Pro Installer January 2020 - Issue 82 | Page 39

JANUARY 2020 | 39 Motoring Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk TIME TO CLEAN UP FOR THE NEW YEAR Tradespeople are being warned that failing to keep their vans clean and tidy could nega- tively impact their business. Motoring experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have remind- ed van drivers that many customers will choose not to use a certain business if their company vehicles aren’t up to standard. a dirty van may ‘ suggest a poor ’ standard of work Visible fast food wrappers, dirty signage and dents and scrapes all project a bad image of the company – but these can be easily avoided. And dirt might not impact just the business, but also workers’ health if they spend a lot of time in the vehicle. Tim Alcock of LeaseVan.co.uk said: “You wouldn’t (or shouldn’t) turn up to work in dirty clothes, so why would you turn up with a dirty van? “The whole reason vans are branded is so that potential cus- tomers can easily spot the details, and if these are all dirty and un- readable it defeats the purpose. “A van should be seen as a moving advertisement. Tidying out your rubbish at the end of each day and giving it a regular clean won’t take long but will work wonders for finding new customers.” These are LeaseVan.co.uk’s six reasons for keeping a van neat and tidy: 1. For Safety If dirt and grime begins to build up on windows and wing mirrors it can compromise visibil- ity and therefore safety. Also, hav- ing very muddy tyres can have an effect on efficient breaking and generally safety. a van should be ‘ seen as a moving advertisement ’ 2. To ensure branding and contact details are visible Treat your van like a business card, hundreds of people a day may see the van, and it has all the information on it for them to become new customers. If they cannot see the details then it results in a lot of missed oppor- tunities, which could have been easily avoided by a quick wash. 3. To enhance your image You never get the chance to make another first impression. Having a clean and tidy van shows dedication to the compa- ny, and also shows it’s something you’re proud of. A dirty van may suggest a poor standard of work, exactly what you’re not wanting to convey. 4. To reduce maintenance costs Dirt and grime, if not regularly cleaned, can cause much more serious problems to your van, such as making it rust quicker than normal – again not a good look. Regular washing will also mean you’re having to pay close attention to the van meaning any problems will be caught early on, instead of being left to get worse. 5. For a better work ethic We’ve all heard the saying ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ – the same can be said for your van. If it’s clean and clutter free it’s likely you will also feel like this helping you to de-stress in what is your office. 6. For health Germs and bacteria can quickly build up, and when you spend a lot of time in your van it’s not a great place to be. It’s important to clean the interior of the van too – places such as the steering wheel and gear stick which you touch more than anything else.