The Janitorial Closet

Outsourcing Cleaning Operations

Save Money by Hiring a Cleaning Company

No one wants to negotiate with someone who has a dirty business. 

And by dirty, I don't mean finger-against-the-nose dirty, we mean "when was the last time someone mopped this floor, wow, that's a huge dust bunny and what is that smell?" dirty.

However, if a business is having financial issues, one of the first things they cut is their maintenance staff. So, the dust bunnies under the desks in your office start to outnumber your employees, floors that used to be pristine are grungy, carpets are furry and filled with all kinds of strange materials and toilets that were once shiny are now...

Well, you get the idea.

But instead of giving up on cleaning your office completely, cut costs outsourcing janitorial services to a cleaning service. Many services will offer a discount if you sign a long-term contract, and depending on where you are in the world, you could put your business out to bid and get a better rate that way. You get a clean office, a cleaning company gets a new gig, and you pay the bare minimum. Talk about your win-win.

So, go ahead and cut costs outsourcing janitorial services. The only one who'll be angry are the dust bunnies.

Outsourcing Janitorial Services and Commercial Cleaning

Why Hire a Janitorial Contractor?

Look in the sky...it's a bird, it's a plane...no it's a Superhero! Well it's something like a Superhero because it doesn't matter when you require their special powers, they can be adjusted anytime to fit your schedule. It doesn't matter if it is day or night...they will always be at the rescue of your facilities needs.

Need your own professional avenger? Looking to put together your own special task force team? How about having someone that you can build a great business relationship with? Whether you are looking for Superman or the Fantastic Four, you can have continuous access in using the special powers of a professional Janitorial Services.

Why hire a Janitorial Contractor or Contractors? Outsourcing Janitorial Services can be a very beneficial factor for your business. It is more than just finding quality contractors to clean your establishment. It's also a strategic business decision because it helps control your operating costs and let you focus on the core competencies of your business. Using a Janitorial service will allow you to focus on running your business. Other benefits of Outsourcing Janitorial Services include:

• Cost savings. Retaining in house employees can become expensive. When you think about it, what value do these employees add to your core business function? Not only that but you will be able to control your operating costs as well as start freeing up capital that can be invested back into your business.
• Helping your business grow. Outsourcing your business cleaning needs allows you and your team to spend more time focusing on growing your business (instead of cleaning it). Spend time concentrating on your core competencies and company goals as well as implementing your mission critical objectives into your business practices.
• Expertise services. Every field has an expertise in that field. Let the professionals demonstrate their experience and manage your facility correctly. This is what they specialize in so they always stay at the forefront of technological advancements. This will ensure that you (the client) are receiving the best possible service they have to offer.
• Flexibility. Outsourcing your business needs gives you the control to adjust the level of staffing. Use the service as you see fit or on a as needed basis to meet your facility and service requirements.

3 Benefits Of Outsourcing Janitorial Services

You have a small business and, for the past several months, you or an employee have had to empty the garbage cans, dust the furniture, and vacuum your office.  On top of that, you've had to clean the bathroom toilet and mop the floor.  Not exactly what you thought you'd be doing when you ventured out on your entrepreneurial quest, huh?

If you've grown tired of performing domestic chores at your office, you may want to consider outsourcing your company's janitorial services.

Here are three key benefits of outsourcing janitorial services:

• Use them as little or as often as you like.  A janitorial service can be contracted to work one day a week, every other day or on a daily basis.  You can select from among a menu of tasks -- some performed daily (such as emptying the trash cans), and others performed less often (such as vacuuming and mopping).  You control the frequency with which the service comes to your location and, thus, control your costs.

• Increase your employees' productivity.  Rather than have you and your employees focus on cleaning up the office, your attention can be directed toward revenue-generating activities.  This re-focus will ultimately increase your company's productivity and its bottom line.

• Improve the appearance of your office.  Outsourcing janitorial services will keep your office looking clean and well maintained at all times.  Both your employees and your clients will appreciate the fresh new look your business projects.

Outsourcing your janitorial services for your business is something you should strongly consider.  It's an investment that will pay dividends in the long run.

Office Maintenance: Customer Loyalty

A loyal customer is a friend that money can’t buy.  Unless of course you’re Mark Zuckerberg then I will be your best friend and we can Facebook all day.  But on a serious note, spending money on someone hoping they will be your friend in return will only have them coming back if you spend again.  Getting to know someone and building chemistry creates a bond like no other.  This friendship built on emotion will most likely not be shattered by someone who spends cash.  Once again, unless you’re Mark Zuckerberg.  Customer retention is when janitorial companies pay customers to remain customers.  Professional office maintenance companies that devote the time in activities to increase the customers’ willingness to spend create customer loyalty.  iNX Building Maintenance Solutions is here to inform readers and consumers alike that retaining customer loyalty is imperative to the success of your business down the road.  Maintaining a strong customer base is vital in a cleaning industry where growing competition and the janitorial marketplace is ever changing. 

Here are some tips on how to create, maintain, and improve customer loyalty in a janitorial environment.  These general steps are:

• Constant and consistent communication.  Strong customer relationships are built on the foundation of high-quality communication.  Using any opportunity to contact a decision maker for dialogue will help maintain a strong customer relationship.  Regular e-marketing will also keep customer up to date with cleaning products and janitorial services.
• Understand your customers’ business needs.  Determine how your cleaning products and janitorial services help your customer improve their performance.
• Enhance the level of quality of service.  Customers who are satisfied with the level of quality service will more than likely return for a future purchase.  Customer focused cleaning products and rewards also contribute to a satisfied customer because they feel that business is centered on them as an individual.
• Customer feedback.  In any relationship, you don’t want to do all of the talking.  Have your customers give both positive and negative feedback about your janitorial service.  This information will help you gain a better understanding of what you’re doing right and any improvements that need to be made to your janitorial service.
• Reward customers for their loyalty.  A relationship marketing program can be used as a form to reward customers.  As you get to know your customer more, you’ll be able to tailor a maintenance program that addresses their individual requirements.  This will allow you to build a detailed database of your customers and further build your relationship with them for the long-term.

Placing customer loyalty above business profits illustrates the importance of customer value and uses them as a focal point of a professional office maintenance company.  Exceeding the expectations of a customer will create loyal supporters for your professional office maintenance company.

Janitorial Service Hidden Costs

It lurks in the dark. It cannot be seen in plain sight. It attacks you when you are most vulnerable. You go to bed content but as soon as you hear that closet door knock, emptiness in your stomach is filled with fear. The dreadful thought of what will ensue as you gaze upon the gloomy closet door with your blanket covering your mouth. It comes out and begins to take money out of your wallet. Is it a boogey man that steals? No, it’s hidden costs that you might have missed in the fine print. When hiring a professional office maintenance company, make sure that the pricing are all inclusive. A service contract will be signed with the outsourcing janitorial company that should cover all of the details of the janitorial service provided.  iNX Building Maintenance Solutions is here to inform readers and consumers alike that there are janitorial companies who will start out with a low rate but you will find yourself paying more than expected. The rate should include everything that you want accomplished. Any add-ons or changes will bring about hidden costs such as: washing windows, cleaning the refrigerator, etc.

Here are some tips on what to look for in a contract when determining what you want accomplished. These steps to avoid hidden costs are:

• Thoroughly read the potential service contract.  You need to check to see if all of your company's needs have been met by the professional office maintenance company.  Effort put into fully understanding the potential service contract will help alleviate any problems that could arise in the future. 
• Research on how long the professional office maintenance company has been in the business. A start-up company may not give you the same quality and dependable service as a janitorial company that’s been in the cleaning industry for a long time.  Also, researching these companies will help you determine whether or not the janitorial company nickel and dimes customers.
• Asking for references from the professional office maintenance company then following up with phone calls.  Ask the company if they are satisfied with the janitorial service and if there have been any issues with hidden costs.

The logical act would be to compare prices that are all inclusive between professional office maintenance companies.  When the ruthless provisions in fine print of a service contract are removed, then customers will get the service expected. Focusing on customer service is a major factor in avoiding hidden costs.  Having a dependable customer service will help relieve your mind of any tricks or hidden costs your professional office maintenance company may pull.

Office Maintenance: Include Recycling & Help the Environment!

A better, cleaner world starts with Green Cleaning.

Mankind has escaped the perilous claws of doomsday yet again.  But for how long?  As society continues its search for reasons that the world will end whether it is being the rapture or aliens coming to rule earth.  There is one culprit that must be examined in the midst of this chaos: ourselves.  Global warming remains a constant problem but there is a simple solution to help the cause.  Recycling waste in the office workspace can contribute to a healthier environment.  Cutting down carbon-absorbing trees contributes to global warming and other environmental problems.  A professional office maintenance company can provide the necessary recycling bins for a greener work space.

A simple way to reduce your carbon footprint is by recycling aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and paper that would normally end up in the trash bin.  Recycling can easily be integrated into companies’ normal business operations.  The most important factor to make a recycling program work in the office space is employee co-operation.  In order to encourage recycling, proper office maintenance recycling bins should be conveniently placed next to the trash bin.  Paper recycle bins should also be placed in areas where there is maximum paper waste such as: the printer and copy room.

Recycling waste doesn’t have to be boring.  To make things fun in the office, a professional office maintenance company can supply recycle bins of assorted colors to match the décor of the work space.  You may be currently working late in the office missing the NBA playoffs but it’s alright because you’ve turned your recycling bins into a mini basketball hoop.  Have some fresh ideas to encourage recycling in the work space and to maintain a greener environment.
Further general steps to setting up an office recycling system for office maintenance are:

• Label bins with clear information on what items can be disposed of in which recycling containers.  Having visuals on the bins will remind employees to separate trash and recyclables properly.
• Keep track of the paper, aluminum, and plastics that are being recycled and purchased.  This will help see how far your company has progressed in its recycling efforts. 
• Just like any successful business, there is always room for improvement.  Your companies’ recycling program may need some new ideas and/or periodic overhauling.

Recycling is clear-cut and fairly easy to execute.  It can provide results in lowering cost and in setting an example to employees your company's devotion to environmental responsible practices.
 Start Your Green Cleaning Program with iNX!

                                                   

An Efficient Office Cleaning Company

 

A customer walks into a building and is hit by the stench of poor office cleaning.  The customer is appalled by the sight and smell of the facility that the customer leaves resulting in lost sales.  An inefficient professional office cleaning company is equivalent to an inefficient employee.  Paying for a service yet wondering exactly what you’re paying for implies reduced production.  Many have experienced the results of inadequate office cleaning.  Dust, cockroach infestations, grime, crumbs, bacteria, and an unpleasant smell all contribute to a negative workplace.  Poor office cleaning can lead to mice infestation, which damage walls, cabinets, paper, wires, and spread diseases.  An employee might try to move the cursor on the computer screen not realizing that the wrong mouse is being held. 

An efficient office cleaning company maintains superior customer service.  Here are some tips on what to look for in determining an efficient office cleaning company.  The tips are:

• Interview the cleaning company who will be responsible for maintaining your facility.  It is important to spend time with the cleaning contractors before making the final decision to learn and gain a better understanding of the cleaning industry.
• High-quality customer service is a must.  Knowing that reliable customer service is there when it is needed to help clarify questions and provide further service gives you that peace of mind.
• A quality control plan that states your cleaning specifications designed to meet your requirements.  A work schedule organized according to each area and visibly displayed.
• Companies that provide detailed information on how their staff is trained and any qualifications they have received.

Having in-house janitorial service is effective but not efficient.  At some point the cleaning process must be overseen and janitorial supplies must be provided.  Hiring a professional janitorial cleaning company will provide the necessary janitorial supplies and utilize the most efficient cleaning techniques to guarantee the utmost quality with optimal results.

Some businesses might believe that cutting costs can be achieved by placing the responsibilities on their employees.  Having an employee perform janitorial work takes up time on the payroll rather than working on assignments that benefit the company.  After all, you hired an intern to write blogs, not clean your toilets.  The overall atmosphere in the workplace will look and feel cleaner.   Outsourcing janitorial cleaning to an efficient professional janitorial cleaning company will handle all of your company’s needs to ensure a healthy workplace and maintain a sense of professionalism.

 

Go Green!

 

There’s a place where toxic compounds rule the air, where human beings are constantly coughing, and the overall environment is continuously deteriorating. That place is…your office.  Hazardous ingredients & chemicals found in general purpose cleaners permeate the air causing skin, eye, and respiratory irritation.  VOC’s, otherwise known as volatile organic compounds, can be found in these cleaners and can affect indoor air quality through evaporation.  Now you might be thinking, “What could I use to clean if all these cleaners are death in a bottle?”  We need cleaning products for maintenance but we pay a hefty price when we use them. It seems as though being “Green” in today’s society requires each individual to reduce, reuse, and buy a Prius. Having a Prius contributes to a cleaner environment but most workers spend their time indoors where they face a myriad of health concerns daily.  In an effort to reduce hazardous materials and waste that affect both human and environmental health, iNX suggests that consumers purchase green cleaning products.  Many of today’s professional office cleaning companies use "Green" cleaning products to provide a healthier maintenance solution for your office.  But just because a product says its “Green” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for the environment. 

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has devised five guiding principles to help consumers with their eco-friendly product purchases.  These five guidelines are:

• Include environmental factors as well as traditional considerations of price and performance as part of the normal purchasing process.
• Emphasize pollution prevention early in the purchasing process.
• Examine multiple environmental attributes throughout a product's or service's life cycle.
• Compare relative environmental impacts when selecting products and services.
• Collect and base purchasing decisions on accurate and meaningful information about environmental performance.

Business owners and managers alike have probably not thought about using “Greener” cleaner chemicals or products.  Yet, having the proper eco-friendly cleaning program carried out by a professional janitorial cleaning company can cut costs.  Do I have your attention business owners?  Yes, implementing a successful cost effective green cleaning program businesses can cut costs and achieve a proper maintenance that will result in a healthy environment for employees and visitors. A healthy work environment translates to less sick leave and increased productivity by employees.  Additionally, having a professional janitorial cleaning company carry out your maintenance will help reduce the probability of an accident occurring at work such as: a fire and chemical spill. 

Here is a short video on greener cleaners for proper maintenance.