Straight Talk – an ISSA Podcast

If you own, operate, or manage a cleaning company, you value those occasions when a prospective client reaches out to you and asks for a bid or quote for your services. How you respond to a request for proposal (RFP) is critical. And when the time comes around to renegotiate a contract, you do all you can to renew the contract so it is a win/win for both the contractor and the client served. Randy...

Bat bugs are similar to bed bugs but differ in how they enter and infest structures. While bed bugs can infest a home or commercial building, such as a hotel, by attaching to people, hiding in luggage, and other transfer methods, bat bugs come in by what their name implies: On bats. In this episode of Straight Talk!, get the pest removal strategies you need from Rob Fernback, the director of sales...

With a new year comes new ideas, and an honest reflection of how business has been in 2023 can help plan what is in store for you in 2024. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle , shares the importance of embracing a new mindset when planning what is next with your entrepreneurial journey. See this interview on a related topic for planning marketing an...

In the world of marketing, timing is everything. To get the best results, you need a plan. Most are familiar with outbound and inbound marketing strategies, but a relatively newer strategy is "nearbound marketing." Nearbound marketing emphasizes delivering the right message to the right audience at precisely the right moment. By leveraging your existing relationships, you can tailor your...

Sustainability reporting is a powerful tool used by those who are looking to do business with an organization, and a strong comparison can be made to how one might read and use a CARFAX report. In this episode of Straight Talk!, learn how Steve Ashking, founder of The Ashkin Group, come up with this unique analogy and its application to the cleaning industry.

Setting up a business to succeed in 2024 requires a forward-thinking and adaptable approach. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, shares three specific strategies that business owners can use as they look at a new year with new challenges. Mercado shares ideas on positioning, relationships, and a unique look at marketing. 

The MSD of Decatur Township Student Custodial Program is a shining example of how education can extend beyond textbooks and classrooms. It's about nurturing potential, instilling responsibility, and preparing students for a brighter future. As Faust said, "Our students are very ‘Decatur Proud’ of our Student Custodial Program," and with good reason. They are building not just their...

If you are in business and value leads that generate revenue, you want a lead-generation management system that works. Because a lead is one thing, but managing that lead to get the maximum value is another. Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses the types of leads that organi...

Dr. John McKeon is a medical doctor and the CEO of Allergy Standards and the principal of iAIR Group. ISSA and its Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) division have partnered with Allergy Standards to help businesses improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and the well-being of building tenants and guests. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dr. McKeon joins Jeff Cross, ISSA Media Director, and discus...

Matt Schenk is the CEO and president of Midlab, and is now also serving as the president of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. He joins Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, in this exclusive interview from the trade show floor at ISSA Show North America.

In this special episode of Straight Talk!, from outside the ISSA Show North America 2023 trade show floor, Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, interviews the three finalists for the Cintas Custodian of the Year competition .

Spartan Chemical Company is the industry's one-stop supplier for everything cleaning and maintenance professionals need. In this episode of Straight Talk, hear from Bryan Mangum, the vice president of sales with Spartan, on what the company is currently doing with innovative products and what it has planned for the future.

At ISSA Show North America 2023 in Las Vegas, Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA, visited with Ken Sweder, now the CEO and chairman of both BradyIFS and Envoy Solutions. Both companies recently finalized a merger of their organizations, and Sweder shares some details and his vision moving forward.

When selling products or services, how effective is your sales process? And does one process fit all organizations? Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he discusses the sales process, methodology, pipeline management, and forecasts and how it all comes together if a company has a solid...

Dave Kahle is the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems and works with business-to-business sales professionals. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares tips and strategies about a topic all too familiar to sales professionals: How to deal with rejection.

Chad Howell is the vice president of product management with TRUCE Software . In this episode of Straight Talk!, he is joined by Amy Landers, best known as the TikTok star " BossLady Cleaning Hacks ". She describes her own scary experience on a cleaning job. Together, they discuss situations where employees can be in real danger, especially when working alone, and how TRUCE Software has...

If there is one absolute truth in business today, it's that search engine optimization is constantly changing. What you did last year, last month, and maybe even last week could now be outdated. What should a business owner or marketing manager focus on moving forward? Dean Mercado , the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle , outlines strategies business owners can use right now and into 2024.

Pacific Floorcare has been a loyal member of ISSA for nearly 70 years, and is developing innovative products consistently to provide the cleaning industry the equipment it needs to maintain clean, healthy floors. In this episode in the ISSA Impact series, Pacific Floorcare president Bill Fisher discusses the history of the company, how it has overcome challenges, what it does to compete in the mar...

Michael Wilson is the president and CEO of AFFLINK, a member-based organization that provides solutions to independent distribution companies. AFFLINK is celebrating 50 years in the industry and is stronger than ever, and values its partnership with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. This is the AFFLINK story.

Annette Houston is the managing director of FM Services Group in Ireland. Her company is Europe's first building service contractor to achieve CIMS GB Advanced by GBAC certification. This is the story of the company's journey.

How are you at small talk at networking events? Do you struggle at times? This episode of Straight Talk! has the solutions you need, specifically how to master the three crucial phases for networking success. Dean Mercado, the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, shares his favorite strategies in this episode of Straight Talk!

Ed Marsh is a growth and strategy consultant and the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he digs into how to use data, statistics, and processes to find the best salespeople for your organization. By implementing his ideas, you can consistently hire top talent. Add to that great training, sales management, accountability, and coaching; yo...

Janet Kaiser is the owner and CEO of Ex-Cell Kaiser Manufacturing and Design , located in Franklin Park, Illinois. She is the third-generation owner in the family business, which was started 90 years ago by her grandfather. In this episode of Straight Talk!, she discusses the history of her company and how they compete in a challenging marketplace.

Dave Kahle is the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems, and works with business-to-business sales professionals. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he shares one specific tip: The "ONE THING" that will make a difference in revenue and sales for those involved in B2B sales efforts.

Queen's University is a stellar example of how an organization can identify challenges and then embrace solutions that work. The experts that are part of the leadership team for keeping Queen's University clean and healthy discuss how ISSA's CIMS-GB certification has helped them reach their goals and not lose the momentum they know they must maintain. Learn how you can also benefit...