CARPET CLEANING
How to conduct a
product audit Product audits can help clarify which products are best suited to your needs, streamlining your purchasing. Words Michael Wilson
O
ne of the impacts of the pandemic is that all cleaners, including carpet cleaning professionals, are taking a second look at the products and cleaning solutions they use. They are evaluating them based on several criteria, including which are best at protecting occupant health (a top consideration during the ongoing pandemic), which are safest for technicians to use, which perform well, and also which are most cost-effective. Examining such issues subjectively is not always beneficial. We need a formal investigation, and in most cases, this is accomplished by conducting a product audit. Usually, these are best performed with three or more people who are familiar with the products being analysed and who use them regularly. 84 INCLEAN September / October 2022
PRODUCT AUDIT PROCESS
There are a few basic steps and best practices to follow to ensure an objective product audit. Before conducting the evaluation, consider the following: • Price and performance often do correlate (you typically get what you pay for), but this is not necessarily true in all cases. Price should not sway the evaluation of a product’s effectiveness, so focus first on objective product performance when conducting a product audit. Consider the costs of the product later. • While those involved in the product audit should be familiar with the products, it may be warranted to get additional product feedback from clients where the product is used. • Allow enough time to conduct a product audit thoroughly. Important decisions can come from a product audit, which can impact your business for several months, or even years, into the future.