The Business of Cleaning

Mark's industry expertise is unique. He provides an in-depth breakdown of cross-selling and upselling in this episode, discussing how cleaners can better serve their customers. He stated that "people don’t realize they’re leaving money on the table with current customers." He dives into scaling a business and emphasizes the importance of having a developed plan before considering scaling. In fact, according to Mark, premature scaling and organization is why 74% of startups fail. To succeed, Mark points out the significance of surrounding yourself with experts in other areas once your operation, allowing you to acquire new skills. Aditionally, Mark recently launched a podcast called Polishing Profits with industry experts.

Over the past three years, sales approaches have witnessed a profound transformation, catalyzed primarily by the seismic impact of the 2020 pandemic. In this evolving landscape, MJ Mrga, Manager of Business Development for GDI Services, underscores the paramount importance of adaptability. The ability to be an empathetic listener and thoroughly comprehend customer needs has assumed heightened significance in virtual interactions. MJ imparts invaluable insights into achieving success by honing these critical skills and meticulously attending to the details in every client interaction.

Like numerous businesses, Imperial Cleaners faced setbacks during the pandemic, particularly in staffing qualified candidates. With a population exceeding one million in Nova Scotia, the company needed to expand its horizons beyond provincial borders to locate and hire the right individuals. This expansion introduced challenges related to longer commutes and transportation logistics. However, Imperial Cleaning didn't allow these hurdles to impede its progress. Instead, the company embraced the difficulties by adopting innovative solutions. Collaborating with a recruitment agency, they addressed their staffing needs with determination. Beyond this, Imperial harnessed the power of social media, leveraging platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to reach and engage potential candidates effectively.

Training is crucial for a successful cleaning operation. This month, Brant Insero, ISSA’s Sr. Director of Global Education, discusses training trends and increased company investment in training programs. He also highlights how public perception has improved, leading to greater respect for industry workers.

When Ken Carfagno entered the cleaning industry in 2005, he had $160,000 in debt. Listen as Ken discusses how he remained determined to eliminate this staggering debt. Despite finding success with his business, Ken was working 70-hour work weeks and missing important family events. This is when he developed a plan to create the lifestyle he deserved, allowing him to work less and spend more time with his family.

In this edition, Scott Prather, Senior Regional Manager for BETCO Corporation unveils their groundbreaking product EnviroZyme Probiotic Solutions products. A probiotic that lasts 21 days on surfaces and is environmentally friendly. Scott guides us through the research and development of the cleaning product at their world headquarters in Bowling Green, Ohio. He also discusses how he’s witnessed sales and businesses grow and develop during his 33-year career. 

In this episode, Edwin Eaton shares his strategies to building a positive company culture that leads to employee retention. Instead of promoting customer reviews, he promotes his employees on the company’s social media and sells his customers on his employees. This has created a family atmosphere between their customers and employees. Learn more about our show here: https://www.janitorialmanager.com/the-business-of-cleaning-podcast/

In this month's episode, Valerie Reyher introduces us to The Kennedy Collective and how they provide an all-inclusive approach to employment opportunities in the Commercial Cleaning Industry. Valerie Reyher started with The Kennedy Collective 28 years ago as a college graduate and has worked up in the company to her current position as VP of Workforce Development and Social Enterprise. Being able to help people achieve their goals and dreams every single day is a factor in why Valerie has stayed with the company all these years. Learn more about our show here: https://www.janitorialmanager.com/the-business-of-cleaning-podcast/

In this month's episode, we caught up with the Founder and President of Janitorial Manager, Archie Heinl. During the episode, we discuss the founding of Janitorial Manager and the many solutions JM provides to elevate cleaning organizations across the globe. Learn more about Archie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aheinl Learn more about Janitorial Manager: ⁠https://www.janitorialmanager.com/ Podcast landing page: ⁠https://www.janitorialmanager.com/the-business-of-cleaning-podcast/