Slow and Steady Wins the Race
When it comes to growing your business, there are so many different business strategies out there. It can almost feel overwhelming, especially if you’re thinking about starting a business or trying to get one off the ground. To gain some insight, Cleaning Matters caught up with Bennie Roberts, a Corvus of New Orleans Franchisee since 2010, who has recorded outstanding financial growth as a result of his disciplined, careful approach to operating his Corvus Office Cleaning Franchise. Mr. Roberts shares some key insights connected to his business philosophy that have helped him to stand out in the industry.
Cleaning Matters:
Mr. Roberts, thank you for agreeing to sit down with us and share your perspective on what it takes to start a cleaning business.
Mr. Roberts:
You’re welcome, although starting is one thing, succeeding is another. What I wanted to share is how I think about what accounts to take. As a Corvus Franchisee, the local office sort of serves as my sales and marketing arm. They go after prospects, land accounts, then offer them to me. The thing is, you don’t have to take every account that is offered to you. And you shouldn’t.
Cleaning Matters:
That’s exactly right, but maybe you can elaborate, please?
Mr. Roberts:
Running a business is a marathon; it’s not a sprint. Taking on accounts, of any kind, in a slow, methodical way, so you can scale up your operation to provide service, is key. It is way better to grow slowly and create a strong base of customers and be really capable than to take on a bunch of accounts and get overwhelmed. So, saying no to more accounts, sometimes, is the best way to make sure you succeed in the long term.
Cleaning Matters:
Are there any other reasons to say no to accounts, or any other strategies you use?
Mr. Roberts:
When I first started my business, I had this idea that I would only take really huge accounts. But actually, for me and my business, I prefer smaller accounts, but want more of them…Now I am at a place where I can take lots of them. So, I say no to large accounts a lot, but I also let the office know I want smaller customers. By doing so I guide them, which they really like. They want that feedback and want to customize the sales approach to my needs. You just have to think about what works best for you, for your business, then communicate that.
Cleaning Matters:
You certainly have done that well, and after a decade of operation show no signs of slowing down. Thank you, Bennie Roberts, Corvus of New Orleans Unit Franchise Owner.
As you can see, Mr. Roberts approached his business with a slow and steady technique. He valued the quality of clients over quantity and learned how to say no if the client didn’t fit his vision for the company. Though that may have been difficult at first, it has had a big pay off as time has gone on!
Corvus of New Orleans has the distinct honor of wishing unit franchisee Denice Lee a very happy birthday and applauding the success she has achieved as a Corvus entrepreneur. A long-time New Orleans native, Denice opened her franchise in 2012 with the goal of building the financial security and flexibility that the proven Corvus franchise model offers. Four years later, she has achieved just that. According to Tommy Petagna, Corvus of New Orleans’ Regional Director, “Of course, Denice’s service is outstanding, in terms of quality and consistency, but her success also comes from the level of professionalism and customer service she extends to clients. Denice doesn’t think of herself as a vendor; actually, she really sees herself as a part of her customer’s operational team…and that attitude translates into success”. Gracious as always, Denice complimented the Corvus local support team, “Tommy, Corey and the local New Orleans office have been the best partners I could ask for. The durability of commercial cleaning and janitorial services is fantastic, but the support I get from Corvus makes it that much better”. We wish Denice a very happy birthday. We are honored to be a partner in her success.