Grow With Human Capital

Episode 128

Building a reliable human capital pipeline starts with pre-screening. When a client calls asking if you have available staff for a new facility, it’s flattering. But it’s also a pressure test. Recently, one of our cleaning-clients approached us. This was the scenario:

• Business is growing
• They’re expanding into a larger facility
• They wanted to know if we could scale our team to support their growth

If THAT doesn’t put a smile on your face as the owner of a commercial cleaning company, it’s time to check your pulse! This is a question! And it cuts to the heart of a fundamental truth in this industry. You can’t grow without people. And there is a real cost for good employees.

This is where many companies get stuck

Most commercial cleaning companies scramble when they need someone tomorrow because they’ve never built the pipeline. We’ve all been there. A no-call, no-show happens. Someone quits unexpectedly, and now you’re in crisis mode. The cleaning industry especially moves fast. People are transient. Positions open up constantly. So how do you stay ahead of staff call offs?

The answer isn’t complicated, but it requires intentionality. Build your human capital before you need it.

Where does human capital come from?

Good people usually know other good people. That’s why our first source of talent is almost always our own team. When someone’s already working for you and enjoying the experience, they become your best recruiters. They talk about the job at home. Their relatives, friends, spouses. For good or bad, these are the people your staff already have credibility built with. Referrals from current staff are paramount.

But that’s just the beginning. I encourage you to be observant about people around you. Maybe you’re in a building with other cleaning companies. You notice someone working incredibly hard, clearly frustrated by poor equipment or resources. This front line cleaner is giving it their all, despite the circumstances. Approach them. Hand them a business card. That conversation could change everything for them, and you.

We also reach out proactively to industries with similar labor needs. Among these are restaurants, quick-serve establishments and hospitality. These environments produce people with strong work ethics and customer-facing skills that transfer directly to the cleaning world.

Building Community Connections

This one can super-charge your human-capital-pipeline. We partner with organizations like Rochester Works, which connects people actively seeking opportunities in the cleaning industry. We work with organizations supporting refugees who’ve relocated from war-torn countries. These people often come in with a highly-motivated work ethic and need to build a work history before practicing their previous professions. Surprisingly, many were doctors, nurses, accountants in their home countries.

We also work with programs supporting people who’ve overcome addiction. These individuals have gone through recovery, and are rebuilding their lives. For these prospective team members, we maintain relationships with local churches. These are often connected to families in their communities. That helps them to be aware of who could use employment opportunities to create wealth and stability for their households.

The common thread? These aren’t faceless recruitment channels. They’re partnerships with real community organizations that understand the people we’re connecting with. I sincerely believe that level of connection matters.

Interviewing for Human Capital Never Stops

Once you’ve built these streams, there are 3 consistent steps that follow:

• You interview candidates consistently
• You do training sessions consistently
• You run background checks consistently

The goal of performing these steps as part of YOUR routine is simple and powerful. Your professionalism propels your growth out chaos. When a company calls needing help tomorrow, you don’t have to feel like the walls are closing in on you. You’re not Googling for a lifeline. You’re calling someone from your ready roster. And that someone is already vetted, trained, and expecting that call.

I realize nobody sits around for three months waiting for a phone to ring. They’ll find other work. But because this industry is so transient, there are always opportunities. By continuously building your pipeline, you’re never caught completely flat-footed.

The Real Advantage of Maintaining Human Capital

Having a client who reaches out before they’re desperate. That not just a client-call. That’s a declaration of trust! Your planning ahead side-steps a crisis. Instead of waiting until your client is in crisis, you took action first. Proving your readiness provides a track record and that’s what trust looks like.

Contact Me For Business Growth

The commercial cleaning field is likely to remain challenging. But that means it’s challenging for everyone. That includes your clients AND your competition. Contact me here and together, we’ll help you develop the ability to respond with available staff? That’s what a deliberate human capital strategy looks like.

This Week’s Podcast transcript can be downloaded here for free.