Latest News, Events and Happenings from ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster by Ayotte responds to local fire – Faribault, MN
ServiceMaster by Ayotte responds to local fire – Faribault, MN
When we say we are 24/7, we really mean it. One thing that we do differently than most companies is that our staff answers the phone 24/7/365. When you or your customer is in need and you call our office you will never get a recording or a paid answering service. Our staff (specifically, Beth or Lisa) will answer your call and do our best to meet your needs in a timely manner. Whether it is a carpet cleaning inquiry or, as it was this past Saturday, a fire, we are here to respond. Here is an example:
It was late Saturday afternoon (4:22 p.m. to be exact). I had clean laundry piled all around me and I had just sat down to begin folding for our family of four. I picked the call up and it was RESPOND, an answering and claim dispatch service for many insurance companies. As I scurried for a pen and paper I took all the important tenant information …. A fire loss with odor and soot affecting most of the home. At 4:25 p.m. my initial call was made to the insured. Although we have staff that we typically call out, from the information I gathered, my gut told me ‘pack the kids up and get movin, you’ve got a homeowner to help. By 5:22 p.m. I had a work file in hand and our production manager, Eduardo, had the necessary odor control equipment loaded in his truck. By 6 p.m., less than 2 hours after the initial call was initiated, we were onsite with all equipment running, walking thru the home with the insured beginning our mitigation planning.
Although not every job, and every customer is the same, we still do our best to respond as quickly as possible, providing live, immediate and local response. At ServiceMaster by Ayotte this is one step toward RESTORING PEACE OF MIND for our customers.
If you or someone you know suffers from a fire or other devastating event, you can count on ServiceMaster by Ayotte to answer the phone. Call us ANYTIME at (877) 945-0993.
Employee Spotlight – Eduardo Palermo
Bye-bye Twinkie?
The Power of Yellow
Time after time I am questioned by others, both personally and professionally, on how I come up with the stuff I do. Usually I have some retort about it having to do with the what seems like an endless amount of time spent in the car traveling from appointment to appointment – the life of an outside sales gal. Plenty of time for thinking, chatting on the phone, and listening to the radio. I was devastated to learn last week during my travels that Hostess has filed for bankruptcy. As a bleeder of yellow for ServiceMaster Clean I need all things yellow to convey our message. Yes, that can even mean something as simple and convenient as a Twinkie.
My consistent procrastination has brought me to the point of finally taking up the Twinkie on all it has to offer. While we probably have helped a number of families over the years de-Twinkie their carpets (does anyone know what that filling really is inside a Twinkie anyway??), we have never taken the opportunity to serve them up as a tasty marketing tool. Did you know that Hostess began producing Twinkies just a few years after ServiceMaster began cleaning roughly 80 years ago? Who knew?!?
My research indicates that Hostess currently has enough cash flow to continue to produce Twinkies for the time being. Look for the Power of Yellow at this year’s Northwest Loss Trade Fair coming up in February. Help us keep an American tradition in business. If nothing else stop by and learn more about our Yellow – we are here to stay!
Employee Spotlight – Tina Johnson
Tina Johnson joined our team in October – Welcome Tina! Tina is our Sales and Marketing Manager and concentrates on Adjuster Marketing and Sales for our Business Services Division – so if you are in need of some Janitorial/Commercial Cleaning services feel free to contact Tina at tina@smbyayotte.com or call 612-325-5636. Tina will be working in the Northfield, Faribault, Owatonna and Mankato markets.
Tina comes to us with nearly 10 years experience in the restoration industry. Prior to joining the ServiceMaster by Ayotte team Tina was employed by another ServiceMaster franchise and since then a local garment restoration company. Throughout her work in the restoration industry she has continued to grow holding several positions as her skill set became more diverse. The Western Wisconsin Adjusters Association, Wisconsin River Valley Adjusters Association and the Northwest Loss Association are all industry associations that Tina has been involved in and held elected positions throughout her career.
Prior to getting into the restoration industry Tina earned a degree in Applied Economics with an emphasis in Marketing at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Tina enjoys keeping ties with the University through involvement with the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences’ alumni group.
When Tina is not spreading the good word of ServiceMaster Clean she enjoys family, friends, cooking, and country music.
ServiceMaster by Ayotte is excited to have Tina as a member of our team.
Cleaning During Cold and Flu Season
Cold and Flu Season is upon us.
You need to start thinking about how to best keep germs under control in your facility. ServiceMaster by Ayotte can provide you or your company with sanitizer gels, wipes or dispensers. We have some clients look for additional daytime sanitizing services to minimize germ spread. Please call us at (877) 945-0993 for more information.
2. The EPA registers and tests products sold as disinfectants and sanitizers, so if a cleaning solution claims to be a disinfectant, it MUST kill cold and flu viruses. So pay attention to the labels.
3. Make sure you choose the right tools. Don’t use the same rag throughout the entire home or office. Cross-contamination of surfaces will only spread the virus.
4. Follow directions. Make sure you are following the product directions. Apply the proper amounts for successful cleaning.
We know we have not yet seen it all…
Trash-outs
Last week our team was discussing all of the random cleaning and restoration tasks we are able to complete successfully. It seems that every time we try to come up with a complete list, something new and different comes in and we figure it out and make yet another edition to our ever growing list. One of these services that definitely has received more attention during the economic downturn is our trash-out service. Unfortunately foreclosures are prevalent in almost every market. There are situations where once proud homeowners either vandalize their home on purpose or let it go subconsciously. Just when one thinks they have truly seen it all – there is piles and piles of garbage throughout a home. Feet of garbage we are talking about. Those are the extreme circumstances of course – yet I’ve been doing this long enough to know that there is still more for us to see – and to clean.
So what happens? Who finds the garbage? Who pays to get rid of the garbage? In a lot of cases these situations inevitably fall on the banks to make right. For those that do qualify to buy a home either to live in or as an investment that dream does not include large piles of debris throughout. In order for these homes to be sold they need to be appealing to the buyer – and at a minimum – CLEAN.
Next time your hanging with one of your 5 realtor friends – (don’t we all have at least 1?!?) – be sure to ask for the latest and greatest story when dealing with foreclosures. They too have seen a lot, but have not quite seen it all. If they need back-up we are here to haul away their latest find and complete a detail clean to set them up for success when the home is market ready.
Home Remedy for Carpet Spots
Good Things to Know….home remedies for your carpet
Are you always looking for a deal? Looking to be more efficient or even doing more DYI projects at work and at home? There is so much information at our fingertips and as I have vowed to be more frugal in 2012, I find myself searching the internet more, reading blogs and of course (and my latest addiction, I must admit) browsing Pinterest for the hottest trends, DIY projects, recipes and yes, even DIY carpet cleaning secrets. Just this morning as my two kids, Jordyn (6 ½) and Justus (almost 5) were getting ready for school I came across a post on ‘Good Things to Know’. It was titled “The Only Spot Remover You’ll Ever Need” from onegoodthingbyjilee.com. As any good business owner would do, I put the home remedy to test! The results……two thumbs up. I have to say, if you are in a bind and need a quick fix for a spill – use this method. It will save your carpet in the long run from a spot becoming a permanent stain. If you have more than just a spot, stick to the professional cleaners. At ServiceMaster by Ayotte we follow six steps in our cleaning, which includes:
- Pre-Treat all spots
- Pre-Spray the carpet, allowing emulsification (the breakdown of soil)
- Rinse extract using hot water from a truck-mounted system – this step is what removes any residue/soiling to the carpet fibers
- Post-Treat any remaining spots
- Groom or Pilate your carpet (Lift carpet fibers for a quicker dry and to ensure we haven’t missed any spots)
- Final inspection and customer review
One last thing to keep in mind – if you have newer carpet be aware of your warranty. Most carpet manufactures will void warranties if not professionally cleaned (and yes, this means if you use a home remedy on a spot you may void your warranty).
At ServiceMaster by Ayotte our technicians are cleantrust (formerly IICRC) certified. If you have any questions on the care for your carpet, we are here for you 24-7!
Happy Home-Remedying!!
January Cleaning Specials!
People are always asking about what Specials we are running this month…I’m here to tell you what they are for January and show you were to look in the future for that information. We have a ‘Specials’ Page on our website that can be accessed from the top right hand corner of our page. Here is the link for you to bookmark: http://smbyayotte.com/specials/
For those of you wondering what we are serving for January – here you go! These prices are good for any customer in the Northfield, Faribault, Owatonna or surrounding areas. Mention that you saw the specials online to receive the 10% discount!
January Specials:
Area Rug Pricing Specials:
Cleaning Custom Rug (no fringe) = $0.76/square foot
Cleaning Custom Rug with fringe = $0.89/square foot
Cleaning Rug, braided = $0.60/square foot
Cleaning Rug, domestic = $0.66/square foot
Cleaning Rug, oriental = $2.55/square foot
Please note that we are always cleaning both sides of an area rug and if you would like us to pick-up and deliver the rug back to you it is an additional $.20/square foot. Mention that you saw this pricing ONLINE and you will receive a 10% discount on your Area Rug Cleaning. Exp: January 31st, 2012 Cpn Code: Web2012
Drapery Cleaning for the month of January is also 10% off your total – call (877) 945-0993 for a quote on your drapes TODAY! Offer expires January 31st, 2012 Cpn Code: Web2012
Call ServiceMaster by Ayotte about our other Residential Cleaning Services at (877) 945-0993.
Toys for Tots Promotion
We are making an effort to close our Toys for Tots promotion on a BIG note! If you have a new and unused toy that you wish to donate to Toys for Tots just drop it off at our Northfield location and receive $5 off your invoice (up to $25)! Make this Holiday Season a bright one for a child in need. Our office is located at 450 Armstrong Road, Northfield MN 55057. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to call at 877-945-0993 – see you soon and Merry Christmas!
Holiday offer!!!
Don’t be naughty.
Select one of these nice picks:
carpet cleaning
in 2 rooms for
$89.95
or…
purchase 3 hours
of housewide cleaning
get 1 hour free!
Please contact ServiceMaster by Ayotte at
(877) 945-0993 to schedule
offer not valid with other discount
