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Green Janitorial Pretenders

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Written by Michael Richmond

Monday, 28 April 2008

by MichaelRichmond

It seems an amusing dance as businesses of every type now attempt to service an increasingly Green marketplace. We all see companies suddenly boasting of their Green commitment that never considered the Green trend as important. The new Green market now has consumers who are told to buy Green and support Green programs. Therefore, businesses will always respond to any market that can be used to promote their need of revenue. This creates an environment for pretenders as well.

Greenwashing is the overt or subtle pretense that a company or service is Green though it has made only a token effort to earn that reputation. The eagerness to promote and create business can view the Green market as just another opportunity. Therefore, we will find those who make a token effort to be Green that does not actually represent their real intentions.

Let me explain what will happen as the janitorial world comes to terms with the rising Green demand. The first stage is the over-simplification of the concept which is typified by done a token effort to make the company or service Green. In the janitorial service, this happens when a firm starts to buy some Green products thinking that they can now represent to their customers that they are a "Green Janitorial" service. You might also wonder if buying a dress makes a man into a woman. It is the mindset that makes the difference, and it rarely works to take a challenge only the first mile.

Regardless of the folly, there are presently janitorial firms who believe that they are a truly Green service because they have purchased Green products. Green does not come in a bottle, and it should be obvious that janitorial firms are taken the easiest path to a somewhat selfish end. Cloaking standard service with Green ornaments is deceptive.

To demonstrate proficiency in any area, there must be a standard. Green Clean Institute has been that standard for a number of years by training and certifying janitorial and cleaning services across America and several other countries. In an industry without organization and definition, Green Clean Institute is a tremendous resource for reputable janitorial services.

You can only imagine the impression of a potential customer evaluating bids and quotes noting that all claim to be Green, but only one is Green Clean Institute Certified. There is a lot of pressure these days to decide to go with a validated Green service even the they may not be the lowest bidder. In a recent survey, it was found that 84% of companies would choose a Green Clean certified firm over the competition. Yes, it is a marketing opportunity, but it is also a challenge of integrity to be truly Green.

We are in an age when janitorial services are not just the duty of sweeping floors and emptying the trash. The level of performance has raised, and your workers need to be part of the solution. There are over 1,00,000 janitorial workers in the United States, and this has huge implication at every level of our business world. If we treat them as mop and bucket people, you will never have a Green service. Train and certify your workers to provide the best of Green cleaning in a world asking for just that!

About the Author:

Every janitorial business will eventually be Green Clean certified or lose business. Green Clean Institute offers a federal trademark janitorial training and certification. Do not try to fake your way as a Green janitorial business.

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