As a commercial property owner, you’re under constant pressure to keep your property operating smoothly throughout the year. In the Midwest, snow removal is a particularly challenging aspect of commercial property management, with some areas receiving multiple feet of snow each winter.
If you don’t take commercial snow removal seriously, you could put your employees, customers, or tenants in danger of becoming injured or sick. To keep your property safe this winter and beyond, make sure you’re aware of the most common snow removal mistakes.
Making Your Employees Responsible for Snow Removal
You may not think much of asking your employees to lend a hand with commercial snow removal. In reality, doing so shifts their productivity away from your business and creates a domino effect on productivity.
In addition to taking time away from their role, you are also putting them at risk of becoming injured. Did you know that approximately 100 people die every year from shoveling snow? If someone becomes injured while trying to shovel snow, it could result in a hefty lawsuit for your business.
Exposure to cool temperatures is another downside, as your employees can easily catch a cold or illness, preventing them from coming into work.
Focusing on Business Over People’s Comfort
As a business owner, it’s only natural for you to care about sales, especially during the rush of the holiday shopping season. While it can be fun to keep customers engaged through seasonal sales, don’t forget about curating a positive customer experience for those visiting your commercial property. This starts from the moment they drive into your parking lot and ends the moment they leave.
Not only does the snow and ice need to be removed from your property, but the interior of your building should be comfortable and inviting. Make sure the heat is turned up enough to provide relief for your customers and the parking lot is cleared, making it as painless as possible for customers to shop at your store. The small details and extra effort you put into caring for your property will have the biggest impact on keeping customers coming back for more.
Ignoring Side Doors and Warehouse Entries
Be mindful that the customer experience extends to all interactions with your company. It’s easy to let snow accumulate on the sidewalks and entryways only for you to quickly remove these burdens for your customers.
But don’t forget about the side doors or warehouse entries that also need to be easily accessible from a logistics standpoint. The last thing you want is for an accident to develop in an unkempt area of your commercial property. This would likely result in large medical bills and ongoing health issues for those involved, not to mention the stain it would have on your business’ reputation.
Plan to evaluate all areas of your property regularly throughout the winter to address any problems and keep your company up and running.
Lack of Proper Equipment
Knowing how to properly care for your commercial property means having the right tools on hand to get the job done safely. With so many other business expenses piling up, it can be easy to opt for the cheaper equipment that ultimately makes your life that much more stressful. Doing so may also result in injuries such as back problems, sore muscles, or even heart problems.
The best way to efficiently remove snow from your property is by utilizing high-quality equipment designed for commercial properties. The more expensive equipment will also be more reliable throughout the winter, an investment that will pay off-season after season.
No Plan for Unexpected Snow Fall
If you live in the Midwest and you own a business, it’s safe to say you should always expect the unexpected in terms of snowfall. One of the worst feelings as a property owner is checking the weather last-minute only to be surprised by an incoming snowstorm. This will leave you stressed out and scrambling to keep your business operational, especially if you own multiple commercial properties.
Make sure to stay updated on any potential snowfall to plan accordingly. Scrambling to find a snow removal service last-minute may come off as inexperienced, especially in the Midwest.
Conclusion
Now is a great time to prepare your business for the winter to avoid these common mistakes. Our experienced snow removal contractor in Wisconsin and surrounding areas is happy to help! Call our experts at Earth Development, Inc. to learn more about our commercial property services at 920-406-7501.
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