When it comes to hiring a professional cleaning service, a key factor to consider is the type of contract they offer. Many companies still do business using a transactional or traditional contact, while others have transitioned into a more modern relational contract.
The start of a good partnership begins with transparency or the ability to see what actions are being performed. The implications of transparency are openness, communication, and accountability. These factors play a significant role in building collaborative partnerships with companies and help to build a successful, trusting relationship. They can be incorporated into the type of contract the company decides to implement with its clients.
Let's explore these two types of contracts and discuss why relational contracts prove more beneficial for professional cleaning service clients.
Restrictive Nature of Transactional Contracts
Transactional contracts are the traditional way of doing business. These contracts lay out a set of agreed-upon terms described in detail and enforceable by law. In many industries, transactional contracts can be an excellent tool for success because of the outlined details. However, our experience has found that this type of contract fosters an arms-length relationship with little trust and transparency in the cleaning industry.
You see, with transactional contracts, companies try to conceive of every possible scenario that could occur, outlining it in black and white in the contract. Since there is no way to predict the future, it is not easy to accomplish. This approach also hinders the opportunity for discussions that can result in proactive improvements and innovative solutions.
With professional cleaning services, transactional contracts often undermine the trust needed to manage uncertainty. It also limits both parties’ ability to keep their expectations and interests aligned over a long-term partnership.
For instance, with a transactional contract, it is challenging to address service issues. Why? Because there is no clear way to address subpar work. The client is often left frustrated because concerns are not getting to the right person, and therefore the issues are not corrected. This shortfall in communication creates cracks in the partnership between the professional cleaning company and the client.
Another way a transactional contract can affect the relationship between a professional cleaning company and its client is when it comes to opportunities for improvement. For example, say a cleaning staff member notices an opportunity to improve overall services by addressing an area not outlined in the contract. In most traditional contracts, a chain of action to address this issue is non-existent. Additionally, without rewriting the transactional contract, the extra work cannot be completed. This is not the case with a relational contract.
Benefits of Choosing a Relational Contract
As a professional cleaning service provider, we have learned over the years that each client has their own unique needs. These needs also tend to change periodically, some more frequent than others. For that reason, having a relational contract with our clients gives us the flexibility to research how to help them meet their objectives and ultimately build a successful, long-term relationship with them. This type of contract allows you to become a proactive partner that takes accountability, sharing ideas for improvement with the client. Essentially, our team becomes an extension of our client's team.
Relational contracts are collaborative partnerships designed to build trust and provide complete transparency. By definition, it is a contract in which what is expected by both sides is not written out in detail. Instead, it develops as an ongoing relationship.
Relational contracts rely on these six guiding principles:
Reciprocity – striving to make fair and balanced exchanges that are mutually beneficial to both parties.
Autonomy – transparently making as much information available as possible to allow the client to make a good decision for itself and the relationship.
Honesty – accurate and genuine conversations and communication at all levels within the relationship. Conveyance of truthful facts and intentions without withholding information being relevant for the success of the partnership.
Loyalty – defend and protect the value of the other party's interests to the same extent that one value its own interests.
Equity – recognizing the possibility of unequal distribution of risk or investment at times and reassessing the compensation of each party in proportion to the value, risk costs incurred, or investment made to the partnership.
Integrity – avoiding opportunistic behavior and continually striving to make decisions consistent with these principles in the partnership's best interest.
In most cases, a static contract proposal with a list of what cleaning tasks will be performed is not best for a company. Having the flexibility to tailor services and custom-fit unique needs is a better option. Consider discussing a relational contract with your professional cleaning service.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
