Make a Clean Sweep of the Competition: Better Management, Better Quality

Here’s the thing about cleaning: Everyone can do it, but nobody wants to! That’s why a cleaning business can be a great success if handled properly. The cleaning industry is a huge industry – there are a lot of possibilities and opportunities out there, but it takes a special person to really manage a cleaning business well. While it may sound exciting to get started in the cleaning industry, there’s also a lot of competition out there. If you’re the manager trying to outwit the competition, what strategies should you use to keep your business successful? You may have some great ideas or tactics to address the high demand out there for a great cleaning business, or you may see the weaknesses in some of your competitors and you want to offer better options to potential leads. However, that doesn’t mean the process will be easy.

You have a lot to worry about…

• You need to find your niche
• You have to know your potential clientele and understand their needs
• You must learn which products will be the best for your money
• You need to hire a trustworthy, competent team
• You have to spend time and money on marketing your services
• You have to figure out your budget versus your costs
• …and so much more

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. But it may be time for you to start with the basics – the success of your business starts with you. If you want to boost the quality of the services you offer or your management style needs some work, here are 6 tips to help you improve:

1. Never stop learning the business.

You may think you know everything there is to know about the cleaning industry, but if you talk to any established business owner, he or she will tell you that you have to keep learning. Advances in technology can affect the equipment you use, safety issues and regulations can affect the chemicals you clean with, and there will always be ways you can enhance your organizational and managerial skills. If you can’t adapt to change, your business will lose relevance and your customers will start looking elsewhere.

2. Use every tool you can.

Whether it’s joining a cleaning association, taking a class on how to market your business effectively, using a cleaning management software program or researching the newest cleaning products out there, make sure you’re utilizing every tool you have to continually improve your business. This will not only help you keep your sanity, but it will also set your company apart from the competition.

3. Be the leader, not just the manager.

Managers do things right, but leaders do the right thing. If you’re tempted to cut corners or allow your standards to be lowered, you’ve already lost the management game. The quality of your work will be determined by the level of excellence you strive to maintain.

4. Prioritize your staff.

You may have all the jobs and work orders in the world, but if you don’t have the workers to help you, you’re out of luck. Employee retention is difficult under normal circumstances, but when there’s an abundance of competition out there, it can seem impossible to find and keep the right people. Giving the majority of your attention to your clients, marketing or budget may be tempting, but if your employees aren’t one of your highest priorities, nothing else will matter. Take the time to get to know your people, treat them with respect, reward their hard work and resist the temptation to micromanage. You’ll never regret keeping your employees happy.

5. Communicate well.

Whether communicating with your staff, your suppliers, your clients or your potential leads, the way you communicate can make or break your business. If you connect with people via email, make sure you know how to properly write an email. If you handle a lot of your business over the phone, know and use proper phone etiquette. It may seem trivial, but having good communication skills is key to maintaining a thriving business in today’s fast-paced, electronically-dominated world.

6. Try new things.

Maybe it’s networking in a new way, going green with your cleaning products or using a tool you’ve never used before – whatever the case may be, if you continue to do what you’ve always done, you’ll continue to get the same results. If you continue to get the same results, there won’t be any growth in your business. Trying new things can be scary, especially when trying new things with your livelihood, but the future of your business may depend on trying new things to find a better approach.

What’s the Next Step?

If you want to truly make a clean sweep of your competition, and you’re ready to try something new, it’s time to consider using one of the best tools out there for the commercial cleaning industry.  Think cleaning management software like Janitorial Manager! Our software program was designed to help you in every area: creating automated processes, controlling your inventory, improving scheduling, keeping track of your employees, communicating with your clients and so much more. Give us a call or request a free demo today!