The Threat Of Janitorial Industry / Be More

[Kevin]

The Threat Of The Janitorial Cleaning Industry

.....is the industry itself.

At a recent local strategy meeting, I ran a poll to 18 local businesses ranging in size from medium to large business operations. All have used cleaning services in the past, and some use cleaning services current.


The poll question was

From past and current experience what do you think of janitorial services ?

Some of the results.

"The janitorial service we used, started out great, then slowly declined. It seemed that we were the most important customer the first month. Then we could not get anyone to return our call. They actually forgot to clean the building one night. We had very important clients coming the next day. We had to clean in the morning before the clients came. We fired the service, and now handle the cleaning".

"The janitorial service we had, was unmanaged. There was no supervision or management present. The cleaners came in during normal business hours while we were open. The only time we would see a manager was if there was a problem. I also could not believe that the employees did not have anytype of uniform. I would not allow our employees to wear jeans."

"We actually caught the cleaning service on tape, taking merchandise from our store" We pay our employees to clean now before they go"

"I do not understand how you janitorial services operate, when we had a janitorial service, some times the managers worked late, and in comes a janitor. Who they never saw before, looked like he was hired from a homeless shelter. The managers would say hello, he just grunted."


"We had a janitorial service once, after the first week, we noticed things missing from the office. It started as minor things, promo items, food from the refrigerator, then a laptop came up missing, we fired them that day. We clean ourself now"

"My concern was not so much the cleaning of the building, the building is new and in good shape. Of course we have restroom issues, and the trash has to be taken out. I want to know who is in our building. The janitorial service we use, it seems like the cleaning is different each day, and some times the building does not feel clean."


"The service we had, left the building and left it unlocked. When I came to the office in the morning, we had clients waiting in the reception area. I could not believe this ever could happen. We will never use a janitorial service anymore"

We have been through several services over the years. From small businesses to large franchises. Our recent dealing with a larger company was disappointing. They wanted a extra amount of money for everything. Some nites I would leave a note to clean this, and skip something else. It was never done. I called the manager, they presented me with a price for cleaning extra things. I asked for something not be cleaned instead. I asked for them to skip the sweeping of our shipping area, and instead concentrate on the breakroom, cleaning the fridge, stove and microwave. It seemed like a even trade. There response was that requires special instruction and would be extra! I knew at that point I was in a bad deal.

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The comments above give you a general idea of what potential customers are dealing with, you reading this know that you are only one company. Your ONE company can make a difference. It is time for you to step forward as a leader of the Janitorial Industry, everyday, every situation. You need to everyday start reassuring customers that janitorial and cleaning services, your operation is a first class operation with training, uniformed employees, open levels of communication, safety, management, background checks, quality control, checks and balances of every sort to avoid problems and service shutdowns. We as contractors are depending on thousands and thousands of service providers to give our business a good name, a good reputation. If you look at the janitorial industry and compare it to McDonald's. If one McDonald's in New York has some bad beef, and that hits the news, the McDonald's in California is now affected, and also has bad beef.

You have to step up, you have to network with other service providers in your area and get them on the same page! Take a day, call every service provider in your area, schedule a lunch rally, a meeting of the minds for all services in your area. Get to know the services in your area. Share strategy. If you can hold a monthly meeting. Tell everyone there at the next meeting to bring another service provider to the next meeting.

Today! YOU are the industry leader. Today, you need to improve the entire industry, We all are counting on you! You can do it! Do the right thing, and do it daily.

[logan5127]

Great Post Kevin. Makes me realize that I am falling short myself. Thanks for the Post. Dan

[Kevin]

I am creating a CHECK In Area, similar to charters, but every area, ever country, where all operators, all service providers can communicate. We all have to work together, we all have to change. Its the only way.

usacleaning.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=checkin

[ECBS Clean Team]

admin said:

The Threat Of The Janitorial Cleaning Industry

.....is the industry itself.]

The janitorial service we used, started out great, then slowly declined. It seemed that we were the most important customer the first month.

[/i]That is so true , we hear that often when touring buildings.

I would not allow our employees to wear jeans. Hmm, I am not on board with that one, Jeans are o.k with us also?


Who they never saw before, looked like he was hired from a homeless shelter. [/i] That is also a biggie, we have a couple people that we have to get on about their appearance...awkward



I want to know who is in our building. The janitorial service we use, it seems like the cleaning is different each day, and some times the building does not feel clean. Turn over is a killer in this business, we have been fortunate to have cleaners in place for a long time now, maybe because our economy sucks? In the past it was an issue here as well though. As for "the building didn't feel clean" I hat clients like that. I have had some that had taken me to offices on a monthly tour & say " & i dont think they came in here" I ask why, what do you see that needs cleaning? ....basically no response. So that one just made me raise an eyebrow,


Some nites I would leave a note to clean this, and skip something else. I asked for them to skip the sweeping of our shipping area, and instead concentrate on the breakroom, cleaning the fridge, stove and microwave. It seemed like a even trade. There response was that requires special instruction and would be extra! I knew at that point I was in a bad deal. Well, this one also lost me. We train crew to follow specs & check lists. If a client wants something special or different for that night, they should call the office or use our portal. Leaving notes for a cleaner to change their trained routine & expect that everything will go smoothly is just silly to me. We are here to serve our clients but clients have to be reasonable & communicate or they will continue to go through cleaning services.

[Kevin]

Oh how times are changing. I like working in jeans also, shorts in the summer. BUT.. if you go to any established service business. The employees have the same color shoes and slacks on. Is it so much of a hassle to ask our employees to pick up a couple pair of Khacki`s. I think, In most cases we get so overjoyed that we can actually find someone to clean, we get the feeling that we don`t want to burden them with a dress code, I think we all provide shirts, Brian I think you provide aprons, right? I think slacks, and matching shoe color really could class up any service.

[Linda]

We also wear jeans, but I have been thinking real hard about changing that, but I am stuck on what would be best as far as comfort and color. I dont allow shorts at any time.

[Grizzly]

I appreciate what Kevin is trying to suggest, however, I have found that in a number of instances the pot is calling the kettle black. We clean 2 or 3 banks. have you ever requested a change in service and not had to pay for it? We have found over the years that clients have a persistent lack of comprehension about what we actually do and why. The list of specifications is usually agreed to by the decision maker of the company who is concerned about finances as well as cleanliness but secondary. The complaints come from the contact person who a lot of times has no idea what the contractual agreements are. Do any companies you know consistently provide extra value without charging? We insist that our employees be neat and presentable period. We provide t-shirts but a couple of the ladies find them uncomfortable and wear shirts. or aprons. However, they are always neat, clean and groomed. This is the important point I believe. We also try and marry employees to accounts as much as possible, except for vacation coverage or illness. This reduces the complaints and problems. The point I am trying to make, valid or not, depends on your perspective, is as providers we need to be consistent , but there is as much an onus on education of clients to be consistent in their requests and expectations.

Bill

[logan5127]

2sisterzjtl said:

We also wear jeans, but I have been thinking real hard about changing that, but I am stuck on what would be best as far as comfort and color. I dont allow shorts at any time.

I do dress up a bit for the bids but on the job in the summer I have to wear shorts and a uniform shirt. How else can I show off my OLD LEGS.