Testimonials - Contract Services

Mike Hudson - ServiceMaster Contract Services Peterborough

"I have been a Servicemaster licensee for just over two years now. I had previously worked for a large and reputable department store group for some 30 years. During that time I held a number of selling management posts before becoming a facilities manager for one of their stores. In that time I met with cleaning contractors�. And thought to myself if ever I left the company I could do that!!

"I had considered a franchise from the outset, as it seemed the safe way to pursue running my own business. With the comfort of a regular income for thirty years in a reputable company I was looking for as much security as I could find in taking the plunge.

"Luck brought me to Servicemaster. A local newspaper ad saw the CS license up for sale.

"ServiceMaster quickly provided me with all the facts and figures required and put me in touch with a number of nearby franchisees. It was after visiting the second of these neighbors I drove back home, and in that time decided to commit. The process then was simple and straightforward and within weeks I was a director in my own company�. Wow!

"The things I love are:

• Being in control of my own destiny
• The freedom from the old 9 - 5 regime
• No commuting
• Making more use of my core skill of selling
• A greater risk but with greater rewards�. If you do it well!

"Servicemaster give excellent support to the newcomer. However the greatest benefit is the network of people running the same type of business around the country. Everybody is so helpful when you call for assistance and support.

"The business has co directors, myself and my wife Lindsey. Her skills have always been in business administration and so there is plenty to keep her occupied.

"What you must remember though it is a cleaning business. If you have any hang ups about cleaning toilets or dusting etc then think seriously about what you are doing. Both Lindsey and myself are quite naturally clean and tidy and therefore our business standards are a simple extension of those we bring to our own home."

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Tony Quinn - ServiceMaster Contract services Stoke

"I bought my ServiceMaster Contract Services franchise in January 1997 and after some training, advice and network support I started trading in February 1997. By following the systems that I had been advised and trained to follow by ServiceMaster I gained and started my first cleaning contracts in April. (After 10 years I still service these contracts). I now employ almost 200 staff and have a turnover in excess of �1,000,000.

"I bought the franchise after researching other franchised operations in a variety of service industries. The ServiceMaster franchise appealed to me because of the relatively low cost of purchase and the opportunity to gain and maintain a regular customer base. Although, as in all businesses, it can be hard work, the rewards can compensate for this in seeing my business grow and develop and the opportunities that it has created for the employment of others in assisting me to run the business effectively.

"I have found that the network of fellow franchisees of like minded people with similar issues and businesses to run are of a great help, particularly if you are new to the industry and need support and advice.

"By following some basic principles and planning I can vouch for a successful ServiceMaster Clean business."

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Tom Frame - ServiceMaster Contract services East Strathclyde and Glasgow

"Before I bought the franchise. I worked in the Electronics Industry for 20 years in the Central Belt of Scotland. With the demise of the once booming electronic industry I found myself redundant along with a large proportion of the industry sector in this area.

"I decided as age was not not exactly on my side, nor were opportunities in this sector, it was time for a new direction and perhaps even to strike out on my own in some capacity.

"After a lot of research on the web and by talking to Business Gateway I concluded that Franchising was the safest route to go when starting up on your own. Statistics tell us that 90% of small business start-ups fail in the first 12 months, whilst 90% of franchisees are successful in the same period.

"After deciding on the cleaning sector, as it was pretty much recession proof and safe from advancing technologies, I looked at several companies who had opportunities in my area.

"ServiceMaster were able to meet the criteria that I had decided on whist the start up costs were within my range.

"The criteria I set out were:

• A business that was recession proof
• A business that was technology proof
• A business that did not need premises, at the start at least
• A business that could grow organically year on year
• A business that would continue to run whilst I was on holiday
• A business that one day, hopefully, will run without me.

"As well as start up costs being a major consideration, the comparatively modest Royalty fees that ServiceMaster charge on a monthly basis attracted me.

"This franchise has done what it set out to do regarding the criteria I set out at the beginning. It has not been easy, but there again no one said that it would be. It is quite satisfying to see the business grow quite significantly over the last 4 years. Year 4 saw a 40% increase in turnover from year 3, not many businesses�s could boast this.

"Being your own boss is quite satisfying, but as they say the buck stops here, but also the credit for building a successful business is also attributed to your self.

"With the right team around you, days off to attend to leisure pursuits or personal matters are fairly easy to organise.

"Securing contracts on a National basis with Blue Chip clients. This is work that would not be available to a small local company. Ongoing support from a dedicated Operations Team proves to be invaluable. This support comes in many forms from employment law advice, technical support, training and also support and guidance on best practice in running a business.

"My wife helps me with the administration of the business, this has been invaluable as it was one of the first duties I was able to delegate and allow me more time to concentrate on growing the business.

"When I first discussed moving into the cleaning sector my wife enquired, with some mirth, what I thought I knew about cleaning. My answer was absolutely nothing, but I am sure I could learn. I have since discovered that this business is not about cleaning, you can hire people who have these skills, it is instead a peoples business. I quickly realised that the peoples skills that I picked up in my previous career would be more beneficial to me to help deal with staff and customers.

"Learning from my own experience I would urge anyone who is thinking of buying any franchise to do some research on other franchisors in their sector and benchmark them against each other.

"One mistake I nearly made was jumping into a "Golden Opportunity" with out making the comparisons and almost made the biggest mistake of my life.

"This particular franchisor makes most of his money selling licences. If you fail they just sell your license on. Instead you should be looking for franchisors that make most of their money from Royalties. If you are successful so is the franchisor. Win � Win situation.

"Finally ask the franchisor for a list of all their franchisees and you select which ones to speak to. If the franchisor selects them then you can be guaranteed that you will only get the successful ones."