Cleaning teams under pressure to boost their performance against a backdrop of significant challenges, including ongoing staffing shortage, inflation and tight budgets, while expectations are higher than ever. Customers demand that places be spotless even as their workplaces or leisure and hospitality venues go through huge upheaval and transformations, forcing facilities providers to adjust to these new dynamics.
From training and scheduling to technology platforms, there are several steps cleaning teams can do ensure they improve performance and demonstrate value.
1. Train and develop staff
Firstly, it’s crucial that cleaning staff are trained regularly on the latest cleaning techniques, technology and equipment use, and safety protocols. The common perception is that cleaning isn’t skilled work and – while it doesn’t require as much specialist knowledge as other disciplines, even in facilities management – a cleaner with an expert understanding of what’s required and how to do the job is sure to perform better. A trained cleaning team will perform routes more efficiently and will guarantee proper use of equipment and supplies, making them last longer and reducing material costs.
It’s also a good idea to encourage staff to obtain up-to-date, industry recognised certifications. This will ensure that cleaning teams not only receive the right training and development but also demonstrates best practice to the client.
2. Introduce automation
Automating the cleaning service where you can helps make your team more productive, efficient, and effective. Vacuum cleaner robots, such as Whiz, are designed to work alongside humans. The robot performs the mundane, time-consuming tasks that don’t require the specific skills of a person, such as sweeping large communal corridors or conference areas. This frees cleaners to focus on more detailed tasks, such as cleaning hard-to-reach areas or spaces that have higher sanitary standards.
All a cleaner has to do is help the robot learn the cleaning route and ensure they are on hand should the robot alert them to any maintenance or upkeep issues, including bag changed and battery recharges. No prior technical knowledge is required to operate Whiz – it is designed for use ‘straight out of the box’.
3. Use data to make better decisions
As in every other industry, facilities staff can boost performance and efficiency by taking full advantage of the data within their reach. Equipping facilities with smart building sensor technology allows cleaning teams to monitor and measure several crucial factors, including the quality and precision of the clean, occupancy of areas such as washrooms and spaces with varying levels of foot traffic, and customer satisfaction.
From here, you can set benchmarks and key performance indicators to track performance and improve it over time. The capability in analytics platforms can interpret the data from sensors to identify areas for improvement and help you make more accurate decisions.
4. Optimise operations and scheduling
Through the combination of automation and data, cleaning teams can provide a service that is not only more efficient but also more responsive to each client’s unique needs. Organisations are making dramatic changes to their property and workplace strategies over recent years in response to events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the boom in hybrid working. These trends are having a knock-on effect on the delivery of cleaning and other facilities services.
Using smart cleaning platforms allows organisations to optimise staff schedules and better manage inventory. Cleaning teams can implement an on-demand cleaning service, adjusting schedules to factors such as building occupancy. As a result, cleaners don’t overservice on quiet days or in quiet areas and can maximise delivery when necessary.
5. Improve staff engagement and retention
Finally, it’s crucial that cleaning companies focus on improving engagement and retention within their teams. Like so many other industries in the services sector, cleaning continues to be challenged by an ongoing staffing shortage and a high levels of employee churn, putting strain on cleaning performance and service quality.
Cleaning companies must focus on incentivising staff with learning & development opportunities, adequate progression pathways, reward for good performance, and better working conditions. Incorporating technology solutions such as smart cleaning and robotics will help make cleaners more efficient, put less physical strain on them, and upskill them in a burgeoning area of modern facilities management services.