By Peta Nipper, Commercial Manager, SPS Facilities

I’ve worked in this industry for more than 24 years, and one of the most rewarding changes I’ve seen is how it has become a legitimately even playing field. It’s also shown me what really matters when choosing a commercial cleaning provider: the people.

Key takeaways

• Cleaning is now a real career path, with people from all backgrounds working at every level.
• A provider’s culture shows up on your site every day, through pride, attention to detail and consistency.
• High staff turnover leads to constant retraining, inconsistent results and slipping service.
• Directly employed cleaners have job security, proper training and a real stake in the result.
• Many SPS Facilities team members have been with the business for more than 15 years.

How the cleaning industry has changed

There was a time when cleaning was seen as a narrow, one-dimensional industry, and not everyone felt welcome walking into the room. That’s no longer the case. Today, people from all backgrounds hold roles at every level, and that shift has helped break down the old “just cleaners” stigma. Cleaning is now a real career path for anyone willing to take it on, and it’s been amazing to see so many skilled, highly educated professionals joining our ranks and bringing fresh thinking and innovation with them and truly impacting the culture within our Business.

Breaking into new sectors within the cleaning industry can be tough. What makes the difference is a highly skilled, diverse workforce with a broad mix of experience and a real passion for the work. Going through the motions just to win contracts doesn’t last. Clients can tell the difference between a commercial cleaning provider chasing work and one that operates with integrity. The right team, with the right combination of ideas, skills, drive and passion, can make cleaning in any facility stand out.

What sets a commercial cleaning provider apart

At its core, cleaning is an outcome-based task, and outcomes are easy to measure. Whether it’s a school, a corporate office or an industrial site, the methods may vary, but clean spaces at the end of every shift should be the minimum expectation.

What truly sets a commercial cleaning provider apart is the people behind it. The dedication of Supervisors and Managers, and of the support teams in HR, Systems, Safety and Environment, all working together behind the scenes. Good people who understand business, communicate openly with each other and with our clients, and strive for reputational excellence.

Then there are our cleaning teams, the people at the forefront, on site every single day. The drive and passion of their leaders is infectious and flows through to them. Having the right tools, training and a safe working environment should never be up for discussion; it should simply happen. The magic comes when everyone operates as one team, and every person is respected for the role they play.

Why cleaning teams matter at tender time

Too often, cleaning teams are forgotten when contracts are negotiated and tenders are submitted. Considering their working environment, safety and conditions from the outset is the best way to get the most out of the people delivering the service.

That’s what we’ve built at SPS Facilities, and what we continue to strive for: respect for every person who contributes. For those at the pointy end of service delivery, it means making sure they feel trained, valued, and that their work has meaning and purpose. For those behind the scenes, it means recognising how hard they work to make everything run seamlessly at your site.

The cleaning, the reporting, the value-adds and innovative extra services are one thing. Having an entire team supporting the service and striving for excellence is what makes the difference.

Why does your cleaning provider’s culture matter?

So, what is the culture really like with your commercial cleaning provider, and why does it matter?

Because culture is what shows up on your site every day. A team that feels respected, supported and safe takes pride in its work, notices the details and goes the extra mile without being asked. Low morale leads to high cleaning staff turnover, and high turnover means constantly retraining new staff, inconsistent results and a service that slowly slips. When people stay, they get to know your site, your people and your expectations. That consistency is where real service quality comes from.