A business is only as powerful as its people, and The Laundry Lady recognises and respects this by celebrating individual achievement and fostering a strong sense of community among its contractors, making it a natural winner of the 2024 Smart50 People Power award.
A door-to-door service that has 300-plus contractors using their own laundry equipment and vehicles to wash, dry, fold, iron and deliver to busy people and businesses, The Laundry Lady offers a private Facebook group where members can share experiences, seek advice and build strong connections.
It also operates an extensive online Knowledge Base, accessible to contractors 24/7, that provides resources on best practices when conducting laundry services, washing/ironing tips, marketing ideas and more.
“Recognising that our workforce is geographically dispersed, with contractors working from their own homes, this Facebook group serves as a vital tool to bridge the distance,” says Laundry Lady founder Susan Toft.
“It ensures that all team members feel connected and engaged, regardless of their location.”
That sense of connection extends to contractors being involved in key decisions such as product testing – “it fosters a sense of ownership and pride in our services,” says Toft – and monthly pulse surveys that help the business gauge employee satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
Creating a feeling of camaraderie among Laundry Lady contractors is vital, of course, but noting individual excellence is an equally important tool. That’s where the company’s ‘Contractor of the Month’ award comes in: “This initiative not only rewards exceptional performance but also motivates our team to strive for excellence,” says Toft.
What really shines through, however, is The Laundry Lady’s dedication to respecting and empowering its contractor base, 90% of which is female. “Many of our staff are part-time, busy mums who don’t have to miss kids’ sports days or special events,” says Toft. “Values of time and flexibility flow through to the team of Laundry Ladies and Lads.”
The Laundry Lady placed 19th on this year’s Smart50 list and also won the Marketing Award.
Smart50 is SmartCompany’s suite of award programs for Australian small to medium size businesses. The Smart50 Awards 2024 recognised the top 50 fastest growing companies in its Smart50 list, and celebrated exceptional achievements in community, innovation and more in the Smart50 category awards.
Smart Company is the leading online publication in Australia for free news, information and resources catering to Australia’s entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners and business managers.
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