Karen Prewer, My Window Cleaner Founder and MD, discusses why rain or shine, business is booming for franchisees.

“What bad weather?” our franchisees ask.

As spring hits full bloom, it’s easy to think that the winter weather has a detrimental effect on a professional window cleaning business. Well it has an effect, but we turn this to our advantage and use the opportunity in different ways.

Firstly, the facts are that we typically only lose a total of 3 to 4 days a year to adverse weather conditions. During the winter months, franchisees build flexibility into their working rota and allow for a period of unsettled weather.

We always contact our customers in advance and let them know when the clean is due. With the My Window Cleaner IT system, we can rapidly communicate with each customer and inform them of any changes.

We think it’s very important to take this professional approach, which also enhances our brand and reputation. The system can communicate in bulk, so that the franchise owner is not sat on a phone, or writing individual emails, wasting valuable time.

Make hay even when the sun doesn’t shine

So what does the franchise owner do next? Well, the system will also target various customers with the additional services we offer, which are not as weather affected. Through pre-designed and branded emails, we can easily identify and up-sell these additional services.

A great example of this is indoor window cleaning. Ask yourself, when was the last time your own window cleaner offered this service? Once, twice, never?

It always amazes me that this service is not offered more, as it is very profitable and much needed. The times we have cleaned the outside, but the inside is twice as dirty, has led us to offer this service.

What else can the franchise owner do on their business…. Well, gaining more customers is always a priority. Earlier this year, when the snow hit Canterbury, our franchisee Alan had great success and won 20 new regular customers!

Our business model & IT system are designed for a rapid build of the customer base. Through the training and support we provide, franchise partners are able to target and identify potential customers, within each postcode sector of their territory. With the marketing tools provided, new customers are gained, whatever the month or weather.

In January, Josh, who is based in Bournemouth, won 43 new customers, including ones that required gutter clearance (non-weather related).

Our branded uniform is also designed for all weather conditions. Whether it be shorts & polo shirts in the summer or beanies, trousers and body warmers in the winter, we have it covered.

So, while it’s tempting for our competitors to sit back in inclement weather & put their feet up, our franchisees are still charging forwards, winning new customers, growing businesses and providing services.

Just wait to see how they perform in the summer!