As a business owner, my primary flaw has always been delegation. I've always been somewhat of a micro-manager and in the past have had a hard time assigning duties and just letting other people handle the tasks I've given them. But as a foreclosure cleanup business owner, I've had to work at effectively outsourcing and managing a crew successfully, at arms' length.
Here are some helpful tips (ones that I've taken to heart) to use when working with your interior foreclosure cleaning crew:
When working with new cleaning crew hires, always walk through the home with them. Point out items that a new person may easily overlook (i.e., the lips of window sills, the inside crevices of louver bi-fold doors, spider webs inside closets, etc.).
Always, always, always leave a cleaning checklist that your crew should mark off upon completion of each task.
Use that same cleaning checklist to perform a quality inspection after a job has been completed.
Point out items your cleaning crew may have missed, even seemingly small items. (Note: If you don't point out tasks that have been overlooked, you can best believe these mistakes will continue to be overlooked and will become "habit" for your workers and will ultimately impact the overall job.)
Don't simply leave a new crew all day. Check back in on them periodically and give feedback on items they've completed (give positive as well as not-so-positive feedback in effort to train your crew to perform at their highest level). Your checking back in with them will also give them the opportunity to ask questions.
Consider working alongside your crew on the first job so they know what to expect. (I remember when I first got into this business, I honestly didn't envision myself on all fours hugging toilets. I pictured myself deleting tasks. Experience has shown me that I'm a better job manager for having performed the duties I have to outsource because I have actually done the work.)
Reward good performance (i.e., extra pay for a job well done, early dismissal with same pay if a crew finishes early, etc.)!
Maintain a professional rapport with your foreclosure cleanup crew at all times. In this industry, you will often be working alongside your crew for long hours, doing manual labor, especially in the beginning. You'll be at most jobs every step of the way. It's easy to get lax and comfortable in tone and attitude after working a 9-hour day lifting debris. Remember, you will be the management in charge; conduct yourself accordingly so your crew takes you seriously and performs accordingly, whether you're working with family, friends or newly hired labor.
Encourage your crew to share ideas with you that may help them effectively perform jobs faster, within budget and at higher standards. Employees who are valued will be more loyal in performing their duties. Remember, some of the best ideas within multi-million dollar enterprises come from staff.
Have an "open door" policy with your crew. Make sure they know they can come to you with questions and concerns as it relates to the job at hand. Again, let them know their feedback and concerns are valued because, without them, the job could not get done.
Be fair, honest and open with your foreclosure cleanup crew at all times, and you will be on the road to building a successful, loyal team that will help you grow a thriving enterprise that will be around for years to come.
Much success to you with your foreclosure cleanup business!
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