As a professional in the cleaning industry, I’m constantly on the lookout for the latest trends and innovations that can help me stay ahead of the curve. It’s an exciting time, with so much change and disruption happening all around us. From the rise of sustainability and digital transformation to the increasing focus on healthcare and hygiene, the cleaning industry is evolving at a rapid pace.
But you know what they say – with great change comes great opportunity. And that’s exactly what I’m here to explore with you today. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the key trends and insights that are shaping the future of our industry, and uncover strategies to help you future-proof your business and come out on top.
Sustainability: The New North Star
One of the biggest buzzwords in the cleaning industry these days is sustainability. And it’s not hard to see why. Consumers, governments, and even our own employees are putting increasing pressure on businesses to reduce their environmental impact and operate in a more eco-friendly way.
But sustainability is about more than just being green. It’s a holistic approach that considers the social, economic, and environmental impact of our operations. It’s about finding ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and create positive change in the communities we serve.
Take Scientary, for example – a fictional multinational life science company that’s been grappling with these issues head-on. By embracing strategic foresight and scenario planning, Scientary has been able to anticipate the long-term sustainability challenges facing their industry and develop a robust, resilient strategy to address them.
“It’s not just about doing business anymore,” says Gordon Grundmann, a Manager at Monitor Deloitte. “The new expectation is that business should have an overall positive social, economic, and environmental impact.”
This is where strategic foresight comes into play. By using methods like trend scanning, scenario planning, and strategy wind-tunneling, organizations can better understand the drivers of change in their industry and the diverse range of sustainability-related developments that could impact their business.
“Strategic foresight helps organizations to mitigate emerging risks and capture opportunities by anticipating long-term developments triggered by the diverse range of sustainability-related developments,” explains Frederik Josten, a Senior Consultant at Monitor Deloitte.
Interestingly, a recent Deloitte study found that 67% of participants were willing to pay up to 41% more for products if they were sustainable, with that inclination being even higher among younger age groups. This goes to show that sustainability is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a key driver of product innovation and price differentiation.
The Digitalization Dilemma
Alongside the push for sustainability, the cleaning industry is also grappling with the challenges of digital transformation. From the rise of big data and automation to the increasing use of AI-powered tools, technology is radically reshaping the way we work.
“Digital transformation has been a tremendous challenge for organizations,” says Dr. Florian Klein, an advisor, corporate strategist, and futures thinker at Deloitte. “But sustainability strategies go further by fundamentally rewriting the rules.”
One area where this is particularly evident is in the realm of data and strategic intelligence. By leveraging AI-based sensing tools and natural language processing, cleaning companies can now identify relevant sustainability-triggered topics and material issues with greater speed and accuracy than ever before.
This not only helps inform materiality assessments and stakeholder engagement, but also allows organizations to monitor the continuous changes in their sustainability-driven business environment. As Tina Nybo Jensen from the Global Reporting Initiative puts it, “The relevance of sustainability is subject to public perception and can change significantly over time.”
But it’s not just about data and technology. The digital transformation of the cleaning industry also has profound implications for our workforce and the way we work. From automation and robotics to the growing demand for digital skills, cleaning professionals need to be prepared for a future that looks very different from the past.
Healthcare and Hygiene: The New Frontier
As if sustainability and digital transformation weren’t enough, the cleaning industry is also grappling with the increasing focus on healthcare and hygiene. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust these issues into the spotlight, and cleaning professionals are being called upon to play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and healthy.
“Healthcare cleaning is experiencing a massive new wave of innovation,” says the team at Interclean Amsterdam, the world’s largest international trade show for the cleaning industry. “Discover all these exciting developments on our dedicated healthcare and hygiene stage.”
From cutting-edge disinfection techniques to advanced cleaning technologies, the cleaning industry is at the forefront of the fight against infectious diseases. And it’s not just hospitals and medical facilities that are benefiting from these advancements – schools, businesses, and even our own homes are all feeling the impact.
But it’s not just about the technical aspects of cleaning and hygiene. There’s also a growing emphasis on the human element, with a focus on worker well-being and community engagement. In fact, Interclean Amsterdam is even showcasing a Dutch documentary called “Invisible Onzichtbaar” that shines a light on the people working in the hygiene industry.
“It’s about fostering connections and building a vibrant community,” says the Interclean team. “Network with fellow cleaning professionals from across the globe at the Interclean Social Club, a dedicated space for forging valuable partnerships.”
Embracing the Complexity
As you can see, the cleaning industry is in the midst of a profound transformation. From sustainability and digital transformation to healthcare and hygiene, the challenges and opportunities are vast and complex.
But that’s exactly why I’m so excited about the future of our industry. By embracing the complexity and uncertainty, we can unlock new possibilities and stay ahead of the curve.
Scientary, for example, has been using strategic foresight to challenge the robustness of their current strategy and align their long-term sustainability ambitions with their corporate strategy. They’re not just reacting to the changes, but shaping the future of their industry.
And that’s the approach I encourage you to take as well. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, to experiment with new technologies and approaches, and to collaborate with others to tackle the big challenges we’re facing.
After all, as Adam Cleaning likes to say, “The cleaning industry is not just about cleaning. It’s about innovation, sustainability, and community.”
So let’s embrace the complexity, explore the unknown, and unlock the full potential of our industry. The future is ours for the taking.
