"Stand By Me"

I rarely induldge in internet version of "Hey, you gotta check this out", but I was struck by the composite video and sound engineering of the classic standard "Stand By Me" recorded by folks such as The Staple Singers and the Drifters.

I'm a Staple Singers fan personally, but this one rivals the love they put into it and I'll bet Mavis Staples would appreciate the human connections displayed here. Enjoy, Stand By Me.

Walkaround

Of course I am going to tell you to get your windows cleaned, but for an unbiased opinion I suggest the following:

1. Walk around the outside of your business or home and view your windows as if through the eyes of a potential customer/visitor from the outside. Look at your windows from the street or sidewalk. Then go inside and look out of your windows. How does a visitor or potential customer see them?
2. How about this: the next time you go into a restaurant or retail store take a look at the windows, not just the fingerprints on the door, and see what you think. Are the ledges dusty, are there cobwebs around the windows?

For those who want to voice an opinion . . . post your comments here. For those of you who like to observe and ponder quietly . . . ssshhhh. (whisper) Observe and ponder away. We'll keep the noise down.

$2.13 per hour

I meet new people every week as I market my services. Recently I was speaking to the owner of a couple of the nicer restaurants in downtown Athens. Concerning window cleaning he said, "That's what I have waitstaff for."

Really? Is that what he hired waitstaff to do? I was shocked that this businessman was willing to relegate the upkeep of the most visible portion of his properties to people who do not have the tools, time, or training to do an appropriate job. Thousands of people drive and walk past his restaurants every day, each of them can see and decide independently how good a job is being done on the windows.

He brought our conversation to a quick close with, "I pay them $2.13 an hour to do that (i.e. keep the windows clean). Do you want the job (for $2.13 an hour)?" I chuckled and said, "Nah, not really."

Let me insert here that I worked in many restaurants from high school through grad school and the waitstaff, servers, bartenders, and hosts/hostesses in our local restaurants are worth every dime they make in tips.

I hope that this busy business owner was just trying to find something to end our conversation quickly and used a jab of humor to do the trick. Nonetheless, I will continue to meet new people and show them how the excellent services offered by Hardwick Window Cleaning can help keep their properties communicating visually to the world that theirs is a quality location.

"How often should I clean my windows?"

This question is sort of like "How often should I see a doctor?" Well . . . as often as needed to remain healthy. Here are a few guidelines to think through.

Basic Guidelines:
- Some commercial clients clean their windows every week. This makes sense for:
      *Restaurants
      *Boutiques and retail spaces
      *Spas and hair salons
      *Locations with high traffic
- However, other commercial clients choose to clean their windows every other week or every month.
- Residential clients typically have their homes cleaned once or twice a year.
- Special occasions increase the frequency.

The point is that your windows are a vital part of the look-and-feel of your company, its products, its people, and its services. (Does this sound like a post on branding?) Let me encourage you to look at your windows the way your clients look at your windows - from the inside and from the street. Do what it takes to keep your place looking and feeling the way you want your clients to view you.

Haircut?

I once read that a man should get a haircut often enough that no one can tell he has received one. I understand that former President Ronald Reagan used to have his hair trimmed every week to ten days. Think about it: have you ever seen President Obama when his hair looked too long one day and cut short the next?

Windows are like that too. You can wait to clean your windows until people say, "Wow! This place looks so much better now that you cleaned your windows." Or you can keep the windows and doors clean and send a constant positive message to your guests and customers.

Clean your windows often enough that people won't be surprised.

Want to make more on your home sale?

Found this at the Master Window Cleaners of America Association website.

According to 2000 real estate agents surveyed by the real estate website HomeGain.com and published in the June, 2003 issue of Money magazine washing windows is the number one presale improvement that generates the best return on investment as measured by a higher selling price.

The survey found that cleaning the windows alone brought over a 700% return on investment. Prices have increased since 2003, but the return on investment remains truly amazing.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Hardwick Window Cleaning clients who earned an Athens Banner Herald 2009 Reader’s Choice Award!

Food and Drink Atmosphere:
1st Place- Last Resort

Beer Selection:
1st Place- Trappeze Pub

Chef:
1st Place- Hugh Acheson, Five and Ten

Dessert:
1st Place- Last Resort

Family Restaurant:
2nd Place- Locos Grill & Pub

Ice Cream Shop:
1st Place- Hodgson’s

Italian Food:
1st Place- DePalma’s Italian Café

Margarita:
2nd Place- Taqueria La Parrilla

Mexican Food:
1st Place- Taqueria La Parrilla

Pizza:
1st Place- Transmetropolitan
2nd Place- DePalma’s Italian Café

Restaurant Overall:
1st Place- Five and Ten
2nd Place- Last Resort

Sunday Brunch:
1st Place- Last Resort

Upscale Dining:
1st Place- Five and Ten
2nd Place- Last Resort

Wine Selection:
1st Place- DePalma’s Italian Cafe
2nd Place- Five and Ten

Happy Hour:
2nd Place- Trappeze

Trivia Night:
2nd Place- Locos Grill & Pub

Bulldog Memorabilia Store:
1st Place- University Spirit

"Why should I have my windows cleaned?"

I'm glad you asked. You chose your home or place of business based on location, location, location. So, you already have a vested interest in keeping the property looking good.

• Do you display merchandise in your windows? It only makes sense to help people see the display, not the windows.
• Do you look out of your windows and actually see your windows? You should see your yard.

These photos were taken from a home window about three minutes apart.

Why window cleaning?

John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to us while we're busy making other plans."
While in graduate school, I worked with a professional window cleaner. Upon graduation, I worked for many years as a corporate training consultant and sales executive while keeping a few window cleaning accounts on the side. I have always wanted to work for myself so I decided to leave the corporate world and grow my window cleaning business. The business has grown very quickly.

This business is a family effort. My wife is the bookkeeper and web-designer. My 4 kids are my cheerleaders. I love working for myself and making people happy. I can't imagine having this much fun doing anything else.