A Message from Rene Brunal, VP, Operations
Weekly Message From Our VP Of Operations: Big Kudos To Everyone, What a Great Team!
Weekly Message From Our VP Of Operations: Leading Our Team Through Challenging Times
A Message from Rene Brunal, VP, Operations
Special Announcement Regarding COVID-19
Please be advised that the Department of Homeland Security has identified Building Service Personnel as “Essential Critical Infrastructure” in its recent guidance as it relates to COVID-19.
Accordingly, we are 100% operational and continue to support our clients in an effort to help them to maintain the clean & safe operation of their properties.
In the event that you need to discuss a specific plan for your property, please contact us via e-mail at clientservices@cleanoffice.com!
Thanks and Be Safe!
We are all in this Together!
Cutting the Cord...On Vacuums!
A little more than a decade ago, the cleaning industry was liberated by the introduction of back-pack vacuums.
Instantly cleaning professionals gained the freedom of being able to move throughout their jobsites without pushing a vacuum.
In addition, they now had the ability to access tight, hard to reach spaces via light-weight “wands” that were basically extension poles with suction.
But there was one catch…that darn cord!
Cleaning productivity was always hampered by many of the following:
Where to find the closest “open” outlet?
Cords wrapping around feet and presenting “trip” hazards to others in the property
Cords tethering the cleaner and limiting the ability to reach long distances
Cords wrapping around wall-corners and damaging the drywall, or leaving marks on the corners
In conclusion, the new back-pack vacuums were a step in the right direction, but not a complete game-changer!
As we enter 2020, we are officially “Cutting the Cord” and going Cordless!
Technological advances by industry leaders such Hoover, Karcher, ProTeam and others have truly “Changed the Game” by introducing user-friendly battery powered equipment for our cleaning professionals.
This hasn’t happened overnight, and there have been some false-starts with some issues related to: Weight, Performance & Run-time.
However, with the most recent releases, cordless is now a reality and we are in the process of deploying these units to jobsites with a high-volume of square footage and/or a high-volume of day-time cleaning activities.
In fact, time & tasks studies by independent research shows a significant productive increase over conventional “corded” equipment.
Why is this important? As front-line labor wages move to $15-$20 per hour over the new few years, it will be absolutely necessary to ensure that all work is performed in the most efficient method possible. Higher productivity = Less Labor = Increase Cost Effectiveness!
Our mission at CleanOffice / PorterPlus is to be on the front-end of industry trends.
If you have any questions or interest in implemented cordless-technology at your location, we are happy to assist!
Employees Love a Clean Work Environment
The national turnover rate across all reported industries in 2018 was 44.3%. According to The Realtime Report, this is a 5 percent increase since 2014. But, a positive work environment can boost productivity and keep the turnover rate down. Here are a few things that can help make sure a workspace is working for a business instead of against it.
Keep It Clean. Nobody wants to stay in a dirty environment for eight or more hours of their day. Keeping a clean space can help to keep a lot of employees happy. Keep cleaning staff on site throughout the day, which will make maintaining the environment easier. For specialty tasks, hire professionals for some deep office cleaning when needed.
Try a Nontraditional office setup. The days when cubicles encouraged productivity are gone. Revamping the physical work environment to best fit the productivity needs of the people working can reap immediate rewards. Try a more open space with shareable desks and different seating options.
Let the Light shine in. Sluggish employees may be suffering from lack of light throughout the day. Studies have shown that natural light has multiple benefits, including preventing depression by boosting vitamin D storage and promoting an increase in productivity levels.
According to CleanLink reports on a 2018 survey on employee satisfaction, cleanliness is a key factor. The survey found a significant majority of the respondents identified safety and hygiene (94%) and organization of work environments (93%) as main components of their happiness on the job.
In addition, according to the study, 9 of of 10 manufacturing employees believe quality on-the-job tools, such as cleaning products, impact their productivity (90%) along with their happiness.
CleanOffice / PorterPlus Moves into New Headquarters
On March, 25, 2019 CleanOffice / PorterPlus completed our relocation and opened the doors to our new Headquarters/Main Office in Herndon, Virginia.
This new location will support all corporate departments and staff, and will also include a collaborative work-station that will allow our field managers a plug-and-play hub to conduct their business.
Our new office building in Herndon, Va.
This new office is strategically located near the intersection of the Fairfax County Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road. The Reston Town Center is within a five minute drive and the new Monroe Station Metro Rail stop is literally across the street.
Per Heather Parker, Director of Client Services, who has been with the company for 11+ years, “I’m so excited for this new chapter in our journey that truly reflects our growth and continued stability and success of our organization. This new location not only gives our office staff a better work environment, but it also moves us closer to our clients which will only improve our ability to serve and support them daily.”
We look forward to this exciting move, and welcome visits from our clients, field employees and contracting partners.
Introducing our CleanOffice/PorterPlus Referral Program
Our clients are our greatest advocates!
We truly appreciate your support and want to reward you for providing us with the opportunity to share our services with your peers and associates.
Here's how you can help...It's pretty simple:
- Email Brad@cleanoffice.com or Heather@cleanoffice.com with contact information for someone that could benefit from our services.
- If we prepare a proposal for services at one of their properties, then YOU will receive a $25 gift card to either Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or Chik-fil-A (your choice)
AND ...If they become a new CleanOffice/PorterPlus client you will receive a gift card in the amount of $100 to Best Buy!
Spring Clean Checklist!
Spring forward into a cleaner office and you could boost your productivity and peformance at work. Since less clutter means less choas, a tidy workspace can help improve your focus and provide a better picture of you and your work habits.
We've compiled a complete but doable spring cleaning checklist for you. Take one lunch hour off this week to complete. You will feel lighter, more organized and refreshed!
- Clean Your Computer - Inside and Out! Next to your cell phone, your computer is probably the dirtiest thing in your cubicle, full of nasty bacteria that can be a health hazard. Use wipes specifically designed for monitors to remove germs and fingerprints and a compression air can to remove debris from in between keys. After cleaning the hardware, start on the internal elements. Create folders and sort items. Delete unnecessary files or back up to cloud storage or an external hard drive.
- Dump Your Drawers - The best way to clean out desk drawers is to start from scratch. Emptying everything, sorting through it and putting back only the essentials. Use drawer organizers for necessities such as pens, tape, paper clips and staples.
- Organize Paper - Clear off those paper piles on your desk. File them either electronically or with labels and store away. File anything outdated and recycle anything not useful.
- Add Some Extras - Having personal items such as photos, green plants will make your space more cheerful without sacrificing proficiency. Keep it to a minimum though. You don't want more clutter!
CleanOffice Recognized in 2017 WBJ Book of Lists
In 2017, CleanOffice was ranked #5, and was included on the Top 10 Listing for the 9th consecutive year.
CleanOffice president Greg Buchner attended the event and had the following remarks:
“This was a first-class event that recognized some of the most recognizable and reputable companies in the DC Metro Area. We are honored to be part of this group, and look forward to returning next year!”
Employee of the Month Announced
We are proud to announce that Nelson Bolanos has been named Employee of the Month for December, 2017. Nelson is an instrumental team player on our daily Operations Team in the Roving Porter Position. He has gained the trust of the managers and clients via hard work, professionalism and eagerness to constantly improve and learn something new He always takes on any task given to him with no hesitation. We thank Nelson for his excellent work.
