Employee Satisfaction

EG: You prioritise employee satisfaction, taking measures to retain hardworking and reliable staff. How significant of an impact does this have on the exemplary quality of service that has enabled you to emerge as one of the pre-eminent commercial cleaning firms in the nation?

DV: This is a fantastic opportunity to address a common issue in the cleaning industry, which is the challenge of high turnover. At our company, we place a high priority on our hardworking and dependable staff. We understand that by taking good care of them and providing thorough training, we equip them to excel in their roles and, in turn, share their satisfaction and happiness with their job. This approach not only benefits our staff but also ensures client satisfaction, as our well-cared-for team is motivated to provide exceptional service.

EG: What are some of the ways in which your team coordinate to achieve optimal results for clients in a manner that other cleaning firms completely miss?
 

DV: Communication is absolutely crucial. While many companies rely on emails and pictures to connect with their clients, we firmly believe in conducting walk-throughs and actively engaging with our clients. We encourage a collaborative approach, transforming the typical one-way communication into a meaningful dialogue. By meeting with our clients in person, we ensure that we understand and meet their needs to the best of our ability.
 

EG: What would you describe as the greatest challenges inherent in commercial construction cleaning and how you are able to remove the hassle of an otherwise troublesome task?
 

DV: When our company first began, we quickly realised that every General Contractor (GC) has unique cleaning needs within their work sectors. To best support them, we’ve learned to anticipate their requirements and proactively provide solutions. Whether they need additional staff on-site, more cleaning materials, or any unexpected help to maintain our cleaning quality, we aim to be ready. Sometimes, it’s as straightforward as following the scope of work within the set deadline or completing it ahead of schedule. Thanks to our standardised processes, it doesn’t matter where they start from because we can adapt to various scenarios and achieve the expected outcome.
 

EG: You are also an award-winning company, receiving notable accolades for your work. What kind of technologies do you employ that distinguishes a successful elite luxury cleaning firm like yours from that of the ordinary cleaning company in this industry?
 

DV: The influence of technology, especially robotics and AI, is substantial in the cleaning industry, and in many other industries as well. The rapid pace of technological advancements means we need to be cautious about choosing the right, up-to-date solutions. I’ve taken it upon myself to learn from experts in the field, delving into various factors to deeply understand which technologies genuinely contribute to industry transformation and which are merely temporary trends.

   

EG: Mentorship is also very important. What would you say to encourage the next generation of young female entrepreneurs who may have an eye for business?

DV: In the field of Manfields, education often involves trial and error. I firmly believe that knowledge is empowering. It’s essential to select your niche and immerse yourself in it. Engage with podcasts, attend networking events, seek guidance from mentors, and surround yourself with individuals you admire. Remember not to be the smartest person in the room. If you find yourself in that position, it’s time to seek out another group or community where you can continue to grow. Avoid getting trapped in your own ego and prioritise personal and professional development.

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EG: As a company synonymous with trust and excellence in the commercial cleaning industry for over 20 years, how may your discipline and well-established track record save money and improve bottom-line profitability for future clients?

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DV: Unexpected costs can be the most expensive challenge for companies. Our approach is to proactively manage and create predictable outcomes, ensuring our clients never face unexpected surprises. Over our extended partnership, we’ve honed our ability to anticipate and standardise all our processes. This allows us to foresee potential issues and address them before they escalate. Having experience in both the trades and acquisitions with my other company, I grasp the financial implications at a deeper level. We emphasise being proactive rather than reactive, because reacting to problems often leads to unnecessary expenditures. In the cleaning sector, we aim to stay ahead, preventing additional costs.
 

EG: Why is it increasingly important in this day and age for medical professionals to recruit a dependable firm like yours when it comes to sanitisation and cleaning of medical facilities?
 

DV: If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the vital importance of medical professionals being able to rely on us and our ability to ensure their environments are thoroughly sanitised and ready for their next procedures. The more efficiently we can enter, perform our cleaning duties, and exit in a reliable and dependable manner, the more quickly medical professionals can access the facilities and provide their services on time.

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EG: A rewarding way to guarantee business growth is giving back. Having partnered with WorldVison to donate part of your profits to the benefit of children, why is it so important for successful people to give back to the community?

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DV: Giving back is an integral part of our core values, and I firmly believe that everyone, not just the successful, should contribute. When our company and team engage in giving back, it fosters a sense of community, making work more meaningful. It’s during these times that we learn about each other, discovering personal stories like one of our employees’ experiences with a tragic event in Venezuela.We decided to give back by allocating a portion of every call that comes through our system to support Venezuela. We’ve partnered with WorldVision, and this commitment sets us apart from other companies.

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EG: How did your humble beginnings cleaning mess halls and cabins many years ago, prepare you to succeed at the height of the commercial cleaning industry today, with a successful company now operating across multiple states with hundreds of employees?
 

DV: Hard work has taught me a valuable lesson – it’s not just about the effort; it can also be genuinely enjoyable. I find it fulfilling, and that’s what motivated me to take the leap. Moreover, I firmly believe in leading by example. I never ask my employees to do something I haven’t personally done and understood intimately. This approach has been a key factor in my success. It ensures there’s no division between me and the individuals who do the cleaning work within the company. I’ve been in their shoes and comprehended what it entails. I won’t assign someone a job that I haven’t done or wouldn’t do myself, fostering a strong sense of unity and teamwork within the company.

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EG: As the head of an award-winning company with a stellar reputation, what can large commercial real estate owners, luxury hoteliers, medical professionals and luxury real estate owners look forward to when working with you?

DV: When working with me, you can look forward to several things. Firstly, you can expect the deployment of the highest standards and best-in-class processes. I’m dedicated to ensuring that when I understand my job thoroughly, it enables everyone around me to perform at their best. I don’t do this for my own ego but to help others excel in the industry. I aim to be invisible in the process, as that’s a sign of a job well done. You can rely on me to handle everything seamlessly, so you don’t have to think about it. Ultimately, my focus is on others, not myself. If I’ve done my job correctly, you won’t even notice I’m there   EG