Business owners and managers are constantly asked to make decisions. Some decisions are simple and the correct answer is obvious, while others can be very complex and the answer is anything but clear.

I have often heard the cleaning industry escribed as being comprised predominately of independent owner-operators, a collection of “One-Man Bands,” if you will. It’s been my experience that, more often than not, these “independent” cleaners are really not totally self-sufficient. In fact, they actually work within a very carefully structured network of specialists, contacts, and connections.

In the life of every business there comes the time when in order to grow and take advantage of every opportunity it is necessary to extend beyond everyday assets and cash flow.

One very important, but often ignored, area of every company’s business plan is a formal orientation and training program for staff.

I recently attended a chapter meeting of a carpet cleaner association wherein a local member was celebrating 30 years in business. When asked to reflect and comment on a few of the keys to his success with Country Roads Carpet Cleaning, Dan Joner made some profound observations.

The ultimate goal of most small-service business owners is to build up their business, sell it and retire on the proceeds. In many cases this is the only “retirement plan” small-business owners have in place.

Before any service begins, it is necessary for the service professional and the prospective client to agree on the scope, price and terms of the job. This process is also referred to as estimating, bidding, quoting or auditing, but in reality what is taking place is job qualification.

As I write this, the excitement of the 2002 World Series is drawing to a close, the Anaheim Angels having defeated the San Francisco Giants in seven games. I remember my father telling me that success in baseball, with its many complexities, is predicated on one thing: keeping your eye on the ball.

The primary goal of any service business is to be profitable. Increases in profitability can only be achieved by controlling two basic numbers: the price charged for services and the cost of delivering those services. In other words, you can charge more or cut costs to open up your margin.

Every endeavor, great or small, has a much higher chance of succeeding if it is working from a carefully thought out plan. Your business is no different, yet many professionals in the cleaning and restoration service industry forge ahead without any plan in place. Often times the biggest obstacle to overcome in creating a business plan is just getting started.