Restoration Industry Association -- Educational Programs and Events

IMPORTANT NEWS – PLEASE READ!

In a major step forward in RIA’s service to members, we are now launching the Association’s new membership database. This new database is not only designed to capture essential information that will enable us to serve you more effectively, it also allows members and individuals to maintain their own RIA-related records and facilitate networking among members, while preserving the confidentiality of your information.

The first and most important step is for member companies to complete their records registration by logging onto the RIA website at http://www.restorationindustry.org. To help you do this, the primary contact person at every RIA member firm will receive within a few days a letter with detailed instructions on how to log in and create their company’s records. Please watch your mail for this letter and update your online record ASAP.

PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR INSTRUCTION LETTER, before you attempt to update your company record as it contains the detailed instructions that will make the procedure quicker and more efficient for you.

There is an important reason why we want you to act soon. RIA is publishing its first membership directory in several years, and your database record will be the source for your directory listing.

Shortly after the member company records are updated, individuals who are associated with those companies will be advised on how to access their individual records in the database. This will be especially important to program registrants and for holders of RIA advanced certifications (e.g., CRS, CFS, CR, CMP, CMH, WLS) who will be able to change their contact information, check on their CE credits towards recertification, and more.

We have also launched our online membership application system at www.restorationindustry.org/commerce/join.cfm. If you know someone considering membership in our association, make sure that you forward them the aforementioned link so that they enroll in time to be included in the next print version of the membership directory.

We look forward to serving you in 2008.

Don Manger

Executive Director

SBA Launches Training Resources to Improve Business Credit

Small business owners now have a new small business resource to help improve their chances for profitability by understanding the importance and use of business credit. The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a series of training resources designed to help small business owners manage their business credit.

Additionally, the SBA and Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) have joined together in a nationwide partnership to give small business owners valuable step-by-step guidance on how to proactively manage their business credit. For more information, visit http://www.sba.gov/.

Lawsuit Filed Against Major Insurance Companies

Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti filed a lawsuit against six major insurance companies, including State Farm and Allstate, alleging collusion, price-fixing and anti-trust violations. Foti believes the groups involved set out to influence commerce for their own benefit.

From staff and wire reports.

RIA Briefs

Early Bird Specials for RIA’s Annual Convention & Exhibition

Attendees to RIA's 63rd Annual Convention & Exhibition, taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on March 11-15, 2008, will be able to take advantage of some major savings. Register by February 8, 2008 and save $200 per person. Each additional person from your company saves another $100. Join RIA and save even more! For more information visit: http://www.restorationindustry.org/programs/convention08/index.cfm.

Additionally, all educational sessions, exhibits and social events will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort, which is located only 6 minutes from Dallas-Forth Worth Int'l. Airport (DFW). ROOMS MUST BE BOOKED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 13, 2008. Click on the link below to make a reservation.

https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_new&groupID
=118435

2008 RIA Professional Development Course Catalog Available

RIA’s Education Department has just released its 2008 RIA Professional Development Course Catalog. Cynthia Mullaly, Director of Education, has overseen all stages of production making it the first document of its kind offered by RIA. The catalog provides a detailed overview on all of RIA’s 2008 education courses, along with an “easy to use guide” that reveals each course's skill level.

To receive a free copy of the 2008 RIA Professional Development Course Catalog, please call RIA at 443-878-1000. To learn more about RIA’s educational courses online, visit http://www.restorationindustry.org/programs/index.cfm.

C&R Wins Another Award

Cleaning & Restoration magazine received the Honorable Mention award in Association Trend’s All Media Content. This was the first time the publication has entered this competition. Judged against 400 other association publications, Cleaning & Restoration was one among five to win in the trade association – print category.

Businesses' U.S. Census Forms Due Date Approaching

U.S. Census Bureau 2007 Economic Census forms must be turned in by February 12, 2008. More than 4 million American businesses, including 130,000 construction businesses, have been issued this form. Business responses are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code). Those who don’t comply can face up to $5,000 in penalties and $10,000 for intentionally submitting false information. For more information, visit http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/ or call 1-877-790-1876.

Cleaning & Restoration Magazine Meets Members’ Expectations

Membership to RIA means free access to Cleaning & Restoration’s industry trends and articles concerning new developments in carpet cleaning and restoration. Offering the best business and technical information in the industry, Cleaning & Restoration has won countless awards, making it “a top technical magazine in the industry.” In addition to the Honorable Mention award mentioned above, below are just some of the awards C&R has received:

Special Recognition Grand Print award from the Missouri School of Journalism's Magnum Opus competition.
Editor-in-chief, Patricia Harman, has won two silver awards for best feature article and best feature writing.
Five Apex awards for feature writing and best redesign
An Apex Grand Award for excellence in writing.

To preview past C&R articles, visit http://www.restorationindustry.org/buyersguide/index.cfm. For subscription information or renewals, please call 443-878-1009.

Toolbox Tips

Seeing the Big Picture of Infection Control

By Michael A. Pinto, CSP, CMP

For the past 150 years, infection control has been an important part of treatment in health care facilities. Today, however, the interest in infection control has “spread” to food processing facilities, schools, gyms, hospitality venues such as hotels and cruise ships, prisons, offices and the home.

Because of its long history of infection control and more serious impacts on patients compromised by illness, the greatest amount of statistical information on infection control is related to the health care industry — and the numbers are astounding.

It is estimated that in the U.S., two million hospital acquired infections occur annually. Of those, more than 100,000 lead to deaths every year.
Health care acquired infections kill more people each year than car crashes and homicides combined!
One out of every 20 people who enter a hospital develops an infection that they did not have when they arrived.
For any particular hospital the average is 14 patient deaths per year from facility acquired infections (known in the health care industry as “nosocomial infections”).

With a greater emphasis on infection control in hospitals and other industries (thanks in large part to media stories about noroviruses and antibiotic resistant bacteria), it is important for cleaning and restoration professionals to assess their capabilities in this area and compare them to their clients’ needs. That process starts with understanding which facilities are especially susceptible to infections. A basic knowledge of the types of infectious agents that cause the most problems is the next step that cleaning professionals use to help select appropriate control actions.

The full version of “Seeing the Big Picture of Infection Control” can be found in the January 2008 issue of Cleaning & Restoration magazine.

Not a C&R subscriber? Don’t miss out. Click below to start your subscription today!

http://www.restorationindustry.org/commerce/crmag_subscription.cfm

Marketing Briefs

Visual Branding: Keys to Make Your Business Memorable

Key # 2: The Tag Line

By Karen Saunders

A distinctive tag line is key for your business’ name to become ingrained in consumers’ minds. Great tag lines appear to be effortlessly created because they just seem to flow. In fact, creating and refining one takes time, just like designing a great logo.

The Hallmark tag line, "When you care enough to send the very best," appeals to the human desire to be viewed as having good taste and an appreciation for luxury. Since greeting cards are a commodity, Hallmark has certainly found a way to differentiate itself as the choice for quality.

The Hallmark company was founded by J. C. Hall, so the name “Hallmark” was a natural. It was also brilliant from a marketing standpoint. Hallmarks have been used for centuries as a stamp to denote quality, purity, and genuineness. Could there be a better way to attach the image of quality to a product? The tag line capitalizes on that image and exemplifies good taste.

In creating your own tagline follow these simple guidelines:

Use catchy words to express your company's most important benefits.
Think of what you want the customers to remember about your organization.
Use words that describe you and what you have to offer.

Creating a great logo and distinctive tag line are critical in creating a brand that provides the perfect image for your company and great ones just might be memorable enough to give your company the beach front property in the minds of your customers, leaving them thinking only of you.

Karen Saunders is the author of the award winning book, Turn Eye Appeal to Buy Appeal: How to easily transform your marketing pieces into dazzling, persuasive sales tools! The book won a 2006 APEX Award for Publication Excellence.

Here’s a look at what’s coming in the February 2008 issue of RIA’s award-winning magazine, Cleaning & Restoration.

Nine Things Your Customers Will Never Tell You

By Richard Ensman

Customers may tell you about obvious errors, but there are nine things most will never share with you that can have a major impact on your profits.

10 Reasons Not to Criticize Your Ex Boss

By Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D.

You’ve heard the saying, “What goes around, comes around,” and that is particularly true when it comes to describing a former boss. Here are 10 reasons to watch what you say when describing your “ex.”

Why Good Employees Leave

By Gregg Gregory

Employees leave for a variety of reasons, but the bottom line is that your company failed to keep them. Learn the top three reasons why they decide to go and how to keep the “keepers.”

RIA Fall Conference Recap

By Patricia L. Harman

Find out what you missed if you didn’t attend RIA’s Fall Conference Series in Orange County. In addition to the wild fires raging around us, there were some pretty hot discussions during the sessions too.

Non-Verbal Communication

By Jessica Krznaric

While what we say is important, it’s often what isn’t said that reveals far more about us. Appearance, facial expressions and how we carry ourselves can speak volumes without even opening our mouths.

Cost Accounting Issues for Damage Repair Contracting

By Martin L. King, CR, ASA

The long-awaited RIA white paper on cost accounting practices for the restoration industry is available for review and comment. Here is a brief synopsis of the initial findings.

Munich Re reports that natural disaster losses related to winter storms in Europe, flooding in Britain, and wildfires in the United States reached $30 billion worldwide for insurance firms. The reinsurance firm cautions that global climate change will become a significant risk in weather-related losses. While losses reached $30 billion this year, it is lower than the $99 billion in losses sustained in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. Total economic losses for the year were pegged at $75 billion, higher than last year's total of $50 billion, but lower than 2005's $220 billion. Munich Re says the winter storm Kyrill cost insurers $5.8 billion and caused economic losses of $10 billion, making it the most costly weather-related storm of the year. Hurricane Dean, which hit the Caribbean in August, only generated $1 billion in insured losses, and the wildfires in California resulted in $1.9 billion in insured losses. Munich also stipulates that the number of natural disasters for the year were 950, compared to 850 in 2006. Munich Re board member Torsten Jeworrek says, "Higher insurance premiums and tax-financed infrastructure repairs could result in higher costs for society as a whole, and speedy international action is needed."
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If an ice storm like the one that hit Canada and the northern United States in 1998 were to hit the same region today, Risk Management Solutions estimates insured losses could surpass the $1.3 billion sustained in 1998 by threefold. While improvements were made in the region, there is a greater concentration of buildings and homes in the area, which could at least double insured losses. Losses, however, are not limited to just physical property damages, but also can encompass business interruption losses, additional living expenses, and infrastructure disruptions.
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Although hurricane risks have not disappeared, AIR Worldwide does caution underwriters against using a couple seasons' worth of data to determine future risk. AIR Worldwide director of research in atmospheric science Peter Dailey said, "Hurricane modelers in predicting hurricane landfall activity need to look at conditions over the long-term." Since 1995, the number of tropical storms forming in the Atlantic Ocean rose; but an increase in the number of tropical storms does not necessarily translate into heightened hurricane activity, Dailey says. In fact, storms originating off the coast of Africa are less likely to make landfall in the United States than those originating in the Gulf of Mexico. While forecasters have improved their ability to predict the number of storms for a given season, determining frequency and intensity is more difficult.
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Water removal, mold remediation, and fire restoration specialists are among the first people at the scene of a disaster. Mike Ryan of Frederick, Md.-based ServiceMaster Clean says technicians prepare for restoration projects by cleaning the disaster scene and the building's contents. Ryan's firm was called by an insurance company to handle a house fire in Walkersville in early November, and technicians removed fire- and water-damaged walls and floors. Brent Cross, production manager at Gaithersburg, Md.-based ServPro Industries, says he was on the scene of a sprinkler burst in late October in Hood College's Shriner Hall in just 40 minutes. The cleanup process involved pulling drywall off plaster walls and making cavities in the plaster to dry the framing and areas behind the plaster. ServPro Gaithersburg owner Charles Thompson says speedy response times are critical when water damage is involved, as the sooner technicians arrive, the more contents can be saved. Bacterial contamination is a major concern in sewage line breaks, while mold is a constant worry in cases of flooding. "Ten years ago, we may put up three fans and dehumidify the air for three days and get out of there--but the mold was still there. Today, we dry out the area and guarantee mold has been removed," says Thompson.
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Swiss Reinsurance Co. reports that insurers face $25 billion in catastrophe claims for the year, up from $16 billion in 2006. About $5.9 billion of those losses were related to Kyrill in the United Kingdom that caused severe flooding. The number of catastrophes are rising, which Swiss Re attributes in part to climate change.
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Black spots on hardwood floors typically are caused by mold, pet urine, or another moisture-related problem and require the replacement of the affected wood planks. As for basic cleaning, the type of finish on the wear layer, or the top layer, determines the appropriate cleaning technique. Cleaning professionals should use pH neutral cleaners on nonwaxed hardwood floors. One-step products that offer a no-buff acrylic finish are suitable for waxed floors, provided wax buildup is removed beforehand. Floors should be swept or vacuumed prior to the application of cleaning products, but abrasive brushes should be avoided. Cleaning should not involve excessive water, ammonia, or oil soaps, as these will damage the wood or the finish.
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A U.S. House bill that would mandate a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the risks of methamphetamine and require the agency to create risk-based cleanup standards of meth labs was passed by the U.S. Senate last month. State waste officials and developers believe health-based cleanup standards will be an improvement over detection limits presently used by states. Cleanup standards have been deemed important because the residue of numerous chemicals used to produce meth--including hydrochloric acid, phosphine, and iodine--is left behind on virtually every surface within the home, and those who come in contact with the residue can suffer health problems. There are concerns about whether the measure will receive the necessary funding; the EPA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology would need $2.5 million for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 to move forward with the program. Rather than base cleanup on safe exposure levels to meth, the standards in place in nine states are based on detected contamination.
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Carpet and rugs are still the most popular types of flooring in the United States, despite increased interest in tile, wood, and laminates. Though wool is softer and tends to conceal dirt, it wears quickly in high-traffic area, fades in sunlight, is prone to stains, and has a high chemical resistance that complicates stain removal. As a result, the Carpet and Rug Institute says wool accounts for fewer than 1 percent of carpets manufactured nationwide. Carpets made from nylon, acrylic, polyester, and polypropylene are among the most popular, as they are less expensive. With regard to cleaning, polyester and polypropylene are magnets for oily dirt and grime, but they are not stained by soft drinks, coffee, juice, wine, and other acidic liquids. However, nylon carpets are vulnerable to staining by acidic dyes and chlorine bleach.
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Recently, A.M. Best Co. reported earthquakes caused significant property losses in all 50 states and each Canadian province and territory, but still only up to 15 percent of homeowners obtain earthquake coverage from carriers. Even in high-risk states such as California, only about 12 percent of homeowners had earthquake coverage in 2006. Some homeowners and businesses do not view earthquakes as viable risks, while other policyholders are unable to find affordable coverage. Congressional hearings on a multiperil or all perils national catastrophe insurance program revealed some industry support for legislative action. Under the Homeowners Defense Act proposed in the U.S. House, a National Catastrophe Risk Consortium would buy reinsurance and issue catastrophe bonds to shore up state-run catastrophe programs should catastrophe liability exceed set-aside reserves. However, while some policyholders are unable or unwilling to buy available coverage, a variety of insurers also are backing out of the market or reducing their capacity in the business line.
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In mid-December, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began testing 500 trailers and mobile homes in Mississippi and Louisiana housing residents displaced by the 2005 hurricanes. The tests will determine formaldehyde levels in the portable housing units, which some residents believe is the source of their health problems, ranging from headaches to chronic respiratory conditions. Formaldehyde is used in manufactured housing as a preservative, and it has been labeled a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer; but the CDC says the chemical is present in nearly all indoor areas. In conjunction with the five-week indoor air quality tests, the CDC is studying the health of children residing in FEMA housing. There are no federal or scientific standards for formaldehyde levels in these structures, but FEMA administrator R. David Paulison says any resident worried about their health will be moved to temporary housing. Relocation requests have been submitted by close to 4,000 people.
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Numerous homes in Palm Beach County, Fla., were damaged by Hurricane Wilma; and more than two years later, some still have not been repaired. The United Way's Palm Beach County Disaster Recovery Coalition, comprised of county government officials and nonprofit organizations, have fixed homes at no cost to the homeowners; outside grants are used to cover the costs of building materials. Jennifer Beckman, the coalition's director, notes, "There are still a lot of people out there that haven't recovered, and that's not unusual. If you look at any major storm or disaster, recovery takes five to seven years." The coalition is focusing its efforts presently at Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Canal Point, with repairs taking place in these western communities through April. Most of the homeowners in need of assistance are the elderly and low-income families, and the coalition will use $70,000 in grant money to replace doors, windows, roofs, and floors ruined by water and wind.
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