BSCAI’s podcast, Contracting Conversations, features stories from the heart of the building service contractor and commercial cleaning industry—entrepreneurs and experts who have dedicated their careers to building best-in-class businesses driven by an essential workforce.
Tune in to learn from business owners who share real-world experiences, experts keeping a pulse on emerging technology, leaders’ perspectives on the issues that will grow this industry, seasoned professionals’ career advice and so much more.
Where You Can Listen
You can access all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud.
Season 5 Episodes:
How I Grew My Career: Featuring Matt Streiff of The Budd Group
October 24, 2024: Matt Streiff is a longtime BSCAI member who joined in 2007 and has held positions on both the supplier and contractor side of the commercial cleaning industry. He offers a unique perspective about how he’s grown his career, learning from everything the industry has to offer. Tune in as Matt shares the steps he’s taken to become a leader in the space, as well as his advice for building trusted relationships with clients and sales teams.
>Read more and listen.
How BSCs Build Their Business, Featuring Blake Dozier and Cory Jessee of OnPoint
September 12, 2024: Blake Dozier and Cory Jessee have been in business together for the last 10 years — combining their expertise in commercial real estate and small business management — and have also had the unique advantage of developing a solid friendship with time. Learn how they got their commercial cleaning business off the ground floor, the advice they’d give themselves in those first three years, how their involvement in the industry and BSCAI has impacted their work, the ways they balance their friendship with business, and much more.
>Read more and listen.
How Contractors Think About Company Values and Culture
August 9, 2024: How do building service contractors (BSCs) think about company culture? What goes into defining values and ensuring they align with your employees’ realities? Tune in as we talk to Raymond Hall, chief human resources officer at Harvard Maintenance, and Terell Weg, president and CEO of MSNW Group, LLC. These two BSCAI members and their companies have put in the work when it comes to creating their organization’s core values. We discuss what goes into defining such values, how to ensure all employees — in the field or in the office — feel equally engaged in company culture, the role this plays in training and retention, and more.
>Read more and listen.
How Contractors Are Thinking About Emerging Tech
June 27, 2024: From robotics to artificial intelligence and evolving ways to report out data/analytics, there’s no shortage of opportunities for building service contractors to embrace the latest in emerging technology solutions. We spoke with Ryan Ferons (Pioneer) and Connor Haas (Merchants Building Maintenance) to better understand how contractors are thinking about technology for their frontline workers, as well as back-of-house operations.
>Read more and listen.
Let’s Talk Good Disruption: A Conversation With Mike Maddock, EMC Speaker
April 12, 2024: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sat down with Mike Maddock, entrepreneur, writer and speaker at the BSCAI Executive Management Conference (EMC), for a preview on his session and get tips for how to shake up the status quo within your own organization.
>Read more and listen.
Contracting Success Recap: Word on the Street
January 10, 2024: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, hear feedback from 2023 BSCAI Contracting Success attendees who took a break from the show floor to share perspective on the value the event offers, the benefits of BSCAI membership and more.
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The State of Robotics in the Cleaning Industry
June 12, 2023: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, Terry Watson, Vice President of Sales with Tennant Co, and Cameron Waite, Founder and CEO of Real Life Robotics, discuss how robotics play a role in the cleaning industry, what innovations lay on the horizon, and how BSCs can learn to embrace emerging technologies in their day to day operations.
>Read more and listen.
Aspiring to Greatness: Discussing the Makings of an Effective CEO
June 2, 2023: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, Brett Gilliland, CEO and Founder of Elite Entrepreneurs, discusses what inspired him to start his own company, as well as the tenets of what differentiates a good CEO from a great CEO.
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Hustle and Grit: The Foundation of Building a Business
February 23, 2023: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, we speak with Justin Forsett, CEO and Founder of Hustle Clean and 2023 Executive Management Conference speaker about how perseverance serves as the cornerstone of entrepreneurship and why taking failure in stride contributes to a business's longevity.
>Read more and listen.
Season 4 Episodes:
Improving the Customer Experience
August 31, 2022: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, we speak with Dan Gingiss, Customer Experience Coach and 2022 Contracting Success Keynote Speaker, about how focusing on customer experience can better overall business operations.
>Read more and listen.
BSCAI CLEAN Awards Inspire Greatness
July 20, 2022: Hear from Kathleen Bands, CEO of My Cleaning Service, Inc., Jamie Henry, CEO of Beeline Support, and Paul Taylor, CEO of ESS Clean, Inc., as they discuss the positive impact of BSCAI's CLEAN Awards on BSC business owners and their employees.
>Read more and listen.
Professional Wellbeing in a Humanized Workplace
March 11, 2022: On this episode of Contracting Conversations, Rachel Druckenmiller, keynote speaker and founder of Unmuted, discusses wellbeing in our professional lives, how business owners can improve employee engagement, and what it means to truly humanize a workplace.
> Read more and listen.
It Starts with Company Culture
March 28, 2022: BSCAI sits down with Brent Gleeson, keynote speaker, former Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of Taking Point Leadership. Throughout the episode, Brent addresses his transition from being a Navy SEAL to starting his own business, the importance of building a strong company culture, and how BSC business owners can nurture leadership qualities within their teams.
> Read more and listen.
A Legacy of Excellence
April 14, 2022: BSCAI sits down with Tim Murch, President and CEO of 4M Building Solutions to dive into his rich history of working in the building services industry, what it takes to build a cohesive team, and more.
> Read more and listen.
Executive Insights: Jim Harris, President of Janitronics Facility Services
May 26, 2022: Jim Harris, the president of Janitronics Facility Services, sat down with BSCAI to discuss his career path, his insights on effective business, and more.
> Read more and listen.
Season 3 Episodes:
Lift as You Climb: Advocating for Diversity in the Custodial and Facilities Maintenance Industry
December 8, 2021: Rachel Sanchez, CEO and Managing Partner, Prestige Maintenance USA, speaks to how she helped grow Prestige into one of the largest woman and family owned custodial and facilities maintenance companies in the nation, as well as how she advocates for women and diverse communities within the industry.
> Read more and listen.
Curating an Environment for Success
October 27, 2021: Jerry Flug, Executive Vice President and Owner of Davis Professional Services, discusses his methodology for promoting talent from within his organization and the benefits of paying it forward.
> Read more and listen.
Contracting Success Keynote Preview: Sara Ross
October 18, 2021: Sara Ross, Chief Vitality Office of BrainAMPED, discusses the core tenets of leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, and her upcoming keynote address at this year's Contracting Success Conference.
> Read more and listen.
Contracting Success Keynote Preview: Jason Dorsey
September 29, 2021: Jason Dorsey, President for the Center of Generational Kinetics, speaks about his passion for helping his generation, what makes a good leader, and previews his keynote address for this year's Contracting Success event in Las Vegas.
> Read more and listen.
Beeline CEO Builds Company from the Ground Up
August 30, 2021: Jamie Henry, CEO of Beeline, has spent her entire professional career in the building services industry. A titan in her own right, Jamie has helped Beeline become a true industry leader and continues to drive forward with innovation at the core of Beeline's business operations.
> Read more and listen.
Striving for Sustainable Business Operations
July 23, 2021: Over the course of the last decade, sustainability has become a necessity in the building services industry. In the inaugural episode of season 3, Ben Walker, Director of Business Development for ManageMen, Inc., sat down with Contracting Conversations to discuss the importance of integrating sustainable practices into BSC business operations.
> Read more and listen.
Protecting BSC Businesses with Cyber Insurance
August 4, 2021: With cyberattacks on the rise, it's becoming paramount for business owners to take their cybersecurity measures to the next level. Andrew Laubmeier, Senior Vice President and Midwest Cyber Practice Leader with Lockton Companies, speaks to the benefits of cyber insurance and how BSC business owners can better protect their companies and employees from looming threats.
> Read more and listen.
Season 2 Episodes:
What Makes an Emerging Leader – A Conversation With Kathleen Bands
November 24, 2020: When it comes to leadership, Kathleen Bands knows a thing or two. Bands, who is the CEO of My Cleaning Service, was raised in the building service contract industry and watched as her grandfather—and then her parents—built their business from the ground up. Now at the helm, Bands says she’s bringing the company into the future. Bands recently was awarded the 2020 Contracting Profit’s Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions in the industry. Bands said she is honored to receive the award. She sat down with Contracting Conversations to discuss her leadership style, working at a generational family business and how young women in the industry can assert themselves.
> Read more and listen.
COVID-19 Disinfection and Safety Course Aims to Help Frontline Cleaners Be Prepared
September 24, 2020: BSCAI recently launched its COVID-19 Disinfection and Safety Course, a comprehensive educational tool for frontline workers. From worker safety to disinfection techniques, this new program is designed to make frontline workers feel secure, safe and prepared to tackle COVID-19. Steve Ashkin, president of the Ashkin Group and one of the designers of the course, sat down with Contracting Conversations to discuss the course and why it is more important than ever.
> Read more and listen.
Leading Through Crisis—How Building Service Contractors Can Come Out of COVID-19 on Top
September 10, 2020: COVID-19 has upended the way we do everything: From the way we work and learn to how we interact with others, the pandemic has pushed many of us to the edge. For building service contractors, the stay-at-home orders have put a dent in business-as-usual. That’s why Troy Hazard—author, speaker and businessowner—wants to inspire you to rise above it.
> Read more and listen.
The Hero Effect – Creating a Culture of Heroes at Every Level
September 8, 2020: What does it mean to be a hero? For some, it conjures images of superheroes. For Contracting Success+ Keynote Speaker Kevin Brown, you don’t need to have a cape or super human powers to be a hero. For business owners and leaders, a hero starts with the power of positivity. Leaders should rise to challenges, face them head-on, and work on being the best versions of themselves at home and in the office.
> Read more and listen.
Giving Your Customers the Rock Star Experience
August 13, 2020: Want to make your customers become devoted fans? Creating a one-of-a-kind customer experience isn’t rocket science, but it is a little rock-n-roll. Contracting Success+ Keynote Speaker Jim Knight sat down with Contracting Conversations to discuss what leaders can do—even amid a pandemic—to ensure their customers feel they’re getting the best service in town.
> Read more and listen.
Season 1 Episodes:
A Generational Building Service Contractor Talks Changes, Growth in the Industry
July 24, 2020: In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sit down with Phillippe Mack, Canadian senior vice president of Bee Clean Building Maintenance. As a generational building service contractor, Mack has seen the industry grow and change in unique ways. He’s also located in Canada, and speaks to what businesses are seeing there versus their American counterparts.
> Read more and listen.
Your Business and Technology: Why Cybersecurity is Essential
July 14, 2020: In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sit down with William Velez, the chief information officer at Harvard Maintenance. While it may not be top of mind for all building service contractors, Velez said cybersecurity is an essential part of running a business.
> Read more and listen.
BSCAI Member Advisory Builds Relationships for Life
June 29, 2020: In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sit down with Robert Stewart, CBSE, the BSCAI Director of Member Advisory. We discuss BSCAI’s newly invigorated Member Advisory program which aims to bridge the gap between mentor and mentees, and bring together peer groups to discuss issues they’re all facing.
> Read more and listen.
The Benefits of Ongoing Education for Your Staff
June 11, 2020: In this episode, we sit down with Michael Diamond, CBSE, owner and managing partner of Connecticut-based AffinEco LLC. We discuss his company’s involvement in the Certified Site Supervisor certificate program by BSCAI. The CSS is specifically designed to elevate on-site supervisors and members of the leadership team. Modules for this include in-depth looks at management and training, as well as best cleaning practices.
> Read more and listen.
Human Resources and COVID-19: What BSCs Need to Be Doing Right Now
June 4, 2020: In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sit down with Claudia St. John, the president of Affinity HR—and official partner of BSCAI. An expert on everything human resources, St. John discusses some of the biggest questions weighing on BSCs in light of COVID-19.
> Read more and listen.
COVID-19 Reopening: What One BSC is Doing to Get His Clients Back in Business
May 28, 2020: As more states and communities begin reopening for business, it’s leaving many wondering what they can do to keep everyone healthy. For many, cleanliness is top of mind. Jerry Flug Jr., executive vice president and owner of Davis Professional Services, has taken a unique approach to help his clients prepare their spaces for reopening and helping them establish new processes going forward.
> Read more and listen.
How One BSC Tackled COVID-19 in the Eye of the Storm
May 22, 2020: In this episode of Contracting Conversations, we sit down with Terell Weg, CBSE. Her company MSWN, Inc., is based in Washington State, the first in the U.S. to experience a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. For Weg, it was an unsettling experience, but she and her team rose to the challenge.
> Read more and listen.
The Science of Cleaning and the Impact of COVID-19
May 14, 2020: COVID-19 has changed the way we will do business. For BSCs, one of the shifts in thinking will be cleaning for look vs. cleaning for health.
In the latest episode of BSCAI’s podcast Contracting Conversations, we sit down with Dr. Eugene Cole, an expert in the ecology and cleanliness of indoor and work environments, to talk about the science of cleaning. He explains to us how understanding how viruses work and thrive will help BSCs refine their cleaning schedules, and how people overall are now acutely aware of the hygiene of their environment.
> Read more and listen.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and BSCs: How Building Service Contractors are Rising to the Challenge
May 7, 2020: In this inaugural episode of BSCAI’s Contracting Conversations, we talk with BSCAI President Todd Hopkins and President-Elect Eric Luke, CBSE, about top-of-mind issues for BSCs. From PPP loans to what the future of cleaning schedules look like, Hopkins and Luke dissect the challenges BSCs are facing and give tips on what they can do to weather through them.
> Read more and listen.
For additional resources related to COVID-19, please visit BSCAI’s resource page.