ScanMan's Corner: Thoughts

ScanMan's Corner: Thoughts

Thoughts

So you think you currently have enough work,  you are doing installations for a local stove shop and you are able to fill in the schedule here and there with some sweeps.   BUT, cash flow is really bad, you know how it is with summer vacations and all.

HMM, sound familiar, if there is so much work, then why is cash flow hurting.  Did you not learn about forward schedule all those years ago from Sooty Bob?  So what has happened?  Are you still doing the same old, same old thing?  And getting the same old, same old results?   No one likes change, but in business, you have to make some hard changes to be able to see results in the future.

I have been talking about our Chimney Data System, CDS, now for a couple of months  It seems like years, because of all the time that has been invested.  But now it’s your turn to invest in yourself and your company.

Change requires your time and effort.  Try it for 21 days,, maybe schedule one or two less jobs per day to give you the time needed to answer ALL the questions.   We have a great company that has dropped there schedule load from 6 to three jobs per day, but their ticket price has risen to make up the difference.  Besides the less wear and tear on vehicles and themselves.

 Maybe, only gather the CDS info on your new customers, all those installs for the stove shop are new customers, correct?  Then let’s start there.  Simply answer the questions on the appropriate form.  If you’re so busy now, then just file it away.  Then go back, when you have time, and review the information.  HMMM, do you think that there might be some work than may need to be done at that location that wasn’t included in the installation quote, i.e. crown repair, tuck pointing; .  Do you think you could forward schedule that work?  Maybe next year cash flow won’t be such an issue!

Once you have gathered the information on that customer, you will not have to do it again.  OH my gosh,  what a treasure of information you have gathered.  Now imagine if you had the CDS information on ALL your customers.  At some point, they were all new customers to you!!

Do you ever think about a time when you will not be able to go out and physically do this type of work?  By implementing the CDS, you will be doing several things.  One, you will have downloaded your brain about your customer base.  Second, you will have something to sell to a new owner of your company when you are ready to retire.  MMM, something to think about as we all prepare in our own way for our futures.

This has been and looks like it will continue to be a rough and tumble weekend for many of you on the east coast.  Earthquakes and hurricane Irene, be careful out there, there just might be a silver lining!

Some insurance work may come your way.  What a great way to gather the need information. IF you do not have the time to write the report, just send us the info and pictures and the report can be written for.  We are here waiting to serve you. 

Inspection Processes Seminar at NY Guild Workshop

Tom will in Albany May 14^th next Saturday, doing a seminar on Inspection Processes.  He will also have equipment and CDS there to show any one who is interested or just wants to see what’s new

The Seminar is being put on by the New York State Guild and being sponsored by Lindemann;  The Guild is asking for a donation of $25.00 per person per day ($50 per person for both days) be sent in with the registration form

Location: The Century House, 997 New London Road, Latham, NY 1211
Registration: Go to our www.nychimneysweepguild.org  - click the link for the
registration form under "Upcoming Events" -may be printed from
there.

May 14, Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Tom Urban on Tuning Up Your Inspections Processes (9:45 AM coffee break provided by Lindemann Chimney Supply).
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch on your own
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Tom Urban on Tuning Up Your Inspections Processes

Someone in your company is CSIA certified, so this would be a great opportunity for them to get some CE credits.

Inspection Processes Seminar at NY Guild Workshop

(Chimney Industry News) Permanent link

I've received some questions about the upcoming Inspection Processes Seminar for the upcoming New York State Chimney Sweep Guild Workshop on May 14 (workshop dates are the 13 and 14).

Tom Urban, industry teacher and President of Estoban, has given me a more detailed outline on what his presentation will cover:

Photo Progression- Taking photos in the field that make sense and save time.

Archiving photos, now that you have them what do you do with them and how do you find them.

Financial side of inspections- understanding the cost involved and return.

Interpretation- what you see from chimney scans and how to present them.

Marketing side of inspections- educating your customer about their present chimney condition that shows a return.

May 14: Inspection Process Tune Up Seminar

CSIA CEUs: Technical 0.50
Communication & Liability 2.75
Business 1.25

NFI CEUs: 6 Elective

Accommodations:
Stay Inn
981 New Loudon Road
Cohoes, NY 12047
866-539-0036

. 

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
400 Old Loudon Road
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 783-6161

La Quinta Inn & Suites
Latham Albany Airport
833 New Loudon Rd
Latham, NY 12110
Phone: 1-518-640-2200

Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Airport
45 British American Blvd.
Latham, NY 12110

Lindemann Warehouse Address:
Lindemann Chimney Supply
4 Airport Park Blvd.
Latham, NY 12110
Toll Free: 877-722-7230
Local Phone: 518-785-4922

Smoking Fireplaces

Smoking fireplaces- You know the call is coming, and you reach into your bag of known sources and inevitable you forget to ask the right question or take a measurement that could lead to a solution. Smoking problems are costly and time consuming part of your customer service. Why not use the CDS to provide the checklist so when you need to focus on the problem all the facts are in front of you. We know smoking problems are out there (cough…. cough) we just want to help organize your thoughts.

Tips for the season:

DO NOT leave your Chim-Scan® in your truck or any vehicle over night.

 Do NOT leave it near a door or window, when in a building.

 Keep your Chim-Scan® at room temperature at all times.
Reasons: Just any other piece of electronic equipment Chim-Scans does not like dramatic temperature changes. Condensation builds up inside the unit and that only spells trouble.  Simply treat your Chim-Scan like you would treat yourself. IF your cold, it's getting cold. and the same with Heat. If this happens to you, open the case up and set out the unit (when possible) ant let it come to room temperature before you try to use it.

Practice setting up your Chim-Scan® before you take on a job, this will lower your frustration and you look more professional to your customers.
 

Do not hit the LCD screen, or leave anything on the reeler when closing the case. This will damage the screen and then it will have to be replaced.
 

If you have an AFT (auto focus tilt) camera, put in home position when putting it in or pulling it out of the chimney. If you don’t put it in home, you will break the tilt gears and or motor and it will have to be sent back for repair. 

 Do not unscrew the front camera reflector plate to change light bulbs! Read the manual that comes with your unit on how to change light bulbs. That’s what the small black tube is for. Rotate the tube Counterclockwise to remove the bulb; clockwise to tighten the new bulb.
 

For any other problems, check out our YouTube Videos.
Just go to www.youtube.com and search for ChimScan1643.

Quick and Easy Documentation

Looking for a better way to gather photos from the interior of the chimney? We have created a way to capture images in a digital JPEG format simply WITH THE SNAP OF A BUTTON. The Chim-Scan’s digital SD card recorder provides 640 X 480 imagery, ready to be seen on a computer screen or sent directly to a computer printer. Plus, there aren’t any other cables or power supplies to add.

Just plug into the Chim-Scan® controller, then plug the other end into the camera cable and you’re ready to go. The power, "video in", and "video out" issues are already switched, so the images projected onto the LCD screen or older monitor is done. Press the mode button to view the images you’ve taken to be sure they’re what you need and the photos are ready for the computer or printer. The unit holds an SD card up to a 2G, with plenty of room for your photos.

This unit can be added to older Chim-Scan® built since 1995. An additional LED light may need to be added to the older units. Or can be added into the Series 200 controller, ready to take photos of the chimney interior. Just ask yourLindemann Representative about this quick and easy affordable upgrade for your Chim-Scan® system. You'll be on the road to greater profits and outstanding documentation!

Chim-Scan® Saves the day

During our first blizzard of the season, not only were we dealing blowing snow and frigid weather but one of the circulators for the "in floor radiant heat" decided to quit.

NO problem. Our neighbor has a plumbing business, so I skated over in the van and got a new one. Then there was air in the pipes, so now the fun begins. We have had this heating system for 13 years and we had not needed to bleed any of the lines. Of course the one that was needed had been framed in behind one of our office desks, computer, etc.

 

No problem, after drilling a hole into the wall board, we figured it would be a great place to hang that new calendar we got at the local China Buffet restaurant. :-) 

This six inch hole seemed big enough to reach in and attach the hose. Oh yeah, we had to find the hose out in the snow and get that thawed first. Yes, I know that should have already been done before this storm, but we had been busy!!

 

So what does all this have to do with cameras? Now for the rest of the story: There were two valves inside the wall cavity up by the ceiling. So we covered the desk with a sheet to keep any debris from the UPS printer, the Dymo labeler, the speakers, the adding machine, the LCD monitor, the electric pencil sharper, the telephone, gosh there are a lot of important items on Mary’s desk.

As I’m standing on the desk straddling the monitor, I reached in and tried to attach the hose. Oh, did I mention, I’m suffering from “ tennis elbow” this week and I can barely lift my arm and it has no strength in it. Hey, Esther can you help with this?

Sure, she said, but the flash light does not illuminate the area with my arm in the hole. Gosh sometimes she acts like such a “girl”. So, see photo, we drilled another hole in the wall, inserted the Enviro-Flex Camera, then put theChim-Scan case with the monitor on top of the cupboard over the desk.

 

Golly, look at what we could see!! We now could easily attach the hose, bleed the water line and then, hopefully the hot water would be in the floor. Soon all the office furniture will be warmed up again and Esther’s knees will no longer be like ice cubes!.

So the Chim-Scan Cameras can be used for a variety uses besides interior chimney inspections. So let your imagination run wild!!

(This was last winter.)