Finally after months of advertising, networking and visiting potential clients, you get one opportunity to quote a job. The customer is interested to get your price, however your quote is being compared with another company. That’s right, you got competition. The good news to all of this, you finally gained some interest after knocking on so many doors. The downside is that you have 50/50 chance of landing the contracting.

The worst that can happen, is that the potential customer says No. And the best that could happen, is that the customer agrees to go ahead with your cleaning service versus the cleaning service of your competitor.

When you are up against a competitor on a job bid, your enthusiasm has just been shot. At least slightly. What looked so promising, now looks like a long shot.

Probably you are wondering that when your’re the only one bidding you are the only one that can win. And I wouldn’t disagree with you. The odds are significantly better. However, there is no reason to run for the hills.

Perhaps you can turn this situation into a favorable situation towrds your cleaning service.

Confidence is key.

This is the key that unlocks your success. Even if you’re a total newbie, you still want to portray confidence.Come prepared, dressed accordingly and even possibly with a little gift to the potential client.

Next I ensure to ask a solid question. A question to make myself stand out.

Here is a suggestion: Where do you keep the MSDS binder?

If you’re unsure what a MSDS binder is, it’s essentially a binder that contains all the healthy and safety documents. In Canada, most small cleaning locations don’t ask for one, however once you get into bigger locations, their healthy and safety department will sure ask you one. So, why not provide a Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all of your jobs.

Set your self apart.

Asking solid questions like that one  above and the manager performing the walk-through will start to see a clear favorite forming. You!

At the end of the day you want to make yourself stand out as much as possible. Make it easy for the manager who is responsible for hiring the cleaning company to choose you. Be light to lift as they say and reap the benefits of it with increased business.