The DYOJO Podcast, Ep. 60
The Industry Standards Panel Discussion - Part 1
LIVE Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 9am - 11am

The DYOJO Podcast is THE podcast for intentional restorers, helping you shorten your dang learning curve for personal and professional development. Catch us every Thursday on YouTube.

GUESTS

• Co-host, Pete Consigli, "The Industry Watchdog" and now The Old School Intentional Restorer
• TDP 54 Ken Larsen, Restorative Drying Services Senior Consultant
• TDP 46 John Downey, Executive Director of CIRI
• TDP 28 Cliff Zlotnik - Owner IdeaZ, co-host IAQ Radio

SPONSOR
The DYOJO Podcast is sponsored by Advocate Claim Service (ACS), "Where you can find solutions to claims that are causing you anxiety." David Princeton and his team are ready to help you navigate doubtful and disputed insurance claims.

We will revisit some of the relevant discussion brought up on IAQ Radio Ep. 426

Part 1 - the Wild West of Property Restoration

Our distinguished guests had a front row seat to the emergence of the property restoration industry. They share their perspectives on some of the relevant and interesting history leading up to documenting norms and discussions of consensus industry standards in the years from the 1970s through the 1980s. As someone interested in the history of our industry, I anticipated we would steam slowly down the tracks, but I also tried to help keep your fantastic voyage on the rails.

My question for our guests included what would the industry, resources, and standards look like to an intentional restoration professional in this era? I wanted them to share their recollection of key figures, resources, and of course the development of industry standards from era to era. We discussed (briefly) key figures such as:

• Lloyd Weaver, who developed the Porta Dryer in response to a catastrophic flood in his home town of Rapid City, South Dakota
• Martin "Marty" L. King, an excellent technical writer who helped the industry to think deeper about professionalism. Evolution of associations such as NIRC to AIDS to ASCR coincided with the industry combining technical skills with business acumen. Speaking on the power of collaboration, Marty would regularly say, "No one of the heads knows more than all of the heads."
• Ed York, a man of many inventions and ideas, who also was an agitator of sorts. He also played a key role in reversing the tides with the Stainmaster / Stanley Steemer controversy, as well as how the industry would intersect with big business.

Key topics such as:

• The excitement of exploring new technology, new concepts, and documenting processes that were working in the development of the property restoration industry. Groups such as local carpet cleaners associations, The Innovators, and The Motivators.
• The reality that "consensus" standards do not always reflect best practices but rather the lowest common denominator for industry norms. It is important to distinguish between voluntary (ie S500) and involuntary standards (ie building codes)
• Pete wanted us to focus on the time period between 1998-2006, but we didn't reach this time period during our discussion, primarily because I wanted to dig deeper into the historical aspects. Thankfully, our guests have agreed to come together again and as John said, the conversation was "cathartic". Pete helped to wrap up our current conversation, as well as set the stage for our upcoming one, by recapping some of the significant dates and documents.
• Ed Cross filmed a video discussing some key considerations for property restoration contractors with regards to industry standards.

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The DYOJO Podcast is THE podcast for intentional restorers, helping you shorten your dang learning curve for personal and professional development. Catch us every Thursday on YouTube

Katie Smith joined The DYOJO Podcast to briefly discuss her experience:

• As a second generation property restoration contractor and now CEO of PHC Restoration (Raleigh, NC).
• As a volunteer committed to giving back to the industry that she feels has given so much to her, her family, and her team.
• As a business owner who sees great value in the ability to connect, collaborate, and conquer through in-person events such as the RIA convention.

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This year, the RIA celebrates 75 years, "The Diamond Anniversary", at their International Restoration Convention and Industry Expo. Mark Springer drops in to share his excitement for how RIA is finally having important conversations and making traction through outlets such as the Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) Committee. Katie shares some of the highlights that she is looking forward to for this years in-person event.

Restoration Industry Association Convention
June 28-30, 2021
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Kissimmee, Florida

Josh Stearns, a local writer for South Sound Business Magazine based in Tacoma, Washington, contacted us in early 2021 as he was researching what local businesses were doing to maintain workplace culture. We are honored that he found portions of our conversation to be of value and included us in an article with local business leaders who are being intentional in these areas as well. 

Josh also interviewed: 

• Adam West, Tacoma Comedy Club and Grit City Breakfast, whom we had on South Sound Connection XXX
• Brian Forth, Site Crafting, Inc. 
• Don Morrison, TractionSpace
• Tolena Thorburn, Milgard Windows & Doors
• Nancy Johnson, Metro Parks Tacoma

In a segment of the article Josh titled, "Creating a Positive Impact Internally, Externally," he said:

• Socktember

Jon Isaacson, vice president of operations for All American Restoration Services in Tacoma, which repairs homes and businesses after fire or water damage, said he and fellow employees are fortunate to work in an essential business and take pride helping people recover in the safest way possible. They’re dedicated to that mission, and that’s rewarding. They’ve also tried to be involved in positive community efforts, including a sock drive in September to help people in the community who are less fortunate. The business reached out to companies it works with, plus some competitors, to see who could collect the most new socks, part of a drive called “Socktember.” Collectively, the teams — including The Contents Specialists, Merit Construction, 3 Kings Environmental, and Home with Kelsey Isaacson — collected more than 5,500 pairs, he said. Socks were delivered to the Tacoma Rescue Mission and other organizations, and recipients’ gratitude was rewarding for teams who collaborated, he said. “
We did something good, and it made an impact, a very positive impact,” Isaacson said. More broadly, he noted Pierce County’s community efforts to unite during hard times and noted hashtags like #supportlocal and #lovelocal to support local businesses and keep people working. Isaacson tries to promote that through his The DYOJO podcast at thedyojo.com. Socktember represented the idea that, “It only takes a small spark to get a fire going,” Isaacson said.

• South Sound Connection

Similarly, Isaacson has a podcast called South Sound Connection to highlight local entrepreneurs, businesses, and community efforts, and serves as a sounding board for other positive efforts in the community that people can rally around.  “We want Tacoma to thrive; if Tacoma does well, I think all of our businesses will do well, collectively, and as we continue to support local companies,” he said.

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, we will be discussing "Made in the South Sound" Premier Media Group, with president Josh Dunn. You can participate LIVE via YouTube at 9am PST.