It is what you know
June 1st 2009 As one of the National Flood School's resident instructors,Adam Jankowski delivers carpet and upholstery cleaning courses.He believes that in order for cleaning companies to thrive, skills and knowledge based training is key
In the 17 years I have been in the industry, I have met many carpet and upholstery cleaners who came into the industry, as I did, thinking there was very little to it.The thinking was that if you bought (or rented) an extraction machine, a tub of cleaning product and a vehicle to put it in, the only task was to find customers.After that, it was simply assumed that a competitive price and a job well done would bring in the work.
I have also met a lot of people who had once been carpet and upholstery cleaners and had given up as, in their words, they "couldn't make it pay". After talking to them, I often found that the common thread was a complete lack of training and a failure to exploit that training in their marketing. Some had even left the business having had to pay more in damage caused, than they'd gained in monies earned.
There is no doubt that marketing is the key to success in any business, but marketing is more effective when you have a credible offering.There are many who are willing to work hard, but they are lacking in skill and knowledge.Those with skill and knowledge are in a much better position to develop a unique selling proposition (USP) to their potential clients and can therefore command a better price for their services.
The road to Damascus
My own conversion regarding skills, came a few years after I ventured into the cleaning and restoration industry, when I finally found the time to go on a formal carpet and upholstery course.My eyes were quickly opened to the fact that I had been squandering opportunities, and I also discovered many new ones.
17 years on and after hundreds of days of classroom and conference learning, I now hold a position as one of the resident instructors at the National Flood School where, among other subjects, I deliver the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) in Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) and Upholstery Cleaning Technician (UFT). Both of these subjects are covered in separate two day courses culminating in optional (multiple choice) exams which offer prospective clients the additional assurance that the attending student has met the required standard to practise their trade competently.These two IICRC qualifications are also the alternative means to enter the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) for those looking to join the main trade association in the UK for this part of the industry.
Rescue remedy
The National Flood School's main forte is disaster restoration and many of its training courses reflect this.Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning form part of this program because carpets and upholstery are often involved in domestic fire, flood and accidental damage insurance claims.This is why the National Flood School also delivers the Woolsafe Certified Operators Course and an Advanced Spot and Stain Removal Course.All of these courses are supported with optional exams for the student wishing to prove some degree of competence that a standard attendance certificate may not reflect.
With the technical and best practice content of these internationally recognised bodies in its programs, the National Flood School ensures that the student has a thorough understanding of the advantage to be gained in the field from applying methods taught and how they may incorporate these advantages in their marketing.
The courses are highly recommended not just for field technicians, but also for employers who may not be 'hands-on' themselves but employ staff who are. It's important that an employer has an idea of the standards their employees should be working to, as well as being sure that their marketing promises and assurances are being met. More articles from National Flood School Ltd: | 
