We’re living in both changing and challenging times with the business environment becoming more complex and uncertain. From client expectations to staffing issues, the cleaning industry faces constant change with high staff turnover, compliance with ever changing regulations and client expectations around transparency and quality being some of the key challenges. Without the right tools, managing these changes can result in poor management and ultimately a loss of business.
Within the cleaning industry the recent change to the Employers National Insurance tax (Er NI) is having a significant impact on many businesses and whilst avoiding a change such as this is not an option, how you choose to manage it is within your control. For example, it’s easy to have a kneejerk reaction and adopt short term solutions to mitigate immediate impacts. However, there are several ways that change can be managed more effectively to help support both the short and long term.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare…
Unexpected change is hard to prepare for, however, within the business environment, change is often pre-empted allowing time to plan. The Er NI change was announced in October 2024 providing 6 months to develop contingency plans and minimise impacts. A key strategy is ensuring you have right technology in place which can provide the necessary data and insights for informed decision-making. This proactive approach can significantly reduce the pressure and allow for smoother transitions.
In the case of the Er NI change some of our clients came to us early on and we used our software to provide the data needed to understand the impact on their financial situation. This allowed them to plan accordingly and many have identified the necessary price rises that they need to make and have been able to carefully communicate these well in advance. Other businesses weren’t so prepared and are seeing significant financial challenges. Some are responding with cost savings initiatives to help their bottom line today but is likely to create problems in the long-term.
Talk to your business partners
Your suppliers are not just suppliers they can be strategic partners so talking to your business partners is vital and often overlooked as part of managing change. By analysing your spending with suppliers and creating great relationships, you can work together to solve problems more effectively – two heads are better than one! It’s in the best interest of your suppliers to help resolve issues and suppliers often have a broader view of the industry. You may be surprised with the support they can provide.
When our clients raised concerns about the Er NI change at the beginning of the year, we were more than happy to provide the right technological support allowing clients to run different financial scenarios and implement tactics to ease the transition. Our software already has a huge range of functionality which is not maximised by many clients. A simple conversation could unlock some of these benefits and at the same time help mitigate change.
Foster a culture of flexibility
Change is inevitable; learning to be flexible and embrace change can make the difference between success and failure. You can encourage your team to be adaptable and open-mined. Cultivate a mindset that sees change as an opportunity rather than a threat which can often lead to innovation. Again, the right software can help your business be more flexible; it streamlines processes which allows a business to become more agile when change occurs, a benefit that saves time and money.
The right decisions are made with the right information and data driven decisions are always more effective than guesswork thus making technology a powerful ally. If managed correctly change can be an opportunity for growth, opening new more efficient ways of working. Those who embrace change are more resilient; able to improve their problem-solving abilities and handle challenges more effectively which ultimately allows them to thrive in choppy waters.
