Today’s businesses are not looking for a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning; they value personalization and a commitment to shared goals. Priorities like ESG, technology, data-driven practices, and wellness are at the top of the list for many companies, and cleaners that address these priorities can differentiate themselves and get ahead.

Whether it’s because of flexible work hours, rising costs, or any number of reasons, business requirements have changed, and many companies are looking for cleaners that can tailor their services to suit their needs. Shifting your focus or promoting your company values may help commercial cleaners become more appealing to potential clients.

Sustainability

While many companies are focused on ESG goals and green cleaning, often they rely on the cleaning experts to execute their vision to lower their carbon footprint with more environmentally friendly products and practices. Using organic, low- or no-VOC products, along with chemical-free products can help companies achieve higher sustainability. Another way to increase sustainability is to examine water use and how specific tools, scheduling, and products can help lower water use.

But cleaning companies don’t have to stop there. If you want to connect with your customers, as well as move forward with your own ESG goals, you will need to stay informed, do your research, and strive to improve your own green initiatives. Do you have multiple crews? Looking at optimizing your fleet management to lower emissions with better scheduling or cleaner vehicles may be an option for your company. Explore all the ways, from your supply chain to your inventory management, that sustainability can be added to your business practices to connect with your customers and get greener.

Technology

Investing in technology like automation, robotics, or IoT can assure your customers that you are ahead of the curve, along with making valuable data accessible for responsible decision-making. Tools like robotic cleaners can mean that your labour is allocated where it’s best suited. Installing sensors allows your customers to track inventory and traffic patterns, so that labour and materials can be allocated best. Implementing online logbooks documenting the cleaning schedule means that your company is interested in efficient management and transparency. Many of today’s tools offer insight to businesses to help them streamline operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.

These tools are not always in the hands of the cleaners, but communicating with your customers can mean improved working conditions as well as better service going forward. Consider today’s technology as a way to improve your practices and better deliver on your customers’ expectations.

Employee health

Employee wellness, work-life balance, and safety are high on the list for many companies, and cleaners who lead by example are likely to attract like-minded customers.  Create schedules that work for your teams, offer training and incentives, and allow your teams to interact with your clients to be able to build those crucial customer relationships. These are all ways that your customers can see that you value your employees and their hard work, and that’s a way that you share your mission and can connect with your clients.

RELATED: Creating a positive company culture for cleaners

Focusing on sustainability and adopting technology are other ways to prioritize your employees by making their working conditions safer and by lessening the workload. This also shows a commitment to your employees, and when your employees are happy, they are their most productive. Studies show that on a scale of one to 10, each unit an employee feels happier equals 12 per cent more productivity, so culture can strongly affect your staff and their efforts. More productivity improves the customer experience, setting your company apart, and demonstrating your high standards to your clients.

Once upon a time, cleaning companies were unseen, working into the night while everyone else had left the office. But today, cleaners have the opportunity to connect with their customers with a shared vision and commitment to delivering the services they need. Better labour management, cutting-edge technology, greener practices, and happier employees can help cleaning companies offer the tailored services customers are looking for, while boosting the bottom line.