INCLEAN March-April 2023

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION

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March / April 2023

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EDITOR’S LETTER

INCLEAN is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd on behalf of ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association.

41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Simon Cooper MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hibbit Email: chibbit@incleanmag.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6140 NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Ewart Email: sewart@incleanmag.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6106 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Natasha Jara GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Chris Papaspiros Print Post Approved Publication No. PP: 255003/09765 AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATE 12 months (6 issues) - $66 (inc. GST) To subscribe call 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

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R

Editor’s letter

ecent high-profile ransomware attacks in Australia have been a stark reminder for cleaning and hygiene companies that they need a cybersecurity plan to protect their businesses and people.

For cleaning company executives, it would be easy to dismiss recent events as an irrelevance for them. After all, why would cyber criminals worry about relatively small businesses when they can go after the big fish?

However, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, cybercrime costs Australia about $42 billion a year. The average cost per cybercrime is $39,000 for small businesses, $88,000 for medium businesses, and more than $62,000 for large businesses.

In this issue, we speak to cyber and industry experts about why cyber threats are much more than an IT risk and require multiple lines of defence to help the long-term sustainability of a company. Read our cyber security feature on page 22.

Training and workforce development is also on the radar for cleaning, hygiene, and restoration sectors as they build on reputational gains during the pandemic.

However, in the cleaning industry, workforce development can be a vague concept.

What does it mean, why is it important, and what does it look like in practice? GBAC’S Dr Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner discusses why workforce development programs can benefit your business by helping you sustainably scale, profit, and prosper.

And, finally in this edition, we examine how cleaning and restoration professionals can continue to deliver great customer service during a crisis. Customer service is the bedrock of any business, but it’s especially important in certain industries – the cleaning and restoration industry being among them. Cleaning teams and restoration technicians are often interacting with people and families who have lost their homes or businesses to fires, floods, and other calamities.

As a result, clients can be dealing with trauma and high emotions, the loss of valuable possessions, and even being displaced from their home. For this reason, cleaning and restoration professionals must make customer service an absolute top priority. Read how you and your team can deliver impeccable customer service in a crisis on page 42.

Happy reading,

Claire Hibbit Managing Editor

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The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

www.incleanmag.com.au 5

What’s on 2023

The Cleaning Show 14-16 March 2023

The longest running dedicated event for the UK cleaning industry www.cleaningshow.co.uk/london

CIMS Certified Expert (CCE) online training course 22 March 2023

Advance your career with ISSA’s halfday virtual course to become an CIMS Certification Expert (CCE) www.issa.com/oceania

ISSA Pulire

9-11 May 2023

The largest professional cleaning and sanitisation industry trade show in Italy www.issapulire.com/en/

Estimating & Bidding Made Easy online training course 24 May 2023

ISSA’s half-day virtual course examines how to estimate workload and costs of cleaning services www.issa.com/oceania

ISSA Show Canada 14-15 June 2023

Canada’s leading trade show and conference www.issa.com

CMS Berlin

19-22 September 2023

The international conference and trade show will be held in Berlin www.cms-berlin.de

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 1-2 November 2023

The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo will take place in Melbourne www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com

MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.com.au

2023 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo expands to meet demand Australia’s only dedicated cleaning and hygiene expo expands floorspace to meet increasing demand.

Australians call for all packaging to be recyclable, survey finds

New study reveals 80 per cent of Australians say composition of a product’s packaging impacts their purchasing behaviours.

Kimberly-Clark supports NSW period poverty program

Kimberly-Clark to install more than 4,600 feminine product dispensers in public schools.

ISS signs new banking customer

ISS enters five-year partnership with major banking client in Australia.

Collaboration a drawcard as more CBD employees return to the office

More than four out of five CBD-based employees are working two or more days a week in the office, survey finds.

Queensland stadium venues trial reusable cups

Trials of alternatives to single use drinking cups being evaluated at stadium venues in Brisbane, Townsville, and on the Gold Coast.

ISSA Show North America 13-16 November 2023

Vegas will play host to the 2023 ISSA North America www.issa.com

2024

Interclean Amsterdam 14- 17 May 2024

The world’s leading trade show for cleaning and hygiene professionals www.intercleanshow.com/amsterdam 6 INCLEAN March / April 2023

ON THE COVER

RapidClean and Solaris Paper’s successful partnership continues into 2023 with the ongoing supply of Solaris Paper’s market leading brands - LIVI, Sorbent Professional, and Handee Ultra. Read how the two companies tailor solutions to customers’ needs in this edition’s cover story.

IN THIS ISSUE MARCH / APRIL 2023

ISSUE #2 VOLUME 36

Regulars

05 Editor’s letter 12 Industry news 16 Cover story 67 Products

50 22 Winning the cyber war Why cleaning companies need a cybersecurity plan to protect their businesses and people

36

28 Industry certification tag on the cards Workforce development is shaping up as the next big thing for the cleaning sector 32 Delivering the goods on procurement Sustainability and ethical sourcing is on the minds of company leaders in 2023 36 Put cloud technology on your floorcare bucket list How innovative cleaning operators are turning to cloud-connected technologies

X 22

42 Customer service in a crisis How transparent communication can help restore more than just damaged property 46 Hunt for talent Data-driven strategies to attract and retain a team you trust

56

54 Learnings from the 2022 Commonwealth Games Using the ‘nudge theory’ to boost hygiene confidence at largescale events 56 How clean are schools?

10 steps to improve cleanliness and enhance health in school facilities 58 Key HR trends to examine and implement in 2023 Five HR trends set to shape the year ahead 62 Polish your online presence Tips for creating a robust online presence that can help attract leads

32 www.incleanmag.com.au 7

SPONSORED

roar Ready to

Cleanstar launches its boldest campaign to date

“2

023 is the year Cleanstar releases its inner tiger,” explains Cleanstar co-founder and director, Lisa Michalson.

“Cleanstar/XPOWER is a force to be reckoned with, and this year we are boldly saying to our customers that seeing believing,” she says of the company’s 2023 marketing campaign.

Established in 2006, Cleanstar is Australia’s leading wholesale distributor of commercial 8 INCLEAN March / April 2023

and domestic vacuum cleaners, vacuum bags, filters, spare parts, accessories, general cleaning equipment and machinery, sanitary, janitorial, and hygiene supplies.

And while Cleanstar has firmly cemented itself as a market leader with its extensive product range, it has also become known for its innovative and not to mention eye-catching marketing campaigns – with this year’s campaign, ‘Seeing is Believing’, its boldest and most meaningful to date for the family-owned business.

SPONSORED

“While the tiger symbolises our strength as a business and our commitment to our customers, it is also a commemoration to my father Con Terpos who sadly passed away and is forever in our hearts,” explains Lisa.

“He was a Richmond Tigers supporter who worked for us in the business and everyone one of our Cleanstar family members loved him greatly.

“He, along with my mum, helped Garth [husband and co-founder] and I build the business by working with us and supporting us to look after our lovely daughters while we worked hard to establish the business from the ground up. He was a truly lovely man.”

Last year, Cleanstar created its campaign in collaboration with indigenous artist and AFL Gold Coast Suns player, Jy Farrar.

“Each year we work hard to create an eye-catching campaign. We continue to pride ourselves on being innovative in marketing strategies and concepts, and adaptable to suit a range of new target markets and clients.”

For Michalson, she believes it is important for the company to launch a

new campaign each year to express how the team feels about the business at that point in its journey.

“It is also fun to be creative in quite a conservative industry and this also give us the opportunity to stand out.

“Being an Aussie family-owned business without the corporate mentality, from the start we made the decision to be true to who we are to use these marketing themes as a creative reflection of us. I think our colourful designs has changed the marketing style of many companies in our industry.

“This year the campaign shows our strength and determination as a business and brand in our industry. A tiger is a very powerful visual,” she explains.

And it’s not only the team at Cleanstar inspired by the company’s creative flair, but customers as well.

“Many customers have commented that they love it. Each year they wait for what the new campaign will look like. Working with Brendon and Chris in our marketing/design department is a lot of fun and we work well together to come up with great ideas. It’s very natural for us.”

“

BUILT TO LAST PRODUCT RANGE

Cleanstar’s dedicated team comprises more than 100 years’ combined experience servicing the cleaning industry, making Cleanstar a brand the industry has come to trust and rely on.

Cleanstar offers a one stop shop of product including a large range of cleaning machinery, related parts and accessories, vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration, floor scrubbers, polishers, vacuum bags, filters, hoses, vacuum motors, electrical cable, floor tools, janitorial, hygiene products and the range continues to grow.

Together with its network of worldwide partners and large stock holdings, the team at Cleanstar pride themselves on offering the most comprehensive product range in Australia.

International standouts include the Ghibli T1v3 Backpack Vacuum Cleaner with H14 HEPA Filter, the Butler Pro 10 Litre Dry Commercial Vacuum Cleaner with H14 HEPA Filter, and the MIRA 40 Battery Powered Floor Scrubber/Dryer with HEPA Filtration.

This year, our marketing campaign shows our strength and determination as a business and brand in our industry.

”

MIRA 40 with HEPA

Butler Pro

Ghibli T1v3 Backpack www.incleanmag.com.au 9

SPONSORED

“

We are always looking for new products and additions to our range to cater for many different industries. We are always on the go, aggressively building our brands.

”

Made in Italy, the Ghibli T1v3 Backpack Vacuum Cleaner with H14 HEPA is one of the lightest, quietest, and most powerful backpacks on the Australian market. Its HEPA-14 filtration system and thermal motor protection ensures the life of the machine.

The Butler Pro 1400-Watt Dry Vacuum Cleaner from Cleanstar offers maximum power and is available with H14 HEPA filter. Made in Europe and ergonomically designed, the 10 litre dry vacuum cleaner provides a 19-metre working radius and includes a 15 metre power cord length.

The MIRA 40 with dual HEPA Filtration is the world’s first batterypowered floor scrubber dryer with dual HEPA filtration. Suitable for hard floor surfaces, the MIRA 40 offers coverage of up to 3250sqm.

The machines features a heavy-duty stainless-steel frame, 36V two-stage 8-speed vacuum suction motor, reversible squeegee blades (four edges, as well as an eco-energy saving function. It also now comes with auto shut off float system, when recovery tank is full, improved handle support, and new adjustable rear squeegee wheel.

“We are always looking for new products and additions to our range to cater for many different industries.

We are always on the go, aggressively building our brands.”

And there’s more to come.

“There is an exciting new product that we have been working on for many years that will finally come to fruition this year that will change the way of cleaning.

Watch this space….”

10 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Cleanstar also supplies an extensive range of restoration and remediation equipment through its sister brand, XPOWER. Image of XPOWER “For heavy-duty jobs, products need to be reliable, and customers must have access to good supply. XPOWER is an excellent brand of remediation and remediation equipment. Cheap product will not do in these types of work,” explains Michalson.

XPOWER is a world leading brand of restoration, remediation and drying equipment. With severe weather and flooding events increasingly common across Australia, XPOWER’s range of commercial quality air movers, carpet dryers, dehumidifiers and air scrubber purifiers have become very popular across the industry.

The XPOWER battery powered foggers are used to disinfect areas quickly, which has become necessary during the pandemic. XPOWER also offers a range of pet dryers for the commercial groomer and at home use.

BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Sustainability is also top of mind for the Melbourne-based business, which has implemented the use of recycled and recyclable products and packaging.

“Implementing sustainability procedures and changing our way of

Bonnie Bio Compostable Rubbish Bags

Bonnie Bio Compostable Gloves

thinking does take time but it is at the forefront of all our minds, business and personal.”

This year, Cleanstar will add more sustainable products to its range and will enhance its Bonnie Bio compostable range of product.

The Bonnie-Bio range of fully compostable products are made of corn starch with soy-based ink. The range includes garbage bags and bin liners in various sizes, dog poop bags, gloves, drinking straws, cutlery and the range continues to grow. Bonnie Bio products have the look and feel of plastic without affecting the environment.

Cleanstar is also heavily focused on its campaign to introduce Right to Repair laws in Australia.

“This topic tackles the issues in Australia about lack of training and skills and the potential introduction of a law, where goods and equipment should be able to be fixed or repaired before the decision is made to dispose of it. This is based on laws from Europe, and we wholeheartedly support it,” says Michalson.

“As consumers and businesses, it is important to have the right to repair equipment rather than replacing product and disposing of the waste back into landfill. At Cleanstar/XPOWER, we carry an extensive range of parts and accessories for all our electrical equipment, as we always have (for the last 17 years) and at reasonable prices.” ■

FIL TE R PA HE H1 4

sales@cleanstar.com.au

www.cleanstar.com.au

INDUSTRY NEWS

2023 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Melbourne Expo expands floorspace to meet demand In response to the increased demand from exhibitors, ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has secured a larger space at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, to accommodate the growing number of participants.

The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, which has established itself as the leading event for showcasing the latest innovations in the cleaning and hygiene industry, will be held in Melbourne on 1-2 November 2023.

“It has been great to hear the positive feedback we received from last year’s event and the enthusiasm from the industry to be part of the upcoming 2023

show,” said Lauren Micallef, Oceania manager, ISSA. “The floor plan was rapidly filling with a mix of new exhibitors as well past participants taking up bigger and grander stands. As a result, we acted quickly and were successfully able to secure additional hall space to support the growing demand.”

The 33 per cent increase in hall space will provide even more exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their products and services on a larger scale, allowing them to reach a wider audience and engage with more potential customers.

Visitors will also benefit from the increased space, as they will be able to

explore a wider range of products and services and engage with even more industry experts and professionals.

In addition to the expanded space, the expo will also feature a range of interactive activities and educational sessions, allowing visitors to learn about the latest industry trends and technologies.

The organisers are committed to providing a comprehensive platform for industry professionals, customers, and suppliers to connect and collaborate, and are confident that this year’s expo will be a great success.

Now in its fifth edition, the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo has a number of visitors and exhibitors who attend the event every year.

Last year’s event featured more than 3000 attendees, 80 exhibitors, and more than 40 speakers.

“We encourage companies interested in being part of the show to act quickly and secure their spot as we anticipate the new space will be sold out quickly.”

To register for the 2023 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, visit www. issacleaninghygieneexpo.com.

To book exhibitor space contact Samantha Ewart sewart@incleanmag.com.au.

12 INCLEAN March / April 2023

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INDUSTRY NEWS

New market focus for Sabco Professional Originally known as the South Australian Brush Company, Sabco has existed as a cleaning products brand for more than 130 years.

More tellingly, despite the highs and lows of over five generations in business, Australians now hold the Sabco brand in higher regard that at any time in its history.

In contrast to the brand’s recent success in the consumer market, however, Sabco’s growth in the professional sector has been more measured.

And while the pandemic led to a logical surge in demand across the sector, challenges in supply and logistics have also been long term inhibitors of growth.

In late 2022 CEO, Herman Verhofstadt, reinforced Sabco’s commitment to the commercial marketplace, re-aligning the business to better meet the needs of the professional cleaning sector.

The project began with a broad research program – a detailed enquiry into the current and projected needs of the sector, as well as current brand perceptions in relation to Sabco’s overarching product and service offerings.

14 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Part of this was the need to sharpen Sabco’s focus towards key markets of large national and medium to large distributors.

“We’d spread ourselves too thin,” said CEO Verhofstadt.

“Not only did we need to focus our energies on those sectors where quality and support are most meaningful, but we also needed to understand those customers better – how the demands on their businesses had changed and how we could help address their business challenges.”

So, what does the new Sabco Professional look like?

Among other developments, Sabco has bolstered its dedicated professional team with industry experts and streamlined its dedicated customer service team to ensure increased responsiveness, enabling enquiries or concerns to be quickly and decisively addressed.

“At the end of the day, we’re here to make life easier and more productive for our Sabco Professional customers.” said Verhofstadt.

“After all, Sabco really is how Australia cleans.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

MotorScrubber appoints marketing manager for Oceania and European markets Hayley Toothill-Taylor has been appointed MotorScrubber’s marketing manager for Oceania and European markets.

Her major focus and responsibilities will include building the key marketing pillars for MotorScrubber’s global network, developing campaigns for building service contractors, distributor networks and institutional end-users.

Toothill-Taylor, has spent many years driving growth and building marketing infrastructure in a range of industries. She brings this wide range of market intelligence to MotorScrubber at a time that will change the business globally for many years to come.

With SHOCK and DRYFT due for release in 2023, MotorScrubber global will set a new benchmark with how products are marketed to all customers, tailoring the approach for distributors that are driven by sales support and profit, to end users that are driven by product performance and reliability.

Toothill-Taylor’s appointment is another sign of MotorScrubber ever-growing presence as a leader in the compact scrubber market.

Toothill-Talyor said the opportunity for MotorScrubber with the launch SHOCK and DRYFT is huge.

“Both are set to change the way the industry tackles small-space cleaning forever.

I’m really looking forward both to facilitating their launch and developing a marketing infrastructure to support our distributors and partners as they continue to grow their businesses with us. The next 18 months at MotorScrubber will be transformative and will only strengthen our position as global leaders in compact floor cleaning.”

Australians call for all packaging to be recyclable Veolia’s latest research reveals that 80 per cent of Australians say the composition of a product’s packaging impacts their purchasing behaviours.

Consumers say they favour items that are recyclable and that they are prepared to pay more for those products, if it means they do not end up in landfills.

The national YouGov survey, commissioned by Veolia, gave insights to consumer purchasing behaviours and their expectations of manufacturers when it comes to end-of-life solutions for packaging products.

The statistics show: • 80 per cent of Australians say the composition of packaging impacts their purchasing behaviours.

• More than half of the population (62 per cent) say they would be willing to pay more for everyday consumables if it meant the packaging did not end up in landfill.

• 89 per cent of people think manufacturers should be required to use product packaging that is recyclable.

Veolia CEO Richard Kirkman believes the results endorse the call for a ‘pay as you buy’ strategy where those buying recyclable packaging pay less, putting the power back in consumer hands.

“More than half of the population (64 per cent) say knowing what and how to recycle is confusing, so it’s not surprising they want all packaging to be recyclable – especially at a time when we have to dispose of more packaging than normal,” he said.

Similar to the approach taken for Australia’s container deposit scheme, Kirkman says, the cost of ensuring items can be recycled and recovered is that we work together to change the status quo.

“We all need to act. Manufacturers need to make products that are recyclable, retailers need to label them consistently, local authorities need to harmonise collections, and the waste sector needs to invest in recycling infrastructure. The upside of the pay as you buy approach is that it’s cost neutral – potentially cheaper than what we do now,” he said.

www.incleanmag.com.au 15

National Strength.

Local Service.

Experts In Cleaning Supplies OUR PRODUCTS

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With over 70 store locations in Australia and New Zealand, RapidClean ONLINE SUPPORT & TRAINING offers high quality cleaning products, excellent service with honest RapidClean products are supported by a complete package of and knowledgeable advice. All RapidClean stores are owned and educational material including safety data sheets (SDS), product managed by cleaning supply experts who provide a huge range of information sheets, risk assessment sheets, wall charts, training CLEANING SOLUTIONS ACCESSORIES cleaning, packaging, catering and CLEANING safety products.

Their aim is to deliverAUTOMOTIVE manuals and 15 online training courses. These are easily accessible customers consistent and reliable supply of quality products combined from our website www.rapidclean.com.au. The most popular training Custom Catalogues with great local service. With the collective turnover of greater than course is the FREE online Safe Chemical Handing course which is a must $100m, RapidClean utilise bulk buying power to offer their customers for companies with staff using cleaning chemicals and can easily be huge savings whilst supporting them with their experience and product incorporated into a new employee’s induction process ensuring peace knowledge. of mind.

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WHY CHOOSE RAPIDCLEAN?

Supported a dedicated RapidClean Head Office team, ourCLEANING Key PAPER &byWASHROOM HOSPITALITY SUPPLIES EQUIPMENT RapidClean has been trading for over 30 years Account program is an ideal package for customers who like to select RapidClean have over 70 stores in Australia and New Zealand their customised product range at and negotiate prices utilising their RapidClean is Quality Assured collated buying power complemented with a centralised accounts system. The RapidNet online ordering platform offers customers a user RapidClean are Australian and New Zealand friendly system with the ability to self-manage site budgets, have a owned and operated custom basket of goods and full reporting capabilities.

RapidClean have a huge range of cleaning, catering, packaging and safety supplies RapidClean is set apart from multi-national competitors by our unique, SAFETY WASTE MANAGEMENT HEALTHCARE SUPPLIES RapidClean uses their bulk buying power broad geographical reach and delivery system. Our co-operative model to secure cost savings for customers assures customers that they are supporting local business with all profits retained in Australia and New Zealand. The products are delivered to our customers by a local RapidClean team member who knows exactly what’s in the box, how it works and how to service it. This unique system offers RapidClean customers a personalised, “one-stop-shop” solution.

RapidClean stock the best products from the best suppliers RapidClean sell and service major brands of cleaning equipment RapidClean offer centralised Key Accounts for large customers

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Great Products.

Quality Partnerships.

Sustainable Solutions

RapidClean and Solaris Paper partnering in 2023.

RapidClean and Solaris Paper’s successful partnership continues into 2023 with the ongoing supply of our marketing leading brands - LIVI®, Sorbent® Professional and Handee Ultra. Solaris Paper is a Australian operated and managed company that manufactures high quality tissue paper products. Our sister company, The Sorbent Paper Company, markets some of Australia’s iconic consumer brands. Our strategic supply partner, Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies and provides Solaris Paper with scale, flexibility, and innovation with mills around the world.

business. The top-quality range is soft, strong, and absorbent, for those washrooms where they expect more. The range includes…

• • • • •

Solaris Paper has distribution centres and account management across Australia, providing you the service you need where you need it. Our brands include…

The global, market leading business to business brand.

The quality and scope of products makes it an ideal choice for customers who value flexibility and cost-effectiveness without compromise. The LIVI range includes two tiers of quality to meet the quality requirements and budgetary constraints of all customers. The range includes toilet paper, paper towel, facial tissues, commercial wipes, soaps, sanitisers and complementing dispenser systems.

A practical range for high volume facilities (formerly Livi Basics)

A premium range for all your daily needs

Australia’s number one kitchen towel is available for bulk purchase for busy food and beverage preparation. It’s advanced paper making technology makes Handee Ultra paper towel super absorbent and ultra-strong, wet, or dry.

Brings the comfort of home to the workplace. Sorbent is the well-loved Australian bathroom icon with the Sorbent Professional range designed specifically f or

Individually wrapped toilet tissue rolls in both 2ply and 3ply (just like home); Award winning Jumbo toilet roll, for heavily trafficked bathrooms that expect a little more (winner of the Inclean Excellence Award 2022) Facial tissues that are hypo-allergenic with a silky, softness for sensitive noses TAD hand towel for superior absorbency and softness, proudly wearing the official Australian Made logo Matching stylish dispensers, free on loan with the purchase of Sorbent Professional products.

A RESPONSIBLE CHOICE Customers can count on Solaris Paper products for sustainable and responsible procurement as all products are PEFC Certified. PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system. Its purpose is to transform the way forests are managed for long-term environmental, social and economic benefits, satisfying the requirements of RapidClean’s customers throughout multiple, diverse industries.

All Solaris Paper products are annually independently audited throughout the supply chain, for sustainability (PEFC) and responsible sourcing, as a SEDEX member.

PARTNERSHIP THAT BENEFITS OUR CUSTOMERS RapidClean supplies Solaris Paper products to a broad range of customers including facilities management contractors, health care facilities, schools and hospitality businesses. (All Solaris Paper Towels and Wipes are HACCP certified, a critical feature for hospitality and food manufacturing applications.)

Together, the two companies tailor solutions to customers’ needs.

Nationwide availability of Solaris Paper products helps to ensure consistency of supply into RapidClean outlets throughout Australia. This is an important factor for RapidClean, who appreciate being able to provide customers with their preferred products, wherever they are located.

WWW.RAPIDCLEAN.COM.AU | 02 4721 1993 | SALES@RAPIDCLEAN.COM.AU

INDUSTRY NEWS

Survey reveals increased expectations for healthier workplaces A new report has helped shed light on the impact of buildings on both occupant well-being and the planet.

More than two in five (43 per cent) surveyed office workers are very or extremely worried about their building’s indoor air quality (IAQ), according to Honeywell’s third annual Healthy Buildings Survey.

The survey queried 2500 office workers in buildings with 500-plus workers in Germany, India, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While nearly three in four respondents (74 per cent) express some degree of worry about their workplace’s IAQ, 43 per cent of those surveyed say they’re very or extremely worried – a seven-point increase over last year’s results.

This year’s survey also posed questions on sustainability, which disclosed that 38 per cent of respondents feel their employer should be prioritising both better IAQ and reducing the carbon footprint for their building, compared to 40 per cent of respondents who say better IAQ should be prioritised or 22 per cent of respondents who say to prioritise reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

Overall, 91 per cent of respondents say they would sacrifice a job perk or benefit and 26 per cent of those say they would sacrifice part of their salary or bonus if the funds were invested in reducing the environmental impact of their building.

“These findings show a considerable percentage of workers want a workplace that offers better indoor air quality and has less of an impact on the environment,” said Manish Sharma, VP and GM of sustainable buildings, Honeywell.

“Building owners, operators, and organisations should take notice: occupants who are more aware of the impact a building can have on both their well-being and the environment will likely expect change. The good news is these goals are not 18 INCLEAN March / April 2023

mutually exclusive and ready now solutions exist to help make this a reality.”

The report provides comparisons across the five markets, including the following highlights: More than nine in 10 (93 per cent) say they have higher expectations for IAQ in their workplace than they did three years ago.

Nearly all respondents (97 per cent) believe good IAQ improves their productivity.

Nearly all surveyed (99 per cent) agree safe IAQ promotes at least one health-related benefit, including better overall physical health (59 per cent), better overall mental health (56 per cent), fewer allergic reactions such as sneezing and coughing (51 per cent) and fewer airborne contaminants (46 per cent).

Most respondents (86 per cent) feel their employers have responsibility for IAQ – and that limiting investment in IAQ technology shows a low commitment to employee safety and well-being.

Surveyed workers are nearly unanimous (97 per cent) in saying they would act if their employer didn’t make an effort to maintain a healthy indoor environment: 57 per cent would speak with their supervisor or leadership; 36 per cent would rally fellow workers and collectively raise the issue; 34 per cent would ask to work remotely; and more than one in five (21 per cent) would look for another job.

More than nine in 10 surveyed workers (91 per cent) would forego job perks if the cost were reinvested in reducing their workplace’s environmental impact; 40 per cent would give up building amenities such as fitness centers or lounges; 34 per cent would part with state-of-the-art tech for their day-to-day work; and a third (33 per cent) would give up free parking or public transit subsidies.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Queensland stadium venues trial reusable cups Trials of alternatives to single use drinking cups are being evaluated at stadium venues in Brisbane, Townsville and on the Gold Coast.

“We know enjoying a cold beer is a big part of the world-class event experience at a Queensland stadium, but we want it to also be sustainable,” Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

“We’re evaluating three options including polypropylene plastic and aluminium cups, and canned beverages which can be used over and over again or recycled.

Up to 10,000 reusable cups will be served at The Gabba and Queensland Country Bank Stadium with spectators encouraged to return used containers to designated collection points inside the venue for offsite cleaning.

According to Hinchliffe, the trial is about investigating a scalable and cost-effective system to deliver a reusable drink container solution that works for spectators, Queensland’s stadium venues, and the environment.

“With less than a decade to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this is an opportunity see how Queensland could lead the nation for sustainable stadium sporting experiences.”

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Stadiums Queensland trials were a positive next step in Queensland’s war of waste.

“Every year, Queensland stadium venues use more than 1.5 million disposable drinking cups, each taking an estimated 450 years to breakdown in landfill.

“This trial will help inform future opportunities to roll out of reusable drink containers, as well as highlight options for future local manufacturing,” Scanlon said.

During May 2022, Stadiums Queensland called for tenders for trials of alternatives to single use drinking containers at stadium venues with Wise and WOSUP assessed as the most suitable and experienced options for the supply and cleaning of multi-use cups.

Standard drink cans will be served at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast during the NRL season.

20 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Victoria enters new phase of single-use plastic ban The next phase of Victoria’s ban on single-use plastics has been introduced, with single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks and expanded polystyrene food and drink containers now banned from sale and supply in Victoria.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt said this single-use plastics ban is a crucial step to protect Victoria’s rivers, waterways, and oceans from plastic pollution.

“We are taking action to protect Victoria’s environment and reduce pollution by banning single-use plastic items and supporting businesses to switch to reusables instead.”

The ban builds on the state government’s ban on plastic shopping bags in 2019, and a $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling system and divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

Last year, the government invested $1 million towards new technology that will turn hardto-recycle materials like cartons

and coffee cups into sustainable building products.

As part of this transformation, Victoria will move to a standardised four-stream bin system – supporting households to easily sort their waste and recycling to reduce landfill – and have access to a container deposit scheme which will maximise the return of used drink cans, bottles and cartons for recycling.

Since the ban was announced in February 2021, the state government has delivered $595,000 in grants to 15 pilot sites including catering businesses, universities and aged care facilities to help replace their single-use items with reusable alternatives.

The Reuse Pilots Fund aims to prevent more than 5 million single-use plastic items ending up in landfills or as litter each year.

The government has worked with organisations like the National Retail Association to help thousands of retail and hospitality businesses prepare for the change, with more than 6,500 visits to metro and regional businesses across the state.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Conquest offer flexibility with Australia’s largest speciality floor cleaning hire fleet An increasing need for flexibility is driving demand for short term hire equipment. Conquest Hire has responded with significant investment into their national hire fleet, now boasting the largest fleet of speciality hard floor cleaning equipment in Australia.

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This means enhanced depth in the range of solutions offered, as well as greater availability when and where the equipment is needed.

Conquest hire controller, Dean Molander says: “We hear that duringand post-holiday season can create a headache for commercial and industrial

facilities, due to a build-up on surfaces from the increased flurry of activity.

This is particularly true for facilities that experience heavy foot or vehicle traffic. So temporary scaling of cleaning equipment with Conquest hire, helps facilities maintenance operators quickly achieve the cleaning and presentation standards expected of them.”

But it’s not just during the ‘silly season’ that facilities maintenance providers rely on Conquest Hire.

Molander says preparing for a site audit, deep cleaning yellow safety lines, responding to emergency spills, or cleaning up after events, are all further reasons Conquest Hire equipment is called upon.

“Nobody knows hard floor cleaning quite like we do. That’s why our comprehensive Hire service includes expert advice regarding the right equipment for the job, fast ad convenient delivery to site, and thorough operator training to ensure the very best cleaning result.”

Trailer hire is also optional, for pick-up from Conquest’s facilities located in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

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CYBERSECURITY

Winning the cyber war High-profile ransomware attacks in Australia are a reminder that cleaning and hygiene companies need a cybersecurity plan to protect their businesses and people Words Cameron Cooper

22 INCLEAN March / April 2023

CYBERSECURITY

“This three-person business is doing the cleaning services for some high-security companies and they’re suddenly the gatekeeper,” she says.

“They open the door to that business, whether they open the door with a physical key, a swipe card, or with a phone that is not secure and can be hacked.”

Such a scenario can leave businesses of all sizes exposed to cybersecurity risks and potential class actions if a ransomware incident occurs.

“Putting your head in the sand doesn’t work anymore,” Schlesinger says. “An attack can affect not only your company but your clients’ networks as well.”

HIGH PRICE TO PAY

F

or cleaning company executives, it would be easy to dismiss the recent ransomware attacks on Medibank and Optus as an irrelevance for them.

After all, why would cyber criminals worry about relatively small businesses when they can go after the big fish?

Such complacency is highly risky, according to Monica Schlesinger, a cybersecurity governance expert and CEO of the Australian Health and Science Institute.

She notes the extensive use of subcontracting in the cleaning sector means smaller players are often called in to assist bigger companies.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre estimates that cybercrime costs Australia about $42 billion a year, with the government agency receiving more than 76,000 cybercrime reports in 2021-22, an increase of almost 13 per cent from the previous financial year.

The average cost per cybercrime is $39,000 for small businesses, $88,000 for medium businesses, and more than $62,000 for large businesses.

Ben Howden, Asia-Pacific director of growth at workforce management solutions business TEAM Software, says the Medibank and Optus cyber-attacks highlight the critical importance of investment into IT and cybersecurity within the cleaning industry to protect against possible financial and reputational losses.

“Given the profile and scale of these cyberattacks, businesses, employees, and consumers now have a heightened awareness of how their data is being handled by third parties,” he says.

Howden says given the notable increase in cyber-attacks in Australia during the past 12 months, cleaning companies should consider taking the following steps to reduce risks: • engage a professional cybersecurity provider to conduct a security review of your business • ensure staff are trained in IT security to minimise the risk of a security breach • consider hiring someone with experience to manage IT security • conduct a review of your IT and software providers to ensure they are following security and data best practices • ensure your business has a defined disasterrecovery plan in the event of a cyber-attack or data breach.

“

Given the profile and scale of these cyber-attacks, businesses, employees, and consumers now have a heightened awareness of how their data is being handled by third parties.

”

Ben Howden, TEAM Software

www.incleanmag.com.au 23

CYBERSECURITY

Safeguarding your data and documents TEAM Software’s Ben Howden provides advice for cleaning companies seeking to protect data related to tender documents, contracts, employee information and payroll technology.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS ON NOTICE

Regardless of the size of the cleaning operation, Schlesinger says directors have a duty of care that includes understanding and acting on cybersecurity risks, while also appreciating that attacks can impact them personally.

“It takes vision, time and knowledge,” she says.

Crucially, Schlesinger says cyber threats are much more than an IT risk and require multiple lines of defence – incorporating staff training; HR policies that protect the business and its data; and robust finance and riskmanagement strategies.

To that end, cybersecurity should be on the agenda at every meeting, with CEOs, directors and IT experts driving the knowledge and education that helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.

24 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Although they may not have the IT or management resources of bigger entities, Schlesinger she says a good starting point for smaller companies seeking to understand their cyber-risk responsibilities is to access sources such as the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations; the Corporations Act – Sections 180-183; the Privacy Act; General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe; and the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Cybersecurity Governance Principles.

Howden says cleaning companies drive the majority of their revenue from supplying labour and, therefore, typically employ large workforces. As a result, they store a large amount of personally identifiable information (PII) employee data across a

1. Ensure employees’ operating systems and software are updated regularly to ensure they are using the most secure version.

2. Implement regular or automatic data backups of your business’s most important information.

3. Utilise multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to key systems. MFA typically requires a combination of something you know (username and password), something you have (physical token, authenticator app) and something you are (a fingerprint or another biometric).

4. Implement access controls to manage who can access specific data within your business environment. Access controls help by restricting access to files, applications, databases, mailboxes, networks and other sensitive information. Many businesses follow the principle of ‘leave privilege’, which gives users the bare minimum permissions they need to perform their job.

5. Consider using a password manager to enforce minimum password rules and prevent re-use of passwords across multiple systems.

number of different internal and external systems.

“PII data is particularly sensitive as it can be used on its own, or with other information to identify, contact or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context,” Howden says.

“This type of data is attractive to cyber criminals as they can use it to hold businesses to ransom, or drive income from selling the data, or attacking individuals.”

He says the nature and volume of this data puts cleaning companies in a position of increased risk, noting that it was only recently that employees at both public and private sector organisations had their data compromised during a ransomware attack on a popular timekeeping and payroll solution that is used by several large facilities management and cleaning companies.

GET APPROPRIATE INSURANCE

The primary lesson to be learned from the recent spike in cyber-attacks is that education is the key, regardless of the size of the business, according to Jane Mason, head of product, channels and risk at insurance service provider BizCover.

She notes that both the Optus and Medibank attacks largely came down to human error. Optus left an application programming interface (API) – which is essentially a gateway to information – open online, allowing hackers to access sensitive customer data. The Medibank attack, which released the sensitive medical records of thousands of people, occurred simply because one single desk support worker did not have multi-factor identification.

In addition to ensuring that qualified IT professionals install and manage best-practice cybersecurity systems such as encryption, firewall and

“

The average cost per cybercrime is $39,000 for small businesses, $88,000 for medium businesses, and more than $62,000 for large businesses.

”

www.polivac.com.au

www.incleanmag.com.au 25

CYBERSECURITY

“

Many small businesses are also at risk of phishing, where a fraudulent request is sent via email to charge a bank account. This is a very real scenario that can happen to nearly any business owner, regardless of the industry.

”

Jane Mason, BizCover antivirus software, Mason says businesses should take out a cyber insurance policy to protect against the financial consequences of an attack.

For any risk, Mason says business owners in the cleaning industry need to ask themselves, ‘could I stay afloat by myself if this risk were to happen?’

“If the answer is ‘no’, then you might want to consider if there is an insurance product that can protect you from that risk.”

She adds that a business is at risk of cybercrime if it uses PoS devices, emails or has online systems (it does not need to be a website) to manage business, or if it handles important data that could be compromised (that could either be personal data related to your customers, or even your IP).

“Many small businesses are also at risk of phishing, where a fraudulent request is sent via email to charge a bank account.

This is a very real scenario that can happen to nearly any business owner, regardless of the industry.”

Mason says a cyber liability policy can protect a business from the financial consequences of an attack.

“Not only might businesses need to deal with the cost of recovering the data and investigating the attack, but they may need to account for business-interruption costs and the expense of bolstering cyber defences. Then there might be the cost of dealing with the reputational damage cybercrime can cause, as well as the potential fines and legal costs associated with the attack. If you don’t think your cleaning business can handle these situations, then you may want to consider 26 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Tips to thwart the hackers Building Service Contractors Association of Australia CEO Kim Puxty offers cybersecurity tips for facilities, cleaning companies and employees: 1. Back up your data – and make sure you can restore it when needed.

2. Train your employees - they need to know: • Why cybersecurity is essential • What they can and must not do (from a cybersecurity perspective), • What are they allowed to share outside of your business • What are the ramifications of doing the wrong thing • How to identify and prevent phishing scams and malware • What is the acceptable use of your work devices.

3. Use strong passwords – include a mix of letters, numbers and special characters, and use different passwords for different accounts.

4. Use multi-factor authentication – this dramatically reduces the damage a stolen password may inflict.

5. Install the necessary cybersecurity software – if you are not sure what’s needed, get professional help.

6. Keep your wifi secure – only share your details with existing staff.

7. Never use public wifi – it’s too easy to steal your information, so use your mobile data.

Puxty adds that cleaning companies’ IT security strategies should provide details on how to protect data and resources and outline what should be done if things go wrong.

“Having a response strategy keeps you a few steps ahead,” she says. “This IT security strategy should also include a sound data destruction policy, which includes mobile phones, tablets, flash drives and computers. Just deleting files doesn’t mean they’re gone.”

getting cyber liability insurance on top of your current insurance.”

Mason says there are two typical errors that small business owners make when taking out cyber insurance. First, some may think that they do not need to worry about cybersecurity as much because they are covered by cyber insurance.

“But cybersecurity and cyber insurance are both critical parts of a cyber risk plan that serve different functions.

“Cybersecurity helps prevent cybercrime from occurring and reduces the likelihood and impact of an attack. Cyber

insurance protects your business from the consequences if an attack occurs.”

Second, some small businesses may think they can just set-and-forget cyber insurance, but if their risk changes their insurance may not cover the situation.

“If the business is operating with new online systems or equipment since the last time they renewed their policy, it may need a review to cover the new risks.” ■ Visit www.cyber.gov.au/ for more information on how businesses can better manage cyber security.

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TRAINING

Turning good staff into great staff Training and workforce development is shaping as the next big thing for the cleaning, hygiene and restoration sectors as they build on reputational gains during the pandemic Words Cameron Cooper

A

s the cleaning industry starts to emerge from the trials of COVID19, staff training is on the radar for many companies.

The focus makes sense given the reality check around cleaning since the outbreak of the pandemic. The common misconception that ‘cleaning is easy and anyone can do it’ has 28 INCLEAN March / April 2023

transformed into a greater understanding that hygiene, as well as attention to detail when cleaning, cannot be compromised if companies want to protect their people and their brands.

With cleaning staff increasingly being seen as essential workers – especially in settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities – the importance of the right training for the right

TRAINING

jobs has never been higher. In addition, there is a growing hunger for training that builds cleaning operations’ skills around business management.

Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager for ISSA, says demand for the trade association’s online training webinars has risen substantially, while more people are starting to again embrace in-person workshops in the wake of COVID-19.

The ISSA’s estimating and bidding made easy course has been especially in demand as cleaning contractors seek to improve their tender and contract processes. Shorter, accessible educational videos on health and hygiene issues have also been popular.

“People have been craving more information and companies want to be able to support their staff,” Micallef says. “It’s about providing building blocks.”

Whether it is through in-person or online programs, Micallef encourages business leaders to make a commitment to staff training because it is a proven way of improving operational performance and retaining employees.

Supporting the career development of key staff, in particular, can be a particularly beneficial strategy as companies try to better utilise their talent, motivate their teams and stay up to speed with industry trends.

“If you have great people in great positions, it helps the individuals and also the team and the company overall,” Micallef says.

“It has multiple flow-on effects. People want to feel valued, and education and training can be a way of showing that you are valued.”

Scott Fadzen is the founder of Coach8, which provides training programs for the restoration sector that are approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). He has also observed that there has been an uptick in demand for in-person training in 2023. “Online training is still an important part of training and it’s not going anywhere,” he says.

“But live, in-person training is back, and people are wanting it.” Whether it relates to cleaning up a crime scene, or completing a carpet cleaning or upholstery job, McFadzen says people like to learn hands-on and see how their cleaning equipment works, rather than just watching an instructional video. “That’s one of the big reasons people are

coming back to the classrooms. “They can do it hands-on and experience what it’s like with the appropriate PPE gear, for example, and with the appropriate equipment set-up. And they learn remediation practices from the trainer, which is much better within a classroom situation for most people.”

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ON THE AGENDA

Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, in Washington DC, believes the time is ripe for the cleaning sector to truly distinguish between staff training and workforce development.

While specific training courses are an invaluable tool for staff learning, greater emphasis is needed on workforce development programs that promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth through a partnership between companies, bosses, employees, instructors and trainers.

“Many other industries have well-thought-out workforce development programs, but for now at least we are very poor at it,” he says.

The key, Dr Macgregor-Skinner says, is for the industry to make the progression from job training that teaches employees what they need to know now, to workforce development programs that teach them what they need to know now and in the future.

Too often, cleaners receive the training basics when they first start a job with a company, and then no further training is provided.

A better model would be one akin to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs that are an essential component of learning in professions such as accounting, law and teaching.

Such a shift would better allow cleaners to embrace safety procedures, leverage best-practice industry standards, communicate transparently, and engage with their company and career.

“We use job training to build skills and competencies related to day-to-day functions, but we need to have training through continuous improvement where knowledge, skills and abilities are assessed regularly based on actual demonstrations. For now, that’s not part of our culture.”

“

As the cleaning industry starts to emerge from the trials of COVID-19, staff training appears to be on the radar for many companies.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 29

TRAINING

Pursuing such initiatives would help close a “really serious” skills gap in the cleaning sector, according to Dr Macgregor-Skinner. He notes that there is now greater acknowledgment that cleaners are essential workers who may work in hazardous environments, deal with active ingredients and require PPE gear.

“As the demand shifts for cleaning for health, we have to be very confident that cleaners are using science and evidencebased practices.”

McFadzen is also a big believer in selfimprovement initiatives for workers, whether it is directly related to their job, or to foster personal growth.

“It doesn’t have to be in restoration, for example. You may want to go out and get a forklift licence, or to be better at art.

That’s self-development and it helps the person and the company.”

To that end, he encourages more bosses to offer annual financial incentives or allowances for self-improvement programs for employees so they can sign up to courses, whether it is a certificate qualification or even a specific skillset such as learning how to better use Microsoft or Adobe software programs to full effect.

30 INCLEAN March / April 2023

“So, they’ll have this allocation of money, and it can be for administration staff right through to operational supervisors, but it should be part of the financial plan of the company.”

SETTING THE STANDARD

As cleaning service providers and other industry professionals seek to separate themselves from competitors, Micallef also reminds them to take advantage of ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) program.

It is designed to help contractors in thoroughly understanding their customers’ service requirements, while focusing also on quality, efficiency and overall customer satisfaction. he standards dive into an organisation’s operations and address quality systems; service delivery; human resources; health, safety and environment stewardship, and management commitment.

Sustainability and green cleaning have been implemented as the sixth dimension of CIMS to reflect the importance of developing greener operations.

Micallef says such third-party validation through CIMS allows service providers

On course to upskill workers A new course is on track to be a skills game-changer for some cleaners in the Australian market.

The CPP40421 Certificate IV in Cleaning supersedes an earlier course, with the qualification providing for a specialisation in either Cleaning Management or Specialty Cleaning and Restoration.

Restoration expert and trainer Scott McFadzen says the course, which will be delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs), complements Australian Standards knowledge and Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training to assist with the upskilling and selfdevelopment of Australian workers.

“That’s a big thing for Australian cleaners and restorers,” McFadzen says.

Those who sign up for the course can select different elective units depending on their desired specialty.

to demonstrate their professionalism and commitment to cleaning excellence.

The goal is to produce quality outcomes for customers, using best practices, processes and procedures. As a result it leads to better businesses, more positive employees and satisfied customers.

“It really leads to be better businesses and more positive employees, You want to ensure that you have the best possible team moving forward and that they’re equipped for what’s around the corner. “

IN PURSUIT OF TEAM EXCELLENCE

As 2023 unfolds, Micallef is confident more and more cleaning services providers will turn to education and training as a point of difference.

“That may mean companies not just participating in external training, but also bringing in private trainers so that teams can learn together. It’s all around the notion of team building and creating teams that move together.”

For Dr Macgregor-Skinner, the next important phase for the cleaning and hygiene sector will be to push for cleaning and training programs.

“The goal in the US eventually is to train a million people a year, but to do it in a way that gives cleaners recognition for the work they do. If we can achieve that we’d help everybody in the industry. But we’d also help the consumer because they would know that their house, their facility or their office is being cleaned to a certain standard.” ■

”

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PROCUREMENT

Delivering the goods on procurement Ethical sourcing and smart technology solutions will be in the spotlight in 2023 as cleaning companies and facility managers seek to improve their procurement outlook Words Cameron Cooper

F

or those companies hoping that their supply-chain and procurement woes will ease this year, Kim Puxty issues a reality check.

The CEO of the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) says cleaning operators can expect costs for essentials such as machinery, chemicals and consumables to rise over and above forecasts. Such inflationary pressures will inevitably make it difficult for contractors to meet fixed-priced contracts for terms of three years or more.

“In the current climate, it is becoming impossible for cleaning contractors to enter into ‘fixed-priced’ contracts,” Puxty says.

“The costs for equipment and chemicals are constantly on the rise and the percentage increases vary. A 3 per cent fixed-price increase will not cover increasing costs.”

This procurement truth underlines the importance of cleaning contractors having 32 INCLEAN March / April 2023

trusted and transparent relationships with their suppliers so they can ensure supply – and not always chasing the lowest-cost items. Puxty advises: • dealing with suppliers that have multiple distribution centres and can service areas other than the metropolitan centres • ensuring contractors and their suppliers have robust systems in place to ensure compliance with Modern Slavery legislation, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, and indigenous engagement • increasing the use of technology to streamline ordering and dispatch processes.

In the United States, cleaning industry veteran Steve Ashkin, founder of The Ashkin Group, says companies should continue to “plan for the worst and hope for the best” when it comes to procurement in what are very complex global markets.

“That remains a good business strategy,” he says. “We should anticipate supply-chain disruptions for a lot of reasons and, candidly, shame on us if we don’t plan for it.”

While he supports the notion of building robust relationships with vendors and partners, Ashkin warns against getting “too comfortable”.

“There’s a lot of value in building really strong relationships, but it’s important for procurement people to really search out other sources of supply. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

In addition to sourcing locally, Ashkin is an advocate of streamlining warehouse distribution and maintaining higher levels of inventory to offset the risk of shipping delays. However, he concedes that there can be a “real cost” to doing so.

“When we talk to clients, we discuss what are the critical items that they need,” he says.

“They don’t perhaps need the same inventory levels across the board, but really it’s about

PROCUREMENT

“

There’s a lot of value in building really strong relationships, but it’s important for procurement people to really search out other sources of supply. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

”

Steve Ashkin, The Ashkin Group identifying the things that can harm a business if supplies don’t show up that day.”

SUSTAINABILITY ON THE AGENDA

In addition to ongoing supply-chain issues, 2023 is likely to be another year in which sustainability and ethical sourcing is on the minds of company leaders.

Bronwyn Capanna, executive director of Accord Australasia, the peak body representing the hygiene, personal care and specialty products industry, expects one of the key procurement trends to be the increasing scrutiny of companies’ environmental and social performance.

“In addition to considerations of price, efficacy and quality, suppliers in the cleaning sector will need to demonstrate their ESG credentials to support their customers’ goals in these important areas. For example, I expect increasing demand for lower environmental impact chemicals, sustainable packaging

solutions and evidence of businesses’ social licence to operate. Increasingly, too, will be the demand for low- or zeroemissions solutions.”

Capanna believes that “in a time of ongoing supply-chain disruption and cost pressures, there is a real opportunity for cleaning companies to shore up partnerships with trusted and reputable product suppliers for the long-term advantage of both”.

Ashkin, renowned for his green cleaning credentials, says sustainability is an issue “whose time has come” and is part of the requirement of doing business. “It’s not because of some government mandate or people like me who are true believers. It really is a way of doing business that’s being driven by our customers.”

He urges companies to see sustainability and ethical sourcing as an opportunity – to reduce their use of energy and water and

cut down on the production of solid waste, while also driving labour efficiencies.

“Sustainability is about how we find ways to be more efficient at what we do. It’s just good business.”

TECH TO THE FORE

As cleaning contractors seek to finetune their procurement processes, technology and e-commerce strategies will also be crucial.

Capanna says “Industry 4.0 is upon us”. “This offers an opportunity for all businesses to consider where technologies and digitisation can improve their operations, or offer insights. Digitised supply chains can help businesses understand and manage the complexity and risk of increasingly global supply chains.”

For example, she says smart, autonomous information systems can analyse information and adapt to www.incleanmag.com.au 33

PROCUREMENT

It’s not all about price As he observes supply chains in the aftermath of the global pandemic, Oliver Lazarevic has no doubt that the focus for companies is now on getting sustainable products and service – not just the cheapest price.

“

In a time of ongoing supplychain disruption and cost pressures, there is a real opportunity for cleaning companies to shore up partnerships with trusted and reputable product suppliers for the long-term advantage of both.

”

Bronwyn Capanna, Accord Australasia changes — such as delayed shipments or modified orders — and proactively develop a solution. At the same time, digital and artificial intelligence technologies can drive efficiencies for businesses by assisting procurement professionals with demand planning, optimisation of buying decisions and order tracking, increasing transparency around procurement spending, and reducing procurement costs. “Importantly, it can also be used to track ESG metrics relating to suppliers to inform socially and environmentally responsible procurement.

All of these have the potential to identify opportunities and improve company productivity and performance.”

Puxty says it is clear there has been “an intensification” of technology and e-commerce in the cleaning industry.

“Technology enables cleaning contractors to better manage their inventory by giving them better visibility into inventory levels and alerting them when chemicals and consumables may be running low on stock and need to be reordered. Given rising material costs, both technology 34 INCLEAN March / April 2023

and e-commerce play an increasingly important role in assisting cleaning companies in streamlining their purchases, thus becoming more effective and efficient with their purchasing and managing costs.”

MODERN SLAVERY CONUNDRUM

An additional big, ongoing topic on the procurement front is adherence, or otherwise, to Modern Slavery Act laws for businesses operating in Australia with a turnover of $100 million or more.

While the 2018 Act is designed to encourage companies to tackle forced labour and slavery-like conditions in their operations and supply chains, there are signs that more needs to be done.

According to a report from a coalition of human rights groups, called Paper Promises? Evaluating the Early Impact of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, 77 per cent of more than 100 companies whose modern slavery statements were reviewed failed to meet the basic reporting guidelines. Just 27 per cent of companies appeared to be taking some form of “effective action” to reduce modern slavery risks.

While the study did not include cleaning companies, the findings are pause for thought for all industries.

Capanna says that, although mandatory reporting under the Modern Slavery Act does not apply to all players in the cleaning space, especially given the numerous small operators in the industry, many will have experienced its effects, especially if supplying or contracting to a larger organisation.

“The focus on Modern Slavery provides an opportunity for all businesses to shine a spotlight on human rights within their organisation and supply chains. But the challenge is for businesses to avoid making this a

The CEO of Supply Clusters, which helps clients manage indirect expense supply chains, says that given high levels of inflation, business leaders have to carefully balance their procurement expenses and outcomes. “I’m looking at three or four major cleaning contracts now – and we’re talking over $1 million contracts – and the expense is going to be higher than what they used to pay because companies don’t want the sham contract, or a poor outcome because there’s too much risk,” Lazarevic says. “There’s no doubt that the emphasis is back on getting procurement right.”

That can include consolidating suppliers or running tenders after a long period of going with existing suppliers. Lazarevic points to a survey from Procurement and Supply Australasia (PASA) which examines the top 10 items on which procurement professionals are focused – and number one is no longer price. “The emphasis is far more around sustainability and continuity of supply. Yes, they want the commercial outcomes, too, but that’s a shift that I don’t see going away any time soon.”

For cleaning providers, Lazarevic says adhering to Modern Slavery rules is crucial from a risk-management point of view.

They should also be prepared to say ‘no’ to a potential customer when a contract is commercially non-viable and to “not play the dirty games that industry plays”.

“For anyone in the marketplace it’s important to make a statement about your value proposition and where you stand on your business model.”

While he expects digitisation of procurement to grow quickly in the big end of town, Lazarevic says most smaller business, including many cleaning companies, simply do not have the scale to invest in expensive digital procurement functions. He advises cleaning industry operators to focus on three areas – consistent service, consistent outcomes and consistent reporting. “If you do those three things, you’re going to solve 9 out of 10 customer issues.”

Meanwhile, Lazarevic believes the switch to local sourcing, where feasible, will continue. The caveat could be if inflation drives up domestic costs, and if international pricing comes back to prepandemic levels. “It will be interesting to watch how that plays out.”

PROCUREMENT

We need you As co-chair of the ISSA’s Sustainability Initiative, Steve Ashkin wants to help the global cleaning industry truly embrace ethical sourcing and sustainability.

While there are about 150 people on the committee from 11 countries, representation from Australia and New Zealand is quite low to date. Ashkin wants to change this.

“This is an exciting project and we’re going to have a specific international working group because I don’t want to make this US-centric. Every country is different and has a role to play, and we’d love to have more Australian and New Zealand industry leaders participating so we can accelerate the move towards a more sustainable industry.” ‘tick and flick’ exercise and to genuinely interrogate their operations and supply chain and put in place robust systems to address identified risks.”

Puxty agrees that, given that the majority of cleaning companies are small and medium-sized enterprises, they will not in themselves be reporting entities.

Their issue will be providing information and evidence to their clients who have to report. Small and medium businesses ideally will still need to: • review their suppliers and supply chain • look for any gaps in their supply chain

• have a Modern Slavery policy and prepare a compliant statement • develop systems to ensure they can comply with their client’s Modern Slavery audits and requests for information.

Too often, Ashkin believes, people only think about Modern Slavery in terms of “children making sneakers and soccer balls” in developing countries. For the cleaning industry and facility managers, it is important to have transparency around procurement and services contracts so that there is clarity around how much suppliers pay their workers, what benefits they

Herman Verhofstadt CEO - Sabco Australia Pty Ltd & Asia Pacific Brands

receive and, perhaps most importantly, what are their workplace injury rates and retention levels.

“This really provides a better insight.

If companies hire and train people, do they stick around for a year, or is there something with that company which means they’re gone after a week?”

Ashkin says the aim for the cleaning industry should be to get valuable metrics that can be applied “to lift up our industry and to take care of our frontline workers and to make our customers pay for that.”

This process, he adds, is one element of strategic planning for companies that should include superior procurement strategies.

“We run businesses,” Ashkin says.

“We’re not doing this as a hobby and we’ve got to get good at it. We have to be good at this and understand that this is a risk for our business.” ■ For those interested in joining the ISSA Sustainability Committee, visit www.research.net/r/issasustainability-committee.

FLOORCARE

Put cloud technology on your floorcare bucket list

With traditional mops and buckets increasingly being seen as relics of floorcare, innovative cleaning operators are turning to cloud-connected technologies that promise faster and more efficient cleaning Words Cameron Cooper

T

he humble vacuum cleaner has come a long way.

As part of the digitisation of floorcare and other components of cleaning, contractors and facility managers are turning to cloud-connected technologies that allow them to track assets and their performance. Remote monitoring shapes as one of the key benefits as the technology evolves and improves over time.

The trend resonates with Lisa Michalson, director of Cleanstar, a major brand in the cleaning and hospitality industries. She notes that one of the machines in her business’s inventory, the SPRiNTUS ERA PRO commercial vacuum 36 INCLEAN March / April 2023

cleaner, is touted as the world’s first digital dry machine. Bluetooth connectivity and a cloudbased fleet-management system allow operators to centrally manage all machines in the suite at any time.

Michalson adds that such a machine can collect and monitor data such as location, property names, users, daily run times, maintenance dates, faults and replacement of filters – all via an app.

“All data is synchronised by smartphone or computer,” she says.

“This is a new element to cleaning and it’s a fantastic way for cleaning companies to monitor everything and keep all cleaners working efficiently and smarter.”

FLOORCARE

With floor-maintenance programs often being one of the big budget items for facilities, ushering in such tech-led efficiencies shapes as a significant step forward for the cleaning and hygiene sector as it seeks to better validate cleaning outcomes in the aftermath of COVID-19.

If facility managers and cleaners can capture meaningful metrics and statistics and upload it to the cloud, they should be able to access live reports that give them insights into how their cleaning assets are doing compared with mopwielding humans.

CLEANER AND GREENER

Vacuums represent just part of the progression of hard floorcare. In days past, such floors had to be stripped, sealed and finished regularly as part of a labourintensive task that sucked up a lot of time for employees and money for the business.

These old floor strippers relied on nasty chemicals that were often flushed down drains into water-treatment facilities or waterways. The switch to more durable, lower-maintenance floor finishes is reducing the need for polymer coatings, while greener chemicals are also making headway.

Joe Camilleri, managing director of Central Cleaning Supplies, says that depending on the industry there has been a move towards concrete floors, as well as luxury vinyl floors. This, in turn, has led to less use of harsh stripper chemicals that in the past may have created occupational hazards such as asthma and headaches for cleaners.

“We should expect a continued push towards more environmentally friendly outcomes,” he says.

“This could be in the form of using less chemicals, chemical-free cleaning, or using more non-hazardous and greener chemicals.” www.incleanmag.com.au 37

FLOORCARE

“

As part of the digitisation of floorcare and other components of cleaning, contractors and facility managers are turning to cloud-connected technologies that allow them to track assets and their performance.

”

There are a number of ways to assist with a more sustainable approach, according to Camilleri.

“For example, Bonastre diamond polishing pads are good at minimising and sometimes remove the need for using chemicals.”

He says there is also the option of using chemical-free purified alkaline water. At a pH level of 12.5, it delivers good cleaning results without the need for rinsing.

“Floors can stay clean longer when no chemical residues are left behind, meaning less cleaning frequency is required,” Camilleri says.

He adds that powerful “LionsBot robots typically use less water to get the same result”. “What’s more, no harsh chemicals are needed if they use pH 12.5 alkaline water in the cleaning process.”

38 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Camilleri expects autonomous machines to play an increasing role as part of the sustainability push within the cleaning and hygiene sector.

“Greater cleanliness and consistency are ever more important and, as such, demands for autonomous machines such as cleaning robots will continue to increase. They are excellent at assisting the cleaning team with repetitive floor cleaning, while allowing them to focus on the more detail-specific tasks such as touch-point cleaning.”

He also thinks there will be greater emphasis on fine-tuning and improving tools that are already in use. For instance, a range of scrubbers and polishers from Excentr – a Dutch manufacturer of innovative cleaning machines – has created

‘eccentric’ movements of 2850rpm in small circles of 7mm, which means the machines can generate 15 times more movement than conventional cleaning machines.

“So, work can be done much faster, which means serious time and labour savings,” Camilleri says. “Also, simply producing machines to work with rectangular and special-shaped pads allows for closer edge and corner cleaning.”

ROBOTICS A WORK IN PROGRESS

While few people in the cleaning industry doubt that robotics represents a significant part of the future of floorcare, the case for autonomous machines is still being made.

Steve Bagshaw, CEO of i-team Australia and New Zealand, says even if robotic floor scrubbers do a good job cleaning most of

FLOORCARE

an area in larger commercial settings, they often cannot efficiently navigate areas close to walls and skirting boards.

“That means you may have to hand mop the edges, which costs time and money,” he says.

To combat this problem, i-team has increased the scrub deck of its popular i-mops to 62cm, creating the i-mop XXL floor scrubber dryer. It has also lifted the tank capacity to allow for longer periods between refilling.

Bagshaw says such innovative approaches can help minimise manual mopping and get the job done quickly and efficiently while the cleaning industry waits for robotics machines to improve.

“Cleaning companies have to be smart with their use of technology if they want to get the best results.”

Michalson agrees that robotic solutions “still have a long way to go” and that

the technology will have to improve further before it realistically shapes as a replacement for human workers.

“They can be very expensive, hard to transport and extremely difficult to work on,” she says. Issues with mapping have also been a significant problem, while Michalson says that servicing of such machines can present challenges.

“You need an army of expert technicians to understand these types of products and offer the correct education and backup if, and when, issues occur.”

Camilleri is more upbeat about the current use of robotics, pointing to a suite of Central Cleaning Supplies products that are having an impact in a range of settings.

“We’ve actually been experiencing great success in introducing robots into the cleaning sector,” he says.

Camilleri notes that the LionsBot family of robots – made in Singapore,

distributed throughout more than 20 countries and which prides itself on low water use and smart energy management – can meet the cleaning needs for a wide range of environments and applications.

For example, the Rex is designed for large commercial spaces and can clean up to 4032m² per hour, while the awardwinning LeoBots are specialised cleaning robots that can scrub, mop, vacuum and even pull bins. The compact but powerful R3 Scrub can also assist with everyday cleaning tasks.

According to Camilleri, drawing from a broader range of cleaning tools can overcome some of the frustrations associated with robotics in the past.

Improvements in technology, such as self-mapping, are creating easier user experiences. Furthermore, continued advancement has meant that all LionBot robots can now clean as close as 10cm to a wall.

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FLOORCARE

“

With floormaintenance programs often being one of the big budget items for facilities, ushering in such tech-led efficiencies shapes as a significant step forward for the cleaning and hygiene sector as it seeks to better validate cleaning outcomes in the aftermath of COVID-19.

40 INCLEAN March / April 2023

”

“With new innovations, there will always be a period of educating the market regarding the new technology. We have found that this adoption process is made a lot smoother when you have a wide range of robots to meet each specific cleaning need and the whole process of implementation, operation, monitoring and support is made as simple as possible.”

In selecting products, he adds that ease of use should be a key factor to consider, “so the average cleaner can use the robots without much specialised training”.

While she believes traditional cleaning methods will continue to be used in the market, Michalson adds that innovations such as battery technology are making a real difference to efficiency and productivity.

“Battery technology will slowly replace conventional powered machinery, even though batteries have limitations with technology and costs as well,” she says. “But I would say the continuation of improving battery technology in cleaning equipment will be a focus for brands.”

COST MANAGEMENT THE KEY

Agreeing that the reduction in the use of strippers and sealers as a means of protecting floors in the past 15 years has been one of the most marked changes in the cleaning industry, Bagshaw is adamant that technology advances cannot be ignored.

In line with such leaps forward, he expects cleaning companies to embrace the importance of training as businesses and consumers start to educate themselves on the latest technology releases.

As 2023 unfolds and floorcare services companies start to emerge from the pressures of COVID-19, Bagshaw adds that one challenge industry product and service providers could face is that some customers will again prioritise budget cuts over cleaning and hygiene outcomes.

“We’re back to pre-COVID normal now with people wanting to emphasis price again,” he says.

This will put a premium on developing affordable technology-led solutions that deliver efficiencies and greater worker productivity. ■

https://myorigo2.vileda-p rofessional.com/ www.vileda-professional.com.au

CARPET & RESTORATION

Customer service in a crisis In the wake of a traumatic event, transparent communication can help restore more than just the damaged property

C

ustomer service is the bedrock of any business, but it’s especially important in certain industries – the cleaning and restoration industry being among them.

Cleaning and restoration professionals are often interacting with people and families who have lost their homes or businesses to fires, floods, and other calamities.

42 INCLEAN March / April 2023

As a result, clients can be dealing with trauma and high emotions, the loss of valuable possessions, and even being displaced from their home.

For this reason, cleaning and restoration professionals must make customer service an absolute top priority.

When they do, they can help people through stressful, difficult situations and build a sterling reputation. This is important and often overlooked.

CARPET & RESTORATION

“

Cleaning and restoration professionals are often interacting with people and families who have lost their homes or businesses to fires, floods, and other calamities.

”

Once you begin working with a client, stay in communication regularly. Be incredibly responsive to their calls, emails, and other messages. And, share all updates in real time. If new information comes across your desk, share it immediately.

This goes not just for the home or business owner, but for the insurance carrier as well.

It’s not just the conscientious thing to do, it also ensures everyone is always on the same page and fully informed.

USE ALL THE DIGITAL TOOLS AT YOUR DISPOSAL

Cleaning and restoration professionals have a wide array of tools at their disposal – not just for cleaning and restoring, but also for cataloguing and communicating.

Make sure you’ve mastered the latter in addition to the former.

You, or the insurance carrier, may have software to upload photos, take notes, and provide other necessary documentation.

You can also designate formal correspondence channels between you, the home or business owner, and the insurer, such as a custom web portal or dedicated email thread.

These tools will keep you organised, give the client peace of mind, and make it easy to check records and answer questions.

BE SENSITIVE

When they don’t, they risk letting people down when they’re most vulnerable – and seriously damaging their professional brand in the process. Sadly, this is the scenario that often happens.

So, how do you deliver impeccable customer service in a crisis?

Two words: “transparent communication.”

That is, always keeping the client informed,

involved, and at ease. Below, find six strategies for doing exactly that.

STAY IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION

Your clients are amid one of the biggest crises they may ever face, so now is not the time for sporadic communication or long silences.

As noted earlier, the period of cleaning and restoration after a fire, flood, or other crisis can be some of the most trying and traumatic times in a home or business owner’s life.

For that reason, it’s essential to build sensitivity – in addition to efficiency and effectiveness – into your approach to transparent communication. Directness without sensitivity may come across as harsh or unfeeling.

Both office staff and field techs should be trained on how to best interact with emotional clients.

Let the clients know that you are professionals; that as challenging as this time may be, it’s not the first time it’s happened to somebody, and that they’re well on their way to getting through it, restoring their property, and returning to normalcy. www.incleanmag.com.au 43

CARPET & RESTORATION

“

A cornerstone of transparent communication is going above and beyond.

”

BUILD TRUST

For the communication process (and the restoration process at large) to run smoothly, you must build trust with your clients. They are depending on you to put their properties back together, so they need to know they can count on you. How? First, act as a key ally when it comes to interacting with insurance. Remind property owners to contact their insurance agency as soon as possible and to thoroughly review the policy to determine what coverage they have in place.

During this stressful time, clients may neglect to fully review or understand their insurance. You can build trust by helping navigate this aspect. For example, you can remind the customer to determine if certain crises (like mould remediation) are covered or not, or you can help clarify whether additional living expense coverage (i.e., relocation) is available.

In short, be a trusted guide in what can be a confusing and overwhelming insurance process.

GO ABOVE AND BEYOND

A cornerstone of transparent communication is going above and beyond. Home or business owners may expect you to simply clean and restore, but you can show them you’re capable of much more.

Provide a daily report on progress since clients may not be able to visit the site themselves.

Additionally, schedule walkthroughs after the completion of each phase of the restoration process.

This ensures your work is up to the client’s standards and gives them agency in what can feel like a chaotic time. Lastly, before finishing the project, create a final “punch list” to ensure all needs and preferences are met.

44 INCLEAN March / April 2023

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

So far, we’ve covered what you should do to ensure transparent communication. Of course, there are also things cleaning and restoration professionals shouldn’t do. One of those is to make assumptions about what a 0home or business owner knows about the restoration process, their insurance policy, and any other topic.

Since there are so many moving parts and people involved in a restoration process, it can be appealing to make assumptions and speed things along.

But that often results in problems like miscommunications, misunderstandings, and upset clients. If the project is plagued by assumptions and miscommunications, take the time to talk things through and ensure everyone is on the same page—and then don’t let it happen again going forward.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Cleaning and restoration professionals may feel confident when addressing a fire, flood, or other crisis—after all, that’s our trade.

But client emotions are often just the opposite: fear and a sense of being overwhelmed.

For that reason, it’s crucial for cleaning and restoration professionals to show up not just with their physical tools, but also equipped to deliver clear, transparent communication and compassionate customer service every time.■ Ron Fanish is co-owner of Rainbow International Restoration. This article was first published by Cleanfax and has been republished with permission

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CARPET & RESTORATION

The hunt for

talent

How to use data-driven strategies to attract and retain a team you trust Words Eric Sprague

T

he hottest topic on the planet right now seems to be how to attract and retain talent in your business.

Regardless of your industry, this is at the top of every business owner and manager’s mind. I have recently written several articles on the topic, and I always wonder when I am finished if there is really anything left for any of us to say about the matter.

It often feels like everything has been said 10 different ways by 10 different industry experts.

46 INCLEAN March / April 2023

I think this bombardment of insights leaves everyone scratching their collective heads as to what they really should do when it comes to staffing in their organisation and hiring field technicians.

For the purposes of this article, I am going to stick to strictly hiring field technicians for the data and strategies. This is the area where I see the most pain from my consulting practice clients, and the area that generally experiences the most turnover.

CARPET & RESTORATION

ATTRACT AND RETAIN FIELD TECHNICIANS FROM ONBOARDING AND BEYOND

Knowing where your next field workers come from is of key importance to better understand how to get more people to your front door.

According to Why Workers Quit, a book written by Leighton Healey from restoration software company, KnowHow and based on the results of a restoration industry survey, 59 per cent of all new field workers come from a referral from an existing employee. I know that to be true from my own cleaning and restoration company. We tended to get most of our new team members from our existing crew.

This makes it imperative that you have a great culture at your company. To succeed in winning the war for talent, you must have a great place to work that values your team and places a high degree of emphasis on making sure your field technicians feel appreciated and happy at work. For your efforts you will be rewarded for years to come with a steady stream of new applicants willing to work for your company.

Once you get someone to your company and they agree to work for you, it is a must to have a smooth and well-planned-out hiring and onboarding process.

The honeymoon period of a new employee is a make-it or break-it moment for most companies. If you and your team, do it well and have a great training and onboarding process in place, the new team member will realise they have made the right choice as to which place to work for.

If you make a great first impression with your new employee, they will feel good about their choice and be more excited to work with you. Onboarding is routinely poor at most home service companies.

For many of us, it was a boss telling us to get in a van with Joe, the cranky old tech, and “watch” him until we got our own van. Then, Joe would harass us, tell us to just shut up and get out of the way until an appropriate number of days had passed, and then they would finally tell us we are on our own now.

That’s how I was onboarded when I entered the industry, and I am sure many

of you reading can relate as well. The problem is, once I became an owner, I was onboarding my new staff members with same horrible process I endured as a new tech.

Do yourself a favour, spend some time and create a proper onboarding experience for your new employees so they stick around longer.

RESPECTING EQUITY IN THE INDUSTRY FOR TECH RETENTION Gender changes are also a big trend in hiring field technicians. In the restoration industry, only 5 per cent of technicians over the age of 30 are female.

However, for technicians below the age of 30, over 35 per cent of them are women. That is a fundamental shift

in the workforce dynamic, and I am sure if it is happening for restoration techs, it is happening in all home services industries.

Focusing on hiring female technicians could be a great separator for many companies. In fact, having female technicians is a very good fit in the cleaning and restoration industry. Many female clients would prefer to have another woman working in their home, and it may make them feel safer than a male technician in their home as well.

Women also tend to be detail oriented and have a strong skillset for making and keeping clients happy. So, start putting your thinking cap on to market your business to potential female technicians, it could be a game changer.

“

Once you get someone to your company and they agree to work for you, it is a must to have a smooth and well-planned-out hiring and onboarding process.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 47

CARPET & RESTORATION CASHING IN ON HUMAN NATURE: GREAT TECHS RESPECT GREAT TECHS

Last is the people issue. There is an old saying that goes, “People don’t quit companies, people quit people.”

The data in Why Workers Quit certainly seems to corroborate that saying. The top response in the survey as to why field workers leave their companies is bad management.

It has been my experience in our industry that the most common path for owners and managers comes from being a technician first. That was also my experience. I found a trade I was good at and figured I could start a business doing it.

The issue with that often starts to become more noticeable as the company grows. If the owner or manager got their job because they were good at the technical

parts of the job, it does not mean they are well-trained or well-suited to lead and manage others.

For a company to thrive, the owners and managers need to get training in how to lead, good soft skills, and how to build and maintain a safe and stable work environment. I had to learn how to change my mindset regarding this.

As my service company grew, I had high turnover and many disengaged staffers. It was not until I realised, I was the problem and sought training to rectify my leadership and management style that employees stayed longer and did a much better job.

So, especially in today’s market for talent, I feel it is imperative for the management team to be engaged in ongoing training to make sure they are creating an environment people want to work within.

“

For a company to thrive, the owners and managers need to get training in how to lead, good soft skills, and how to build and maintain a safe and stable work environment.

”

TECH RETENTION AND SATISFACTION ALL DEPENDS ON DATA

In summary, I don’t think there is really anything new under the sun related to attracting and retaining talent. However, if we use the data that is available to us, we can form a plan to maximise our ability to compete for talent.

As an action plan, start by first making sure you have a cool place to work that people enjoy coming to. Make sure your culture is on point and that you are always investing in the team and its mission.

If nearly 60 per cent of new field employees come from current techs, you better make sure they are happy at work.

Second, once you get someone to agree to join you, have a structured onboarding system for them to feel like they know what they are doing.

People want to go to work and feel like they are winning the day. If they do not understand what winning is, they will look elsewhere.

Third, females are increasingly joining our ranks as technicians. To intentionally attract and accommodate female team members can be a huge boon to your hiring of new talent.

Last, make sure your management team is properly trained to keep your team happy and engaged.

All the efforts in the world to attract talent will do you no good if the owner and managers run them out of town.

All of this is simple, but none of it is easy. I speak from personal experience on this matter. The problem is, there is no alternative.

It is becoming very apparent that the companies that do the best at these concepts will thrive moving forward because they are investing in what workers actually want.

The companies that shrug it off and just complain that nobody wants to work anymore will likely perish. The evidence is here, now the ball is in your court. ■ Eric Sprague has more than 25 years of managing field technicians in the home services industry. After selling his service business in 2018, he has been the co-owner and director of education at Super Tech University and is co-host of the Blue Collar Nation Podcast. This article first appeared in Cleanfax and has been republished with permission.

48 INCLEAN March / April 2023

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OPINION

Job training vs

workforce development Advancing the cleaning industry for everyone Words Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner

T

he “skills gap” in the cleaning industry is serious. Cleaning professionals use tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and products with active ingredients.

They deal with hazards and risks every day. The demand has shifted to cleaning for health and not just for appearance.

We need to ensure we use science and evidencebased cleaning practices. Our focus is on preparing people without university degrees for the cleaning industry. The need for companies, facilities, and communities, is clear. So how do we do better?

50 INCLEAN March / April 2023

Workforce development programs can benefit your business by helping you sustainably scale, profit, and prosper.

Cleaning professionals are essential employees whether we work in hotels, airports, schools, convention centres, hospitals, buses, planes, offices, and restaurants. Every industry relies on us to create a safe and healthy built environment.

But in the cleaning industry, workforce development can be a vague concept. What does it mean, why is it important, and what does it look like in practice?

OPINION

WHAT IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?

Workforce development is a people-first approach to training that closes the gap between what employees can do and what the company needs them to do.

In practice, workforce development means offering your employees training, development opportunities, and continuing education programs to maximise their productivity and job success.

The objective is to create economic prosperity for individuals, businesses, and communities. Everyone in the cleaning industry can participate in and support workforce development programs to: • Create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce.

• Provide individuals with the opportunity for a sustainable livelihood.

• Help employers focus on skills their business needs to remain credible and competitive.

• From a community perspective, educate and train individuals to meet the needs of current and future businesses to maintain a clean and safe built environment.

WHY IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRUCIAL FOR THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?

It can help an organisation remain competitive in a quickly changing environment. Gone are the days when you needed to show up in a classroom to learn something new. Workforce development prioritises human development and boosts morale, retention, and productivity.

Companies that support this concept view employees as assets. They off er a variety of training opportunities. Sometimes, these training programs are in-person but also include instructor-led online courses. Some of these resources are more formal and come with some type of certification. The idea is to let people get what they need when they need it.

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Workforce development keeps your employees improving through training and retraining.

Employers also benefit from having a higher-skilled team. These benefits include: 1. Job satisfaction – workforce development encourages employees to feel like assets to the business and bott om line. Employees who feel a sense of belonging, ownership, and purpose will likely feel happier, work harder, and stay longer.

2. Higher retention – investing in your employees leads to lower turnover.

3. Stronger company team – by positively developing your workforce, your company outperforms competitors and provides more value to your employees than just a pay cheque.

4. Increased productivity – helps your teamwork smarter without working harder and eventually burning out.

5. A skilled workforce – by investing in training and retraining, your company benefits from a highly capable team and your employees are proactive with problem-solving.

JOB TRAINING VS. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce development programs include job and skill training, but the two are not the same. Job training refers to building skills and competencies as they relate to each employee’s day-to-day function.

An example of this is training new employees.

Job training is required and delivered when the employee joins the company, and possibly throughout the year.

But workforce development includes more than training for a specific job function. Job training teaches what employees need to know now, whereas workforce development teaches what employees need to know now and in the future.

It helps your team collaborate better, manage their day-to-day tasks, work more effectively, and develop your workforce.

Workforce development includes: • Diversity and inclusion training – every organisation should do this, regardless of industry, size, or location, because it leads to an open and safe workplace environment. It empowers every employee to do their best work. It helps you highlight competitive advantages and distinctive values.

• Conflict resolution training – helps your employees become better communicators and collaborators.

• Culture training – helps workers understand, work and flourish in and with cultures other than their own.

• Team-building exercises and the buddy system.

• Management and decision-making training – educate workers on how to be inclusive, how to communicate with empathy, and how to provide constructive feedback.

Whereas job training may happen a set number of times in a year, workforce development is ongoing learning and creates a culture of continuous improvement.

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Workforce development programs can benefit your business by helping you sustainably scale, profit, and prosper.

”

SKILLS GAP VS. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

A lack of workforce development impacts not only the overall economic development of the cleaning industry but also the growth of individual companies. www.incleanmag.com.au 51

OPINION

Why do skills gaps exist in the cleaning industry? Many employees do not have access to education and training resources, local community colleges are not involved, and there is a lack of apprenticeship-type programs to develop viable careers.

Workforce development is a priority for federal, state, and local governments as they support education and training programs with funding and policy.

But with scarce government support for the cleaning industry, it is up to ISSA members and other stakeholders to initiate programs that include “learning by doing” and “hands-on experience” training.

Cleaning industry companies could consider offering internship or apprenticeship opportunities.

SUCCESSFUL WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Have a strategy for continuous improvement and the training of employees in the most efficient and userfriendly way possible.

They include: • Leveraging industry expertise – you don’t have to tackle workforce development alone.

• It’s about learning and not mandatory training. Focusing on an individual’s developmental education as a learning opportunity yields higher engagement.

• Transparently communicate your expectations – do not surprise your employees with additional training.

• Employee engagement – don’t waste your time or resources teaching your employees what they already know.

Instead, evaluate their skills and capabilities and help them improve.

52 INCLEAN March / April 2023

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Workforce development is a people-first approach to training that closes the gap between what employees can do and what the company needs them to do.

”

DELIVERING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Professional development involves providing training frequently. Skills and capabilities are assessed regularly and based on actual demonstrations.

Employers collaborate with the training providers and can off er their staff as trainers.

Training is practical, including in-person simulations, on-site apprenticeships, and exercises and games customised to the workplace. Training for cleaning professionals needs to have an in-person component that delivers realworld practice.

Using online applications and mobile phone apps that track learner performance can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of training programs.

Accessibility is critical to reaching the people who need these programs most.

Meeting their needs for transportation or childcare helps make it possible for them to succeed.

Establishing and supporting local training centres, such as engaging community colleges and

supporting employer-led training, increases accessibility.

Successful workforce development programs develop long term strategies and focus on the capabilities to meet the needs of businesses.

For adults to learn, we must use approaches and techniques different from those most of us experienced in our school days. ISSA’s adult learning-by-doing approach includes: 1. Training is delivered in many ways – in-person workshops, online e-learning, one-on-one mentoring, start-ofshift retraining, and individualized performance reviews.

2. Curriculum that emphasises practical tasks – simulations, interactive animations, site visits, and on-thejob training.

3. Courses that engage participants and deliver the exact skills required for job tasks.

4. Specialised training modules that integrate equipment, products, and technical and behavioural skills required to prevent on-the-job failure.

5. Assessments that focus on the learning of individual students and evaluations that determine whether the training program achieved its goals and outcomes.

IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

At ISSA, we view workforce development holistically for the cleaning industry as the services, programs, systems, and networks that provide our members with industry-driven adult education and short and long-term training programs that improve access to employment and success is achieving safe and healthy built environments.

Workforce development leads to prosperous employees, businesses, and local communities. Companies report happier staff , lower turnover, and more growth opportunities. ■ Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is a senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA. As an infection prevention expert and epidemiologist, he works to develop protocols and education for the global cleaning industry, helping facilities, businesses, organisations, and cleaning professionals to create safe environments.

This was first published by ISSA Today and has been republished with permission.

www.incleanmag.com.au

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EVENT CLEANING

Learnings from the

2022 Commonwealth Games

How to use the ‘nudge theory’ to boost hygiene confidence at large-scale events

M

ore than two years after Australia’s first border closures and nationwide lockdowns, a greater understanding of hygiene and the role we collectively all play in helping reduce the spread of germs has emerged.

When faced with the behemoth task of protecting over one million visitors, 10,000 athletes, volunteers, and cleaning crew members from germs at the 2022 Commonwealth Games over 12-days and 15 stadiums, we set out to build a bespoke hygiene and cleaning program that would cater to one of the year’s largest sporting events while also encouraging people to ‘do the right thing’.

Thanks to our long history of research and rigour to inform our products at Reckitt, we used a combination of proven methodologies such as motivation, effective ‘nudge theory’ and choice architecture to inform our hygiene protocols (I’ll get to what each of these means imminently). The importance of these techniques has become more apparent than ever in helping to drive positive hygiene behaviour as complacency creeps in.

54 INCLEAN March / April 2023

One of the most widely used approaches for behavioural change at both individual and societal levels is ‘nudging’. Based on the understanding that behaviour is strongly influenced in largely automatic ways by the context within which it is placed, ‘nudging’ is used to push people in particular directions.1 Nudge theory can be effective at influencing the likelihood of someone exhibiting a behaviour – as seen with the fly experiment carried out by Richard Thaler at Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

Thaler and his team discovered that etching a fake fly into the airport urinals improved men’s aim and reduced spillage by 80 per cent when urinating2. While I’m relieved to tell you that we refrained from sticking fake flies above urinals at the Commonwealth Games, we did employ similar nudge theory tactics to help protect players, spectators, and employees from the spread of germs.

Here are our top tips that any organisation, or large-scale event, can employ to help influence behaviour change to enhance hygiene compliance.

EVENT CLEANING

1. MAKE THE BEHAVIOURS CONVENIENT AND HARD TO AVOID

Behaviours are much more likely to be practised if they are convenient or require limited effort.

Studies have shown that particular settings can help ‘nudge’ people towards the right behaviour.

Making target behaviours visible, the default or easy option has been demonstrated to be an effective approach to changing a range of public health behaviours and has been used quite widely to promote hand hygiene amongst children3.

At the Commonwealth Games 2022 we distributed more than 2000 posters to reinforce good hand hygiene habits in the sink area of each restroom, alongside the use of Dettol soap. However, one can argue that trying to reach people purely at the basin area is a bit late. And so, we took things a step further and targeted people in the cubicles with clear, simple and entertaining messaging.

We placed thousands of stickers, in the shape of hands, with messages such as ‘Winners Wash Their Hands Before They Return To The Stands’ or, ‘Cleanliness is Next To Sportiness, Wash Your Hands’ prompting attendees to wash their hands and placed them on the back of cubicle doors, to encourage good hand hygiene at a critical moment.

2. MAKE THE BEHAVIOURS NORMAL, SOCIALLY DESIRABLE, AND REWARDING

A key task of any behavioural intervention is to get people’s attention and continue to disrupt the status quo until the ‘new normal’ includes the targeted behaviours. This is because the majority of behaviour happens automatically and is shaped by what has worked well in the past, something called ‘reinforcement learning’, where a problem is faced and behaviour is learnt through trial-anderror interactions4.

A Dettol hygiene kit was given out at the Games to provide staff, volunteers, athletes and officials with a face covering and personal hand sanitiser to use when on the move. Hygiene messaging, incorporated on to the box itself, encouraged the use of the items, again making it as easy as possible to drive positive hygiene behaviours.

3. MAKE THE BEHAVIOURS SURPRISING AND TIMELY

Protocols at the 2022 Commonwealth Games were centred around timely and ‘Targeted Hygiene’ — the

practice of putting into place hygiene surface and hand hygiene interventions when and where they are most needed5.

More than 2800 sanitising stations were set up at the Games, of which 100 were ‘talking’ hand sanitiser dispensers. This was an innovative way and a surprising element to remind the crowds of the importance of hygiene behaviour.

The dispensers had a voice activation feature that delivered ‘thank you’ messages to people as they sanitised their hands and a counter to show how many times the unit had been used.

This principle emphasises the use of interventions that are also fun and brightly coloured in the attempt to capture one’s attention. One study at a school in Bangladesh found that changes to the infrastructure, including brightly coloured paint and footpath nudges that led from the toilet to the handwashing facility resulted in a 64 per cent increase in good hygiene behaviour six weeks after installing the nudge6. This could be considered hand-in-hand with other appropriate measures, such as encouraging staff and attendees to wash or sanitise their hands at critical times, such as upon arrival at the premises.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games celebrated human achievement, perseverance, and dedication.

Reckitt also champions these attributes in its purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. ■

“

Based on the understanding that behaviour is strongly influenced in largely automatic ways by the context within which it is placed, ‘nudging’ is used to push people in particular directions.

”

Katy Slater is Regulatory Director, New Growth Platforms, Reckitt

1 Vlaev, I., King, D., Dolan, P. and Darzi, A., 2016. The theory and practice of “nudging”: changing health behaviours. Public Administration Review, 76(4), pp.550-561.

2 Oullier, O., Cialdini, R., Thaler, R.H. and Mullainathan, S., 2010. Improving public health prevention with a nudge. Economic Perspectives, 6(2), pp.117-36.

3 Watson J, Dreibelbis R. Using Environmental Nudges to improve handwashing with soap among school children. COVID-19 Hygiene Hub: WASH in Schools Network; 2020.

4 Kaelbling, L.P., Littman, M.L. and Moore, A.W., 1996. Reinforcement learning: A survey. Journal of artificial intelligence research, 4, pp.237-285.

5 T he Case for Targeted Hygiene, 2019, Accessed 7 July 2022 at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1757913919864070#:~:text=Targeted%20Hygiene%20is%20an%20 approach,in%20Figures%201%20and%202 6 Watson J, Dreibelbis R. Using Environmental Nudges to improve handwashing with soap among school children. COVID-19 Hygiene Hub: WASH in Schools Network; 2020.

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SCHOOL CLEANING

How clean are schools?

10 steps to improve cleanliness and enhance health in school facilities

A

re schools clean? Based on a standardised cleanliness assessment of hundreds of schools in 2022 the answer is…kind of.

Proper cleaning in schools promotes a safe and healthy environment for children to learn. Maintaining a healthy level of cleanliness throughout the facility enhances the performance and productivity of the students, staff, and faculty.

In 2022, cleaning experts with an ISSA consulting team visited and assessed the current level of health, safety, cleanliness, 56 INCLEAN March / April 2023

and operations in both public and private schools across the US. Anyone who has ever spent time in a school knows it’s a heavily used environment, with people of all ages and backgrounds occupying building spaces daily.

The assessment turned up several common problems, including vacuums in desperate need of a filter change, custodial closets with expired and outdated products, and custodians who must multitask to complete daily tasks from raising the flag in front of the school to cleaning cafeteria seats and tables after each lunch period.

TAKE 10 FOR SCHOOL CLEANLINESS Taking the results of the assessment into account, here are 10 improvement opportunities that can contribute to healthier and cleaner schools in 2023:

1. Treat people kindly and with respect Treating others with respect isn’t complicated and doesn’t take a huge amount of effort. Cleaning is hard work, and parts of the job can be rather unpleasant at times. Respect starts with you. Respecting each other sets a good example for others.

SCHOOL CLEANING 2. Take time to assess the situation The last thing you want to do when a cleaning emergency suddenly pops up is let it sit there unresolved. However, when you react immediately to a problem, you’re not giving yourself time to understand it. Take a moment to pause and assess the situation.

If the building is not burning to the ground, chances are you have time to take a moment to formulate a plan.

3. Develop a plan for staffing shortages and absenteeism Absenteeism, whether it is due to planned vacations or unexpected illnesses, inevitably leaves schools shorthanded. A written plan for how to address these situations and prioritise tasks will ease the confusion of what to do when the inevitable happens.

4. Improve hiring practices Hiring new cleaning workers is a critical part of being a leader, and it’s more complicated than simply reviewing resumes and conducting interviews. Timeliness is the key factor to improve the volume you will need in 2023.

Most people that are seeking work in the cleaning industry are likely to choose a different employer if the process takes too long. With the right hiring and onboarding process in place, you can recruit and hire the best candidates.

5. Utilise integrated cleaning systems Cleaning isn’t about pushing dirt around; it’s about removing dirt and unwanted substances from the environment.

Custodians who follow improper cleaning systems (for example, disinfecting surfaces without cleaning them first) are just moving dirt from one place to the next.

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Maintaining a healthy level of cleanliness throughout the facility enhances the performance and productivity of the students, staff, and faculty.

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6. Track and improve tool cleaning and equipment maintenance Having clean equipment is an important part of the cleaning process. Replacing vacuum filters, regularly laundering microfiber or other cleaning cloths, and cleaning out mop buckets help create cleaner schools and longer-lasting equipment.

7. Reduce cross contamination Most schools have multiple space types and uses that go beyond classrooms, such as kitchens, gyms, and restrooms. Use a colorcoded system on cleaning supplies with a different color representing each space, so custodians won’t use the same cloth to clean a restroom sink, a kitchen counter, and then a desk.

8. Upgrade cleaning tools to those with a better cleaning tolerance Our assessment revealed old equipment in disrepair, ranging from broken and frayed cords and plugs to nonoperational batteries. In the new year, remove or repair anything that’s old and broken.

9. Develop a tight scope of work and level of service If your organisation doesn’t have a written scope of work for which tasks get done, how often they get done, and the expected outcomes of the work, create one ASAP. Without an accurate level of service agreement, you’re setting yourself up for scope creep.

Generally, scope creep occurs when new cleaning requirements are added to the custodians’ task lists without the approval of the facility manager/department.

The cleaning team is then expected to complete more tasks, deliverables, and milestones with the same amount of resources and in the same time as the original scope of work.

10. Arrange training and certification for workers In many schools, custodial training involves no more than a few days (or hours) of pairing up with someone to learn the job. Instead, schools need to have a comprehensive training program in place that provides hands-on training with the actual tools used in the buildings.

The training should provide workers with an overall understanding of why their jobs are essential to protecting building occupants and the protocols for how and when to perform specific cleaning tasks.

Although schools are a challenging environment to keep clean, custodians’ success in this challenge is necessary to the success of the students, staff, and faculty.

If your cleaning program doesn’t generate a good outcome, it might be time for a program reset or even a full reboot in the new year. ■ Tim Poskin is the director of ISSA Consulting, providing systems integration and consulting solutions for the cleaning industry. He currently serves as chair of the ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) workloading and benchmarking committee. He can be reached at timp@issa.com. www.incleanmag.com.au 57

MANAGEMENT

Key HR trends to examine and implement in

2023

Five HR trends set to shape the year ahead

Y

ou’ve probably read it one-toomany times by now: The pandemic has triggered tectonic shifts in the business world. And although this notion is yesterday’s news, it doesn’t make it any less accurate.

We have been on quite a ride in the last few years, and there is no sign of it stopping. In the span of a single year, we went from the aftermath of the Great Resignation to recruitment freezes and inflation-based measures. The scope and the 58 INCLEAN March / April 2023

calendar of these significant shifts point to two major considerations: The disruptions in the business world go deep and are impactful.

The speed at which they occur mandates adaptability and quick trend analysis.

Human resources (HR) departments across industries have been among the first to formulate responses in the face of abrupt changes. A new year offers the opportunity to stabilise and firmly establish a host of new practices.

MANAGEMENT

Let’s look at HR trends that are set to shape the year.

1. Taking planning to a whole new level Business planning quietly slipped to the back burner due to the numerous disruptions facing companies during the pandemic.

Business leaders were confident they could handle the disruptions, but their timetables got in the way. As changes never happen in a vacuum, major disruptions triggered consequences.

Some of these changes were great, such as fast paced digitisation that moved then-current trends forward by some three to four years.

However, others were just turbulent. The Great Resignation gave employees pretty much all the chips on the table, then the inflation wave brought recruitment and employment to a standstill, halting the previous trend just as it began to unravel.

The cleaning industry has some interesting numbers to consider in the planning phase. In 2021, the cleaning and services industry employed 3 million people in the United States, with custodians and cleaners comprising the bulk of the figure (2.04 million), according to market and consumer data provider Statista.

Building service contractors offering only cleaning services make up less than 15 per cent of the industry, while more than 30 per cent of facility managers outsource cleaning and janitorial work.

This illustrates the different opportunities for both employment and business development in the sector.

As we now know that even small incidents on the other side of the world can easily snowball or trigger a domino effect, HR professionals will have to take their planning to a new level in 2023.

Using data that’s available through modern technology, they can plan ahead for best- and worstcase scenarios, so they are not caught by surprise regardless of where the trends take us next.

2. Utilising state-of-the-art tools and automation Modern HR tools suitable for various tasks, from assessing job applications to managing employee performance and engagement, can do wonders for HR departments in 2023. Not only do they help with complex jobs, but they also can quickly identify and outline trends.

On top of that, these tools will help you address two challenges. First, using cloud-based tools means there is less strain on your in-house IT team and IT infrastructure. Second, you can easily hand over the workload during a quick employee turnover within the HR department.

How does this technology impact the cleaning sector? It means more screen time at the moment and less walking distance in the future. Internet of things (IoT) technology has the agenda to automate

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Modern HR tools suitable for various tasks, from assessing job applications to managing employee performance and engagement, can do wonders for HR departments in 2023.

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MANAGEMENT

repetitive tasks, such as floor scrubbing and vacuuming, and the cleaning industry has no shortage of such jobs. The technology can also help streamline inspections and will cut overspending on various hygiene products through the use of sensors and automated dispensing.

3. Moving employee well-being upon the priority list If employee well-being is not moving to the top of your priority list, it should at least make a considerable jump.

The Great Resignation and its trends are last week’s news, but the aftermath is still playing out. The shifts that happened in a short time span – making workers the central consideration, and then suddenly grinding hiring to a halt – have left their mark on both businesses and employees.

Some takeaways from the last few years include prioritizing work/life balance, creating better and more meaningful feedback models, exploring the possibilities of performance management,

60 INCLEAN March / April 2023

and creating a top employee experience.

However, while the shiny new trends are the top story for office staff, they tend to take a sharp turn when it comes to deskless workers. These people are required to show up due to the nature of their tasks; remote work is not an option.

Well-being for these workers has a different agenda, with health and safety as the top priorities. However, the well-being of the deskless workforce doesn’t need to stop there.

Flexibility with hours and scheduling, upskilling opportunities, and tailored career journeys are possible perks that can offset the inability to provide remote work and other popular, postCOVID-19 benefits.

With the common denominator being retention, all of the factors mentioned play a big part in HR trends. The latest developments might have put a stop to job skipping, but the trends outlined here are most likely not going anywhere any time soon.

4. Setting up new workplace models The workplace of 2023 is not going to look like the workplace of 2020. There are forces pulling in two directions: some for even more flexibility and some for a return to what was considered normal before 2020.

Hybrid and remote working are no longer a trend. There are arguments deeply rooted in the events of the past couple of years that can break any case for a full return to the office, and those advocating for it are fighting a battle that’s already lost.

HR professionals will need to devise an ecosystem of tools and equipment that can support the needs of the workplace model in their companies. They need to consider deskless workers, fully remote workers, and everyone in between.

On top of that, workplace systems need to be able to slide to either side of the spectrum smoothly and with minimum bumps. Designing such a system will take dedicated effort and cooperation within various departments to see things through.

MANAGEMENT

The cleaning sector was impacted by the pandemic fallout, but still needed to rise to the challenge as it was one of the building blocks for the “new normal.”

This sector needed to learn its lessons quickly, as proper cleaning was the prerequisite for keeping things running during the pandemic—and allowing workers to return to the office.

With digitisation and tech advancements, almost every company is a tech company nowadays. This technology provides a tremendous opportunity for blue-collar staff to digitalise parts of their workflows, making them a part of the next industrial revolution.

5. Training employees for the foreseeable changes The outlined trends might seem daunting, but they are necessary as workers are a company’s mostprized assets.

As we’re slowly moving into a slowed-down trend of recruitment and job hopping, HR experts will need to find ways to address unresolved issues.

One of these issues is the presence of skill gaps in companies, created by fewer opportunities for employment to fill those gaps.

Another issue is the fact that many positions were filled with workers who lacked all the qualifications for the job but were given the opportunity to learn along the way. Job shadowing and mentorship is one option to solve this puzzle.

In-house and workplace training is another possibility and has had great results in some industries.

Maintenance training is not limited to actual maintenance tasks. As mentioned before, tech advancements are making many manual jobs partly digital, and this needs to be incorporated into upskill training.

Within the janitorial sector, various IoT applications give the job more screen time. It is easy to imagine that custodians of the (near) future will be doing more computer work than manual inspections.

Emphasising the benefits of continuous training and education needs to move from being a slide during a presentation into a company’s everyday operatives – it could be the answer to more than one burning HR issue.

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW PRACTICES

“

If employee well-being is not moving to the top of your priority list, it should at least make a considerable jump.

”

2023 is by no means a menace to HR professionals.

It’s the next year in a bumpy cycle, but it also comes with opportunities to make use of recent developments and to establish novelties as new best practices. ■ Bryan Christiansen is the founder and CEO of Limble CMMS. This article first appeared in CMM and has been republished with permission. www.incleanmag.com.au 61

TECHNOLOGY

Polish your

online presence When attracting potential clients, it’s important to recognise that they reside online

T

he internet has come a long way since 1991 when it first became publicly available.

By the year 2000, according to career website Zippia, 361 million people worldwide used it (6 per cent of the world’s population).

If such growth within just nine years sounds staggering, consider what has happened since the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were forced— and ultimately taught—to rely more on the internet.

62 INCLEAN March / April 2023

In post-pandemic 2022, there were 4.9 billion active internet users globally (62 per cent of the world’s population).

These numbers alone should make the importance of having and maintaining a great online presence abundantly clear.

Yet the switch for some businesses from traditional marketing to online marketing can be a difficult leap.

Here are three major avenues for creating a robust online presence that can help attract leads, grab their attention, and convert them into clients.

TECHNOLOGY

1. AN OPTIMISED WEBSITE

Websites are no longer an option for businesses; they’re a necessity.

Unfortunately, when it comes to websites, it’s never been as simple as the Field of Dreams adage, “If you build it, he will come.” Simply creating a website does not guarantee that your business will get noticed.

According to digital marketing provider Siteefy, roughly 252,000 websites were being created daily in July 2022, with that number growing constantly.

Your website can easily drown in the vast sea of cyberspace. That said, all is not lost. It’s possible to create a website that stands out from the crowd and can be found by your intended audience. To be that effective, however, your website needs the following traits: Attractiveness: Looks matters. According to digital marketing company WebFx, first impressions of a website are related to design 94 per cent of the time. Research by marketing company Blue Corona in 2019 revealed 38 per cent of visitors will stop engaging with an unattractive website; 48 per cent cited website design as the number one factor in determining a business’ credibility. As Hans Oliver, owner of Edgewood Solutions, a US-based website development company explained, “Your website is your first impression to a potential customer. Especially in the cleaning industry, if your site’s old, if it has mistaken, if links are broken— that’s going to tell me that you don’t pay attention to detail. It’s a reflection on how you do business.”

Functionality: Navigation ease on a website is just as important as how it appears. If visitors have a difficult time on your website, they won’t stick around.

In a 2021 survey by online directory Top Design Firms, 42 per fent of respondents said they’d leave a website that had poor functionality. People also don’t want to wait for websites to load. According to WebFx, 83 per cent of users expect websites to load in less than three seconds. Ease of use on mobile devices is important as well. Blue Corona noted 48 per cent of its respondents felt the lack of a mobile-friendly (or “responsive”) website means the business simply doesn’t care. “Walk down the street. Stand

“

According to data insight company Wordstream, revenue of companies that use video for marketing grows 49 per cent faster than those who don’t – yet another reason to incorporate video into your online marketing plan.

”

in a busy crowd. You’ll see everyone with their heads down. Their eyes are on their phones,” said Oliver. “Follow the eyes.

Wherever the eyes are, that’s where you need to be. So, not only do you need a website – you need to have a mobileoptimised website.”

Engagement: Keeping a visitor on a website long enough to explore what you’re offering happens through engaging content – both written and visual. Thanks to much better quality in recent times, video – once avoided like the plague because of choppiness and slow loading speed – is becoming the choice means of

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TECHNOLOGY

communicating on websites. According to social media news company, Social Media Today, people stay on websites with video 60 per cent longer than websites with only text and images.

Activity: You might be shocked to learn how many websites are abandoned.

According to Siteefy, while more than 1 billion websites exist worldwide in 2022, only 17 per cent are active. What does it mean for a website to be active? Activity equals change – frequent revisions to a website. Search engines favour websites that get updated often. This fact might be a rude awakening for business owners who thought websites could “set it and forget it.”

For branding and financial reasons, you wouldn’t want to do major re-hauls.

However, an effective yet easy way of keeping your website active is via a blog.

If the word “blog” and any attached connotations concern you, remember that you don’t have to call it as such.

They can be referred to as “news,” “updates,” “industry information,” or something similar. But they all serve the same purpose – to regularly refresh your website with new content that serves your clients in an appropriate way and makes search engines happy too. Updated content can be written, or it can be new images or videos.

64 INCLEAN March / April 2023

“

Ask yourself how your own business appears online.

Is your website attractive, functional, engaging, and active? Are you taking full advantage of social media?

Does your business have good online reviews? If your answers are negative, it’s time to improve your online presence.

”

All four of these traits help with search engine optimisation (SEO). Search engine companies find these traits desirable for their own customers, in order to deliver the best possible search results. As such, they’ll extend these optimised websites to their customers first, over subpar ones.

Optimising your site can give you an advantage over competitive sites that are totally ignored by their owners – and in return, by potential client leads. This is an opportunity for you as a business owner to make your website – and by default,

your business – stand out while your competition rests on their online laurels.

2. ENGAGING SOCIAL MEDIA

When questioning where your clients are and how they can be reached, if the initial answer is “online,” then the more exact location is “on social media.”

You might assume this refers to residential consumers only—and you’d be wrong. According to internet analytics company SERPWatch, 75 per cent of business-to-business (B2B) marketers use social media advertising.

You might also be surprised to learn that 95 per cent of Fortune 500 companies use Facebook, 96 per cent use Twitter, and 99 per cent use LinkedIn. Alison M. Wood has been offering virtual assistant and social media services to clients in the United States from her southeast United Kingdom location for 10 years.

She pointed out that an easy to forget benefit of social media is the SEO it lends to your online presence.

“It helps drive traffic to your website,” Wood noted. “It’s definitely a marker for Google and for SEO. You can do all the work on your website, but you still need traffic going to it. Social media can help with that, and Google recognizes that traffic as well.”

TECHNOLOGY Many also don’t realise that video provider YouTube is considered to be a social media platform.

According to data insight company Wordstream, revenue of companies that use video for marketing grows 49 per cent faster than those who don’t – yet another reason to incorporate video into your online marketing plan.

If you are wondering where to start with social media, based purely on numbers, you might consider Facebook and YouTube.

These two platforms consistently have the most active users. According to Statista, as of January 2022, Facebook had more than 2.9 billion monthly active users worldwide, with YouTube in second place, with more than 2.5 billion.

However, Wood notes that, even though Facebook is more popular than many realise with 2B marketers, LinkedIn is still the premier platform for making B2B connections.

3. STELLAR ONLINE REVIEWS

The effectiveness of word-of-mouth referrals is quickly being replaced in the 21st century by online reviews.

SEO provider Bright Local reported 95 per cent of consumers in pre-pandemic 2019 searched for local businesses online, with 91 per cent reading online reviews about businesses first before contacting them.

In post-pandemic 2022, those numbers have increased to 99 per cent and 98 per cent, respectively.

Almost 50 per cent surveyed trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. Like social media, online reviews are as important to B2B marketing as they are for B2C companies.

According to TripAdvisor, 98 per cent of B2B companies said that an organisation’s online presence can greatly affect their decision to purchase.

“In the B2B world, we all know that references can be extremely important,” says David Wanamaker, owner of Five Star Solutions Group, a US-based reputation management company.

“B2B buyers today, particularly post COVID-19, are relying upon the references they can find online more than they ever have. In fact, even preCOVID-19, there are statistics that say that 67 per cent of business purchasing managers look to online reviews to help them form an opinion about the companies that they are considering buying from.”

ACCEPTANCE AND IMPROVEMENT

Ask yourself how your own business appears online. Is your website attractive, functional, engaging, and active? Are you taking full advantage of social media?

Does your business have good online

reviews? Have you checked what people are saying online about your business?

If your answers are negative, it’s time to improve your online presence.

These online marketing methods admittedly require time, effort, and resources. However, rather than ignore them and fall victim to your competition’s own initiatives, a proactive approach would be to accept the importance of a strong online presence and subsequently address how to improve and maintain it.

Consider shifting necessary resources from older, outdated, and less effective means of marketing to newer, more modern, online ways.

Pareto Principle’s 80/20 rule works well here: dismiss 80 per cent of marketing tactics that aren’t producing results and replace them with 20 per cent that will.

Another solution would be hiring – and training – personnel to take on the tasks.

Lastly, there’s the option of hiring thirdparty contractors who already know the ins and outs of online marketing.

When you realise your potential clients are online, checking out your business, you’ll want to make sure they’ll always like what they see. ■ Patricia LaCroix is the associate editor for CMM. She can be reached at patricial@issa.com. This article was first published in CMM and has been republished with permission.

www.incleanmag.com.au 65

OPINION

GET YOUR PRICING RIGHT

Pricing is one of the most powerful tools in a business owners toolbox. Used correctly, it can help you build your business, used incorrectly and it can take your business away.

As the cost of business increases, you need to consider your pricing strategy or be prepared to lose margin.

PERFORM A SPENDING AUDIT

How to deal with rising

loan repayments

I

nterest rates are on the rise. If you currently have a loan or if you have applied for finance in recent times, then you have likely had to deal with ballooning monthly loan repayments.

Over the past six months, the RBA cash rate has gone from 0.35 per cent to over 3.25 per cent, and there may be more to come.

Thankfully, there are ways to take control of the situation before it’s too late. So, what can borrowers do to alleviate the impact of these increased loan payments and not be overburdened with debt?

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD DEBT

Not all debt is created equal. While all debt is taken out with a specific purpose, some debt is better than others. For example, any loan used to finance something that can offer a positive investment return is good debt. Any debt that is tax deductible and/or has a low interest can also fall under the category of good debt.

On the other hand, bad debt is defined as exactly the opposite – that could mean a debt for an investment providing a negative return, a debt that is not tax deductible and/or a debt that is at a very high interest rate. Generally, the worst types of debt are credit cards and payday loans. It’s important that these bad debts are paid off first. If possible, aim to pay these off as quick as possible and try avoiding them if you can.

CUT YOUR LOSSES

If you are carrying contracts that are not profitable then now may be the right time to cut your losses and renegotiate your contracts.

In many cases it may be better to give up a contract for an unprofitable client and redeploy your staff and resources into those that will make you money.

In order to do this, business owners should analyse their contracts to get an understanding on how they are performing.

Those that are not hitting the mark, should be discussed with the client and a strategy should be put in place to turn them around or stop doing the work.

66 INCLEAN March / April 2023

A short-term solution to handling higher loan repayments is to assess your discretionary spending. It is important to document your spending.

Starting with any money that has been paid for rent or paid off debt, add to this list details of where money has been spent in the last month on things that may not be essential. Evaluate whether it has been spent on necessary items and if your spending habits are ‘overweight’ in any areas.

This exercise will provide a good overview of where your hardearned money is going and will be a useful benchmark for setting a monthly budget. When times are good it’s very easy to form bad spending habits, so now is a good time to find out if you have any.

Make sure you are not paying too much tax Making profit takes a lot of hard work, don’t pay more of it in taxes than you need to. Ask questions and speak with your accountant about your situation. Make sure you have an efficient structure for your business and be wary of the additional tax that can come from drawing funds from your structures.

Make sure you invest in having a good accountant that can help you keep more of what you earn so you can manage the increasing debt repayments that everyone is experiencing.

TRY TO DO MORE WITH LESS

This is easy to say, but hard to do. However, if you can develop good systems, invest in the right technology and build high quality teams then it is possible to become more efficient.

To get started, find out what metric gives you the best indication of efficiency in your business from week to week. Then measure it and take action to see if you can improve it.

FORECAST

Make sure you have a cashflow forecast that you update weekly, or at least monthly, and that you refer to when making decisions on what to do next. When done right, your forecast will tell you the future. It will tell you if you can expect to experience negative cashflow at certain times of the year and it can be adjusted to see how changes to your strategy will impact your cashflow.

The forecast can then be used to help you plan and address the challenges you may be facing now and those you potentially will face along the way. It is an invaluable resource when it comes to your decision-making process. It is also wise to ask for help, it is easy to make mistakes when forecasting, so get help.

Finally, don’t overextend yourself, get advice and build a cash buffer if possible. If you follow these steps, then you will be on your way to dealing with the rising loan repayments.

If you need a hand, then ask for help. ■ Andrew Ash is Director, Accounting and Tax, at HLB Mann Judd.

He can be reached at aash@hlbnsw.com.au

PRODUCTS

Compact batterypowered walk-behind scrubber Compact yet sturdy and reliable, the Maxima 50BT walk-behind scrubber is on of Conquest’s most popular models.

And for good reason! Simple to use and optimised for operator comfort, this impressive scrubber boasts a full set of safety features including an emergency stop button and electro-parking brake. Whisper-quiet and emission free, the battery-powered Maxima is perfect for use for use in even the most sensitive and confined environments.

Recommended for supermarkets, warehouses, production facilities, gymnasiums, retail showrooms, and workshops.

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PRODUCTS

LionsBot Rex – Large scale cleaning robot Introducing Rex - a robot designed specifically for cleaning large commercial spaces. It’s fully autonomous, built from high-quality, durable materials and is packed with innovative features. ` Clean up to 4,032m² in one hour ` Eight to 10 hours runtime ` Precision lidar, multiple depth cameras, and sonar scanners ` Two 16-inch brushes, with a total coverage of 81cm. 80kg of downward cleaning pressure ` 140-litre wastewater tank and a 140-litre solution tank ` 2.5m turning circle Free demonstration available

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Sanitol Jade Sanitol Jade is a is a uniquely formulated antibacterial hand sanitiser designed to prevent the spread of harmful germs. Sanitol Jade has a rapidly acting formula that kills 99.99 per cent of germs – protecting you against a range of potentially unsafe microorganisms. Sanitol Jade is an effective component of a personal hygiene program, and its scientifically advanced formula is gentle on all skin types.

Benefits: ` Contains natural emollients to replenish the skin’s lipids – leaves hands feeling soft, smooth and revitalised. ` Natural skin conditioners & light pleasant fragrance – ideal for all ages to use. ` A refreshing gel that kills germs without the need for water.

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Sabco Ultraclean Microfiber Antibacterial Flat Mop Pads Sabco Ultraclean Microfiber Antibacterial Flat Mop Pads offer multiple benefits for cleaning surfaces.

Currently used in leading hospitals and other facilities, they have the following benefits: ` Twist pile microfibre that affectively removes microbes, dirt, dust & grime ` Highly absorbent ` Bleachable ` Able to be washed up to 500 times & laundered up to 90 degrees ` The unique pre antibacterial treatment helps to prevent the growth of bacteria ` Independently laboratory tested, for its effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.coli, Enterococcus hirae, VRE and the approved TGA Covid-19 surrogate Murine hepatitis Request a free sample by emailing Sabco.commercial@sabco.com.au

Sabco Professional www.sabcoprofessional.com.au 68 INCLEAN March / April 2023

PRODUCTS

Speedy Clean Wipes

Kuranda

Speedy Clean Wipes are excellent ready-to-use hospital grade, anionic neutral detergent wipes which leaves a streak free finish on surfaces. Ideal for cleaning surfaces and equipment in healthrelated environments. The single-use application improves infection control by avoiding cross contamination. Speedy Clean Wipes are pleasantly perfumed and fast drying, leaving surfaces streak free after cleaning. Speedy Clean Wipes are designed for use in healthcare facilities including hospitals, general practices, aged care, and dental facilities.

Kuranda is an exceptional multi-purpose disinfectant that has been certified by GECA for its environmentally preferable formula. It offers excellent cleaning and disinfecting qualities so you can be sure that your surfaces are always spotless and germ-free. Kuranda has a pleasant floral scent and gets rid of dirt and grime quickly.

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are providing excellent hygiene for your environment, all while reducing your impact on the planet.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au www.whiteley.com.au

` GECA-certified ` Dual action – cleaner and commercial grade disinfectant ` Leaves surfaces clean, disinfected and perfumed ` Removes the source of bad odours ` Kills germs to reduce the spread of infection ` Breaks down dirt and grime and washes it away

Agar Cleaning Systems 1800 301 302 sales@agar.com.au agar.com.au

PREDATOR 6V AGM BATTERIES • Double Separator Construction

• Heavy Duty,

• High Energy Density & Cycle Life

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Non-Spillable Available at R&J Batteries

/ rjbatt.com.au

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www.incleanmag.com.au 69

PRODUCTS

Aussie’s Hot Sizzler Australian Pump’s Sizzler is a 240-volt hot wash loaded with features and customer benefits for a faster, more hygienic clean. Effective at reducing and eliminating viruses, germs and bacteria. Clean faster with less water, less fuel and less chemicals! ` Slow speed 4 pole motor with thermal cut-out ` Heavy duty triplex pump ` Adjustable temperature to 80°C ` Protective stainless-steel cover ` Steel chassis with four large wheels for easy mobility ` Optional stainless steel protective roll frame and lifting bar ` 18 litre diesel tanks ` Packed with safety features including delayed stop, micro-leak detection, nozzle clog control, flooding prevention system, auto switch off, dry running protection. ` Outstanding value and available ex stock

Australian Pump Industries 02 8865 3500 www.aussiepumps.com.au

Viraclean Viraclean hospital grade disinfectant is proven to kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza virus, hepatitis B group virus, VRE, MRSA and more. It can be used on floors, desks and high-touch areas, such as door handles, railings, workstations and telephones. Viraclean is userfriendly- and has a pleasant lemon fragrance. It’s available in readyto-use squeeze-on and spray-on formats and has great materials compatibility. If you want proven protection against pathogens, a premium quality TGA-registered hospital grade disinfectant like Viraclean is a very good choice. ` Proven to kill bacteria and viruses including SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) in 60 seconds ` Excellent materials compatibility ` Preferred hospital grade disinfectant in Australia and New Zealand

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au www.whiteley.com.au

Carpet extraction equipment from Cleanstar Cleanstar offers a full range of carpet extraction equipment and accessories under the Flo-Star brand. Ranging from complete portable carpet extraction machines to floor wands, upholstery tools, GVAC and solution hoses, spray nozzles, triggers, pumps, and much more.

Cleanstar (03) 94605655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.flo-star.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au

70 INCLEAN March / April 2023

PRODUCTS

JUMA STEP 150 Escalator Cleaning Machine The JUMA STEP 150 is the newest generation of escalator cleaning machines. Juma cleaning devices are 100 per cent quality made in Germany, in the original factory that produced other escalator cleaners. With major changes incorporated into the STEP 150, you are able to clean escalators faster than you have ever experienced. ` 18 brushes for more efficient and faster cleaning ` Choose cleaning cycles between 12 and 60 seconds ` New brush geometry giving you more force on the steps to remove heavy dirt faster ` In one single step, steps and rise are cleaned, in horizontal and vertical movements ` Touch display with manuals Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au ai160316610735_1415 CCS Adiatek Inclean QP Ad Final 2 FA.pdf

www.incleanmag.com.au 71

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20/

PRODUCTS

Get the Edge on textured floor surfaces Conquest’s Carbon Edge walk-behind scrubber is renowned for delivering an impressively powerful clean on even the most porous or textured surfaces.

Durable yet simple to operate, the Carbon Edge combines orbital scrubbing technology with high performance motors and down pressure to infiltrate deep into hard floor surfaces. The result?

A truly outstanding clean. Recommended for non-slip or textured floor surfaces such as those in supermarkets, healthcare facilitates, food and beverage manufacturing spaces, schools, automotive workshops, and retail.

Conquest Equipment Technologies 1800 826 789 www.conquestequipment.com.au

Leobots and LeoRay - Cleaning and disinfection robots LeoBots and LeoRay are specialised robots, crafted to perform specific tasks so as to achieve maximum efficiency in its cleaning or disinfecting operations.

The LeoRay can be deployed to disinfect surfaces using high concentration UV-C radiation and the LeoBots are a family of four robots that are experts in their cleaning tasks and can also collaborate as a team. ` LeoScrub: Scrubbing expert - Uses up to 70 per cent less water with high cleaning results ` LeoVac: Vacuum genius -comes with Optional HEPA filter for cleaner air ` LeoMop: Silent mopper - leaves behind much drier floors ` LeoPull: Small but strong worker - able to pull 450kg bin. ` LeoRay: Autonomous UV-C Disinfection Robot Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 lionsbot@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au

A SHOCK to the cleaning world MotorScrubber is preparing to launch a SHOCK to the cleaning industry. Boasting the lowest profile scrubbing head in the world, SHOCK combines powerful oscillating shockwave technology with an optimised scrubbing orbit to deliver an unbeatable clean.

Lightweight or heavyweight, SHOCK is customisable, ready to take on any cleaning challenge with the addition of a seismic weight kit. SHOCK’s patentpending soft glide wheels protect walls, floors and surfaces, ensuring precision cleaning in the tightest of spaces. And with the addition of its quick-change pad system, users can transition between cleaning areas in seconds.

MotorScrubber SHOCK will be available globally in the second half of 2023. To book your demonstration, contact www.motorscrubberclean.com/book-a-demo.

MotorScrubber www.motorscrubberclean.com

72 INCLEAN March / April 2023

PRODUCTS

Oates HyPro Lite flat mop pads

Bellevue

The Oates HyPro Lite flat mop pads are versatile cleaning accessories that can meet various hygiene demands of different environments.

Different sectors, such as hospitals and food facilities, require different levels of hygiene compared to office buildings or other public places.

The brand-new HyPro Lite single-use mop pad is an excellent solution specially designed for healthcare facilities to ensure the highest possible hygienic standards. This highly productive and hygienic mop pad offers a convenient and efficient solution as it requires no washing or cleaning. It features an ultrasonic cut and seal, microfiber cleaning performance, and reduces linting. With its excellent floor coverage, it offers a productive cleaning solution.

Bellevue is an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic glass cleaner that rapidly penetrates and removes soil from windows and mirrors without leaving streaks behind. It has a highly effective cleaning power and a GECA-certified formulation making it a safer way to clean for people, property and the planet. ` GECA-certified

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` Hypoallergenic and promotes good air quality

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` Leaves glass sparkling and clean

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` Evaporates quickly and streak-free

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` Breaks up dirt fast with minimal wiping needed ` Non-Dangerous Goods, making it safer to use, transport and store

Agar Cleaning Systems 1800 301 302 sales@agar.com.au agar.com.au

Cleanstar commercial powerhead Cleanstar offers an extensive range of commercial powerheads.

The powerheads feature 3-pin IEC lead to suit GHIBLI T1 Backpack, newer Origin, Pullman, and Nilfisk backpacks. The powerheads are also available with straight 2-pin lead to suit earlier model Origin MADE, Nilfisk, Pullman, Ghibli AS5, Hako Backpacks, some Wertheim models and Piggyvac, and 2-pin IEC ead to suit PACVAC backpacks (newer models),HAKO Rocket Vac XP, and Pullman PC9. Other features: ` 150 watt ` Comes with light ` Beat and sweep action

Cleanstar (03) 94605655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au

www.incleanmag.com.au 73

PRODUCTS

JUMA TRAVEL 600 Escalator/Travelator Cleaning Machine The JUMA TRAVEL 600 is the turbo wet-cleaning machine for travelators and escalators. Juma cleaning devices are 100 per cent quality made in Germany, in the original factory that produced other escalator cleaners.

Unlike conventional cleaning machines, the TRAVEL 600 relies on the highly effective power of a secure vacuum-type mechanism. Dirt can be thoroughly dissolved and removed with a sufficiently high water input – and without any water getting into the steps. ` Simply place on the step and you’ll only need to lock it in place once. The machine works while the escalator/travelator is in operation ` Operation is simple – there are three pre-set programmes with different levels of water consumption ` Safety – the weight of the cleaning head keeps the TRAVEL 600 firmly and securely in place on the step ` The hallmark of the TRAVEL 600 is its exceptionally large number of brush tufts – your guarantee of quality and hygiene Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies

X-LARGE Low Profile Floor Tool of cleaning with Cleanstar’s X-Large Low Profile Floor Tool.

Providing great edge cleaning functionality, the low-profile design helps get under low furnishing. X-Large Low Profile Floor Too. Use with ease on carpets and hard floors, and clean areas faster and more efficiently compared to conventional floor tools. Features:

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` 360mm wide ` 32mm diameter ` Rubberised non scratch wheels ` Dual lint pickers ` Swivel neck ` Comes with protective storage cover.

Cleanstar (03) 94605655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au

RapidClean Contract Pro Backpack Vacuum RapidClean Contract Pro is fitted with a value range of accessories, making it a great, affordable option.

R3 Scrub – Your everyday cleaning companion Meet the personal cleaning revolution you’ve always dreamt of. But better.

` 55 Litres P/ Sec Airflow Rate

Up to seven hours runtime. Super dry scrubbing. 21-litre water tank. Designed to pick up cigarette butts, leaves, and small debris. Discover the nimble cleaning robot that everyone can use, anywhere – high-performance cleaning in a compact package.

` Lightweight at 4.8kg

` Automatic or manual mode

` Capacity 5-litre

` Scrub mode or dust mop mode

` Ergo padded harness and waist band

` 1,200m² of cleaning coverage per hour

` Cable restraint – short IEC lead

` Low running noise

` Premium 18m orange extension lead

` Charging time: Two hours

` Four stage filtration – High flow filter

Free demonstration available.

` Two-year body and motor warranty

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RapidClean

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` 1300-watt flow through motor ` Noise level (at 1.5m) 66dB(A)

74 INCLEAN March / April 2023

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION

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March / April 2023

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