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Do newbies really want to learn?

Green Pro Clean Ltd

Well-known member
Messages
8,103
Location
Nottingham & Derbyshire
I have been approached by a Newbie wanting to learn the ins and outs of window cleaning and running a window cleaning business.

They have basically asked if they can come up to Nottingham for a week and work with me and my lad so they can learn traditional window cleaning, gutter cleaning and to boot they want me to teach them my canvassing and advertising techniques.

I'm not totally opposed to the idea, but my only concern is how much will that slow us up for the week?

My lad and I start early and go balls to the wall till all jobs are done for the day. Won't be able to work at full pace with a newbie tagging along having to check on their work and supervise and teach.

What qualifies me? This is the second round in 8 years I have built that turns over above £60k per year. I reckon that qualifies.

Thought's, suggestions? Would you train someone?

 
Hmmm, tough one, not sure really, might be a good idea for a course, with a home made certificate and they have to wear your logo shirt?

Hmmm sounds familiar?

Honestly though I really don't know, would want some compensation unless like I say I knew them.

 
They only get to wear my shirt whilst working with me, and they will have to give it back when the week is up.

No homemade certificate as printer ink cost too much these days,

Compensation? Had considered that but here's the thing, how much? How do you factor for the time etc required to train each day and how do you value the knowledge you are imparting?

He has said he will 'sort me out a drink' but I think he's more likely going to be looking at a couple of bottles of seriously fine exceptional vintage single malt! After all he is asking me to teach him how to make a living and earn an income for the rest of his days.

 
Yeah its a tough one, I'm to nice and would end up out of time and pocket lol

Just tell him to read the forum, watch some videos on youtube and practice on his own house lol

 
id do it, but only if he agreed to do the 3 storey ladders . from ten minutes of arrival.

 
Agreed with Diwrnach, I would want paying unless it was to help someone either on her or a mate. All the talk of courses recently, I'm not anti course, I'm just anti bull$hit, as someone described it in the solar thread (couldve been one of you)- lots of stick, not a lot of carrot. lol If you are offering something such as education, then you should let them keep that regardless. The whole franchise opportunity, dressed up as a course grips my s***.

The noob will be nothing but an inconvenience all day, so no, 'a drink' to me is an insult. Also, if you can't figure this stuff out by yourself then theres no hope IMO, bit harsh I know, but none of its rocket science. The internet is a wonderful thing, get the info you need and then work on it, I'm not going to wipe anyones **** and stroke there hair.

 
Yeah if it was one of the regulars on here wanted me to show them something I would do it, but most on here are already grafters who have an idea what they are doing so wouldn't slow me down and could probably teach me a thing or two as well.

 
Slow down Tolish, there is no talk of a 'course' or of a 'franchise' this is simply a debate about would you want the agro of teaching someone you don't know all about what you do know. That's all.

As for letting someone 'keep' whatever they learn well all I have to offer is knowledge so short of lobotomizing the poor f**k*r you can't really take knowledge back can you?

As for the topic of money, that is simply to cover the inconvenience of doing them a good turn.

 
Slow the F**k down Tolish, there is no talk of a 'course' or of a 'franchise' this is simply a debate about would you want the agro of teaching someone you don't know all about what you do know. That's all.
As for letting someone 'keep' whatever they learn well all I have to offer is knowledge so short of lobotomizing the poor f**k*r you can't really take knowledge back can you?

As for the topic of money, that is simply to cover the inconvenience of doing them a good turn.
He was talking about a certain course that is on offer elsewhere on the forum, that does exactly what he says.

 
Slow the F**k down Tolish, there is no talk of a 'course' or of a 'franchise' this is simply a debate about would you want the agro of teaching someone you don't know all about what you do know. That's all.
As for letting someone 'keep' whatever they learn well all I have to offer is knowledge so short of lobotomizing the poor f**k*r you can't really take knowledge back can you?

As for the topic of money, that is simply to cover the inconvenience of doing them a good turn.
Relax mate, breathe, and read it again. It wasnt aimed at you./emoticons/tongue.png

 
Yeah, I have ripped Solar Steve up on that one already, and when he want's to learn how to earn a living by working for him the price is £240 per day.

But you se DI, I was looking for sensible debate on do you don't you train some odd bod? That's all.

As for your comment of 'if it was some regular on here you would do it' well why is that? Do you owe them some loyalty as they are on the same forum as you?

I don't know you from Adam, will happily share what I know with you on here, but do I want you in my van for a week?

You get the gist.

 
dont do it. altho i was joking [or was i ...] about the 3 storey ladders , youd need insurance for him for when he fell. thats a £100 right out of the bat.

 
Relax mate, breathe, and read it again. It wasnt aimed at you./emoticons/tongue.png
I know that mate, for the past 3 days I have avoided the Solar Steve Post as it has gotten old and tired, and like you I think it's a bit of a darn con (in it's current form) So for me to have started a thread that has stuck it under my nose again I am more ****** at myself than anything.

 
dont do it. altho i was joking [or was i ...] about the 3 storey ladders , youd need insurance for him for when he fell. thats a £100 right out of the bat.
That isn't an issue as I have employee liability that also covers casual labor so no extra cost to me.

And no I wouldn't make them do triple ladder day one, I would want to see some competence on double extender first so when the f**k tries to sue me for a fall I can demonstrate that he had had previous training. /emoticons/tongue.png

 
Yeah, I have ripped Solar Steve up on that one already, and when he want's to learn how to earn a living by working for him the price is £240 per day.
But you se DI, I was looking for sensible debate on do you don't you train some odd bod? That's all.

As for your comment of 'if it was some regular on here you would do it' well why is that? Do you owe them some loyalty as they are on the same forum as you?

I don't know you from Adam, will happily share what I know with you on here, but do I want you in my van for a week?

You get the gist.
Reason being is most if not all of the regulars on here have helped and advised me in the past, I would be happy to return the favour on here or in person.

A random dude ringing me up isn't the same.

 
Some ppl don't want much do they. Mind you I was offered the knowledge of a certain chap for 30,000 plus vat ...:laugh:

 
That isn't an issue as I have employee liability that also covers casual labor so no extra cost to me.
And no I wouldn't make them do triple ladder day one, I would want to see some competence on double extender first so when the f**k tries to sue me for a fall I can demonstrate that he had had previous training. /emoticons/tongue.png
what possible reason would you have for doin this ? id want a £1000 to even think of doing this fast track method

 
I know I am now expert and had asked some of you advice and I am really great full .

But like you have said point him in the right direction of equipment you feel is possibly the best for the money he has to start . And get him to learn on his own windows I did on the job training with my boss but he is my uncle so he wasn't too bothered showing me .

And all I did was stright pulls across till I got the feel and then after a full day I started turning the squeegee to get back and forth action .and I was told after day 2 that I need to quicken my pace as he wanted not get behind with his work and checking my work .

So at the end if the day green it is all down to you .

There is a art but as you say it is not rocket science.

Good look too him

 
I know that mate, for the past 3 days I have avoided the Solar Steve Post as it has gotten old and tired, and like you I think it's a bit of a darn con (in it's current form) So for me to have started a thread that has stuck it under my nose again I am more ****** at myself than anything.
I was pre empting him coming into this thread and saying something along the lines of lines of "whats the difference between someone here charging for their knowledge and expertise, and me doing it". The bit that was in relation to your OP was the second paragraph.

The difference between helping someone on here would be whether I felt I knew them in some way. If someone was on here and contributing in some way, showing that he has an aptitude for this kind of job, and trying hard to get on.... then I may help. but what I have seen on here is the odd noob thatcomes on asking question after question like;

Whatsthe best squeegee

Whats the best rubber

Whats the best boab

Whats the best scrim

Whats the best bucket

Whats the best gloves

Whats the best soap

Whats the best donkey

etc.

If someone hasnt even got the ability to search for these answers then in my mind it shows them to be lazy,like they want it all on a plate,instead of working for it like 99% of the other people on here have done.

 
a new poster on these forums last year sent me a few messages wanting to tag along. i said yes and immediately regretted saying it.

my get out was to use the "3 storey ladder experience on day 1,and keep-it-coming " and luckily for me he declined at that point.

i also had an experienced windie want to tag along, i wouldnt entertain that for any money. best way is to say NO straight away

 
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Yeah its a tough one, I'm to nice and would end up out of time and pocket lol
Just tell him to read the forum, watch some videos on youtube and practice on his own house lol
This is exactly what I do and I become everyday better...I i regularly watch youtube there is a lot of excellent windows cleaners channels. My favorite youtube channel is Christopher Dawber He is fantastic...

 
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