“There is no single formula for success in the dry cleaning industry, but there is an upcoming conference that will offer several strategies to help cleaners stay profitable. “Brainstorming with the Best” will be presented by the National Cleaners Association from Jan. 14 to 17 at the Ritz Carlton Montego Bay in Jamaica.

NCA has planned three educational sessions that will focus on many problems that befall even the best of cleaners. First up on Friday is a program dealing with “WAYMISH,” which stands for the unhappy customer refrain: “Why Are You Making It So Hard... for me to give you my money?” The session will begin at 9 a.m. and run for approximately three hours.

Presenters Chris Considine and Lee Tomlinson will examine how employees can display apathy toward customers that ultimately leads them to believe their patronage is no longer appreciated.
Even the smallest mistake can trigger the business-killing phrase: “I’m never coming back here again!” However, those who learn how to eliminate the insensitive mistakes that drive customers away can create lifelong satisfied customers

Topics to be discussed include: the importance of resolving customer complaints quickly, putting common sense ahead of plant policies and listening closely to precisely what the customer is telling you. Keeping customers happy is crucial, but figuring out how to get them to come in the door to begin with is the first step.”