What Should Office Managers Look for in a Cleaning Company?

Office managers play a critical role in maintaining a clean and healthy work environment. When seeking to engage the services of a cleaning company, they should consider several crucial factors to ensure the workspace remains pristine. We’ve created a comprehensive guide, delving into what office managers should look for in a cleaning company.

1. Reputation and Reliability

Reputation stands as a cornerstone. A cleaning company’s reputation can often be gauged through online reviews, testimonials, and references. Reliability is crucial; consistency in the service the cleaning company delivers and its ability to adhere to schedules should be non-negotiable if office cleanliness is to be maintained.

2. Experience and Expertise

Experience and expertise speak volumes. A company with substantial experience in commercial cleaning is likely to have encountered various challenges and developed effective strategies to tackle them. Consider their specialisation in office cleaning to ensure they’re capable in the specific needs of different businesses.

3. Services Offered

Different offices may require different cleaning methods. Look for a company that offers a comprehensive range of services that align with the office’s requirements. This might include dusting, vacuuming, sanitising, rubbish removal, carpet cleaning, and possibly more specialised services for specific industries.

4. Cleaning Products and Techniques

Eco-friendly and safe cleaning products are increasingly a priority for many offices. Enquire about the cleaning products and techniques used by the company. Ensuring they comply with environmental standards and are safe for the office environment and its occupants is crucial.

5. Customisation and Flexibility

A one-size-fits-all approach might not be suitable for all offices. Seek a company that is flexible and willing to tailor their services to meet the specific needs of your office. They should be open to amending their cleaning schedule, tasks, and approaches according to your requirements.

6. Staff Training and Certification

The cleaning company’s staff should be well-trained, certified, and knowledgeable about the latest cleaning techniques and safety protocols. This is crucial not only for effective cleaning but also for ensuring the safety of the office premises and its occupants.

7. Insurance and Compliance

The company should have comprehensive insurance coverage to protect against any damages or accidents that may occur during the cleaning process. Compliance with industry standards and regulations is also essential to ensure a professional and legally sound service.

8. Communication and Accountability

A transparent and open line of communication is vital. The company should have a clear system for addressing concerns, feedback, and emergencies. Additionally, they should be accountable for their services, addressing any issues promptly and efficiently.

9. Cost and Value

While cost is a factor, it’s prudent to consider the value provided for the price. A balance between quality and affordability is essential. Compare quotes and services offered by different cleaning companies to find the best fit for the office’s budget and needs.

10. Long-Term Partnership Potential

Longevity is key when looking for a reliable and professional contractor. Seek a cleaning company that aims for long-term partnerships. Establishing a strong working relationship ensures consistency and reliability in service, enhancing the sense of trust and understanding between the office and the cleaning company.

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The choice of a cleaning company significantly impacts the overall ambiance, hygiene, and functionality of an office space. Office managers should conduct thorough research and assessments to find a cleaning company that will fit in with the office’s unique requirements, making a clean, safe, and welcoming work environment for employees and visitors alike.

At Brightr, we understand that we have an obligation to fulfil the agreement made with our customers to the best of our ability. We believe that the delivery of our office cleaning services should be so transparent that you can see that we have fulfilled this obligation.

We are systematic in our approach to your site and the basis of our service is the site survey and specification. Then we always follow certain principles:

  • Recruitment of diligent, reliable, trustworthy cleaners
  • We always take 2 references as a minimum
  • Vetting if appropriate to the site
  • All cleaners are uniformed and have a name badge
  • Thorough training in materials and methods
  • Regular supervision of our cleaners
  • Building security routines

Commercial cleaning is a people business, and it is only by very carefully recruiting and training the right people, with the right supervision, that the job will get done. We believe good people and good systems deliver the right culture. Get in touch with us for a no obligation quote.

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Chria Savage
What’s your role here, and what does a typical day look like?

I’m the Managing Director. I worked for large corporates and a consultancy for 10 years after university. So I would say my strengths lie in a combination of big company processes whilst being realistic about what you can (or need to) achieve as an SME. I Think we hit a good mix. My day is a mix of strategic planning, problem-solving, and making sure everything runs smoothly. I remind myself and everybody else that we are a cleaning and facilities company and that’s what is important to our customers. It’s easy to forget that with all the noise around business these days.

The managers in the office who are my friends. And a lot of the customers who I could say the same thing about- but I guess you would have to ask them.

Our reputation

Responsive, honest, happy

Smooth out and automate the back-end processes as much as you can. Then focus on service delivery. And try very hard to employ the best people. Most important.

Well- so much. Increasing the scope of facilities service offering: it constantly expands, I was looking at drone window cleaning the other day. Also, the facilities market is consolidating and that creates a great opportunity for a family run SME.

It’s all about the music for me really! I was lucky with timing in that there were some great bands about in the 80’s and 90’s, many of which I saw live. These days you’re as likely to find me at the CBSO or the Proms but I’m always on the lookout for a new guitar band. We submit our annual top 5 on the family whatsapp group every Christmas and I try to stay relevant!

Timetravel…I’d like to meet some historical characters. There are so many, but Shakespeare would be interesting to me. What on earth was he like?

Time with my family. Reading and listening to music. I’ve played a lot of sport but it’s all creaking a bit now, so I love walking with my dog, Scout. He’s a lot fitter than me.

Cornwall. It’s always a good idea

I was a warehouse porter in the school/uni holidays at a distribution centre in Hinkley. Pre automation, it was a good workout, put it that way

💗🎸😂

Shanika and cat
What’s your role here, and what does a typical day look like?

I’m the Account Manager, responsible for everything client related, from onboarding new clients and managing ongoing relationships to overseeing communication between clients and our operations team. I also plan and strategies with the operations team on client meetings, audits, cleaner communication, site supplies, and recruitment. My day is a mix of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and making sure every process runs smoothly.

The variety, no two days are ever the same. I love how my role combines account management with real operational impact, and how we’re always improving systems to deliver better service.

I initially joined Brightr as a Marketing Executive and helped improve our Google visibility and brand recognition across Northamptonshire. Through that journey, I also secured my Skilled Worker Visa with Brightr in 2019 and I’ve been part of the team ever since.

Supportive, hardworking, evolving.

Stay curious and organised, you’ll wear many hats, but that’s what makes it rewarding. Learn the operations side early; it’s key to understanding how to communicate and manage effectively and always respond to client as fast as you can!

Seeing Brightr grow into new sectors while embedding sustainability and quality as our core strengths. We’re becoming a company that truly leads by example. What makes us different is that we genuinely care about our clients’ needs and respond quickly to any matters that arise.

I’m Sri Lankan, but I grew up in India before moving to the UK to complete my MBA and I started working here as a Part Time Marking Executive in 2016. This also means that I can speak three languages, which I am very proud of.

Teleportation, so I could visit every client site without the travel time and instantly teleport back to the office.

I love travelling and exploring different cultures and food apart from that I love spending time with my cat Lucky, pottery, journaling, meditation, and morning walks.

Iceland, it’s been on my list for a while now to see the Northern Lights.

A retail assistant at a small shop in Northampton in 2015 while studying, it taught me the importance of good communication and great customer service early and helped me build my confidence.

💫🧠☕

Michele Savage
What’s your role here, and what does a typical day look like?

HR, payroll, accounts.  Dealing with cleaners takes up a lot of time.

Its mine

Project managing the merger of two banks when I worked in the city.

Friendly, supportive, direct.

Ask an expert when needed.

Growing to a size whereby we have economies of scale to put in more resources and robust systems.

I was Essex Trampolining champion and was part of the England program.

To bend peoples minds to my will.

Coach Netball and walk my dogs.

Vietnam

Shanghai Commercial Bank

Happy face, sporty emoji and an animal.

Chris Taylor and family

This is the first of our meet the team profiles, and Chris is our new Sales and Marketing person and has been around Brightr for a long time as sales person to us. Then after years of being a trusted advisor, we felt Chris would be the right man to come and help us move Brightr forward commercially, and we look forward to him having a long and successful impact here with us. Now for the questions…

What’s your role here, and what does a typical day look like?

It’s a very new role for me, but I’m in charge of Sales and Marketing Brightr, so my day will either be full of current customers and prospects and then finding more of them!

The business has a great family feel, and lots of potential, so I’m hoping I can bed in nicely and get the results we all want!

I love winning business against the odds, and have done that lots of times in my career but I’m proud of every one of those times! For Example, one Tuesday night not long ago, a prospect said she was going with a competitor due to price, I was polite and modest with the rejection, and just said any issues let me know and I’ll see how close I can get. She signed on the Wednesday morning.

Efficient, Hard-Working & Close-Knit…but I may think of better words once I’m here a bit longer!

From a sales PoV, work hard, being politely persistent and showing you can be trusted is golden, saying “No” to someone who want’s to buy because you’re not the right fit, is perfectly fine, and it will do you both a favour in the long run. In Marketing terms, always be learning and always be trying!

I think the business is in such a great place the future could be anything at all, and the uncertainty around what route we should take is amazing!

I know the phone number they sing, in the song “Kiss me through the phone” and will never forget it! 678-999-8212

The ability to make everyone say “Yes” to me

I love making my wife and children laugh

Australia, never been and always wanted to, seem to get the feeling I wouldn’t come back!

The first role I got paid for, was picking up the skittles at my rugby club on Friday nights for £10 and free reign of the buffet, my first actual job was in AllSports just before it closed (it wasn’t my fault!)

Hilarious, Intelligent and Short!