Successful Cleaning Business Owners Never Stop Learning
To an outsider, the cleaning industry may seem pretty simple. As any building service contractor knows, however, it takes more than a mop and broom to run a successful cleaning business. BSCs must contend with constantly changing laws and regulations, frequent innovations in technology, and a regular onslaught of new products in the market.
In an industry that's always evolving, keeping current is crucial for BSCs that want to stay relevant and competitive. And continuing education is particularly important for leaders of contract cleaning companies that are in an active state of growth.
Spending time on industry sites like this one, as well as reading trade magazines, is a great start. Want to take it a step further? Consider these additional professional development tools.
Social Media
Social media for professional development? Yes! But instead of wasting your time scrolling through news feeds you must intentionally follow the resources that will help you continue your quest for knowledge.
Following trade associations, industry thought leaders, and peers on various social media channels, including Twitter, is a great way to stay current on the latest trends affecting contract cleaners and business in general.
Industry-specific groups on LinkedIn and Facebook can also be beneficial. Asking peers for recommendations can help you find the right groups. Even so, it can take some time (and trial and error) to identify those that provide the most benefit. Look for groups with active, engaged members who share valuable resources and avoid too much self-promotion.
Both ISSA and BSCAI have active LinkedIn groups where you can ask questions, start discussions, and read interesting content.
Networking Events
While the Internet makes it easy to stay connected with and learn from others in your industry, it lacks the personal touch. It can also pay off to attend local networking events where you can meet others face to face.
If you're in a large enough market, there may be regional chapters of industry-specific associations near you. If so, it's definitely worth an investment of time and money to join these groups and attend their mixers and educational sessions.
In addition to learning opportunities, these groups can offer other benefits, such as finding new vendors or identifying new business partnerships.
BSCs in more rural areas may not have industry-specific options nearby, but there are likely still avenues for growing a businessperson. The local Chamber of Commerce or Rotary Club, as examples, may host educational events on general leadership topics.
Hate networking? Read these tips for making it less stressful.
Trade Shows and Conferences
Want to get your hands on the newest gadgets? Hoping to learn from the industry's top minds? Looking to meet peers with whom you can discuss business strategies? Industry trade shows offer all of that and more.
Although it can represent a sizable investment, attending trade shows can deliver a tremendous amount of value. In addition to showcasing what's new with the tools of the trade, they typically include educational seminars, training workshops, and group discussions.
ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America, the International Cleaning Experts Expo (ICE), The Experience Convention and Trade Show, and others will help you gain a more well-rounded understanding of the industry and of business as a whole, plus you'll establish valuable contacts with the peers, partners, and experts.
Cleaning Industry Certifications
For business leaders who prefer a more structured approach to learning, certification courses are a great option. They offer very specific knowledge in an organized manner, plus you earn an official designation that tells the world you know your stuff. These certifications let customers know you're committed to best practices, which helps build trust.
There are dozens of third-party associations that offer cleaning certifications. Whatever you're hoping to learn, there's likely an option to suit your needs. Also, most organizations now offer online training, making it much easier for BSCs anywhere to continue their education.
Check out our guide for choosing the right certification for your cleaning business.
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
As mentioned above, there are online training resources available for continuing education for cleaning business owners, manager, supervisors, office personnel and front-line cleaners.
Clean Smart University is an LMS for Premium Members of The Janitorial Store. With over 8,000 professional training videos, visual learners are sure to find topics to keep their interest for years to come. And if you like documentation, many of the training videos include downloadable hand outs, training guides, quizzes and certificates of completion. Some trainings are even eligible for CEU credits.
Assessments
All of the options for professional development can be overwhelming. A professional assessment can be a useful tool for helping determine gaps in your leadership skills or knowledge base.
Search industry associations for tests related to knowledge of cleaning best practices and various regulations. There are far more options available to better understand your leadership and personality style, from Myers-Briggs to StrengthsFinder 2.0.
These tests can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses; you can use the insights to help you perform better as a manager and entrepreneur. Also, they can be helpful tools in the hiring process to make sure you select the right personalities for your team. Having members of your leadership team take the tests will also help you determine how best to communicate and work with them.
Continuing education brings an influx of new ideas. It expands your understanding of the industry, from products to regulations. It helps you look at old problems in different ways. And it can expand your network to reach more people.
A broader knowledge base and greater visibility will help keep the competition at bay and make it easier to grow your business.
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