Time to start smart thinking
April 1st 2009 OCS is offering 'a quantum leap in contract cleaning' which promises better working
conditions for staff as well as enhanced service delivery, efficiency savings and
reduction in environmental impact
While technology has radically transformed the workplace
over the last century, cleaning practices have barely
evolved. The traditional view of cleaning is one of low paid
unskilled staff working in isolation with high levels of staff
absenteeism and 'churn' and various new systems have done little to
change this.Now OCS is delivering its vision for the industry through
its CleanSmart system, introduced exclusively by the company to the
UK market.
CleanSmart discards traditional techniques in favour of the proven
principles of lean engineering to ensure the most effective use of
resources.After a comprehensive site assessment, the planning team
disseminates and analyses site data and, using specialised software,
minimises the net linear distance travelled by each operative to
reduce the potential for wasted time. Once an optimum productivity
plan is established, a schedule is created which takes into account
natural variances in productivity and is carefully designed for staff to
carry out their tasks in a controlled and co-ordinated system.
However, the system is not just about methodology, comprehensive
training is vital to its successful implementation.
"Each site has its bespoke operational manual,"explains Jon
Lightowler, CleanSmart divisional director," and a comprehensive staff
training plan is developed around this.
"As it is an entirely new methodology, comprehensive training is
essential to impart the required knowledge and ensure the necessary
levels of practical ability. We believe that an innovative cleaning
system requires an equally innovative approach to training and as
our industry so often fails to invest in training its managers,we've
created The CleanSmart Academy."
Knowledge is power
CleanSmart supervisors and managers attend the Academy and work
from 'practitioner'grade, which provides the necessary basic training
for CleanSmart operatives, through to the highest level where
successful completion of the training leads to 'engineer' status.
Supervisors and managers then pass on their acquired knowledge to
cleaning staff and manage the implementation process on-site.
"The CleanSmart training gives complete clarity and
each member of the team has a precise knowledge of
their own role and exactly what to expect from their
colleagues," says Lightowler. "Staff are responsible for
an area and work within a predicted time to perform
each task to the highest standard.The staff become
'self-policing' and continuous improvement in
performance is clear.The system encourages a healthy
element of competition and cooperative working and
this, in turn, fosters high levels of staff morale."
Satisfied customers praise the system, not only for
cost savings, improved standards and the reduction of
the carbon footprint that CleanSmart brings to their
buildings, but also for the team spirit evident among
their cleaning staff. At Vodafone's Newbury HQ where
the system has been in place for 3 years, business
support manager Rob Hubbard says,"CleanSmart is
radically different and offers so much more to the
client – cost savings, better morale for the staff – there
are smiles on their faces. Our staff turnover has
reduced to the point where now we have a waiting list
for cleaning personnel."
"It's all about working smarter, not harder,"
concludes Jon Lightowler, "and for Vodafone, the
results have been
obvious." More articles from OCS Group UK Ltd: | 
