Commercial screening procedure

1. Check the Plot for a slope drop to zero or almost zero, indicating the business may have moved or closed.

   • If yes, go to step 9.

   • If no, continue with the next step.

2. In the Business Listing widget, do the address, phone, and business name match the Account Information section?

   • If yes:

     1. Select Match.

     2. Click Save.

     3. Go to step 9.

   • If no:

     1. Select No Match.

     2. Click Save

     3. Continue with the next step.

3. Perform a Reverse Phone Number search. Does the address listed match the Account Information section?

   • If yes, go to step 9.

   • If no, continue with the next step.

4. In the Links widget, do the map resources (Google Map, Bing Maps, MapQuest, etc.) display the same information as the Account Information section?

   • If yes, go to step 9.

   • If no, continue with the next step.

5. Search for the business name, address, and/or phone number on google.com to gather information about the business.

6. Perform a Reverse Address search. Does the address listed match the Account Information section?

   • If yes, go to step 9.

   • If no, continue with the next step.

7. Compare the mailing address to the account address. The mailing address is often the headquarters for the business, and that site may have more information to aid your screen.

8. Compare the phone numbers listed for the account. Check for other locations to call or multiple premises at the address.

9. Call the account at the appropriate phone numbers.

   1. Confirm the account name, phone number, and address.

   2. Ask for a description of the business to help determine reasonable utility usage.

   3. Ask for hours of operation, number of days open each week, and if the business is seasonable.

   4. Ask for the relative size of the business. For example:

      • For hospitals or nursing homes, how many beds are there?

      • For restaurants, can they seat a party of 20?

      • For salons, how many booths are there?

      • For hotels, how many rooms are there? Do they have a pool, spa, or restaurant?

   5. If the Plot displays a drop to zero or almost zero, try to find out a cause.

   Tip: Sometimes multiple calls are needed to obtain the information, especially if the business is not the type originally listed.

10. If necessary, call neighboring businesses to verify if the business moved or closed.

11. Enter information in the Notes widget.

    1. Include the date and 24-hour time you called.

    2. Include the location you called, who you spoke to, and the information that lead to that contact.

    3. Include references to the map data, search results, and other information sources.

    4. Include your initials.

    Tip: Notes often include shorthand, For more information, see Common screening abbreviations in notes.

12. Fill out the Additional Customer Information section if there are differences with the Account Information section. This includes:

    • Business name

    • Correct phone number

    • Correct NAICS code

    • SubCode (if applicable)

    • Open/close time

      Tip: When entering the hours of operation, select the earliest open time and the latest close time. For example, if the business is open M, Tu, and F 8 AM - 6 PM and Wed/Sat 9 AM - 9 PM, record the hours as 8 AM - 9 PM. Then, include the full schedule in a note.

    • Number of days the business is open

    • Screener status.

13. Enter information in the Updated Information widget.

14. Select the NAICS. Try to match the business type to the closest NAICS code you can find. If you cannot find a similar NAICS code, search the NAICS web page.

15. In the Updated Information widget, select the appropriate status from the Screener Status dropdown menu.

    • Unsure. Use this status when no information can be found, or the information might not be accurate based on what was received from the business.

    • Complete. Use this status when there is no more information that can be added to the account. It is possible for the account to be complete but not have everything. Some businesses are difficult to obtain certain hours or days.

    • Screen Later. Use this status for your own tracking to see what accounts still need to be worked.

    • Screen (AM). Use this status for accounts you want to call in the morning.

    • Screen (PM). Use this status for accounts you want to call in the evening.

    • Screen (Sunday). Use this status for accounts you want to call on Sunday. For example, a church.

16. Click Save.