How to be a good window cleaner
30 November 2006
... like me.
- Always look like you know what you are doing even if you don’t.
- Have confidence in your self and your skill (but not arrogance).
- Introduce yourself and be friendly but don’t talk any more than you have to. You are there to work. If you shut up and listen you may just learn something.
- Learn “patter” (the art of engaging a customer to allow them to relax). Questions about children, the weather always work well. Complement them on their house and how nice it is. Avoid conversations that might bog you down. If another visitor arrives fade into the background you are there to clean windows.
- Have a neat and tidy appearance (shave everyday).
- Smell nice and have clean clothes.
- Keep your tools neat clean and tidy and in good repair.
- Change your water in your bucket regularly. Dirty water is just rank.
- Leave things exactly how you found them (eg trinkets and blinds in place)
- If a customer asks “can you...?” the answer is always yes. Worry about how you will do it later.
- If you use the toilet for heavens sake put the lid down.
- Always be polite.
- If a customer watches you allow them to see you being meticulous in your cleaning. Leave the work area cleaner than when you found it.
- Look for opportunities to talk about being a Christian. For example talk up the boss because he’s a Christian.
- Never admit how much experience unless you are asked.
- Never get flustered and swear (or at least don’t allow the customer to see you do this).
- Always keep the volume of you radio/i-pod at a level where you are aware of your surroundings and can hear is customer speaks to you.
- When quoting never apologise for a high price. Don’t look nervous when you give the price. Be confident, as if you charge that much every day. Your work is worth good money if you do a good job.
- When quoting if a customer seems overly fussy or fastidious charge them extra. That way you can take the extra time to make them happy.
- Have a good supply of clean rags so you don’t run out.
tags windows
Christine talks...
about my time in the USA. I'm undecided to as to whether I should post my side of the story or not. Perhaps if enough people are keen I'll give it a shot...
Welcome...
25 November 2006
...to the new look supportMIKE. Comments and feedback are appreciated so please comment away.
Firstly a few things to notice…
My old posts will be still be available (click here). You'll also find a permanent link in the sidebar under “ministry links”.
Secondly I now have tags or labels on my posts. Clicking on these will allow you to read only about those particular topics.
Due to some feedback I’ve placed a link at the top of the sidebar that will allow you to view ONLY “supportMIKE updates”. “supportMIKE updates” will be about my work at FOCUS and ministry exclusively. Their purpose will be to inform my supporters of my work and ministry at FOCUS.
I will however continue to blog about all the things I have in the past including Christine, Kinder Surprise, sunsets, window cleaning, weird stuff, coffee and so on. These will be tagged accordingly.
Finally I have given my linkage column a revamp. If I have left you off or you’d like to me to include (or remove) you please feel free to email me.
Enjoy the new look supportMIKE
tags shameless self promotion, update
Last Post (pun intended)
I'm re-launching my blog and switching to blogger beta (here)
supportMIKE update
I made it back into the country on Monday night after a good 30 plus hours of battling across the pacific. Many may be jealous but I didn’t really suffer any jet lag flying in either direction during my travels.
In any case I’m back into my work straight away. I’ll be working 4 days a week cleaning windows until I finish up at the end of December.
In the mean time I’ll be considerably revamping my blog and switching to blogger beta where I can more effectively manage things. There will also be more focus on the ministry work I’ll be doing beginning next year. Please be patient in the interim. I’ll also be busy getting as much support for FOCUS and myself in preparation for FOCUS next year.
As announced before Christine and I will be getting married June 29th next year. It wasn’t made clear before but we’ll be coming back to Australia to live in Hobart. Christine and I have agreed that my original ministry plans (working for FOCUS for two years) will remain unchanged.
Thankyou again to all my friends (round the world) and family who prayed for this trip things could not have turned out better.
supportMIKE over and out
tags christine, update, wedding
Update
24 November 2006
I made it back into the country on Monday night after a good 30 plus hours of battling across the pacific. Many may be jealous but I didn’t really suffer any jet lag flying in either direction during my travels.
In any case I’m back into my work straight away. I’ll be working 4 days a week cleaning windows until I finish up at the end of December.
In the mean time I’ll be considerably revamping my blog and switching to blogger beta where I can more effectively manage things. There will also be more focus on the ministry work I’ll be doing beginning next year. Please be patient in the interim. I’ll also be busy getting as much support for FOCUS and myself in preparation for FOCUS next year.
As announced before Christine and I will be getting married June 29th next year. It wasn’t made clear before but we’ll be coming back to Australia to live in Hobart. Christine and I have agreed that my original ministry plans (working for FOCUS for two years) will remain unchanged.
Thankyou again to all my friends (round the world) and family who prayed for this trip things could not have turned out better.
supportMIKE over and out
tags pictures, shameless self promotion, travel, update, wedding
Wedding Date...
20 November 2006
All who can make it are invited... (click here)
America is...
- Automatically loading toilet seat covers
- Low tide toilet bowls
- Cars on the wrong side
- All the flipping “Stop” signs
- Wires everywhere
- Blow up trucks/white vans
- SWAT trucks and
- Cars (totally weird)
- The Interstate
- Squirrels
- Guns
- Wal Mart
- Kroger
- Walgreens
- Free WiFi hot spots
- Southern Seminary
- Thom Schreiner lectures on John
- Houses (old really old look different)
- Food (Lots of strong flavor Cinnamon, Sweet, Fatty)
- Popeyes and Biscuits
- Gumbo
- Qdoba
- Ramsey’s
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- Ice in drinks even when it’s cold
- Refrigerated Water fountains
- Dr Pepper
- Pecan Pie
- Angel Food Cake
- Calzones
- Humbled by the people
- The Fellas
- Laura
- Mr and Mrs Hnat
- Cassey and Jiri (and Goldie)
- Battlestar Galatica
- Language (different)
- Have a good night Y’all
- I’m sorry I can’t understand you… you are going to have to repeat that.
- Um Christine can you translate for me… please?
- Um excuse me siiir you can’t do that here… Sir?
- You have an accent. Are you British?
- Oh my gosh I love your accent.
- Hoodies
- Cheap Levis
- Sojourn
- Loud music faithful teaching
- Engagement
- The Glory of God
- Christine the most wonderful person I know.
News breaks
17 November 2006
Across the blogosphere...
Amanda's blog (click here)
and Ruth's blog (click here)
and Pablo's blog (click here)
and David's blog (not my brother) (click here)
I'd also like to once again offer up thanks to all the people who have supported and prayed for us. Those who have read our blogs, emailed us with advice and many other things. Most of all I thank God that things so far have worked out smoothly. As always for God's glory.
tags friends, linkage, update, wedding
the announcement
16 November 2006
WE'RE ENGAGED!
Wedding logistics are difficult. Dates and details to follow in time.
tags christine, pictures, shameless self promotion, update, wedding
More Pictures
14 November 2006
I've been working with my camera and picture editor on my computer... see below for results.
For the interested I took the pictures in sepia mode on my camera and then tweaked them with "Preview" on my computer. I'm most happy with the one of Christine.
tags christine, pictures, travel, update
By Request 2.0
11 November 2006
tags christine, pictures, travel, update
I really like this...
This is an excellent idea for Christmas Cards by the guys at Matthias Media... The site is (here)
tags christian, linkage, pictures, thinking
By Request
09 November 2006
more later...
tags christine, pictures, travel, update
Phil you legend...
07 November 2006
My mate Phil wrote this poem on his blog.
Pop over and give him e-props... but here is the poem for your enjoyment.
-----
Today, it would seem
That Mike & Christine
will for the first time meet.
Although, on the web
it has often been said
they'd talk for hours untold
So Mike packed his “swag”
said “good bye” to his Dad
& kissed his Mum on the cheek
He's gone to the States
to meet face to face
without the old Internet screen
There's no vegemite there!
Their cupboards are bare
of that spread we're willingly share
But he's gone anyway
for nothing will sway
this mike that is a machine
So, it's “thanks to the modem!”
that she's gotten to know him
and does seem to be rather keen
Will he propose?
Well, no body knows
for it all seems much like a dream.
----
supportMIKE salutes Phil
USA...
02 November 2006
I'm heading off early tomorrow morning to see Christine. A big thank you to all the people who have wished me well in emails, text messages and via msn it has been humbling. Your prayers have been and will continue to be valued greatly by both of us.
For various reasons my blog will take a short vacation. Christine and I don’t currently have plans to post while I’m there.
God is truly great may this be for his glory.
supportMIKE out
tags christine, travel, update
Posts
