Increasing Employee Value

1. Skills, Abilities, and Expertise:

Your unique skills, abilities, and expertise form a foundational aspect of your professional value. Individuals with specialized knowledge, advanced skills, or a broader range of competencies are typically compensated at a higher level. This reflects the investment made in acquiring these capabilities and the significant impact they can have on an organization's outcomes, innovation, and overall effectiveness.

• Consider this: The more proficient you become in your field and the more diverse your skillset, the more effectively you can contribute to complex projects, solve challenging problems, and drive positive results. This enhanced capability generally translates to greater value in the job market.

2. Performance and Efficiency:

The effectiveness and efficiency with which you perform your responsibilities are essential factors in determining your professional value. When your work meets or exceeds industry standards and expectations, it often leads to greater productivity, higher quality outcomes, and the efficient use of resources. This efficiency directly contributes to an organization's success, whether through increased output, improved quality, or cost optimization.

• Think about it: Consistently delivering high-quality work efficiently contributes directly to an organization's goals. This strong performance enhances your reputation and perceived value within the professional landscape.

3. Contribution to Positive Outcomes:

Your ability to contribute to positive outcomes, whether directly or indirectly, significantly influences your value. This can include generating revenue, improving processes, enhancing customer satisfaction, mitigating risks, or fostering a positive work environment. Your actions and their impact on the organization's success are key considerations.

• Remember: Your contributions extend beyond simply completing tasks. When you actively work towards achieving organizational goals and contribute to positive results, your value increases. For example, proactively ensuring a safe working environment minimizes potential losses and contributes to overall company stability.

4. Critical Problem-Solving Skills: 

The ability to effectively identify, analyze, and resolve problems is an invaluable asset in any professional setting. This skill set allows you to move beyond simply executing tasks and instead become a proactive contributor who can troubleshoot issues, anticipate roadblocks, and implement lasting solutions. Strong problem-solvers are essential for innovation, efficiency, and maintaining smooth operations, especially when unexpected challenges arise.

• Consider this: When you demonstrate a consistent ability to logically approach complex situations, break them down into manageable parts, and develop actionable strategies, you become an indispensable resource. This proactive approach to challenges not only minimizes disruptions but also often leads to the discovery of more efficient processes or new opportunities, significantly enhancing your overall professional value.

The Hidden Costs of Not Placing Enough Air Movers On Water Damage Projects

We all know that speed and efficiency are key to successful water damage restoration. Getting a property dry quickly minimizes further damage, reduces inconvenience for the customer, and ultimately boosts the companies profitability. However, a common pitfall seen regularly is underestimating the number of air movers needed on a job site. While it might seem like "close enough" is good enough, consistently falling short of the recommended air mover count outlined in the IICRC S500 standard can significantly impact a businesses bottom line.

The 70-80% Reality: Why "Almost Enough" Isn't Enough

Think about this: the IICRC S500 provides a scientific framework for determining the appropriate number of air movers based on factors like room size, materials affected, and the extent of water damage. When a project is validated to require a specific number of air movers – let's say 25 units in our example – that number isn't arbitrary. It's calculated to achieve optimal drying conditions within a reasonable timeframe.

Now, consider a scenario where the team only places 20 air movers on that same job. While it might seem like we're only short by five units, the impact can be substantial:

• Slower Drying Times: Fewer air movers mean less airflow across the wet surfaces. This directly translates to longer drying times & delaying project completion.

• Compromised Drying Standards: By not meeting the S500 recommendations, we risk failing to achieve the established drying goals in a timely manner. This can lead to callbacks, unhappy customers, and potential liability issues.

The Tangible Cost: Lost Revenue in Black and White

Let's break down the financial implications using your example:

• Validated Need: 25 air movers

• Actual Placement: 20 air movers

• Shortage: 5 air movers

Assuming an average rental cost of $25 per air mover per day, the daily revenue we could have generated from those missing units is:

5 air movers × $25 / air mover / day = $125 per day

While $125 might not seem like a huge amount on a single day, consider the typical drying time frame for many water damage projects. If that project requires 4 days of drying, the lost revenue for that one job due to under-equipping is:

$125 / day × 4 days = $500

The Bigger Picture: Cumulative Losses Over Time

Now, let's scale this up. If we consistently under-equip projects and this scenario plays out on just one project per week over the course of a year (assuming 52 weeks per year), the total lost revenue becomes:

$500 / project × 52 projects / year = $26,000 per year

$26,000! That's a significant amount of potential income slipping through our fingers simply because we aren't consistently deploying the validated number of air movers. 

Taking Action: Ensuring Proper Air Mover Placement

This isn't about pointing fingers; it's about recognizing an opportunity to improve our efficiency and profitability. Here's what we need to focus on:

• Understanding the IICRC S500: We need to ensure all team members are thoroughly trained on how to properly assess a water damage scenario and determine the correct number of air movers according to the S500 guidelines.

• Accurate Validation: Emphasize the importance of accurate initial assessments and validation of equipment needs. Don't guess – follow the standards.

• Proper Equipment Management: Ensure the company has an adequate inventory of air movers and a system for ensuring the required number is always available and deployed to each job site.

• Reinforcement and Accountability: Regular training refreshers and clear expectations will help reinforce the importance of proper air mover deployment.

By understanding the seemingly small daily losses that accumulate over time, we can appreciate the significant financial impact of consistently under-equipping our water damage projects. Adhering to the IICRC S500 standards isn't just about best practices; it's a direct pathway to increased revenue and greater success for our company. Let's make sure we're leaving no money on the table by ensuring every project has the right number of air movers, every time.

The Unseen Costs of Skipping Site Visits and Data Collection

We should all strive to provide excellent service and get properties dry efficiently. Leaving a project for several days without site visits at all can lead to discoveries of equipment not running, condensate lines leaking onto floors the company is attempting to dry. However, a seemingly small oversight – neglecting to visit job sites regularly as well as collecting thorough temperature, humidity, and moisture content readings – can lead to significant financial losses, particularly when dealing with insurance claims. 

The Foundation of Validation: Temperature, Humidity, and Moisture Content

Think of temperature, humidity, and moisture content (MC) readings as the vital signs of a water damage project. They provide objective data that validates the necessity and effectiveness of our drying equipment. Skipping these readings leaves us vulnerable and opens the door for insurance companies to challenge our work and reduce otherwise validated payments.

The Dehumidification Dilemma: Atmosphere Readings

• The Science: Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture vapor from the air. The effectiveness of a dehumidifier is directly related to the amount of moisture in the air & how much is being removed. This reduction is referred to as the grain reduction. We measure this by subtracting the output of the dehumidifier (dehumidifier) from the air entering the dehumidifier (affected room) GPP. The grain reduction should always be a positive number. 

• The Validation: Insurance companies rely on documented atmosphere readings to verify that there's a continued need for dehumidification. 

• The Risk of Neglect: Without consistent temperature and humidity readings & the GPP readings, we lack the data to prove the air contained a significant amount of moisture. This gives the insurer the leverage to argue that dehumidifiers were unnecessary or that the quantity used was excessive. They can then retroactively reduce the number of rental days they are willing to pay for, directly impacting our revenue.

The Air Mover Connection: Moisture Content Proves The Need.

• Air Movers in Action: Air movers create airflow across wet surfaces, facilitating evaporation and speeding up the drying process.

• The Proof is in the Readings: Moisture content readings, taken with a moisture meter on the affected materials, demonstrate the progress of drying. Consistent reductions in MC readings, documented over time, directly validate the effectiveness and necessity of the air movers in place.

• The Danger of Absence: If we deploy air movers but fail to document corresponding reductions in moisture content through regular readings, the insurer can argue that the air movers weren't actually contributing to drying. They can suggest that the project was probably dry on day 2 or day 3, when the equipment was onsite for 5 full days. They could even dispute the number of air movers used or the duration they were needed, again leading to reduced payments.

The Financial Fallout: Real Losses, Real Impact

Let's illustrate the potential financial consequences of neglecting site visits and data collection:

• Reduced Equipment Rental Days: Without documented proof of conditions needing dehumidification and slow drying progress, insurance adjusters can arbitrarily reduce the number of days they are willing to pay for dehumidifier and air mover rentals. Even a reduction of just one or two days on a project can quickly add up to substantial lost revenue.

• Downsized Equipment Quantities: If we can't demonstrate the moisture levels in the air as well as the affected materials, insurers may argue that the initial quantity of dehumidifiers and air movers we deployed was excessive. They might then only pay for an inadequate fraction of the equipment we actually used.

• Increased Claim Scrutiny and Delays: Lack of proper documentation raises red flags for insurance companies. It can lead to increased scrutiny of our invoices, requests for additional information, and overall delays in payment. This ties up our resources and impacts the businesses income.

• Damage to Reputation: Consistent issues with claim approvals due to poor documentation can damage our reputation with both insurance companies and customers.

The Professional Standard: Documentation is Our Protection

Collecting and documenting temperature, humidity, and moisture content readings isn't just an administrative task, and should never be treated as something to be done after the project is completed; it's a fundamental aspect of professional water damage restoration. It:

• Protects Our Claims: Provides undeniable evidence of the conditions on-site and the necessity of the drying equipment used.

• Supports Our Expertise: Demonstrates our adherence to industry best practices and our commitment to thorough and data-driven drying.

• Ensures Fair Compensation: Allows us to confidently bill for the equipment and services required to properly dry the affected property.

• Builds Trust: Shows the insurer that we are detail oriented and professional in our approach.

Power Up Your Potential: Investing in Additional Skills for Company Success

We all play a vital role in the success of our company. But imagine the impact we could have if we expanded our skill sets beyond our current roles. Investing in learning new skills not only benefits us individually but also creates a stronger, more versatile, and ultimately a better team. This sort of training explores the exciting possibilities that come with acquiring additional expertise.

The Power of In-House Expertise:

Think about the equipment we rely on every day – from carpet cleaning machines to generators. When these essential pieces of machinery breakdown or have issues, what happens? We face downtime, incur repair costs, and potentially delay project completion.

• The Opportunity: By having employees trained in stuff like small engine repair, we can:

  • Reduce Downtime: Instead of waiting for external repair services, our own team members can diagnose and fix issues quickly, minimizing disruptions and getting equipment back in service faster.

  • Lower Maintenance Costs: Preventative maintenance and minor repairs can be handled in-house, reducing our reliance on potentially expensive external repair shops.

  • Increase Equipment Lifespan: Proactive care and timely repairs by knowledgeable staff can extend the life of our valuable equipment, maximizing our investment.

  • Empower Our Team: Employees gain valuable technical skills and a greater sense of ownership over our equipment.

Expanding Our Capabilities: Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Skills

Restoration work often requires work involving electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC. Currently, these situations might require us to call in external specialists, adding to project costs and timelines.

• The Opportunity: Training select employees in basic electrical, plumbing, or HVAC tasks (within the bounds of licensing and regulations, of course) would allow us to:

• Provide More Comprehensive Service: We can address a wider range of issues directly, offering a more seamless and efficient experience for our customers.

• Reduce Subcontractor Costs: Handling certain repairs or initial assessments in-house can significantly lower our reliance on external contractors.

• Increase Project Efficiency: Addressing related issues promptly can prevent delays and keep projects moving forward smoothly.

• Enhance Problem-Solving Abilities: A broader understanding of building systems equips our team to identify and address potential problems more effectively.

• Create New Service Opportunities: Depending on the level of training and certifications obtained, we might even be able to offer additional related services in the future.

• The Win-Win Scenario: Benefits for Employees and the Company

For Employees:

• • Increased Job Satisfaction: Learning new skills can make your work more engaging and rewarding.

  • Enhanced Career Opportunities: Acquiring valuable expertise can open doors to new roles and responsibilities within the company.

  • Greater Earning Potential: Employees with specialized skills are often more valuable and can command higher compensation.

  • Increased Confidence and Versatility: You become a more adaptable and resourceful member of the team.

For the Company:

• • Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Faster repairs, reduced downtime, and streamlined processes boost overall productivity.

  • Lower Operating Costs: Reduced reliance on external contractors and extended equipment lifespan contribute to significant cost savings.

  • Enhanced Service Offerings: The ability to handle a wider range of tasks in-house makes us more competitive and attractive to customers.

  • Stronger Team and Improved Morale: Investing in employee development fosters a more skilled, engaged, and motivated workforce.

  • Greater Profitability: Ultimately, increased efficiency, lower costs, and enhanced service offerings lead to improved profitability and long-term success.

Taking the Next Step: Exploring Skill Development Opportunities

We are committed to the growth and development of our team. Let's explore opportunities for interested employees to gain valuable skills in areas like small engine repair, basic electrical work, plumbing fundamentals, or introductory HVAC concepts. This could involve:

• • Internal Training Programs: Leveraging the expertise within our existing team to train others.

  • External Workshops and Courses: Investing in professional training programs and certifications.

  • Mentorship and Job Shadowing: Pairing experienced employees with those eager to learn new skills.