Making your network “work”

Making your network “work” Last week I met up with Steve Lawrence who runs a specialist cleaning business called “Dry and Clean”.  www.dryandclean.co.uk I have known Steve for a couple of years through  BNI (Business Networking International).  I knew that Steve made a substantial amount of his business through networking. However I was keen to learn more on how he turned “networking” into money. In under an hour, several key things became apparent:- Take networking seriously. Steve mentioned on more than one occasion that he regarded networking a core aspect of his business. He attended events regularly and has got to know the people in his network. This has helped him understand other people’s business and which helped him find referrals for others. It also meant that they understood his business and they found him referrals. Collect TestimonialsSteve understood that testimonials were a powerful marketing tool and he ensured that he collected and published them.  Examples of where he made use of testimonials included :-

• On his website
• On other 3^rd party websites where he advertised his services
• On leaflets advertising his services

Knowing where to advertise Steve knows that he needs to target local businesses and consumers (both B2B and B2C). He realises that he needs to reach them effectively without incurring excessive cost. Hence he has signed up for “BestOfRichmond” that helps him reach these people. The site also allows him to post his testimonials – which further boosts his credibility. Learn the art of collaboration He  said that one of the best ongoing jobs came through another cleaning firm in the area. They understood that he provided services that they did not – in the area of upholstery. Steve was more than willing to wear their “uniform” and provide his services under their banner. Letting it grow Steve has been networking for three years with his business.  Many of his customers start out with small jobs then as trust develops, ask him back for larger jobs and also refer to other people. The overall effect is that his turnover from networking as increased dramatically by word of mouth in the last few years.

A few testimonials

 Many thanks, I wanted to let you know that, since your visit and work on my fitted sisool carpets at the weekend, what a pleasure it is for me every time I come home to see my carpets restored to their pristine and fresh condition. I really, really appreciate the care you took and want to thank you for being so professional and enthusiastic about your work. It will be so easy to recommend you. As we discussed please contact me in 12 months so that we can keep up the good results.

Lillian

Steve is so passionate about his work. My very old pink carpets came out wonderfully, all the little staines vanished. The carpets were dry straight away and were so much fresher. It was a pleasure because steve is such a nice, trustworthy person. I was totally happy to pop out and leave him too it. I can’t recommend dry and clean more highly. Fantastic! 5 stars.
Heidi Wells

“Steven’s friendly approach and excellent results mean that I would recommend his services to anyone.

Maggie Stewart.

“What Steven has done has sayed me a fortune. The wife was complaining that the carpet never came clean, and so new carpet was the next expense, then Steven did his magic. No new carpet, just the old one as new.”

Richard Agar

“I engaged Steve from Dry & Clean to do some home carpet cleaning for me in 2010 and we have benefitted from his services a number of times since then.
The results that Steve can achieve are truly excellent, and the dry system minimises interruption to our home lives. We also value the peace of mind that the system gives us when Steve cleans our child’s bedroom, knowing that there will be no adverse environmental or health effects.
At all times he is professional, industrious, tidy, thorough, honest and friendly. I have recommended him to friends, who have also been delighted with his services, and I will continue to pass him referrals whenever possible.

C Townndrow

A few testimonials

“Steve came to clean all of the carpets in our house. I could not believe that without water you could make the carpets ‘as good as new’ but he could!!! With 2 children we could not have the carpets wet, so dry clean was amazing. I would highly recommend his products and also Steve. He is very reliable, professional, friendly and very reasonably priced and I have already recommended him to others, who have also been very pleased with his services.”

Michelle Ford.

“Steven amazed me! I honestly didn’t think he could get that property to look so fantastic! The carpets look like new and the place smells clean, clean, clean!”

Shelley van Lit.

“There’s not much we can say about dry and clean that’s not already been said, We have seen what they can do and the results are incredible! We love this company and steve is a great chap!

Get-Cleaning team:

I am so pleased with the excellent service and the results achieved on our carpet. I have already recommended you to my colleagues and friends and I will definitely be using your service again in the future. Thank you!
Best wishes,
Rebecca

WOW- omg i cant belive its the same rug! my heartfelt thanks. T Mahrra

My carpets had been down for over seven years and were looking slightly worse for wear. With Dry and Clean I got a two pronged attack: a super system that kept the carpets dry and produced a wonderful finish, along with the perfectionist Steven.

Many thanks, “I will be back”

Geoffrey

Many thanks for dealing with our crisis so quickly and efficiently. Your no nonsense approach was very helpful to us.
More importantly our mutual customer is highly delighted with the result and cannot sing your praises enough. She said you were a smashing person to deal with and thinks your cleaning system is brilliant. The stains came out in an instant. She said she would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone.
Thank you once again and I hope we can call upon you again.
(email) from

Ms V Lampon, salisbury glass centre ltd

just to say thank you for a great job. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came home from work. The best thing is that you managed to clean everything so well without any nasty chemicals. We will certainly recommend you to friends!
Tina & Steve