This is the message from Anton Skarlatov whose own company Fantastic Services has spent ‘many millions’ on delivering high-tech for the benefit of its customers, franchisees and also the planet.
There is an old business adage which states ‘you have to speculate to accumulate’ and this certainly appears to be the current modus operandi for global franchise Fantastic Services. The 12-year-old company has spent ‘big money’ on developing and implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system for the benefit of both its franchisees and client base.
Anton Skarlatov, chief executive of Fantastic Services, says businesses need to embrace the evolution of technology at all times and that he is proud of the steps being taken by his own company. Skarlatov, who is also one of two co-founders of Fantastic Services, explains: “We see ourselves at the forefront of the evolution of franchising, where new technology is the key to keeping both our franchisees and customers happy.
“We have invested more than £20m in building a bespoke CRM system that automates every aspect of the business. Everything is about speed and simplicity. Nowadays, people have very little patience and want everything at their fingertips. So we have introduced an online booking system that allows customers to book any of the 100-plus services that we offer – and they can do so in a matter of minutes.”
And at a time when caring for the environment is more important than ever, Skarlatov insists the benefits of using technology are far reaching. He added: “Sustainability is also at the centre of our business, and has to be as we need to look after our long-term future. We use electric-based equipment, instead of petrol-based, and we only use eco-friendly detergents. Sometimes we don’t even use detergents at all.
“Our external window cleaning is carried out using purified water, so no chemicals are required at any stage. Thanks to our custom-built travel optimisation software, our franchisees travel fewer miles than ever. We save around 18% of travel time and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. We also started a tree-planting initiative in 2019, where property owners can have a tree planted for free.
“And this is only the start of our investment. We will continue to evolve and adapt to ensure we lead the way in technology-backed ethical franchising. We will also continue to give back to society.” Since launching in 2009, the franchise has grown over three continents, and currently has more than 530 global franchisees. Fantastic Services satisfies the demands of over 50,000 clients every month, and there are more than 500 professionals based at the company’s head office.
Staff members at HQ generate sales leads for their franchisees. This means business partners can focus on delivering a top class service for customers and clients, rather than chasing after new sales. The company specialise in cleaning, gardening, handyman, pest control, removals and other property services. Fantastic Services is a one-stop shop for over 100 services and is used by both domestic customers and commercial clients alike. All franchisees follow a proven business model.
Skarlatov said: “We actually pride ourselves on being forward-thinking and at the forefront of a new generation of franchises, where technology and sustainability is the future. We place a high emphasis on community and giving back. During the pandemic we have offered free cleaning, plus other free services, to NHS staff and front-line workers.”
