let’s talk shop Giving And Taking By: Kevin Keeler ADVICE F For those just starting out in this marvelous industry, this article is for you. Though, right now, you may not be think-ing of the cleaning industry as something “marvelous.” It’s also for those of you in the middle or closer to the end of your journey who may not remember what it was like just starting out. Reaching back into your past can help you reach out to new employees who could ben-efit from your words of wisdom. Few of us old-timers started out with a plan to work in cleaning. We fell into it as a summer job or to put ourselves through college. Once graduated — possibly with young families to support — we may have wanted to hang onto the income while waiting for that “better” opportunity. But along the way, something amazing happened. Cleaning grew from a job to an industry, and our work grew in scope and importance. But, as with any industry, newcomers — especially those just out of college — may wonder if the rewards are worth the de-mands. Take the situation of Bill and Calvin. Both worked for a cleaning supplies and chemicals distributor. Calvin was the new kid in town. Just 25, he’d graduated a year earlier with a degree in business administration. His uncle was in the purchasing depart-ment at a large local university and helped Calvin land a job with the distributorship. Bill had been in the cleaning business for over 35 years, the last 17 working in sales, and was planning to retire by the end of the year. One night as Bill was readying to leave, he noticed Calvin still working at his desk. “Shouldn’t you be getting home to that wife and beautiful new baby?” he asked him. Interaction between industry old-timers and newcomers benefits everyone. “I can’t,” Calvin told him. “Too much work.” “So, how’s the cleaning profession treat-ing you these days?” Bill asked, pretty much knowing the answer. “It sucks. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I didn’t go to college to sell toilet bowl cleaner.” Bill suggested they grab a cup of coffee. Calvin worried that he didn’t have the time, but Bill assured him it would be well worth it. An hour later, when Bill got up to leave, Calvin gave him a bear hug and thanked him for his great advice. ones we neglect the most. Money and prestige are nice, but your rela-tionships with your friends and family are the real treasures in life. Moderate Too much of anything can get you in trouble. It is important to take inventory of your goals and priorities and make sure that one is not dominating your life at the expense of another. Be sure to have good friends or a mentor who can let you know if you’re headed off the cliff. Do What’s Right The workplace can be difficult. Sometimes frustration can lead to des-peration, and we may be tempted to look for shortcuts to get the job done. In the short term these solutions may help, but in the long term those shortcuts will catch up to you. Lead your life inside and outside of the of-fice with integrity. You’ll sleep easier at night and won’t have to be constantly looking over your shoulder. Finally, make sure you interact with the people you work with. If you’re an old-timer, like Bill, don’t be stin-gy with your knowledge. If you’re new, realize that you don’t have all the answers and that listening to someone else may just provide the very help you need at the time. Advice From An Old-Timer My greatest enjoyment in the cleaning profession has been the people I have met along the way. As a younger man, many others helped me navigate the world of work. I often wish I had been smarter back then and more attentive to their advice. Like this advice Bill gave to Calvin. Stay Positive The world is full of negative messages and people. Be sure to surround yourself with optimis-tic messages and people every day. Read books or listen to motivational mes-sages that will help you create a positive framework in your life and your work. Let Others Help You Being a rugged individual is overrated. A team player, willing to give as well as re-ceive, can get much farther in life. Many rewards and opportunities present themselves throughout our lifetimes. Don’t let fear or pride keep you from tak-ing advantage of them. It’s Only Work It’s easy to get caught up in the world of work and pay too little attention to other as-pects of our lives. Usually the people closest to us are the July 2014 Kevin Keeler is the founder of Keeler Consulting, and he draws on his unique and long experience in the industry to provide solutions for mul-tiple clients. He specializes in the development and implementation of tools, technology and systems that provide cleanliness, cost effective-ness and accountability. Keeler is the author of Behind The Broom , along with Judy Gillies, president of The Surge Group Inc., and Lance Witschen, president of 1Class Consulting. Visit www.BehindTheBroom.com for more. 12 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ®
CMM – Archives July 2014: 12
