Not funny, but I laughed anyway.

I couldn't make up a better recommendation than this. The employees at Tires Plus and at The Dawg House told me what happened. (Kinda wish I had seen it happen, but it is probably best that I didn't).

Apparently a man walked straight into the window on the left thinking it was an open doorway.

A large dog at this dog grooming salon was placed in the open space on the left and proceeded to try to walk "outside" only to bump his nose on the glass.

Disclaimer: No people or animals were injured in these incidents, but the man probably uttered some things you would not want your kids to hear, and the dog probably did the same.

Is there room in your market? There is at the top!

A few years ago a friend decided to venture into selling real estate. She expressed concern at her prospects because there were already thousands of realtors in the area. (Remember the housing boom when it seemed like everyone either was a realtor or was thinking about becoming one?) I had to agree with her, yet I was sure that she was thinking about things wrong. My response to her was, "You're right. There are tons of realtors around here, but there will always be room for a 'good' realtor."

Perhaps I can boil the concept down like this: There is always room at the top.

Let's take this concept out for a little test ride. Is "There is always room at the top" an accurate way to think about your industry? (Hey, I think this would be a great learning experience if we collaborated. Give your input to this idea by commenting on this blog post.) Here are a few examples to get the ideas flowing. What do you think?

• No matter how packed the marketplace is . . . There is always room at the top.
• Your competition is undercutting you, but . . . There is always room at the top.
• You need to decide whether to bring your low-priced services into the marketplace or your high-priced services . . . There is always room at the top.

Those are a few to start the conversation.

As it happens, despite the number of other realtors around, my friend still chose to jump into real estate. She has worked hard, studied hard, and now she is recognized as one of the best around. My wife and I have used her, and so have hundreds of others. Interestingly, in the last several years "tons of realtors around here" have disappeared. But our friend is constantly expanding her busines. She is living proof that There is always room at the top.

How is (or isn't) There is always room at the top applicable to your industry, market, business, or situation? Post your comments here.

A Green Time Was Had By All!

Last week Hardwick Window Cleaning cleaned Earth Fare in Athens, GA. You may know that Earth Fare is a natural grocery store, so chemicals are not allowed. We cleaned the windows using green methods.

Here are some links to other green posts on this blog.

- When to green clean
- It's not easy being green
Swing by Earth Fare and see their shiny, clean windows.

Why do we love Spring Cleaning?

So many emotions are conjured up by the phrase "Spring Cleaning". I can still see my mom's Spring Cleaning face with a little dust on it and a "glow"; women in Hahira (that's in South Georgia for the uninitiated) do not sweat.

I recall her beauty, and her religious fervor against uncleanliness and sloth; this fervor rose to a fever pitch in Spring. So, I became an expert cleaner at an early age.

I know I've told you this before, Mom, but thanks for teaching me how to clean. Next time we visit I'll bring my squeegees and you can make the sweet tea.

Look at your windows at night (I'm serious.)

I ate dinner tonight at one of the restaurants that has me clean its windows once a week. This downtown Athens, GA restaurant has very large windows. Some of the largest windows in Athens.

I tried to hide my glances, but I peered up periodically to see if I could locate any areas that required a touch-up. I couldn't find any, but I digress. How can you test to:

A) see if your window is already really clean, or
B) determine if your windows need a good cleaning.

The test of a really clean window is to look through it at night. Look from both sides of the window (the inside and the outside . . . but you knew that). When it is dark outside, the inside lighting will often reveal any marks or dirt on the windows. Simply move window treatments out of the way and look at your windows. You may see plenty of things that don't belong there. Then walk outside when it is still dark and look into the lighted windows. Any smudges or dirty build-up on either side of the glass should be easily seen.

Beautiful Weather

It is 65 outside (I should be out there) so I am thinking about spring cleaning. More sunshine as the days get longer and more beautiful weather makes me think of windows.

In addition to cleaning the glass, HWC will focus on getting rid of cobwebs around your windows and porches, as well as cleaning exterior window ledges. I could go on, but you get the idea.

French Windows

French windows are multi-pane windows like you see in the picture below of Five and Ten, a local Athens restaurant.

Hardwick Window Cleaning keeps the windows at Five and Ten restaurant looking great.

This small section of the restaurant is 72 different windows which are individually cleaned. Smaller wetters and smaller squeeges are required to clean the smaller panes, and the result is beautiful to see. Check it out the next time you are in Five Points.

Too Cold to Clean Windows?

I hear this often, "It's too cold to clean windows." With temps below freezing many mornings I appreciate people's concern for our wellbeing, but other than issues of our personal comfort, we can clean windows even when the outside temps are very low. Warm water is good for cleaning and for keeping the window cleaner's hands from turning numb. Denatured alcohol or other "anti-freeze" methods are very helpful to keep ice from forming on the window.

I admit that sometimes the weather is just too bad to clean windows. Gusty wind and really cold weather do tend to prohibit window cleaning, but in general we can be out there and keep cleaning your windows even in the freezing weather. (If we come in for a minute or two to warm up our hands - let me thank you in advance for your kind words and your heat.)

Tools of the trade

Hmmm. Tools of a window cleaner: squeegee, wetter or scrubber, pole, ladder . . . oh, water, cleaning solutions, and don't forget towels.

Recently my Dad told me, "The cheapest tool you can buy is the most expensive one." I think he meant two things:

1. The better quality tools cost more. The quality of the tools used have an impact on how quickly and effectively a job gets done. Each of us have used poor quality tools around our own homes with results that were, let's say, 'less than optimal'. 
2. A tool may be expensive on the front end, but if it lasts longer and does a better job, that tool has saved you money. (The counter-point is that cheap tools will not last as long so replacement costs will get you in the end.)

This morning I was cleaning the windows at a Tires Plus store in Athens, GA when a man with a bucket and squeegee approached me from behind and offered, "You didn't really buy those tools at Wal Mart did you?" My Dad would have been proud.

We at Hardwick Window Cleaning are particular about the tools we use. Some of the squeegees, rubber squeegee blades, wetters, and other tools may be a bit more pricey that those that can be found in many home improvement stores, but their quality is considerably higher. We have scores of people who can attest to the quality of our work. When you need your windows cleaned, and cleaned well, give us a call.

"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.

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