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Steve Hanson - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
Steve Hanson is President and CEO of two internet community sites, TheJanitorialStore.com and MyHouseCleaningBiz.com. He has over 20 years of experience as a building service contractor. Steve has owned and subsequently sold two janitorial companies in Idaho and Minnesota.
Steve always had the desire to begin an online community for building service contractors. So much of what is available in this industry is for much larger janitorial companies -- there aren't many places online for ... [More]
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Steve Hanson Email Alerts
- What is LEED and Why Should My Cleaning Company Learn More About it?
[Business:Small-Business] Companies and businesses across the country are becoming more environmentally conscious and many are starting to adopt LEED standards and protocols. LEED stands for Leadership in Environmental Design.
- How to Get Your Local Cleaning Company Found Online
[Business:Marketing] Many cleaning business owners know the importance of having a website, but many don't know how to optimize it so that the local community can find them online. Here are some tips to consider when optimizing your website for local search.
- Top 5 Cleaning Complaints and How to Solve Them
[Business:Customer-Service] Do you ever pick up the phone only to find an angry customer on the other end? Perhaps a trash can didn't get emptied the night before, or the dusting isn't up to par. Customer complaints are inevitable for a cleaning company, but there are a number of things that you can do to minimize the frequency. Here are some of the common complaints received by commercial cleaning companies and tips on how to solve the problem.
- How To Sell Your Cleaning Services With A Marketing Kit
[Business] Even though a brochure is a convenient marketing piece and might be a good way to first approach new cleaning clients, a complete marketing kit is a much better way to let your prospective clients know who you are, what you do and what you have to offer.
- How to Raise the Prices You Charge to Your Cleaning Customers
[Business] Are you finding that the prices you charge your cleaning customers are not high enough to cover your costs and make a profit? It's never an easy decision, but it might be time to raise the price of your cleaning services. So how do you raise your prices and not lose customers?
- Floor Stripper and Floor Finish Basics
[Business] If you'd like to offer floor care services for resilient tile in your cleaning business, you need to know some of the terminology in order to understand how the chemicals work. It's also important to know the differences between floor strippers and floor finishes.
- Unraveling the Mysteries of Vapor Steam Cleaning
[Home-Improvement:Cleaning-Tips-and-Tools] Are you looking for a way to clean that involves less elbow grease? Are you looking for a healthier way to clean? Have you considered switching to vapor steam cleaning? Vapor steam cleaning is a unique cleaning method that uses high temperature (240 to 280 degrees), water vapor, and pressure to clean, sanitize and deodorize in one easy operation.
- The Advantage of Using Teams for Residential Cleaning
[Business] Many residential cleaning companies start out as a one-person operation. But as your cleaning company grows and you add employees you will soon face the problem of whether you should send in a single person to clean a home or if you should send in a team. Some cleaners may prefer to work alone, but is that in the best interest of your cleaning company?
- What Role Does Ethics Play in Your Cleaning Company?
[Business:Ethics] In the past few years, news headlines have screamed of high profile scandals involving big names and companies like Martha Stewart, Enron, and Tyco. Because of these high profile scandals, businesses and individuals are becoming more and more aware of the importance of ethics in the workplace and in everyday life. What role do ethics play in your cleaning business?
- Add More Profits to Your Cleaning Company by Offering Spring Cleaning Services
[Business] Even though there is still cold weather in some parts of the country, winter is officially over and the spring season is here! For many, spring is the time to do a thorough cleaning to get rid of all the dust, soil and build-up that has collected over the winter months. Spring is also a time you can promote the special services that you have to offer.
- The Benefits of Using Dilution Control Systems
[Business] The cleaning chemicals your janitorial company uses every day come in various forms: ready-to-use, concentrated, and dilution control systems. Cleaning companies are using dilution control systems more and more every day. They see the value in having a system that not only mixes what they need for a specific job or building, but also mixes the chemical in the right dilution every time.
- Keeping Your Floors Looking Great With Green Cleaning Products
[Business] Floors, especially hard surface floors, cover a large percentage of a building and are areas that your cleaning workers will spend a lot of time maintaining. Many of the cleaners you use to take care of floors contain products can have harmful health and environmental effects. Switching to "greener" cleaning chemicals can reduce these effects and also lead to cost savings for your cleaning company.
- Types of Floor Coverings and Basic Floor Care Tips
[Business] There are so many different types of hard floor coverings these days, it's hard to keep up with learning how to care for each of the different kinds. And if you're a cleaning contractor, you don't want to make a costly mistake by using something on a floor that could be harmful or damage the floor. Listed below are some of the common floor coverings and basic floor care tips-
- 10 Ways to Build Profit in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] There are lots of reasons people start a cleaning business, but no matter what the reasons, you won't be able to stay in business long unless you are making a profit. With more and more people going into the cleaning field each year, how do you stay competitive, yet earn enough to make a living?
- How to Keep Commercial Buildings Smelling Clean and Fresh
[Business] It doesn't matter if the floors in a building are shiny, the glass surfaces sparkle, and the furniture gleams; if there are unpleasant, strong or foul odors, occupants will feel that your cleaning company is not doing its job. A building's occupants not only expect shiny floors and furniture wiped free of dust, they also want their buildings to smell "clean".
- 10 Tips for Choosing Green Cleaning Chemicals
[Home-Improvement:Cleaning-Tips-and-Tools] Many cleaning companies are making the switch to green cleaning chemicals. But with so many products on the market these days, how do you know which ones are truly "green"? Here are some recommendations on what to look for when choosing green cleaners.
- Grow Your Cleaning Business By Creating a Referral Machine
[Business] One of the fastest ways to grow your cleaning business is to get referrals from your current customers. There may be times when a customer will pass your company's name along without any prompting from you. However, to really get your clients to work for you, it's important to encourage referrals.
- What Your Cleaning Company Needs to Know About MSDS
[Business] There is no way a cleaning company can effectively do its job without using chemicals. Your company may use just a few basic products or a multitude of cleaners for various situations. No matter how many or how few chemicals you use, it's important that you have the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each different product that your company uses.
- Preparing Your Cleaning Business for a Disaster
[Business] You spend years building up a successful cleaning business. And, unfortunately, in just a matter of minutes it can be wiped out by a disaster - fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and chemical spills are just a few of the things that can wipe out your business in a matter of minutes. How you prepare ahead of time can determine if your business succeeds or fails after a disaster happens.
- How to Handle Customer Complaints in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Customer-Service] No matter how large or how small your cleaning business is, there is going to come a time when you answer the phone and find a customer on the other end who has a complaint. How you handle that complaint can have either a positive or negative impact on your business.
- How to Avoid Wintertime Slips and Falls
[Business] In many parts of the country, winter brings with it wet and icy conditions. This is dangerous not only for driving, but also for walking! Thousands of injuries occur from people slipping and falling because of ice and snow. Reducing injuries is possible when your employees take a little extra time and taking a few precautions to avoid slips and falls.
- Tips for Winning the First Sale in Your Cleaning Business
[Business] Winning those first few sales is one of the toughest challenges you'll face when getting your new cleaning business off the ground. Some prospects may be uncomfortable working with a new business owner. They may be interested in your services, but feel you don't have the experience they're looking for.
- Making the Most of Your Time When Cleaning Homes
[Business:Industrial-Mechanical] There is really no wrong way for you to clean a home. But as with any business, time in your cleaning business is valuable. The more cleaning jobs you can fit into a day, the more potential profit you earn. If you can complete the basics faster, then you have more time to offer specialized services or to move on to cleaning the next home.
- Why You Need a Business Plan for Your Cleaning Company
[Business] A business plan is an important document that cleaning companies of all sizes should take the time to prepare before signing on that first account. By sitting down to write a business plan you take the time to look at your new business in an objective and critical manner. Once completed, a business plan will give you a path to follow.
- How Much Should I Charge For My Commercial Cleaning Services?
[Business] You've bought all your cleaning supplies and equipment, told everyone you know that you have started a cleaning business and now you are ready to start bidding on jobs and getting down to work. After meeting with potential clients you might be thinking that your next step is just getting down to work. But before you actually start work you need to know how much to charge for your cleaning services.
- Do You Have What it Takes to Start Your Own Cleaning Business?
[Business] Are you thinking about starting your own cleaning business? Running your own business offers many rewards and gives you the freedom of being your own boss. You can also achieve great personal satisfaction from starting with a just few cleaning clients and building a successful and thriving business. However, not everyone is cut out for the time and money commitment that it takes to run a cleaning business.
- What Cleaning Companies Need to Know About Mold
[Business] When someone mentions mold it brings to mind visions of green bread or cheese that has been left in the refrigerator too long - things you just throw into the trash without much thought. Molds are an essential part of our environment; however, inside buildings mold can be unsightly, smell and cause health problems to the buildings occupants.
- How to Squeeze More Profit and Cash Flow Out of Your Cleaning Business
[Business] When an entrepreneur takes the plunge and starts his or her own cleaning company, the first concern is how to get clients. Once up and running, the day-to-day tasks take over and the goal of owning a business - making a profit - is sometimes lost. But your cleaning business cannot survive and grow unless there is more money coming in than going out.
- What to Include in Your Cleaning Bid Packet
[Business] Putting together a bid packet to present to a prospective client shows that you are a professional in the cleaning business. Many small businesses seeking cleaning services do not know what to expect when receiving a bid, or their experience has been receiving a single page bid, which is not very impressive. When you present a nicely packaged proposal, you've just increased your chances of winning the bid, regardless of price.
- New Generation of Carpet Care - Encapsulation
[Business] Carpet is no doubt a common floor covering in most of the buildings that your company cleans. However, if not properly taken care of carpet can be almost impossible to keep clean and can give a negative impression of the cleaning staff. This article explains encapsulation carpet cleaning and why it's so important.
- How to Clean Grout in Floors
[Home-Improvement] Restroom cleanliness is one of the most common complaints cleaning companies receive. When cleaning restrooms, keep in mind that they should not only look clean, but that they should feel and smell clean. An important part in maintaining a high level of cleanliness is making sure the floor grout is clean.
- How to Create Job Descriptions for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Careers-Employment] As your cleaning business grows, one of the first things you will need to do is hire employees. But before you put that ad in the paper or start interviewing prospective cleaning employees, you should have a written job description that specifies the duties of the position.
- Networking for Cleaning Companies: How to Plan Ahead
[Business:Networking] Networking is a great way to market your cleaning business, and in order to do it effectively, you need to plan ahead so you know what you want to accomplish at each event. You also need to grow and nurture your network to keep it fresh!
- Networking Tips for Cleaning Companies
[Business:Networking] Many people cringe at the thought of having to "network" to gain business for their cleaning company. But networking is one of the best ways to meet people and build relationships, and as you know, building relationships is the cornerstone of building a successful cleaning business. This article offers tips for effective networking for your cleaning business.
- Dusting For Health
[Business] One of the biggest complaints building owners have with their cleaning services is poor dusting. Inadequate dusting can be one of the factors leading to poor indoor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to our country. This article offers tips for dusting for heath.
- How to Create a Procedures Manual for Your Cleaning Company
[Business] You may have started your cleaning company part time and never felt you needed to have written documentation on how to do your job. With many different tasks pulling you in a thousand directions, writing down procedures has most likely never been a priority. But what happens if you get sick, injured or even if you just want to take some much needed time off from your cleaning business?
- Where Should You Buy Your Cleaning Supplies?
[Business] From cleaning chemicals to microfiber cloths to mop buckets, you need supplies and equipment to clean your buildings. But is there a "one-stop shop" that will best suit the needs of your cleaning company?
- Do You Have a Generation Gap at Your Cleaning Company?
[Business] In today's workforce there is a new phenomenon happening - there are four distinct generations that are out there working together. What does this mean for your cleaning company? Each generation is unique, which means they bring different attitudes and opinions to their job. This affects you in everything from recruiting to solving conflicts to motivating your cleaning company employees.
- Tips for Removing Gum From Carpet
[Home-and-Family] Removing gum from carpet can be a time consuming and tedious task, especially if you are in a school or bowling alley where there may be pieces of that sticky mess every few feet. There is no real "easy" solution to cleaning up this gooey mess. However, there are a few tried and true techniques that work quite well to get gum out of your client's carpets.
- Are Your Cleaning Company Workers Employees or Subcontractors?
[Business] Many small cleaning companies use sub-contractors to help them get the work done. But if you improperly classify a worker as an independent contractor when the IRS views them as an employee you could be liable for back taxes, penalties and interest! This article goes over some of the things you should watch for before subcontracting any of your cleaning jobs.
- Are Your Cleaning Customers Motivated by Quality or Price?
[Business] You don't have to be running your own cleaning business for very long to find out that customers are different when it comes to what they expect out of a cleaning service. There are those customers who want the best, no matter what the cost. And then there are those who are more concerned with price.
- What Your Cleaning Company Needs to Know About the Hazard Communication Law
[Business] As a cleaning company you use various chemicals in your day-to-day operations. Products such as floor finish, toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectants, carpet spotters and all-purpose cleaners contain various ingredients that can pose a hazard to your employees' health and well-being. This article clarifies your responsibilities to your employees' safety, as stated in the "Right To Know Law".
- Understanding Cleaning Production Rates
[Business] Are you bidding on a new cleaning account? When bidding a cleaning account, labor is always the biggest expense. In order to determine your labor expense for a cleaning account you'll need to figure out how many hours it will take to get the job done. This article will help you to understand different circumstances that could affect a "normal" cleaning production rate.
- Does Your Cleaning Business Have a Mission Statement?
[Business] Why does your cleaning business need a mission statement? A mission statement is an important tool that will capture the spirit of your business and clarifies the goals and objectives of your cleaning company. In just a sentence or two, a mission statement will let your customers know why they should hire your cleaning business to take care of their buildings.
- Secrets to Running a Successful Family Cleaning Business
[Business] Do you own a cleaning business with your family or employ family members? A family cleaning business can be very successful if you remember to keep your "work at work" and your "family matters" at home. This article gives tips for owning and running a successul family cleaning business.
- Thinking Beyond Cleaning Office Buildings
[Business] If your business is like many other traditional cleaning companies, you started by cleaning an office, apartment building, retail store or other commercial building. Adding additional clients may have included more office buildings, medical clinics and perhaps even expanding into manufacturing facilities. But have you stopped to think about expanding into residential cleaning?
- Why Taking Care of Cleaning Equipment Adds to the Bottom Line
[Business] Taking good care of your cleaning equipment not only extends the life of your machines, but it saves you money too. Cleaning equipment such as vacuums, buffing machines, and automatic scrubbers can last years longer with the proper care. This article shows how you to maintain your cleaning equipment.
- What Cleaning Contractors Need to Know About Mold in Carpet
[Business] One area of growing concern to building owners is indoor air quality. Feeding poor indoor air quality can be one of over 1,000 types of mold found in the United States. Carpets that are not cleaned and dried properly can be a haven for mold spores, which thrive on excessive moisture.
- How to Decide What to Pay Your Cleaning Employees
[Business] As your cleaning business grows, one of the first things you will have to do is hire employees. Of course, this means that you must decide on how much you are going to pay before you start interviewing and hiring new cleaning staff.
- Professional Carpet Cleaning Methods
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Besides general cleaning, having their carpets professionally cleaned is one of the services your cleaning customers will probably ask for most often. There are four primary cleaning methods that you should know about: absorbent compound method; bonnet cleaning method; hot water extraction method; and dry foam cleaning method.
- When Should You Fire a Cleaning Customer?
[Business] Do you have customers whose phone calls you don't want to answer? Or are there cleaning clients on your list that are low profit, yet demanding and take up a lot of your time? Trimming these customers off your list will allow you to spend more time on building up relationships with higher profit margin accounts.
- Tips for Keeping Restrooms Smelling Fresh and Clean
[Business] There's nothing that says your cleaning company is doing a great job more than when your building's restrooms are not only clean, but fresh-smelling. This article shows how to keep your customers' restrooms smelling fresh and clean.
- How to Hire Your First Cleaning Employee
[Business] Is it time to hire your first employee for your cleaning business? This article gives tips on how to prepare yourself and your business for that first new employee.
- How to Evaluate and Care for Hard Wood Floors
[Home-Improvement] Hardwood floors can create a feeling of warmth and elegance in a home or business. However, hardwood floors can also be a nightmare for your cleaning company to keep looking good. Knowing what to do and when to do it will help you to keep hardwood floors in prime condition.
- How to be a True Professional in Your Cleaning Business
[Business] With the large number of cleaning businesses out there, how do you get your company to stand out? Being a professional in all aspects of your cleaning business will go a long way towards showing your customers and potential customers that you are serious about doing the best job that you can do
- Do You Need an Automated Timekeeping System for your Cleaning Business?
[Business:Small-Business] Small cleaning businesses usually have their employees track time on a paper timesheet. But as your cleaning business grows, deciphering data and adding up hours from numerous time sheets can take time away from other profit-making activities as you burn up your time doing payroll. This article shows the benefits of automating your timekeeping system.
- Goal-Setting Tips for Achieving Success in Your Cleaning Business
[Business] Why is it some owners of cleaning companies build successful businesses, while others fail? Do they work harder? Are they smarter? Are they really well-connected? No, not usually... This article shows some of the things successful cleaning business owners do to ensure their business is a success.
- Why Your Cleaning Company Should Buy From Janitorial Distributors
[Business] Where do you buy your janitorial supplies and equipment? If it's not from a janitorial distributor then you're probably paying too much and missing out on lots of benefits.
- What Every Carpet Cleaner Needs to Know About Soil
[Business] In order to understand how to clean carpet, we need to know what soil is and the problems it presents. This article explains soil in carpet and how to remove it.
- How to Start a Cleaning Business on a Shoestring Budget
[Business:Small-Business] Would you like to learn how to start a cleaning business on a shoestring budget? By taking the right steps at the beginning you can start a cleaning business with very little up-front costs and yet clear a profit in your first year of operation! What are the advantages of starting a cleaning business as opposed to owning and operating another type of business?
- How to Improve Cash Flow in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] Do you have trouble getting paid on time in your cleaning business? This article shows how you can increase your cash flow by getting paid quicker.
- Streamlining Your Cleaning Operations Through Work Loading
[Business:Small-Business] You have only so many hours in a day to get your buildings cleaned. Did you know there is a way you can have cleaner buildings and higher employee morale? By implementing a work loading system you can streamline your cleaning operation and save money in the process.
- Increase Your Profits by Switching to Daytime Cleaning
[Business] Traditionally, janitorial staffs clean buildings after business hours. But some businesses are realizing a substantial cost savings by allowing cleaning staff to work during daytime hours. This article shows the benefits of daytime cleaning.
- Ultrasonic Cleaning: High-Tech Cleaning Services
[Business] Are you looking for innovative ways to increase your services and your profit margins? Ultrasonic cleaning services can be a way for your cleaning business to add another income stream that can be highly lucrative.
- Finding Sales Leads For Your Cleaning Business
[Business] To grow your cleaning business you need to expand your circle and gain new customers. Where do you look for potential clients? The following are practical ideas to find qualified leads.
- How to Create an Advertisement to Promote Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Advertising] Even if you don't think of yourself as a marketing guru, advertising can help get your cleaning company noticed by potential customers. Finding the right niche for your cleaning company will help you to direct your advertising dollars to that area and be the most effective way of getting clients to call and requesting your cleaning services.
- How to Retain Janitorial Workers
[Business:Small-Business] Due to the nature of the cleaning business it can be hard to keep good employees. Your good employees may be lured away by competitors, leave for a "regular" 8 to 5 job, or leave to take a job in another field that pays more. So how do you keep your good employees? This article shares some tips on how to keep your good employees working at your cleaning company.
- Touchless Technology Helps Keep Your Restrooms Clean and Healthy
[Business] Did you know one of the major sources of cleaning complaints concerns restroom cleanliness? It can be an endless chore for your cleaning staff to get grimy fingerprints off of restroom faucets and soap dispensers. Trying to find a better way to get your restrooms clean? Installing touchless dispensers can keep your restrooms cleaner and save your cleaning crew time.
- Finance Your Cleaning Business by Bootstrapping
[Business:Small-Business] New cleaning businesses tend to have few financial resources, so many rely on a technique called bootstrapping -- learning to do more with less. This article has 12 techniques that have helped cleaning businesses grow and and become successful.
- Tips for Training Your Cleaning Staff
[Business] Proper training of your cleaning staff not only leads to cleaner buildings, but it also means fewer accidents, faster cleaning times, and a more professional cleaning staff. Use these tips to help ensure your cleaning staff learns to do their job safely and efficiently.
- Develop a Stone Floor Care Program for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] Office buildings have many types of flooring and growing in popularity are stone floors. Stone floors give buildings a classic and upscale image. Popular choices in flooring these days are natural surfaces including marble, slate, granite, and terrazzo. Learning the tricks of stone floor care can lead to extra income and profit for your cleaning company.
- How to Market your Cleaning Services on the World Wide Web
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Internet-Marketing] Did you know that there are millions of people searching the internet every day for products and services? With that many people out there searching, no business should be without a website. Being on the world wide web is one thing, but how to you get potential customers to your website?
- Communicating with Your Residential Cleaning Clients is Key
[Business] As a residential cleaning contractor, you not only need to provide a good service, but you also need frequent communication with your client to ensure that both parties understand their responsibilities and that there are no misunderstandings.
- Should You Start a Cleaning Business With Your Spouse?
[Business] This article shares several key questions you should ask yourself before investing time and money into starting a cleaning business with your spouse.
- How to Be An Effective Team Leader in Your Cleaning Business
[Self-Improvement:Leadership] Whether your cleaning business has 2 employees or 20, it is important that your staff works together as a team. Working together as a team helps to create a more positive workforce, is valuable for sharing ideas and energy for problem solving, and provides more bodies to share the work and responsibilities.
- Trash Can Liner Basics
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] Many janitorial companies supply trash can liners to their customers. So how do you know what to recommend? To understand liners, it is important to become familiar with the basics of trash can liners.
- Why You Should Charge Extra For First Time Residential Cleaning
[Business] When starting a new residential cleaning account it's a good idea to charge extra for the first time cleaning. This article explains why.
- Increase Profits by Bundling Your Cleaning Services
[Business:Sales] Packaging your cleaning services and products together can be a powerful marketing technique that allows you to sell more, and at the same time gives your customers added value.
- Get Your Cleaning Business off to a Good Start by Avoiding These Common Mistakes
[Business:Small-Business] As you get ready to start your own cleaning business there are literally hundreds of things you have to do - from buying supplies to figuring out your accounting system to finding customers. Your first year in business is full of excitement, but can also bring about a steep learning curve...
- How to Clean Marble Floors
[Business] An area that causes some cleaning contractors to scratch their heads, is the best way to clean marble floors. Asking janitorial supply houses or stores that sell marble flooring will almost always lead to different answers. This article explains the right way to clean and protect marble floors.
- Residential Cleaning Customers: Be Prepared to Answer Their Questions
[Business] Are you ready to start your residential cleaning service? When you start talking to prospective customers they're going to have questions for you. The following article has 12 questions you should be prepared to answer.
- Use the Right Floor Maintenance Equipment For the Job
[Business] One of the first add-on services most cleaning contractors want to add to their janitorial service is floor care - stripping and waxing, burnishing, and buffing. In order to perform these services, you must use the right equipment for the job.
- How to Find a Good Accountant for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] Finding a good accountant who you feel comfortable working with is important to your cleaning business. It's his responsibility to stay on top of all the ever-changing tax laws, plus he can give you financial advice that will help guide you in the growth of your business.
- Health Care Facilities: A Profitable Niche for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] A growing area that offers plenty of opportunity and potential profit for building service contractors is cleaning health care facilities. Becoming known as a medical facility cleaning specialist can open many doors and lead to higher profits.
- How to Create a Name for Your Cleaning Business
[Business] Before you open the doors of your cleaning business you not only need equipment and supplies, you need a name for your business. This article offers creative tips on naming your cleaning business.
- Selecting the Legal Structure for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] One of the most important decisions you will make when starting your cleaning business is deciding which type of legal structure is right for your business. The type of entity you choose will determine the amount of taxes you pay and guide you in the amount of paperwork you will have to deal with.
- Tips for Offering Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning Services
[Business:Small-Business] People and businesses are moving from homes, apartments, and offices on a daily basis. As people and businesses move, they either need their old location cleaned or want to make sure their new location is clean before moving in. Your cleaning company can fill this niche.
- Overcoming Objections When Selling Your Cleaning Service
[Business:Small-Business] As you are talking to prospective clients for your cleaning business you are bound to run into customers that have objections and question why they should use your cleaning service. Having the right answers to their questions may help you overcome their doubts and convince them your company is right for the job.
- Using Voicemail to Sell Your Cleaning Services
[Business:Marketing] When trying to call prospective customers you may not get to talk to the person, but have to leave a voicemail and then hope for a return call. When leaving a voicemail it is important that you leave enough information so that the person receiving your message knows why you are calling and how your services can benefit their company.
- Understanding Ergonomics and How it Affects Your Cleaning Business
[Health-and-Fitness:Ergonomics] Ergonomics has been a "buzzword" throughout many office buildings these days, but it is an area that many in the cleaning industry have not addressed. Understanding ergonomics along with using ergonomically designed products and procedures in your cleaning business can prevent injuries and help your employees perform their routine tasks better and more efficiently
- Zone Cleaning vs. Team Cleaning - Which is For You?
[Business:Small-Business] Even small janitorial companies should look at the possibility of implementing either a "team" or "zone" approach into their cleaning practices. Incorporating one of these systems into your maintenance program can result in more efficiency in your cleaning business, thus saving you more money and added profits.
- Closing the Sale in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Sales] How do you know when a prospect is ready to sign a contract with you? It is important to listen for signals during your sales presentations. An indicator that they are interested in your services is when the prospect starts asking for more information.
- How to Write a Cold Calling Script for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Sales-Teleselling] Have you ever decided to just pick up the phone and "wing-it" when cold calling for your business? If so how did the call end up? Do you need some tips on how to make your cold calling more successful? This article has some practical tips on writing a script so you sound more natural when making a sales call
- Questions to Ask Cleaning Business Prospects
[Business:Small-Business] When meeting a prospective client you need to prepare ahead of time. There are questions that you need answered so that you can accurately prepare a cleaning bid and to make sure that you take care of all of the customer's needs. Being informed and knowing what questions to ask may turn a prospective customer into a paying client.
- Avoid Frequent Tax Mistakes by Keeping Good Records
[Business:Small-Business] In all businesses it is important to keep good records. The tax laws are very complicated, and it is easy to make mistakes in bookkeeping and the filing of records. However, there are several common mistakes many business owners make that can be avoided with a little forethought.
- Why Should My Cleaning Company Go Green?
[Business:Small-Business] Why should you incorporate "green" cleaning techniques into your every day cleaning routine? There is growing evidence to show that geen cleaning provides benefits to cleaning staff and building occupants. More and more building owners across the country are asking for products that are more environmentally friendly.
- 4 Reasons Your Cleaning Company Needs to Do Background Checks
[Business:Small-Business] Chances are your cleaning company employees work in buildings after hours and have access to areas that may hold confidential information or valuables. How can you be sure the employees you hire can be trusted when working unsupervised?
- Disinfectants: What Your Cleaning Company Needs to Know
[Business] As a cleaning service one of the things you will be responsible for is to make sure that you are killing germs and other microorganisms. Germs, disease causing bacteria and viruses can hide in all kinds of nooks and crevices in your buildings - everywhere from toilet seats to doorknobs.
- 10 Secrets to Dusting in an Office Building
[Business:Small-Business] Dusting is an essential task your employees need to do in every office building. Visible dust creates an unsightly office building which can translate into an uncaring image. A well dusted building translates into a positive and pleasing appearance to both employees and visitors. A clean working environment also encourages neatness and better work habits.
- Checklist For Starting Your Janitorial Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] So you've decided you're ready to take the plunge and start your own janitorial cleaning business. You can succeed and have a profitable cleaning business if you take the time to plan out your business strategy before signing that first client.
- 7 Advantages to Leasing Equipment for Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] All small businesses need equipment and your cleaning business is no exception. But you don't necessarily have to buy the equipment to run your cleaning business successfully. Depending on your circumstances, leasing may be a better choice than buying every piece of equipment you need for your cleaning business.
- Back Pack Vacuums - Use the Correct Fit and Technique
[Business:Small-Business] Back pack vacuums are an ideal way to make your job easier than you ever thought possible. Instead of excessive bending, as with a regular vacuum unit.
- Carpet Spotting Basics
[Business:Small-Business] When you consider all of the time that a good cleaning staff spends in cleaning and maintaining a good quality carpet, it would be a real shame to see a spot or stain that simply won't come out. After all, any discolorations, or blotchy places take away from the overall appearance of an otherwise beautiful carpet. That is why carpet spotting is an important practice for keeping up the appearance of a building. In fact, it is more common for a business to replace a carpet because of stains and an overall "dirty" appearance, than it is due to the carpet being worn out.
- Tips & Tricks for Trashing
[Business:Small-Business] Trashing plays an important role in maintaining a high level appearance in an office building. Indeed, one of the first things a visitor to an office will notice is a full or overflowing trash can. As well as presenting an unsightly appearance, waste material that is allowed to accumulate may become a safety issue.
- Cleaning Decorative Items
[Business:Customer-Service] There is more to cleaning an office than just emptying the trash, sweeping the floor and vacuuming the carpet. You may be cleaning offices that are covered with photos, plaques , scupltures and other kinds of knickknacks. How do you clean these items? Should you clean these items?
- Ice Melt - How Does It Work?
[Business:Small-Business] In the winter months, many building facility managers have the added task of keeping sidewalks and outside entryways free of ice and snow. How do you know what type of deicer to use? Although all deicers work basically the same way, they contain different ingredients which may or may not be appropriate for your situation.
- The Importance of Hand Washing
[Business] It is well known that inadequate hand washing can lead to the spread of germs. However, as cleaning professionals it is sometimes overlooked how important this is in our industry. Even if your cleaning staff is wearing gloves, it is still important that they spend the extra time necessary to make sure chemicals and germs are thoroughly washed off their hands
- Remove Trash Carefully!
[Business:Workplace-Communication] One of the most common tasks a cleaning company does is to take the trash out and it is usually given little or no thought. The following are the Do's and Don'ts of taking out the trash.
- Vacuuming for Health
[Business] One of the most important maintenance tasks that your janitorial service will provide is vacuuming. Proper vacuuming not only makes a building look cleaner, but it also keeps a building healthier. Floors, whether they are carpeted or hard floors, are the largest horizontal surface in a building and are the places where everything that gets tracked in or falls out of the air will collect
- 15 Ways to Save Money in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] To stay profitable in your cleaning business it's important to save money wherever you can. There are numerous ways you can cut costs by looking at everything from when your employes take breaks to getting rid of outdated supplies. Taking some time to look at where your costs are can save you money and make your business more profitable.
- Questions You Need to Ask When Bidding on Cleaning a Building
[Business] When bidding on cleaning a building, walking through the building with the prospective client is an important part of the process. This offers you not only a chance to do a detailed site inspection, but to ask questions and get to know your prospective client and start building a relationship with that person...
- Protect Your Cleaning Business With the Proper Insurance
[Insurance] Proper business planning includes thinking about your insurance needs. Too many companies don't think about their insurance policies until something happens. Unless you are prepared ahead of time that something might not be covered in your policy. As a cleaning company you have unique situations that should be covered by insurance
- Planning for Emergencies in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] On an average day your staff will go to work and the time will pass routinely, without incident. But unexpected events can happen.
- Office Etiquette for Cleaning Staff
[Business:Small-Business] Company policies are developed in order to keep all cleaning staff on the same page. Policies must also be enforced regarding proper behavior of the cleaning staff while on the job.
- Safe and Sound - Follow Safety Guidelines to Avoid Accidents & Injuries
[Business:Small-Business] Prevent workplace accidents with proper employee training. Because of the chemicals and equipment that are a part of a cleaning company's daily routine, employers should take added precautions and safety measures.
- What You Should Know About the PH Scale
[Business] It is important to know about the pH scale as improperly using cleaners with too low or too high of a pH can ruin surfaces. In addition, mixing low pH solutions with high pH solutions is dangerous, and can even be deadly.
- Avoid Slips, Trips, and Falls While Cleaning a Commercial Office Building
[Business:Small-Business] In the cleaning business there are many conditions that exist where slips, trips or falls could occur. Keep yourself and others safe by being aware of them.
- Cleaning Employee Safety: Keep the Doors Locked
[Business:Small-Business] As a professional cleaning company your employees will most likely be working in offices after business hours. Your employees' safety and keeping the building secure are vital to your company's reputation.
- Small Touches That Will Make Your Cleaning Company Stand Out
[Business:Small-Business] Your cleaning company can have a big impact on its clients by paying attention to small details that other cleaning services miss. Following are few simple guidelines to make your customers feel like they are getting special treatment.
- Working with Cleaning Chemicals
[Business:Small-Business] As cleaning companies we work with an assortment of cleaning chemicals. Your employees need to know how to use all chemicals they work with and be aware of where the MSDS sheets are for the products they use.
- Give Your Floors High Gloss by Burnishing
[Business:Small-Business] If the floors in your building have lost their luster, it might be time to burnish them. Burnish the floors in your buildings to give them a high gloss or "wet" look.
- How to Care for Cleaning Equipment
[Business] If you have a small cleaning business keeping your equipment in good working condition will save time and money. Following a few basic procedures will keep your equipment in tip top shape.
- Microfibers - The New Cleaning Technology
[Business:Small-Business] Using microfibers cloths and mops will help your to incease the efficiency and productivity of your cleaning staff. A small investment in microfibers can end up being a large payoff in your pocket!
- Proper Vacuuming Puts the Final Touch on Office Cleaning
[Business:Small-Business] Put the final touch on your office cleaning by proper vacuuming. By following proper vacuum techniques you will keep your buildings cleaner and your clients happy!
- Control Climbing Costs in Your Cleaning Company
[Recreation-and-Sports:Climbing] Supply and material costs may be a small part of your cleaning company's expenses, but these costs are continuing to sprial. Keeping these costs down are important to remain competitive.
- Spray Buff Floors to a Sparkling Shine
[Business:Small-Business] Shiny, clean floors are a sign that your staff takes good care of the entire building. You can help preserve a floor's high gloss and extend the length of time between stripping floors by spray buffing.
- Ten Reasons Why Salespeople Fail to Sell Their Cleaning Services
[Business:Sales] At some stage in your business you will be required to make sales calls to promote your cleaning services. Make your sales calls more effective by being aware of potential pitfalls.
- Be a Leader: Use Environmentally Friendly Products in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] Green cleaning is a hot topic these days due to health and safety concerns. People are becoming more environmentallly conscious and as a result want their janitorial services to use cleaning chemicals that are friendly to the environment.
- How Your Phone is Answered Says a Lot About Your Cleaning Company
[Business:Small-Business] The way your employees answer your phone is extremely important to your business. Much of the contact you have with customers or potential customers will be through the telephone so you want them to feel that they're dealing with a professional, courteous business.
- 10 Tips for Proper Behavior When Cleaning Around Tenants
[Home-Improvement:Cleaning-Tips-and-Tools] Just because you're in the cleaning business doesn't mean you never come into contact with the people who work in the buildings you care for. Learning how to work around and communicate with building tenants goes a long ways towards building trust in your company and employees.
- What to Do If...Help Your Cleaning Staff Know What to Do in Certain Situations
[Business] While your cleaning crew is working things may happen that are out of the ordinary. Due to the nature of the business, things can be broken, your cleaning staff may be locked out of a building, or your staff just does not have enough time to get things done.
- Protect Your Cleaning Crew and Tenants from Slip/Fall Accidents
[Business:Small-Business] It is estimated that more than eight million people are injured each year by accidental slips and falls. These accidents are often preventable, and the responsibility lies with the employer to take every necessary precaution to protect workers.
- Janitor Closets: Safe, Clean, Organized
[Business:Small-Business] For a janitorial staff to be effective and to keep things running smoothly, they must first start by having equipment and supplies that are properly organized. The first step in running smoothly is having an organized janitorial closet.
- A Well Trained Cleaing Crew Reduces Employee Turnover
[Business:Small-Business] The performance provided by a cleaning crew member on the job is dependent upon many different factors. Among these, two that should be considered most important are the general attitude, as well as the job-specific skills of the given employee.
- Train Your Cleaning Staff to Read MSDS Sheets
[Business:Small-Business] Knowing how to read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is one way to make sure that your cleaning staff has all of the information they need to know about the hazards and safe handling of chemicals used on the job. Don't just give your staff MSDS sheets; train your staff how to read and understand the material contained within the MSDS.
- Microfiber Mopping Systems: Safety and Economics Win Out Over Tradition
[Business] Microfiber mopping systems are becoming more widely used in both commercial and hospital settings. Microfibers systems are gaining in popluarlity as they provide both economic and safety benefits over traditional mopping systems.
- Back to Basics Floor Care
[Business:Small-Business] One of the things that will make your cleaning company stand out is by ensuring that the floors in the buildings you clean shine! Floors that receive good service regularly will have a sparkling shine that will be a positive reflecting on your cleaning company.
- Window Washing Made Easy - How to Wash Windows Like a Pro
[Business] Watching a professional window washer is something that catches everyone's eye. They do a perfect job with a simple set of tools. There are some tricks of the trade that you can learn to improve your own window washing skills and be just as good as the pros!
- Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide
[Home-and-Family] An easy way to providing a safer, cleaner space with lower bacteria levels is to clean with hydrogen peroxide. In addition, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide is a way you can help protect the health of your employees and the other business users.
- Winning the Bid Doesn't Mean You Must be the Lowest Bidder
[Business:Sales-Management] Winning bids for cleaning contracts does not mean you have to be the lowest bidder. The entire bidding and estimating process has a enormous impact on the success or failure of your bid.
- Five Dirt Cheap Ways to Increase Sales in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Sales-Management] No matter if you are just starting your cleaning business or if you are trying to grow your business, there are certain questions that come up. There are inexpensive ways to help your business grow!
- 8 Road Blocks to Success in Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] All business owners face road blocks throughout the life of their business. The way you deal with and overcome these road blocks will determine your level of success.
- Cold Calling Success for Cleaning Companies
[Business:Sales-Teleselling] Most people recoil in fear at the thought of cold calling in order to makes sales for their business. But if done properly, cold callign can be an effective sales technique.
- Green Cleaning for Health and a Healthy Environment
[Business:Small-Business] Green cleaning is one of the latest movements to be accepted among reputable cleaning companies who wish to provide a quality cleaning service, while maintaining an active respect for protection of the health of the cleaning crew, as well as the other occupants and user of the building.
- Low or No Cost Ways to Market Your Cleaning Business
[Business:Small-Business] It doesn't matter what a fantastic service your cleaning business provides if no one knows that you exist. If you are clever and motivated there are numerous ways to promote your business that don't have to cost a bundle. Here are just a few...
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