Keeping Up With Product Evolution And Training Opportunities

Ongoing training and general education for facility cleaning managers is important in this industry. Where do you find the most valuable education for yourself?

Doreen Bessert, C.E.H., Worksite Placement Coordinator, Custodial Supervisor and Central Purchasing Agent, Manitowoc County DPW
I get a lot of value out of the many webinars I listen in on. These webinars come through from the associations I belong to or the periodicals I subscribe to, i.e. IEHA, ISSA, Shared Purchasing Solutions, CleanLink, or from attending meetings in person or via teleconference and having an educational presenter. If I am struggling with an immediate issue, I will research online to try to find answers or pose a question to any of the groups I belong to.

Babette Beene, Manager, Environmental Services, Building Care and Operations, Patient Care and Prevention Facilities, University of Texas, MD Anderson
We have 16 hours of education required yearly. Generally our classes are scheduled by our facility.






Everyone is busy and sometimes managers are quick to dismiss sales reps that show up to pitch products and equipment. Do you find value to these meetings?

Gene Woodard, R.E.H., Director of Building Services, University of Washington
Form a relationship with distributors and manufacturer reps so they understand you goals and needs and that they would only pitch to you a product that will help you achieve your goal. When you develop that trust, then you will make time. Make sure they know where your program can improve and do not waste your time with things that are not a priority. Have a list or inventory of future opportunities for vendors to help you with.

Michael Jones, Director of Custodial Services, Columbia Public Schools
It is very difficult finding time for sales representatives stopping for quick meetings and sales pitches. It is really wasting my time and theirs unless they are providing value with something I need or I’m unaware of a new technology or product. I do not mind meeting with sales representatives, but prefer they email me with specific product information they would like to discuss. This allows me to become better informed of what they want to meet about, whether I have any interest, or have already been approached by another vendor.

Sandra Harshman, Custodial Superintendent, McCarran International Airport
One of the most valuable information resources we have are our local distributors and sales reps. We work closely with them on our current processes, so they keep us informed when new products or technologies come out. My advice would be to set up specific times to meet with your vendors, either weekly or monthly. This way you build your relationships with your vendors and are kept up-to-date on trends in the industry, but are not getting unexpected sales calls.
Also, if you are on a purchasing bid, let them know that up front and that changes to your products only happen at the end of the bid period and that you do a product review of old and new products about six months prior and they are welcome to contact you at that time to set up a meeting. Our company has a location on our website that vendors can add their company information to and the types of products they sell. When there is a bid for those types of products they are sent a notification.

It seems as though product/equipment evolution in this industry centers on either technological advancements or green/sustainable advantages. And often times, it’s difficult to shift form what has always been done to capitalize on the opportunities these new products present. How have you been able to communicate the benefits of technology and/or sustainability to upper management and then to your cleaning teams - in order to get their buy-in?

Gene Woodard, R.E.H., Director of Building Services, University of Washington
My upper management counts on me to lead the way here.

Michael Jones, Director of Custodial Services, Columbia Public Schools
In 2009, we were 100 percent conventional in our cleaning products and cleaning procedures, moving toward a 100 percent green program today. You have to become an expert in new products and programs in order to communicate the importance of making changes in your program. Understand the key upper management to convince, and sell the successes when a change is made. It was not very difficult for me since my boss was CFO/COO on the Executive Committee, plus sat on the Board of Education.
Getting staff to understand and accept changes was not difficult for me — we’ve reached about 80 percent complete acceptance. The rest will eventually come around or, unfortunately, leave your organization. Including the staff in testing products, training and informational meetings, and selling the importance making their job easier or better health themselves, students, and staff.

What additional advice do you have for other facility cleaning managers?

Doreen Bessert, C.E.H., Worksite Placement Coordinator, Custodial Supervisor and Central Purchasing Agent, Manitowoc County DPW
I highly suggest any new manager be aware of the generational differences of people they employ. Take a class, listen to a presentation, or research this topic online so you understand these differences. This will make it easier to communicate, train, and promote all staff equally.

Gene Woodard, R.E.H., Director of Building Services, University of Washington
Think BIG. I believe we are at the bottom of the food chain and don’t think big enough.