Turn sub-prime times to your advantage
April 1st 2008 The new tax year begins and with it the annual financial juggling act. Although ‘uncertain financial outlook’ is now something of a cliché, the coming year probably will be pretty tough as firms, mirroring the banks, reign in their own sub-prime account customers.
But a flat year needn’t mean doom and gloom – and the smarter firms will use harder times to optimise their internal workings.Those that do will emerge the other side of whatever economic crunch we may be facing a leaner,meaner organisation, which is ultimately a good thing.
Barring world war three, buildings and streets will still need cleaning.Naturally, those who can achieve it as efficiently as possible will thrive regardless of climate. Which means optimising every facet of business – from workforce, to accounts to product procurement.
Product manufacturers (and therefore a magazine which both serves and depends upon them) will argue that a downturn is the best time to invest in new,more efficient kit. Provided the correct equipment choice is made, and cost savings are genuine, (not just sales paraphernalia) the argument stands up. But specifiers will be more questioning than ever before.And rightly so.
The best way of sorting the wheat from the chaff is take a hands-on approach to procurement. Exhibitions such as Interclean, taking place next month (6-9 May, Amsterdam) are a great opportunity to do exactly that – and to meet suppliers face-to-face and work out with whom you feel most comfortable doing business.
Another way of saving money is to look at the increasing number of energy,water and chemical saving products coming to market.As well as saving money in the medium to long term, there are grants and loans available to those who invest in the most efficient products – just look at the government’s water and energy technology lists to see which products qualify. On that front, next issue we will be launching Green Cleaning, a new guide to sustainable cleaning and FM-related services which will cover the best in utility – and therefore money – saving equipment. Until then, best of luck with the internal spring cleaning.
Brendan Coyne
editor – Cleaning Matters
Tel: 01342 333711
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