Why clean matters in Portland, Oregon
A recent study conducted in 2012 provides definitive proof connecting cleaning outcomes with the bottom line of our nations businesses including companies in Portland, Oregon.
“Cleaning activities affect a business’s bottom line in many ways, some not so obvious, and developing a clearer understanding of those connections will help us as stewards of indoor environments do our jobs better, with greater appreciation, and more profitably.”
There are 7 key categories of focus that produce the greatest return on your cleaning investment to consider in the big picture of your commercial building cleaning plans and budget. These areas are:
1. Work ticket resolution costs: cleaning requires completing a series of tasks in many areas. This means even small facilities requires successfully completing literally hundreds of individual tasks every night/week. With this in mind, it’s not hard to see how errors can quickly mount up. Poor cleaning and commercial maintenance manifests itself in numerous corrective service requests that impose costs on both the customer and service provider. Ironically, the savings obtained by going “cheap” on the commercial cleaning are often eclipsed by the costs of resolving service issues.
2. Occupant wellness: absenteeism. Research has shown over and over a direct connection between cleaning and the spread of illness, which manifests itself in employee lost work days (absenteeism). Absenteeism is a substantial cost to businesses that can be reduced through proper cleaning practices.
3. Occupant wellness: improved productivity. In a study of 400 managers and employees conducted by HLW International LLP (Buildings, 1999), employees’ productivity levels were determined to be heavily influenced by the cleanliness of the office in which they worked.
4. Image enhancement: customer satisfaction. According to multiple studies, customers value cleanliness more than many other factors when deciding to do business with an establishment. The image that a clean facility creates is a lasting one. Many managers perceive cleaning as an operational cost, but a dirty facility with a poor image will cost businesses direct revenue.
5. Asset preservation. Cleaning plays a significant role in extending a building’s life cycle and increases return on investment. Reduced cleaning to meet short-term operational budgets can actually result in a lower ROI as life cycles are shortened and more expensive replacements are needed to maintain building image and facility functionality.
6. Energy savings. Though not always possible, if you can clean you facility in the day time when you are already open for business there is significant money that can be saved.
7. Reducing infections. Office building and other businesses are directly impacted by cleaning activities that reduce the spread of illness, thus reducing health-related personnel costs, including lower health insurance costs and lower absenteeism, all leading to higher profits.
These 7 areas clearly demonstrate the monetary value of cleaning to a high standard. Portland, Oregon companies have often approached janitorial services mostly from a cost driven point of view reducing standards like never before. In the world of commercial janitorial you truly do get what you pay for. This cost-centered focus has caused many Commercial Cleaners to cut corners in order to remain competitive in the money. The result? Inconsistent service, low standards and overall higher cost to the company in other important ways.
Furthermore, society has rightly increased its focus on sustainability, green cleaning and public health protection, progressive Portland, OR commercial cleaning services are adopting a more holistic approach to cleaning delivering results while being socially responsible. Studies are revealing that cleaning impacts a wide array of business functions and that making relatively small incremental investments in commercial cleaning produce significant gains for your organization.