Most know the reference to David and Goliath and how what seems weak can take on and conquer the strong. The same applies in the world of commercial cleaning and building service contracting. With the right strategies in place, a smaller cleaning company can compete against larger companies and scale their businesses with lucrative contracts. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Chris Arlen, the president of Revenue-IQ, assesses the industry and notes that the landscape has changed over the years,...
Jan 19, 2024•19 min
Learn what Lysol Pro Solutions is doing to help facilities to cope with winter illnesses, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. For more information, visit Lysol Pro Solutions ....
Jan 18, 2024•32 min
Chuck Violand is the founder and principal of Violand Management Associates and has authored a book entitled " Forging Dynasty Businesses: The Competitive Edge of Enduring Teams ." In this episode of Straight Talk!, Violand digs into the essential elements of building a strong team, based on the first chapter entitled "Making Room for High-Performing Team Members." Learn about the motivation behind his book and explore the strategies for attracting high-performing A-players to your organization....
Jan 15, 2024•8 min
Open communication, achievable goal setting, and a positive work environment can help sales professionals meet targets without resorting to punitive measures, ultimately fostering sustainable growth. Dave Kahle, the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems , explains it all in this episode of Straight Talk! After watching, learn more about how to help your sales force sell better.
Jan 10, 2024•8 min
If you own, operate, or manage a cleaning company, you value those occasions when a prospective client reaches out to you and asks for a bid or quote for your services. How you respond to a request for proposal (RFP) is critical. And when the time comes around to renegotiate a contract, you do all you can to renew the contract so it is a win/win for both the contractor and the client served. Randy Burke is the founder and CEO of DCS Global , a firm that works with both cleaning companies and fac...
Jan 03, 2024•8 min
Bat bugs are similar to bed bugs but differ in how they enter and infest structures. While bed bugs can infest a home or commercial building, such as a hotel, by attaching to people, hiding in luggage, and other transfer methods, bat bugs come in by what their name implies: On bats. In this episode of Straight Talk!, get the pest removal strategies you need from Rob Fernback, the director of sales and franchise development at Complete Pest Solutions ....
Dec 29, 2023•12 min
With a new year comes new ideas, and an honest reflection of how business has been in 2023 can help plan what is in store for you in 2024. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle , shares the importance of embracing a new mindset when planning what is next with your entrepreneurial journey. See this interview on a related topic for planning marketing and sales strategies in 2024....
Dec 28, 2023•20 min
In the world of marketing, timing is everything. To get the best results, you need a plan. Most are familiar with outbound and inbound marketing strategies, but a relatively newer strategy is "nearbound marketing." Nearbound marketing emphasizes delivering the right message to the right audience at precisely the right moment. By leveraging your existing relationships, you can tailor your messages to resonate with your audience on a deeper level. This personalization increases the likelihood of y...
Dec 27, 2023•7 min
Sustainability reporting is a powerful tool used by those who are looking to do business with an organization, and a strong comparison can be made to how one might read and use a CARFAX report. In this episode of Straight Talk!, learn how Steve Ashking, founder of The Ashkin Group, come up with this unique analogy and its application to the cleaning industry.
Dec 14, 2023•9 min
Setting up a business to succeed in 2024 requires a forward-thinking and adaptable approach. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, shares three specific strategies that business owners can use as they look at a new year with new challenges. Mercado shares ideas on positioning, relationships, and a unique look at marketing.
Dec 13, 2023•15 min
The MSD of Decatur Township Student Custodial Program is a shining example of how education can extend beyond textbooks and classrooms. It's about nurturing potential, instilling responsibility, and preparing students for a brighter future. As Faust said, "Our students are very ‘Decatur Proud’ of our Student Custodial Program," and with good reason. They are building not just their school communities but their promising careers.
Dec 11, 2023•13 min
If you are in business and value leads that generate revenue, you want a lead-generation management system that works. Because a lead is one thing, but managing that lead to get the maximum value is another. Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses the types of leads that organizations typically pursue, but also how to grade them and maximize the lead pipeline to ensure all ef...
Dec 08, 2023•9 min
Dr. John McKeon is a medical doctor and the CEO of Allergy Standards and the principal of iAIR Group. ISSA and its Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) division have partnered with Allergy Standards to help businesses improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and the well-being of building tenants and guests. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dr. McKeon joins Jeff Cross, ISSA Media Director, and discusses the current state of affairs with indoor air quality post-pandemic, and what it will take to mak...
Dec 07, 2023•6 min
Matt Schenk is the CEO and president of Midlab, and is now also serving as the president of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. He joins Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, in this exclusive interview from the trade show floor at ISSA Show North America.
Dec 04, 2023•6 min
In this special episode of Straight Talk!, from outside the ISSA Show North America 2023 trade show floor, Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, interviews the three finalists for the Cintas Custodian of the Year competition .
Nov 21, 2023•10 min
Spartan Chemical Company is the industry's one-stop supplier for everything cleaning and maintenance professionals need. In this episode of Straight Talk, hear from Bryan Mangum, the vice president of sales with Spartan, on what the company is currently doing with innovative products and what it has planned for the future.
Nov 21, 2023•8 min
At ISSA Show North America 2023 in Las Vegas, Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, visited with Ken Sweder, now the CEO and chairman of both BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions. Both companies recently finalized a merger of their organizations, and Sweder shares some details and his vision moving forward.
Nov 20, 2023•7 min
When selling products or services, how effective is your sales process? And does one process fit all organizations? Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses the sales process, methodology, pipeline management, and forecasts and how it all comes together if a company has a solid plan in place.
Nov 08, 2023•9 min
Dave Kahle is the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems and works with business-to-business sales professionals. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares tips and strategies about a topic all too familiar to sales professionals: How to deal with rejection.
Nov 06, 2023•7 min
Chad Howell is the vice president of product management with TRUCE Software . In this episode of Straight Talk!, he is joined by Amy Landers, best known as the TikTok star " BossLady Cleaning Hacks ". She describes her own scary experience on a cleaning job. Together, they discuss situations where employees can be in real danger, especially when working alone, and how TRUCE Software has developed a solution to keep them safe....
Nov 02, 2023•18 min
If there is one absolute truth in business today, it's that search engine optimization is constantly changing. What you did last year, last month, and maybe even last week could now be outdated. What should a business owner or marketing manager focus on moving forward? Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle , outlines strategies business owners can use right now and into 2024.
Oct 24, 2023•17 min
Pacific Floorcare has been a loyal member of ISSA for nearly 70 years, and is developing innovative products consistently to provide the cleaning industry the equipment it needs to maintain clean, healthy floors. In this episode in the ISSA Impact series, Pacific Floorcare president Bill Fisher discusses the history of the company, how it has overcome challenges, what it does to compete in the marketplace, and much more.
Oct 18, 2023•31 min
Michael Wilson is the president and CEO of AFFLINK, a member-based organization that provides solutions to independent distribution companies. AFFLINK is celebrating 50 years in the industry and is stronger than ever, and values its partnership with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. This is the AFFLINK story.
Oct 13, 2023•31 min
Annette Houston is the managing director of FM Services Group in Ireland. Her company is Europe's first building service contractor to achieve CIMS GB Advanced by GBAC certification. This is the story of the company's journey.
Oct 13, 2023•18 min
How are you at small talk at networking events? Do you struggle at times? This episode of Straight Talk! has the solutions you need, specifically how to master the three crucial phases for networking success. Dean Mercado, the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, shares his favorite strategies in this episode of Straight Talk!
Sep 29, 2023•16 min
Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he digs into how to use data, statistics, and processes to find the best salespeople for your organization. By implementing his ideas, you can consistently hire top talent. Add to that great training, sales management, accountability, and coaching; you have the best recipe for success.
Sep 28, 2023•8 min
Janet Kaiser is the owner and CEO of Ex-Cell Kaiser Manufacturing and Design , located in Franklin Park, Illinois. She is the third-generation owner in the family business, which was started 90 years ago by her grandfather. In this episode of Straight Talk!, she discusses the history of her company and how they compete in a challenging marketplace.
Sep 25, 2023•14 min
Queen's University is a stellar example of how an organization can identify challenges and then embrace solutions that work. The experts that are part of the leadership team for keeping Queen's University clean and healthy discuss how ISSA's CIMS-GB certification has helped them reach their goals and not lose the momentum they know they must maintain. Learn how you can also benefit from CIMS certification ....
Sep 20, 2023•22 min
Dave Kahle is the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems, and works with business-to-business sales professionals. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares one specific tip: The "ONE THING" that will make a difference in revenue and sales for those involved in B2B sales efforts.
Sep 20, 2023•5 min
Jorge Villalobos, the founder of The Best Restoration in Gainsville, Florida, is the 2023 Ralph Bloss Humanitarian Award recipient. Villalobos, a banker by profession who fled his home country of Columbia in 1999 due to security issues, found his new home in the United States and was quickly drawn to the cleaning and restoration industries. Since then, and with the founding of his cleaning and restoration company, he has demonstrated a stellar example of giving to his community and those in need...
Sep 13, 2023•8 min
