The First Facility Management Blog

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Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and studies indicate it disproportionally affects inner-city children living in public housing. In most cases, asthma is triggered by airborne allergens, usually dust, that cause respiratory inflammation, airway constriction and wheezing.

Scientists have long wondered if there is a specific allergen in dust that causes asthma. According to a study in the New York Times*, it now appears that scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine have finally discovered one of the key culprits.

Dust was collected from homes in public housing facilities using a vacuum cleaner. The dust sample contained cockroach remains, which become airborne after the insects die. Laboratory mice that inhaled this dust soon experienced difficulty breathing, showing signs that they were experiencing an asthma attack.

Many scientists, including those not directly involved in the research, have expressed excitement regarding this discovery. Said Dr. Lester Kobizik of Harvard Medical School, “[Now we know] the nasty material people actually become allergic to.”

One reason scientists were so excited by this discovery is because most previous tests searching for the allergens that induce asthma have been performed in artificial, laboratory settings. “In this case, however, they found the cause of the problem [by] turning to a real-life situation: vacuuming a carpet,” says Jolynn Kennedy, marketing manager at Tornado Industries. “Now we know all of our work and research into high-filtration, HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners that can capture and trap many of these allergens was for a good cause.”

* “House Dust Yields Clue to Asthma: Cockroaches” by Elissa Ely, NYT, 4/7/2009

A new survey indicates that building service contractors (BSCs) are actively involved with keeping their customers happy by conducting customer service surveys. The survey was conducted the first week of October 2008. Over 5,000 readers to the monthly Tornado Industries e-newsletter were invited to participate.

Nearly 60% of the respondents indicated they conduct ongoing customer service surveys. The largest percentage (46%) conduct surveys monthly to semiannually and another 24% conduct annual surveys.

Additionally, more than 80% said that conducting these surveys were either a “mid-level” or “high” priority. The respondents also said the main reason for conducting the surveys was to evaluate their workers.

Very few reported using new technologies such as online survey systems, which allow customers to answer a variety of questions on a Web site. Instead, 44% indicated they simply call their clients; about 20% mail or e-mail clients a questionnaire, while most of the others install a suggestion/comment box in client facilities.

And what happens if a problem is reported? According to the survey:

• 56 % of the BSCs said they first fix the problem and then call the customer to discuss the issue.
• About 33% said they call the customer first before any action is taken to address the problem.
• 6% said they investigate the issue first, then contact the client.
• 6% said they take no action at all.

Value in Customer Service Surveys

According to Accenture, a Chicago-based management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company, poor customer service drives nearly half of all business customers to take their business elsewhere. This applies to virtually all types of service providers—including BSCs.

“Ensuring customers’ needs are being met should be a commitment in every organization,” says Jolynn Kennedy, marketing manager at Tornado. “It is something that has to be continuously worked on and is critical in helping any organization better understand their customers needs and challenges.”

In regards to the BSC customer service survey, Kennedy said it was interesting that so many BSCs call their clients to check on service status. “Many BSCs feel it is a more personal level of contact that helps them keep close to the client,” she says. “It is a very good way to head off potential problems and maintain customer loyalty.” 

More than 150 respondents took the survey. The survey has a “confidence rating” of 95%, indicating that even if more people took the survey, the responses would be about 95% the same.