March 2022 Vol.16 No. 3

Understanding Abrasive Blast Media

When considering abrasives for property restoration, four important physical characteristics help determine proper application. Media blasting expert Wayne Lawrence shares these characteristics along with popular alternatives to sand blasting in this overview of abrasive blast media.

By Wayne Lawrence

On the Cover

Featured

Something New: Success With Software

With flashy new software systems and other digital solutions brought to market seemingly week in and week out, how do you filter through the options, incorporate a new platform into an existing system and settle on the right package that will set your company up for the future growth you are working so diligently toward? Josh Bachman of Violand Management Associates offers five suggestions.

by Josh Bachman

Leadership in a Consolidating Market

“Identifying potential future leaders, mentoring their development and building a bench of talent for the future is paramount. The degree to which the new, consolidated organizations succeed will be determined by the quality and cohesiveness of their leadership at all levels.”

by Norris Gearhart

Cross-Examination: Uncle Ed Pleads With You for Better Documentation

"How is the adjuster to know if you handled the job like Stan in a Van or a top-shelf company? The answer is documentation. The problem is that too many restorers don’t understand the mechanics of how to put together a good file that properly supports the invoice. They expect the adjuster to simply take their word for it."

by Edward H. Cross, Esq., "The Restoration Lawyer"

What Must a Qualified Water Damage Restoration Contractor Possess?

“We are so focused on the physical aspects of everything we do in our business and personal lives, we sometimes forget the importance of the emotional connection, a basic human need. We have become transactional and no longer personal. The most successful companies handle problem resolution with a human voice and a can-do attitude to service, while others deal with problem resolution with software and a list of options.”

by Barry Costa

Want to Become a Restoration Industry Thought Leader? Read This First

We find thought leaders in every industry — health care, technology, professional cleaning, facility management and, of course, the restoration industry. But have you ever wondered how these people became “thought leaders”? Here, Robert Kravitz shares the importance of thought leadership along with five common steps in the journey to becoming a thought leader.

by Robert Kravitz

Preventing Hand Injuries in Restoration Work

Barry Rice reviews successful methods he has observed to prevent hand injuries, one of the most common injuries in restoration work. He provides advice on choosing the right glove and glove training implementation.

by Barry Rice, CSP

Our Industry Is Drying Buildings Backwards

“We as an industry only know how to check these moisture content levels and have no insight into controlling or evaluating the primary metrics that are determining the length of time it takes to get these materials back to acceptable levels. …Our industry is drying completely backwards!”

by Chuck Dewald III

The Rise of Remote Estimating

"Remote or third-party estimating companies focus only on estimating. Their specialist teams are made up of estimate writing wizards, geniuses of graphical estimating and magicians of macros. These dedicated estimators may have gravitated away from managing trades and keeping up with client communication, while leaning towards the technical aspects and nuts-and-bolts of how each trade handles tasks. Could remote estimating enhance your business?"

by Chris Tilkov

Leading a National, Family-Run Restoration Company

“By setting and sticking to your core values, the culture you have built and the standards for the quality of work you have established won't be compromised by changes to company size and makeup. These simple ideas have guided us as we've grown from a small operation into a national leader in disaster recovery.”

by Jeff Moore

Don’t Throw in the Towel When Restoring Documents Damaged by Water

"In the age of digitalization, why should risk managers, contractors and insurance professionals pay closer attention to document restoration? What type of work sites or clients require document restoration? What is the technical process to restore documents in a way that these items are later safe to use? The why of document restoration can be divided into three categories: Efficiency, legality and sentimentality."

by Boris Skoro

If You Want To Lead Effectively, This Should Be Your Top Priority

"As a business owner, you have to keep your eyes on the numbers. But as a leader, the most powerful choice you can make is to put joy first. Your customer’s joy. Your team’s joy. And above all, your own joy. Because a fulfilled leader is an effective leader."

by Idan Shpizear

Effective Restoration Software Hinges on the Human Factor

“Today’s restoration software helps users estimate and manage recovery projects more efficiently than ever. This new technology is awesome, but the most important thing to remember is all software relies on good data entry, as garbage data in will result in garbage data out.”

by Thomas McGuire

Approaching Leadership Intentionally

Is there one leadership style that is better than the other? Which specific leadership style is best for creating a culture that retains employees? Can one have multiple styles at once? In this column, Nicole Humber shares her perspective, and those of her employees, on effective leadership styles.

by Nicole Humber

Departments

RandRmagonline.com | March 2022

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