5 Ways to Improve Your Cleaning Services

Tried and True vs. The New

Anyone in the cleaning business will tell you that, depending on which part of the market you’re working in, there are some things that never change. There will always be things to clean and customers to find. The competition is consistent. The customers expect the best service around. But apart from generalizations, there are some areas where doing or using what you always have may not be the best course of action. You may be due for an upgrade. Here are 5 ways you can improve the services you offer and how you offer them:

1. Know Your Niche

We’ve talked a lot about this topic, but it’s essential to fully engage the services you provide. If you’re trying to reach customers everywhere with every type of cleaning, you will soon run you and your team ragged. If you know your business does something particularly well, focus on that! Once you have that vision for your business, the services will fall into place from there. For example, if you’re focused on cleaning business offices, then you wouldn’t get caught up in industrial cleaning supplies or detailed cleaning options. If your focus is on cleaning homes, you wouldn’t need a commercial grade floor buffer. Settling on a niche may seem to limit you at first, but once you really hone in on what you’re good at, you can continue to update and improve those services until you are literally the best in your field.

2. Train Your Staff

Upon deciding your niche, it’s time to make sure your team is on the same page. Cleaning may seem like an easy job, but most people don’t understand the intricacies. So as a manager or owner, it’s your responsibility to instill the right values and motivation into your people. Having a training structure or schedule in place before you hire someone is key to making sure everyone is trained the same way. If one of your team members isn’t fully trained or if they don’t understand what your service standards are, they’re a liability on a job site. You want them to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what your company stands for, and how you view customer service. If they can’t imitate that, they may not be the best employee for you.

3. Understand Your Customers’ Needs

Before you go out offering the world to whoever will hire you, be sure you talk to your current customers (or prospects) to see what they really need from a cleaning company. Not only will this help you to improve what you’re already doing, but you’ll also show them that you care. A customer wants to feel important, like their business matters to you. You can ask specific questions or give out a general “How Are We Doing?” survey, but whatever you do, LISTEN! By taking the time to hear what they’re asking, you’re gaining the opportunity to strengthen the relationship you have with those customers. On the opposite side of the coin, if you’ve already taken the time to listen to them, they’ll most likely listen to you. For instance, if they need additional services, they’ll come to you before going anywhere else. If you mention using a certain product, they’ll listen to your review. And if they hear of a potential customer, they’ll have no problem giving your company a referral. It’s really a win-win.

4. Think About the Future

Whether it’s using better, cleaner products, or updating your inventory to show a greater importance for protecting the planet, or even by going totally green, your customers are watching to see how you handle your cleaning business in regards to the health of the world around them. If you’re bombarding them with a harsh smelling cleaning product or you pay no attention to the waste that is created by your staff, your customers will notice. There are plenty of resources out there to show you how to ‘go green’ – it’s not as much of a change as it once was. If you can’t go completely green, consider using products that have been tested and approved for use in the type of cleaning you do, and try to lessen your carbon footprint. It may seem like a minor detail, but especially in today’s culture, this will be a sticking point in your marketing.

5. Upgrade Your Tools

If you’re still using spreadsheets, files filled with paper, wall calendars, printed invoices, time sheets, or any other loose paper product, you need to upgrade. By using a business management software program, you can house every bit of information in one place, keeping your life and your business organized and efficient. Here are just a few aspects that could be improved by keeping everything in one system:

• Scheduling jobs and employees
• Handling work orders
• Ordering inventory
• Employee history and records
• Managing your budget
• Completing inspections
• Printing reports or invoices

Imagine what you could offer your customers with all the extra time you would have! Every aspect of your business could be improved by a little organization.

Improvement in the Palm of Your Hand If you’re looking for the right partner to help you organize your business, contact us at Janitorial Manager. Our intuitively designed software program can house all of your business information so you don’t have to be chained to your office any longer. Give us a call or schedule a free demo today!