Implementing a green cleaning program within one's cleaning business consists of the tried and true three-phases method: prepare, launch, and expansion. During the preparation phase, owners must take the following steps: 1) Generate an awareness to their entire staff that green cleaning is an important part of the company's growth strategy moving forward. 2) Ensure that staff members and management obtain green cleaning certification. 3) Assess company's needs to acquire green products and equipment. 4) Identify one client (new or existing) that is interested in the green cleaning initiative. 5)Develop marketing plan for future targeting of more existing and new customers that can/will buy into the green cleaning initiative (after the launch phase is successfully completed). 5) Modify internal cleaning procedures to account for green-specific procedures to be followed. 

During the launch phase, owners will ensure that the team formally provides green cleaning services to one specific client to ensure that the new procedures and practices are mastered and meets client's consistent satisfaction, prior to launching the green service out to multiple clients. This stage is critical to the company's focus on looking for their weaknesses that will need to be addressed. It's also the perfect barometer for assessing how your team is adjusting to this shift in cleaning practices. Make sure to address all issues during this phase prior to proceeding to the next phase.

During the expansion phase, it's now time to take on additional green cleaning clients in a gradual manner. Remember, your team is still adjusting to this new transition. It's very important to partner with your clients on the development of performance metrics that will serve as an agreed upon determination of success.