Green, Lean, and Clean

Thinking Like an Owner

2011-11-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

It's an abstract way of thinking, yes. I will say that. How does one think like an owner? Are you born a leader? Do you achieve it? Can you learn it? I don't know yet. Will I? No clue. Big questions, no answers.

When I signed on with Budget as a formal employee/partner, I...well. Let's not sugarcoat it. I didn't know what the flying flapping flip I was doing. No clue. I knew how to clean toilets, and dust surfaces. That's it. I had no idea what goes into running a business. I knew it wasn't easy, but I didn't know it was this hard.

Everyone has had a job at least once in there life. Well, in most circumstances. Anyway, you may be used to doin' your thing, getting a paycheck, and then going home. Anything outside of your duties fell into a place where you simply didn't have to worry about them. Now that I am on the side that gives out paychecks, I can really see what an owner goes though.

We've had ups. We've had downs. When a company is failing (we're not, but hear me out), employees typically jump ship. Hell, I would have. Now, I see the value in sticking around. Working for it. Not just giving up and moving on to the next venture. There are things that need to be done, and they need to be done well.

Recently, very recently as a matter of fact, I've really started to think like an owner. Hell, I should right? This place will be mine someday. I watch my parents struggle, I watch the employees struggle, and I watch both og these parties rise up above the everyday shit of running a business and stay aloft on success. I still have a lot to learn, but you can be certian that I'll learn it all.

And Ill KEEP learning.

What about you? Do you think like an owner? Are you going to take on a business someday? Let me know.

Expansion

2011-09-30T11:04:00.000-04:00

     Logical progression of business typically indicates expansion. It's an interesting thing, expansion. From a business standpoint, looking at nothing but profit? It's attractive. Alluring, even. But what is the real cost? A scary endeavor. Budget has just expanded. We now service more areas, but it is a scary thing. Most people see an expansion as signs of a business doing well. And it is, but what some fail to see is how costly an expansion can be, especially if it is done incorrectly.
     Sometimes, I've seen it as a last resort. A way to attract more customers to a failing enterprise. It always seemed stale to me, futile. So this begs the question, are we expanding (or you, for that matter) because we want more business and are doing well, or are we simply fooling ourselves?
     Doubt is an ugly thing. That's why I don't have it. Well, I do. I was just trying to sound dramatic. But as far as Budget is concerned, I make my decisions carefully. But I make them. And I stick to them. So I guess I'll find out the answer when business starts picking up in different areas if I'm kidding myself, or I'm moving forward into greater things. What about you? Ever expand? Ever have trepidations about expansion? Leave a comment.

Holidays...Good and Bad?

2011-09-06T09:35:00.000-04:00

      Three day weekends are a special thing. They really are. The passing holiday this month marked a whole host of things, all the way from a new season, to students returning to school. Some businesses take the 5th off, some do not. Budget did. I understand that some businesses choose not to. Hell, it's an entire day of business that gets missed- profits, phone calls, e-mails, it all goes to the wayside to the next day. But what's more important? A day off, or a day on?
     Many would argue that a day on would be better. You get those missed profits, you get those important calls and e-mails. But, what's the true cost? My last entry warned readers about working on your business opposed to in it. And that still holds true, but as humans, we need breaks. Even the most dedicated workaholics need to stop. The brain must rest, the body must rest. It's important to a business' health to make sure its employees are refreshed and ready.
     Too many make the mistake of working themselves into the dirt just to get a little bit ahead. Just to get a little bit of an edge. And these is NOTHING wrong with wanting to do a good job, and wanting to work hard. But you must realize. If you have a good work ethic and are working hard without rest, your work quality will eventually slip. It's human nature. We're all mortal, after all. We need to eat, sleep, drink. If we ignore these basic things, everything else suffers.
     So the whole purpose of this entry was to make one point, one point and one point only. Taking a break can sometimes be more important to the longevity of your business and yourself. Remember that. We can all only go for so long until we start to unravel.

Work On your Business. Not in It.

2011-08-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

     I heard this phrase from a colleague recently, and how true it really is. If you're an owner, or soon-to-be owner, this is exactly what you should be doing. I cannot stress that enough. Here's why.
     I have seen many men and women, owners/operators mind you, that do nothing but work. Nothing but. It's insane. 65-80 hour weeks. I also realize that time have changed, and more work needs to be done by fewer people. However, there must be time for being a person. You can love your career, but if it is all you have, then you have nothing.
     Some have told me this is a bold claim. But hear me out. Passions, interests, whatever you want to call them, drive human beings. You can't deny it. Work can only satisfy these needs partially. There must be a phase,m or a piece of your life outside of the daily grind to make you whole. And there are only 24 hours in the day, don't forget. If someone tells me, "I don't have time to X" they are basically telling me that they work 24 hours a day. No sleeping. No eating. No drinking. Impossible.
     It's up to you to decide what you are doing outside of work. You must look at it like your project. You cannot be an employee when you own a business. You cannot only work. You will come to resent your career, and where there was passion and love for your job, mediocrity and malice will seep in.
     The phrase I mentioned earlier is two fold. Be something outside of your job, and see your business as something you can improve. Not just work in mindlessly until you die. Your business is only as good as the people that work on it. How will you improve your business today? What have you been putting off? Let's talk about it.

Not My Job

2011-08-19T09:34:00.000-04:00

     I hate that phrase. Not my job. You know that? How can anyone be "above" someone else's job? Sure there are exceptions, like being unable to do a certain piece of work, or being untrained, or sick. But, if there is no-one to say...clean an office. It has to get done.
     Why can't everyone just band together and do it? Some people may think I have a pretty sweet gig because my parents are my bosses. I love what I do, don't get me wrong. However, I do get my hands dirty when the time comes. I still do carpet cleanings. I do laundry. I fold rags. I shovel snow. I repair vacuum cleaners. Hell, if need be? I'd clean accounts.
     And I'm a salaried manager, which some people think entitles them to being immune to all sorts of labor that is not directly in their job description. How ignorant. Of course there are exceptions, and I trust each of you to be smart enough to recognize them.
     But, the next time you want to say, "not my job", think about the context. Is it really not your job? Or are you just be lazy? What are some experiences you have had? What do you think? Lemmie know.

Expansion

2011-08-15T08:56:00.000-04:00

     Okay, so Budget is looking to expand its carpet cleaning and commercial cleaning accounts into Bergen County, New Jersey. No, now wait- this isn't an advertisement. I'm not gonna do that on this blog. This is a...collection? Shall we say? Of my thoughts and worries.
     It's exciting, I will say that. Starting up in a new place, meeting new people, gaining new clients, new money. The rewards are great, but there is always the thought- will this work? Can we do it right now? Will we find clients? Will we find too many clients? And let's not forget about (wo)manpower. There's a lot to do here, but I'm ready for it. Expansion is typically a logical step towards the total financial health of a company. But, like most endeavors, high reward means high risk.
     I personally have never done, or even been involved in anything like this, and its is equal parts scary and exhilarating. There was a time in my life where something so...unpredictable would have been unthinkable to even plan, rather than commit to. But. Thousands upon thousands of people do this every day in their own business, so why can't I? There is no reason. I can.
     So I pose this question to you- ever expanded your business? Been part of an expansion? I'd like to chat about this. Leave a comment, and we'll get to gabbin'.

Son of Owners

2011-07-21T10:11:00.000-04:00

Hello again.

     As you may, or may not know, I stand to inherit B.H.O.C. when my parents retire. A great opportunity, true, but I wanted to discuss the whole...prospect of being an owner's son. You see, many believe that when a child inherits a business, they are just handed an empire and then they can ride the coat tails of their parent's achievements and let core staff members basically run the whole thing behind the curtain. This, however, is not the chase with me.
     Working at Budget has been some of the most exciting and challenging times in my life, and I earn every paycheck that I get. I'm not bragging, but just giving insight to a situation that many have become jaded, or even hostile, to.
     Then there is the insecurity that I have to deal with. Sometimes, when I'm off my game, I ask myself, "are they keeping me because I'm blood?" "Are they paying me extra because I'm their son?" Doubt, confidence, reassurance, denial, all these worries and opportunities, and ideas slam around in my head, and it's my job to sort them all out and still do my job.
     I have to prove myself. I have to work hard. And I want to, and I do! But, I will always have the stigma attached to me that I am an owner's son, and some may still believe that I'm a spoiled brat drafting behind the success of a business my parents built.
     What do you think about this issue? Are any of you owner's children? How do you feel? Let me know, I'd be interested to hear.

Until next time then.

We Are Back!

2011-07-13T09:33:00.000-04:00

Okay, here's the deal.

I have tried to make a traditional cleaning service blog, but I bored the Hell out of myself and probably most of you. So. I've decided to do this thing the way I want to. And that is going do be my musings on being the inheritor of a company, as well as my views on the environment and the world. But, of course, I will be offering tips and answering questions on cleaning as well.

We've been doing a lot of new things at Budget, like opening our own carpet cleaning branch. Also, we're looking to expand into floor stripping and waxing. I will be providing tips and advice in my area of expertise, but it is going to be a lot more than that.

I don't want a traditional company blog. They're boring, and they make me cry inside. I want a blog that has REAL discussions and thoughts, real people sharing ideas, and real people telling me what they think (if you're going to make stupid comments, like spam or racial slurs and the like I'll delete them).

Budget Home and Office Cleaning is a family business that cares about people and the environment. We try to help people, and we listen to them. But we don't always get to have a dialogue with the public, or our customers. So, this is what this blog will be for.

Check out my Twitter feeds, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I post news articles almost every day. I want to spark discussions, I want people to talk. I want this blog to be more than just some guy on one end of the Internet spouting facts into the great abyss that is the web. I want to connect, help, and talk with real people.

So don't be a stranger. Leave some comments, post a tweet, go online and get involved! Ask questions. If you like what I say, tell me. If you don't, tell me anyway. Everyone deserves to be heard, and I want to be the person that listens.

I'll be talking to you all soon.

Green Cleaning Goods --- Part 2

2010-12-16T10:07:00.000-05:00

Hello again! If you read my previous blog, this is part two of my Odyssey through the green cleaning product world, the third part is me delivering results on the methods I have tried. Just in case you have NO clue what I'm talking about, I'm trying out some green cleaning tips from this website. I ended with number five last time, so we'll start at, you guessed it, number six. The tips says to...

Add baking soda to water for a good cleaner safe for counter tops.

Miracle Soda

I have used this, and I enjoy it. A lot.

Pros: It's cheap, the solution is easy to make, and with a little elbow grease and determination, it works quite well. And, you can use it in certain baked goods. And, AND! It's non-toxic. How can you beat that?

Cons: It doesn't disinfect. If you use a simple solution of baking soda and water, you can clean with it, but you can't disinfect with it. If you want that, you gotta add a disinfection agent. A prime example? Vinegar. Just be careful when you mix it with baking soda.

Alright, onto tip number seven. Go green by getting green. Houseplants. Certain houseplants have the power to freshen the air in your home simply by existing. I have houseplants, and let me tell you...

English Ivy

Pros:...they work. The only time I really noticed it was being in my home without them, and then getting the plants. It was a subtle difference, but quite palatable once you recognize it. It was like an...a ha! moment.

Cons: Maintenance, cost, and space to put the plants. The plant won't do it's lovely job if you kill it through neglect. It's a living thing that needs to be fed, watered, and paid attention to. Some houseplants can get a little costly, too.

Alright, onto the next tip, and that would be tip eight. Vinegar (really?) with water. Wow. SOOOOO hard to make. Use it to make your windows gleam with the light of a thousand sons. Okay, yeah I'm exaggerating, but I can so I am. Anyway, the site tells you how to make a simple solution to clean your windows, and wipe them clean with newsprint. I have used the solution, but I gotta try the newsprint. I'll still do a pros and cons, though. Obligatory picture:

Hopefully you don't have these windows...

Pros: Vinegar and water is SO easy to make, it it works like a charm. However, the newsprint trick I cannot confirm first hand, but I have heard that it works quite well on glass surfaces, but not all surfaces. You gotta test it out.

Cons: Uh, the smell of vinegar? Only one I can spot so far. I'll try the newsprint thing and see what "clears up"! Hey, I'm laughing and that's all that counts!

Comin' to the finish line. Tip number nine. Preventing mold and mildew with a special solution that includes tea tree oil. Never even tried this, and I think I would like to. I can't list any pros and cons with this because I've never used it. However, I can say that prevention is the key to eliminate mold and mildew while staying green. I have never used a green cleaning product that kills mold or mildew. If you know of one, PLEASE contact me. Here's a pretty picture anyway.

You and I have a date, little plant.

Last, but not least, tip number ten. Disinfect and scrub your kingdom's throne with baking soda and vinegar. I have never done this, believe it or not. I've been looking for a mild abrasive and disinfectant for my bowl for quite some time now, and honestly? I have No idea why this didn't cross my mind. This is something I will try, you can count on it. For your pleasure, I've included a picture of a toilet.

Well. That's terrifying.

Okay, that about does it for this blog. I have a lot of things to try, and I am not ashamed to say that I am looking forward to it. Yes, I am looking forward to cleaning. I'll hit you guys up later with my results. If I don't talk to you before then, have a fantastic Holiday season. Thanks for reading!

Baking soda picture found here.

English Ivy picture found here.

Windows picture found here.

Tea Tree picture found here.

Toilet picture found here.

Green Cleaning Goods---Can they Walk the Walk?

2010-12-01T09:24:00.001-05:00

I know you hear me prattle on about green cleaning all the time and how awesome it is, but I've decided to by my money right where it belongs. I've tried numerous green cleaning methods, but I want to test them out for all of you, and chart my progress. I've picked a site at random with some cleaning tips. Some tips I recognize, and some I don't. The website I chose, which is this one, lists several green cleaning techniques. I'm going to break this blog up into two sections. First, I'm going to talk about the ones I have already tried. Second, I'm going to talk about the ones that I will try, and how well they really work (we'll start with 5 tips today).

If you look at the list, the first one tip is hanging clothes outside to dry.

Pros:
Oh yes, I've tried this one out. It's terrific. Not only does it save electricity, therefore saving money, it gets you outside during the warm weather, feeling the sun and the breeze. And the smell? You can't beat it. It's a classic, homey type of clean that you can't duplicate.

Cons:
Weather. You guessed it, weather. Your clothes are at the mercy of the elements, so often you must do your laundry in accordance with mother nature. To each his own, really. I still think it's worth it.

Second on the list is regular maintenance of wood furniture and polishing. Now, as for polishing, I know a little goes a long way. However, furniture polish isn't exactly greentacular. They mention butcher's wax, which I have never tried, but regular maintenance of dust I have. Let's break it down.

Pros:
Although I cannot speak for the butcher's wax (which I would like to try), I can say that just wiping down furniture using the method the site lists is very effective, especially if you keep up with it. Dust is light, and if it doesn't get away from you, it surrenders with little fight.

Cons:
The whole "regular maintenance" thing can sometimes give people trouble, especially if their lives are already busy. Some people simply don't have the time to constantly dust, but you ca save yourself a big job in the end if you just tough it out and stay current.

Tip number three- using borax and water to bring stains to their knees.

This one I have never tried, and I would like to find out how well it works. I've never even used borax, so I decided to read up on it. I found this site, which might be useful. It lists all sorts of important info on borax. This is one I will definitely try, but I can't list any pros and cons yet.

Okay, on to number four. Table salt to remove food stains from an oven. I love using salt as a cleaning agent. It works like a charm, and I'll tell you why in a moment.

Pros:
Sodium chloride, or table salt, has a unique shape, as seen above. It works as an abrasive, like bleach-based power cleaners, but is no where near as toxic or damaging. It works really well on most surfaces, acting in place of harsher, odious abrasive cleaners. And, it's a lot cheaper. And, you can sprinkle it on bland food. Can't do that with a bleach cleanser (please don't try for the love of God). Here's a website I found with even more uses for salt.

Cons:
It is an abrasive. Make sure the surface you're using on can handle the usage of abrasives, even one as mild as salt. Test it on an innocuous place first.

Okay, last but not least, number five. Using water, vinegar, and soap to clean floors. I have used this technique myself, and it works quite well. However, I want to warn you of something in the cons section first. Here's the obligatory picture:

Pros:
Honestly? Vinegar does wonders on almost any surface. White distilled, that is. It's a fantastic cleaner, and when you pair it with baking soda? It's good news for you and bad news for dirt. When I tried this method, it worked like a charm on my linoleum kitchen floor.

Cons:
The soap. Not what the soap does, what it's made out of. By all means, use soap as directed in the website. However, buy non-phosphate soap. According to some quick research at this website, phosphates royally mess with ecosystems when flushed into water. Phosphates just make soap work better, but I have made the switch to phosphate free soap in my dishwasher, and I've noticed no negative change in the job it does. I use this soap, and it works quite well:

Okay, I think that's enough for now. I am definitely going to try out borax, and see how well it does in replacing bleach abrasive cleaners. When I get a change, I'll let you know of my green cleaning adventures, and the treasures they shall surely bring. Until next time!

Laundry photo obtained from this site.

Table photo obtained from this site.

Borax photo obtained from this site.

Salt photo obtained from this site.

Mop photo obtained from this site.

Soap photo obtained from this site.

Disturbing Environmental News

2010-11-30T08:28:00.000-05:00

Earth is a point of supreme controversy. I post articles about it on my Twitter account all the time. Think about it, it really is. Some believe in climate change, some are bound by facts to believe in climate change, some deny it, some look at the facts as propaganda, you name it. Humans will disagree about anything just to prove each other right or wrong. There is no real winner here. Treating the planet better should be the main objective, not proving anything anymore. People that arent' interested in helping the environment won't. Period. Facts won't convince them. Screaming won't convince them, threats, you name it. Instead of focusing on who's right and who's wrong, why not just help the environment if you believe in helping it? Don't waste your time trying to prove others right, others wrong, no. Just...do. When an oil spill can do this:

Why are we debating over who's at fault? Just clean the damn bird, worry about the politics later. The more action we take, the more answers we get, and eventually those responsible will be brought to justice. When climate change can do this:

Why are we debating if it's true or not? Rally the people that do care, and get something done. One voice is pointless in a big crowd, but when you spread the word, and entire crowd and all start saying the same thing. When logging companies do this:

Why are we wasting time blaming and crying outrage? PLANT and stop them. Complaining does nothing, doing does...well everything. I help the planet every day. Everyday. I recycle a lot more than I ever have, I am more mindful of the plastics that I use, I conserve fuel and I have a hybrid car, I use phosphate free soaps and green seal cleaning products, I shut off lights, I pick up litter, blah blah BLAH. Every one of you can do something. Simple, stupid little things that don't mean much if only one person is doing it, but imagine the power of 1,000 people following suit. 10,000. 1,000,000. 1,000,000,000? Doing the right thing can be scary, or even difficult, but once someone starts it becomes contagious. Why don't you try spreading the bug? Think about it.

Bird in Oil spill picture obtained from here.

Polar Bear picture obtained from here.

Deforestation picture obtained from here.

Beginning to Repair the Environment

2010-11-08T14:19:00.000-05:00

Can we repair our environment? Yes, according to the new plan out of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Dubbed the "Aichi Target", this initiative will target (taken directly from the article):

* to reduce by at least 50 per cent the rate of loss of natural habitats, including forests
* to designate at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and at least 10 per cent of marine coastal and marine areas as protected;

* to restore at least 15 per cent of degraded areas; and

* to make special efforts to reduce the pressures faced by coral reefs.

     Ambitious, indeed. These are merely four of the twenty objectives. The World Wildlife Federation seemed pretty happy with the plan, but I'm...skeptical. I've heard this type of thing before, and I am speaking from quite the jaded? Shall we say? Angle. Mostly, it's the governments that were involved. I just...I'm apprehensive about this. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely am all for repairing the environment, but when government intervenes sometimes? It can get messy, plainly put. And I'm worried.
     There are MANY things about our environment that needs addressing, but I don't know how, or who to go about it as for now. What is the best method? Is this the best method? Should it be private? Public? Tax-funded? Out of pocket? I don't know! I simply don't know, and that uncertainty is alarming.
     I may be being too dramatic. I may be right. I may be wrong, I don't know. I read the article, but I'm at a loss for an opinion, or any insight. What do you think, reader? What’s the best way to fix our hurtin' environment?
     Think about it, and get back to me.

A Malaysian delegate leaves a room while holding a compromise text proposed by host nation Japan during the UN Convention on Biodiversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

1/1

Easy Ways to Help a Hurtin' Environment

2010-10-26T13:27:00.008-04:00

Well, I just learned something absolutely terrifying. If you...didn't read my title. We all know that global warming is a big problem. Not a backburner kinda thing, no way. Well, thanks to this article: New Shipping Lanes in the Arctic the already BAD problem in Antarctica is getting worse due to new trade routes opening up because of ice melting. And that's only the half of it (check out the link, it's an interesting article). Is it really that hard to be more environmentally conscious? Is it really? No.

Small steps are easy. Here at Budget, we started recycling all of our paper office waste, like envelopes, copy paper, scrap paper, everything. One change right there. I don't have to tell you. Working in an office? There's a LOT of paper, and we're trying to recycle all of it. It's a simple way to help conserve our forests. Say what you want about deforestation, we get paper from trees and we have to be more careful about it. Period.

If you have a dishwasher, another simple step you can take it simply turn off the faucet in-between placing a rinsed dish in the dishwasher and getting another dirty one ready. I do this, and you wouldn't believe how much water you can save. You wouldn't really think of it that way, would you? Maybe you're skeptical. Well, the next time you do dishes, listen to the white noise of the faucet. Every second is precious freshwater wasted. We need that stuff to LIVE. Why not conserve it? It really is not that hard. Take short showers. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Drink all the water you take from the faucet. If you MUST throw the water out, throw it outside where it can be used by plants. Simple things mean a lot if everyone is doing it.

Another big pet peeve is littering. I mean, come on. Really? Are we really littering in this day and age? When I go to a park, I see beer cans floating in the lake. When I walk outside, I see fast food wrappers strewn on the side of the road. I've even had litter dumped on my driveway from careless passersby. Are you really that lazy? If you are, I have some tips for you, then. If you have a lot of junk in your car, pull alongside your dumpster or trashcan and walk a total of 3 feet to dump out your cartrash quickly. It's easy. You have an ashtray in your car, don't you? STOP throwing out cigarette butts. They can start fires, and they are LOADED with hazardous chemicals that go into the ground. Get an empty soda can with some water in the bottom of it. Place it in your car. BOOM! Instant ashtray. Cut it open when you're done, dump out the junk into a bin, and recycle the can. See? It's not hard, I swear.
~

PHew! Back to the main point. The whole reason why I went on this tangent was simply to show you that it's easy to start being environmentally conscious. These small steps might lead to something more. Something like, gee, I don't know. Not pumping more ozone boosting bi-products into the Antarctic air because humans are ruthless opportunists? Think about it.

Recycling Paper bin picture obtained from this site.

Dishwasher picture obtained from this site.
Virgina's Anti-littering Poster obtained from this site.
Polar Bear picture obtained from this site.

Quick Tips: Alternatives to Unsafe Cleaners

2010-10-21T13:40:00.002-04:00

Hello there. I've been discussing a lot of opinions and views lately, and I want to try something more...practical. I've compiled a list of some common household items that are good to clean with, but still very toxic. I'm going to offer some alternatives to them that work quite well in their stead. Also, please be sure that the surface you are going to clean can handle ANY cleaning product you use, whether it's bleach or vinegar. Okay? Okay. We'll start off with just two really common, really useful replacements so I don't overload you with me green cleaning zeal.

1. Abrasive Bleach Cleaners (A.B.C.)- Kosher Salt

A.B.C.s are used as an aid to scrub off stubborn dirt and stains. It is also quite harmful to be breathed in, as it's a powder, and to ingest. Instead of using A.B.C.s, use some kosher salt instead. Scrub the same way you would with an A.B.C., but use some more muscle this time. Pair the salt with a white distilled vinegar and water solution (1:2 parts should work fine) and you have yourself a powerful green cleaning agent. I use this method myself, and I tell you, it works. MAKE SURE THE SURFACE YOU ARE CLEANING CAN HANDLE THIS.

2. Bleach - Hydrogen Peroxide

Bleach, used as a disinfectant, works quite well in killing germs. However, when was the last time you used it to clean your toothbrush, or clean out a cut? God I hope your answer is never. Anyway, Hydrogen Peroxide works quite well in disinfecting most household surfaces (a 3% solution works well, you can also get 10, and 35% solutions too) and it can be used as toothpaste when paired with baking soda, and for disinfecting your hands. Try pouring some hydrogen peroxide on a surface you want to disinfect, like a cutting board, or kitchen countertop. See the fizz? That means germ death. Pour it on, wipe it off. Simple. MAKE SURE THE SURFACE YOU ARE CLEANING CAN HANDLE THIS.

Give em' a try. I know I hate using bleach. The smell, the danger of it, everything. A.B.C.s, too. I've inhaled the dust by accident, and it was not fun at all. Quite the opposite, actually. Basically, all I'm saying is that you don't need the overwhelming chemical fumes of bleach and ammonia to get your home clean. Stick to the basics, and see how well they work. I bet you'll be surprised.

Hydrogen Peroxide Picture obtained from this website.
Kosher Salt Picture obtained from this blog.

Discrimination in Business

2010-10-13T08:03:00.000-04:00

Prejudice and racism are two different things. They are both heinous, but prejudice is a larger umbrella for which many types of prejudice fall under. Racism, sexism, elitism, you name it. If it exists, there's someone that hates it sadly. Why am I making this distinction? Well, because I can't wrap my head around the concept of hating someone merely because they are different. Gender, race, mental capability, physical capability, deformity, why? I just can't get it. Does not compute, and the hard drive in my head crashes whenever I try.

We at Budget employ many men and women of different races. Hell, I'm Italian, French, Cherokee, and I have a touch of German in there somewhere. God knows what else is running around in my blood. What does it matter? Why is the fact that I'm a Caucasian male make me better in the eyes of some people? I don’t' care what color you are, if you work hard and are reliable, you could be an employee at Budget. I don't care if you’re pinstriped and polka-dotted.

Not all believe this. And it's infuriating. How can you expect to get ahead in business if you only hire based on prejudices? And it's not only race and gender. Weight, sexual orientation, clothing, maybe even something as stupid as hair color or eye color could be a deterrent for getting a job. This narrow minded superiority-dominance places blinders on the most "intelligent" of people, and someone extraordinary could be passed up for someone destructive just because the person doing the hiring didn't like the better qualified person's skin color. Come on, people.

You may be thinking right now, I know I'm not a racist! I don't hate people based on differences! And that's great, more power to you. But. When was the last time you judged someone, or looked over someone because of a difference? Just because you don't do it every day doesn't mean you don't do it.

Think about it.

Green Cleaning Phonies --- Greenwashing Scams

2010-10-11T13:40:00.000-04:00

     Ever hear of greenwashing? It's the practice of marketing a product as a green product, but. Well? Bluntly put, lying about it. Oh, it's done, and it's not as difficult to pass it off as you think. In all honesty, you're cleaning product could actually be the color green, and have an oak tree on the bottle and you could mince words and say something thing, "try out new green cleaning product!" See how it never mentions anything concrete about what is actually in the bottle? Beware of this kind of stuff.
     By default, cleaning products can be pretty harsh. They kill germs, they dissolve dirt, they polish and protect. These terms are pretty powerful verbs, and often involve a serious batch of chemicals to pull off. Budget uses green, and normal cleaning products. Some customers just don't want us using green products, but let's consider the options here.
     Check out some benefits to green cleaning taken right off our website. They're all true. And do you know why we can say they're all true? Because we use green seal certified products when we service a home or office with a green cleaning. Period. If you are ever skeptical about a green cleaning product boasting general terms such as, "all natural", "organic", "completely safe". Look for the green seal certification, or an E.P.A. certification. Read the label, see what's in the product before you use it. Read, think, assess. You're smart. You know it, and I know it. Thanks to the internet, we are all our own research specialists. You know what you're using, and you know what's good and bad.
     Before I go, let me hit you with a fact. Bleach destroys 100.00% of germs on a surface for a period of time. Our green cleaning product (green seal certified) kills 99.99% of germs on a surface for a period of time. Now, excluding places that absolute disinfection is a must like a hospital, dentist, or doctor's office, are you willing to use a chemical that, when mixed with ammonia, creates poisonous chlorine gas?
     Think about it.

Oh, and P.S.: Pure chlorine is an "all natural" element in its gaseous form, by the way. Oh, and I'm pretty sure even though it's all natural it isn’t green seal certified.

Social Media Marketing

2010-10-06T07:56:00.000-04:00

Social Media Marketing, or S.M.M., is the wave of the future. However, I am sure that some of you reading this may be skeptical, or have tried using Twitter, Facebook, maybe even a blog like this, and numerous other networks to try and promote your business. For all you skeptics, and heartbroken business owners that have been "burned" by S.M.M. tactics in the past, listen up.
     When it comes to S.M.M., DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! The climate of business in America has changed drastically (in case you've been on Pluto in a cave and didn't know), and people aren't as receptive to "scream marketing", like billboards, signs, and cold calls. Don't get me wrong, they still work to a degree, they are just not as powerful anymore. No, people now have their own doctorate in research thanks to the internet, and if they hear about you, they will hunt you down. That's what makes S.M.M. so important. It's all about relevancy.
     I update my blog, my Twitter accounts, Budget's Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, every one of those, daily. Often, more than once a day. That's the key. Logging onto Twitter once and Tweeting "EAT AT JOE'S" won't work. You must be stable and committed to constantly making yourself fresh, providing quality, seeing what's driving business to you, and getting rid of the stuff that isn't working. It's a constant cycle that must never cease. It's the endurance that makes a lot of people give up when they don't see business coming to their door through S.M.M. within the first month.
     Combining S.M.M. with Scream Marketing makes for an effective synergy that puts your company out there for all to see all the time. Get Google Analytics on your website (you do have one, right? Talk to your webmaster), set up some Google Alerts, get an account for Google Places. It's all free, and it helps you do one thing. STAY RELEVANT. You gotta stay on the radar, or you will disappear into the ether that is the web.
     This is the future. It's only going to get more and more prominent. Shift your marketing and sales force. Using both Scream Marketing and S.M.M. will get you out there, and dare I say? You may even enjoy writing on Twitter, or in a blog. GASP! Why haven't you started a Social Media Marketing plan yet?
     Think about it.

Teaching and Business

2010-10-05T11:15:00.002-04:00

     Do you teach something? Well, professionally. All of us are teachers, mentors, I mean choose your label, but do you get paid for the teaching? That's the key question. Me? I do. That doesn't make me better than you, not by a long shot. I say this as a point to a greater ends. I doubt you don't have one skill that you can't teach professionally. I don't believe you if you say you don't. I simply refuse. There is something in your life that you can do better than the majority of the population, and you know what it is, so why don't you teach it?
     I am an English tutor, and I do love that job. I have a brief period where I was unclear whether or not I really made a difference, but I dismissed those thoughts and focused on what I saw, rather than what I thought. And I learned, ironically from teaching, that I do make a difference. And everything I teach and learn as a teacher comes with me to any job I perform, whether it’s my career, or simply doing the laundry.
     If you don't want to teach as a tutor, or a teacher/professor, don't then. But I'm telling you right now; spread your knowledge regardless of the medium. Write a blog, have a YouTube video account with educational clips, teach it to your employees/co-workers. Spread that knowledge and skill around, and with discretion, you can make a difference.
     Whether you know it or not, you're a teacher. Especially if you're a parent. But, that aside everyone around you learns from everything you do merely by observation. So teach! But...be careful about how you carry yourself. Maybe you're teaching lessons that you might not have a good lesson plan for.
     Think about it.

The Pros and Cons of Sustainabilty

2010-10-01T10:18:00.005-04:00

Pros and Cons<---Click Here for Link

     I saw this article, and I thought it would be interesting to share. I am all for sustainable energy. In case you couldn't tell, I am very much pro-environment, and I try to do everything I can to help preserve this planet for my and my children's futures. I decided that just being pro-green isn't enough, and I wanted to find out why more people don't do it, or why there hasn't been an absolutely overwhelming push from government or big business.
     The article listed in the link above states many things, but the undercurrent is always money. This first objection to green energy is "time it will take to recover [these] initial costs is in the neighborhood of ten to fifteen years." It boils down to money, even though this type of energy is the future. How sad. How sad is it that in regards to the dollar, we cannot commit to cleaner energy? Easy isn’t working for us anymore. We burn through oil (pun intended) and leave the traces of it in the air. It doesn't come back as quickly as a breeze, or the sun. Fossil fuels take a LONG time in their creation process. It involves a lot of heat, pressure, and a couple of "X" factors to ensure proper formation. It is renewable, yes, but not in my generation, and for MANY generations to come. Fossil fuels are called such for a reason- they are formed from ancient decaying life forms long before humans ever set foot on the Earth.
     We use fossil fuels as energy cliff notes. It's quick, it's handy, but you miss the whole picture. We won't be seeing any newly formed fossil fuels anytime soon. However. The last time I checked, the sun rose this morning, and the wind's blowing. And those are just two easy examples. Bottom line, we need to get past the wall of fear that is cost, and start being more sustainable. Debt, debt, debt, yes, but what good is being debt free without a planet to live on?
     Think about it.

Two Apes and a Piece of Corn

2010-10-01T08:59:00.000-04:00

Having a dream narrated by a singing British man imitating a child's voice as he lyrically narrated two orangutans fighting over a piece of corn is a peculiar dream indeed. And it is also the dream I had this morning after slapping the snooze button for 439th time. Typically I try to rope my topics in somehow with business, cleaning, or being green. But this one is all about two filthy apes fightin' over a piece of corn. It was surreal.
     What does it mean? Does it mean anything? What triggered it? I have no clue. I do have a pet rabbit, and we play toddler tunes for him before he goes to sleep, but I've never heard that song before. And unlike most songs we hear in dreams, I can still play this one over in my head. I don't know who said this, but tell me if you've ever heard this phrase: "Remembering a dream is like trying to grab sand- the harder you try, the more sand you lose." But this one I remember vividly, along with that damn song.
     I got nothin' for you about business. Really. I don't have an intelligent thing to say, tied in with a glib remark or a witty loop back into more...professional topics. This is just one human being describing his ape dream to another human being. So, I ask you. Does it mean anything? Is it a metaphor of some kind, an omen, a boon?
     Think about it.

Be Better in Business

2010-09-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

      Everyone wants to be better in business. Everyone. If someone doesn't want to be better in business, they're lying. I want to be better in business. I want to bring in 100,000 dollars a day, make those calls, make the decisions, make the big plays. But, I don't yet. What stops us from being great? Phenomenal, even, in business?
     Us. Well, me, or you.
     Not because we're stupid, not because we don't deserve a business. But it is those reasons. Well, indirectly. We've all thought those things once in our lives. Myself included, I'm not climbing to the top of any pedestal. It's those thoughts that hinder us from being great, simply because we don't believe that we deserve it. I'll see other men and women in business tearin' it up, blazing a trail in the professional world, makin' money and living large. I'm not there. Yet.
     And if you're not there yet, don't let it discourage you. There's a saying, I don't remember who said it, but I can't take credit for it. The saying is, "whether you think you can or you can't, you'll always be right." It's true. Don't waste time on negative thought. Be realistic, but positive too. Being positive doesn't always mean that you're naive, or you're doomed to fail. Quite the opposite, really. A lot of people are really negative, and what a better way to be a trail blazer than to be a positive light in a doubtful shadow?
     Think about it.

United States Free of Fossil Fuels?!

2010-09-29T14:21:00.000-04:00

Free from the Fossil Fuel Burden?

     I saw this article during one of my many journeys, and I just had to blog about it. It seems pretty interesting to me, and I am not sure if we can do it. Don't get me wrong, I have hope. But...I'm not sure if enough people are on board for such a drastic change in how the United States of America runs its economy and industry. I mean, fossil fuel is the blood coursing through this continent. Are we ready for this?
     Me, I am. We may not be ready, but I am. I am totally ready. I have a hybrid car myself, and I tell you I've never saved so much money on gas. Right now my wife uses it, and I’ll be honest. I use another car (also fuel efficient, I wouldn't have it any other way) to go to and from work, but I still see the savings. It's dramatic. The car I drive now, too. I rarely have to fill up. Anyway, I digress. Green cleaning products are one thing. Starting up a recycling program another, but this? In twenty years?
     I'm excited. A future that's green? It's all I could hope for, at a lot of my generation (I'm 25) as well. I love this planet; after all it's my home. I don't consider a house a home in the grand scheme of things. We can take care of our houses, apartments, condos, mansions, whatever, but what is the damn thing built on? EARTH! That's my true home. That's every Earthling's true home. Are you ready to move off of fossil fuels?
     Think about it.

Joan Knechel Memorial Walk

2010-09-29T11:07:00.000-04:00

     Budget is based out of Hackettstown in New Jersey, and right in our backyard is the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, which houses the Joan Knechel Cancer Center. They are holding a special memorial walk to John Knechel, a nurse at H.R.M.C.. Budget is sponsoring the walk, and we are participating in the walk itself. Know why? It has nothing to do with publicity, or advertisement. It has everything to do with knowing how fantastic and incredible the center is, and how important it is to the residents of northern New Jersey. My grandmother was a patient there, and she is still alive. Oh yes, she conquered cancer twice. Yeah, twice. One was a bout of breast cancer, and the other colon.
     We got to see firsthand the facilities at the Joan Knechel Cancer Center (J.K.C.C.) and how they treat their patients. We were then, and still are, nothing but pleased with the incredible job they do. They were supportive, proactive, and professional. They didn't treat my grandmother (because of her age) as immediately terminal. They treated her with the same care and respect that my family would give her if we were treating her cancer.
     This walk is important. Very important. The annual event, this year held in Liberty Township on October 17th, raises funds for J.K.C.C., and helps keep it going. Helps it keep men and women strong in their fight against cancer. That's why we're walking. The publicity is a far second.
     Personally, I love writing about this stuff. I love telling you all that my grandma survived cancer twice, and I love telling the story of a fantastic local facility being a cornerstone for my grandmother's recovery. Positive is hard to find not because it is scarce. It's because the bad is so much more obvious. My grandmother could have resigned, and just silently slipped away. But no. She didn't. She chose to hunt for the positive, the good, and make sure it kept her alive, which is a good lesson to us all, really.
     So what do you think? Do you think the positive is hard to find because it's scarce, or because we're not looking hard enough? Food for thought, for sure. Think about it.

Cleaning and Sales

2010-09-28T13:39:00.000-04:00

     I was a salesman for a brief time last year, and I gotta say it was one of the most difficult jobs I have ever undertaken. Kudos to those in sales, really. I faced a lot of sharp comments from complete strangers when all I was trying to do was present an opportunity. Just one opportunity. You don't have to be rude, just say yes, or no. There's only so much I can push before I feel I'm being a bully, so I'll take my leave, trust me.
     Recently, I've been doing cold calls for Budget, going from business to business, trying to see if people are interested in getting their offices cleaned. Some are some aren't. But honestly, there has been a whole new attitude there, and I think it's because of the service I was offering.
     There is no product with Budget. We are the product, but you can't buy us right then and there. With the other sales job, the pressure from the higher ups was to sell, sell, sell, and people don’t respond to that like they used to, now with the internet, online research, buying online, oh the list is endless. So why the change in results?
     Well, once again, I believe because it is a service industry. Now, by a rule, I think having a no soliciting sign on your establishment is silly. It is! Why? Because who knows what you could be missing out on? Who knows what you may want, or not want? Not you. Certainly not me, so I hear all serious propositions, and I entertain them simply because of that "X" factor. If we are not open to opportunity, how can we expect to recognize it when it appears?
     The whole point of this article is to let you know that not every salesman is hocking hardware and encyclopedias. And even if they are, why stop them? They're just trying to make a living, and if they are unprofessional, give them the treatment that you think they deserve. However. There are a lot of guys and gals in sales (I'm one of those guys in fact) that are honest, hardworking, and want to help you find a product that works for you. If you have a no soliciting sign, take it off. Let a sales rep come in to your establishment, and just hear what they have to say. Even if you don't buy, you may be the only pleasant encounter that person may have that day.
     Think about it.

Change is Good for Green

2010-09-28T09:09:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, I have a lot of fun here at Budget. Yeah, really. I know, I thought the same thing when I first came into it. I was unsure of how much there would be to do, unsure if I would even enjoy it. But after just two months of working here when this entry was written? I love it. Bored already? Don't be. It gets better, give me a second.

The whole point of all that self indulgent blather is to make a point. That point is change. Change. Ooooh! Scary word, big word! This biggest six letter word there is. It can spark fights, even wars, destroy lives, create lives, it is one of the most powerful things in the universe. So why am I talking about it? Rough crowd...rough crowd.

Because it's essential. Even the small stuff. Like a toothpaste brand. I know people that have been brushing with the same damn toothpaste brand for decades. Decades! And they never get sick of it! I change every time I get a new tube, I can't stand the stagnation. That goes for everything.

Next point, here we go. Cleaning is change. I've heard for quite some time now, oh, green cleaning doesn't work, I like the smell of bleach and ammonia that's how I know it's clean! Alright then. You've forced me to do this. No, no! There's no turning back now. Answer this question honestly, you non-believers. Would you pour bleach into an open cut to disinfect it? Not a solution, mind you. Straight out of the flippin' bottle. Of course not! If you seriously said yes, please navigate here. Well, what about peroxide? You know, good old bubblin', foamin' hydrogen peroxide? Of course you would! Here's a fact for you. Bleach destroys 100.00% of germs when placed on a surface. Hydrogen peroxide kills 99.99% of germs when placed on surface. Hydrogen peroxide just so happens to be the main ingredient in the cleaning solution we use the most here at Budget. Now. One last question.

If you wouldn't pour bleach on an open wound to clean it, why would you eat off a surface that was cleaned with it? All because of 00.01%? Unless you work in a hospital, or similar situation where sterility is a must and not a desire, I'm pretty sure your immune system can handle it. Know what else works really well? White distilled vinegar. Oh yeah. Fantastic cleaner, and the odor dissipates faster than bleach or ammonia ever will.

So the next time you go to clean with bleach, or want us to clean with bleach, remember what I wrote and go to this website, or this one. Try it out, make the change! Forget what you know, or think you know, and just give it a try. You won't regret it, I promise.

Being Green

2010-09-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

What can I say about going green? Well, it isn't incredibly easy to go completely green, but there are many smaller steps we all can take to make our impact on the environment less. This isn’t a soapbox speech, honestly. We all know what we should be, and won't be doing, but it's more...commentary than anything else. Why run the water when brushing your teeth? Why take a two hour long shower? Why water the lawn in a time of drought? These are all simple things that you shouldn't do, but may. Same with recycling, why not recycle? We never had a recycling program at Budget, and we are sorry to admit that. Now? We do. I'll personally be taking our office paper and cans, plastics, and glassware to the appropriate disposal receptacles. Bragging? No. I'm trying to lead by example.
We are all busy. Really busy. But, think of it this way. Are you telling me that during your day you are so busy that you cannot spare one second to turn the faucet off when you are brushing your teeth? Or you cannot spare ten seconds to throw a piece of trash in the garbage opposed to letting it fall on the ground? If you said no, that means you literally never stop working. Truly. You work for sixteen hours a day, and then you immediately fall asleep and start all over again. No-one is that busy. It's impossible.
This isn't a scolding. This is merely one person making some commentary. Budget wants to be more green, and we are trying. Surprisingly, the cost hasn't been very high, if anything at all. We've had to take a few extra measures here and there, but we haven't had to drop a thousand dollars to start a recycling program. Know what I mean? Anyway, if I got too soap boxy, I'm sorry. You live your life how you want to. Me? I just like to add a perspective, just like all the things in my life add perspective for me. And isn’t' that what it's all about? Growing, changing, learning? Give it a try. Just start turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, and use it only at the end when you have to rinse, and all that other oral hygiene stuff. Why not? You've got nothing to lose.

---Will J. Truex