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Franchisee Spotlight – Hayana Hill, Corvus of Cleveland

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December’s Franchisee Spotlight Series features Corvus of Cleveland Franchise Owner Hayana Hill. Read on to learn more about the standout Franchisee who goes above and beyond to Make Lives Better!

To keep up with the Franchisee Spotlight Series and all things Corvus, follow us on Instagram! @corvus_janitorial_franchising

Franchise Owner Mrs. Hayana Hill has made a major impact in one of our newest markets – Corvus of Cleveland – since opening her Franchise last June. According to Regional Director Mr. Johnny Lunsford, her friendly and bright personality showed right away at the disclosure. Since then, she has said yes to pretty much every opportunity given to her.

A particular instance where Mrs. Hill’s “just-say-yes” attitude shined was during crunch time. After being notified that a last-minute transfer was needed, she drove from Baltimore to Cleveland through the night to be at the walkthrough. Needless to say, the transfer was successful!

Mrs. Hill has many strengths, but in our opinion, it is her time management and organizational skills that really stand out. She is also smart, thorough, and does not shy away from hard work. As a full-time mother with work experience ranging from housekeeping to the nursing field, it is no surprise that she is already such a successful Franchise Owner.

Thank you, Mrs. Hill, for all that you do. Everyone at Corvus looks forward to working with you and watching your business grow!

Corvus Awarded North American Customer of the Year by SugarCRM

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Corvus Janitorial Systems is honored to have been named North American Customer of the Year in SugarCRM’s 2021 Customer Breakthrough Awards.

Chris Pennington, Chief Customer Officer at SugarCRM, says, “Congratulations to our SugarCRM Customer Breakthrough Award winners for showcasing how Sugar solutions and services make the hard things easier for sales, marketing, and service. Even in the throes of a global pandemic, these customers were able to overcome disruption by leveraging technology to drive innovation and success in the most challenging of business circumstances…We’re pleased to recognize these Sugar customers around the globe that are letting the platform do the work for next-level customer experience and business performance.”

Corvus would like to extend a special thanks to our partners at Technology Advisors Inc. (TAI) for their years of extensive support in creating a robust, integrated, customized, and effective CRM platform. We look forward to many more years of partnership and growth with the Sugar and TAI teams – thank you for being great partners!

About SugarCRM

SugarCRM is how marketing, sales, and service teams finally get a clear picture of each customer to help businesses reach new levels of performance and predictability. Sugar is the CRM platform that makes the hard things easier. Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on Sugar to achieve high-definition CX by letting the platform do the work. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Sugar is backed by Accel-KKR. For more information about SugarCRM, visit: www.sugarcrm.com.

About Technology Advisors Inc.

Technology Advisors, Inc. (TAI) is a software consultancy out of Chicago focused on digital transformation initiatives and CRM optimization. The goal of TAI is to help customers drive more revenue by successfully utilizing their software mix for automation, departmental alignment, and streamlined services. The firm has supported customers across the country with CRM adoption, training, customization, integration, and support for more than 30 years. To learn more about Technology Advisors, Inc. please visit https://www.techadv.com.

Corvus Thanks Our Veterans

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As we observe Veterans Day this year, Corvus would like to express our wholehearted gratitude and deepest respects to all our Nation’s veterans and their families. The courage, heroism, selflessness, and love of country of those who have served allows all of us to sleep peacefully at night and to wake up every day in a free society.

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th in the United States, is a day for reflection, remembrance, and respect. Veterans Day was originally celebrated as Armistice Day on November 11th, 1919, to mark the end of World War I on the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month”, established by the Treaty of Versailles, in 1918. Initially declared by President Woodrow Wilson, the purpose of Armistice Day up until 1945 was to honor the fallen warriors of WWI. Armistice Day was officially made a federal holiday on May 13th, 1938.

In 1945, Raymond Weeks, a veteran of World War II, led a delegation to General Dwight D. Eisenhower proposing expanding Armistice Day to recognize and celebrate all American veterans. He organized the first ever Veterans Day celebration in 1945 and continued to do so until his passing in 1985. Weeks is considered the “Father of Veterans Day” and he was awarded the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 by President Reagan.

Armistice Day officially became Veteran’s Day on May 26, 1954, when now President Eisenhower signed a bill presented by U.S. Representative Ed Rees of Kansas amending the 1938 act by replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans”. 1954 also saw the creation of the National Veterans Award, and the first recipient was Congressman Rees for his efforts to make Veterans Day a federal holiday.

Veterans Day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect upon and honor the contributions – past, present, and future – of American Veterans. Their service to our country does not stop when they leave the armed forces. There are approximately 19.5 million veterans in the United States; they are community leaders, business owners, coaches, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters. They bring their sense of honor, duty, and loyalty to the common good with them to civilian society, and we are a better nation because of the veterans in our midst.

A special thanks to:

Ryan Patrick, U.S. Army Cavalry Scout
Regional Director – Corvus of Louisville

Marshall Dickerson Jr, U.S. Marine Corps
Franchise Owner – Corvus of Baton Rouge

Djuanyel Lewis, U.S. Navy
Franchise Owner – Corvus of Chicago

Tommy Lee, U.S. Army Combat Engineer; VA Hospital
Franchise Owner, Corvus of St. Louis

Dan Luna, United States Navy SEAL
Executive Partner, Founder – Team 3LX Consulting

In addition to the above, Corvus extends our humble appreciation today to all our veteran partners, teammates, stakeholders, and their families; it is the highest honor and a great privilege to work alongside you – you personify Corvus’ mission to Make Lives Better.

We would also like to express our appreciation to the International Franchise Association and the IFA Foundation for their support of veterans through their VetFran initiative, which aims to “facilitate the transition of veterans into franchising by encouraging franchisors to offer discounts and incentives to veterans…and to assemble resources, tools and a database of franchising opportunities for veterans”. Corvus is proud to be a VetFran member organization and to offer a 20% discount to all our veterans.

Please take the opportunity today to thank the veterans in your life for their service – they risked their lives for our fundamental freedoms with honor, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to their country. Check out the resources below to learn how you can help support our former service members this Veterans Day.

Resources to Support Our Veterans:

• VetFran – International Franchise Association (IFA)
• Wounded Warrior Project
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• National Veterans Foundation
• Global Special Operations Foundation
• SEAL Future Foundation
• Navy Seal Foundation
• Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)

Flu Season Cleaning Tips: How to Keep Your Workplace Safe

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Ah yes. It’s flu season again. That wonderful time of year where the influenza virus can stop us in our tracks at a moment’s notice and decimate otherwise clean and healthy workplaces. In fact, according to the CDC, 38 million people suffered from the flu during the 2019 – 2020 season. Flu activity was unusually low throughout the 2020-2021 flu season. Preliminary reports by the CDC estimate that between 8 and 13 million people suffered from the flu illness in 2021-2022 season. That’s a whole lot of sick days being used. So how can businesses protect their employees while also protecting workplace productivity? By following these helpful flu season cleaning tips.

Tip 1: Identify Common Contact Points

While influenza can certainly be passed through airborne transmission, it can also be transmitted from person to person through commonly accessed contact points throughout your office. In fact, the virus can last on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Because of this, you’ll want to identify the areas in your office that people touch the most so you can focus your cleaning time more efficiently. Some common contact points include:

• Door handles and knobs
• Light switches
• Hand railings
• Countertops
• Desks
• Phones
• Touch screens
• Keyboards
• Toilets
• Faucets and sinks

Tip 2: Use Hospital-Grade Disinfectants

Not all disinfectants are created equal. And while it’s possible to have your workspace cleaned with traditional home-grade disinfectant products, the extra protection and peace of mind that you get by using commercial-grade cleaning products and techniques can’t be overstated. At Corvus, our EPA-approved medical grade chemicals are applied to surfaces using an electrostatic sprayer or ultra-low volume (ULV) fogger to ensure maximum coverage and effectiveness.

Tip 3: Prevent Cross Contamination

One of the biggest risks in trying to clean multiple surfaces with the same cleaning materials is that you risk cross contamination of already sanitized areas. To prevent this, take a tip from Corvus and use different colored clothes and wipes for different areas in your workplace. For instance, use only green cleaning items for bathrooms, or only blue cleaning items for desks and chairs. That way you won’t accidentally spread contaminants from one area to another.

Tip 4: Keep Employees Informed and Prepared

When it comes to fighting the flu, you can’t do it alone. Make sure that your employees know that they can stay home from work if they’re feeling sick. Better to lose one day of someone’s time than have that person come in and infect the whole office, right? Another thing you can do is make sure that your employees have personal cleaning supplies that they can use to keep their own workspaces clean, such as sanitizing wipes and disposable cleaning clothes.

Tip 5: Make a Plan

The most important thing you’ll want to figure out is who is going to be doing the cleaning. If your business has a full-time cleaning person on staff, that’s great. If not, you might want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service, such as Corvus, to help you with all your deep cleaning needs. Drop us a line and we can help you create a custom cleaning plan for your facility.

Conclusion

While the flu season is just a fact of life, you don’t have to just sit around and accept it. The more prepared and informed you and your employees are, the better the chance you have of avoiding a major outbreak in your office.

5 Signs You’re Ready to Purchase a Commercial Cleaning Franchise

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You’ve been dreaming about purchasing a commercial cleaning franchise, and you think it might be time. What could be better than setting your own hours, being your own boss, and (most importantly) doing what you’re passionate about? These thoughts compel you. But just before you make the move, doubt creeps in, and you pause.

Are you really ready?

Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is a big one, so it’s understandable to be nervous and even second-guess yourself.
If you’ve been thinking about owning your own commercial cleaning franchise, but you aren’t quite sure you’re ready to take the big first step, check out these 5 indicators. Cast the doubt aside and take a look. You may already be there!

1. You’re Excited

Yes, you have your doubts and healthy quotient of worry. Purchasing a franchise isn’t something anyone should spontaneously jump into. Doubts can be crippling, but if your excitement shines through the fog of fear and anxiety, it’s a sign you may be ready.

The doubt that comes creeping into your brain proves you’re thinking clearly and weighing the pros and cons. You aren’t about to jump into something feet first, which is a good sign. That means you’re excited, but you’re also thinking about the situation logically.

On the flip side, your excitement reveals your passion for the venture. This passion is what will fuel your future success. You’re likely ready when you have a healthy balance of both.

2. You’ve Done Your Homework

There’s a lot to owning a commercial cleaning franchise. Not only do you need to understand the cleaning industry, but you also need to research various franchising companies in your area. Once you’ve explored your options, reviewed the Franchise Disclosure Agreement, and feel good about it, don’t overthink it! You’re ready.

3. You’re Financially Equipped

Your financial status is one of the biggest (and most obvious) factors in your overall readiness to purchase a commercial cleaning franchise.

Purchasing a commercial cleaning franchise is a big investment. It involves putting a lump sum of money down initially and getting it back over time, and then some.

If your finances and credit are in good shape and you can make the initial investment comfortably, then it may be time to move forward.

4. You Understand the Risks Involved

Any business, franchise or not, comes with an element of risk. It’s the potential rewards that make it all worth it. A 2019 study by the Journal of Economics & Management Strategy shows that franchises boast an 8% higher two-year success rate than independent businesses, making them a safer alternative, though still not risk-free.

If you’ve done your research, fully understand the risks, and feel prepared to take them on, that’s another sign you may be ready to purchase your own commercial cleaning franchise.

5. You Have Support

Even if you’re the only one who signs the dotted line, your family and friends become a part of this journey as they offer their advice, love, and support. Even if they aren’t part of the financial decision-making process, they’re the ones who will be your sounding board and the ones who will celebrate your success with you.

If your loved ones support you, you’re more ready than you knew. With the support of those who love you most, there’s not much you can’t do.

Make the Dream Come True with Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you’re ready to take that life-changing step to own a commercial cleaning franchise, Corvus Janitorial Systems is prepared to help make it happen. We’ve helped thousands of other aspiring business owners achieve the same goal.

Corvus makes the process easy with financial and technical support to assist you along the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help bring your dream to life.

The Benefits of Cleaning with a Microfiber Cloth

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You don’t need to be a cleaning fanatic in the cleaning business, but it helps.
You may start each job by grabbing chemicals, a towel, and something to hold water, then attacking the dirty areas with vigor. All you can do is hope you killed the hidden bacteria and filth our eyes can’t see. The air around you smells clean, and the area you scrubbed looks clean. Task accomplished.

Enter the microfiber cloth.

Why Is Microfiber so Special?

Microfiber is a polyester-nylon blend consisting of more than 200,000 fibers per square inch. The nylon carries a positive electrical charge, which attracts dust, dirt, and microorganisms. Each fiber can clean and pull up particles, so almost everything seen and unseen gets removed from the cleaning surface.

They are Better for the Environment

Microfiber towels and mops reduce the amount of water and chemicals used per cleaning. In most cases, water will suffice for standard cleaning routines, and if water is needed, it is much less than that used by cotton products.

The University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) found that a microfiber mop only needed five gallons of water per one hundred rooms. In comparison, a cotton mop required 105 gallons of water. The same study found that microfiber mops only used .5 ounces of chemicals, compared to the cotton mop’s 10.5 ounces.

Microfiber cloths save water, reduce the number of chemicals we release into the environment, and provide healthier conditions for your clients.

Cleaning Versus Disinfecting

Cleaning is very different from disinfecting. You wash your dishes by hand to remove the leftover particles before placing them into the dishwasher to be disinfected. It’s the same for all other surfaces.

Cleaning removes the grit and bacteria from the surface, but some viruses will remain. The only way to eliminate them totally is through the use of chemicals.

Chemicals applied to surfaces help kill viruses and bacteria, but they also help with tough-to-remove stains, such as hard water. Using the chemical is just the first step. You must then wait for the dwell time to elapse before wiping away the product.

Microfiber cloths require a smaller quantity of chemical products to do the same job as cotton cloths. Still, it is best to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution ratios. Microfiber not only kills the microbes but the food they require to thrive.

Microfiber Is a Complete Cleaning Package

Microfiber uses its static charge to trap small particles, bacteria, and dust. That helps in more ways than just cleaning counters and mopping floors. It also absorbs water and chemicals better, dispersing them on surfaces as needed. Here are a few cleaning tasks microfiber excels at:

• Disinfecting
• Dry-dusting
• Polishing
• Dry and wet scrubbing

Microfiber replaces cotton, knit, and polishing cloths, as well as lint-free and disposable rags. Microfiber should be your go-to cloth for all your cleaning needs.

Cleaning your Microfiber Cloths

Cleaning your microfiber cloths is simple, here are a few steps to ensure you wash correctly.
• Shake them out before washing them
• Use detergent without any additives, such as softeners or fragrance
• Consider hand-washing, if only lightly soiled
• Line dry if possible
• Dry on a low heat setting, without other items

Corvus Janitorial Systems

Corvus Janitorial Systems believes in making lives better (and easier), not just for our clients but also for those creating a cleaner, healthier environment every day. We offer a full range of cleaning services to our clients, including disinfecting and sanitizing services.

If you are a professional in the cleaning world and want to grow your business into something special, contact us to learn about our franchise opportunity.