Managing a mobile cleaning workforce requires clear communication, strong organization, and a sense of inclusion. Strong leadership is also needed to effectively maintain a building service contractor (BSC) workforce that feels supported and engaged as a crucial part of the brand strategy.
As a master franchise owner with Anago Cleaning Systems, many first-time unit franchisees ask me how they can effectively manage their frontline services teams while streamlining communications and keeping teams well-informed and inclusive of the larger goals. Here is what I tell them:
It all starts with you
Effectively communicating with remote staff requires an adaptable, empathetic, and proactive leadership style. Successful remote leaders embrace results-driven leadership to ensure clarity, engagement, and productivity across a dispersed team. These leaders focus on:
- Transparency and trust: Strong remote leaders prioritize transparency and trust, openly sharing goals, expectations, and company updates to create alignment and prevent misunderstandings. They foster open communication by encouraging feedback, active participation, and collaboration across digital channels. This helps remote employees feel heard, valued, and connected to the company’s vision.
- Empathy: Effective leaders recognize remote employees’ challenges—such as isolation or work-life balance struggles—and provide flexibility and support. They check in regularly, not just about work tasks but also about employee well-being, creating a culture of care and accountability.
- Proactive problem-solving and adaptability: Since remote teams rely heavily on digital tools, strong leaders leverage technology to streamline communication, ensuring employees can access the right platforms and resources to work efficiently. They also adjust their strategies based on team feedback, ensuring that communication methods remain effective as the team and
business evolve. - Leading by example: Leaders must demonstrate strong communication habits, set clear expectations, and reinforce company values. By being accessible, responsive, and intentional in their interactions, they inspire engagement and high performance among their team members.
Open the lines of communication
When speaking with BSC owners and managers, I stress the importance of strong communication with their remote team members because it fosters productivity, collaboration, and overall business success. Clear and consistent communication ensures that their teams stay aligned on goals, deadlines, and expectations, reducing misunderstandings and improving efficiency. Engagement increases when employees feel connected and valued, strengthening company culture and motivation.
Effective communication also leads to better decision-making, as real-time collaboration allows teams to share insights and respond quickly to challenges. This directly impacts customer experience, ensuring consistent messaging and seamless service delivery. As businesses scale and expand into new markets, maintaining strong communication systems supports operational consistency and smooth onboarding of new employees.
Additionally, a well-connected remote team experiences higher job satisfaction. Employees who feel heard and included are likelier to stay with the company, fostering a stable and engaged
workforce. Open communication encourages innovation, allowing remote employees to share ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate on solutions that drive business growth.
Seven steps to communication success
I advise my unit franchisees to take the following steps to improve communication, support, and efficiency for their remote teams. These steps will work for your business as well.
- Implement a mobile communication system: Your team is constantly moving, so ensure they can easily connect with managers and colleagues. Set up a messaging app for quick updates, use scheduling software for shift management, and use video calls to maintain personal engagement.
- Establish real-time support: Employees need immediate assistance when issues arise. Create a dedicated support line, build a digital knowledge base with FAQs and troubleshooting guides, and appoint regional leads to mentor and assist on-site employees.
- Make your team feel included: A mobile workforce can feel disconnected, so create opportunities for engagement. Schedule regular virtual check-ins, highlight employees in newsletters or social media, and host company-wide events (both virtual and in-person) to foster camaraderie.
- Simplify administrative tasks: Automated payroll and time tracking reduce paperwork headaches. Digital forms for incident reports and supply requests keep everything organized, while performance monitoring tools ensure quality service.
- Upgrade your training program: Training shouldn’t be a burden for mobile employees. Provide on-demand video tutorials, host live virtual training sessions, and create a mentorship program that pairs new hires with experienced employees for hands-on learning.
- Recognize and reward your employees: Motivate your team by offering performance-based incentives such as bonuses or extra time off. Implement a peer recognition system where employees can nominate each other and publicly celebrate top performers with an employee of the month program.
- Gather feedback and encourage open communication: Ensure your employees feel heard. Conduct regular surveys, schedule one-on-one check-ins, and create a suggestion platform where team members can share ideas to improve operations.
Focusing on these seven key actions today can help create a more connected, supported, and efficient cleaning workforce. Better communication and employee engagement lead to
a happier team and increased client satisfaction.
