A sense of humor will get you far in this world – if for no other reason than preserving your own sanity. And in business, it can pay dividends for executives to be able to laugh easily and heartily with their employees. Don Zerivitz, president of Pro Clean Building Maintenance in Altamonte Springs, Fla., views communication as an integral part of the way he runs his company. Open book management, highlighted in the August Executive Interview, is about opening a company’s books for all to see. It takes confidence, faith and a desire to succeed for an exec to embrace open book management, and Zerivitz has displayed all those qualities.

But being openly communicative with employees has also been a priority for Zerivitz, long before he learned about open book management. He realized early on that he wanted to be the kind of boss that his employees love to work for, and he makes relationships a main concern from the day a new hire starts. It’s always been a goal for him to create a work atmosphere that employees like being in.

“When my people don’t want to come here anymore is when I don’t want to come here anymore,” he says.

So from personal bios that each employee fills out listing their favorite things and hobbies, to continual surveys of employees asking how he can be a better boss, Zerivitz’s quest to get to know his workers often pays off with fun and laughter.

One day, for instance, when Zerivitz’s controller was in an unusually bad mood, he checked his bio and found the employee’s favorite snack was Peanut M&Ms. So Zerivitz went out and bought a huge bag of the candy and left it anonymously on his chair — and it immediately brightened his day.

Sometimes, however, communication isn’t as fun. But Zerivitz especially encourages those tough conversations.

“If we lost a customer we all have to get together and meet, everyone involved in the account, and I’ve labeled it a ‘dead fish autopsy’ years ago because no one wanted to be there and it smells and everyone wants to get out of there as soon as we can. But if we don’t do it, nothing’s going to improve from it.”

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 8/18/2008

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After having wrapped up our August issue, which featured a cover story on building service contractors’ solutions to squeezed profit margins, I heard a story that made the cost issues faced by the cleaning industry look relatively peachy. A recent National Public Radio piece on the true cost of flying, and how this year is the worst in the history of the airline industry, highlighted some interesting parallels between that industry and ours.  

Most striking is that airlines have kept prices so low, in order to compete with discount carriers, that they are running themselves into the ground to keep their planes in the air. Customers are demanding low prices, mostly online through travel Web sites, while costs for airlines are ballooning. Fuel cost increases, of course, have hurt them the most.

The article makes an interesting point that outside factors such as fuel are to blame for immediate losses, but that airlines and customers are also to blame for undervaluing the cost of flying. Airlines need to educate customers about the costs of transporting them and adjust prices to reflect those costs, and customers need to accept that the golden days of flying cheap may be over.

Much to the dismay of frequent fliers, airlines have begun passing increased costs on to customers — a move that is necessary to survive, let alone profit. It is unfortunate that after years of very affordable flights, the flying public will now have to start paying a fair ticket price.

Similarly, BSCs owe it to themselves and to the industry to start charging customers a fair cleaning price as well. Customers need to understand that cleaning prices are going to sooner or later rise, and for good reason.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 8/14/2008

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Building service contractors have to deal with internal turnover on a consistent basis and the task of filling the vacated position.

The departure of an upper-level employee can leave the hiring manager at a loss. And some managers will bring in a person from outside the company who shares a similar mindset with them. Sometimes, the best-suited candidate is already working for the company. Some benefits from promoting from within include:

Time Savings: The promoted employee knows the ins and outs of the company. They have been well-versed on the 401k, health insurance program and other offerings unique for your company. A person from human resources does not have to spend time fine-tuning the newly promoted person on company protocol.

First-Hand Experience: As someone who has risen through the ranks of the company, the employee can offer valuable insight into what practices work, what ones need to be tweaked and what ones need a complete overhaul. The person has viewed this from the inside and can give management a more concise look as to what works and what doesn’t.

Familiarity: When a new supervisor is put in place, employees will typically walk on eggshells for the first few weeks, trying to get a read on their new boss and trying to make a great first impression. If an employee is promoted, other employees will typically be more forthcoming with information about how to improve the company and the supervisor will have a better understanding on how to deal with each employee seeing that they have worked with the person for some time already.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 8/7/2008

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It looks as if the road to "recession" has been avoided, at least for now. Commerce Department data shows the economy grew 1.8 percent during the second quarter — meager, yes, and a little short of the 2 percent predicted, but better than nothing. Part of that growth is being attributed to the stimulus checks sent out in recent months to most Americans. The good news is, they worked. The bad news? There’s no follow-up planned as yet, at least in the form of a second-round of stimulus checks.

With no bail-out in sight, the economy may contract before the year ends, some experts predict. The official definition of recession is back-to-back quarters of declining output; the first two of this year don’t fall into that definition, but we still have two long quarters to go. Jobless claims have jumped and payrolls have been on the decline, and businesses reduced inventories at the sharpest rate in seven years last quarter. Indications are, the road to 2009 isn’t going to be smooth.

So as building service contractors look ahead to next year, know that your customers may look to cut back even more than they already have. Be as prepared for the worst as you are for the best.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 8/1/2008

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As of press time of my July editorial, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt had yet to sign the pending legislation requiring green cleaning in schools. Since then, however, a bill has been signed. But unfortunately, the original bill was changed at the last minute.

Missouri’s green cleaning in schools act was part of a larger bill focusing on sustainable initiatives. For fear of jeopardizing the overall bill, Missouri legislators changed from requiring green cleaning to simply establishing clear green guidelines and recommendations for school systems to follow. No school must adhere to the guidelines. Instead, if schools are interested in implementing a green cleaning program, they will have these definitions and processes available to follow.

This turn of events is a shame. I spoke with a Missouri building service contractor leading up to the bill’s signing and the excitement was palpable. As I pointed out in my editorial, having a second Midwest state adopt green requirements would be a clear sign that the U.S. is ready for green. Now, the celebration is a little more subdued.

Hopefully, these green guidelines and recommendations can be used as a stepping stone for Missouri and other states to eventually and officially pass green requirements in schools.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 7/25/2008

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With the 2008 presidential election coming up this fall, the subject of illegal immigration will likely be making headlines with renewed fervor. Though it won’t be as important to most Americans as the economy is, it’s definitely a hot topic for building service contractors.

The failure of Congress and President Bush to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill last year has prompted many states and municipalities to attempt their own legislation, much of it targeting contractors, requiring them to prove eligibility of workers. While that is one way to weed out some illegal workers, there needs to be a much more comprehensive strategy for ensuring immigrants abide by residency laws.

According to a recent AP article, the amount of immigration legislation introduced at state levels has increased more than 500 percent since 2005 — and the number this year is set to be more than double last year’s. Only a small percentage of those bills actually passed, but success has increased from 84 in 2006 to 240 passed last year.

Many are hoping that this activity at state and local levels will light a fire under federal lawmakers to address an issue that is only becoming more contentious by the day.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 7/17/2008

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When one decides to start their own company, the gamble of venturing into the business world is overshadowed by the potential to earn large amounts of money.

Speaking in regards to building service contractors, the thrill of earning that first contract is only matched by earning additional contracts as quickly as possible.

While the desire to expand one’s customer base is insatiable, growing at a slower pace could be more beneficial for a company.

These are some advantages of growing a business at a slower pace:

Building Customer Rapport: The initial customers earned by the company are the foundation of the customer base. If a company can focus in on these initial customers and dedicate their effort, energy and enthusiasm to them, the early clients can help the company earn additional customers simply by word-of-mouth. The dedication to a small number of initial accounts can establish credibility for the company.

Understanding The Business: Different situations come up all the time. It could be as small as a product malfunction or as large as a conflict between employees. By growing slow, owners can dedicate more time to resolving each situation and form a basis of helpful protocol should the situation reemerge.

Employee Communication: If employees are working together for an extended period of time, an amount of comfort is built up. They become familiar with most aspects of the company and when the company sees fit that it is time to expand, these employees can take on more responsibility.

By growing at a slow, consistent pace, owners can establish a foundation that puts their company on solid footing for years to come.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 7/11/2008

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Posted by Dustin Bell on 7/31/2008 12:07:02 PM

Solid advice! I coudn't agree more.

Red, white and blue might have to make room for another hue this summer, as Americans cut back on travel during the holiday weekend for the first time since the millennium began due to record gas prices. In this context, I'm referring to green - in both dollars and environmental sense, two things that are more often than not mentioned in opposition to each other in the cleaning industry.

Building service contractors sometimes complain that green products and procedures will cost too much to buy or implement, or that their customers think switching to green will be too expensive. In some cases, because it is a higher level of service, green cleaning does cost more. But those practicing green cleaning and cleaning for health know their services have an enhanced value, and that responsible, quality cleaning shouldn't come at the lowest possible price. An increasing consumer awareness about the importance of green cleaning also indicates that it will continue to become more sought after - which industry experts have been predicting for years.

Unfortunately, it may take a gas price crisis or climate change concerns to help shift green to the forefront. Already, many people are making green a priority, even when it means making drastic changes such as cutting down on driving or purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles, and especially when it hits their pocketbooks. In a similar way, as BSCs' customers realize green cleaning can raise indoor environmental quality, decrease occupant sick days and increase occupant productivity, they'll have a greater understanding of how not being green can cost them.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 7/3/2008

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Last week in our blogs, Housekeeping Solutions editor Corinne Zudonyi wrote about how the four-day workweek would help employees manage the rising gas prices. Well, there’s another reason employers may want to consider changing from the typical five day, 9-5 to a more flexible shift: employee satisfaction.

Kevin Kampschroer, acting director for the Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings for the U.S. General Services Administration recently gave a talk on current workplace trends. He pointed out that work/life balance is in the top two desired job attributes. Switching to a four-day workweek would give employees an extra day to spend with family.

Kampschroer also commented how the mobile workforce is growing. There are more than 100 million cell phones in North America alone, and each day 10 billion e-mail messages are exchanged. That number is expected to grow to 35 billion in the next three to five years. Mobility is certainly desired by employees — 80 percent of professionals say a flexible work schedule would encourage them to stay with their current job.

Changing operations to have employees work four days a week or allowing some office and sales employees to work some shifts from home could be seen as a more valuable incentive than a raise (in which the extra money would probably go to pay for higher gas prices).

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 6/26/2008

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The most recent quarterly survey posed to CEOs by The Business Roundtable, an association of the CEOs of leading U.S. companies, shows that a number of respondents anticipate a drop in future employment in the coming six months. Only 21 percent of CEOs say they expect employment in their companies to increase, compared to 31 percent who expect decreases. Forty-two percent think there will be no change.

Those numbers reflect a general caution echoed by many in the business world, as companies become more prudent in the face of the housing, credit and gas issues facing the U.S. But that’s quite a jump from April, when 22 percent of respondents to the same survey predicted employment cuts.

The good news is, expectations for increases in sales is at 68 percent, and only 15 percent anticipate company capital spending to decrease.

Building service contractors most likely would give similar answers, showing the cautious optimism and tenacity so characteristic of the cleaning industry. Hopefully by the time the third-quarter survey is conducted, the outlook will be better.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 6/19/2008

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This past weekend, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin were smacked with a torrential downpour, flooding a number of educational, office and residential facilities as a result.

The cleanup that follows floods is a tedious process. Marked by removing standing water and drying out a facility, those responsible for cleaning up have to consider the results of not properly cleaning up the flooded area. By following these steps from the Environmental Protection Office of Air and Radiation and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, it will help avoid problems with the cleanup:

Remove Wet Materials: Throw away all wet materials that cannot be completely cleaned and dried after 24 hours. Fiberboard, fibrous insulation and disposable filters should be replaced if they have come into contact with water.

Carefully Use Cleaners and Disinfectants: Cleaning and disinfecting water-damaged walls, floors and shelves requires cleaning products and disinfectants. Open windows and doors to eliminate the odor of the products. If it is safe to use electricity, use fans throughout the entire process.

Wear Protective Equipment: Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole while working in flooded areas.

Boots with good insulation are extremely important when working in water that is cooler than 75 degrees F. Also take frequent breaks out of the water and change into dry clothing whenever possible.

Working in warm weather situations, drink fluids every 15-20 minutes to reduce possible heat stroke. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Incorporate work-rest cycles into work routines.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 6/11/2008

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Results of research and a recent study are challenging the widely held belief that disposable disinfecting wipes have few, if any, drawbacks. Not only are wipes used by cleaning industry professionals for quick clean-up and disinfectant jobs, they’re also used in other industries and by many consumers. In our little office alone, three of four cleaning magazine editors have some type of disinfecting wipes stocking our cubicles so we can clean up our work spaces at a moment’s notice.

But wipes users, beware. Wipes do kill germs — but they can also spread them, the same way a cloth or mop can. A team of researchers from a pharmacology school in the U.K. presented results this week from a study of the cleaning abilities of antibacterial wipes containing either disinfectants, detergents or natural antimicrobial substances. They tested the wipes on surfaces contaminated with MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Natural antimicrobial wipes removed the most bacteria from the surface, and disinfectant wipes most effectively destroyed bacteria.

But even those disinfectant wipes collected some of the bacteria they aimed to kill, and spread it when they were reused. Therefore, it’s recommended to limit one wipe, in one application, to one surface before discarding, says the research team’s leader.

That’s good advice for all of us, whether we’re building service contractors cleaning a school or a hospital, or magazine editors attempting to wipe down their desk surface, computer mouse, keyboard and phone with one sheet.

Read more: MRSA, disinfectant wipes

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 6/5/2008

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Posted by Allen on 6/7/2008 1:40:36 PM

Lisa, Nice citation. A little more info about wipes. One advantage of the pre-moistened wipe is that the cleaning and disinfecting ingredients are already properly mixed and ready to use, eliminating the danger of using improper dilutions when hand mixing cleaning solutions from concentrates. Since the wipes do not contain much moisture, however, I wonder about the disinfecting properties. According to the Clorox Web site: "To Disinfect: Wipe surface to be disinfected; use enough wipes for treated surface to remain visibly wet for 4 minutes. Let surface dry. For highly soiled surfaces, clean excess dirt first." To maintain a wet surface for the full four minutes will likely require repeated application. Granted, less virile germs will be killed even if the user does not keep the surface wet with the product for four minutes, so there is certainly a sanitary benefit, but consumers should be aware that they are not getting the full disinfecting power of the product unless used as directed. Precleaning "highly soiled surfaces" is also necessary to disinfect properly, since science tells us that many types of soils will deactivate disinfectants. For example, some disinfectant labels state that disinfectants are only effective where the surface contains less than 5% soil "load". How many people thoroughly pre-clean such areas first? On the other hand, if people use wipes frequently to keep surfaces clean, then surfaces are likely to have less soil load, which means the wipes may provide full disinfecting power. I am also curious about the residual killing power of the chemical left on the surface. Does the leftover chemical inhibit the growth of bacteria on the surface? According to Dr. Charles Gerba, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Arizona, this has not been determined. What toxicity is there and how about the residue left on user's hands? When used according to the directions, disinfecting wipes are not expected to cause skin irritation or sensitization, said Dr. Gerba. Conscientious handling of used wipes and observance of the instructions are necessary to keep this handy cleaning tool safe as well as effective.

Posted by Marc Trudel on 8/6/2008 9:52:29 AM

Any discussion about wiping out bacteria needs to begin with the often misinterpreted fact that proper cleaning is the first line of defence to wipe out the ability for bacteria to proliferate. 

I recently had the opportunity to hear Carl Smith, CEO and executive director of Greenguard Environmental Institute, give a speech on indoor air quality. One point I particularly found interesting was on volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Over the years I have seen many cleaning products such as cleaning chemicals and floor finishes, described as having low-VOCs. However, according to Smith, the VOC-content level is not an accurate indicator of the level of VOCs actually emitting off of the product. Products listed with a low VOC-content level can still emit high and unsafe levels of VOCs. Instead, when purchasing products, building service contractors should look for products with a “low-emitting formula.”

In addition, beware of labels that tout the product is VOC-free. Nearly all products emit even low levels of VOCs, says Smith.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 5/29/2008

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Posted by Allen Rathey on 5/31/2008 6:39:52 PM

Dan, Very astute comment. A little more on VOCs: Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are common indoor air pollutants. Being volatile, they evaporate easily, and being organic, they contain carbon. VOCs can originate from a variety of natural sources. The characteristic odor of mold is composed of VOCs, as is the smell of an orange or an onion. Baking bread also releases VOCs into the air. Indoor air typically contains 30-100 different VOCs that are readily measurable, and others at low levels that are more difficult to measure. Some VOCs cause no health problems, but others are serious indoor air pollutants. VOCs are also given off, or outgassed, from many manufactured products. Familiar sounding VOCs might include benzene, xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, and ethanol. These can all be released from typical building materials. One study determined that the following were the most common VOCs found in indoor air: benzene, toluene. exlenes, styrene, ethylbenzene, ethyl methly benzenes, trimethyl benzenes, dimethyl-ethylbenzenes, naphthalenes, propyl-methylbenzenes, n-propyl benzene, diethyl benzenes, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, dichlorobenzenes, trichlorofluoromethane, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, m-hexyl butanoate, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, n-hexanol, 2-butyloctanol, n-dodecanol, n-nonanal, n-devanal, acetone, acetic acid, dimethylphenols, ethylene oxide, undecane, 2-methylhexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylhexane, 3-methylpentane, octane, decane, dodecane, tridecane, methylcyclohexane, heptane, tetradecane, 2-methylheptane, cyclohexane, pentadecane, hexane, eicosane, 3-methylnonane, and 1,3-dimethyl-cyclopentane. Because there are so many different VOCs found indoors, and because so few of them have been studied thoroughly, it’s often easier for scientists to talk about the TVOC or total VOC concentration. This can be useful for cataloging, but it does nothing to identify the health effects attributable to specific compounds. One source has suggested that 200 micro grams per cubic meter (µg/m3) is a level that has no effect on most people, however some sensitive people could react to that level. Outdoor TVOC levels are generally about 100 µg/m3, and one Canadian study found that indoor levels ranged from 100 to 100,000 µg/m3, although most homes registered in the 1,000-3,000 µg/m3 range. This info is from one of the book titles owned by my company...

Last year, I blogged about the tipping point of green; today, the CEO of Ford Motor Company used the popular phrase to describe the gas situation. A tipping point, when it refers to a societal issue, is the moment that something previously thought of as unique becomes commonplace. In this case, Ford is referring to $4-a-gallon gas.

As our economy flexes to accommodate this increase, the stretch marks will begin to show. This new tipping point — unlike that of green, which is viewed as a good thing — feels ominous because economists don’t see us going back to prices from a year or two ago. No, they say, $4 gas is here to stay. And if the recent past is any indication, we might even see prices go higher. One CNN article about the impending hurricane season states gas prices could hit $6 if catastrophe strikes and affects refineries and pipelines.

Ford’s concern is due to the consumer shift in vehicle preference resulting from more expensive gas. In short, they concede it may be the end of an era for gas-guzzlers like SUVs. As much as it may pain the company, it is going to focus more on production of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles — the ones drivers are turning to more and more.

I’m wondering whether building service contractors are re-adjusting their budgets and business plans for the short- and long-term based on fuel prices and stagnant economy. Is it necessary, and what role, if any, does green (also at tipping point status) play?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 5/22/2008

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Every employee has to undergo a training program before they assume their position. From the management side to an entry-level position, the training process can become very redundant, at points even boring. One person monopolizes the pulpit while practices and ideas are distilled from a sole source.

To avoid running a redundant training program, managers should look to incorporate new practices including:

Use multiple trainers: If there is only one person telling you how to do your job, you are eventually going to tune that person out. The trainer might not appeal to someone and they cringe and disregard everything the trainer says because they don’t care for their way of teaching. Using a variety of trainers brings a variety of techniques for people in the training program to procure and use as they see fit.

Involve more “hands-on” experience: By having the trainees shadow an employee in their daily job, it gives them a chance to pick up little nuances that might be forgotten in the classroom experience. Learning the little things could save valuable time if a trainee knows how to handle certain mishaps when they first undertake their job duties.

Change up the order of activities in the training program: You might be sold on the order in which your training exercises follow, but be willing to change up the formula. Put exercises at the beginning of the program that you might have customarily saved for the end of the program. In your ability to be flexible, it could lead to a more rewarding program where trainees hit their jobs with more confidence and understanding of their responsibilities.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 5/15/2008

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As I get ready to participate in Bike to Work Week here in Wisconsin, and my own personal gas use is on my mind, a major trucking company has cut cruising speeds to 60 miles per hour to save gas, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In addition, a trucking industry lobbying group is calling for a nationwide speed limit of 65 miles per hour. That would save truckers billions of gallons of gas — when they increase speed just 10 miles per hour more than that, trucks burn 27 percent more fuel.

The other side of the equation, the group says, is that a national speed limit will help reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. Over 10 years, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 900 million tons. Considering that the U.S. annual emissions through fossil fuel consumption are about 6 billion tons, 900 million over 10 years might not seem like a huge amount — but it is. That alone could reduce the national carbon footprint by 1.5 percent, according to the article.

These ideas are creative and effective ways to contribute to the “triple bottom line” green philosophy many building service contractors believe in. Not only are they financially shrewd, but they address environmental and social concerns as well.

Every little contribution to reduce pollution and invest in sustainability matters; I hope BSCs are evaluating the small ways they can create change for the better. Gas reduction by slowing down is one option. How else can players in the cleaning industry make a meaningful difference to human health and environmental sustainability?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 5/9/2008

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I just returned from the Sustainable Facility Care Forum in Washington D.C. where there were many great presenters sharing green information. I wanted to point out one particular statement that caught my attention.

Dr. Steven Spivak of the Cleaning Industry Research Institute is pushing for “cleaning green” rather than “green cleaning.” My gut reaction was “great, just what we need, another buzzword.” But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Dr. Spivak isn’t changing any of the meaning of green cleaning, he just wants building service contractors and in-house professionals to remember to put the emphasis on clean. We should first make sure a facility is clean, healthy and safe, then focus on environmentally responsibility. While its good to protect the Earth, our efforts are meaningless if building occupants still get sick from poor cleaning and hygiene.

Cleaning green will be important to remember as the green movement continues to grow. Don’t get caught up in the green hoopla and lose sight of the most important aspect of the job: providing a clean and healthy environment.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 5/1/2008

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Posted by Allen on 6/7/2008 1:47:35 PM

All cleaning is green cleaning, or at least, it should be. By definition, cleaning is the removal of unwanted matter, including macro soils (those we can see) and micro soils (those we can’t see). This includes removing or eliminating harmful chemicals and transforming people and processes that pollute into those that don’t. Cleaning, by its very nature and definition, is, or should be, green. Still, the rally cry of “green cleaning” has been an important wake-up call to remind us that too often we haven’t been cleaning, but polluting (e.g., spreading dust or germs rather than removing them, adding toxic substances to the air rather than ridding it of those). Thankfully, green cleaning has prompted the examination of products and processes to determine how they affect both built and other environments. As we now know, solving the cleaning pollution problem is not as simple as buying green certified chemicals or painting trucks and tools green. It means redesigning and deploying cleaning within systems that reflect an accurate understanding of — and respect for — how the measures employed impact the outdoor environment, building environment and people.

It’s getting pretty real, this faltering economy. And pretty quickly, too — gas prices are at record levels, the housing slump has accelerated, jobless rates are inching higher, airlines are once again in big trouble. Major warehouse retailers are limiting the amount of rice consumers can purchase in bulk, and food shortages are causing riots in other parts of the world. There’s no end to the calamitous news in sight.

Absent the hysterics, it’s true that people are starting to spend less. Whether it’s nixing a summer road trip, not renewing a gym membership, hitting the thrift shop more often or switching to generics brands, it seems many Americans have come to realize they just can’t spend like they used to in the face of rising costs and stagnant incomes.

Many building service contractors I’ve spoken with about the economic situation are worried but believe no matter how bad the economy gets, customers — unless they’re closing up shop — will still need building services such as cleaning performed. But that doesn’t mean times aren’t and won’t get tough financially for BSCs. When your customers’ customers cut back, you will feel it eventually. Just like retailers that depend on American consumers to buy from them, contractors are hurt when their customers need to spend less or have trouble paying.

Do BSCs, operating with extremely small margins, have many corners left to cut?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 4/25/2008

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Posted by Chris Arlen on 4/30/2008 11:34:56 AM

BSCs historically have had to cut pricing. In some vertical markets (high-tech, telecom, etc.) cost cutting, i.e. lower BSC pricing, is the norm. The current economy is driving lower BSC pricing in previously less volatile markets. For example, manufacturing of floor materials, construction equipment & supplies. These markets are just now joining the "Reducing Spend Year-on-Year" crowd.

Posted by Ron Segura on 6/5/2008 9:57:30 AM

BSCs may not be able to cut anymore corners, so now is the time to look at the facilities you clean and develop a strategy that may include reducing frequencies. As a former customer I appreciated my contractor having an alternative plan to get us through the tough times.Even though it involved some adjustments from the customer perspective, it saved time and money not having to solicite lower prices.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) made changes to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings certification. I was surprised how little building service contractors were excited by these new requirements.

Under the new LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance, green cleaning is a prerequisite for facilities looking to earn certification. Let me stress that again: if your customers want to achieve LEED certification, they will need to have their building service contractors use green cleaning products.

This change will create enormous opportunities for BSCs. Already 10,000 facilities around the country have applied to earn one of the various types of LEED certification. More will follow as sustainable trends continue to appeal to the public. BSCs who have green programs will be in high demand. Best of all, green BSCs should be able to charge accordingly for these services. Customers wanting LEED to differentiate their buildings won’t be able to simply hire the cheapest contractor. They will need one who can prove he can meet the USGBC’s requirements.  

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 4/17/2008

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Recently, I finished reading “A Year Without Made in China,” an account of an American family’s attempt at surviving one year sans new Chinese goods. Though I don’t see myself conducting a similar experiment, my eyes have been opened to just how prevalent Chinese parts and products are — especially in toys and electronics.

The author and her husband made memorable trips to hardware and big box retail stores, trying to find items such as hooks, nails and paintbrushes made anywhere but China, and it was at times impossible. Not only was it often difficult to locate products made in any of the other 191 nation states, but rarely was anything made in the U.S.

The other day at the drug store, I found myself in the toy aisle, flipping over toy packages to see the point of origin: mostly China. I’ve been checking my clothing tags, and there’s a bit of variety there. The sweater I’m wearing right now was made in Australia. Admittedly, I’m the type of person who buys without ever checking to see where something’s made. The book has changed the way I view consumerism, however, and I definitely have an increased awareness that my purchases have greater meaning, to the national and global economies.

Now, I’m wondering where janitorial supplies come from. After doing a bit of Internet-based research, I found some major manufacturers with plants in the U.S., China, Mexico and Europe. On some sites, countries of origin were difficult to find or not listed. Do building service contractors pay attention to — or care about — where their products are made?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 4/9/2008

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Posted by Dustin Bell on 4/10/2008 12:19:30 PM

I've never thought about it, but I don't think I would mind either way.

Posted by Matt M on 4/10/2008 1:04:22 PM

I work for an American Manufacturing company, so our products would be considered "Made in the USA," but many of the parts that go into our products are actually from China. So even American made products can still be primarily Chinese or of another origin.

Neutrality isn’t always viewed as a good thing in opinionated America — even those in my generation understand references to the little European country that held a strong, independent, neutral stance against entering World War II.

But carbon neutrality, now there’s a fantastic idea. I’m not sure just how many building service contractors understand the whole “carbon footprint” thing, but it was an interesting exercise to try to calculate my own footprint as an individual. I can’t imagine the difficulties in calculating that of a business (though most people are not as math-challenged as I am). Using the calculator on www.carbonfootprint.com, I filled in determining factors such as home utilities, travel (road, air and rail) and details on other habits such as recycling, purchasing decisions and even diet.

My total carbon footprint is a little over 11 tons. That’s eerily close to my real shoe size of 9.5, but more importantly it is about half the average American’s footprint of 20.4 tons. I breathed a sigh of relief that I wasn’t among the biggest carbon-guzzlers around — but then I read that the individual average for industrial nations is about 11 tons, and that we all need to reduce our footprints to 2 tons in order to effectively combat climate change. So, we certainly have our work cut out for us!

The site offers ways to offset my carbon footprint, including investing in clean energy and tree planting. There’s always the option of reduction of my current travels and habits, which, after review, might not be so difficult. Companies and institutions that are striving to be carbon-neutral are finding innovative ways to counter-balance their carbon use. Even NBA teams are getting into it, with the New Jersey Nets investing in clean energy projects abroad.

I suspect we’ll be reading a lot more about carbon neutrality in the months to come. Will you try to reduce your footprint?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 4/2/2008

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Building service contractors love to network. They attend conventions, join associations and set up peer groups with fellow colleagues. But these methods still use the old fashioned face-to-face approach. Few BSCs are jumping into Web 2.0 online networking.

In our blogs we’ve mentioned many ways that contractors can communicate via the Internet (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn). I’d like to just point out a few more that I recently learned about:

• Jigsaw: This site features information for millions of business contacts: e-mail, titles, phone numbers, street addresses, etc. Many cleaning companies are listed (so you could start networking), but the better angle is how many customer contacts a sales rep could find. For a small membership fee, users can shop for potential customers like they’re buying items at Amazon.com.

• Jobscore: Did you find a crop of candidates that aren’t a fit for your company, but knew a colleague they’d be perfect for? At Jobscore, users not only can post job notices on multiple job boards, but refer candidates to other employers. Perhaps that colleague down the street would return the favor.

• Ning: On this site, businesses can create an in-house social network limited to the size of their organization. Employees can communicate with each other, which could help build a sense of community among workers of different shifts or locations. Videos can also be posted — a great way to make training materials easy to view.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 3/27/2008

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This week, the price of a gallon of gasoline hit an all-time high at nearly $3.23. Experts expect the price to continue to rise in the coming weeks — possibly to $4 a gallon or more, according to  one article. They also say the increase will be more pronounced than it was last spring, thanks to the surging price of crude oil.

Prices will likely fall at the beginning of summer as the economy worsens and the demand for gas deteriorates as people adjust their lifestyles to decrease gas consumption.

All this scary gas talk has got me thinking about my own driving habits; I’m already making the mental commitment to bike to and from work once the weather improves.

What will you do? Building service contractors know that high oil prices affect more than just their own driving operations. Prices of plastic receptacle liners are affected, as are product delivery costs. BSCs will need to find a way to mitigate the additional financial discomfort that the impending economy will bring. Other ways to soften the blow include cutting back on or consolidating trips, switching to vehicles with better mileage, and encouraging employees to carpool, bike or walk to work.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 3/21/2008

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Posted by Chris Arlen on 3/25/2008 6:42:20 AM

With all the focus on green cleaning and environmental issues, I'm curious how BSCs help their employees reduce transportation pollution and gas usage in general. BSC employees who work after normal business hours can have a tougher time using public transportation or car pooling. Just wondering what creative ideas are going on out there.

Posted by Dustin Bell on 4/10/2008 12:28:19 PM

We've recently started increasing our supply orders so we have fewer deliveries. We used to stock an account with enough supplies to last about a month. Now we're trying to stock each account with enough to last 2-3 months if possible.

In the federal government’s attempt to put a stranglehold on illegal immigration, all federal contractors are now required to participate in E-Verify, a free online program designed to check the immigration status of their workers.

The ruling comes in conjunction with the federal government increasing fines by 25 percent if they catch employers hiring illegal immigrants.

Making E-Verify mandatory forces building service contractors to take additional steps to check the immigration status of their employees.

While some view this as an additional step in the hiring process, BSC’s should be pleased that they have the software capable in determining someone’s immigration status.

The free use of the program coupled with the increase in fines should help reduce the temptation for BSC’s to hire someone whose immigration status is sketchy. The implementation of making the program mandatory should give BSC’s the satisfaction in knowing they have the needed tools to make sound hiring decisions.

It now falls on BSC’s to make the right hiring decisions and follow the correct hiring practices in accordance with government policy. Should they choose to cut corners and save a few dollars in the short-term, it could end up crippling them in the long-term.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 3/17/2008

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You know the tides have changed when the Catholic Church acknowledges environmental offenses as a sin of modern times. In a recent interview with the Vatican newspaper, a high-ranking church official said bioethics and pollution are a few “new sins” that people need to address.

It makes sense that not harming the earth might naturally follow directives such as “Thou Shalt Not Kill” — but Pope Benedict (and before him, Pope John Paul II) has been taking eco-friendliness seriously.

The Vatican has recently installed electricity-producing photovoltaic cells on buildings and hosted a conference to address the ramifications of climate change. Whether or not you believe in climate change — or in God, for that matter — building service contractors too can play a role in reducing pollution and damage to the environment.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 3/11/2008

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Posted by Gary L. Walker on 3/13/2008 8:43:15 AM

Lisa, It's about time that we all started to take this, our enviroment, more serious. I just hope we do a better job over the next 600 years, because we haven't done too well since the last time these where updated. Gary L. Walker, CEO/Chairman Magic Touch Cleaning, Inc. "The King of Green Cleaning" tm

Posted by Chris Arlen on 3/14/2008 12:22:29 PM

When the Catholic Church says not going green is a sin, that's saying something. You'd think there'd be a stampede of action. From a governmental point at least. Unfortunately going green is left up to market drivers. And now comes all the confusion of me-too green claims.

After a few recent energy scares in the U.S. — a blackout that covered half of Florida and a lack of wind to drive turbines at wind farms in Texas — it’s obvious we are far from reaching an answer about how to dependably supply our energy demands.

Experts can’t say exactly what went wrong in Florida on Feb. 26, but they believe the blackout was caused by a small fire in an electrical substation, shutting down many other substations in the grid, causing a collapse in power. The conclusion? Our power infrastructure is antiquated and vulnerable.

A few days later, I read a piece about wind shortage — something I’d never considered to be a factor in wind energy production. A day after the Florida blackout, electricity to some Texas offices and factories was cut after the wind dropped. I wonder how many wind energy customers thought a cold front moving in might mean they’re out of power for the day.

It may be impossible to find a perfect system, one that never fails. But these recent hiccups are a reminder that energy need not be taken for granted — nor wasted. Take a look at what you’re doing to decrease your energy use as a company. Building service contractors can play a role in reducing energy demand with simple, small steps such as changing types of light bulbs, investing in a daycleaning program or evaluating and adjusting heating and cooling systems. And if you’re considering alternate energy sources, remember that they may have their occasional pitfalls.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 3/4/2008

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Reading “The Best American Sports Writing 2005,” the story on the death of Lycoming (Penn.) College football player Ricky Lannetti caught my eye.

Lannetti died from MRSA in December 2003. The article detailed the mystery surrounding the disease. At the time MRSA was a relatively unknown and confusing disease to a majority of the public.

Fast-forward to 2008 and MRSA is at the top of the list of health concerns in America.

But while our concern remains at a peak, stay confident because our knowledge of every facet of the disease has grown thanks to people effectively communicating with each other on the topic.

Talking about the disease has given all of us more knowledge on it. New prevention methods have been discussed, while others have shared their success stories of combating MRSA after an outbreak at a school.

Asking more questions has led to more answers. The key is to continue constant communication on everything the disease entails. If you’ve successfully fought off MRSA, share your success story with others. The best way to prevent the spread of the disease is to adhere to tried and true practices. The only way to sustain those practices begins with sharing your success.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 2/26/2008

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As a subscriber to news alerts about immigration, I am inundated with e-mails each day linking me to articles. I skim the headline and if it looks interesting, click on the link. Often, what interests me more than the content is the comment section that allows readers to respond with their opinions on the piece or topic.

Most comments to immigration stories take a side. One person says “Send them all home! They broke the law!” Another comments, “We need illegals — they’re the backbone of our workforce.” It’s a complex issue that does not seem to have just one answer.

I recently read a long and very interesting comment left by a concrete contractor who openly admits hiring illegal immigrants. The article was about GOP voters’ negative feelings about illegal immigration; this reader says he trained illegal immigrant workers in the trade, and that they were good. In fact, he encountered fewer problems with them than he had with his traditional legal workers. After years of working for him, his employees slowly quit. Then he lost clients. He was confused until realizing they’d taken their experience and expertise learned on the job, and became contractors themselves — underbidding him with customers they knew well. That and the downturn in the new housing market have put the reader out of business.

Now, this scenario could happen with any employee, legal or otherwise, but I found the comment to be an interesting tangent to the usual immigration discussion.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 2/20/2008

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With Wisconsin’s primary election coming up next Tuesday, the candidates and their families have been criss-crossing the state garnering support. (Don’t worry, I’m not going to get political in this blog.)

Earlier this week, Michelle Obama met with a roundtable of women in Milwaukee to discuss work/life balance. This is an issue for many working women and sometimes it can be a struggle to find the right mix. Obama was even quoted as saying: “I can barely sleep at night. I'm still worrying about whether I'm doing it right,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

It’s no different for women in the cleaning industry. Front-line janitors are often forced to work two jobs in order to afford the costs of raising their family. For women business owners, it takes long hours to run a successful company, especially when starting out. In both cases business often outweighs time with family.

There’s no right or wrong answer for work/life balance, it depends on the person and what balance they want to strike. But if work/life balance is a problem, talking about it and listening to others’ advice can help. Upper management can attend women’s forums at industry trade shows. For front-line workers, set up a small roundtable of your own at your company. It will allow employees to connect with others (if they want to) and show that the company cares for them as more than just an employee.

To hear a first-hand account of coping with work/life balance, listen to this podcast with Lisa Bands of My Cleaning Services.
 

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 2/15/2008

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A few weeks ago, I joined a local fitness center. As I went on my initial walk-through tour of the place, the membership associate made sure to point out the presence of hand sanitizer dispensers strategically placed throughout. He didn’t mention MRSA by name — but did he even have to? The assumption was that customers didn’t have to be told why it was important to use hand sanitizer between machines (or whenever they wanted to).

I’m glad the option is there. I liberally squeeze the gel into my hands frequently during my visits, and also pay enhanced attention to cleaning equipment when I’m done. The sanitizer serves as a reminder that bacteria abounds in people- and sweat-rich environments. And the corporation’s image of being invested in customer health is solidified with the simple dispenser additions.

There are small things a company can do to back up its mission and commitment to service. Customers trust those small things, which make the difference between renewing a membership — or a contract.  

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 2/11/2008

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Building service contractors have to play one ace-in-the-hole when dealing with school districts: the cost of services.

So it came as no surprise that the Lisbon (Iowa) County School District began outsourcing their janitorial services after realizing they could save a substantial amount of money over the long term. According to a story in The Mount Vernon Sun, the K-12 school district saved nearly $95,000 over a 12-month period.

I have also heard from people in the cleaning industry that school districts are the hardest sector to crack into because of how strictly schools have to adhere to a budget. The greater health benefits of certain cleaning products can mean little to districts officials if it means going over budget.

This leaves BSCs with quite an advantage because most of the time they can handle janitorial services at a lower cost than what school districts are paying for in-house services.  

When soliciting business it is up to BSCs to procure as much information about the school district as possible. How many employees handle the cleaning services? Do they require additional duties such as window washing and carpet cleaning? If BSCs can gather this information and come in at a lower price point than what districts are currently paying, they should have a greater chance of earning the business. For school districts, cutbacks are part of each district and nothing will stand in the way of saving money.

Posted by: Nick Matkovich | Date posted: 2/1/2008

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Posted by Chris Arlen on 2/6/2008 8:55:53 AM

With respect, it's typically more difficult for a school district to outsource custodial service than it appears. It's a political hot potato. Especially for large school districts - with large budgets, it's extremely political. Local politicians and community leaders are heavily invested in keeping well paying jobs local. School custodians typically receive much higher wages and benefits than contract cleaners. Then there's the emotional decision to layoff John or Sally, the 20+ year custodian who was there when locals were at school. All these factors far outweigh saving millions of dollars. Even if outsourced savings could be spent on improving children's' education and safety. I was involved in one instance where a very large school district attempted to outsource to a BSC. However, unknown to the BSC the district was using it as a lever in negotiations with their custodial union. The BSC would save the district more than $2 million in the first year alone. The district had the BSC ready to start cleaning, but midnight before startup, the district capitulated to union demands. End of outsourcing custodial. And it's still that way today.

Business news is starting to get very exciting, in an anxiety-producing way. Job cuts at Yahoo and Morgan Stanley, big write-offs from major financial institutions such as Citibank, a huge tax rebate for a majority of taxpayers as part of an economic stimulus package, a big fed rate cut, wild rollercoaster rides in the stock market — and let’s not forget the “R” word being tossed around at a fever pitch.

Economic experts have dealt out an array of predictions: doomsday reports outlining worst-case recession scenarios, upbeat and optimistic outlooks anticipating a bounceback from the mortgage crisis followed by successful business as usual, and everything in between.

One building service contractor I recently spoke with said despite economic worries, this industry is somewhat “recession-proof,” as in, janitorial services will be needed regardless of any facility’s hardships. In fact, a suffering economy can actually provide an opportunity for BSCs to challenge their competition by chasing companies that need more cost-efficient services. So, even though BSCs do feel every economic shift in the market, in one way or another, we haven’t seen any good reasons to stop hoping that profits this year will grow.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 1/28/2008

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Posted by Gregg Jones on 3/20/2008 10:30:58 AM

The myth in "recession proof" depends on who your customers are. We have customers that are manufacturers tied into the housing market that had to cut shifts and cut our services. We have lost accounts recently on price alone. Even though our overhead is increasing due mainly to oil increases (transportation, insurance, supplies, services)the instant we try to increase our price it goes out to bid. This may be an industry that receives less of a hit, but higher profits-no way!

I recently read an article in Portfolio magazine about why companies should give up their social responsibility to the environment, their employees and their communities, and instead focus on what they do best: make money. And that we, the general public, should let them.

I couldn’t disagree more.

By donating time, resources or money, or by being a more environmental responsible company, a business can positively impact the lives of its employees and countless people in a community.

I recently spoke with building service contractors who contributed gifts for underprivileged families for the holidays. They spoke with passion about what a great experience it was, not only for the kids and parents they helped, but for their workers who personally gave the presents. It brought so much happiness to see the kids enjoy their gifts that more employees asked to be involved next year.

Similarly, last year when Contracting Profits asked Bob Stone, owner of Porter Industries, Loveland, Colo., why the company pursued LEED-EB certification (making headquarters more environmentally responsible and safer for his employees), he simply responded, “It was the right thing to do.” Stone felt he could not provide cleaning programs that benefited his customer’s safety and environmental footprint without bettering his own first.

(Of course, I’m not fool enough to see that these aforementioned companies also benefited from great marketing opportunities brought on by these efforts, but the increased exposure was far from the only reason for their generosity.)

For some employees, charitable opportunities through work may be the only chances they get to help others. Low-wage workers, especially, may not have the time or money to donate to others.

So this year, while you focus on servicing your customers and increasing profits, also stop to think about how you can service the environment, your employees and your community.

 

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 1/23/2008

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Posted by Chris Arlen on 1/25/2008 2:15:00 PM

As you mentioned, the Porter Industries owner implemented LEED-EB "because it was the right thing to do". However, the BSC industry has an employee embarrassment of its own, that of the "Working Poor". What is the right thing to do for employees who work full time and are still below the poverty line? Cleaning can be physically hard work, especially at high production rates. Many BSC employees work hard, at one, maybe two jobs, and still they're poor. Simplistically, that doesn't sound right. The economics of cleaning wages relative to customers' profitability is a daunting puzzle. There are no easy answers, but the working poor are an unsettling reality in today's BSC industry. Social responsibility, to BSC employees, is the largest elephant in the room. Some time in the future there will be a progressive BSC that turns this problem into a win/win/win for themselves, their employees and their customers. And that success will lead others to follow.

BSCs are constantly thinking about their relationships with customers. And they should, because those customers can be a ticket to a future of business success.

Sometimes, however — and this can happen with owners and execs in any company, in any industry — relationships with employees get put on the back burner. In the cleaning industry, where pay is low and turnover is high, it’s just as important to nurture the employee-employer partnership as it is to buddy up to customers you want to keep.

Make it a goal for 2008 to think about your employees as much as your customers and create more win-win situations within your company. Employees favor those simple management practices that reward them for a job well-done and also reward the company, such as providing a wellness program. Corporate best practices that build trust between employers and employees, according to BusinessWeek.com, also include spot bonuses, intranet, customized benefit plans and a real vacation policy.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 1/16/2008

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BSCs working in airports may have noticed an attitude shift out on the tarmac. The aviation industry is one of the latest to embrace environmentally friendly practices, according to this article focusing on how aviation maintenance repair and overhaul have gone green. Safety, the article states, is the cornerstone of that industry, and getting rid of hazardous chemicals and improving maintenance safety practices have become global industry goals.

Among many initiatives being undertaken by aircraft operators and maintenance facilities — including recycling programs, waste reduction, and water and energy conservation — are greener cleaning practices. One company has begun to use biodegradable, non-hazardous strippers, uses cleaning products with reduced volatile organic compounds, and uses aqueous alkaline or solvent processes instead of halogenated hydrocarbons for cleaning and degreasing.

Unlike BSCs, many of the companies interviewed said they don’t get a lot of customer inquiries about or requests for green practices — but that the customers still appreciate their efforts to be a good citizen. Whether your company cleans airports or not, take this as yet another sign that green is here to stay.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 1/10/2008

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Contractors in one Virginia county may be breathing a little easier after Thursday. A proposal that would have given Loudoun County the power to revoke building permits and business licenses of those who employ unauthorized workers was voted down, 5-4, by county supervisors. That decision overturned a vote for the proposal just months ago by the old, pre-election board.

Loudoun County has been one of many local governments to speak out against illegal immigration — and enact laws to back up those voices. Despite a change in membership that has transformed the board’s stance to less aggressive on the issue, the fate of laws recently passed across the U.S. is unknown. Now that local November elections are over, we may see a change of heart in some places — and even more attempts to crack down on immigration in others.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 1/4/2008

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Posted by Darren on 1/9/2008 11:19:39 AM

This is utterly rediculous! How could any person vote AGAINST revoking the business license of a business that employs illegal (Oops! I mean undocumented) workers?

Posted by Ronald Stonis on 1/11/2008 7:42:24 AM

Illegals are illegals! They are breaking the law. What good is a law unless it is enforced? Businesses ought not to be breakihg the law to hire illegals at lower wages or whatever the reason.They need to be punished for this as they are not above the law. This problem is not going to go away. Americans are fed up with the whole business and will continue to fight it. I am one of them!

The light bulb Americans have come to know and love for more than 100 years is being bumped off store and warehouse shelves to make room for its modern descendents: energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Those of us who have been using the newer bulbs were easily swayed to switch allegiances from incandescent bulbs because we don’t want to use as much energy. Not only is that good for our utilities budgets, it’s good for the grid. A new energy bill passed by Congress and recently signed by President Bush will ensure incandescent bulbs — which burn 90 percent of energy used as heat, a big waste — will be phased out of the U.S. market starting in 2012. Compact fluorescent bulbs will take their place.

The bulbs are much more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but they burn 75 percent less energy and last up to five years (versus the relatively short life of incandescents). For building service contractors, this phasing out will represent a savings on their own buildings as well as a chance to talk to customers about ways they can conserve energy and save money at the same time.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 12/26/2007

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Here in Wisconsin we’ve had nearly five times the average snow fall for the month. One of our latest weather storms included dangerous icy conditions during the morning commute. Getting to and from work can be difficult for anyone during winter and on some days many people aren’t able to make it to work at all.

When you’re in the service industry, this can be problematic. Facility managers expect their buildings to be cleaned and when employees can’t make it in, building service contractors have to figure out how to staff the building on short notice.

BSCs I’ve talked to suggest having a “Plan B” in place for such conditions. This includes notifying all clients to let them know that buildings may be short staffed that night and that cleaning priorities will be limited to high-traffic areas such as restrooms and entryways. If staffing is extremely short-handed, owners may want to be prepared to roll up their own sleeves and help out with cleaning for a night.

Communication is crucial and customers need to be aware of any changes so there are no surprises. Some clients might be willing to let the cleaning slide for a night, allowing BSCs to focus their attention on other accounts. It’s also important to make sure that your customers approve of your contingency plan before a storm ever hits and to know the emergency contacts, phone numbers and e-mails for all accounts.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 12/19/2007

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An article on the blogsite Small Business Trends predicts that the slowdown in the economy might actually be good for some small businesses: franchises. When the economy tightens, the piece theorizes, job losses increase and people start looking at career alternatives that include becoming a franchisee. Trends to come include semi-absentee ownership, low-investment opportunities and women-focused franchises. Among the specific franchise categories listed for growth next year is residential cleaning.

That doesn’t surprise me, especially after having spoken to many building service contractors at trade shows and for CP’s recent cover story on women in the industry. I found it interesting that a lot of women in particular who started their own cleaning contracting businesses were initially drawn to residential cleaning, which was often a springboard to commercial work. It’s a safe investment for those who have a family to take care of and need a venture that has scheduling flexibility. Cleaning franchises also hold that kind of allure, with the additional security of an established and proven business system.

I wonder if commercial cleaning franchises will also grow in a tight economy. I haven’t heard for sure that more will be popping up in 2008, but I’ll definitely be watching for it.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 12/12/2007

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Posted by ChrisArlen on 12/19/2007 11:37:01 AM

I'd guess an average number of commercial cleaning companies will be started in 08, just not sure relative to prior years. However, once started, a BSC is a stable, secure business to be in. Once they've learned the ropes. BSCs can't fault the economy if they go out of business. One of the most attractive things about the industry is that it bends with the economy, but doesn't break. Many years ago when I was with ABM Janitorial, I heard Sydney Rosenberg, the founder's son & long-time CEO, say no matter how bad the economy is, people still need their offices cleaned. And it's true. A slumping economy can put pressure on pricing, but rarely is a cleaning contract eliminated. In that case, BSCs can and should re-scope service levels to match lowered pricing. This has already been happening throughout parts of the hi-tech and office markets over the last several years.

A recent Associated Press article took an interesting look at a handful of presidential candidates’ worst jobs. Mitt Romney worked in an effluent-filled sewage pipe. Hillary Clinton gutted fish while standing knee-high in bloody water. Two of the candidates recalled cleaning jobs as their least favorite: John Edwards cleaned a textile mill when he was in school, mopping grease from under the looms; and Mike Huckabee cited his window-cleaning duties at JCPenney — and says he’s still sensitive about not leaving fingerprints on glass.

We’ve all had a “worst job,” and most Americans might agree with the politicians that the worst jobs usually involve manual labor and less than glamorous environments. Sound familiar? That’s the same description that usually goes along with janitorial work.

Building service contractors should go above and beyond to make sure that their employees don’t consider their current employment their worst job. They are working hard, performing tiring and thankless tasks day after day, but they should know that their work is in fact appreciated. Janitorial workers need to not only do a good job but also take pride in their work. It’s going to take a lot to overhaul the image of the cleaning industry — and a lot of you are working on it, I know — but it can start with uplifting employees with a simple “thank you.”

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 12/6/2007

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When was the last time you thought about a driver safety program? Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of work-related injuries, according to the National Safety Council. Building service contractors may operate a fleet of company vehicles that service their accounts or they may employ a mobile sales force. If nothing else, they at least have employees that commute to and from work each day. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), every 12 seconds someone dies in a car crash and every 10 seconds someone is injured in a crash.

The cost involved in these crashes adds up frighteningly fast for business owners. On average, a motor vehicle crash costs an employer $16,500. If someone is injured in the crash, the cost balloons to $74,000.

Implementing a safe driving program could help decrease these costs tremendously. Some points to keep in mind:

• Stress the importance of wearing a seat belt. It may seem obvious, but still too many people ignore this simple step. Each year seat belts save nearly 12,000 lives.

• Don’t let employees drive distracted. For example, don’t let employees talk on a cell phone when behind the wheel. Many states have even made it illegal to talk and drive.

• Don’t let employees drive when fatigued. Janitors work late hours and cleaning is hard, physical labor. Make sure employees are alert before driving home or to their next job. Sadly, more than 100,000 crashes each year are due to fatigued or drowsy drivers, according to OSHA.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 11/30/2007

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With Black Friday as the obligatory kickoff to retailers’ busiest month of the year, the shopping season got off to a good start this year. More shoppers hit stores than last year, thanks to aggressive discounting and deals, and average spending was down by only a little. Economists are watching the holiday shopping season closely for indicators of consumers’ financial health, and many are predicting a slowdown in spending between now and Christmas as discretionary income shrinks. Recent jumps in gasoline prices and rising heating costs will have an effect on spending.

Having spoken with a number of building service contractors about their economic concerns for Contracting Profits’ November cover story, I know those factors weigh heavily on their minds, too, as the calendar flips to 2008. Meanwhile, the dollar continues to weaken and the credit market is crunched, prompting the Fed to expect noticeably slower growth this fourth quarter.

What might that mean for BSCs? They should continue forward with a bit of caution, bearing in mind that their customers — and BSCs themselves — face the same expenses as consumers. The reality is, if the economy keeps tightening, some customers may not have as much money to spend on services next year.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 11/27/2007

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Between a never-ending string of toy recalls, announcements of possibly tainted food and staph outbreaks in schools nationwide, kids have it pretty rough lately. We know that as one of the most physically vulnerable populations, children need extra attention. In addition to reactive measures such as recalls and school closures, kids deserve foresight from those looking out for them, including building service contractors.

ISSA and Green Seal are also looking out for children, as evidenced by a call for comment on revisions to the GS-37 Standard — revisions driven by a concern for children’s health and in the wake of New York’s 2006 legislation mandating green cleaning in elementary and secondary schools. Major areas of revision include an expansion of products covered, a new definition of concentrate, oral toxicity increased, inhalation toxicity introduced as a criterion and prohibition of ingredients that are known to cause asthma.

BSCs who clean schools and other buildings with vulnerable populations should pay special attention to revisions and are encouraged to weigh in. Comments may be submitted through mid-January. Click here to read more from CleanLink news.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 11/21/2007

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Earlier this week an outbreak of a potentially lethal strain of H5N1, aka the bird flu, was confirmed in England. The concern is that if the H5N1 strand mutated into a transmissible human disease, it could kill more than 7 million people.

While the bird flu isn’t making headlines as frequently as it did last year, it is still a serious issue and of concern to facility. I have received numerous calls from readers saying their customers want to know about emergency cleaning procedures contractors can implement in case of an outbreak and resulting pandemic.  

The good news for building service contractors is that cleaning to prevent the bird flu is the same as preventing regular influenza viruses. Some procedures include: disinfecting surfaces with a disinfectant intended for use against avian influenza A viruses and allowing proper dwell time; changing mops heads or color coding tools for different areas; and promoting frequent hand washing or hand sanitizing.

For more information regarding the bird flu, check out this article from Contracting Profits.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 11/16/2007

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Big news for building service contractors — and employers in general, courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): a new Form I-9 has been unveiled. The I-9, the employment eligibility verification form, is familiar to BSCs as the form that documents the work authorization of both citizens and non-citizens to work in the U.S.

The form is now supposed to be more user-friendly and readable. The biggest difference between old and new are the documents accepted to verify employment eligibility. Under the revisions, five documents that were once used to satisfy requirements of the I-9 will no longer be acceptable:

• Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or form N-560 or N-561
• Certificate of Naturalization, or form N-550 or N-570
• Alien Registration Receipt Card, or form I-151
• Unexpired Reentry Permit, or form I-327
• Unexpired Refugee Travel Document, or form I-571

Those forms were removed from the List A of Acceptable Documents because they lack features to deter counterfeiting, tampering and fraud.

One document, the most recent version of the Employment Authorization Document, or Form I-766, was added to List A, which also includes a U.S. Passport, a Permanent Resident Card and an unexpired foreign passport with a temporary I-551 stamp.

As of Nov. 7, the new form, with the revision date of June 5, 2007 (printed in the lower right hand corner), is now the only valid form for use, according to the USCIS. A grace period is allowed, however. Employers are not required to use the revised form until notice of the new requirements are published in the Federal Register, but they are encouraged to start using it now, as they will be subject to fines and penalties if they continue to use the old forms after notice is published.

For more information, including downloads of the new form, visit www.uscis.gov.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 11/13/2007

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On my local Milwaukee news last night, alarmed reporters broke news that a suburban school district had a few unconfirmed reports of students who have a staph infection that may be the dreaded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. With the so-called “superbug” having been reported in schools last month, resulting in closures and even deaths, it’s an infectious disease that the public is becoming familiar with — and scared of.

Building service contractors know that as more customers — especially schools — learn about MRSA, they will be expected to answer questions about it and alleviate concerns. In a nutshell, MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant disease that most commonly causes skin infections, though more serious infections such as pneumonia can occasionally result. As the infection can be spread by surface contact, MRSA-prevention efforts need to focus on keeping surfaces, such as gym mats, clean. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintain the best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is to encourage frequent hand washing.

But BSCs should take the extra step to do some research about the disease, paying special attention to cross-contamination issues. This is a chance to open lines of communication with customers and build the partnerships that are so vital to maintaining a healthy and successful business.

For more information about MRSA from the CDC, click here.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 11/8/2007

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I think a lot of us in the industry have a case of the post-ISSA Mondays. It’s back to the office after a week spent in Orlando at ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2007, and a lot of topics and highlights from the show are fresh on my mind. This year’s event was my second I’ve attended, and I’m happy to have reunited with some old building services contractor friends as well as made new ones.  

A number of contractor-specific issues were discussed at the first-ever BSC peer exchange session, which provided an interesting forum for analysis and deep thought about industry challenges. Presenter Dave Frank, Contracting Profits columnist and President of the American Institute for Cleaning Sciences, stressed that one way to help customers (and BSCs) appreciate and compensate for services is to redefine those services; it’s not just “cleaning” — it’s about health, hygiene and sanitation, he said. I could almost see the wheels turning in the heads of attendees as they thought about that.

The discussions made it obvious that each BSC’s reality is different. Some have incorporated green cleaning and cleaning for health into their offerings, and now those practices are their reality. Others are not there yet. Talking about pricing and competition also showed that BSCs have a variety of practices and attitudes, often based on the markets in which they exist. Some are optimistic that their hard work and genuine commitment to providing excellent building services is going to pay off, but many still live in fear of losing business to the lowest bidder.

I realize it’s not always easy to risk dreaming big and having higher expectations, but from my own observations, it pays off for BSCs to turn their ideals into reality.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 10/29/2007

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If you tell people you’re the editor of a cleaning magazine, they all seem to want advice as to what products they should use in their home.

Granted most commercial cleaning products aren’t available for retail use, but there are some similar crossovers and building service contractors can take advantage of this.

If employees use similar products (or products by the same brand) in their homes as well at work, then they will already be familiar with how the product works and know that it is effective, which can make training an easier process.

This is also true for green products. Sustainability is a buzzword in and outside the cleaning industry. Green Seal even has a certification for household cleaning products. If your company is switching to green products, then the transition will be smoother for employees who already use these products at home and understand the environment and health benefits.

Posted by: Dan Weltin | Date posted: 10/19/2007

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The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in 10 states including California and Iowa endorsed pro-labor Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards this week.

The backing is significant since those states represent a million workers, more than half of SEIU’s membership. Councils in Indiana and Illinois are endorsing Sen. Barack Obama.

SEIU’s national executive board will not endorse any one candidate for president, but allows individual state councils to make endorsements. California has the highest number of SEIU members, at about 650,000. Iowa, one of the first primary states, is another important state for candidates to secure. There, Edwards is about as popular as the national Democratic poll-leaders, Obama and Hillary Clinton, so the endorsement could prove to be critical for his campaign.  

Many building service contractors are more conservative than the service unions in their political leanings, but I’m curious as to who BSCs will be supporting in the upcoming election, and why?

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 10/17/2007

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Even though Congress failed to pass President Bush's immigration reform bill earlier this year, illegal immigration has stayed in the news — and will likely continue to as we near the 2008 election season. This week, a judge in California ordered the delay of a central measure of the Bush administration’s illegal immigration prevention strategy, reports the New York Times.

The move is being hailed by small businesses as a victory, as the rule would have forced the firings of thousands of employees that include citizens and legal residents — employees who are not illegal immigrants but were unable to verify their Social Security numbers within the 90-day time period required.

Contractors can breathe a sigh of relief for now, but know that sooner rather than later, they will continue to have to deal with lawmakers' attempts to enforce immigration law, both new and existing.

As the 2008 presidential election nears, expect it to be one of the biggest topics of contention. Building service contractors have strong opinions about immigration, especially illegal immigration, and will be paying close attention to what the candidates propose as a realistic solution to the problem.

Posted by: Lisa Ridgely | Date posted: 10/11/2007

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It’s far from their main market segment, but some building service contractors clean (or are looking to expand into) hospitality facilities such as hotels and casino resorts. And chances are these facilities, especially high profile ones, are looking to become sustainable buildings.

BSCs can help the facility managers at these facilities achieve their green goals. Aside from implementing green cleaning techniques, contractors now can purchase Green Seal-certi