A day in the life of… Bill Grant, Merry Maids Inverness

Bill has been a Merry Maids franchisee since 2008

8:00 am: Arrive at the office around the same time as Ann, the operations manager. Check overnight e-mails and telephone messages and make any last-minute adjustments to the day’s schedules accordingly.

8:30 am: Return to work interviews and any other conversations required with staff. Always available for any staff questions and/or conversations. Fortnightly staff meetings also happen at this time.

9:00 am: All cleaning staff are away by this time. A quick look at the bank, pay bills, check customer accounts and discuss administrative matters with Catriona, the admin assistant, (also fortnightly visit from an external book-keeper).

9:30 am: Discuss any staffing matters with Ann, (if she’s not out cleaning), confirm schedules for the following day and identify suitable future dates for one-off spring cleans and end of tenancy cleans. Fold dried cloths and store, hang newly laundered cloths for drying.

10:00 am: Telephone any prospective client enquiries that have come in overnight and any that were not followed-up successfully the previous day. Write up new jobs on BMS.

11:00 am – 3:30 pm: Generally out and about visiting prospective clients providing quotes. Number of quotes per day can vary from just one or two to six at the most per day.

4:00 pm: Write up new jobs on BMS. Retain open-door policy to the office to allow staff returning from their day’s cleaning to come in any time for a chat. Check that day’s returned job sheets for any notes regarding customer requests. Ensure expected cash/cheque payments are in place with job sheets. Discuss the day’s events as required with Ann. Discuss any alterations that may be required to the coming day’s schedules.

5:00 pm: Ensure all cloths are loaded into washing machines. Undertake any tasks listed above that may have been missed if it has been a busy day on the road, that is four or more prospective customer quotes.

6:00 pm: Off home usually.

At a glance Merry Maids

Established: 1979
Number of franchised outlets: 40-plus
Location of units: UK coverage
Investment range: £19,995+VAT
Minimum required capital: £5,995+VAT
Contact: 0116 275 9000 or franchisesales@servicemaster.co.uk