Episode 1204 – Hiring Hacks, Team Tips, and Tough Customer Questions: Mike’s Business Survival Guide
Making Team Meetings Fun and Efficient
In a recent live Q&A, Mike and Lindsay tackled a common question: how to conduct effective and engaging team meetings. The key takeaway? Keep it short, consistent, and celebratory. Mike recommends that weekly meetings focus on celebrating team wins and reviewing core values, with just a small amount of time dedicated to admin. The goal is to keep the energy high and avoid turning meetings into a long, drawn-out affair that no one looks forward to. He also suggests having meetings at the start of the day to set a positive tone for the week and making them mandatory—but only if you’re willing to pay for the time spent.
Hiring and Retaining Good Employees
Mike also addressed a pressing issue: finding and keeping quality cleaners. According to him, the real problem is not that it’s impossible to find good employees, but that many businesses lack a structured hiring system. Mike emphasizes the importance of creating a hiring funnel—a system where you always have a steady stream of applicants. He suggests having group interviews, one-on-one interviews, and a working interview process that can even be run by your cleaners. This proactive approach makes the hiring process less stressful and helps you avoid scrambling when someone quits.
Adapting to Unexpected Business Challenges
One listener, Taina, shared her struggle with maintaining business operations after a natural disaster hit her area. She wondered if expanding to a nearby town would be a good solution. Mike’s advice? Focus on offering services that are needed right now, such as disaster restoration, to keep the business going. He also advised against completely changing business models or venturing too far from home. While expanding can work, Mike stressed that having strong systems and a hiring funnel should always be the priority, especially in tough times.
Dealing with Tough Customer Questions
Another question that came up was how to handle a sensitive inquiry from a potential client about the immigration status of a cleaner. Mike’s advice is to be professional but firm, stating that it’s okay to have policies in place about what information you’re willing to share. However, if a client’s question is unreasonable, you’re under no obligation to accept them as a customer. The key here is to follow the law, stay ethical, and make decisions that are in line with your company values.
Simplifying Employee Paperwork
Lastly, Mike answered a question about the paperwork involved in onboarding new employees. He acknowledged that paperwork can feel overwhelming but reminded business owners that they don’t have to do it all themselves. Hiring a professional payroll service like ADP can save time and hassle. Mike encourages owners to focus on running their business while experts handle the administrative side. That way, you can grow your cleaning company without getting bogged down in the details.
In summary, whether it’s creating efficient meetings, building a hiring system, or handling unexpected challenges, the key to running a successful cleaning company is staying proactive, focused, and consistent.