Category: Information

An array of new cleaning technologies and digital tools are available and ready to use. These technological advancements can effectively tackle staff shortage and the increased demand for cleaning quality caused by Covid-19. But fully embracing digitalisation and technology can be challenging as they disrupt the working routines. Both you and employees often have concerns about implementation time and job displacement. But behold! There are effective strategies to solve these issues through step-by-steps and change management. Let’s delve into these issues and explore potential solutions. Addressing Employee Concerns and Misconceptions about Technology and Digitalisation The quickest way to failure when implementing new technology is to sideline your employees. If you’re aiming for failure, simply enforce changes without involving those who will be directly affected, and watch the project go down the drain. But you want the opposite, of course, so you should do the opposite. To successfully counter employee concerns regarding technology and digitalisation, the first crucial first steps are fostering understanding and communication. Listening to employee concerns and misconceptions provides an overview for constructive action. You can benefit from listening to your employees in their day-to-day work and discussing potential improvements. This will give employees co-influence. For example, conduct […]

Technological advancement moves swiftly, which offers companies innovative business opportunities. Yet, following this rapid pace and integrating new technology proves challenging. The cleaning industry is no exception. The cleaning landscape has shifted since Covid-19. There is heightened demand for quality and documentation amid the continued staff shortage. Embracing technology, digitalisation, and innovation may be the solution. Let’s explore the definitions of these terms and weigh their pros and cons for your cleaning business. We use technology and digital tools every day in our digital age, including in the cleaning industry. Yet, comprehending every aspect of new technological solutions can be difficult. However, starting with understanding the relevant terms and their functions is a crucial first step. As you continue reading, you’ll find explanations of the three main components: Technology, digitalisation and innovation, along with examples of use in the cleaning industry. Technology and Its Benefits in the Cleaning Industry Technology is the use of scientific knowledge to solve real-life problems. It makes life easier both in professional and domestic settings. Everything that was ever invented by humans is a form of technology.  In the cleaning industry, technological advancements have introduced machinery and robots into cleaning. The technology has come a […]

One major challenge facing cleaning companies today is attracting and retaining the young generation. To stay relevant in modern times, the industry should embrace environmental- and social sustainability. They also need to address the less favourable aspects of cleaning jobs, while also promoting the positive impacts cleaning has that people tend to forget. Why the Cleaning Industry has to Change The cleaning industry is in a labour shortage, particularly with younger workers. Data from the British Cleaning Council reveals that the percentage of cleaning staff under 25 is significantly lower than in other sectors across the UK. Additionally, there is a much higher percentage of people over 55 in the cleaning industry. The difference may stem from the negative perception of cleaning work as low-skilled, low paid, with little career opportunity and workplace well-being.  To attract younger employees, the industry must shift its narrative. This requires reflection and action. Cleaning companies need to reflect and determine the most important issues and act on it. Otherwise, companies will increase the labour shortage when their employees start to retire and no young workers want to replace them. This requires knowledge of what younger generations seek in a job. They value sustainability, opportunity […]

This blog takes you further into environmental sustainability and GHG account, by giving you ideas for goals and sustainable initiatives your cleaning company could take to meet your sustainable goals. Furthermore, we give you an overview of important factors of the GHG account and how to formulate a report on GHG. What to Know Before Creating the GHG Account: Scopes and KPI The global, standardised measurement is called the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), where every company reports their collected climate footprint. The creation of an annual GHG account is time-consuming, but the first time is the most difficult because the CO₂ data needs to be sought from scratch. Next year, you have a starting point. There might be changes in method, results, and goals, but then you have your template from last year. Here is a guide on what to report and which goals could be realistic and useful for a cleaning company: What to Report: Scopes The three scopes are a categorisation of a company’s different types of emissions and wider value-chain. They are used in the GHG protocol and account for the total CO₂ emissions of a given company. The 3 scopes according to the Office for National […]

Environmental sustainability benefits your cleaning company and helps you stay competitive. Many companies report a GHG account annually, explaining their environmental impact and sustainable measures. It is not only becoming a requirement, but it also gives a significant advantage when attracting clients and investors. But what are the rules for reporting your company’s emissions, and what is an ESG report?  Understanding the Importance of GHG Account and Environmental Sustainability Embracing environmental sustainability positions your business favourably in the eyes of investors, clients, and other stakeholders who increasingly value eco-conscious operations. It is not only valued, but is becoming a requirement with the so-called ESG reports. Environmental sustainability is the practice of using sustainable and renewable sources to counter climate changes. The point is to sustain and protect the environment, and not overheat the planet with fossil fuels. Focusing on environmental sustainability means having a GHG account, to show how your company minimises the CO₂ emissions.  All companies directly or indirectly emit CO₂, because they buy or sell products, or provide services. Companies need to account for this, which is done as a GHG account. GHG stands for greenhouse gas, and is a system and protocol for recalculating everything into CO₂ […]

Setting the right cleaning price for a client can be a daunting task. What if they choose a cheaper competitor, or I underbid myself? The reality is that inflation, a rise in wage, and unforeseen expenses may force you, at some point, to raise your service price. In this article, we guide you on how to have a successful conversation about price increases with your client, and how improvements in your cleaning business can be arguments for said price raise. Why Raising Rates are Critical for Your Business’ Survival: A Deep Dive into the UK Economic Landscape Many events have affected the UK economy during the past few years, with increases in various expenses. As a consequence, every cleaning business needs to reevaluate and set the right cleaning price to continue earning a sustainable profit. The Political Influence on the Cleaning Industry’s Economy An immediate reason for raising and setting the right cleaning service price now is the increase in the National Living Wage, effective April 2024. The UK Government has increased the national living wage by almost 10%, in pounds, from £10.42 to £11.44. Even if you paid your staff more than this, the general rise creates pressure to […]

As the year comes to a close and holiday celebrations are around the corner, we look back at the main challenges the cleaning industry faced in 2023 and will continue to face in 2024. However, this article shows you how new trends in the cleaning industry can be used to overcome the challenges and ensure the success of your company for years to come. Our goal is to help your business thrive. These trends in the cleaning industry include issues of labour shortage, rising inflation, and higher wages. We also talk about the demands for sustainability, green cleaning, higher efficiency, and the ongoing stigmatising of “unskilled” cleaning-staff and the occasional language barrier. Labour Shortage and Inflation in the Cleaning Industry There is a huge labour shortage in the UK. This is one of the main economic trends in the cleaning industry today. The Office for National Statistics’ reported a record high in job vacancies in 2022, with little to no improvement as of November 2023. This is no exception for the cleaning industry, and it only looks as if those numbers will remain high in the future. The other issue is the inflation. Prices on supplies are rising, and as […]