Important Keys to Being a True Professional in Your Residential Cleaning Business
With the large number of residential cleaning businesses out there, how do you get your company to stand out? Are you doing just enough to get by? Being a professional in all aspects of your cleaning business will go a long way towards showing your clients, prospects, employees and associates that you are serious about doing the best job you can do.
Keys to running a professional cleaning business
Do you have the background, knowledge and experience to become a professional? You bet! Are you willing to put 110 percent in everything you do? You bet! Doing the best job that you can do and having a professional attitude is what it takes to show your clients you are willing to go that extra step.
Factors that come into play regarding professionalism:
Professional Appearance: As a cleaning contractor, you most likely won't be wearing a business suit, but your appearance is still important and can leave a lasting impression on people. While cleaning an account your clothes will no doubt become soiled; however, when meeting with clients you should always have a neat and clean appearance.
Clean and neat work polo, button-down shirt, and other custom corporate name and logo apparel options work great. They also give you one more way to market your company. And besides your personal appearance, your equipment and company vehicle should be clean. After all, if your clients see that your equipment isn't clean, what faith will they have in your cleaning abilities?
Dependability: Your cleaning clients depend on you to provide timely services so their homes are clean for family, friends and visitors. Your clients depend on you to not only clean, but to do so without breaking items, ruining carpet, and damaging flooring or furniture. If something does happen, you need to be a "true professional.” Let your client know you will take care of the damages and re-evaluate training procedures to helpfully avoid future breakage or damage.
Be a Life-Long Learner: There are constant improvements to chemicals, equipment and cleaning procedures. It is important to realize you can never "know everything", but put aside a little time every week reading and learning what is new to the industry. Being a lifelong learner will work to your advantage and you will be perceived as an expert in your clients' eyes.
Take Pride in Your Work: No doubt some jobs will be easier than others, but putting 110 percent into every job, large and small, can set you apart from the other cleaning companies in your area. There is nothing more satisfying to a cleaning professional than seeing a job well done. Conveying that sense of pride by training your employees will improve end results and make your life easier.
Treat Customers and Employees with Respect: Cleaning clients can be easy to work for or extremely difficult and demanding. It is always easier to smile and say hello to a friendly face, but it is just as important to be friendly to those demanding clients.
Although you may have started your cleaning company as a one-person business, once you have employees on board, treat them as individuals and valued members of your team. Ask for their opinions and be open to their ideas. Make sure that your employees know what you expect of them and that they too are expected to act as professionals.
Be Honest: Be honest with your clients about the services you provide and what those services cost. Stick by the guidelines set out in the agreements that you have with your clients. And don't be afraid to let a cleaning client know there are services that you do not provide if you do not have the staff, equipment or knowledge to do a job properly.
Model Ethical Behavior:
- Do Not cheat, mislead or provide false information to clients.
- Avoid the use of foul/abusive language and/or indecent gestures.
- Do Not eat, smoke or drink on the job.
- Do Not examine papers, read books/magazines or computer monitors, or look through closets, desks, or drawers.
- Do Not take any items from clients, even if it is something that they threw in the trash.
- Do Not use a client's phone or any personal property.
- Do Not bring any unauthorized people to the job site.
- Do be courteous, respectful, and cooperative.
Your cleaning company can stand out from the crowd by incorporating the above guidelines into its everyday routines and practices. A true professional is someone who takes pride in their work and is always willing to go that extra mile. Putting that “extra” into what you do will show your clients that you are the best professional for the job!
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Being a professional in your cleaning business is a must. Your employees should also exude professionalism while on the job. Having a written company policy manual / employee handbook can help accomplish this. It provides the direction and guidance that can bring about professionalism throughout your entire company! |
