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 Keeping
It Clean
By Rhee
Gold
First
impressions count— so make your studio sparkle inside and out
A while
back, just out of curiosity, I popped into a dance school
that I often drive by on Cape Cod. My intention was to
meet the school’s owner and see what kind of dance was being
offered on the Cape. Once inside I glanced around, and my
first impression was not positive. The place seemed a bit
dingy, old and deteriorating. Strike one. As I walked to the
front desk, I noticed that the rugs and walls were faded and
stained and several of the chairs were broken. Strike two. I
stood at the counter for a moment, but the person behind the
desk, who was doing her nails with great concentration, seemed
oblivious to my presence. Not even a hello: Strike three. I
slowly made my way back out the front door without looking
back.
As I drove
away, I couldn’t help but wonder how many potential students
and their parents have walked into that school only to
experience what I did. How many of them walked right back out
like I did, without a backward glance?
Cleanliness
isn’t everything, of course. Prospective clients take many
things into consideration when choosing a dance school;
however, if the facility isn’t clean, the poor impression it
creates just might be enough to persuade visitors not to
investigate further. A clean facility, one that is attractive
and inviting, increases the chance that the first visit by
potential new students and their parents will be a positive
one. A well-kept exterior and a spotless interior indicate
that you and your staff are organized and attentive to detail,
and that you respect and take pride in your school—as do your
students.
School
owners are master schedulers, so put those organizational
skills to work and create a schedule for regular cleaning.
Delegate the chores among your staff, volunteers, or students
on work/study scholarships, or invest in a professional
cleaning service. The following list of regular maintenance
tasks will help you keep your studio looking sharp and
professional.
For an
Immaculate Interior
•
Vacuum
carpets daily and have them cleaned regularly. (Once a month
is good.)
•
Mop or
spot clean tile, linoleum, and other hard flooring surfaces
daily.
•
Keep
bathrooms immaculate. Clean them daily and inspect them
occasionally throughout the day.
•
Keep
the lobby clean and free of clutter. Chairs or benches should
be neatly positioned and in good condition. Inspect
upholstered furniture for tears and stains at least weekly.
Clean up spills promptly.
•
Keep
pictures, display cases, and furniture surfaces free of dust.
•
Remove
outdated or tattered materials from the bulletin board
promptly.
•
Keep
viewing windows and classroom mirrors free of dust,
fingerprints, and smudges.
•
Change
burned-out light bulbs as soon as possible.
•
Empty
all trash cans daily.
•
Clean
all dance floors daily. Mop down all vinyl flooring; if you
have wood floors, consider this trick I heard from one dance
school owner: “At the end of the last class of the day, I have
the students dance around with cloths under their feet to give
the floor a good wipe-down. The kids love it!”
•
Make
sure all ballet barres are properly secured (once a month or
as needed).
For a
Safe and Inviting Exterior
•
Keep
the front walkway and steps clear of debris.
•
Check
handrails (if any) for signs of disrepair.
•
Prune
all shrubs, trees, and other plantings as needed. An overgrown
entryway is forbidding, not welcoming.
•
Make
sure your school’s sign looks fresh and clean and is easy to
read.
•
Install
and maintain adequate exterior lighting.
When you
think you’ve got your school looking good, get an honest
opinion from a fresh set of eyes. Ask someone you know and
trust (but who has never visited your school) to take a look
around and write down a detailed evaluation of your facility.
Don’t do it yourself; you’ve become accustomed to the way
things look. Then take that person’s comments to heart, and
make whatever changes are needed so that your school reflects
the high standards you set for yourself and expect of others.
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