Ovenu

Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu, the UK’s largest established oven cleaning franchise, argues that cross-selling is an effective, efficient, and inexpensive way of driving up average order values.

Cross-selling is an ideal way to boost revenue in uncertain economic times, says Rik Hellewell, the founder of oven cleaning franchise Ovenu.

It’s a straightforward tactic that allows businesses to improve profitability simply by making the most of its current customer base, and in doing so avoids the expense of additional marketing activities to attract new clients.

This is something I’ve impressed on Ovenu’s network of more than 120 franchisees, with many already seeing such an approach paying dividends.

It’s natural for businesses to concentrate on in-demand core activities during periods of economic prosperity, but the danger is that when that situation changes, they continue to plough on as normal.

One franchisee increased their average order value by an impressive 22% simply by offering to change broken interior oven bulbs and cooker extractor filters for a small additional fee. Such activities are all pure profit and can be completed relatively quickly.

Many Ovenu franchisees are also improving their earnings by adopting a more proactive approach.

This includes issuing gentle reminders to clients that it’s been six months since their last clean and also that they do more than cleaning conventional ovens. This may be the thing that Ovenu may be best known for, but franchisees are also trained in cleaning hobs, extractor hoods, microwave ovens, and grills, together with AGA’s and range ovens.

In its almost 30 year history Ovenu has come through two recessions and a global pandemic and part of that is down to acting in an agile and responsive manner.

Any franchised business ignores cross-selling at its peril, especially as we face predictions of another looming recession.

Many businesses will stick to what they know and there is almost a fear that cross-selling will somehow offend their customers.

However, I believe that with a reasonable approach, clients don’t see it as a negative but a positive. It makes them feel cared-for and valued.

After all, most of us would be rightly concerned if a mechanic fitting a car with new tyres failed to alert the owner to the fact that the brake pads were badly worn and needed replacing.

Cross-selling, if done correctly, increases overall client satisfaction by offering a service that provides maximum value. It can also improve client engagement while setting you apart from your competitors.

As mentioned earlier, the other main way to improve revenue is to attract new clients, which normally requires extra expenditure, time and effort. However, it’s still important to say that the taps aren’t turned off completely on marketing activities during any downturn. It remains vital that a business remains visible.

These days many businesses, including Ovenu, having strong CRM systems, and it is both easier and makes sound financial sense to extract maximum value from your current client base.

After all a client who feels cared for and valued is also more likely to personally recommend you to family and friends, the highest form of marketing that exists, and best of all it’s free!

Adopting such an approach offers greater understanding of your clients’ needs and can result in a new service or product being offered or uncovering a whole new market.

The key thing for this franchise, indeed any franchise, is not to rest on your laurels and continue offering your clients the best value and service possible.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF OVENU

For further information contact Andrew Douglas 01325 363436

Photo caption: Rik Hellewell of Ovenu

Editors’ Notes:

Ovenu is the leading UK and international domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist. All cleaning products used by Ovenu are environmentally friendly, bio-degradable and conform to the latest government REACH regulations. Ovenu’s Carbon Remover is also approved by the Vitreous Enamel Association. The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic, non-toxic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts. Ovenu is a full member of the Approved Franchise Association (AFA.)