Listen to Julio Badin, the executive director at Gathering Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, describe his facility and why it is in pristine condition.

Listen to John Nothdurft, the ISSA Director of Government Affairs, welcome attendees to the 2025 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit and describe why it matters.

Listen to business broker JT Kraai discuss some of the seemingly minor issues that can have a big impact on the sale of a company.

Listen to Alex Duta with Albiware describe entrepreneurial strategies for restoration companies.

Do you use all that is avaialble with today's AI? Listen and learn about options you can use right now.

Listen to Steve Ashkin describe the ISSA Sustainability Committee's work and how there is no finish line to this type of effort.

Chuck Violand explains the critical next step after the new employee has joined your company.

Listen to how you can create and publish great content, creating a journey for clients to buy from you.

Listen to Todd Jones with Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services describe industry improvements.

Listen to Dave Kahle explain the value of looking at biblical principles and your business practices.

Listen to how the new DOL overtime rule will impact both employers and employees.

Listen and learn how many businesses and organizations are skipping search engines and using AI technology.

Learn how to minimize turnover and engage in staff retention best practices.

Listen to business coach Dean Mercado provide the strategies you need to make the most of your AI tool of choice.

Learn what three IICRC-approved instructors do to provide their very best to their students.

Learn how restoration companies can be ready for an intense hurricane season.

Listen to the strategies to how a restoration professional can excel and advance in the industry.

Listen and learn about this new industry innovation for water damage restoration field techs.

Listen and learn what it takes to build a benefits package aimed to building a stronger team.

Learn how cleaning or restoration companies can embrace automation and do more with less.

Listen and learn from Nia Pearson, a business-savvy marketing expert sharing the secret sauce of success.

Listen to Kevin Barton with Flagship Facility Services comment on the FTC ban on noncompete clauses.

Do you have a plan to increase customer loyalty? Listen and learn strategies that work.

Spartan Chemical Company is paving the way by partnering cleaning with sustainability.

Listen to how water damage restoration has evolved over the years and where we are right now.

Listen to what one human resources professional has to say about the recent FTC ban on non-compete clauses.

Listen and learn how rug washing has evolved over the years and what it takes to succeed today.

Learn how sales "coaching" should be viewed as just as important as sales "training."

Listen and learn what it takes to succeed in business and as an entrepreneur. 

Learn how you can use compensation as a larger business strategy than simply paying your people well.

Listen and learn how you can empower your sales team by avoiding this one big mistake that everyone seems to make. 

Listen to this important podcast version of Straight Talk!, focusing on strategies to improve the air we breathe.

The path to purchase can take many different routes. In this podcast episode of Straight Talk!, learn what sales teams can do to make doing business with them easier on the customer.

All you need to know about ants that get into homes and offices and then wreak havoc that can be expensive to repair.

Ben Looper is the president of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).  In this episode of Straight Talk!, he describes the state of the industry with the RIA right now and what he sees in the near future and beyond. 

From an uptick in certification to the IICRC partnership and even bringing in younger professionals to the industry, Looper has a vision that will help the RIA continue to grow and thrive and positively impact all who work in the disaster restoration industry.

Listen to Jeff Carmon with Frantz Building Services describe a strategy proven to resonate with clients.

Ed Cross is an attorney who works closely with the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and has been diligent with working as a mediator between restoration contractors and the insurance industry. With a focus on customized pricing and overcoming the challenges of restoration pricing software, Cross has been able to bring to the table the constituents that can make a difference with real change now and in the future.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Cross describes current affairs and what he sees as possibilities with restoration pricing. He also describes what he sees as viable solutions for all parties involved: Both restoration contractors and insurance companies.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Jerred Attanasio, the director of building service contractors at Spartan Chemical Company, tells us how you can level up your training efforts with CleanCheck in your company. 

This special episode is from our guest program, "Unscripted".

In this episode of Unscripted, Jeff Cross, media director for ISSA/Cleanfax, interviews The Helios Group's Joseph Hoffman and Leon Walker-Metts to spotlight the benefits of this program and how easy it is for Certified Firms to take advantage of it.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recently partnered with The Helios Group to create a comprehensive global business insurance program for Certified Firms. The program offers needed benefits small business owners are always looking for, including group health insurance, voluntary benefits, property and casualty coverage, and more.

A positive company culture fosters a sense of belonging and purpose among employees, leading to higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction. When employees feel valued and connected to their workplace culture, they are more likely to stay with the company for the long term.

Chuck Violand is the founder of Violand Management Associates and has authored a book entitled "Forging Dynasty Businesses: The Competitive Edge of Enduring Teams." In this episode of Straight Talk!, Violand discusses company culture, shares details of two companies that he spotlights in his book, and provides several strategies cleaning and restoration company owners can embrace to create the very best culture in their organizations.

Standard Operating Procedures. SOPs. It's a simple concept, yet many companies are missing out and by not taking care of the basics in business means losing out on success and growth. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado, the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, digs into his favorite top five SOPs that every cleaning company should embrace. And don't miss his "honorable mentions" as well.

This special episode is from our guest program, "Unscripted".

In this inaugural episode of Unscripted, Jeff Cross, media director for Cleanfax, an ISSA publication, welcomes and interviews Mili Washington, the IICRC Standards Director. She shares insights on how the Standards are developed, how the industry uses them, and more.

Innova NanoJet Technologies Limited is a Glasgow UK based fast-growing technology and product company at the forefront of innovations. The company develops and commercializes breakthrough platform technologies in ultrasonic and ultra-fine nano-scale droplet sprays - the NanoJet Technologies. 

Learn more from CT Wang, president of Innova Nanojet, in this episode of Straight Talk!

Becky Kaufold is the manager of government affairs and sustainability at Spartan Chemical Company, and the chair of the Floor Care Products Division with the Household & Commercial Products Association, or HCPA. In this episode of Straight Talk!, she joins Chris Donohue, senior managing consultant at Ramboll, to share tips on proper floor care practices in healthcare facilities, with a focus on using disinfectants.

Test to see if your team has what it needs to succeed with this online tool.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Ed Marsh, the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors, digs into the details of sales enablement and how that can take any organization's sales team to the next level. Connect with Ed Marsh on LinkedIn.

When you have a service to sell, you have a need for someone to buy. In this episode of Straight Talk!, business coach Dean Mercado describes how to revolutionize marketing by diving into the three key stages of the buyer's journey, understanding the mindset of potential clients, and how to use this psychology to grow your company.

Listen to 2025-2026 WSA President Elena Wuchner discuss her role and the state of the industry as competition continues to impact dealers.

There is one issue facing virtually every company in our industry: Finding, onboarding, and keeping good workers. But going beyond that, helping them advance to make a real difference in company culture and growth. Chuck Violand is the founder of Violand Management Associates and has authored a book entitled "Forging Dynasty Businesses: The Competitive Edge of Enduring Teams." In this episode of Straight Talk!, Violand discusses everthing from climbing the corporate ladder to how to maximize the impact of an organization chart and more.

Sales professionals are always looking for strategies that will land them valuable clients. One strategy proven to work but, at the same time, one that some may hesitate to use is entertaining. Not simply taking a client out to lunch but something more strategic. Dave Kahle, the owner of Kahle Way Sales Systems, explains it all in this episode of Straight Talk! 

The details matter, and what your potential clients do in their quest for products and services can give you the information you need to sell to them. Their online activity, how they search, and much more is all available to you in the form of "intent data"

In this episode of Straight Talk!, Ed Marsh, the founder and principal of Consilium Global Business Advisors, describes the types of intent data available to marketing and sales teams and what they can do with it.