There is Always Room for Improvement

Change can be difficult for any organization, but it is often necessary to remain competitive.  One way to overcome the challenges associated with change is to develop a systematic approach to make incremental improvements to each area of an organization.  This can help create an environment where change is expected, and force your team to review even the greatest strengths of your organization.   

At Whistle Building Maintenance, we have found some of our biggest breakthroughs by taking another look at our strengths, and are thrilled to announce our latest change.  We will be releasing a specialized inspection, communication, job scheduling, and tracking system to our valued clients during the month of February.  This tool will be completely available online and will offer the following benefits:

·         Online Inspections to ensure any deficiencies are addressed and resolved immediately.

·         Daily Detail Cleaning system to push specific cleaning tasks to top of the “To Do” list for each day/night of service.

·         Contact Management system to link site-specific information to a permanent client record.

·         Work-Ticket system to capture every detail needed to clean every part of each facility.

This system will only improve the high quality of our services and unmatched responsiveness that we currently provide to our clients. 

Remove Bacteria with...Cheese??

That's right!  Say cheese after dinner!

Eating a piece of cheese after dinner is healthier for your mouth than eating a sweet dessert, says the American Society for Dental Aesthetics.

Cheese neutralizes oral acids and helps remove bacteria. It also contains calcium and phosphorus that re-mineralize tooth enamel.

Why Clients Leave: One Surprising Reason

When business is slow, it's easy to think clients have moved to cheaper products or decided to do without the services you offer.  Particularly during such times, it's a good idea to survey present and recently departed customers in order to check the pulse of your business.

You'll probably discover some clients didn't like the level of service you provide.  That's not pleasant to hear, but complaints of any kind are good.  They give you a starting point for improvement.

Many former and present clients are nice people who don't want to complain. These are the people you need to talk to.  Studies reported by the CornerStone Leadership Institute show that for every person who registers a complaint, there are a couple of dozen who don't say anything about it at all.  This is why one might want to reconsider accepting "No news is good news," as a measure of client satisfaction.

Conversations with clients will show that you really care about them.  They will be more loyal to you in the future.

Safety & Health in the Office

About 10 percent of office injuries are caused by slips and falls. Most happen because of wet surfaces and unanchored rugs or mats. Others were caused by falling off a chair when a person was rocking or sitting down without realizing the chair wasn't in the right place.

Trips happen when you hit an obstruction and lose your balance. Causes include clutter, obstructed views, wrinkled carpet, uncovered cables, drawers not being closed, and uneven surfaces such as steps and thresholds.

Fitness. If the only part of your body you move on the job is your mouse finger, you need to increase your fitness level with exercise. When your body is stronger, you are less likely to fall or suffer strains and sprains.

Lift safely. If you want to move a piece of equipment or anything heavy, don't take a chance on injuring yourself. Ask a co-worker to help you.

Electrical. Most office equipment is manufactured with grounded plugs as a precaution (three prong plugs). Never remove the third prong. Overloading electrical circuits and using extension cords can result in a fire.

Bacteria. A study by the University of Arizona found that a desk has far more bacteria than a toilet seat, including plenty of cold and flu germs. Keep your hands, desk and keyboard clean with a disinfectant.  Review the work specifications with your Commercial Building Cleaning Company to ensure these surfaces are being professionally cleaned regularly.

Nodding. If you are often sleepy at work, remember that you need seven or eight hours of sleep a day. If you often have tension or migraine headaches, see a doctor for effective treatment.

Hurting hands. Hands and wrists can become sore with intensive computer use, but many conditions other than carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain. Check with your doctor to get relief from tendonitis, which can be treated with splinting and anti-inflammatories, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen.

Back, neck and shoulder muscles. Check your computer and chair height so they are appropriate for your work. Chair posture is important, so sit up straight. Take breaks and walk about.

Eye strain. Microsoft suggests increasing your font size so type is easier to read. Look away from your computer frequently to allow your eyes to adjust to different distances. Be sure to blink occasionally to keep your eyes moist. Taking a fish oil capsule every day helps many people avoid dry eyes.