “which directory should I advertise in and what size advert should I take?”

The psychology of the end user traditionally used to involve searching a relevant heading from front to back, looking for the advert that was either the

largest or most prominent and picking up the phone. Creativity from the advertisers perspective focused on using stand-out imagery and copy points to entice the potential customer, and the judgement on whether the advertising had worked or not was based on how many times the phone rang.

That was then… the reality of advertising over the last twenty years is drastically different and the decisions now facing business owners, based on this evolution, are challenging. It is widely acknowledged that the evolvement and Continued on next page

How has the print and digital market changed?

A snapshot of the last 15 years

thomsonlocal print customers in thousands

UK internet use as a percentage of the population

thomsonlocal records record sales Directory industry starts to decline

Businesses start using Twitter

Businesses start blogging

4G makes mobile internet better

Fast broadband in our homes Youtube and myspace launch Internet use is no threat to directories

iPhone is introduced & Facebook is launched First android smart phone

Directory industry records record losses

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Continued from previous page

development of the digital age has changed everything (not just advertising) and the average consumer's psychology has changed so much over this same period that it has left the vast majority of business owners wondering “what should I do for the best when it comes to advertising?�

It is difficult to state, with any form of exact science, that paper directories are completely dead as a form of advertising. However, the decline in recent years can't be underestimated, leaving the internet as the most obvious choice for a small company wanting to effectively promote their business. Easy in theory, complex in practice. The fact is that there is no right or wrong recipe to help generate and maintain that steady flow of customers from the digital advertising space.

If we look at things in a like-for-like manner, the first online directory - designed to replicate the same experience for the end-user as a print directory - was published on the Internet in 1999; and since that time the leading players in the directory market have all developed their own online directories, with thomsonlocal.com, yell.com and the BT phonebook all vying for positioning on the leading search engines to win consumer's 'clicks' to their websites to see the array of businesses who advertise with them.

Within the development of the digital landscape over the last twenty years it is universally acknowledged that the onset of search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo have changed the world of 'searching' radically and leaves the SME market with the advertising conundrums that are faced worldwide every day.

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When, in 1990, the first search engine 'Archie' (or 'Archive' without the V) was published, no one could have imagined where the world of 'search' would be today. The term to 'Google' is now recognised as a verb within the Oxford English Dictionary and, with over 88% of the search engine market share in the UK, it is without doubt the place where SMEs want, and need, to be in order to win new customers in an ever increasingly saturated market.

But how do you do it?

The techniques and strategies to get yourself seen on search engines are tricky and conflicting; theories have muddied the waters and meant a loss of trust for many SMEs. Being on Page 1 of a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) is prime positioning and comes at a price or, alternatively, requires extensive skill in the field of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), the practice of appearing positively on search engines.

Onsite SEO, off site SEO, citations, link building, Pay Per Click Advertising; it all sounds really impressive but, in practice, it becomes hard to deliver whilst keeping the main objective of making the phone ring and generating new customers at the forefront for the SME. Throw into the mix the introduction of Facebook in 2004 and Twitter in 2006 and you have a world full of potential confusion!

One thing that is guaranteed is that the digital world, and how to utilise it to its potential, will continue to develop at a rate of knots. For small to medium size businesses, keeping up to speed with its evolution is likely to become an increasingly important factor in their ongoing success and profitability.

NCCA Corporate Members + Allied Insurance Services Ltd: 0844 8156211 (I) + Alltec Network Ltd: 01763 208222 (C/M/F/T) + Amtech UK: 01444 232211 (C/M) + Ashby's Cleaning Equipment: 01795 436999 (C/M/E) + Bio Productions Ltd (inc. Stapro): 01444 244000 (C) + Camberford Law (insurance brokers): 0208 315 5000 (I)

Promote your business on thomsonlocal.com with their NEW Trade Association product…

Thomson Local are pleased to be able to provide a new, innovative product specifically designed for NCCA members.

With consumers being more and more focused on calling businesses who are trustworthy, credible and reliable, their scheme endorsed product allows you to promote your business on thomsonlocal.com with standout artwork, giving you the ideal opportunity to attract new customers to your business.

Included in their new Trade Association product is a listing on thomsonlocal.com with a profile page, allowing you to communicate with new and existing customers around your unique products and services. You will also receive an additional listing on an exclusive page specifically for NCCA members only.

From as little as £29 per month you can enjoy all the benefits of their new Trade Association product today.

To find out more call: 03330 145 045 or email: info@thomsonlocal.com quoting “Scheme 1” in the subject line.

+ Chemdry Franchising Ltd: 01482 872770 (C/M/Fr) + Chemspec Europe Ltd: 01274 597333 (C/M/T/D/F) + Cleanerswarehouse Ltd: 01772 434333 (T/C/R/M) + Cleaning Systems UK: 01334 656787 (C/M/T/F) + Cleansmart Ltd: 0115 8240034 (T/C/R/M/K) + Cleantec Innovation Ltd: 0870 733 7733 (T/C/W/M) + Columbus Cleaning Machines Ltd: 01772 426527 (M) + Crisp & Brite: 01509 881137 (C/M) + Dri-Eaz Products Ltd: 01908 611211 (C/M/T) + Dry Fusion UK Ltd: 01772 433711 (C/M/T/W/Fr) + Furniture Clinic Ltd: 01207 279964 (C/Tr) + Get Booked Up Software: 01405 813665 + Gleaming Insurance (insurance brokers): 0845 4740068 (I) + Hi-Tec Cleaning Group: 02866 341416 (C/E/F/M/T) + Host Von Schrader Ltd: 0151 347 1900 (M/C) + Hydro Dynamix: 01622 664993 (Fr/T) + LTT Leathercare: 01423 881027 (T/Tr) + McGregor Lloyd (insurance brokers): 0121 706 0616 (I) + NSL Restormate: 01670 590099: (M/C/Tr) + Nu Life Stone Care Ltd: 0161 480 7284 (M/C) + Oates Laboratories (Europe): 01772 433711 (C) + Print & Deliver Ltd: 01628 633336 + Prochem Europe Ltd: 0208 974 1515 (C/F/M/T) + Rainbow International: 01623 422488 (M/C/Fr) + Restoration Express: 01252 726106 (M/C/T/A) + Robert Saunders Marketing Mentor: 08450 537129 (K) + Safeclean: 01235 444700 (Tr) + Sebo UK Ltd: 01494 465533 (M) + ServiceMaster Ltd: 0116 275 9000 (M/C/Fr) + Stainshield Ltd: 01372 841467 © + Textile Cleaning Solutions: 01934 521155 (M/C) + The Big Clean: 0208 3934778 (M,C,W,K) + The Ultimate Floor Sanding Co.: 00353 91846488 (M/C/Fr) + The WoolSafe Organisation: 01943 850817 + Vaclensa: 0161 728 1800 (M) + Worldwide Cleaning Support: 01279 422220 (C/M)

C - Chemicals / M - Machinery / W - Wholesalers / Fr - Franchises / I - Insurance / K - Marketing / T - Technical Services / F - Fire Retardents / A - Auxiliary Services (Restoration Cleaners) / E Supply/Repair of Curtains and Blinds / Fi - Finance / Tr - Training.

Do’s and don’ts for customers following a clean

T

NCCA Library

here are some do's and don'ts your ŸDo not walk on newly cleaned carpet in outdoor shoes whilst it is still damp, the dirt will transfer customers should follow in order to get the onto the carpet fibres. Likewise do not wear best from their newly cleaned soft furnishings, coloured socks or slippers, as the dyes may and to avoid causing damage whilst the items are transfer leaving permanent stains. drying.

To avoid costly disasters, a helpful aid to your ŸTake care when stepping from a damp carpet onto a hard surface, i.e. kitchen or bathroom floor. everyday cleaning is a customer advice slip. You The moisture picked up on your should ask your client to read feet can make these surfaces through this before you've even Protectors should not be removed until the slippery. got your equipment out of the carpet is dry Upholstery: van. Ask the customer if they understand the importance of ŸStand the seating cushions (this will air and dry them on the advice provided, or if they either side simultaneously). need any further clarification, and leave the advice slip with ŸDo not place cushions from a freshly cleaned suite against them for their reference. radiators to dry them. This can Below are examples of the cause heat setting marks, particularly in pile instructions your advice slip could include... velour fabrics.

Carpets: ŸSome upholstery tags, labels and linings contain ŸTo speed up drying times leave internal doors loose dyes. Because of this, do not place seating and windows open (weather permitting). Note: cushions back onto the suite until they are fully Drying times can vary greatly depending on dry. different factors, i.e. fibre content, pile density, degree of soiling, method of cleaning, room ŸTo speed up drying times leave internal doors and windows open (weather permitting). temperature, humidity and air circulation. ŸKeep the room warm during the winter months ŸKeep the room warm during the winter months by using your heating system. by using your heating system. ŸAny protectors placed beneath your furniture Always make sure that your company details are should not be removed until you are sure that the printed clearly on the slip. It's also a good idea to carpet is absolutely dry. If they are removed whilst include a spotting guide on the reverse side; it's the carpet is still damp, wood staining from an incentive for your customer to keep the furniture legs or rust from the metal studs may information and, ultimately, your details. transfer onto the carpet leaving permanent stains.

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Slavery... in the UK?

James Appleby (Eversheds LLP)

S

lavery may seem like an outdated concern for modern UK business - not so, according to the Government. There is now a new duty (which started in October) on businesses to publicly report steps they have taken to ensure their operations and supply chains are trafficking and slavery free. The relevant legislation is the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act�).

What is slavery and trafficking?

'Modern slavery' is a term used to encompass slavery, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking.

Modern slavery exists in both developing and developed countries, including the UK, and can involve UK citizens as well as foreign nationals. A common example arises where migrant workers take loans to pay for their travel to the UK or another country, with a view to repaying it from their earnings on arrival. They become trapped in 'debt bondage' as other sums are added to the loan while they work, such as accommodation and transport costs, exceeding their capacity to make repayments. In addition, their passports are often withheld. Many small businesses and those traditionally employing casual labour are particularly vulnerable to forced labour practices.

Does it impact my business?

The current threshold that determines whether or not the reporting obligations 'bite' is an annual turnover of over ÂŁ36m. Although this may seem high, the figure includes revenue from overseas operations as well as those in the UK.

Whilst readers of this publication may not reach the financial threshold, it does not necessarily mean immunity from the impact of the Act. In the short term, the impact will likely be administrative; organisations with the requisite turnover will be required to carry out suitable audits of their supply chain. It is, therefore, likely that if your business carries out work for larger commercial organisations you should expect some kind of audit/questions relating to your compliance with the Act. The format of those enquiries will depend on the particular organisation asking the questions.

The impact on reputable employers While reputable employers may be satisfied that their own UK operations are slavery-free, it may be less clear whether this is also the case for their operations elsewhere, their supply chains and other business relationships, especially franchises and out-sourcing partners.

Given the real risk of modern slavery in labour practices, businesses are under increasing pressure to take action. Pressure may be exerted through the government, regulators, other business partners or pressure groups.

Regardless of the source, businesses need to have answers.

James Appleby is the son of NCCA member Peter Appleby of Cleaning Doctor in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Prochem 250 ft vacuum hoses for truck mount £150.00. Chemspec hose reel for truck mount plastic - £200. Prochem sadle tank for truckmount 227 litre/60 gallons - £250.00. Contact aquadriinfo@btconnect.com for further information or contact Andy on: 07970 544806.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Airflex Storm 800psi, Solution hose 25ft(high pressure), 25ft x 1.5" vacuum hose with 1.5" cuff fitted at each end, Westpak 4" stainless steel hand/detailer tool with splash guard, 6" stair tool, Upholstery Pro Sapphire Hand Tool, HOST Reliant agitator, Sebo BS36 upright vacuum cleaner, DriEaz Air Mover Sahara E 3 speed, Magma heater 1313, Assorted horse hair brushes, Furniture Foam Snap Blocks x 360, Orion 6L Sprayer with nozzle set, 10 Litre Bucket x 2, Carpet Sliders x 8, pH Test Paper, Corner guard, Hose hook, Pumptec Powersprayer BOM, Mesh hose bag. Assorted cleaning chemicals - some opened. Bereavement forces sale. Cost: £4500 ONO (Bought as new in 2013 for £7500). All items used a maximum of 5 times so in 'as new' condition. Please contact Jamie Edmonds at: Jledmunds@hotmail.co.uk. Tel: 07795 546037. Items located in North Cornwall.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 3 Ozone plates 4'' x 6'' to fit Jetazone 600 ozone generator - £15.00 for the 3, plus £5.00 p & p.

Please phone Pete Collins on 07885 804560.

TOOLS AND CHEMICALS FOR SALE One 5.4kg tub of host powder (unopened). Retails at around £29 - only £12. Also Kleenrite curtain cleaning tool - £25.00. Contact Lester Gale (oxfordshire) 07949 207777.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE s/hand Extracta Scrubba Deluxe. Heavy duty motor. Height and handle adjustment. 13" cleaning width, twin brushes (requires Extracta cleaning machine to couple to). Ideal for large areas. Surplus to requirements. £375. Buyer collects or we could meet. Call Tim Stockdale on 01904 413612.

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Due to retirement the following items are for sale: Ninja Carpet Cleaner with silencer (little used) £275.00. Ashbys Power Brush (exceptional condition) - £100.00. Sahara Pro Turbo Dryer 3 speed (looks as new) - £70.00. Also available: Kleenrite upholstery tool, stair tool, Sebo 36 vacuum cleaner, Sebo Duo, V2 water heater, Truckmounted Bane Clene electric carpet cleaner (both Toyota van and machine well maintained with service history)... and more! Contact Philip on 07923 001257 (Oxford) for more information and photos.

VACANCY & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Experienced full time Carpet and Floor Care Technician required. Own van and equipment an advantage but not essential. Good business incentive package (profit share or buy in). Area coverage M4 corridor from Bristol to London. Apply by email to glynn.norcutt@gnccontractservices.com (with full CV, etc.) or telephone: 01672 871882 or mobile: 07831 172743.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - IDEAL FOR NEW BUSINESS Everything you need to start carpet cleaning, including: Ashbys Ninja adjustable up to 400psi with Dry Cleaning Functionality built in, 2 x25m vacuum hoses, 1 x silencer hose, 1 x wand, 1 x upholstery tool, 1 x dry cleaning solvent tool. Sebo Duo agitator. Sebo Vacuum BS36. 1.5hp blower dryer.

Truvox high speed buffer. Prochem Stain Removal kit. 2 x 6 litres pressure sprayers. 1 x 1 litre upholstery/spot sprayer. 1 x vinyl mat for Ninja and 1 terrapaulin sheet. Huge array of chemicals including: Prochem Power Burst, Defoamer, Prochem Pre Spray Gold, Prochem Natural Carpet Cleaner, Ashby's supreme Anti Grease, Prochem Browning prescription, Prochem Fabric and Fibre Rinse, Ashby's Extra Fresh, Prochem Odour Fresh.

Box of other bits including: shoe covers, brushes, polystyrene pads, measuring jugs, dry compound.

All in excellent condition. Selling as my second business is consuming all of my time. Selling for £1950. Contact Richard on 07903 841534.

CLASSIFIEDS CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECHNICIAN REQUIRED An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Technician to do a 2 - 3 month temporary placement in Dubai! The successful applicant will work with a team, primarily on domestic jobs, and will be expected to train the team in best practices. No previous management or supervisory experience is necessary as long as the candidate is personable and has good technical experience. Work visa and flights provided along with a competitive salary. For more information email Sid at: siddarthdalamal@gmail.com TRUCKMOUNT FOR SALE Banclene truckmount complete with base unit, stainless steel 80 gallon recovery tank, 100 gallon solution tank, 150 feet of vaccuum/solution hoses, floor, stair and various upholstery hand tools, inline heater and misc parts etc. The van has been sold separately. Selling due to retirement and will consider the highest offer.

Call Derek at Aquamaster on 01845 537640 mobile 07976 218304 or email: derek@aquamaster-yorkshire.co.uk JOB VACANCY (CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECHNICIAN) We are looking for an experienced, full time, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Technician to work for an independent specialist business in Norwich, Norfolk. Please contact Danny on 07716475415 to discuss further.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Dowding & Plummer contrator400 carpet/floor scrubber/polisher (slow speed - 105 rpm approx.) including buckets with stand and mops and pads.

All can be used again after servicing - £400 o.n.o.

Call Jon on 07736 512527 up to 8pm. Based in West Midlands.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Victor Sprite 12" Rotory Machine. Used once. Was £855 - Accept £225. Collect from Coventry. Tel 02476 620444.

CARPET/UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECNICIAN REQUIRED For a Full time position for a ServiceMaster Franchise, based in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.

Please contact: Mr P Wingfield or Mrs A Wingfield.

Telephone Number: 020 8546 7494.

WANTED Sebo BS36 vacuum cleaner in good condition. Call Tim Stockdale on 01904 413612.

CLEANING AND RESTORATION EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 2 turbo dryers, 1 whole room dryer, 2 Dry Fusion machines with pads, 1 hard floor buffing machine, 2 dehumidifiers (Dri-Eaz). Offers accepted around £2000. Ring Mike James on: 078818074346 or email: mjames1963@sky.com CARPET CLEANING MACHINE FOR SALE Prochem Steempro 2000 Powermax - twin vacuums, 150 p.s.i. solution pump, serviced regularly. Vacuums have been replaced regularly.

Comes with 25ft vacuum and solution hoses, also a twin jet swan-neck wand. Price £695.00. Call Steve on 07973 264783 (based in Farnborough Hants).

WANTED - SHADOWING OPPORTUNITY Manchester based technician looking for opportunity to shadow another carpet technician.

Already familiar with all cleaning aspects and done over 30 jobs in past year. Just looking to gain more confidence in the process. Compensation for your time will be provided. Contact Kamila Logozny on 0161 4084457.

The Association advises that all goods are checked to be in a satisfactory condition, and comply to electrical and health and safety standards, etc.

It is recommended that equipment serial numbers should be checked to ensure the seller is the legitimate owner.

The Association accepts no responsibility or liability arising from any transaction or dispute between the buyer and seller.

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