Straight Talk – an ISSA Podcast (ISSA)

John Downey calls himself a "formerly important person" but he is far from hanging up his hat and retiring. The founder of Cleanfax is busy with his work as the executive director of CIRI, the Cleaning Industry Research Institute. In this special on-location interview, Downey discusses his work and what he is doing to help promote the value of cleaning.

Employers want to pay their workers a wage that is competitive and provides them with a decent quality of life for working families. The solution to this can be implementing a “living wage” program. Chris Arlen teams up with Michelle Murray from Living Wage for US, a non-profit organization that helps employers navigate the nuances of a living wage program. 

Joe Lepore is the founder and chairman and Domenico Lepore is the general manager of LCS Facility Group, serving clients across the United States. They have grown their company into a success story by tapping into and utilizing the benefits of ISSA. This is the story of their journey and how they are worthy of imitation.

Dr. Gavin Magregor-Skinner, a senior director with GBAC, a division of ISSA, has been following emerging studies that impact what we know about infectious diseases and transmission of them, and how we can best protect ourselves. In this GBAC industry alert, he describes three studies and concentrates on breaking news regarding the Javits Center, a GBAC STAR accredited facility. 

Russ Kendzior is the founder and chairman of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) and knows there are no winners in litigation that is estimated at approximately $150 billion annually. 

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Kendzior describes the state of the industry regarding floor safety, slips, trips, and falls, and how both ISSA and NFSI can team up to bring awareness of important issues.

Steve Ashkin is the founder of The Ashkin Group and the father of green cleaning. One day he cherishes in his mission is Earth Day, held every April 22. Earth Day is a way for everyone to celebrate protecting the environment. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Ashkin discusses what the cleaning industry can do to showcase what industry professionals are doing for their facilities to reduce environmental impacts and protect health.

In this episode of BioTalk, a GBACtv production, learn how the cleaning industry can respond to an increased risk of indoor air contamination and how building sciences is identifying critical issues and addressing them. John Cordier, Epistemix CEO, and University of Colorado's College of Engineering’s Mark Hernandez share thought-provoking solutions for improving indoor air quality while addressing cleaning and contamination issues.

Anyone who works with floor maintenance and cleaning wants the absolute best appearance, and for some floors, that’s to create what we call “the wet look” or shiny finish. When you achieve that, you are pretty pleased and proud of yourself or your crew. Besides the appearance, there’s more to consider. Russ Kendzior, chairman and founder of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), explains real-world scenarios that highlight the litigation that can emerge from a simple spill.

Mike Sawchuk is a business coach and uses his expertise to help business owners and facility managers in the cleaning industry to succeed. This special edition of Straight Talk! is in partnership with his article "Effectively Tackling Workforce Challenges" in the March/April 2022 issue of ISSA Today, which is to be published the third week of March. 

A new version of the omicron variant is starting to get the attention of scientists, health professionals, and the cleaning industry. Known as "BA.2" or the "stealth" strain, there are concerns about this genetic mutation and how it may become a health issue especially with certain demographics.

In this episode of GBACtv's BioTalk, hear from Patty Olinger,  GBAC executive director, and John Cordier, CEO and co-founder of Epistemix, on what you need to know right now as information emerges on this variant.

As a disaster restoration contractor, you need tools to get the job done quick, efficiently, and profitably. Some may not be keeping up with available technologies in restoration. Some are. And the ones who are keeping up are winning in a competitive marketplace. In this episode of Straight Talk!, industry veteran Josh Bachman, a business development advisor with Violand Management Associates, shares some thoughts on what all restoration business leaders need to do.

Clean Advocacy Summit, part of National Cleaning Week, was a success, if you ask any who were involved with the event. In this episode of Straight Talk!, John Nothdurft, the director of government affairs with ISSA, explains how advocacy efforts brought some 60 ISSA members to the political battlefield known as Washington, D.C., and how took advantage of networking and presenting ideas and thoughts to lawmakers, politicians, business leaders, and more.

Russ Kendzior is the chairman and founder of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) and is called to be an expert witness for legal issues, for both plaintiffs and defendants. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he outlines what those involved in litigation should know and offers three solid tips that building service contractors can embrace to stay out of the courtroom.

Mike Atkins is the assistant vice president of facility management services with SOAR365. The facility services company, an ISSA member organization, partners with families and creates life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities, tapping into a labor pool willing to work... and work hard.

In this ISSA Impact interview, learn how SOAR365 has evolved and found success, and has tapped into the resources offered by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association.

Fleas are a nuisance, but they do more than itch. They can cause all types of issues beyond discomfort and can quickly invade and infest a home or even a commercial facility.
 
In this episode sponsored by ARCSI, a division of ISSA, urban and medical entomologist Jennifer Gordon shares her thoughts on what the cleaning industry and others need to know about the flea, what it eats, how it infests structures, what it means for public health, and what can be done to eradicate a flea infestation.  

Daigle Cleaning Systems, based in Albany, NY, is an ISSA member company and takes advantage of ISSA programs, such as the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification. The company offers virtually every type of cleaning service, such as home maid services, post-construction cleaning, pressure washing, office cleaning, carpet cleaning, water damage restoration, and more.

Derek Foster is the president and CEO, and in this ISSA Impact feature of Straight Talk!, he discusses what his company is doing to compete and to grow in a competitive marketplace.

Are all cleaning products the same? Are they better than conventional cleaning products? And can you find "good" green cleaning products manufactured by "bad" companies?

Stephen P. Ashkin is the founder of The Ashkin Group, and has strong feelings for the cleaning industry and especially when it comes to corporate responsibility. Whether it is specific products being used, the labor force tapped to create the products or use them in the service sector, Ashkin wants the green pathway to be paved responsibly. 

Mosquitoes are a pest that can be both an irritant but also a source of disease. There are many details and misunderstandings about this type of insect.
 
In this episode of Straight Talk!, urban and medical entomologist Jennifer Gordon digs into the details about the mosquito, how it lives, what it eats, how it affects people, and more.

David Kahle is a noted and in-demand keynote speaker, author, and expert business coach who concentrates his efforts on helping wholesale distribution companies to succeed. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he offers several solutions that can help any organization involved in sales, but especially those in distribution.

Russ Kendzior is the founder and chairman of NFSI, and in this episode of Straight Talk! he discusses the testing methods and protocols the industry uses to see just how slippery and how potentially dangerous a floor may be. Surprisingly, he discloses that some want to put their head in the sand and not know how potentially dangerous their floors are, and some want to hide the data if it comes back negative.

Some may balk at paying more for workers, as BSCs try to stay competitive, but the living wage program is alive and well in many industries, and has value that is hard to ignore.
Learn how to work a living wage program into your proposals, how to identify potential clients that are a good fit with this type of program, and other critical details to make this program work for both the cleaning contractor and the clients it serves.

For this program, host ISSA Media Director Jeff Cross welcomes Biko Nagara, the chief program officer with Living Wage for US, along with New York Metro area Bravo! Building Services leaders' Karen Martinez, president, and Frank Wardzinski, chief operating officer. 

Robert Kravitz is the founder of AlturaSolutions Communications and is a recognized thought leader for the cleaning industry, a frequent author of articles and content for ISSA publications, and engages in working with clients to promote their products and services. 
In this episode of Straight Talk!, Kravitz describes what a thought leader is, how they specialize in a particular field or niche, the impact they have on an entire industry, their influence on trends and habits, and much more.

The majority of Americans say either they or someone in their immediate family have been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Cancer has no bias, and attacks anyone. How can the cleaning industry help when cancer attacks? That's where Cleaning for a Reason, an ISSA Charity program, comes into play. More than a thousand professional house cleaning companies have come together to help families who have been affected by cancer, offering free cleanings to them. 

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Alicia Scheel, the owner of Eco Cleaning Ohio, discusses how her company is involved in the Cleaning for a Reason program, what it means for her and her employees, and how much the cleaning industry can have a positive impact on those who need help the most.

As told by Debbie Sardone, the founder of Cleaning for a Reason, an ISSA Charity program, Tyler Perry is a comedian and actor she has never seen in a television show or movie, yet she loves him for his giving attitude. 

In this episode of Straight Talk!, learn how Tyler Perry paid off lay-a-ways for families in need and how Debbie focused in on how a giving attitude can be infectious. The story she shares is inspirational to anyone who wants to give to others.

With flooring, oil build-up can be an issue, creating slippery situations. Then, if claims are filed, insurance premiums go up. They rarely go down. Understanding what causes slippery floors and then working to avoid them is critical considering both protecting people along with the cost of litigation.

Russ Kendzior is the founder and the executive director of the National Floor Safety Institute (NSFI) and has been involved in more than 1,000 litigation claims in his 20+ years in the industry. In this segment of Straight Talk!, he outlines what it takes to control insurance premiums and, with some effort, even get insurance companies to lower premiums for companies and facilities.

The Consensus Group is an ISSA member organization, and it prides itself on being game changers in hygiene, health, hospitality, and happiness. As both Frank Laurentius (father) and Glenn Laurentius (son) describe their company in this edition of Straight Talk!, it is their mission to provide this and future generations a cleaner and healthier world. The entire Consensus Group team is behind the company mission.

Learn how the Consensus Group got its start, how the company has found its pathway to success, and what it plans for the future. As an added bonus, get a preview of some emerging innovation both Frank and Glenn are proud of. And along the way, ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has been part of this success story.

Some in political circles and in mainstream media say there are many signs that are indicating a possible recession. Some say it is coming. Regardless of how you feel or what your own prediction is, being ready for what may happen is smart. 

Core America is a consulting and technology firm that helps cleaning industry professionals and organizations achieve cleaner, healthier, and safer buildings. In part, Core America provides a state of readiness, being prepared for what is coming in the near future and beyond. 

Anthony Maione is the president, and Tony Maione is the founder of Core America. Together, they join Jeff Cross, the media director for ISSA, in this segment of Straight Talk! to discuss several key strategies that building service contractors and in-house facility professionals can embrace right now to prepare for a possible recession. 

The economic environment is always changing, shifting. Just look at the past few months as examples. We have gone from rapid growth and a flourishing economy to one that is in doubt. Some even say a recession is likely, which will put added stress on the sales process.

Added to this is the shift in how salespeople approach prospects. Gone are the days of visiting current and potential clients with an armful of donuts and sitting at a conference table and chatting about what solutions the salesperson has. The strategy now must include tightening up the sales agenda and focusing on techniques that work. Everyone is busy and many now work remotely, abandoning the office setting. What those strategies include are topics Kahle discusses in this episode of Straight Talk!, an ISSA program.

Johnathan Tal is the CEO of TAL Global Corporation, an international investigative and risk-consulting firm. He is an expert with building risk assessments and determining what it will take to make a building secure against all types of threats, including active shooters.

In this segment of Straight Talk!, Tal shares strategies all building owners and managers need to know right now to make their facilities safer. From schools to hospitals and more, security is a top-of-mind topic that can be challenging to accomplish. 

The living wage program is starting to get more and more recognition by companies and organizations, and building service contractors can benefit competitively by embracing the concept, according to the experts in this episode of Straight Talk! Details such as the cost of the program, how to include the program in proposals, dealing with unions, and much more is featured.

Guests in this episode include Chad Cordaro, president at Heritage Building Maintenance; Michelle Murray, the CEO of Living Wage for US; and Chris Arlen with Revenue-IQ.

Russ Kendzior is the founder and the executive director of the National Floor Safety Institute (NSFI) and has been involved in more than 1,000 litigation claims in his 20+ years in the industry. Industry assets that have helped him are "standards" such as produced by NSFI, among other organizations.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Kendzior describes the journey of creating standards to how they should be used and the impact they have for professionals who work in the industry.

Nate Gaubert is the Manager of Research & New Product Development at Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. As a formulator, Gaubert has brought more than 45 products to Spartan’s product catalogue and is a subject matter expert for this topic.
 
In this episode of Straight Talk!, sponsored by Spartan, Gaubert discusses critical aspects of hand hygiene, government compliance, development processes, and practical guidance to keep personal and public health top of mind for everyone.

Peter Kwestro is the global business development director with Gausium, a leading robotics engineering and manufacturing company. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes the company's mission, what it is doing to fill the gap created by a worker shortage, how automation increases productivity, and much more.

What are you doing to embrace and promote true sustainability efforts in your organization? While many in the industry are sincere, some engage in what can be called "sustainability theater". This happens when sustainability claims are nothing more that performance art, doing little to reduce the risk of harm to the environment, people and future generations.  

In this episode of Straight Talk!, green cleaning and sustainability expert Steve Ashkin digs into the issue of sustainability theater and what we need to know right now about claims that may sound good but actually have no substance to them..

John Lowe, PhD, is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His presentation, which opened the GBAC Symposium 2022 Air Considerations event in Chicago on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, spotlighted indoor air quality issues related to the pandemic, what the industry faces post-pandemic, and much more. Lowe's analysis of several studies and statistics proved that more attention and resources must be given to monitoring and improving IAQ in the global scene.

Dr. Deborah Birx, M.D., is a noted and recognized expert in the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for improved health, disease prevention and health security.

In this special video presentation from the GBAC Air Considerations Symposium in Chicago on August 17, 2022,, Dr. Birx shares her expertise on how we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, what we learned, and cautions we can't ignore.

Mike Sawchuk with Sawchuk Consulting knows how a clean, pristine, and organized custodial closet should look like. What he often sees when he visits facilities is not always in the best shape. In this segment of Straight Talk!, Sawchuk explains how cleaning professionals can create, maintain and ensure their custodial closets are in good shape.

Micah Green is the founder and CEO of Tailos, a cutting-edge technology company that specializes in robotics and automation. 

One such specialty is "Rosie the Robot" - a fully-functioning autonomous cleaning device that many in the industry are embracing. In this sponsored episode of Straight Talk!, Green discusses not only the technology behind Rosie but also his passion with automation and the vision he has for what's to come in the near future.

James Tole is an IICRC-Approved Instructor with decades of practical industry experience behind him. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Tole explains the value behind a planned maintenance program and the impact that increasing the frequency of cleaning has on the life of carpet, health of those in homes and facilities, and the proven financial savings.

Mark Saiger is the owner of Saiger's Steam Clean and Saiger's Sauce, and has made an impact on the lives of dozens if not hundreds of cleaners across the country. When someone needs help, Mark is there for them. This is his story.

Matt Vonachen, CEO of the Vonachen Group, is the incoming ISSA president for 2023. In this special episode of Straight Talk!, Vonachen shares his insights, his vision, and some personal observations about the global cleaning industry and ISSA.

Larry Dietz is the general counsel for Tal Global Corporation, a firm specializing in security consulting and risk management. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses ongoing issues and concerns with cyber security, hacking, malware, ransomware, and more. 

Randy Burke, CEO of DCS Global, an international custodial advisory company. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes the industry that has increased frequency of cleaning and the need to validate everything cleaning professionals do for their facilities. He also describes the value of GBAC STAR accreditation and how it can help facilities to keep a hyper-focused view on their cleaning and disinfecting goals.

Jennifer Gordon knows bugs. She’s an entomologist with Bug Lessons Consulting and in this episode of Straight Talk!, she discusses clothes moths and how they can be a cause of damage to rugs, clothing, and fabrics. Every cleaning professional should be aware of what clothes moths can do and how a cleaning program can help eliminate the risk.

Saji Daniel is the chairman of the board and Mike White is the senior vice president of sales with Vanguard Safety. Together, they describe the journey of Vanguard Safety, PPE trends, employee safety tips, the relationship between manufacturers and distributors to ensure PPE is readily available to all in in the industry, and more.

Laura Craven is the vice president of marketing and communications with Imperial Dade, and an industry professional who serves as a distributor director with ISSA, the global cleaning industry association. 

As Imperial Dade grows and ISSA celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2023, Craven recognizes the valuable partnership as a member company with ISSA and looks to the future of the industry. She discusses the cleaning industry, what she values the most with ISSA, and more in this episode of Straight Talk!

Nicole Goulet is the vice president of marketing with Diversey, and has been a longtime supporter of ISSA. 

As an incoming board member, she looks forward to advancing clean and driving innovation with ISSA as both the association and Diversey continue to work together on common goals, now and in the future. She shares thoughts on current and emerging programming and also the milestone of ISSA's 100 years as an association.

Roger Berry is a founder and the CEO of Sudoc, a different kind of chemical company. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Berry describes cutting-edge technology specifically with two products, and shares details about emerging innovations. From mold remediation to pet odor removal and more, Sudoc is creating solutions to challenges that have baffled the industry for years.

Robert Tillis is the Chairman of Imperial Dade, a distribution company that is rapidly acquiring companies across the industry but doing so strategically with a focus on all employees involved. In this episode of Straight Talk!, taped at ISSA Show North America 2022, Tillis describes the journey and how much Imperial Dade values ISSA as the association enters its 100th year in 2023.

contracting company in Texas that has enjoyed tremendous success over the years, in part due to its partnership with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. One component of EPSI's success is implementing the ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification.

Watch and learn from Saia as he describes his company's journey and how a focus on employees must be an integral strategy for owners and managers.

Andy Clement is the Chief Customer Officer at Kimberly-Clark Professional. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he joins Jeff Cross in discussing how KCP has impacted the industry over the years and how the company has reached a 150 year milestone. ISSA is celebrating 100 years as an association in 2023, and both Clement and Cross reflect on what this means for the industry.

Renue Systems is a company that specializes in the hospitality industry, providing deep cleaning of any type of surfaces. David Grossman, the CEO and president, is proud of how responsive his franchisees are to customer requests and how success has empowered Renue to expand across borders, opening international locations. This is the Renue story.

The number one way owners and managers of building service contractors think they differentiate themselves to clients to win contracts may not be the complete picture. Chris Arlen with Revenue-IQ offers some insight into how BSCs can open doors and win contracts with a multi-faceted approach.

The survey referenced in this episode of Straight Talk is the 2022 Building Service Contractor Benchmarking Survey Report, sponsored by Aspire. You can access the survey in digital format here.

Jill Frey is the president and CEO of Cummins Facility Services and in 2022 she served as one of the judges of the ISSA Innovation Award program. She shares the experience as a judge, and how she values it, in this episode of Straight Talk!

Mark Warner, the national sales manager of The Bullen Companies, has teamed up with expert industry consultants to address a concern about the "custodial closet" and what needs to happen in the industry to create a proper area for provisioning cleaning equipment, tools, products, and all that is required by cleaning and facility maintenance staff.

Robert Kravitz is the president of AlturaSolutions Communications, and specializes in connecting people and companies and is a thought-leader who knows the building service contracting industry inside and out. He shares some important business building strategies in this episode of Straight Talk!

Peter Crosa, AIC, RPA, is an active independent insurance adjuster and works closely with the restoration industry. He knows the struggles and understands the ongoing hostile restoration and insurance landscape. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Crosa shares critical details that any restoration professional can use in their company.

In this first of several planned episodes concentrating on improving indoor air quality in buildings, learn important details about IAQ terminology that relates to technology. Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, the senior director of GBAC, along with Doug Hoffman, the executive director of NORMI, team up in this episode of Straight Talk! and discuss details you need to know about right now.

The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) has released a position statement on the cost of doing business, a common exclusion claim made by some insurance adjusters. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Ed Cross, an attorney who works closely with the RIA, explains the details and provides important guidance to the restoration industry.

RIA Position Statements are an exclusive RIA member benefit. They can be incorporated into verbal and written communications as powerful tools to overcome common collections challenges restorers face.

In this episode of Straight Talk, sponsored by Core America, get the strategies you need for workloading the cleaning and maintenance programs for your facility. Tony Maione, president, along with Carl Keil, associate vice president, share concepts and the science behind doing more with less but also keeping the quality of cleaning and maintenance high.

Core America is available for consulting and to answer your questions. Visit https://www.coreamerica.com to start your journey to facility cleaning and maintenance excellence.

Kimberly Thomas, MPA, CEFP, is recently retired as the senior director of services, facilities management, at the University of Georgia. In this interview on Straight Talk!, she outlines her career path, what motivated her, how ISSA and especially CIMS certification, helped her to fulfill her dreams and ambitions. Along the way, she came to tremendously value her staff and university executives who helped empower her team to do the job right, each and every time.

Tom Friedl is the president and CEO of Hospeco Brands Group, and serves on the ISSA board of directors as the executive officer.  Friedl knows the value of milestones, as Hospeco as a company reached its centennial in 2019. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses ISSA's 100 year anniversary in 2023.

Brock Tully is a vice president of Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene and serves as the Canada Director for ISSA, his first term on the board of directors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses the industry, the impact of ISSA on cleaning, and the special milestone of ISSA's 100 year anniversary in 2023.

Luke Hansen is the founder and CEO of CompanyCam, a cutting-edge software company focused on the restoration industry. CompanyCam provides everything you need to document your jobs, provide proof of completion, store and share photos and videos, and more. When it comes to dealing with any insurance challenge you face as a restoration company, CompanyCam has it all, packaged and ready to go, easy to use.

Justin Douglas is the Co-CEO of Corvus Janitorial Systems. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares thoughts on what it takes to build a successful cleaning company.

Dave Kahle is a leading sales consultant who helps sales teams to connect the dots to customers. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he explains the value of sales managers visiting customers, and why both the sales manager and the sales person having a solid working relationship with customers.

Chris Arlen, the founder of revenue-IQ, "invites" Jeff Cross to his own program and asks some tough questions.

Dean Mercado is the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle and has years of experience coaching both residential and commercial cleaning companies on how to market their services and land clients. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Mercado lays out what all business owners need to know to ensure they are targeting with the proper messaging and advertising platforms.
 

There is a new "bait and switch" issue in the cleaning industry that is taking hold of some companies, at times creeping in unexpectedly. 

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Jim Pemberton, the president of Pembertons in McKeesport, PA, discusses his observations and how critical it is that business owners and managers recognize the signs there companies may be engaging in a different type of bait and switch practice. Pemberton offers suggestions that, if implemented, will benefit both the cleaning company and its clients.

Mike Sawchuk runs Sawchuk Consulting and is an expert assessing cleaning operations and determining where improvements can be made. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he digs into why cleaning operations assessments are so important, how they differ from benchmarking, what a proper assessment looks like, and how the process works from start to finish.

Dr. Gavin MacGregor Skinner, the senior director of GBAC, along with Scott Vogel, the chief operations officer with Emergi-Clean in New Jersey, discuss the methamphetamine contamination issue facing facilities today and what you need to know right now.

ARCSI, the residential arm of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is dedicated to improving the standard of professionalism in the residential cleaning industry. How ARCSI got its start and the history behind the association dedicated to house cleaning professionals is the focus of this episode of Straight Talk!

Listen and learn from Debbie Sardone, the president of Bucket & Bows Maid Service in Texas, owner at Speed Cleaning, and founder of Cleaning for a Reason, along with Tom Stewart, the CEO of Castle Keepers House Cleaning in South Carolina, and founder and CEO of MaidCentral Software. Both are founding members of ARCSI.

Debbie Sardone is the founder of Cleaning for a Reason, an ISSA Charities program. It all started with a simple phone call from a cancer patient in need. Since then, the program's 1,200 volunteer companies have helped nearly 50,000 cancer patients in their direst moments in time by giving them a little peace of mind that comes with a nice, healthy, clean home. Learn more about Cleaning for a Reason and join the cause today!

Learn about how cleaning for health can become real for residential cleaning companies, and how the Rethink Clean campaign can benefit your business. Visit https://arcsi.org/rethinkclean for more information.

Randy Burke is the CEO and founder of DCS Global. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes facility audits and how they can be used to improve, enhance, and ensure cleaning and maintenance is accomplished. 

As a cleaning contractor, do you know when your proposals are reviewed carefully and when they might be tossed into the trash? Chris Arlen is the founder of revenue-IQ and has some ideas for you to consider. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Arlen shares what proposals must contain - and not contain - in order to get action.

Fabio Vitali is the vice president of marketing with Sofidel America. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes the company's mission and accomplishments and the Sofidel pursuit to a more sustainable planet.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, sponsored by Spartan Chemical Company, learn about hard floor care best practices, the products you need, tips on creating a shiny floor with the proper floor finish, how to remove salt buildup during and after cold, winter months, and much more. Andrew Wolfe, a research chemist with Spartan, shares his expertise with the industry.

As originally covered on the Cleaning & Maintenance Management news website (links below), Packers Sanitation Services has allegedly employed minors as young as 13 years of age, in meat packing plants across the United States. These minors have been working in potentially dangerous situations, and as a result some have been injured on the job. The work was often in the middle of the night. Now the company is paying fines because of these child labor law violations.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner is the senior director of GBAC, and in this episode of Straight Talk! he discusses the issue and the need for ongoing discussions and viable solution to prevent this from occurring in the cleaning industry.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, an online marketing expert shares strategies on how to deal with, sometimes remove, and ultimately avoid negative reviews.

Dean Mercado is the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle. His strategies for cleaning and restoration companies focus on driving growth and revenue, and one component of that are online reviews, whether on Google, Yelp, social sites, and others.
 

Becky Kaufold is the manager of government affairs and sustainability at Spartan Chemical Company, and the chair of the Floor Care Products Division with the Household & Commercial Products Association, or HCPA. In this episode of Straight Talk!, she shares details all cleaning professionals need to know to clean and maintain hard floors, with a goal of the perfect shine that is safe to walk on. In addition, she shares tips for seasonal cleaning and how to overcome challenges facing today's facility managers.

Jennie Romer is the deputy assistant administrator for pollution prevention at EPA. David Widawsky is the division director with the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention with the EPA. Together they describe the U.S. EPA's Safer Choice program and what it means to the cleaning industry.

Randy Burke is the CEO and Founder of DCS Global, and one of his specialties is helping facilities deal with management issues, and with the pandemic winding down, that includes low occupancy cleaning strategies. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses how building owners and managers can do to handle the low occupancy issue and create a plan that works.

Dean Mercado is the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, specializing in digital marketing coaching. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares strategies and concepts that will help any company in the cleaning industry, from small residential cleaning firms to larger building service contractors, to create a strategic business plan.

ServiceMaster Clean®; ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association; and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, have partnered to certify nearly 400 ServiceMaster Clean franchises across the United States and Canada to the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Advanced by GBAC certification.

Sandy Hanberry is the president and CEO of Colker Janitorial Supplies in Pennsylvania. Her company, an ISSA member since 1979, is celebrating 50 years in the industry. In this episode of Straight Talk, she describes her company's journey, how Colker Janitorial Supplies has thrived through the years, and what's exciting to her about the future.

Earth Day in 2023 is Saturday, April 22. It's an important event for anyone who has concerns about sustainability and protecting the earth. In this episode of Straight Talk, Steve Ashkin shares his thoughts on how he values Earth Day and considers it a celebration of what has been accomplished so far.

Learn more about the ISSA Sustainability Committee, and join us!

Dean Mercado is the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle and knows the value and importance of building a strong company brand. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Mercado provides five key strategies every company needs to analyze and implement in order to compete and succeed in business.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, learn how the Association of Residential Cleaning Specialists International (ARCSI) is undergoing a rebranding as it enjoys its 20th anniversary in 2023.

Julie Dumais-Nakos is the Director of National Accounts – JanSan/EVS, at PDI. In this episode of Straight Talk!, she shares important information about cleaning and disinfecting products, processes, and more that the industry needs to enhance their cleaning systems in facilities. From better cleaning and disinfecting strategies to products proven to protect staff and occupants, she focuses on real solutions that work.

Greg Cabot is the sales and marketing manager with Ameripolish, and is an expert when it comes to cleaning and maintaining any type of concrete flooring material. In this episode of Straight Talk, he provides the technical details anyone involved with concrete cleaning and maintenance needs to do their work, from processes to products. Plus, learn more about the SmartFloor system. 

Do you have a Google Maps listing? And do you actually show up in your marketplace? If you have any type of Google Maps challenges with your company, this episode of Straight Talk! is for you.  John Clendenning is the founder and CEO of Carpet Cleaner Marketing Masters and in this episode, he lays out the strategies you need to maximize your Google Maps listing.

Jim Ryerson is the founder of Sales Octane and is a well-known public speaker and sales trainer. His passion is helping others with their professional growth and development. Yet there was a time in his own career when a single negative review of one of his presentations derailed his plan to pursue public speaking. This is his story.

Johnathan Tal is the CEO of TAL Global, an international security consulting and risk management firm. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares strategies to stay as safe as possible when traveling overseas and some unique situations that travelers may not think about when away from home.

This video complements the articles on the following ISSA media sites on CMM & Cleanfax.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dr. Felicia Townsend, the program director of the ISSA Hygieia Network, discusses what the organization is doing now and what it plans for the future. The various programs, events, and opportunities offered by the Hygieia Network continue to grow and help those connected to it.

Dave Kahle is a leading sales consultant who works with sales teams to help them succeed. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he explains how to handle chronic whiners and complainers and strategies to address the issue before it becomes a larger concern. Get your copy of "How to Kreate Kahle’s Kalculation of Sales Productivity".

Does the rapid growth of artificial intelligence alarm you? Or perhaps it intrigues you? Either way, AI is here to stay and the use of this type of technology might benefit your company. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado, the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, shares three specific strategies you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.

Zephyr Manufacturing Company is a valued member of ISSA and has a proven track record of serving the industry. This is their story spanning nearly 100 years.

Jason Welch is a microbiologist with Spartan Chemical Company, and has been involved in formulating approximately 100 products during his tenure. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes how cleaners and degreasers work, the pH component of cleaning, the science behind the chemistry, and much more. All of this so that you, as a cleaning industry professional, have the information you need to make educated decisions on products for your company or facility.

Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder & principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. He believes the operational mindset can do more than drive workplace productivity and quality. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he digs into the concept of using the same type of system to drive revenue for companies.