Cleaning in the USA
IICRC Carpet Standards Revision Committee Meets in Virginia
The last official meeting of the committee was held in Williamsburg, VA immediately following the International Society of Cleaning Technicians (ISCT) Convention on July 15. Committee members had lengthy discussions on a number of topics that ranged from who should vacuum the carpet and what equipment should be used to whether the word “should” or “must” was the most appropriate term to use in various phrases of the standard. Everyone agreed that pre-cleaning vacuuming must be done and should be emphasized throughout the standard.
The committee discussed and then recommended recognizing and adding the “Mist and Scrub” method to the standard. Changes where suggested to wording related to how and where to clean area rugs. It was pretty much agreed that the standard should outline how carpet cleaning should be done under ideal conditions, yet allow technicians some discretion, depending on the specific circumstances of each job.
The standard now goes to a smaller editing committee and then a technical writer for final editing and proofing with a goal of having the revised standard presented and accepted at the October 15, IICRC Board Meeting in Portland OR.
IICRC Completes Carpet Testing Protocol Study
After much delay and about as much controversy, Professional Testing Labs in Dalton, GA has completed the testing protocol study that it began for the IICRC some four years ago under the direction on Tom Hill.
The purpose of this initial study was not to test actual cleaning processes against one another, but to establish a standardized testing protocol that could be used in the future to evaluate and test the efficiency of various cleaning methods, equipment and chemicals.
Now that a testing process has been developed, carpet, chemical and equipment manufacturers and others can submit products for testing to determine how much soil is removed, how much residue remains, and other factors.
According to Lloyd Cooper at Professional Testing Labs, the lab has been inundated with requests for cleaning related tests. Cooper said, “We have seen at least a 200% increase in this type of business over the last couple of years.”
ISCT Show held in Williamsburg, Virginia
The International Society of Cleaning Technicians (ISCT) held it’s annual convention in Williamsburg, VA on July 12 to 15. I sat through a number of the presentations and found them to be quite informative. A panel of magazine publishers talked about the value and future of the Internet and how it is changing the way cleaning contractors do business today.
Other presentations dealt with mold remediation issues and advances in water damage training and technology.
The 2002 ISCT Convention and Trade Show will be held July 23-27 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach, FL. For info visit: www.isct.org or call 1-800-949-4728.
ISSA Show In Orlando, FL October 15 to 19
Don’t miss it. It’s the biggest and best cleaning show in the U.S.A. and maybe the world. It’s where the movers and shakers gather to talk business and see where the industry is headed. If you don’t attend for whatever reason, you’re the one who misses out. The show is now open to end-users so you can expect an extra 3000 to 5000 attendees this year in Orlando.
Some great seminars are on tap for both sanitary suppliers and end users. If you’re interested in Exporting to Europe, Mark Armitage and a panel of experts will cover the subject in detail. Following the show, I will be conducting a two-day Certified Floor Care Technician Seminar (FCT). For information on the ISSA show call 1-800-225-4772 or visit: www.issa.com and for information on the FCT course call 206-682-9748 or visit www.cleaningconsultants.com
Great BOMA Presentation
One of the best presentations at this year’s BOMA Convention was the Wednesday Morning General Session presentation by Mike Abrashoff, Commander of the Navy’s USS Benfold. Abrashoff told many personal stories of how his crew overcame obstacles and learned together, to be the top rated ship in the Navy. This guy is worth going out of your way to hear speak. My only disappointment is that BOMA did not record the presentation so I could see and hear Abrashoff again and share his message of triumph with others who were unable to attend the convention.
The USS Benfold is a $1 billion warship. One of the Navy’s most modern and lethal fighting machines, complete with missiles, advanced radar systems and 300 highly trained sailors. Here are some of Abrashoff’s thoughts and tips on building and running what he calls a successful grass roots organization:
– The fight of the 21st century is to attract and keep the best employees – today everyone has options.
– You must change attitudes and behavior.
– You must play with unity for the good of the organization.
– Lead by example and others will follow.
– An organization needs a compelling vision that people can believe in.
– Create a climate that people will feel comfortable in raising their hand.
– Find out what peoples goals are at work and for their life.
– A good leader will tear down barriers, obstacles and boxes.
– Do the right thing.
– Training is the oxygen of the organization.
– Change what you hate about an organization.
– Create the glue that holds the organization together.
– 65% of the time when people leave an organization, it’s not the company but the manager they are leaving.
– Every employer commands his own ship.
– Be unlike any other ship you have ever seen.
– Every person is authorized to step up to the plate; most don’t have the confidence to do it.
– Create the environment. Become a WOW organization.
– Are you playing to win, to be the best or simply walking the upper deck?
– When you leave, will it be to tears or cheers?
– I divide the world into believers and infidels. What the infidels don’t understand – and they far out number the believers – is that innovative practices combined with true empowerment produces phenomenal results.
– The most important thing a Captain can do is seeing his ship through the eyes of his crew.
– Don’t just take command – communicate purpose. It isn’t just a matter of training and discipline. It’s a matter of knowing who each person is and where they are coming from – and linking that knowledge to the organizations purpose.
– The best Captains hand out responsibility – not orders. If all you do is give orders, then you’ll get order takers. What we need are decision-makers, people who don’t just sleep walk though the manual. That means we have to allow space for mistakes and learning to take place.
For more information on Mike Abrashoff or to find out where he will be speaking, call 1-866-475-3237 or visit www.grassrootsleadership.com
Laminate Maintenance Procedures
If you ask laminate manufacturers, no maintenance or restoration is ever required (What a bunch of BS!). If you look at these floor covering materials, you know that they scratch, scuff, dull and ding (The reality). Several companies now make topical treatments that can be applied to these surfaces to repair the dings and restore the shine. If you’d like more information, send me an email or give me a call and I’ll send you a copy of a handout from a recent presentation I made on the subject at the Advanced Flooring Specialists Inspector’s Symposium in Dalton, GA.
