recap of WFBSC Still, Asch noted, this is a market that shows growth. “Market drivers, in my understanding, are three major top-ics,” he added. These areas of growth include additional regions (emerging markets), additional technologies especially toward sustainability and additional services that BSCs can provide to their customers. During this presentation, the contradictory trend of customers wanting low prices for services and expecting higher quality results was discussed. Asch also noted other significant trends that are impacting BSCs, such as increased competition and labor costs. In order for BSCs to overcome these hurdles, helping customers understand the value of cleaning was a major focus of this year’s Congress. “If we (as a whole industry) are not able to change [customers’ mindsets on the value of cleaning] we cannot get out of this com-modity [view of cleaning],” Asch said. According to Asch, BSCs must solve two critical issues moving forward — improve efficiencies and provide additional value to services. Advances in technology, such as better-performing, lighter Li-Ion batteries, are helping to improve efficiencies. In order to help customers understand the value of cleaning, BSCs can use technology to gather and assess data. Tomorrow’s buildings will be filled with sensors and smarter de-vices that will help translate cleaning’s value. Further, BSCs will want to switch their linear, one-size-fits-all thinking to a more customized approach. While technology’s capabilities to gather data and even per-form certain cleaning tasks through automated robotics are un-deniable solutions to helping improve efficiency, provide trans-parency and translate the value of cleaning to customers, a BSC’s human touch will still be required on the front line to assess and execute the plan. “Sensors will help us work smarter and [technology] will help us integrate sustainability,” noted Jeff Gravenhorst, Group CEO for ISS, during a roundtable discussion. “[But,] this is still a people business regardless of how much technology is incor-porated.” their unique needs to increase morale and productivity. For example, while the “Silent Generation” (born in 1925-1945) is most comfortable with the “no news is good news” type of com-munication, “Generation Y” (born in 1982-2000) prefers more con-stant communication. Dr. Grodnitzky noted the following recruiting and retaining strategies to use for Generation Y employees, including: Flex schedule; relaxed/friendly culture; idea sharing; and opportuni-ties for socialization. However, while focusing on labor improvements through tech-nologies and hiring best practices will be key to BSCs’ future suc-cesses, providing hygienic cleaning is a key way for BSCs to translate cleaning’s value and remain profitable, noted several prominent speakers at this year’s WFBSC Congress. For example, keynote speaker and leading worldwide health care expert Dr. Richard Besser, offered reasons why hygienic clean-ing should be a focus of many during his presentation entitled, “The Next Pandemic.” Dr. Besser, who has worked closely with the U.S. government, shared some past failures and missteps with preventing outbreaks and pandemics. He also explained the financial risks of facility managers minimiz-ing the role cleaning plays in protecting health. “For people in your industry, these are diseases that your people need to be aware of because what they do when they clean a build-ing will have a great impact on whether these diseases spread or not,” noted Dr. Besser, adding that for cleaners to help prevent the next pandemic they need training and practice. Also conveying the importance of hygienic cleaning was Jerome Peribere of SealedAir/Diversey Care in his presentation, “The Value of Clean.” Peribere used information and statistics from an ISSA white pa-per and video. “It is important to note that the ISSA paper begins by pointing out that historically cleaning has been viewed by facility manag-ers and building owners as a cost center. But, it goes on to explain that a review of the empirical data reveals that cleaning activities impact a business’ bottom line in numerous ways and developing [a better understanding of cleaning] will result in greater savings,” said Peribere, adding that facility managers and owners need to think of cleaning as being a value center. Peribere also noted that selling the value of cleaning provides the clearest path to profitable growth for BSCs. And, understanding how to sell the value of cleaning was an overriding theme at this year’s WFBSC Congress. The 21st Congress of the WFBSC will be held in 2016 and more information can be found at www.WFBSC.org. Other Critical Issues Affecting BSCs The issue of sustainability will also be elevated in coming years with technology. More controls, sensors and monitors will be used throughout a commercial facility to evaluate waste and opportunities for im-provement. Critical resources that will be focused on include energy and water. During Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky’s presentation entitled, “Ready Or Not, Here They Come! Understanding and Motivating the Mil-lennial Generation,” the audience was provided with some in-sight into attracting and retaining a new generation of workers. According to Dr. Grodnitzky, BSC owners must understand the generational differences among workers today and adjust to meet Rich DiPaolo is the editorial director of Cleaning & Maintenance Management, Professional Carwashing & Detailing and Water Technology magazines. DiPaolo is active in the commercial clean-ing, carwashing and water treatment industries, attending events and meeting with readers to stay abreast to trends. He can be reached at [email protected]. 26 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® May 2014
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