Straight Talk – an ISSA Podcast

In this episode, Allen Rathey, founder and executive director of the Indoor Exposure Index (INDEX), discusses why ISSA's leadership role within the Healthy Buildings Workgroup through WELL could help elevate the cleaning industry's influence in the broader conversation about occupant health, wellness, and building performance.

How much does your facility really spend on cleaning—and are you measuring real costs?

Can AI really help cleaning companies hire better employees—or is it just another overhyped technology?

What does it take to build a restoration company that stands the test of time?

What does it take to build a restoration company that scales across multiple states while maintaining a strong culture and family foundation?

Krystie Reeves, the owner of BioteamAZ, shares the story behind the company's growth from a family-owned startup to a statewide provider of biohazard remediation, trauma cleanup, and specialty restoration services. 

Artificial intelligence is no longer the shiny new toy it was a year or two ago. Most business owners have experimented with it, many use it daily, and some are already building AI-powered workflows into their operations. As adoption has matured, so have the mistakes.

But they won't save a business that doesn't know its numbers.

What does it take to keep one of the nation's largest university facilities and housing systems running smoothly? 

Most organizations invest significant time and effort into winning new customers, but far fewer focus on what happens after the contract is signed. 

America turns 250 years old this year, but according to today's guest, one thing hasn't changed: Small businesses still carry the water.

Experience can be a powerful advantage—but it can also become a liability when professionals stop adapting. 

The conversation about the labor shortage in cleaning and facility services usually sounds the same: “Nobody wants to work anymore.” Add to that, “Turnover is at an all-time high.” But what if the real issue is that cleaning companies are competing against entirely different industries, POWERFUL industries, for the same people—and losing? 

What does it take to prepare a cleaning company for long-term success? In this episode, Paul Greenland, CEO of Ikigai Management Consultants and an ISSA Consulting partner, discusses how organizations can strengthen leadership, improve operational performance, prepare for CIMS certification, and build systems that support sustainable growth. 

The future of facility management is becoming increasingly connected, automated, and data-driven. To help cleaning and facility professionals navigate this changing landscape, ISSA has partnered with Smart Building Bootcamp to provide practical education focused on smart buildings, artificial intelligence, robotics, workplace technologies, cybersecurity awareness, and more.

In this conversation, Derek Oliveira, ISSA's Associate Director of Education, Training, and Field Services, shares insights from a career dedicated to professional development, industry advancement, and supporting cleaning professionals at every stage of their journey.

As the world prepares for the largest FIFA World Cup in history, the focus extends far beyond the stadium gates. With 48 teams, millions of fans, and thousands of support personnel moving through hotels, airports, training facilities, transportation hubs, and public venues across North America, cleanliness, infection prevention, and operational resilience will be critical to the tournament's success.

Grassroots advocacy is no longer just a conversation happening in Washington—it's happening at the state level, and restoration professionals are being called to participate. 

Most companies believe they have a hiring problem. In reality, many have a hiring process problem.

Steve Ashkin, founder of The Ashkin Group, discusses the key themes from his article about advocacy and sustainability.  

Just how smart is artificial intelligence these days? It depends on whom you ask. And when it comes to resilient flooring, AI may not be as smart as some people think.

Autonomous cleaning is everywhere right now—but what actually works in the real world? In this episode, Chris Ford, EVP of Robotics and Innovation with KBS, shares a grounded, provider-side perspective on how robotics and AI are being deployed in cleaning operations today. 

Laurie Sewell, president of ISSA, shares insights and strategies for C-Suite professionals.

Most business owners have experimented with AI—but many walked away frustrated by generic answers, weak output, and complicated prompts. In this conversation, Dean Mercado explains why the problem usually isn't the AI tool itself. It's the missing foundation behind it.

A great proposal should build confidence—not confusion. In this conversation, we explore why clarity often outperforms complexity in cleaning and restoration proposals, how overloaded estimates can hurt sales, and what business owners can do to create proposals customers actually understand and trust. 

What does it take to develop effective enzymatic detergents for today's healthcare environments? In this episode, we explore how detergent manufacturers validate cleaning performance, differentiate their products, and support healthcare facilities searching for safer, smarter cleaning solutions.

Winning a contract is only half the battle—executing a smooth transition is where the real pressure begins. In this episode, Randy Burke and Jason Little at DCS Global break down one of the biggest hidden challenges in the cleaning and facility services industry: transition anxiety. 

What happens when a university engineering project turns into a global technology company helping major facility service organizations digitize operations? 

Biohazard incidents can happen anywhere—schools, offices, healthcare facilities, public spaces, transportation hubs, and commercial buildings. When cleaning professionals encounter blood, bodily fluids, infectious materials, or other potentially hazardous contaminants, the stakes climb well beyond routine cleaning. For ISSA members and the global cleaning and facility services industry, knowing how to properly respond to biohazard situations is about safety, risk reduction, worker protection, compliance, and public health.

A great-looking website doesn't always mean great results. In this episode, we explore why so many cleaning company websites fail to convert—and what you can do about it. 

Over 55% of cleaning industry new hires quit within the first 60 days—and many companies are asking the wrong question about why. In today's program, we explore what separates cleaners who stay from those who leave almost immediately. From onboarding breakdowns and poor communication to scheduling instability, training gaps, and workplace culture, this conversation uncovers the hidden reasons behind early employee churn in the cleaning industry.

Most business owners in the cleaning and facility solutions industry are good at what they do. They know how to run a crew, manage a job, and keep clients happy. What they're less comfortable with—and what could be costing them real money—is a deeper kind of client conversation. Not a check-in. Not a quick follow-up call. A strategic business review.

In this episode, we take a closer look at insurance fraud in the restoration industry—from every angle. 

Tim Miller has seen the inside of a lot of restoration companies. After more than 30 years in the cleaning and restoration industry—starting at a mom-and-pop janitorial supply house, moving through specialty chemicals, a decade at Jon-Don, a construction company in New Mexico, and eventually founding Business Development Associates (BDA)—he has developed what he calls a body of knowledge that keeps growing with every client. This is his story.

A new alliance between two well-known industry organizations is opening the door for home inspectors to expand into indoor air quality assessment—and the timing, both groups say, couldn't be better. NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors) and InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) have formalized a partnership designed to bring together the disciplines of home inspection, indoor air quality science, and healthcare into a unified training and certification pathway.

If your sales team isn't hitting its numbers, the instinct is often to blame the people. But what if the real problem is the system they're operating in?

There's a growing movement in the restoration industry—one that says independent contractors don't need a franchise or a TPA to build a thriving business. Trusted Restorer has been making that case for years, and under its recently refreshed identity, the platform is reaching more contractors than ever with a simple but powerful message: you can scale, compete, and win on your own terms.

If your cleaning business feels harder to run right now, you're not imagining it. Rising costs, labor challenges, and constant uncertainty are putting pressure on every part of the operation. But what if the answer isn't working harder—it's working smarter with better data? In this episode, Steve Ashkin breaks down why sustainability reporting is no longer just a compliance exercise—it's a practical business tool. 

You had a great year. Revenue is up. The phone kept ringing. So when you call a broker and float the idea of selling, you expect excitement on the other end of the line. Here is why that may fall flat.

Growth should feel like progress—but for many businesses, it creates more problems than it solves. In this episode, we take a closer look at the leadership decisions that determine whether growth actually scales or simply adds stress, complexity, and constant fires. 

What does it take to lead—and succeed—at the highest levels of the cleaning industry? In this episode, we sit down with three dynamic women leaders in manufacturing and distribution to explore the real drivers behind their success. 

Are you using ChatGPT for everything? You might be slowing yourself down without even realizing it. In this episode, we break down a smarter way to use AI: matching the right tool to the right job. From writing and research to strategy, numbers, and visuals, we walk through real-world use cases that show where different AI tools shine—and where they fall short.

Why do ethics matter in restoration? Because trust is everything. In this conversation, Saima Hedrick, CEO of the Restoration Industry Association, and Justin Woodard, the RIA President Elect, discuss why ethics are not just a talking point, but a business issue that affects credibility, claims, partnerships, professionalism, and the future of the industry. 

Indoor air quality and mold are no longer just operational concerns—they're central to guest experience, brand reputation, and long-term building health. In this conversation, Doug Hoffman of NORMI and John Greenwell of EcoLife Asia share how global hospitality brands are approaching IAQ and mold in smarter, more strategic ways. 

What happens in Washington, D.C., doesn't stay in Washington—it impacts every corner of the cleaning and restoration industry. In this conversation, we explore the IICRC Legislative Fly-In, where industry professionals meet directly with Congressional offices to advocate for the work of inspectors, cleaners, and restorers—and for the standards and certifications that protect consumers and communities.

A small change to a software setting… with a big impact. In this conversation, we break down the updated labor efficiency settings in Xactimate and what they mean for disaster restoration professionals. 

Robotics is reshaping the cleaning industry—but the real story goes beyond machines. In this episode, we explore how automation is addressing labor shortages, improving consistency, and introducing new ways to manage cleaning operations through data and connected systems. 

Robotics is reshaping the cleaning industry—but the real story goes beyond machines.In this episode, we explore how automation is addressing labor shortages, improving consistency, and introducing new ways to manage cleaning operations through data and connected systems. From managing fleets of robots across multiple facilities to redefining the role of frontline workers, the conversation highlights both the opportunities and challenges of integrating robotics into everyday cleaning.If you're trying to understand where the industry is heading—and how to balance technology with people—this discussion offers a practical, forward-looking perspective on what's next.Learn more about FieldBots: https://fieldbots.com/Subscribe to Cleanfax: https://cleanfax.com/subscriptions/Subscribe to CMM: https://cmmonline.com/subscribeAbout ISSA:ISSA membership provides unparalleled opportunities to improve your operations, boost your profits, and make valuable connections. Learn more about the benefits that are in store for you as an ISSA member: https://go.issa.com/issa-membership-form#CleaningIndustry #Robotics #FacilityManagement #Automation #FutureOfWork

What does it take to deliver consistent, high-quality cleaning at scale—while also meeting growing demands for sustainability?In this conversation with ABM, one of the world's largest facility solutions providers, we explore how ISSA's Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) is helping define operational excellence across the cleaning industry. From customer-focused service delivery to sustainability initiatives aligned with LEED and environmental stewardship, this discussion highlights what it really means to lead in today's cleaning landscape.We also take a closer look at the role of Earth Day in our industry—and why cleaning professionals are at the center of creating healthier buildings and a more sustainable future.Learn more about ABM: https://www.abm.comSubscribe to Cleanfax: https://cleanfax.com/subscriptions/Subscribe to CMM: https://cmmonline.com/subscribeAbout ISSA:ISSA membership provides unparalleled opportunities to improve your operations, boost your profits, and make valuable connections. Learn more about the benefits that are in store for you as an ISSA member: https://go.issa.com/issa-membership-form#ISSA #CIMS #ABM #Sustainability #EarthDay #CleaningIndustry #FacilityManagement #GreenCleaning #Leadership