Investing in innovation
The cleaning and hygiene sector has faced unprecedented challenges in the wake of COVID-19, but as Michelle Marshall, ECJ Editor and European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards founder, explains, it's risen to the challenge and solved problems with innovation.
From very early on in the pandemic, it quickly became clear that the cleaning and hygiene sector had a vital role to play in fighting the virus. As one of the main lines of defence against COVID-19, cleaning and hygiene services have been well and truly in demand.
With a contagious new enemy to contend with, and increasing anxiety amongst the public, there was a great need for the sector to think on its feet, and respond to constantly evolving situations. Fast-thinking companies soon got to work on adapting their product and service range to address new challenges.
In the very early days in 2020, we saw a surge of new products enter the market. From disinfectants to hand sanitisers, the industry suddenly became awash with products that claimed to kill the virus. Of course, not all of them went the distance, but some marked significant breakthroughs in the battle against bacteria.
As the situation with COVID-19 continued to spiral, it was evident that innovation couldn’t just be reserved for product development. The services we offered needed to change, along with how we communicated with our customers, to enable better efficiency and value.
Yes, we now have some incredible products at our disposal, but we also have new tech-driven services, and more agile ways of working. We are no longer just delivering the task at hand: we are adding value through new services that give customers the reassurances they need to return to pre- pandemic life. We are also are working more collaboratively
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than ever before with our customers, putting transparency at the heart of delivery.
What has been so inspiring to see is how the industry has stepped up to the challenge, embraced the problems and created tangible solutions that will not only get us through this pandemic, but will likely remain relevant for many more years to come.
Recognising this success
The very reason behind the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards is to recognise when industry players have gone above and beyond, to celebrate the successes, and shine a spotlight on their talent. Each of our categories is rewarding innovation of some kind, whether it's a new product that has launched in response to COVID-19, a company’s approach to training, a commitment to sustainability through adopting new practices, or a unique leadership style that sets you apart from the rest.
The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for everyone, and we must remember that the people behind the businesses we celebrate will also have had their own personal concerns that they’ve had to put to one side to overcome industry challenges. So, if there was ever a time where recognising innovative achievements was necessary, it's right now.
We cannot wait to hear all the inspiring stories as the entries continue to flood in. To find out how you can get involved in the awards, and to check out our categories, visit the website below.
www.echawards.com
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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