Principals help Bruce Mildon to win award

Business Services Franchisee of the Year award winner Bruce Mildon started his commercial cleaning business with a council contract to clean spoutings. Photo / Supplied.

Bruce Mildon owes a lot of his business success to chatty school principals.

His Hawke's Bay Paramount Services has won the Business Services Franchisee of the Year award at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards.

In just two years, he has grown his commercial cleaning business by 150 per cent and now employs 25 people.

The company cleans schools, banks "and a lot of offices" - from the carpets to the windows.

He said word of mouth was the main reason for business growth.

"Especially when we do schools - headmasters talk," he said.

He does his own quality control, which is a good opportunity to keep up customer relations, he says.

Submitting low tenders was no guarantee of success.

The judges said his franchise was focused and well operated.

"Bruce is clear about where his opportunities lie and takes a well-planned approach to tackle them.

"He has a solid approach to structuring his business with a robust approach to communication that ensures all staff understand the business direction and plans."

Paramount Services won the Business Services Franchisee of the Year award. The judges said Paramount was performing well on the back of clear leadership, planning and execution.

"The company has clear plans for growth and international expansion, which will build on their sound systems and processes and well-trained people." Paramount launched into Australia in 2012.