 We know it’s not possible to avoid every possible mistake on the jobsite, but why not try? Staying vigilant during projects by understanding, identifying, and avoiding common mistakes can keep your timelines and budgets on schedule, limit accidents, and create a positive, productive work environment for your construction company. Here are 5 of the most common construction mistakes and how to avoid them to keep your business running smoothly and profitably.
1. Ignoring Safety Measures Accidents are always a possibility, no matter how cautious your crew is, but adhering to all the necessary safety regulations and protocols can greatly reduce the risk of such events. Proper management can ensure that all proper precautions are followed, all incidents are properly documented, and - most importantly - your team and property are as safe as possible. 2. Hiring Inadequate Workers Having a progressive business model and a top-notch HR department to seek out and hire the best talent available can keep your work environment running smoothly and efficiently. Vetting candidates thoroughly and choosing those with the widest range of skill sets is your best bet for a successful construction crew. 3. Careless Budgeting Overestimates or incomplete bids can deter potential clients, thus costing you the jobs you need, whereas underestimating may lead to monetary losses on the jobs you do procure. Taking the time and forethought to carefully asset and plan out your future projects can mean the difference between a thriving business and one drowning in debt. 4. Relying on Outdated Software Inefficiencies, lost data, and mistakes are always on the line when dealing with technology and software, and they can cost your construction company millions. Investing in modern, cloud-based construction management platforms can bring stability to the chaos of the construction process and help you boost productivity and profitability. 5. Not Modernizing Manual Processes Manual construction processes leave all aspects of a project vulnerable and prone to mistakes and inefficiencies. Stop relying on paper trails to track your progress. To boost efficiency, drive down costs, keep your projects safe, and stay on schedule and budget, you need to deploy the right software designed for construction and stay up to date on new features. Managing a construction company means dealing with a lot of moving parts - both literally and metaphorically - so why not make the process easier for yourself and your team? Insta Answer has over 50 years of experience handling customer service calls and dispatching for construction companies, and we’re ready to take on yours as well. Give us a call today to see how we handle your calls.
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 The elevator service industry is more than just installation and repairs; a large part of the elevator industry is keeping up with upgrades and modernization to make all elevators - whether already installed or yet to be installed - as safe as possible. A great deal of time and knowledge goes into ensuring that all your systems are up-to-date, not to mention a LOT of money as well. Balancing your budget to accommodate potential future upgrades can sometimes be a guessing game, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 4 upgrades you should leave room in your budget for…
Maintenance It goes without saying that, like all systems, elevators are subject to normal wear and tear. No matter how busy the building it is in may be, all elevators will eventually need repairs done to maximize the unit’s efficiency and safety. Staying on top of elevator inspections and keeping those units in great condition should always be a high priority. Safety Accommodations Despite having to implement new safety precautions in elevators for the past year now, there is always room for improvement and the possibility that these measures need to be enhanced. So, along with these current guidelines and routines, new technologies aimed at keeping everyone safe will need to be taken into consideration, such as antimicrobial button covers, UV light, air filtration systems, and touchless control operations. Modernizations Elevator technology advances everyday, and your systems should not be slacking when it comes to implementing new technologies as soon as possible - both to keep up with competitors and to keep your passengers safe. New features, equipment, tools, and technology are your company’s best route for success. Video Monitoring In the past few years new regulations, such as those set by the International Building Code (IBC) of 2018 and the ASME A17.1 Code of 2019, mandate the installation of video monitoring systems in new elevator cars. These video systems are to be implemented in all new elevator installations as well as major modifications to ensure the safety of any passengers in an emergency situation, communication systems need to be inclusive of those with disabilities. Insta Answer is no stranger to assisting with elevator updates and customer service. Through our partnership with SmartView Visual Communication, we have also implemented video monitoring into our elevator call services. Our team of expertly trained agents that understand how to deal with entrapments is here to help anyone in need, anytime, anywhere. Don’t believe us? Call today and see for yourself how we handle our customers.  Many factors come into play when customers choose which companies to buy from, and your business may be getting overlooked. Depending on the scale of their needs, customers may favor full service oil companies over discount oil companies like your own, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Don’t miss out on a big sale just because your business may be small. Keep up with your largest competitors by offering these services your customers wouldn’t typically expect from a discount oil company…
1. Thorough service plans and tune-ups to choose from that fit your customers’ needs and budgets and can be customized at their convenience 2. A reliable oil supply with little or no risk of running out 3. A large team of highly trained and qualified technicians for handling services and repairs whenever customers need instead of waiting on a smaller team to get around to your next customer 4. A variety of delivery options for both delivery method and availability, such as automatic/recurring delivery or 24/7 delivery 5. Affordable and flexible pricing plans to choose from like variable, ceiling, fixed, and monthly budgeting to help customers manage their energy costs 6. 24/7/365 customer service and support with knowledgeable, kind operatives to help your customers properly and promptly These factors are what set full service oil companies apart from discount companies, and may very well be the deciding factors of why a potential customer decides to choose one of your competitors. Offering the best possible service no matter what size your company is can put your company ahead of the competition and ensure that you keep your current customers around, attract new customers, and never miss a potential sale from anyone. At Insta Answer, we have over 50 years of experience handling customer calls with care, urgency, comprehensive knowledge, and complete competence. We’ll take care of all of your calls, so you can get back to the rest of your business. We know the oil and gas industry, we know how to navigate any issues that may arise, and we know exactly what your company needs. We’re here for you. Call us today at (877) 631-9711 to see how we can handle your calls.  Since its beginning, the HVAC has consistently grown both in demand and in terms of technological advancement. However, no matter how cutting-edge HVAC products and services may be, the industry - like all others - comes with its own set of challenges. When combatting any difficulty, vigilance and preparation are your best bet at a positive outcome. So, keep your business ahead of the game by familiarizing yourself with these top challenges in the HVAC industry.
High Costs The aforementioned demand for state-of-the-art technology and specialized tools and equipment carries with it a big price tag for your business. As such, you may need to adjust your own prices accordingly to keep up with overhead. Maintaining a good balance between delivering prices high enough to cover expenses and delivering competitive prices that will attract and retain customers isn’t always easy. Team Management The HVAC service industry relies heavily on just that: service. So, your business is bound to have either a large team of technicians or a small (probably pressed for time) team under your supervision. Having to keep track of where everyone is, what projects they are each working on, and navigating an influx of new service requests can put a lot of stress on your management team and technicians alike. Climate It’s quite clear that a community’s level of demand for HVAC products and services is heavily reliant on both its location and season. As expected, the industry is at its busiest during the middle of summer and winter, when temperatures are the most extreme at either end of the temperature range. So, as the seasons fluctuate, so does the type of service, level of demand, and ultimately the successfulness of your business. Competition An HVAC company’s efforts to combat each of the challenges above plays a big role in this final challenge: staying ahead of the competition. Your business, as successful as it may be, will always have the success of competing businesses looming overhead. So, it’s important to be mindful of where yours stands in relation to your competitors, whether you’re striving to be the best in the field or just maintain your current level of success. It’s a lot to handle, both in terms of strategizing as well as implementing all the necessary steps to overcoming all the challenges the HVAC industry faces. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Insta Answer is available 24/7 to handle all of your customer service and dispatching calls, so you’re free to handle your business’s other needs. Give us a call today.  Ever-growing demand and new expectations arising as technology progresses is nothing new, especially in the elevator service industry. Keeping up with customer demands and staying ahead of the competition carries more weight than just maintaining your company’s good reputation. Here are a few significant challenges companies are facing and how to overcome them in order to thrive in the elevator industry.
Violations & Fines Each year, elevator codes and regulations become more and more thorough, making your job to comply with them even more difficult. Requirements set by agencies such as OSHA, The Department of Buildings, ASME, and other organizations are put into place for the sake of keeping passengers safe and keeping things running smoothly. Violating any of these regulations can not only result in substantial fines, but also in potential harm to passengers. Staying safe and free of fines can be done by making sure your staff is aware of all elevator code changes, implementing new requirements quickly, and keeping a close eye on your systems and company as a whole so that you can easily spot anything that may not be up to code. Communication Staying in contact with field service technicians is essential for running an efficient elevator service company. It’s imperative to know where your technicians are, be able to assign tasks quickly, and keep track of progress and problems that may arise during a job. Having an effective communication system in place not only allows for seamless operations, but also guarantees that all your jobs get done correctly and on time. Although using a team of dedicated dispatchers with top of the line communication systems may not be possible to do in-house, outsourcing your communication to a virtual answering service is an easy way to solve one of your biggest challenges. Customer Service Expectations Elevator repairs are rarely something that customers are happy waiting for. In such a demanding business, customers expect expedience with solving every problem. When it comes to calling your business, it isn’t just building owners asking about repairs, either. Dealing with distraught passengers calling from an elevator phone is a major part of your job. When passengers are in a crisis situation, providing quick, simple, calm, sympathetic, and knowledgeable customer service is the most important part of your business. Ensuring that your customers’ calls are as helpful and stress-free as possible should be a top priority for your elevator company. As distinct as these issues may be from one another, overcoming each one doesn’t have to be its own separate process. The simplest, most cost-effective solution to all of this is partnering with a virtual answering service team like Insta Answer. Our team of dedicated customer service agents and dispatchers specializes in staying up to date with all new and existing elevator regulations, streamlining communications with your field agents, and providing friendly, reassuring customer service to elevator owners and passengers alike. Give us a call today to see how we can answer your calls. |
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