Things To Keep In Mind When Looking For The Best Facility Maintenance

Published on: 04 March 2019 Last Updated on: 09 August 2019

The importance of a well-managed infrastructure in the success of a business cannot be underestimated. A properly maintained commercial property ensures efficient delivery of services, a safe and healthy working environment, optimum worker productivity, and customer satisfaction. It adds value to an organization, so it’s important to keep it in great shape.

Unfortunately, facility maintenance, upkeep, and repair can take up a massive chunk of a business’ operational expenses. The good news is that service contractors are specializing in commercial property maintenance without straining your annual budget. Outsourcing this business aspect is a cost-effective alternative that comes with several other benefits. Many businesses are now adopting this business structure. In fact, the global facility management market was estimated to reach $1.314 trillion in 2018.

With the help of reliable building maintenance services, costs are controlled, resources are maximized, standard services are delivered, and compliance with health and building codes is ascertained.

How to choose the right facility maintenance provider?

Facilities maintenance is an important part of your organization’s day-to-day operations. Once you outsource it with a third-party provider, the facilities management services become an integral part of your business. Their quality of service, whether it is good or bad, will reflect on your business.

Working with the inexperienced or ill-equipped provider can lead to a horrible partnership that can adversely affect customer satisfaction, business operations, and revenue potentials. This makes it vital for businesses to choose only the best.

Facility maintenance specialists at CSG share with us some things to keep in mind before zeroing in on a provider for your business.

Reference:

Any company can make an impressive marketing material. However, make sure to verify the claims of a potential provider. Ask for references that can vouch for the quality of services they offer.

Training and experience:

Employees of the facility maintenance provider become a de facto member of your company. They play an essential role in your business’ daily operations. As such, you want a provider with skilled, trained, and qualified personnel so that your clients get the best service experience. Furthermore, this should also ensure that they can execute their duties properly. Ask about development and training programs for service employees. Look for a company that considers continuous this a priority.

Flexibility:

Choose a commercial property maintenance contractor with a wide range of capabilities. A reliable facility maintenance services must be versatile and be able to respond to the ever-changing needs of your business quickly. This will ensure consistency in the delivery of services, efficient work processes, and reduced costs associated with hiring a different contractor. If your business is expanding, consider working with a company that offers scalable services or customizable plans and programs.

Supplies and equipment:

An excellent facility maintenance provider should be well-equipped with adequate and appropriate supplies and equipment. Check their inventory to validate their claims. This should help you assess their capability to meet your building maintenance needs. Verify the quality of the equipment and products they utilize.

Management and leadership:

This is a crucial aspect of any organization as it can have a significant impact on how tasks and responsibilities are accomplished. Poor leadership can lead to failed delivery of services. You want to know who will be managing the account. Explore their existing organizational culture and see how policies are utilized to achieve goals.

Transition process:

With proper risk management and transition plan, a change in facility maintenance provider could lead to disruption of services. As such, you want to check how the provider can guarantee a smooth handover and avoid any interruptions that could affect business operations.

Insurance:

To avoid any liabilities while their personnel is working on your premises, make sure to check their current insurance policies.

Availability:

Inquire about any blackout times in a provider’s schedule. Also, check about how they deal with sudden requests for additional personnel or new tasks.

Certifications:

Certifications such as CIMS Green Building, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant, and Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CMS) ensure competence and compliance of a prospective contractor. Inquire about the certifications that the provider currently hold.

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PTO Generator Tips For Your Farm Or Business

Farm PTO generators use the tractor engine to convert its energy into electrical power, providing farmers and emergency crews with an ideal way to use their own tools on remote job sites. To select one that suits your needs, there’s a lot more involved than makes and models - so if you want to get the right equipment for your needs read the following article and learn about some of the biggest differences in these powerful machines. Choosing a Generator with a Single Shaft Farming or living on rural property? They can provide reliable electricity when it's needed - even in remote locations! They connect directly to your tractor for convenient energy sourcing anywhere on your farm or property. This specific type of PTO generator can also be more cost-effective than gas or diesel generators, typically costing less than $3,000 with lower maintenance needs and packing more power per kilowatt than other types of generators. Finding the ideal model can maximize its benefits. To select an appropriate generator for your needs, first, determine how many watts of electricity you require and choose a generator rated to produce that amount using your tractor's engine. PTO generators usually run between 540 RPM and 1000 RPM; some newer models can operate both speeds simultaneously while older ones may only support one. Next, determine what kind of electricity you require. PTO generators can produce either single-phase or three-phase electricity; single-phase power is similar to what would be found in a regular home outlet while three-phase is typically reserved for higher-powered applications and can reach up to 208 or 480 volts. Selecting a Generator with Split Shaft Split shaft generators offer another distinct advantage over standard generators. The mobility of the models offered at Prima farm generators allows them to be moved around your farm or property when energy needs arise, giving you more flexibility than stationary models which must remain stationary in one spot. In addition, as they only utilize your tractor's engine as an energy source they require less maintenance and risk of breakdowns than standard ones. They can also serve as emergency energy supplies in case of short power outages, making those invaluable tools for farmers and emergency crews who can continue working while waiting for power to return. When selecting a machine, make sure that it fits the size of your tractor engine and meets your specific output needs. If you plan to operate tools in remote areas - for instance, ARC/MIG wire welders or electric pumps - select one with sufficient output for these needs. In addition, search for models which can easily be transported; many manufacturers offer portable generators which can be transported using a trailer or truck and come equipped with transfer switches separately. Generators with a Single or Split Voltage Both single and split-voltage generators are energy solutions that convert mechanical energy from your tractor's engine into electricity, offering emergency backup energy or providing remote tools and appliances with access to electrical energy that might otherwise not be accessible via other means. They're an excellent way to use energy tools in remote areas that may otherwise remain powerless. When selecting a machine, be sure to purchase one rated to handle your expected electrical load. Otherwise, overtaxing the generator could reduce its rpm and potentially stall, potentially damaging its internal mechanisms. Therefore, only connect loads that fit within its capacity range for best results. This type also offers many advantages over engine-driven supplies in terms of maintenance and fuel costs. Since the former doesn't contain its own engine, there are fewer potential failure points and maintenance needs; PTOs use the same fuel source as your tractor so no extra storage space will be necessary for extra fuel storage needs. These PTO generators are an obvious choice for farmers who need an affordable and dependable source of power on the farm. Their convenience includes being easily attached to any tractor in minutes; plus they're much less expensive than traditional diesel generators. Single and Split Amps Split amp power generators can be invaluable tools for farmers, ranchers, and emergency response workers during energy outages or storms. By selecting a generator that best meets their individual needs, these professionals can use it as an alternate energy source and keep running equipment or home or farm machinery uninterrupted. However, selecting the proper PTO generator is critical. When it comes to finally buying a single or split amp for your tractor, it's essential that you take its size into account. As a general guideline, two horsepower of power is necessary per 1 kilowatt of output from your generator. Select one with matching speeds - most modern tractors run either 540 RPM or 1000 RPM, so most PTO generators offer two speeds as options for operation. Finally, select one capable of operating with either single-phase or three-phase electricity. If your needs require three-phase electricity production, look for one capable of producing 208 volts - otherwise a special inverter will likely be necessary to convert your single-phase generator to three-phase power. Single and Split Outlets Single PTO generators can provide convenient power solutions on a farm by attaching to your tractor and using its engine to generate electricity. PTOs make an excellent backup power solution in case of power outages for brief periods. When selecting one, it is crucial that it complements the horsepower (HP) of your tractor. As a rule of thumb, two horsepower is needed per one kilowatt of generator output. keep engine speed in mind; most newer tractors operate between 540 RPM and 1000 RPM engines so choosing an appropriate generator should match these speeds is also key. Read Also: What Size Heat Pump Should I Buy for a Swimming Pool? 10 Benefits & Drawbacks Of Purchasing A Heat Pump Problems and Constraints of Small Scale Irrigation

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Brand Ambassador Application – How to Find a Brand Ambassador

Having a brand ambassador who will represent your brand and company goes a long way in increasing sales and goodwill among the people. They are able to win the hearts of people due to their influence and the trust which has been placed in them. Knowing that you need an ambassador is one thing, finding one is another matter on its own. With the competitive nature of the industry, many companies require these influencers. Hence, you must employ certain methods to find these talented individuals. In this article, we will discuss one of the main ways to find a corporate ambassador. And to ensure that you exhaust every means available, we will also discuss 5 other ways to find these influencers. 1. Brand Ambassador Application Form: This is a major method that firms employ when seeking a representative. Your company’s brand ambassador program can be promoted using this method. All you need to do is publish the brand ambassador application and wait for interested ambassadors to contact you. The application form or the form’s link can be sent via targeted emails, pages on your organization’s website, post-sales messaging, etc. The ambassador application form should contain questions that query the potential influencers why they purchased your product or patronized your service and the reasons they adore your products. Furthermore, ask them if they would like to share those products consistently with their network. From the answers you get, you ought to be able to determine if the customer is fit to be your company’s representative. An interesting thing about this method of finding ambassadors is that only truly interested people will fill the form. Include a website application once you are done with your section to further streamline the top candidates. Tip: An NPS survey can be used to ask the kinds of questions contained in your application form. 2. Informal Application: This is informal in the sense that it doesn’t carry an official format. It is more or less like a referral platform that invites almost everyone to be brand representatives. Customers who join do so using a basic form published on the company’s website. After signing up, a link or code is sent to them. This code can then be shared with their network. When anyone employs the link to buy a product, the ambassador will receive an incentive. While this is informal, there is still a need for you to contact your customers personally to inform them of the ambassador program. An informal application can be sent to every customer so that they can join. Then, the top customers or those that do well in the informal program can be invited to join the formal program. The only difference is that the formal ambassadors should receive more incentives than those who belong to the informal program. 3. Search on Social Media: This is the simplest way to find influencers; however, it requires your time investment. Start with individuals that have posted about your company or brand if you know any. If you don’t know anyone like that, then you need to go through the process of searching. Run a search using your brand name or hashtags. But bear in mind that not everyone who makes use of your hashtag is suitable to be your brand influencer. Visit https://blog.hootsuite.com/how-to-use-hashtags/ to learn how to use hashtags. 4. Use Software Programs: There are some software programs you can use to help you get the best brand ambassador. This is advantageous as it saves you precious time and stress from manual searching. These programs reveal individuals that are mentioning your brand and company. They can also filter through these mentions to make the process easier. Once you find a potential ambassador, some software programs can aid you in reaching out to them. 5. Use Customer Data: This is dependent on whether you have collated customer data over time. So, you can sieve through your previous data to find out who has been loyal to your brand. You must select only loyal customers as they would be eager to promote your brand since they’ve used your products. Click here to learn more about customer data. 6. Ambassador Marketing Platforms: Since the number of influencers has been rising, many of these individuals have created platforms where they can interact and also be easily reached by brands. So, you can make use of such platforms and just go through the list of influencers there and make your pick. You can use filters to streamline your choice of what you are looking for. Conclusion: After you get your ambassadors, establish a rapport with them. Then make sure you follow their social media accounts and like and comment on their posts. You can also share their posts that will be impactful to your followers. Which of these methods will you employ? Or have you employed any of them in the past? Feel free to let us know… Read Also: How to Market a Small Business in a Big City Influencer Marketing Tool to Move from Local to Global Market 5 Steps to Building an Influencer Marketing Campaign

How Much Does Hiring A Virtual Assistant Really Cost?

Are you on the lookout for a virtual assistant? Do you know what a virtual assistant is? What kind of work can virtual assistants do? And; Most importantly, do you know how much you should pay one? If you are one of those individuals who is impressed by new technology improving lives, then this article is for you. The human race is moving towards advancement at a rapid pace. Every day, innovations in technology and software are making human existence convenient, efficient and cost-effective. In this article, we talk about ‘Virtual Assistants’, and how in2019, they are going to change lives for the better. With a virtual assistant, you can sit back, relax, and see increased productivity in your business or for your brand. What is a Virtual Assistant? A virtual assistant does all kinds of work for you- finance, tech related, support, follow up, etc. from a remote location. Many brands and business owners hire virtual assistants to ease their workload and help provide better services to clients in various geographical locations around the world. Virtual assistants help you do routine everyday tasks that could help senior management think of doing more important things for the brand. Think of social media postings, or writing Newsletters, or preparing reports. Geographically, or physically, they would not be sitting in your office. However, they will still be a very important part of your business. Virtual assistants are ideal for both start-ups as well as established brands as there are many benefits attached to hiring them. Benefits of Hiring Virtual Assistants: To start with, virtual assistants save a lot of time, money, and effort for your business. Think of all the important things you can do if you do not have to devote your valuable time towards doing everyday routine work. Many experts also save tons of money by hiring virtual assistants. This is not to say that virtual assistants are cheap because they do sub-standard work. No, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Virtual assistants are highly capable, efficient, and add real value to your business. This helps the scalability of your business, and allow your office real estate (office overheads) to be devoted to assets that you would want to prioritize for your business presently. In our experience, we have seen virtual assistants offer better professionalism and are more devoted to their tasks than even regular employees are. Virtual Assistants: The Final Word: Before hiring, a virtual assistant for your business or brand is sure to check the credentials of the people or company that you are outsourcing the work. It would be a good idea to ask them for identification and previous work sample, before signing them. You can either work with an individual virtual assistant or opt for one of the expert virtual assistant companies. You can hire virtual assistants from some big companies who offer these services at reasonable prices. They also provide them with rigorous training and impart professionalism so that they are effective at their work. It is always better to hire virtual assistants through companies, which offer them. You will always be at peace, knowing that you have signed a real and genuine deal, and would not be taken for a ride. Many people, brands, other corporate entities ask us about some of the roles that virtual assistants can fulfill. We respond to them by asking them- what cant virtual assistants do! The key is not to work hard, but work smart. Start doing well for your brand, go out and hire a virtual assistant for your business. Read Also: 7 Ways To Plan A Smooth Business Succession 7 Ways To Hire Seasonal Staff For Your Business What Are The Best Business Opportunities For 2019? 5 Office Organization Tips Every New Business Owners Must Know Balancing The Books With Outsourcing – Virtual Receptionists

Things To Keep In Mind When Looking For The Best Facility Maintenance