Many janitorial service businesses purposefully stay small as a single owner-operator or a mom-and-pop operation. But if you want to create a great income that isn’t totally dependent on your own health, you’ll need a great team of people.

But in an industry where employee turnover is sometimes 300%, how do you do it? Here are just a few tips that can go a long way in creating an all-star team.

“Team”

The word is “team” - not “staff,” “employees,” or (heaven forbid) “the help.”

If you treat your people as if they’re temporary solutions and they’re going to leave at the first chance they get - that’s exactly who you’ll have. This centuries old management style of you-against-them just doesn’t work anymore. It’s too easy to go get another minimum-wage job than to put up with you.

There’s a very true saying: “People don’t quit their jobs - they quit their managers.” If your people absolutely love you and love their jobs, they’ll be willing to put up with a lot of negatives to stay in an environment they enjoy being in.

“An Ounce of Prevention . . .”

“. . . is worth a pound of cure.” It’s much easier to learn about someone’s background before you hire than afterwards. It doesn’t matter that commercial cleaning isn’t a glamorous, high-paying job - you need to only hire quality people.

Make applicants give you references, even if they don’t have an employment history. Talk to their former high school teachers or their family members to get a good feel for the applicant. Take the applicant out to lunch and talk about what you expect (and what they expect). By screening prospective team members, you’ll have a much better team all around.

“You Scratch My Back . . .”

“. . .and I’ll scratch yours,” as the saying goes. Employment is a two-way street. Your team members owe you their best effort if you’re giving them your best effort. If you give your team less than your best - by cutting corners on their paychecks, by neglecting safety, by demanding they work hours they never agreed to - don’t be surprised when they give you less than their best.

But if you look out for your team members - by not allowing clients to make derogatory remarks, by making sure their checks are accurate, and by keeping your word - you’ll be amazed at much loyalty you instill in your team.