Typical Issues With Commercial Cleaning

The commercial cleaning industry is a rapidly growing sector with ample opportunities for a stable career and growth. Labor forecasts estimate an annual compound growth rate of 5.8% from 2015 through 2022 for this $50.4 billion industry. However, despite the stable growth rate and job opportunities, the cleaning industry faces significant challenges that may send the cleaning business into a pattern of lowering costs and subsequent employee turnover.

While the cleaning industry is abundant with job opportunities, the industry has become somewhat exclusive to business owners willing to navigate the leading challenges facing this sector. Increasing competition and rising client expectations paved the way for distinct market challenges that cleaning businesses need to account for if they want to keep their existing client roster and attract potential customers.

Some people argue that the market challenges that most commercial and industrial cleaning services have are the same issues that the industry faces. Whether or not this is true, this unsure misconception is further amplified by rising customer expectations. This article will discuss the top four challenges that many cleaning businesses face.

1. High Employee Turnover

The general misconception that professional cleaning is not long-term skilled work has long been prevalent in the labor industry. While this is not the case, especially for highly specialized commercial applications and exterior building cleaning, this false perception leads to high janitorial turnover and is a dealbreaker for skilled employees.

Regardless of the business and the industry, employees can make or break the success of commercial cleaning companies. If management aims to reduce hiring expenses without sacrificing the quality of the staff, they must be proficient at hiring the right people for the job. The hiring team must provide detailed job descriptions and conduct thorough background checks as part of the hiring process. They need to perform interviews with compelling questions and set expectations during the process.

While compelling interviews are critical, the company must also focus on employee retention. Successful employee retention starts with understanding how your business culture affects workers’ satisfaction. Identifying areas for improvement and stimulating employee-based programs can significantly improve employees’ happiness at work leading to higher productivity.

Here are ways to improve employee retention:

• A formal employee recognition system.

• Introduce job variations to keep employee interest and satisfaction.

• Create an employee feedback program and make appropriate changes for a better work environment based on this feedback.

• Invest in new training programs that allow employees to learn new skills and expand their industry knowledge.

By hiring the right employees and ensuring worker satisfaction, cleaning businesses can effectively combat employee turnover, improve staff efficiency, and reduce unnecessary expenditures on hiring and training the wrong people for the job. 

Technological Advances

Investing in the latest and effective cleaning equipment makes it easier for businesses to be updated and enhance productivity without affecting quality. Purchasing suitable equipment also helps in boosting the staff’s productivity. Equipping the cleaners with pre-set machines allows them to start cleaning immediately without setting up their time. 

Aside from presetting machines, it would be beneficial for commercial cleaning companies to invest in specialized equipment such as exterior access doors and panels to allow the cleaners to reach tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. You may also consider investing in automated systems and modern cleaning technologies to not only improve productivity but to gain better control over service consistency.

Lack of Budget

Commercial cleaning companies are often bombarded with budget concerns like any other industry. Cost-cutting can significantly affect and limit businesses, forcing them to do less. As the economy dips and cleaning services become a nonessential commodity that business owners feel they can cut back on, cleaning companies must endure and continue providing quality service with a smaller budget.

One way that cleaning businesses can navigate through this economic struggle is by focusing on value-added services. Companies can stand out through specialized services that would allow them to provide more services to their customers. 

Ensuring Safety

Ensuring the safety of customers and employees must be of paramount importance in every commercial cleaning business. From reducing fall and slipping accidents to preventing the spread of disease, cleaning companies play a crucial role in enhancing the overall safety of commercial buildings and other establishments.

When cleaning, the cleaners are responsible for putting up signages to reduce slip and fall incidents. The company must include falling accidents prevention during employee training to ensure safety awareness.

Cleaning companies also need to equip their cleaners with proper safety gear and adequate training regarding potential hazards and machine operation. Opt for cleaning solutions that eliminate the need for harsh chemicals to promote sustainability and employee safety.

The commercial cleaning profession offers substantial opportunities for business owners willing to back down from outdated practices. The industry needs to understand the importance of focusing on solution-building methods to meet customer needs, identify cost-effective procedures, and improve business and employee relations. Reinventing how your business handles these challenges can eventually lead to positive results.

Commercial cleaning is all about results, just like Best Access Doors. We strive to provide high-quality access panels for any construction project and superb customer service. Visit us at https://www.bestaccessdoors.com/ or give us a call at (800) 483-0823 right now.