Earn while you Learn You can work for yourself without being alone Your questions answered. Already in business? Click here What is the Stopcocks Business Scheme? The SBS was set up in January 2010 in response to the number of emails received by Stopcocks from women looking for a way to begin their careers as plumbers. Although Stopcocks has been supporting women plumbers for many years, it was clear that a new way of thinking was needed to solve the problems in the current economic climate. The SBS gives women plumbers a way to be part of a national brand, build up their customer base and increase their skills and speed without worrying about the business side of things so they can concentrate on the thing that earns the money….The plumbing. What's the difference between the Stopcocks Business Scheme and all the others? The SBS has been specifically set up to be flexible. Since the designer and creator of the scheme is a woman (Hattie Hasan) we know that women have different needs. At Stopcocks we celebrate the differences between men and women and recognise our strengths are different too. The SBS is designed to fit around a busy mother or a student, or the fact that you may leave plumbing to start a family. Many more rigid schemes do not allow for this. Hattie put together all the things that she wished were available to her 20 years ago when she was in the position many of you are in now. By keeping the scheme flexible, it allows you to live your life as you want, grow your business as you want and work as you want. Most schemes require you to bend over backwards to fit. The SBS has already done all the bending so you don't have to. Who is the Stopcocks Business Scheme for? It is designed for women who have completed plumbing courses at college. C&G 6129, 6089, NVQ Level 2,3. and for those in training who want to get straight into work and earn while they train. Also, ideal for women plumbers already self employed who want to be part of part a national brand AND earn within their own business Don't I need a placement to get my NVQ's signed off? The SBS can place you with qualified plumbers to support you while you get your work-based elements signed off. We have a woman plumbing tutor who has joined our team as an advisor. We are constantly being kept up to date with the legal requirements for City and Guilds and NVQ. This way, you can earn while you learn How do I join up? Its very simple. Once you have contacted Stopcocks by going to info@stopcocks.net and telling us about yourself we arrange for Hattie to come and see you. She likes to meet and interview all the plumbers herself. This is so that she can put a face to the name when you call up for technical help. What happens at the interview, will I have to take a test? Goodness! No. The purpose of the interview is for both parties to assess if this is really right for you and if you are right for us. It is an interview however and we will be assessing you on things like attitude and customer service, all extremely important for the Stopcocks brand. We also answer questions you may have face to face. You have already taken many of the first steps by going to college and completing your course. We already know you are a hard worker. Surely it’s very expensive to start a business. How much does it cost? It doesn’t have to be. We have found a way to deliver this service for just £99 per month. This price will increase and is time limited. The first payment is taken when you sign up, then we set up a direct debit for your subsequent payments. The minimum time is 6 months, we review your progress and aim to invite you to stay. What do I get for my Money? Within 7 days you get 250 branded high quality business cards (PLUS business card holder), PLUS, over the 6 months you get 100 flyers a month, PLUS a Dedicated telephone answering service PLUS all these What happens after six months? Am I left to fend for myself? No, we certainly never abandon you. There are a number of options open to you as you come to the end of your fisrt 6 months. By then you will have a good idea about what it means to be a Stopcocks plumber. No doubt you will have built up quite a good customer base and be earning a reasonable amount of money. We would invite you to stay with us and sign a further 6 month or 1 year contract. You would still benefit from our telephone answering service, technical advice and monthly mentoring. You would also be able to order more marketing materials to suit your requirement and get them sent to you at cost. Most of all you will be part of the most trusted brand of women plumbers in the UK. Business plans are not as scary as they seem. A business plan is really your plan for your business, and each plan is suited to each individual. Our monthly teleclass will cover all those areas. We invite experts in different fields of business to talk with you and help you to map your future as you want to. What happens if things go wrong on the job? Everyone makes mistakes. Things happen and we have to deal with them. The customer is relying on you to know more than they do. The first rule is always Keep Calm. Make the situation safe and call one of our experts. Why do you have such a strict code of conduct? Stopcocks has been building the brand on the four pillars of Respect, Quality of Service, Peace of Mind and Aftercare for 20 years. It is these 4 codes that have kept the brand at the top and kept the customers coming back time and again. Why Women and will men be allowed to join? In the future we will run a scheme where men can join too. This subject is very close to Hattie’s heart. There are a number of myths that Stopcocks wishes to address. On a serious note though; even though things have improved massively in the last 20 years, judging by the emails received from women every day in the Stopcocks office, there is still a long way to go.
Copyright ©2009 Stopcocks Ltd - Company No: 6913884 All Rights Reserved |
