Interesting Links

Here are a couple links on this page about the most influential business thinkers:

-- http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/13/influential-business-thinkers-leadership-thought-leaders-guru.html

Quick Upate on the Cruise:

What an incredible launch of the SMART Women Maid Rich Conference and Cruise! At one point there were orders coming in 5+ per minute. I've been meaning to update you, but its been crazy and I didn't want to pester you with too many emails. Couple of things --

I know many of you have already secured your spot, but in case you didn't catch it, many of initial incentives (first registrant gets the cruise absolutely free, the first five registrants get one free upgrade or $125 spa/shopping bucks and the first 25 registrants get the DVDs for free) - all gone! BUT, we have another great incentive that you can still get in on, and that is that if you sign up for the Conference/Cruise before October 9th then you will be invited to attend the private wine tasting on the boat with Debbie Sardone, myself, the VIPs, and our surprise guest.
And, because the rush to sign up early was such hand to hand combat that Debbie and I have decided to allow everyone who has signed up so far, and 5 more people to receive the complete DVD set ($597 value - perfect for training your team) absolutely free - Heads up - only a few spots left. Something to think about if you are sitting on the fence.

Also, we have decided to add a NEW PERK for you social bees, and here's the scoop. Invite someone who has not signed up yet to sign up for the Conference/Cruise and you will not only secure a spot for your buddy before we sell out, but you will also receive $50 value fun-bucks-goodie-pack (on board drinks, photos, spa, shopping) - AND sign up 5 people and get the fun bucks and $250 off of your own conference cruise fee. The person you refer does not have to be your roommate; those decisions are separate. And, I don't know how long we can do this for, so take advantage of it before we have to end the incentive.

We are still trying to secure more cruise rooms, but we don't know where we are at with that yet, so if you want to find out check back here or on our website: http://smartwomenmaidrich.com and we will post any updates on there about any additional spots.

Second, I forgot to mention in my previous email, but I don't know if you noticed that the starting price that we settled on for the launch of this conference is $200 less than what we had originally discussed. That launch price is going away soon, and if there are any remaining seats of the original 74 then prices will go up.

Register NOW - Easy Pay starts at $77/month

http://smarwomenmaidrich.com

Registration Opens Tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST

If you have not already signed up for a username and password on Renee's shopping cart, you can do that now, and then when registrations opens up you'll already have one! Just a quick step to being faster than anyone else.

So, go here now:

http://www.sharpchip.com/shop/

sign up for her shopping cart and THEN when registration opens at 8:00 p.m. EST you'll be ready to just REGISTER!

Can't wait, I hope you get in the first 25!

debbie

The Cruise Is Priceless

Being Part of the Club is Priceless

Renee O’brien and myself are so excited to invite you on this ladies only cruise! The power of getting entrepreneurial women together for great information, inspiration and a fantastic 4 night weekend cruise is going to be priceless.

So you have been emailing us like crazy wanting to know about all of the details:

The schedule
The ship and cruise route
The image makeover that is included for you
What benefits you will gain And most of all, the PRICE!

Well, we weren’t going to reveal the price until tomorrow when registration opens, but we made our final decision yesterday and we are going to reveal it to you today in this ten minute audio.

Click to hear details on the conference and the unbelievable price:

Get ready to register FIRST on Wednesday! Watch your email for the links to register!

A'Hoy Mates! (fe-mates?)

Okay, GREAT guessing! You now know we are holding our women's conference on a cruise ship! Can you believe it?! What fun........I can hardly wait and will be counting the days. So, what's the third piece of the puzzle?

Quick Re-cap:

Who: Renee O’Brien and Debbie SardoneWhat: Hosting a Fun, Powerful and Strategic Conference for Women in the Cleaning Industry (Owners, Spouses, Managers, Administrators and Executives)

When: Thursday, May 13 – 17, 2010 (Oh, did we let that exact date slip out?)

Where: Cruise – Originates in Miami, then onto Key West, AND then.......?????

Clue #5:

FINAL CHANCE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND LOG YOUR GUESS! WINNERS AND DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY!

log your guess now by filling out the guessing survey:

http://tinyurl.com/debbiesclues

or visit my website: http://themaidcoach.com/

or vist the SMART Women website: http://smartwomenmaidrich.com/

Bon Voyage!

Debbie

Another clue, another Chance to Win

I'm a little late posting my clue, because I'm in Hiltonhead, NC having a "girls weekend" with my sister and childhood friends! I was unable to find wi fi anywhere til now!!! So, here it is:

Clue #4

No second place winner yet…Although you are getting very close. Yes, Key West is PART of the destination.

So let’s recap:

Who: Renee O’Brien and Debbie Sardone

What: Hosting a Fun, Powerful and Strategic Conference for Women in the Cleaning Industry (Owners, Spouses, Managers, Administrators and Executives)

When: Thursday, May 13 – 17, 2010 (yes! we did we let that exact date slip out!)

Where: Key West AND ?????

So here are your the three Saturday clues, I know you can guess it from these!

Log your guesses here:

log your guess now by filling out the guessing survey:

http://tinyurl.com/debbiesclues

you can visit my website here: http://themaidcoach.com/

or vist the SMART Women website: http://smartwomenmaidrich.com/

Cheers!

debbie

Some Smart Business Owners Are Good Guessers

We Have A Winner! But, there is a 2nd Prize Available Now

She has actually guessed what we are doing and won the $100 prize. Congratulations Claudia Avery, Florida Cleaning Concepts. But, now someone can guess the rest and win the 2nd prize!!

We're having so much fun that we are going to keep going for a second place winner. Keep guessing to see if you can win a luxurious, theraputic massage from Massage Envy.

So OKAY, here's what's beend guesse CORRECTLY SO FAR by our winner, Cladia Avery (obviously a SMART Woman indeed!):

Who: Debbie Sardone AND Renee O’Brien
What: Hosting a Fun, Powerful and Strategic Conference for Women Executives in the Cleaning Industry (Female Owners, CEOs, Presidents, Top Managers, Administrators, Executives)
When: Thursday, May 13 – 17, 2010 (Oooops, did we let that exact date slip out?--oh well!)
Where: ????

So, you "guys" are good! I've read some great guesses so far.....one was so close I thought maybe they've been wire tapping my phones! The responses I've been getting to our "clue excursion" has been phenomenal. I am getting so excited I'm afraid to answer my phone lest I accidentally let the rest of the details slip out. So, here is another clue to help you come up with the rest of the specifics for the 2nd place prize winner:

CLUE #3:


This will be the only clue posted today, so for those of you who said you've been chained to your computer, checking your email every five minutes so you can be the first to guess, take a deep breath, think about these photos and log your guess now by filling out the guessing survey:

http://tinyurl.com/debbiesclues

or visit my website: http://themaidcoach.com/ or vist the SMART Women website:

http://smartwomenmaidrich.com/

Guess today, and then check again tomorrow for another clue! Only Saturday and Sunday for clues and the the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT will be made on Monday!

Here are just some of the guesses that have come in that DO NOT have location correct. A little more hints… not in Seattle, not in Dallas, not in Seattle and Dallas at the same time, not on the internet, not in Las Vegas, not in Chicago, not in Alaska – but these are some great guesses.Here is just a handful of the dozens of SMART guesses you have given:

"Fun Seminars, Debbie Sardone and Renee O'Brien in May 2010 in Seattle, Washington" – You are right that we definitely will be including lots of fun.

"Paris" (I wish! We should have talked to you before hand!)

"You two are planning a weekend conference, I'm guessing May 8th and 9th?? 2010 in Seattle hosted by Debbie and Renee to teach us cleaning service owners how to get profitable -- even maybe RICH! and have more personal time... and I am SOOOO READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You GOTTA count me in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs!" – We feel so energized from your comments!

"It's called Smart Women Maid Rich, hosted by Renee O'Brien and Debbie Sardone, it is in May of 2010 and it will be in Vegas (between Washington and Texas)." – We’ll have to lose our pocketbooks another year.

"Educational Seminar - Women in the Cleaning Business - Having It All - Hosted by Debbie & Renee in May, 2010 in Seattle WOOOOOOO WHOOOOOO" – No not Seattle, but YES bring your enthusiasm!Presenting a new maid cleaning service franchise Smart women hosting in Seattle in May 2010 – Interesting….got us……maybe we can launch another business…….uh, no.

"Work/Life Balance with Renee O’Brien and Debbie Sardone" – The speaker part and the Work and Life in Balance is 100% right, in addition to Sales Skills, Communication Skills, Conflict Management, Leadership Skills and a heck of a lot of FUN!

"May 2010; women in leadership roles, women learning to become leaders and wealthy through advanced systems, proven techniques and bartering. Who? Only the absolute best mentors in the whole world Renee and Debbie" – LOVE the comments!!!!

"You two are joining forces and developing an INCREDIBLE (COULD IT BE ANYTHING ELSE????) seminar for women in the cleaning industry" – Oh boy, now we are starting to blush. It’s this great group of women that will really make this event!

"Oh man, I've sooo got it! You're holding the weekend conference at the Seattle Aquarium!!!!!!!! Fish, right? Ha! Such a wicked clue I couldn't go to sleep!" – That would have been cool, but Seattle in May is a little cold. Oops, I did it again, let it slip.

Funny Comments This is going to be a fun group, some of these comments are too funny!--At the fish market, with the theme
F females
I intending to be
S super
H humans

A Man

What does it need? A Location One of the male respondents was super smart and understood that this event, though geared toward women involves him because he likely has women in his business that can benefit from this. When asked what this event must have to be complete he said: "Estrogen and a venue."

All great ideas that we may incorporate!

Someone else thought: “You are going to teach us how to have it all: riches, balance in life and business and how to make it fun for us and our employees. The theme will be based on the book FISH which will help us to transform a “toxic energy dump” (every company has one) into a workplace that adds value, productivity and profit to the company, thereby creating happier workers, employers, and customers!" to quote a review of the book which I LOVED. When we closed our (old business) we watched this video and handed out the book. IT WORKS I JUST HAVE TO BE REMINDED AND RE-ENERGIZED WHICH WOULD HAPPEN JUST BY BEING NEAR THE TWO OF YOU!!!!! :-) “– WOW what a great idea and flattering comment. We hadn’t planned on using that book, but it is a great idea!!! And, of course with the FISH clue we should have thought of it.

Massages – Now you’ve got me giving away more secrets. Yes there will definitely be a possibility of massages.

Lots of great food – You bet! And, we might as well let it out that our conference will include several dinners and some entertainment that will all be part of your conference ticket!!

A Glass of Wine – Wouldn’t miss it!


Cheers!

Debbie

http://themaidcoach.com/

Clue #2: Okay, the cat is out of the bag, and people have guessed that we are holding a Women's Conference! But no one has guessed the details. Keep trying! Listen to this phone call I placed to Renee and grab that second clue!

Take a stab at another guess, log your guess here (you can't win if you don't try! Take a stab at it!) http://tinyurl.com/Debbies2ndClue


Take care and look for more clues tomorrow!

http://themaidcoach.com/

Secrets in Seattle & Dallas

CLUE #1 - I am planning a huge SURPRISE evnet with industry consultant Renee O'Brien that will knock your socks off! We are releasing clues a little at a time until someone guesses this weekend! A check for $100 will go to the person who guesses the details of what, when, where! Some are close but still have not guessed. Keep guessing and keeping checking this blog as more clues are coming daily!

Debbie's Big Secret To Be Revealed Soon!

Debbie's BIG SECRET Contest

I am soooooo excited about THE BIG SECRET that I told some of my friends about on my call Monday.

I am going to start off small with a contest for the first person to guess the entire secret of "Who, What, Where, and When" for THE BIG SECRET. Over the next few days you will receive Clues and the first person to guess "Who, What, Where, and When" accurately will win a check for $100.00. .. And, that is just for starters.

After the person with the winning guess is released you will remain on the Preferred Notice List so that you have a chance at over $1895 in free items and early bird notice of discounts. All I can say right now is that the BIG SECRET is really big, and expected to SELL OUT so to speak. No purchase is necessary to make guesses, of course. So, watch your email over the next 7 days for some real excitement!!!!! Click HERE for your first clue Video or copy paste this url into your browser: http://smartwomenmaidrich.com/ Enter your guesses of "Who, What, Where, and When" for the BIG SECRET and you can make one guess a day over the next few days. Contest ends Monday, 9/28/09 at 7:00 am EST or when the first person guesses the correct answer.

Stayed tuned for more!

More soon!

Another Cleaning Service is In The News

I am so proud of Shawn Day of Professional House Cleaning Services, of Chester Township in Northeast Ohio. He has helped over 50 women received free housecleaning through our program. Shawn was also the recipient of the prestigious Remembrance Award at our 2008 Cleaning For A Reason Partner Recognition Program. That award is for providing the most free cleanings in a year!here is the news clip:

http://tinyurl.com/C4R-ShawnDay

I am so proud of all of these companies! Here's a list of all 440 something!

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/maidservice.php

Twitter Case Studies

My son has been teaching me how to use Twitter and I've been trying to learn more and stay up on the latest technologies, especially as it relates to spreading my brand, spreading my message, and keeping in touch with clients. Twitter can even play a role in the usually unchanging communications and marketing of a cleaning service. Just because we're cleaning services, brick and mortar, mops and brooms, doesn't mean we have to stay 10 years behind everyone else. I know maid service owners who still do not use email in their business, and I know some who don't have a website yet.

I want to be a sponge (no pun intended) and soak up all the training, new techniques, marketing trends, and business tips I can get. If we're not learning and growing, we're shrinking and getting dumber! Technology will leave us behind if we don't stay up on it. That doesn't mean we need to spend money and waste time on every single new trend or technology, but the opposite is usually the case. The cleaning industry tends to be 10 steps behind the times no matter what. It helps if you like tinkering with technology as I do, but if you don't, it's important that you keep up with what's changing and how you can utilize free and cheap technology to grow your business, spread your brand, and nurture your clients.

A good friend and colleague, Rhonda Shuker or Dynamic Maids sent me this great little Twitter Case Studies eBook. I found it pretty informative and thought I'd pass it along:

Twitter Case Studies

I've used Twitter to notify people in my demographic area when we have some last minute deals on openings for cleaning, and I've used Twitter to notify those followers of the latest exciting things that are happening with Cleaning For A Reason. I used Twitter to instantly post a picture of me sitting in the Texas senate gallery when we were receiving a proclamation on behalf of Cleaning For A Reason. It's fast, easy, fun, and most of all an amazing way to stay connected to clients and colleagues. I know most people will use Twitter socially, but I think a blend of fun, personal, and business is a great way to benefit from this medium. Go over board in any direction and I think it loses it's effect if you are hoping it will have some business value. But, if your primary audience is business, not social, then do share your special offers to your exclusive group of Twitter followers and train them to expect great deals from your tweets.

My son-in-law, and UT Professor, John Jones is an expert at Twitter and all forms of online social and business communications. He was recently interviewed on FoxNews in Austin about "Social Networking Etiquette". I'm proud of him for getting FREE PUBLICITY, of course, but also for doing such a good job on the interview. I just had to share this with my friends:

Social Networking Etiquette Interview

Whether you Tweet, blog, Facebook, or all of these and more, it's important that you monitor ROTI (Return On Time Investment). If you you are wasting endless amounts of time on something that doesn't produce some value, don't do it just because everyone else is. Instead, find ways to make those mediums produce some results. Blogging improves your organic search results, Facebook is a great tool for keeping current information out there--information that you want the public to have (hopefully), and can even be used as a business website if you need one fast, easy, and free.

Don't be left out of technology. Have fun with it, and constantly think of how you can creatively turn these modern communications into tools for growing your maid service, touching your prospects, and nurturing your existing clients! Have fun! Oh, and I hope you'll follow ME on Twitter!

Pelicans Dive Bombing For Fish

Okay, I finally got a good clip of the pelicans diving for fish:

Writing My Book On Barter

I'm not working too hard, but I am blogging and video blogging from Bolongo Bay St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). My entire vacation, six nights in one of the 10 most beautiful places to stay in the Virgin Islands, our meals, and last night's sunset cruise are all paid for with 100% BARTER! And to demonstrate the power of barter (and to be able to legitimately write off this trip as a real business expense) I am working on my book, "Barter Is A Guaranteed Sale!" and recording the promotional videos on location. This setting would inspire anyone, but experiencing all of this without writing a check or putting it on my credit card is the ultimate icing on the cake. If you own a business it's really smart in a tough economy, and it's easy and fun (most of the time--my book will help you navigate the not-so-fun parts).

As I type, I am sitting on the beach, not 25 feet from the water, connected wirelessly to all my friends and family via WiFi and Dell. I'm listening to Jars of Clay (thank you Stephan :) on my iPod, typing on my blogger page and peeking over my laptop screen to watch huge pelican's dive bomb into the water for fish! (I'm trying to capture that on video, if I do, I'll post it)

Steve is out at sea, scuba diving an old ship wreck. I'll snorkel later, but I don't scuba dive (I got the bends--is that how it's spelled?--years ago on my first dive and it took more than three years for my joints to stop aching--no thank you!)

More later, I promise!

Debbie

Speed Cleaning For The Pros

My good friend Jeff Campbell and I just completed the cleaning industry's first ever SPEED CLEANING FOR THE PROS Conference in Dallas, Texas. Maid Service owners from all over the country came to Texas to learn how they can speed up their teams, improve productivity, and increase net profits WITHOUT sacrificing quality and excellence. Let's face it, employee training has been under emphasized in a lot maid services. And of the ones I've consulted with they’ve shared a deep frustration over pitiful profits. All too often there is no formalized training program in place. If you've got the "Marylou-can-you-take-the new-girl-today" type of "training" program going on in your business, you are probably ready to pull out your hair, throw in the towel (he he, no pun intended), or implement change—fast!

The Speed Cleaning For The Pros Conference was a huge success because maid service owners are looking for ways to improve their bottom line. In this economy you can't waste payroll on inefficiency. You'll never realize the profits you deserve if your cleaners are doing half the work in double the time.

Here's what some of the event's attendees had to say about our conference:

My cleaning business of 16 years was in a stalemate. I needed to grow it but had no idea what to do first! Attending the Speed Cleaning Conference made a world of difference for me. It gave me motivation to get my employees trained and motivated on how to perform virtually flawlessly! It will be so much faster now to get through these cleanings and make room for even more! Definitely worth my time and money to attend the Speed Cleaning for the Pros conference!
ET from Indiana

Ever since I have returned from Dallas, I have been so busy that I have not even gotten a chance to send a thank you card (sorry Debbie and Jeff - there coming!!). My company is completely changing the way it operates. Since we have implemented the new system, we have been getting compliments - not complaints!! Thank you so much. I highly recommend it - it is so helpful and so educational.
AB from Connecticut

I have been very busy since we returned putting everything together that we learned. i know it will take a little time because we learned so much. Penny & myself have not stopped since we returned not just because we learned so much, but also because both of you opened our eyes to a whole new world of cleaning. Thank you so very much.
RL from Maryland

What a wonderful conference! Just phenomenal! I came home BURSTING with new ideas. I just wish I had eight arms so I could implement everything at once! Everything I learned will definitely speed up my staff, increase my profits and make 2009 my best year ever! I wouldn't have missed this event for the world, and it was so much fun. The info Debbie and Jeff gave us on the topic of estimating obviously just sank in while I was there and it came out naturally for me at the estimate. I had no problem closing the sale at the rate I wanted, it was easier than before I went to Texas! WOW, immediate improvements! Talk about instant return on investment! Thank you both!
RS from Canada

Here are five things you can do now to speed up your teams and improve profits right away:

1. Buy the book Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell: http://www.thecleanteamcatalog.com/
2. Purchase the aprons described in the book and require that the book, the speed cleaning system, and the aprons become a part of your company’s training.
3. Make training a 5 day program, with specific details about what should be covered each and every day. Do not cut training short just because you are short-handed
4. Create a 5-day check list of everything that needs to be covered during the week (like how to greet the customer, how to handle pets, cell phone use, what to do if you break something, where to start in the house, what products are used and how each product functions, etc.) Check the list items off as they are covered to insure everything important to you is covered in training.
5. Create a daily “pass or fail” sheet for the trainee that helps the Training Manager measure intangibles like: punctuality, attitude, appearance, speed, quality

If you’d like even more help with your cleaning business training program you’ll find a wealth of business changing information in the DVDs from our Speed Cleaning For The Pros Conference. They are on sale now for a special pre-release price!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.themaidcoach.com/speed

Modern Bride Magazine Mentions My Consulting!

Wow, I've been way too busy because I didn't realize I'd let so much time lapse between blogs! I've got to turn over a new leaf and keep my blogging promises and get back to blogging at least monthly, but ideally more often.

I am really excited about the mention I received in Modern Bridge April / May 2009 edition that just came out. As a business consultant, nothing can be better than free, national exposure! And to top it off, the concept of MAID SERVICE gift cards was mentioned in the article as well. Let me back up a little and bring you up to speed. I have a workshop I offer called "Barter Is A Guaranteed Sale" and another workshop called "How To Get Free Publicity". Modern Bride Magazine just helped elevate both of those concepts for me when they published an article entitled "Have It All But Spend Less!" by Elizabeth Larsen. Elizabeth is on the staff of Modern Bride and found my business blogs about barter. She interviewed me and the recent article is the result of that interview. Pretty sweet!

In my business workshops to maid service owners I teach residential cleaning businesses how to use barter to get business and personal services you might not otherwise be able to afford, especiall marketing. My concept of spend your trade and save your cash is the basis for my workshops on business bartering. I got to practice what I preach last summer when my daughter Amy got married. I blogged about using my maid service gift cards and services to barter for limousine service, flowers, the cake, a photobooth, and the photographer. The writer for Modern Bride picked up my blog and interviewed me for the article she was writing. That's amazing, free, national publicity from one article! Whew-hooo!

Now, you don't have to be a business coach to benefit from free publicity. You just have to be on the look out for every opportunity you can create to get you name, your brand, and your service out into the public and especially the internet. You can do this for your maid service the same way I have for my maid service and my maid service consulting business.

If you'd like to learn more about how to create free publicity and how to barter your services, you can can check out my audio CDs and start saving money like crazy, and generating free publicity for your company. Learn More......

To read the full article on barter click here: Modern Bride Barter Article

my mention is on the last page, last column.