How do I hand my janitorial company’s site walk-through habits to my manager?

Your walk-throughs probably run on instinct: the corner where dust gathers, the washroom a client always notices, the supervisor who needs a reminder. Start by doing a few together and narrating. Explain what you look at first, what you ignore, and what makes you stop and call someone. Take notes or photos so the manager has a record in your words. Turn those notes into a short checklist for each site. Include the client’s particular concerns, access arrangements, keys, alarm routines and the person to speak to if something is wrong. Then switch roles. Let your manager lead while you watch, and give feedback afterwards rather than during the visit.

Handing over habits also means handing over standing. Introduce your manager to each client contact and make clear that this person speaks for the company. Start with the sites where problems are likely, so the first test is not a crisis. Revisit the checklists after the first few weeks, since the manager will see things you stopped noticing. If you are also selling, share the checklists with a buyer as evidence that quality does not rest on you alone. Agree a regular catch-up where the manager reports what they found on recent walks.

Key takeaways

• Narrate your walk-throughs aloud on several visits and record what you say.
• Write a checklist for each site that includes the client’s particular concerns.
• Introduce the manager to every client contact and let them lead while you watch.