National Clothesline

Leading Cleaners Internationale affiliates gathered in the Big Easy, the home of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, Gumbo and One Cleaners, for an in-depth educational meeting.

Barry Gershenson, executive coordinator, welcomed LCI members and their guests in the Ritz Carlton where the 2 1⁄2 day meeting was complemented by affiliate presentations and special invitational speakers.

LCI affiliates from across America and Australia came for ongoing improvement of their ownership skills with a workshop “Developing a Positive Corporate Culture,” presented by Jennifer Guidry and her associates of Learn Inc.

Keeping with the theme, “Your Company Culture,” other educational topics included the “Great Game of Business,” a video and practice session that showed a management style that helps create a working environment where employees are taught to “think and act like owners.”

Affiliates also shared and elaborated on the value of their own company’s customer and employee complaint and suggestions systems.

Another topic of interest was an overview of the E-Myth Mastery program by Wayne Edelman of Meurice Garment Care in New York. He pointed out the benefits of this management program and how it has affected him, his employees and his company.

Longtime affiliate member Claude Foreman of One Cleaners hosted a tour of his plant where he showed the newly remodeled customer service area and discussed his 2009 plans for revamping the production department.

Foreman also shared his ongoing industry technological changes, including an automated assembly system and two-week-old state-of-the-art shirt laundry finishing equipment.

This group also focused on developmental sessions on “What to Do In A Downturn Economy,” sharing their current strategies and successes in meeting.

Stu Crane, Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners, discussed his GLB mini-games, which systematically and continually connect his route representatives with customers.

Shown for the first time was a newly developed customer service training presentation, LCI’s Introduction to the Professional Care of Knits and LCI’s affiliate tutorial on “Who’s Minding the Store,” an in-depth methodology of employee delegation and coaching.

At the LCI awards banquet at Arnauds, the Bourbon Street landmark restaurant, presentations were made to LCI’s new member, Ben and Mary Combs of Judi’s Cleaners in Sacramento, CA; LCI’s Monthly Secret Shopper Program, Wayne Edelman of Meurice Garment Care in New York (LCI’s Multi-Store Shopper Award for three or more locations); Davis Imperial Cleaners of Chicago, IL.; Nick Bancroft of Bancrofts Fine Cleaning in Melbourne, AU; and LCI’s “On Target Award” to Brian Butler of Dublin Cleaners in Dublin, OH.

LCI sets a standard for specialized drycleaning services, which centers on the development of 5 Star Couture Cleaners. Drycleaners interested in becoming an affiliate can visit www.leadingcleaners.com or can contact Barry Gershenson, (310) 734-6487.