A previous article looked at this in general terms with regard
to a start up cleaning company. This article will concentrate
on a strategy for an established company to follow if it wants
to be even more successful and continue expanding into the
future.
The nature of cleaning is changing and the criteria companies
use to choose their cleaners is also changing. Little by little
companies are realising that it is more economical and administratively
easier to find a cleaning company that can meet all their cleaning requirements.
Very few cleaning companies are able to do this or have wanted
to do so in the past. They have chosen to concentrate on a
particular specialism and develop that. So we have firms that
are office cleaners, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, stone
cleaners, kitchen cleaners, and ventilation duct cleaners
to name but a few. Each of these builds up their own particular
client base and their only way of growing is to expand their
area of coverage. Many cleaning companies are reluctant to
do this and consequently their potential for growth is limited.
A large proportion of these companies are run by a single person
who is quite happy to restrict themselves to a physically
manageable area and manage a finite number of clients. However
if you own and operate a company or want to start a cleaning
company that has wider visions then you have an opportunity
to take advantage of the changing market place.
The medium and larger sized companies and corporations are
now beginning to look for cleaning companies that can provide
them with all the cleaning services they require. From the
simple and straightforward office cleaning on a daily basis
to the six monthly or yearly cleaning of their ventilation
ducts. If the cleaning company wishes to take advantage of
this and gain corporate clients then it must expand its areas
of expertise. If the financial burden of doing this is too
great for the company to bear then the alternative is to find
other firms who specialise in these various areas and work
together either as partnerships or sub-contract out these
fields of specialist cleaning. Sub-contracting has its pitfalls
and to a large extent should be avoided if possible but it is a way into
this new market place until you can develop your own expertise.
Companies working together in some form of partnership who
share the same goals is a better solution but ultimately it
is better if your own company can develop within these various
areas and then you have complete control without the concern
and constant anxiety of being ‘let down’. Become
an expert in carpet cleaning, window cleaning, deep cleaning of commercial
kitchens and ventilation duct cleaning. That way you can offer
your prospective clients the complete cleaning package, increase
your turnover and continue to grow.
David Andrew Smith owns and operates a successful commercial
cleaning company which provides its cleaning services across
the whole of the UK. http://www.wesparkle.co.uk
