The North East of England presents a myriad of advantages for businesses seeking to establish themselves in a dynamic and flourishing economic environment. From its strategic location to its skilled workforce and supportive infrastructure, this region offers a compelling proposition for enterprises across various industries. First and foremost, the North East boasts strategic connectivity. Situated at the crossroads of major transportation routes, including road, rail, air, and sea links, businesses in the region enjoy easy access to national and international markets. The ports of Tyne and Tees facilitate efficient import and export activities, enhancing trade opportunities and global competitiveness. Moreover, the North East is home to a highly skilled and [...]
Bringing New Home Sparkle: The Magic of Sparkle Cleans
Moving into a new home is an exhilarating experience, marked by anticipation and excitement. However, amidst the joy of settling into a fresh space, there's often the need for a thorough clean-up to truly make it your own. This is where the magic of sparkle cleans comes into play. Sparkle cleans are more than just routine tidying; they're transformative experiences that breathe life into a new abode. From removing construction dust to ensuring every nook and cranny gleams, sparkle cleans leave no stone unturned. These specialised cleaning services cater specifically to new homes, providing meticulous attention to detail that sets the stage for a fresh start. Picture walking into your new home to find pristine surfaces, immaculate floors, and a sense of purity [...]
Public Speaking: Communication is Key
Public speaking is not only something I enjoy but a crucial skill in the commercial cleaning industry, despite it not being immediately associated with the sector. A multi-faceted skill, which, in our industry, where client satisfaction and effective communication are paramount, the ability to speak confidently and persuasively can make a significant difference in securing contracts, managing client relationships, and even fostering employee morale. First and foremost, public speaking plays a vital role in sales and client acquisition within the commercial cleaning sector. When pitching services to potential clients, representatives must effectively communicate the value proposition of their cleaning company. This involves articulating the benefits of their [...]
The Thriving Landscape of the UK Commercial Cleaning Industry
The United Kingdom's commercial cleaning industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, reflecting the increasing emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness in workplaces. With businesses prioritising a safe and sanitary environment, the demand for professional cleaning services has soared, leading to a dynamic and thriving industry. Growing Awareness and Standards The heightened awareness of the importance of cleanliness, especially in the wake of global health concerns, has significantly contributed to the expansion of the commercial cleaning sector. Businesses across various industries now recognise the role of a clean and well-maintained workspace in promoting employee well-being, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Moreover, stringent [...]
What is in a name?
Remember the days….the rush to grab business names beginning with ‘A’ so your Yellow Pages listing would be front and foremost? The number of companies starting with AAA was rife through the 80’s! Ahhh, simple times. Now, it’s all about search engines, key words and second-guessing the target audience’s criteria when looking for (in my case) a cleaning company. Everything is digital and content is king as they say, never moreso than now, when competition is high, information is easily accessed and it takes more than a couple of “A’s” to stand out from the crowd. I try to cover all the bases and ensure our online content is varied, interesting, attention-grabbing, relevant and more importantly, accurate and based on fact. Blogs, web updates, case [...]
Giving Back to the Community
As a service provider to business and the general public, I’m often asked about the range of cleaning and property management we offer and I am more than happy to advise on the realm of services and sectors in which we work as both, a domestic and commercial cleaning company. However, it always makes me think about the unpromoted aspect of what my team and I do; the ways we go over and above the expectations of a normal working day and those factors which have, not only become the norm for us, but the area from which we derive most job satisfaction, and are actually, a very important part of our service offering. Our strongest USP is not something we actively advertise but is a given to all our clients and particularly those in the domestic and social [...]
At APM we are different.
Our clients recognise us for not only our hard work but our dedication, commitment, flexibility and responsiveness; that is why APM’s contracts extend from social care to construction, healthcare to facilities management and housing to blue light services. But why and how are we different from our competitors? Approach Recruitment Training Adaptability Read the APM story: In 2005 I bought a domestic cleaning franchise. The franchisor went bust. I was making profit, so I rebranded to APM Cleaning & Repair, transferred my staff and started to diversify into new sectors, growing the business. I learned to diversify and pivot. I flipped the business to commercial cleaning in 2019 and learned how to bid for work via formal tender, [...]
The Recruitment Process: Balancing the Win/Lose
Most people in business are familiar with the minefield of rules, regulations and hoops to be jumped through which is recruitment in current times. The process is so fraught with multi-party stress and is the ultimate in time-consuming, unpaid work, so I am already begrudging of the time before the first interviewee has walked through the doors at APM. Whatsmore, keeping the process completely PC and adhering to the ever-changing rules of employment law, whilst aiming to delve deep to gain an insight of character requires the skills of a practiced negotiator - I am thinking SAS Who Dares Wins levels. It is a challenge. That is why, I am also determined to employ well, train well, look after my team and retain staff for as long as is physically possible, [...]
Don’t undervalue the worth of the UK cleaning industry
When thinking about priorities and key departments within any business, functions key to the business’ operation are at the forefront; finance, HR, sales, all typically covered by organisational teams and personnel. Where does the cleaning function feature on your list? To me and my team at APM, it is our world, our business and our passion, but to a lot of organisations, cleaning is fairly low down on their list of priorities. However, do not underestimate the importance of a regular commercial cleaning contract, or one-off deep-cleans, whether your business trades in office premises, social care environments, commercial building sites, municipal buildings or you are a landlord, responsible for multiple facilities. The value the in employing a [...]
More about Builders Cleans
APM Cleaning & Repair Ltd has been providing professional cleaning and facilities management services across numerous sectors in the North of England since 2005. Recognised for our end-to-end project management skills, robust systems, the high-quality of our work, reliability, professionalism and our relentless drive for innovation and improvement, APM has established a reputation within the construction industry for working alongside some of the most recognised names in the country. With the support of an award-winning leadership team, APM’s Managing Director, Samantha Read won North-East Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2021; her entrepreneurial skills, transferred across every division of the [...]