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» February 2010: New LowesForPros Articles & Features

February 2010: New LowesForPros Articles & Features

A full list of all the new features and advice articles for building professionals at LowesForPros for February, 2010.
By: 
LowesForPros Staff
Issue Date: 
February 2010

This February we've launched a new series of pages designed to help you find the most relevant and up-to-date information about what is happening in your industry. Here you can find tools, resources, links and articles tailored specifically to your trade. Click below to review these new feature pages:

Also, take a look at these great articles from the LowesForPros archive, with sound advice that will help your business survive and thrive.

 

New articles for February:

News and Advice for All Building Professionals

  • Cut Down on Absenteeism at Your Company :  Absenteeism is the failure of employees to report for work when they are scheduled. With causes ranging from illness to transportation issues, absenteeism can also shed light on larger internal issues such as low employee morale, poor scheduling and lack of communication.
  • Manage Your Online Reputation :  Managing your online presence by using social media Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter and tracking online comments about your company will help inform you about your company’s online reputation and help you better market to your customers.

Advice for Builders and Remodelers

  • Create Order at Your Job Site :  From managing subcontractors and deliveries to tracking tools and timelines, keeping order on a job site is a constant balancing act. Streamline your work flow with these helpful tips on how to keep chaos at bay.
  • Green Building ROI :  Although the ROI of green building for homeowners is apparent, for contractors it’s not as clear cut. To compete effectively in green building, contractors must invest time and money into education and certification programs that help them learn about new products, techniques and materials. But is that money well spent?

Advice for Property Managers

  • Create a Sheltering-in-Place Plan for Your Properties : Sheltering-in-place plans are critical to prepare for disasters and keep tenants and staff safe and informed in the case of an emergency. Property managers need to develop and communicate the plan effectively to ensure an appropriate and cohesive response to emergency situations. Sheltering-in-place plans are critical to prepare for disasters and keep tenants and staff safe.
  • Where Your Local Market Knowledge Really Counts :  Local market research takes many forms—online research, spreadsheets, market surveys, secret shoppers—but however a PM gets it, local knowledge is both valuable and necessary to create an effective marketing plan, accurately price units and in turn, reduce vacancies.

Advice for Maintenance Professionals

  • Create a Mobile Workplace at Your Facility :  Telecommuting, flex spaces, “touchdown” areas and “war rooms” have all contributed to the growing trend of mobile workforces. Facilities managers can grow their customer base and sales by planning and running buildings with this in mind.
  • Evacuation Strategies for High Rises :  Evacuation strategies for high rises prepare facility managers and residents for emergencies. National codes from organizations such as the NFPA and OSHA provide guidelines to get started.
  • Get Solar Power for Your Facility :  As energy costs rise and environmental concerns grow, now is the time for facilities managers to consider investing in solar power. Solar power can save organizations money , makeas well as put unused space to work, help facilities meet state energy mandates and further the sustainability cause.

Advice for Landscapers

  • 5 Tips to Winning the Landscaping Bid :  Landscape contractors can demonstrate value to customers and justify their prices by maintaining excellent quality and service. In order to get an edge over a competitor when making a bid, however, landscape contractors must employ strategies to promote these their business practices to potential clients.
  • Is Hydroseeding Right for Your Landscaping Business? :  Hydroseeding bonds the soil together and its provision of moisture offers a better chance for germination, giving you a more established lawn. But is it right for your business?
  • Organic Landscaping For Your Clients :  Many homeowners and commercial facilities today are concerned with eco-friendly landscaping practices and products that steer away from harmful chemicals. Organic landscaping involves using native plants and trees and certain types of plants that grow well without the aid of chemicals.

Advice for Plumbers

  • Hydronic Heating Systems :  A hydronic heating system uses hot water from a boiler or water heater as a medium for heat transfer through radiators or radiant loops, thus creating a more comfortable and even temperature, and a more efficient heating system.
  • Update Plumbing Fixtures and Add Value to Your Client's Home :  Plumbers should consider offering simple plumbing remodels to their clients. Homeowners on a tight budget may not want to overhaul a kitchen or bathroom, but updating faucets, tubs, toilets, sinks and showers are easy, inexpensive projects that will add value to a home.

Advice for Electricians

  • All About Twisted-Pair Cabling :  Twisted pair cablingFiber-optic cabling and wireless networks mean that twisted-pair cabling isn’t as ubiquitous as it once was. But it’s still a critical and common component of most buildings’ infrastructure, and one that electricians should master.
  • Make the Most of Electrical Retrofits :  An electrical retrofit can save clients up to 40 percent of their energy bills, while providing them with more efficient and energy-conscious electricity. In addition, electrical contractors can provide clients with optimally lit workspaces while trimming heating and electrical bills.
*Note: This content is for informational purposes only. Lowe's makes no warranties and bears no liability for use of this information. The information is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, tax or investment advice, or a legal opinion. Always contact your legal, tax and/or financial advisors to help answer questions about your business's specific situation or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.