For the programs they recommend hav-ing outsourced, the company should pro-vide a detailed description of the services that will be provided, the products that will be used and the results you should expect. For the tasks that will be managed inter-nally, the company should recommend specific products to be used for each application and the methodology used to achieve the best results. They should discuss their ability to train your staff and explain how that process can be implemented. The best hygiene companies will have a combination of web training, on-site train-ing, point-of-use wall charts for demon-strating proper product and equipment use and manuals or brochures that can be utilized by your staff when questions arise. A hygiene partner that is also able to provide an ongoing on-site audit service is invaluable. Each program should be evaluated on using objective criteria that is agreed upon by you and your hygiene partner. The auditing process will also provide the needed feedback to help you regularly evaluate your programs and provide a writ-ten record for your files. Choosing A Hygiene Partner You should evaluate a potential partner company according to your needs. If you have multiple sites, are they able to perform the same services at the same level at each location; what is their track record of success and the strength of their services and products; will they be able to work within your budgetary requirements; are they able to provide references? Once you choose your hygiene partner and agree on the scope of work to be per-formed, you enter the most critical phase: Implementation. Successfully analyzing the strengths of your programs, identifying your hygiene partner and agreeing upon a strategic plan requires time and effort. That time and effort is wasted unless you communicate the plan and the reasoning behind it to your management and staff and obtain their buy-in. Even then, the proper training must take place to ensure that each person is aware of what needs to be done at what time in each area. Once accomplished, you will have engi-neered a strategy and program to provide long-term results. Interestingly enough, you may also find that identifying a suitable hygiene partner and enacting a well-planned strategy will provide you with better results, while making your job less stressful and saving money. CM Bruce Mullan is the vice president of supply chain and inventory management for Swisher Hygiene Inc. Mullan is responsible for managing and organizing all activities involved with the iden-tification, acquisition and distribution of goods through the complete supply chain system. Before being named to his current role in 2003, Mullan spent time working for Swisher in a number of different areas, including international and domestic franchise sales, corporate operations and purchasing. For more information, visit www.SwisherHygiene.com. Some things are best when new Choose a location near you Atlanta -Saturday, June 11 Cincinnati -Friday, June 17 St. Louis -Thursday, July 14 Sacramento – Friday, August 5 Chicago -Friday, August 12 Portland -Wednesday, October 12 Cincinnati -Friday, November 11 Tampa -Friday, November 18 It is time for new, better marketing systems for your business. You can get them at Totally Booked ® U NIVERSITY . Sign up today. Cleanfax magazine and senior editor Jeff Cross are traveling the country with a fantastic marketing program designed to help carpet cleaning and restoration companies find customers — fast. No sales pitch, no back-of-the-room deals. And you go home with a flash drive full of marketing tools for your business. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/cleanfax Scan code with your smartphone for more information. Which marketing techniques will you learn? Website Optimization — Internet Marketing — Group Buying Programs — Press Releases — Referral Programs — Coupons and Print Ads — Social Media Marketing — Getting commercial leads — and much, much more! Circle Product Information no. 251 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 39
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