WOMEN WHO WORK

Like many traditional blue collar pastimes, the cleaning industry has long been one dominated by men. But increasingly, women have emerged in both management and hands on roles in the cleaning industry - and we are taking a look at several leading women who control important businesses on both the ‘supply’ side and the ‘tool’ side of our industry.
There’s Elizabeth Goldsmith, managing director of long term industry manufacturer/supplier Research Products, Teresa Fomiatti, one of the two people behind Prochem, considered to be the world’s biggest seller of truck mounted cleaning equipment. Kylie Lindsay, founder of Swifty Clean in QLD operates in a town of around 12,000 - and in two years has built a $400,000 turnover business. Diana and Leah Price from WA operate what might be the only mother and daughter carpet cleaning business in Australia.
Kay Gough, who along with her partner, runs one of the nations most successful restoration companies. All of their stories reveal a determination and resolve to succeed in a business traditionally dominated by males - and the fact that they have achieved much success in our industry reflects the growing maturity of both our industry and the nation as a whole. For, as much as their efforts should be recognised and lauded, it is not really a surprise to anyone anymore that women - and in particular these women - have proven to be the equal (and often the superior) of any of the males in both our industry and society generally.

VACUUM CLEANERS
We all use them - or if not, we should. The Australian Standard requires a pre vacuum of all carpets prior to hot water extraction cleaning, while traditional ‘dry’ cleaning systems as used by companies like Drytron, Electrodry and Chemdry, rely heavily on the vacuuming process to achieve an acceptable result. Systems like Host, or encap, for example, actually depend on vacuuming to produce the end result. Will a pre-vacuum really assist the cleaning technician to clean faster and more efficiently?

CLEANEXPO
Don’t forget that the only way you have a chance of winning any of the three major prizes on offer at CLEANEXPO is to pre-register. While you will be able to enter the expo by just turning up at the door, you will not be eligible to enter the draw for any of the prizes, or to attend the seminars as they will probably all be full.
So register now by either completing the form included in this issue or online at www.cleanexpo.com.au.
Subscription
Thanks to the large numbers of you who have chosen to subscribe to Cleaning & Restoration magazine, it is much appreciated. As I remarked in the last issue of 2007, the cost of producing a magazine is horrendous, so your support is appreciated greatly.
FREE entry to CLEANEXPO!
As an added incentive for those who are coming to CLEANEXPO, I am pleased to be able to offer all those who subscribe to this magazine FREE entry to CLEANEXPO. For all of those who have already subscribed, admission tickets will be available as well. If you have both subscribed AND paid for CLEANEXPO registration, please notify us and we will refund the entry fee at the door.

NEXT ISSUE
We will have our CLEANEXPO program and layout, along with profile of all of the exhibitors. Approaching winter, we thought it a good idea to focus on increasing profits on each job as opposed to trying to win more jobs. Add on sales, whether through upselling or through offering added services, is vitally important to all service industries. Training organisations are also under the microscope. How does the training industry operate, who are the trainers?
Finally, a lot has been written and talked about ‘greening your business’ - but how exactly do you do that? We have asked industry experts to simplify the greening process and we have broken it down into chart form for you all. We all need to go green and those who operate cleaning businesses can contribute significantly in reducing our collective carbon footprint, in reducing our water consumption and in helping to improve the health of our waterways. Our ‘Going Green’ feature will show you how to practically implement it into your business.
Regards,

JOHN TURNER
Editor February, 2008.