Looking for quality results from your cleaning programme?
April 1st 2004 Dave Pinder of The Butcher Company explains that training and education can make all the difference
As most Cleaning Managers well know, achieving the ultimate in cleaning results is not as easy as it might appear. There is in fact far more to it than merely buying the latest product or piece of equipment, showing your operatives how to use it and then sitting back waiting for the shiny floors, hygienic washrooms and amazing cost savings.
No. Its vitally important to really look at your products and equipment. Are they actually the best for the task? And are your operatives trained in how to use them to the best advantage?
At the Butcher Company, were totally committed to both training and ensuring that the right products are used for their specific tasks. We believe its vital to put ourselves in our customers shoes, familiarise ourselves with their requirements, their premises, their operatives and their supervisors. After all if the operatives feel confident and comfortable with any new cleaning system, theyre more likely to accept it, adopt it and really make it work. That means the new floorcare system does what its supposed to do provide minimum maintenance, good looking, easy to clean, slip resistant floors. And the new washroom programme will provide hygienically clean, odour and limescale free washrooms.
The first task is to select the right products. Yes, product rationalisation is important to reduce costs, administration, storage. Yes, cleaning managers have budgetary restraints, are sometimes compelled to purchase through one source or maybe simply unaware of the availability of speciality products for particular needs. But sometimes the one product does all simply doesnt work. Will your basic washroom product, supposedly formulated to eliminate odours, actually get rid of those unpleasant smells? Will it remove the waterscale build up around the taps? No. Youll need a special enzyme eating product if you want an odour free washroom and a speciality product to rid your basins, urinals, toilets of limescale.
Many Cleaning Managers use a neutral cleaner on their hard floors. But after a period of time, how do the floors look? Tired, stained, scuffed, lacking in shine or gloss? Why? Because they were using the wrong product. Had they selected a maintainer with polymers which restore and replace the floors natural goodness, they would have an aesthetically pleasing, long lasting non slip floor requiring minimal maintenance.
And what about the equipment needed to do the job properly? Are operatives provided with Kentucky mopping units? Or are they still using little dolly mops? Are the burnishing machines the correct speed for the products selected?
So the products and equipment have been selected. And now its time to look at training your teams. Never skimp on training is the Butchers recommendation to all cleaning managers. Not only does a well trained efficient workforce mean a job well done the first time but it also means reduced staff turnover if they feel equipped, comfortable and confident to handle their daily cleaning programmes.
Training must be targeted correctly. Unlike children who absorb information like a sponge, adults are more likely to learn in a hands on situation and benefit from sharing their experiences.
Remember too, that repetition is important. And the more senses and/or mediums involved i.e. videos, hands-on, reference books all contribute towards retention.
Always select need to know information rather than nice to know. Too much information and half is lost. For example, operatives need to know how to switch on the burnisher but they dont need to know how to change the plug.
Make sure training is geared to the skill levels and understanding of the trainees. How good is their English? Can they read instructions? Make it stimulating, interesting, relevant, interactive and fun. The more enjoyable, the more effective training becomes. Try and make even the most boring tasks, fun!
At The Butcher Company, weve implemented our own patented training method which is proving extremely successful. Tell, Show, Do, Review incorporates all the principles mentioned above. Its varied, absorbing, colourfully presented, easy to understand and follow and includes hands-on.
A typical Butchers training day starts with Tell when operatives are given a presentation of how to implement the Butchers floorcare programme. Show takes place in another training area where operatives watch a live demonstration after which its time for Do. This encompasses the complete cleaning operation from taking the equipment out of the cupboard to putting it back. Monitored carefully, each operative practices doing the real work, is stopped and shown again if they get it wronguntil they get it right.
Back to the classroom for Review, a chat about the advantages and disadvantages of what theyve just learnt and an opportunity for the trainer to spot whether or not the operatives have got it, are ready for work or whether they might need more help.
If you need advice on selecting the best products for your building or learning more about implementing an effective training programme, then call
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