Published in the October 2018 issue of American Cleaning and Hygiene Magazine
Recently an article was published that stated, “Green Cleaning is Mainstream.” This might be true if you are only talking with a select group of followers who have changed their mindset, however, in the real world of cleaning, Green Cleaning is anything but mainstream.
If Green Cleaning was mainstream, then why does customer after customer still purchase single hole mop buckets and vacuums with no filters? Chemicals which have high pH factors, fragrances and color fly off the shelves daily of JanSan distributors. Look at any online catalog and try and find Green or Healthy products for the consumer to purchase.
Daily, customers purchase mop handles that are non-adjustable and use cotton mops by the case. If Green Cleaning were really mainstream, then these items would not be even manufactured as there would be no call for them.
There needs to be a reality check here about what Green Cleaning really is and what it is not. Green Cleaning is not about purchasing these items, but it is the mentality of those still mandating their use.
Read the complete article here in the American Cleaning and Hygiene Magazine;
Academy of Cleaning Excellence Welcomes A2D Cleaning Solutions as New California Campus
The Academy of Cleaning Excellence (ACE), based in Orlando, FL, is pleased to announce, that effective November 1, 2018, A2D Cleaning Solutions (A2D) in Modesto, CA will join its team. A2D Cleaning Solutions will provide Live, Virtual and E-Learning courses as provided by ACE. David Swindle II, will serve as the Facilitator for A2D.
Today, http://www.a2dsolutionsclasses.com/ is LIVE for those wanting an online class. In addition, on December 27 and 28, 2018, A2D will facilitate its’ first VIRTUAL HANDS ON classes, ACE Accredited Carpet Care and Floor Care for frontline custodial staff in Northern California. These classes are part of the Frontline Education Package offered from ACE through A2D Cleaning Solutions.
Background of A2D Cleaning Solutions
David Swindle II has over 25 years of experience in the cleaning industry working as distributor sales representative, sales manager and regional sales manager. David recently left Surtec, Inc in Northern California where he worked as sales manager for the past 4 years to start his own consulting company. His goal is to provide solutions which go beyond just products or services. He started A2D Cleaning Solutions to provide help to customers with cleaning challenges, no matter their cleaning and restoration challenges.
In 2011, while working for Envirox Chemicals, Mr. Swindle had the opportunity to attend some of the Frontline classes instructed by Mr. Thompson. It was during this time that he realized the value of the Academy and how it could benefit, not just managers, but frontline cleaning professionals. Over the years the two men have stayed in communication. His goal has been then to eventually provide this same education to his customers on the West coast.
David and the team at A2D Cleaning Solutions, have chosen to partner with the Academy of Cleaning Excellence primarily because of their focus in the professional development of frontline workers. This philosophy of the Academy brings educational solutions to our industry, which blends perfectly with A2D’s core values; “Provide professional development education and certification for the cleaning industry.” Mr. Swindle states, “It doesn’t make sense to reinvent the wheel. ACE has built a successful program which covers a wide range of topics to educate, train and support cleaning professionals. I want to utilize what they have built and provide this support to building service contractors and educational facilities throughout Northern California.”
Academy of Cleaning Excellence
“The future is won by those creating the future, and not the ones trying to maintain the status quo.”
The Academy is powered by GEM Supply, an 80-year-old jan-san distributor based in Orlando, Florida. The Academy has four regional campuses in central Florida and an Atlanta, Georgia regional campus as well. David Thompson is the Director of the Academy and is an Accredited Certification Trainer (A.C.T.) from ISSA. https://academyofcleaning.com/ If you would like to join the team at ACE, contact Mr. Thompson; mailto:dthompson@academyofcleaning.com
NO, well then this will help you with some basic principles of the system.
If you have a system, this will help to make sure you know the tips of using the Filling Station.
Here is a link to the education/training course from the Academy of Cleaning Excellence for those currently using the Fill Station. The course is FREE. Use to educate “New Hires” before they ask you the questions.
Find out how to use standard floor care equipment you have to pick up dollars you are walking over. Learn how to pick up small jobs and add income to your budget.
By only adding a few drivers to you floor machine, you too can clean and polish concrete/terrazzo like the pros.
Big companies can’t set up for less than a $5000. YOU CAN! Come to this one-off, concrete cleaning/grinding/densifying and polishing class, conducted by WCPFS Facility Services and Diambrush, and see how to put more $$$$ in your pocket… THAT NO ONE IS GETTING NOW!!!
This ISSA/CMI Masters certification class is designed for frontline staff and middle management. Whether you are new to the industry or a veteran, these sessions are full of up to date techniques and technology.
Be ready to change your mindset! Have you found yourself in charge of a department you know nothing about? Just moved into a position where the staff know more than you?
Are you now inspecting work and have no idea as to the “how’s” and “why’s”?
This class will explore everything you need to know about this flooring material, how it’s made, proper care and what NOT to do.
Flooring materials are changing, are you changing your programs, tools and equipment to meet the demands of these new materials?
Do you know how to tell what type of floor material you are maintaining?
This 3 hour class will put you and your program ahead of others in how to deal with the issues, solutions and program when dealing with Luxury Vinyl flooring materials.
This one day class will teach the essentials of stone floor care. Including, but not limited to, a brief geology lesson explaining how to identify different types of stones, such as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary stones and the proper maintenance of each.
During this hands-on class, you will learn to repair and remove stains from natural stone, Terrazzo and Travertine. Learn how to bring back the natural beauty by removing etching and stains, then polishing them back to the desired luster.
This two day class will educate and train you on how to make money cleaning, restoring and installing a long-lasting, clear, protective coating on most tile & grout, terrazzo and concrete floor surfaces.
This introductory session will give you basic information as to the ins and outs of electrostatic spraying units. There are choices to be made and you need to make the right ones, for the right reasons.
This one hour FREE presentation is to introduce the partnership between the Academy of Cleaning Excellence (ACE) and EMist and upcoming VIRTUAL certification classes which have been verified by ISSA/CMI.
An electrostatic unit does not “disinfect” anything.
These systems are simply the means to apply disinfectants uniformly and comprehensively, meeting the EPA registered disinfectant requirements for dwell times and pathogen kill claims.
Chemical disinfectants can achieve 99.999% efficacy rate with the proper dwell times. By delivering disinfectants via this method, adherence to EPA chemical recommendations can be achieved.
One of the most important skills necessary to run a profitable cleaning company is communication.
Whether it’s talking with customers, prospective customers, lost customers or employees, the ability to communicate appropriately for the situation is a teachable skill and possibly the most important one to possess.
Your cleaning business isn’t only about cleaning,
it’s truly a people business.
Without strong communicating skills, an owner will have difficulty getting information and training to employees, making presentations to prospective buyers, resolving difficult situations as well as issues, and ultimately will fall behind as the competition soars past.
Knowing what to say and when to say it are skills which are developed with time and experience. When an owner comes into the business with strong people skills, this shortens the “learning curve” to effective communication.
Whether it’s employee praise, reprimand, soothing an upset customer, congratulating an employee for a job well done, the ability to use the right tool (text, email, phone, in person) to deliver the right message is a skill worth the time invested to develop.
Cleaning business owners who invest in industry education will always have an advantage over owners who don’t. Professional development never stops for those who are moving their operations forward.
Certifications, continuing education credits, local workshops, seminars, national conventions, online learning are all ways owners can stay on top of the important trends and changes in the industry.
A favorite saying from a wise mentor applies to the Cleaning Industry
“If you do business today the way you did business yesterday, you won’t be here tomorrow”
~Richard Flint
One necessity in the industry is automation for your business. Automation saves money, time and increases productivity. From industry software to general financial accounting software, to individual tablet devices, today’s growing cleaning companies have to be at the forefront of technology and use the systems that can automate almost every operation.
Many small companies or startups, hesitate to get on board with automation for one of 2 reasons. Either they don’t know what is available to them and are unsure how to use it or they hesitate making the investment in technology that they need to save money. In the end, they are costing their companies more money because systems and processes are antiquated and out of date causing lower productivity and increased labor costs.
Think about building a business as you would a home. The builder starts with the foundation first. It must be solid and pass inspection before the next layer can be put in place.
They never put the roof on before the foundation is set and the same in your business; create the basic operation, systems and processes before launching marketing and advertising.
Putting together an organizational chart with job descriptions at various revenue levels will help the owner see what the needs will be at different levels and make them plan ahead to fill the roles.
Without written systems in place a business is not prepared for growth. Operating without a clear plan in place has been the downfall of many businesses. Business owners owe it to themselves and their businesses to take the time to build the foundation, systems and processes in order to maximize profits and grow their businesses into sustainable entities.
It’s impossible to reach your goals when you don’t have any in place. Going day to day without a clear vision of what you want to achieve makes it impossible see progress and motivate yourself to reach the goal post. What’s your vision for your future personally and for your business. Where do you see it in 3 years-5 years-10 years and how do you plan to exit your business?
Your goals must be crystal clear and are best when put in writing, before you start your business and reviewed annually. If you write them down manually and post them where you can see them, you will be reminded daily of where you are heading. This exercise helps curb distractions.
Goal setting doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. The simpler the better. There should be goals for each of the 3 essentials elements described earlier. Ask yourself questions about each element that will describe how you want your business to look.
There are many necessary aspects to starting and growing a profitable cleaning company that include “must have” skills and traits before success happens.
Most entrepreneurs have some commonalities in thinking that separates them from others who are happy working for someone else.
Do you have what it takes?
Are you ready to run a great race?
Whether you are just in the first stages of being an entrepreneur,
in your first year or
wanting to hone your skills and improve your operations position in the business world,
Sharon’s messages will inspire thought and motivation.
