Outlining The Benefits Of Cleaning

Many in-house cleaning operations do little to promote what they do and the benefits they bring. The heads of these operations either fail to understand the value they offer, or they simply don’t know how to wave their benefit flags. As a result, an organization’s leaders often view them as non-revenue generating entities that cost money but bring little value.

Often custodial operations only receive acknowledgement when things are not done, which is why whenever budgets must be reduced, the first place company leaders look is the low-hanging fruit — the janitorial staff. Custodial executives are told they need to slash staff or cut costs; adjustments they readily make without argument. Eventually, as more services and staff are trimmed, there comes a point where their operations are outsourced.

The cold reality is more facilities are outsourcing their cleaning services. In many cases this is due to budgetary restraints, but just as often it’s because decision-makers lack a clear picture of the value their in-house cleaning staff brings.

Now is the time for housekeeping operations to toot their own horns, and let others know what they do. Everything from their use of green chemicals and equipment to sustainable processes and more needs to be shouted from the rooftops, if cleaning departments want to stop the outsourcing movement in its tracks.

RON SEGURA is the president of Segura & Associates, a consulting firm that provides services to all segments of the cleaning industry.