Studio44 Introduces - Bright Spark Electrical
Bright Spark Electrical Services (Bright Sparks Commercial Ltd), like everyone are mindful of how they can help minimize the risk of spread and continue normal day to day services during this pandemic. With many people still needing electrical support during this period, they are taking the necessary precautions as Karen explains:
As the Covid -19 Pandemic hit the Country, a number of the Bright Spark Electricians pre-booked jobs were put on hold by some of the customers. This was particularly where there would be vulnerable inhabitants with underlying health conditions or who were self isolating. There were NHS customers who were working all the hours required in the Fight against Covid, and there was even a Doctor and a Nurse who were on the ward when Boris Johnson was in, at St Thomas’ Hospital, and could not cope with potential disruption whilst additional electrical works were carried out.
Thankfully in the last couple of weeks, the majority of these jobs have been reinstated, however there is still more to come as the restrictions are lifted. Each these jobs are scheduled to meet the customers requirements, to fit in with their household or new working practices.
During the Lockdown where other businesses were forced to close the doors of their shop or workplace, work continued to come in for Bright Spark. Karen says that people were staying at home, and with that, they were looking around them, to notice simple things such as Bathroom Fans, light switches, lighting, and even Power sockets, that had failed or were failing. .
Working from home has now created a new issue, as potentially many customers won’t be returning back to the office or workplace for weeks or months to come. The result of this is additional new sockets have been installed into new positions from rooms & work spaces starting to be used such as spare bedrooms through into the dining room to avoid the tangle of extension leads around the home. With the huge demand for Home Baking & Cooking, appliances were failing in the kitchen, we had an influx of Cooker & Hob replacements.
Delivery & installation Services of such equipment was put on Hold by even the on-line Companies, where delivery was made only to the Front Door, - No Installation & definitely No Disposal / Recycling. It is reassuring to know that Bright Spark picked up a lot of work at this time, as not only can they install the equipment, they can at a small Charge, recycle or Dispose of the old, as they are Registered Licensed Waste Carriers for only the waste generated from a job they carry out, which can be legally, transported away from a Customers home, this relieves the Customer of the Burden of Booking a Slot at the local Tip/Recycling Centre, waiting for weeks, and even carrying out and loading the car!
Bright Spark quickly responded to the requirements of the customers and have been kept consistently busy through the pandemic. Bright Spark also attended a number of Calls from over enthusiastic DIY’ers, following their attempts at attempting electrical jobs themselves.
In recent weeks as lockdown , and the restrictions are being been slowly lifted, not only for Private Customers, but also for Small Businesses, Bright Spark have found themselves inundated with lots of enquiries, and lots of fresh new work to the point that they have in fact had to employ another electrician just to cope with the demand.
The COVID-19 virus will still continue to cause concern for risk and worry to everyone and businesses worldwide. Bright Spark Electricians are still classed as Essential Key Workers, along with the Supply Chain that supports them, although it has been hard obtaining materials, because of social distancing in trade counters and shorter opening hours, all their customers works are being completed.
Before even starting works, the Electricians, run through a Risk Assessment on their Tablet, which also contains all the job notes for the customer, the Risk Assessment needs to be answered truthfully by the Customer, before they start work. At the end of the Assessment Questionnaire, the electricians make a judgement call on whether to proceed with the works in hand. For all customers Bright Spark ask that they advise them if the occasion arises where you require their services and the Customer believes that the works might put others at risk, or that they / family members are self-isolating.
At all times there is the REQUEST for access for the visiting Team members to HOT Water & Soap, in order for them to wash on a more frequent basis. It is requested to observe the Social Distancing of 1-2m, allowing each party to stand back – point at items, and then the allow the other to move in. All the teams carry a stock of Face masks, gloves and Hand Sanitiser, where the electricians can choose from their Risk Assessment choose to use. It is only a matter of common sense but at each visit Karen reassures the clients, of the social distancing and efficiency of which needs to be achieved during these challenging times.
In the first few weeks of lockdown Bright Spark had the opportunity to re-focus on the business, re-focus on the business procedures, and identify areas for improvement, which have made them leaner and more competitive, ensuring that the staff are well equipped and safe to carry out their procedures. Even the office practices, adapting to the New “Norm” these have also Included a lot of Zoom Meetings, with Staff, Customers & Suppliers, along with Video Emails too.
WE ARE NOT “bouncing back” – but WE ARE are “bouncing forward” says Karen.
Bright Spark have implemented multiple new procedures and systems. These include a remote Telephone Call Answering Service (operated by a friend of Karens). They have been fully briefed about Bright Spark, and have access to the work schedule for reference. Karen says that this is important as, when these enquiries come in, and either the office phones are already busy, or Karen be out on the road visiting customers for quotations / site surveys, or even carrying out electrical emergency calls (Karen has had a few of these in the last few months!) there is someone at the end of the phone. However Karen is notified and can contact the next customer or an enquiry when she has left the job.
Bright Spark are proud to be at the forefront of Technology, they have IT / Cloud Based systems in place that will aid working remotely, and a Cloud Based telephone system, which means Customers can contact them in any various means, and the enquiry or Call-out can be returned to the customer soon afterwards. This also allows the team to work from their vans or out on site. All the Electricians are personally GPS Tracked in the work place so Bright Spark can continue business as usual working flexibly and remotely, and electricians who have completed jobs in good time can also pop round to help one of the others finish.
Bright Spark are recognised for their Professionalism, efficiencies, fantastic Communication, and being led by Female Entrepreneur & Electrician - Karen Smith. ITV television news visited & interviewed Karen for Feature they had run on how the Trades have been affected during and coming out of Lockdown. (Snippets of the interview can be found on the Bright Sparks Website).
If you have an electrical emergency then Karen and the team are very much available. Head over to their website to get in touch and book your appointment or take a look at the video on their website!
