workplace. By investing in research, we are No longer satisfied with simple asser-able to become truly customer facing and tions that a product or piece of equipment focused on delivering more effective solu-is “green” and “can increase efficiency,” tions to solve the needs of our customers.” savvy consumers are demanding factual In today’s JanSan market, verifica-proof of claims. tion can be achieved through standard-Realizing the power of percentages and ized tests such as Hucker’s soil to prove other meaty statistics, hoards of manufac-the removal of dirt on hard floors and turers are flocking to independent labora-carpeting, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) tories for unbiased proof that their claims readings to prove the removal of live — or are real. once living — organisms and particle read-Proving you are better than competition ers to show the concentration of airborne is something that every company has tried particulates. to do since the dawn of consumerism. The prowess of research-backed market-Think no further than the Pepsi versus ing came to a head in a short article titled, Coca-Cola blind taste tests that raised the “A Contentious Debate,” which appeared eyebrows of many dedicated soft drink in the January 2011 issue of Cleaning & connoisseurs. Maintenance Management magazine. “Understanding our customer’s needs Regardless of how definitive scientific and working to develop solutions for them analysis can be, perhaps the best gauge of is the key to our business,” says Chris product, equipment and process effective-Brickman, global president of Kimberly-CM Supplier Search.qxp:Layout 1 11/21/11 3:03 PM Page 3 from a fellow indus-ness is hearing praise Clark Professional. “We have commis-try professional. sioned research to help educate our cus-Sometimes, laboratory testing is not tomers and to help create a healthier, safer entirely realistic; however, when a trusted and more hygienic environment for their industry veteran uses a product or service in the field and touts its performance, oth-ers tend to listen. There is no better research than using a product in real-world situations and sharing the results with colleagues. Cheers To 2012 It is quite difficult to extract a handful of talking points from everything that occurs in a calendar year. Because the JanSan industry is so vast and composed of several niche markets, I was entirely unable to address overall trends in each specific segment. So, I beg for your forgiveness if you wit-nessed a major trend in your corner of the JanSan industry that was not discussed herein. But, if there is something you’d like to share with me and/or the rest of the Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine community, reference my Cleanthoughts intro to this issue for ways to speak your mind. CM when it comes to finding equipment and supplies? Are you in the dark • Search by product category to get an overview of available options • Search by brand or company name to locate your favorite product or vendor Let us guide you to the resources you want. Click on SUPPLIER SEARCH at www.cmmonline.com Product Information no. 211 on page 24 Convenient and reliable information for the cleaning and maintenance industry Are you in the dark when it comes to finding Are you in the dark www.cmmonline.com 17
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