What Jobsite Fingerprints Do You Leave Behind?
April 15, 2024
Whenever we complete projects for customers we leave metaphorical “fingerprints” behind that identify the work as ours. What these fingerprints look like is up to each of us.
Along with not adding real finger smudge marks to the worksite, this also means leaving ceilings and surrounding areas spotless when we are done at customer locations. We want best-in-class fingerprints.
No customer wants to discover messy remnants of a lighting retrofit in their ceilings. It not only diminishes the aesthetics and integrity of a bright and vibrant new LED installation, it creates unsightly fingerprints that can impact their desire to work with us in the future.
Whether we talk about above tile conditions, or open ceilings, keeping things tidy is critical. This includes keeping wiring neat and junction boxes securely closed, disposing of refuse and recycling from the installation and removing any excess wiring and fixture elements or anything else that was in-hand during the process of installation. And it doesn’t end there.
Our partners have helped us set a high bar for installation standards. The challenge in front of all installation teams is to maintain and build on those standards.
So, what can be done to ensure that best-in-class fingerprints are left behind?
1. Begin with the End in Mind
Before even unboxing the first fixture, ask yourself, "How will I restore order to this space once my work is done?" Keeping your endpoint—that immaculate ceiling space, that clean panel, the organized recycling—in view from the start will guide your actions and ensure nothing is left to chance or oversight. It usually leads to greater efficiencies as well.
2. A Responsible Disposal Strategy
Consider the materials at hand and their destination. What items require recycling? You play a crucial role in fulfilling our shared customer’s commitment to sustainability. A high-quality installation includes responsible recycling practices, ensuring that waste is never the byproduct of efficiency.
3. Follow Through
Each item you bring to the installation has a purpose. What then, becomes of it after its role is fulfilled? What will the fingerprints of your work look like? We don’t want to mark the ceiling with a history of the installation in the form of abandoned cables or old lamps. Your service isn't just about the upgrade but also about the clean space left that represents the attention to detail and commitment to a safe and secure facility.
4. Safety is Paramount
No loose ends can literally translate to safer work environments. Open junction boxes are not just an eyesore; they're a hazard. With every wire neatly tucked away and every cover in place, you're not just tidying up; you're supporting a safety culture that reassures our customers that they’ve made the right decision in choosing EMC and our labor partners.
Why This Matters to You
Why stress the clean ceiling space post-installation? It's simple. Our reputation as professionals, the standard we set for the industry, and most importantly, the trust our clients place in us is represented by the way we do our work...all the work.
This is seen in both the results of the installed solutions and the overall condition of the areas within which work was performed. In partnering with EMC for turnkey lighting and controls upgrades, you are a part of our commitment to our customer, and a key part of delivering the high level of excellence through every aspect of installation, right down to the cleanliness of ceiling space.
When people look at the work performed by you or your team at a jobsite, we want them to find only best-in-class “fingerprints.”
John Loheit is EMC's Director of Labor Partner Development. In this role he oversees the Labor Partner Network. He brings 20 years of experience to the role and holds a bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN.
