The difficulties of managing employee retention have only been highlighted more in the last few years as tolerance for undesirable work climates drops and employees demand more competitive compensation.
Follow our conversation with Ben Walker on the Business of Cleaning podcast as we discuss the root causes of high turnover and how to combat them.
Ben has been an educator, consultant, writer, and public speaker within the jan-san industry for nearly 20 years. As a writer, Ben is a columnist for Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine where he shares his observations and insights about issues facing professional cleaning operations. Additionally, he is a blogger and key opinion leader for CloroxPro.
Learn more about our show here: https://www.janitorialmanager.com/the-business-of-cleaning-podcast/

Addressing Employee Retention with Ben Walker

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In 2016, Illissa Figueroa and Ana Chicas McNamara decided to start their own cleaning business despite only knowing each other for six months. Join us as we look at their journey in the cleaning industry, from humbling beginnings to industry success.



From Friends to Business Partners: Conquering Stereotypes in Commercial Cleaning


Jason Davis found himself trapped in the monotonous routine of his dream job in banking, enduring the daily grind of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The toll of this predictable work schedule eventually convinced him that it wasn't the right path for him. One day, on impulse, he walked away from his banking career without a plan. Encouraged by his wife, he connected with the cleaners at her workplace, which sparked the idea of starting Forte Commercial Cleaning in Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
Recently, Jason and Forte Commercial Cleaning gained national attention for their initiative in offering job opportunities to homeless individuals. Jason attributes the philosophy of "The Go-Giver" to his company's philosophy of inclusivity, providing employment opportunities to those in need. He takes pride in providing fresh starts for people and helping them to develop their skills to enhance their career paths. Since 2019, Forte Commercial Cleaning has held the cleaning contract for the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz. Every night, over 100 people gather to clean the entire arena within four to five hours. What sets Forte apart from competitors is their commitment to same-day payment, a promise they always fulfill. Jason believes that consistent attention to detail, even in seemingly small matters, fosters a loyal and dedicated workforce. 

Community Involvement: How Cleaning Companies Can Drive Social Change


In the mid-1980s, Don Aslett made a pivotal stop at the Edison Museum en route to a Boy Scout jamboree, where he conceived the vision of establishing a museum dedicated to cleanliness. He envisioned a space that would pay homage to the past, present, and future of the cleaning industry, with a particular emphasis on showcasing classic equipment. This idea began to take shape when Don acquired 250 premium pre-electric vacuums in 2006. Finally, almost 30 years later, in 2011, his dream materialized with the opening of The Museum of Clean in Pocatello, Idaho. The museum draws both local and national tourists eager to explore its 74,000 square foot (occupying one city block) complex, offering excitement, education, and inspiration for the entire family.

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Museum of Clean: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of the Cleaning Industry

Joel Craddock's first experience in the commercial cleaning industry came from his church, where he made $0.25 an hour. The job taught him hard work and responsibility from a young age. If he woke up, he knew that his job expected him to be at work. While in college, Joel worked his way up to an operations manager position for one of the biggest commercial cleaning companies in the Rochester, New York area. In this role he had hundreds of employees reporting to him at just 23 years old. While it was intimidating and a steep learning curve, he accepted the challenge. This opportunity forced him outside of his comfort zone and prepared him for his future as a business owner in the commercial cleaning industry. 

Joel dedicated himself to cleaning for health as a business owner when a doctor told him that he had more chemicals in his body than an embalmed person. When he first started in the industry, no one used personal protective equipment. Because of this, he has long-term lung, hand, and feet damage. He knew when he started Doc's Facilities Solutions, he needed to focus on protecting his employees and his clients. His clients realized cleaning for health was working when their employees were taking fewer PTO days and carrying over time to the next year. 

From Flatline to Fresh Start: Cleaning for Health

In 2001, Steven Harper made the decision to leave the corporate world after working for several fortune 500 companies. He chose to start his own commercial cleaning company, Spectrum Building Services of America. His goal was to build a company where he could leave his mark, instill his core values, and achieve personal and professional balance. While working in the corporate world, he endured 60 to 70-hour work weeks and did not take a vacation for 10 years. He realized that to achieve his goals, he needed to grow not only as a leader but also by acquiring new customers and providing career opportunities for employees. Recognizing that flexibility was crucial, he understood that he had to spend his time working on the business, not just in the business. 

Steven credits his employees, continual growth as a leader, and flexibility for the company’s continual growth. In 2023, he realized they needed to spend time focusing on their branding effort. The epiphany he had was understanding his company’s “why.” His realization was that companies don’t buy from customers because they do a good job; they buy from them because they buy into why they’re doing what they’re doing. They bought into their “why.” From this, his company was able to create their mission. One of the biggest takeaways was being able to attract the right customers through digital marketing and account-based marketing. But most importantly, they want to align themselves with companies that share their values. The mission they came up with is to be “caretakers and stewards, restoring and enriching spaces so businesses can thrive.”



Addressing Employee Retention with Ben Walker

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