It's a mistake when building owners or facilities managers view commercial cleaning as a cost. Commercial cleaning is really an investment. Sometimes you need to explain to executives - especially those in charge of finances - that maintaining a clean environment can pay for itself many times over - often in unexpected ways. There are many "hidden" advantages to maintaining a clean workspace: * There's a direct correlation between a clean work environment and improved employee health. A clean environment can help reduce worker sick days. * A regular cleaning program preserves and protects building assets such as carpets, floors, tile surfaces, equipment. It prevents excessive wear and extends lifespans. * A sparkling workplace can be an excellent marketing tool, whether you're trying to impress prospective clients, lease space or sell the building. * A clean, healthy building plays extremely well with occupants, creating a welcoming atmosphere, often subconsciously encouraging hard work and collective effort. * The appearance is one of the major elements that separates one building from another and brings added value. Some experts say that the cleaning industry should be included under the umbrella of the healthcare industry since cleaning plays such a vital role in keeping people healthy and productive. Aiding attendance, productivity and customer satisfaction can build a financial argument that will convince even the accountants. Appearance will always be a major reason for commercial cleaning, but headlines about flu, MRSA, C. diff and other germs will mean higher cleaning standards and an increasingly important role for companies like Stephco. When we start to connect the dots between proper cleaning, employee attendance and performance, customer satisfaction and spending, then the value of commercial cleaning will be better understood and it will be harder to cut cleaning budgets - or always choose the lowest bidder. Stephen Collins is founder and President of Stephco Cleaning & Restoration, Holbrook, Mass.