3 Best Practices to Get the Most Out of GPS Tracking

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0500

So, you’re considering investing in GPS vehicle tracking for your fleet. Smart move: the right vehicle tracking software can help improve your customer service, increase the lifespans of your company’s trucks, and boost your bottom line in all sorts of other ways.

A Strong Culture Looks More like a Sports Team than a Family

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500

I admit that when starting Next Gear Solutions, I thought the same thing. A family is much better than a cold business environment that cares only about the company’s needs and not about the needs of the employee, right? If faced with only those two options, I would continue to choose the “family business model,” but I believe there is another more optimal choice, which is the “sports team” business model.

Top Tips for Moisture Meter Use in Water Mitigation

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 01:00:00 -0400

The water damage restoration industry recognized standard of care, the ANSI/IICRC S500, contains a significant amount of information related to the use of meters during a drying project. The most important content is primarily in two sections; Section 10 Inspections, Preliminary Determination, and Pre-Restoration Evaluations, and Section 13, Structural Restoration.

Positional Succession Planning

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In an era of record low unemployment, it is hard to imagine having a serious discussion about building depth of talent at any level, in any organization—especially the direct labor force.

Nagging Issues in Mold Remediation

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In many respects, it seems very odd. The word “it” pertains to a large number of crucial issues in the mold remediation industry where practitioners still have serious differences of opinion regarding key aspects of the work.

Restorer's Perspective: From Being a Hero to Creating Heroes

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I’ve always been drawn to roles where I could be the hero. I grew up on comic books, superhero movies, and sci fi TV series. This heroic recognition addiction is what drove me to join the Airborne Infantry, specifically the history-rich 82nd Airborne Division.

Naloxone Hydrochloride: A First Aid Kit Must in Restoration

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 01:00:00 -0400

Before retiring, as a 28 year firefighter/paramedic, I administered NARCAN® (the brand name for Naloxone Hydrochloride) to more than 3,000 people throughout South Florida who were exhibiting drug overdose-like symptoms.

The Cost of Doing Business: Determining Your Own Pricing

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

These words were given to my dad in the early 80’s after going from job to job of trying to build a career in food route sales.

The Death of 3-Day Drying

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0400

You should know what I believe before reading this article. I believe that carriers and contractors can work well together if their relationship is built on trust and a mutually accepted goal to reduce costs, both be profitable, and to provide exceptional customer service.

Previous Experience Not Required

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In last month’s article, I wrote about taking a longer view with hiring given the current challenges to find people with the right skills and the desire to work in, or make a career of, the restoration industry. Let’s shift the focus back to the present and the challenges of finding good people to staff your growing business.

R&R Q&A: The Rise of Franchises

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

As the economy booms, franchise systems are seeing exponential growth. In early 2018, the International Franchise Association projected franchise sector growth would outpace the rest of the U.S. economy.

The Evolution of Green

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

While I don’t qualify for senior citizen discounts just yet, I’ve been around awhile, and I’ve seen a few things along the way.

Chasing Storm Work: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In another life, both Chris (a rock star) and Paul (a writer) must have been restorers. How else could they have nailed what we go through when we go on the road?

Turning Accountability into Profitability

Les@BusinessNetworks.com (Les Cunningham) — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I believe you will agree with me that you want everyone in the company to be efficient, effective, and earning a profit for the company. The first place you start checking on is the job that each employee is supposed to be doing for the company.

How to Deploy Effective Hurricane Restoration Efforts

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 01:00:00 -0400

Hurricanes often leave behind some major damage. High winds, storm surges and battering waves can result in the destruction of homes and buildings, road and bridge damage, the erosion of coastlines, major flooding and loss of life.

Restoration Advocacy Report #2

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The Restoration Industry Association (RIA) is stronger than it has been in decades and now, it is leading the charge to transform the industry as its Chief Advocate on the front lines.

Green Cleaning is NOT Risk-Free

dybdahl@armr.net (David J. Dybdahl) — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

As the green cleaning trend ramps up, I’m sure many of you are considering implementing this as a service offered by your company. It seems like a no-brainer.

Case Study: Drug Lab Cleanup | Part 1

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

During the methamphetamine manufacturing process, chemical compounds become airborne (volatilized) and settle out, depositing onto walls, into heating/cooling units, ceilings, appliances, floors, carpets, and other typical household items throughout the building’s interior.

Improving Physical Performance for Contents Pack Outs

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0400

No two pack outs are created alike. Imagine packing, loading, and transporting books, archives, and special collections from an academic library post disaster. Think worker output and physical performance.

Dry Ice Blasting – Cool Technology that’s Versatile, Efficient and Sustainable

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Dry ice blasting, also known as CO₂ blasting is an environmentally sustainable cleaning method that uses soft, dry ice, accelerated at supersonic speeds creating “mini-explosions” on the surface of an object to remove unwanted damage or material that’s adhered to the object.

The Keodalah Claim & What It Could Mean for Restorers

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

What is the extent of the reach of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the liability exposure of individual professionals? Historically there has been a separation between agents of an organization and the company which holds the contractual relationship with its customer.

Restoration Advocacy Report #1

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

An infusion of fresh thinking and younger leadership at the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) has led to the conclusion that to give members a good return on their investment of dues, the RIA must advocate for the legal and financial interests of restorers.

Invest Now to Improve Your Future Workforce

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Many of the articles you read provide insight regarding immediate actions to take or strategies to implement that will impact your business in the short term. This article is also about acting now, but for an impact on your business, and the restoration industry, that will be seen in the future.

Regaining Profits in Restoration Through Technology

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

It’s hard for some businesses to imagine living in today’s digital age. Many businesses still collect information on paper or through multiple software solutions, but the manual process of transferring information from one place to another severely limits a company’s ability to act—much less drive efficiency, performance, and profit.

Wall & Cavity Drying: Reaching Full Drying Potential

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Construction projects are becoming more complex. As building materials become more advanced and focused on energy efficiency, the challenges facing a water damage practitioner are becoming more difficult and multifaceted.

Recognizing Women in Restoration 2019: Dedication to Education

blevinsm@bnpmedia.com (Michelle Blevins) — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Since its inception in 2016, nearly 200 women have been nominated for R&R’s Women in Restoration award. Each year the field seems to become broader and more competitive, with nominations becoming more in-depth and elaborate! This year’s nominees included owners, VPs, project managers, technicians, operations managers, marketing and sales, and more.

Are you a Mold Spore or Contaminant Carrier?

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In the early part of the 1900s, a woman named Mary Mallon worked in the New York City area for several families. She appeared healthy, yet she was a carrier of a deadly disease and the cause of several serious outbreaks.

Second 2019 CSU hurricane forecast released June 4

Tue, 21 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The first hurricane prediction for 2019 was less alarming than many prior years, with only two major hurricanes forecast to hit the U.S. coast.

2019 Contractor Connection Conference & Expo

Wed, 15 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The 2019 Contractor Connection Conference & Expo continues a 20-plus year tradition of being the premier insurance restoration industry event of the year, providing educational, training, and networking opportunities for all attendees.

Insuring Your Risk in Master Service Agreements

dybdahl@armr.net (David J. Dybdahl) — Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

I was recently chatting with a restorer and trying to explain why his insurance needed to be customized to cover the risks he faced in doing work assigned under master services agreements.

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