As we rounded out the end of 2015 I took the opportunity to
review our services, the needs of the industry and elements of the consumer
world that would greatly impact that of our clients in 2016. I knew that by
doing this the adjustments required to our business plan would be clear. And so they were.
Whilst as a result of this planning, there are many exciting
things happening for REAL+ this year, (you’ll see those as we move through the
next few months), there is something that cannot wait, every day caries risk.
Compliance!
I am not talking about compliance of the Office of Fair
Trading kind, the one where no matter how prepared you are you still shiver as
the officers inspect your business. (I get the same feeling as I am pulled over
for a Random Breath Test, even if I haven’t had a drink in a week).
The compliance I speak of is Property Compliance, and not
just Smoke Alarms. Most businesses now
have a smoke alarm management program in place, and I urge you to check yours,
and even if it is there check its being followed and your properties are
compliant. I think you will be surprised what
you find.
The question I pose for you today is on the side of Blind
Cord Safety, Pool Compliance and Safety Switch’s. I’ve attended inspections
with some of the offices we work with and observed the Property Managers going
through the process of assessing these things themselves, whilst on the face of
it we all have a basic understanding of what is required, heaven forbid
something was to happen, this “practical knowledge” would hold little worth, or
I’d suggest that to be the case.
All of this became pretty real for me recently. Over the
Christmas Break as I looked over to see my two year old “playing” with the
blind cords at the Holiday home we had rented, my heart skipped a beat and needless
to say I was grateful for the cord brackets in place. I could not imagine what
would have happened if they weren’t there. 60 seconds is not a long time to
have your eye off a toddler, but a long time to be without breath.
On another note, last week in the office as I held my laptop
power cord there came an almighty explosion, sparks larger than I thought
possible from such a small device, turned to singing of my hands and as you can
image a scream and a jump reflective of an Olympic high jump record. Fortunately the surge controller took over
and the office electrics shut down minimising the potential affects.
I’m keeping clear of pools for a while I think…
As I spoke with our Service Partner Ian from 1300Compliance
on Monday, he shared more stories that hadn’t ended up so well. One of my
mandates is to ensure none of us become a party to a BBQ story, you know the
one…. Friends around a BBQ can be heard recounting events, “If they had only
had the process in place”, “if they had only had blind cords brackets”, “why
didn’t they get it checked”, “for $99 as if you wouldn’t”, if only…..
Ian’s team are off to look at my investment properties, and
whilst he is checking the Smoke Alarm he’ll check the Safety Switch and Blind
cords, maybe I’m one of the easier landlords, I’ve told him to just install the
blinds cords as needed, for $5 a cord… I think it’s worth it – don’t you.
Fiona
Real+
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