15. Develop systems.

Systems provide a structure that allows you to work consistently and efficiently.

And also let you create a company that will continue to run whether you’re there or not.

Create systems for every function: cleaning, laundry, supervision, reporting, customer service, accounting and management.

See also: 20 Tips to Write Bed & Breakfast Business Plans in Nigeria

16. Be careful!

Though time is your most valuable commodity, don’t rush so much that you get careless.

Customers will usually understand when accidents happen.

But you’re better off if you don’t have to fall back on that.

Also, the cost to repair or replace something — in out-of-pocket cash.

Time lost and damaged customer relations — is usually far more than the time you might save by working carelessly.

17. Don’t undersell yourself.

When you’re starting out, you may be tempted to try to undercut the competition’s prices.

A better strategy is to simply outperform them by providing quality work.

Read also: 17 Tips to Write Proposal Seeking Funding for Project in Nigeria

18. Take care of your employees.

Your employees are critical to your success.

After all, it’s the quality of their performance that determines whether your customers are satisfied.

Look for ways to make them want to do their best.

Train them well, don’t micromanage and treat them with respect.

Provide bonuses and incentives for top performance.

And consider offering perks such as letting them use company equipment in their own homes.

Skycraper Window Cleaning Business

19. Find a niche.

Don’t try to be all things to all people; pick the market you can best serve, and focus on that.

For example, if you choose to service smaller office buildings.

You may not be able to provide quality work at a profitable price level to larger facilities.

Excel in what you’re doing and build consistency in the services you provide.

When you try to serve too many markets, you won’t be successful in any of them.

See also: 15 Tips to Start Online Furniture Training Business in Nigeria

20. Develop your digital skills.

You need to be as skilled digitally as you are with a mop or buffer.

The cleaning business may not be particularly high tech.

But you don’t have time to do estimates, billing, payroll, inventory control and other record-keeping by hand.

Your business should also have an extensive online presence with a website.

Social media accounts and an app (you could contract the building of one out).

21. Track labor costs.

The biggest single expense you have is labor, and you must stay on top of it.

If you aren’t watching your labor costs every day, they’ll get away from you.

Compile a daily over and under report.

Which makes it easy to spot trends before they become major issues.

If labor is on the increase, figure out where the problem is.

Is the customer asking for extra services you aren’t charging for?

Did you underestimate the time it would take to do the work?

If you’re under on your labor estimates.

Make sure your employees are providing the quality you’ve promised.

See also: 22 Tips to Sell your Business Ideas to a Company in Nigeria

22. Invest in customer service.

The quality of your cleaning is important, but it’s not everything.

Building strong relationships with your clients requires a serious commitment to customer service.

Don’t assume that just because the work looks satisfactory to you that it is to your customers.

Or that there’s nothing else they want or need.

Be sure to follow up with them consistently to find out how things are going.

Skycraper Window Cleaning Business

23. Keep your eye on the economy.

As long as things get dirty, there’ll be a need for professionals to clean them.

But economic changes can mean changes in your market.

Residential cleaning services, for example, are often seen as luxuries.

And an economic downturn could affect your customers’ willingness.

And ability to pay to have their homes cleaned.

When business profits shrink, companies look for ways to cut expenses.

Which means they may examine their budgets for services that can be reduced or eliminated.

Read also: Tops 20 Bed sheets Market Research in Nigeria

24. Skycraper Window Cleaning Business

Also consider how the world economy can impact your profitability.

If oil prices skyrocket, you’ll have to spend more to operate your vehicles.

And your general utility costs will probably increase.

When the cost of lumber goes up.

So does the cost of bathroom tissue, paper towels and other disposable paper products you provide to your customers.

You may be able to pass along some of those costs.

But don’t depend on a thriving economy to keep your business profitable.

Have plans in place so you can shift your market focus if necessary.

See also: 7 Steps to Register As Apprentice Carpenter in Nigeria

25. Don’t take every job.

If you can’t make money on a job, or if the work is undesirable for any reason, turn it down.

It’s better to focus your time and energy on profitable work you enjoy.