If watershed moments shape an industry, as we postulate in our cover story, then perhaps smaller instances — not earth-shattering occurrences — can transform the people within the industry.

Like many of you, I didn’t grow up dreaming of entering the cleaning industry. I stumbled upon Contracting Profits the way many building service employees enter the field — through the classified ads. When I became the associate editor four years ago, my knowledge of cleaning didn’t stretch very far beyond my own apartment. (My mother would probably say it didn’t stretch very far within my apartment, either.)

At the time, I considered myself a journalist, not a member of the cleaning industry. But a series of small moments convinced me otherwise.

About a month into my employment, the CP staff attended a meeting with some International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) personnel, as well as our columnist John Walker. As we planned some educational sessions for the first-ever ISSA open show, somebody casually used the word “janitor.”

“Do we call people that anymore?” I blurted out. “Isn’t there a euphemism or something? Who wants to be a janitor?”

You can imagine how well that went over. John told me he was proud to be janitor, and he had founded an educational program called Janitor University. He and my editor gave me a patient, but pointed, lecture on respect and empowerment.

I began to see cleaning in a different light. Fast-forward a few months. I didn’t become a better housekeeper (sorry, Mom), but I did begin to recognize brand names in public restrooms. A few months after that, I began pointing them out to my friends. (That’s the real reason women visit the restroom in groups.)

Once, I came back from a trade show almost gleeful with my newfound knowledge of floor-finish polymer chemistry. I annoyed loved ones to no end with that information, but I was fascinated and even a bit evangelical. With that, I think my transformation from someone who happened to write about cleaning to a cleaning-industry writer was in full swing.

As I take the reins here, I look around and realize it’s an exciting time to be a part of the cleaning universe. Contractors are looking beyond the survival of their own businesses and are becoming advocates for the profession as a whole, with expertise in diverse fields.

Over the years, I’ve met or spoken with many of you, and learned a great deal about cleaning, business and human nature. I’d like to continue that, and hear from more of you. Please feel free to send me your comments, questions or ideas. I welcome the opportunity to get to know more of the people who create the moments that shape the industry.




POSTED ON: 1/1/2003