Are you in the middle of a slow time right now? Is cash flow getting a little tight? It can be frustrating to come into the office with nothing on your project board, have all of your equipment in the warehouse, and your crews asking what they should do now!

At times like these, go back to the basics. When was the last time you visited your adjusters and agents? Go remind them what a great job you’ve done for them in the past. And when was the last time you tried to get work from a source that has never sent work your way? Go see them, because they CAN’T say “no” forever! Go through your notes from previous jobs—was there a problem that you didn’t follow up on? If so, go back and solve it. Unhappy customers tell all their friends about what you did wrong, so try to make it right. Is there a new source of business you’ve THOUGHT about developing? Now might be a good time to put energy into it.

The bottom line is this: Consistent sales and marketing efforts reduce the “ups and downs” we see in water restoration

The storm predictors are already talking about the 2006 hurricane season. According to the hurricane forecasters, “landfalling activity” will be more than an average hurricane season. Are you preparing now?

If you’re on the coast:

• Have temporary labor sources set up now
• Improve communication ability within your company to prepare for outages
• Develop an emergency plan for your company
• Send workers on vacation now (so they don’t ask for it later!)
• Clean and service all equipment
• Improve inventory and documentation procedures
• Invest in needed equipment BEFORE the rush starts
• Train, certify and promote within your company to provide leadership
• Send newer techs to classes now, before crunch time

• Re-contact current relationships in areas prone to hurricanes
• Obtain licenses to work in the hurricane areas
• Develop transportation options
• Clean and service all equipment
• Improve inventory and documentation procedures
• Invest in needed equipment BEFORE the rush starts
• Train, certify and promote within your company to provide leadership - sign up for a class or send techs to get ready

• Market your area thoroughly, and consider using your dedication to “home” as a selling point
• Improve company processes and procedures to be ready for extra work
• Plan ahead now for equipment needs BEFORE the rush starts
• Train and certify employees to be ready for growth - gaining new knowledge and skills can re- energize your team

A confined space is any environment or area that is large enough for a person to enter, but is not designed for normal human occupancy. There are many environments encountered in a water loss that fit the definition of a confined space (i.e. a crawlspace or an attic). Entry into a space that fits the definition for confined space requires specific procedures, training, and in some cases, special permits. Depending upon circumstances, the procedures require the use of:

• An Attendant – an individual stationed outside one or more permit space who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all other attendant's duties as assigned in the employer's permit space program.
• A Retrieval System – the equipment (including a retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces.
• Testing – planning and implementing tests in order to identify and evaluate hazards that may confront entrants of a permit space.
• Specialty PPE – the identification and wearing of specialty PPE appropriate for the confined space, which may include supplied oxygen.