Satisfaction and Innovation in the Workplace

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping a happy and functional workspace is not only important for visiting members of the community, but also ensures that those team members that spend every day there are happy and your place of business is running to the best of its ability. Check out these ideas to make sure there is a positive environment that everyone can thrive in, no matter their walk of life.

1. Energy Efficiency

In addition to making your work environment more comfortable, paying attention to the energy efficiency of your appliances, such air the HVAC system, can also keep it safe by reducing the risk of allergens and microbes in the air. You will also save money on your overhead by increasing the functionality, without having to use additional systems or using higher power levels.

2. Floorplans and Work Stations

Creative floorplans and workspaces can benefit your employees by giving them a varied work environment to “mix it up” and can lead to increased productivity. In addition to this, when your storefront has a unique layout, it can lead to patrons engaging more, and will likely end up in increased purchases- think IKEA, have you ever gone in a big store like that without leaving with a full cart?

3. Using Outside Inspiration to Your Advantage

We as humans definitely do not know it all, so build new ideas by using outside inspiration. Utilize industry titans, social media discovery, or even something you come across day-to-day to build your own individuality in the workplace.

4. Address Concerns Head-On

Sometimes when a small issue bubbles up, our first line of thought is to put it on a list for later. However, often this can lead to bigger problems down the road (especially when it comes to the integrity of your building), so it is better to tackle them as they come. This will also help your employees feel secure, as they know that you will deal with anything that comes up.

5. Recognize Individual Successes

Everyone wants to feel appreciated, so by recognizing successes by employees or teams, it can really help with morale in the workplace. This can lead to more pride in the work being done and overall job satisfaction. Your team members are the bread and butter of your business, so it is always important to recognize the achievements they have helped you reach.

6. Never Stop Learning

One of the worst things you can do for your business is to become stagnant, and the quickest way to do that is to think you know everything and stop in the pursuit of learning. Keep up-to-date on trends, learn from colleagues and community leaders, and try to have an open mind when it comes to helping your business grow.

7. Maintain the Standard of Cleanliness

Sometimes if you have a large commercial space, keeping it immaculately clean can be difficult. SERVPRO can ensure that your place of business is safe from lingering germs by using our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, which is our defensive pathogen cleaning program. Have Questions? Call us today at (540) 389-5818 to see what we can do for you.

Workplace Hazards

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

OSHA lists the 5 most common workplace Hazards as the following:

1. Safety: any type of substance, condition or object that can injure employees
2. Chemical: exposure to chemicals and improper use of chemicals 
3. Biological: exposure to infectious materials such as blood, fungi, mold, viruses, and animal droppings
4. Physical: radiation exposure, extreme heat or cold etc.
5. Ergonomic: work activities that cause harmful strain on the body 

These are common issues that can occur in the workplace some easier than others to remedy. It is important to have a plan in place for workplace hazards such as these and for emergencies. Records show that as many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster.

We are also available to schedule a free Emergency Response Plan for your company to better prepare for potential emergencies.

Water Damage in Your Business? We can help!

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events in Roanoke commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response.  Whether we're dealing with a small water cleanup or a large scale water event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area.  In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budget.  We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour lost revenue & productivity.  So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we'll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Roanoke

SERVPRO of Roanoke specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event.  Our staff is highly trained and certified in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property!

Coffee Spills in the Office

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Like most offices coffee is everyone's best friend. But what do you do when a cup slips out of someones hand on to the carpet at work? Here are a few steps to make your work carpet like new: 

Step One:

Always start with water!  If you catch the spill immediately, take a clean towel and blot blot blot.  Start at the edges and work your way to the middle.  Spray with water and repeat until the coffee is all removed.  On a still wet stain, this may be all you need to do.

Step Two:

Still stained?  Try foamy white shaving cream.  Gently run into the carpet without pressing (you don't want to push the stain in further).  Allow to stand for a few minutes, then blot.  To rinse, spray with water and blot.  Repeat the process until it is completely rinsed.

Step Three:

Got an already dry stain?  No problem!  Make a baking soda and water paste, run into the carpet, and allow to dry.  Once dry, vacuum up the powder.  You should be stain free!

Step Four:

Stain a tad more stubborn?  Mix one part white vinegar, two parts water and spray directly to the stained area.  Blot with a clean dry towel.  Rinse by spraying water and thoroughly blotting.  Repeat the rinse until all the vinegar is removed.

Step Five:

Once your stain is gone, take a dry towel and lay it over the still wet area, stomp your feet over the towel to remove excess moisture.  Once this area is dry, vacuum to return the carpet to its normal texture.

Prepare your business

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

No one wants to believe that their business will be affected by a disaster.  But the reality is that between natural disasters, human-caused hazards, and technology-related hazards, the odds are high enough that businesses have to be prepared.  As many as 50% of business will never recover or reopen after they experience a disaster, and of those businesses that do survive, the overwhelming majority of them have a preparedness plan in place. 

Coming up with a preparedness plan may seem daunting, but SERVPRO has a solution that will ensure your business has an immediate plan of action following a disaster.  Our Emergency Ready Profile provides your business with the critical information that is needed to begin mitigation and recovery services, and it includes all the necessary quick references to important building and contact information.  

Advantages of having an Emergency Ready Profile:

• No cost assessment of your facility
• A concise Profile Documentation that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster
• Establishes SERVPRO as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing any work to begin
• Provides your facility with details such as shut-off valves locations, priority areas and priority contact information

Deep Clean Your Business

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

The start of summer brings about a lot of amazing things, such as green grass, sunshine, flowers, and no more school for the kids!  However, as great as all these things are, they also bring about allergies, germs, pollen, and dust!  A work environment can be negatively affected by these factors because they can affect how the people working in the environment are feeling.  Keeping a healthy and cleanly work environment is very important in keeping with a positive work ethic and attitude amongst employees.  Here are some helpful tips on keeping your business a positive and clean space.

Keep Those Carpets Clean!

Dust, grass, pollen, and other allergens can easily get caught in the fibers of carpeting and rugs.  They can be stirred up from foot traffic and make people's allergies flare up throughout the day.  By making sure your carpets are getting both a daily vacuum and a reoccurring deep clean is very important in keeping your work environment comfortable. 

Give Your Office a Good Wipe Down

Wiping down surfaces will not only prevent the spreading of germs, but it will also prevent the accumulation of dust particles on the surfaces.  Giving your offices a good wipe down regularly will also help keep away any unpleasant smells that may come from drink spills or food residue often left behind.

Regular cleaning of your office environment will not only improve your business's overall smell, look, and health, but it can also keep you on top of potential damages.  Regular cleaning means you will be able to find and catch damages such as water and mold growth from hidden leaks before they become a larger issue.  Finding damages early is the key to being able to fix them properly and quickly. 

What to do if your business has emergency?

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

No one wants to believe that their business will be affected by a disaster.  But the reality is that between natural disasters, human-caused hazards, and technology-related hazards, the odds are high enough that businesses have to be prepared.  As many as 50% of business will never recover or reopen after they experience a disaster, and of those businesses that do survive, the overwhelming majority of them have a preparedness plan in place. 

Coming up with a preparedness plan may seem daunting, but SERVPRO of Roanoke has a solution that will ensure your business has an immediate plan of action following a disaster.  Our Emergency Ready Profile provides your business with the critical information that is needed to begin mitigation and recovery services, and it includes all the necessary quick references to important building and contact information.  

Advantages of having an Emergency Ready Profile:

• No cost assessment of your facility
• A concise Profile Documentation that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster
• Establishes SERVPRO of Roanoke as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing any work to begin

Provides your facility with details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

Commercial HVAC Cleaning

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Like anything else that remains stationary in a business, your Air Ducts and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems get dirty over time.  And as these systems gather large amounts of dust and particles, the quality of air is affected.  While many people are more apt to notice the quality of air in their homes, many overlook the importance of keeping these systems clean in their businesses.  

Benefits of Cleaning your Air Ducts or HVAC Systems:

Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy reported that 25-40% of the energy used for heating or cooling is wasted due to contaminants in the systems.  The contaminants cause the system to have to work harder to keep up with the temperature you desire.  When your HVAC systems are cleaned properly, they do not need to use as much energy and, therefore, are more cost-effective.

Indoor Air Quality

With the weather warming up, allergies are in full swing.  Pollen and dust are running rampant through the air, and it is not hard for those particles to find their way through an opening door and straight into your business.  Pollutants such as dander, dust, chemicals, and even pollen are all pulled into HVAC and Air Duct systems and re-circulated an average of 5-7 times a day.  Over time these particles start to accumulate in the duct work and cause a build-up of contaminants.  No one wants to feel uncomfortable in their work environment, and the quality of air due to a dirty HVAC or Air Duct system can do just that for an individual.  

Keeping up with cleaning out your Air Duct and HVAC systems will not only improve the quality of your work environment, but it will also save on your business's energy

Appliances in the Office

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage, burst pipes, and storms, OH MY! It feels like, between all the crazy weather we have had in the past year, we have enough to worry about when it comes to potential water damages affecting our businesses. However, there is a hidden danger that lies within your business's walls that needs to be paid attention to. Leaking and blocked appliances may not seem like a big deal, but it does not take a lot of time for a little leak to cause a lot of damage to your business. Taking the time to pay attention and keeping your appliances up to date can not only save you a lot of money in the long run, but it can also ensure you are keeping your business doors open and operating. Here are some helpful tips on how to make sure you're making your appliances a priority.

Mark Your Calendar

When you purchase new appliances, make sure you write down the expiration dates and recommended replacement dates on their parts and hoses. You have enough to remember throughout your busy days, so this allows you to write it down and forget about it (until the time comes to make replacements that is).

Make a Date Every Friday Afternoon

Cut out 30 minutes every Friday afternoon and walk around and check all your appliances that are hooked up to a water source. Check for blockages, the hoses, and any leaks, so that you can make sure you are not leaving them unattended for a whole weekend. A small leak over a two-day span could not only create a large amount of damage, but it could be the cause for you having to close your business's doors for a few days. Keeping up with your appliances will help keep your weekend as stress-free as possible.

Don't Put it Off

When you find the problem, fix the problem. Replace a leaky hose, or call a plumber to clear the blockage in your drains or sinks before it is too late. Finding and fixing an issue early on will save you a lot of trouble, time, and money, so don't put it off!

If you do find yourself with a water damage due to a faulty appliance, make sure you give SERVPRO of Roanoke a call at 540-389-5818!

Emergency Readiness Plan

3/31/2016 (Permalink)

Emergency Readiness

Is your business ready?

The best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster is to PLAN FOR IT!

Did you know that we offer businesses a no cost emergency readiness mobile app?