Helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curve. The DYOJO Podcast will INFORM and ENTERTAIN. Personal and professional development for the skilled trades, construction, insurance claims, and property restoration. Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast. This podcast is hosted by contractor and author, Jon Isaacson, aka The Intentional Restorer. Content for: Insurance claims professionals, property restoration contractors, construction business owners, skilled trades estimators, project ma ...
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How does a consumer know whether a contractor is competent enough to complete remodeling and repair work? Author Ron Alford provides insights into the four types of contractors in his book, designed for property owners, titled How to Win the Insurance Claim Game (available on Amazon). In this video we review those four types of contractors, Ron's t…
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118 Porta Dryer Number 5 - Water Damage History
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The water damage response and repair industry has emerged into the consumer discourse. But how many property restoration contractors are aware of the rich history of innovation and collaboration that have laid the groundwork their livelihood? In this episode we take a field trip into the past with Ron "Alfie" Alford and complete our recap of RIA 20…
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We recap some of the highlights from the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Convention and Expo with our friend Ed Cross. Items of interest for property restoration contractors include an apology from the stage by Xactimate/Verisk and a face the advocate with four TPAs from the insurance claims ecosystem; Contractor Connection, Alacrity, Sedgew…
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We know customers aren’t always right. Yet, how come in insurance claims, property restoration, and construction projects we perpetuate this mantra of, “Do right by the customer”? In Episode 116 of The DYOJO Podcast, we will review whether this mindset leads to the positive project outcomes that all parties are looking for. In Episode 116 of The DY…
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115 Property Restoration and Insurance Claim Contractors Convention
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In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast we share tips for making the most of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) annual convention and expo. This year it will be in Dallas, Texas, April 8 - 10, 2024. Watch and listen for several Passport Stops that will help you elevate your mindsets and habits as a contractor specializing with insurance claims…
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In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast we review an interesting scenario where a podcast host gets called out or canceled for comments made regarding paid time off on Tik Tok. By doing so, we unravel some of the ways employers and employees can create better outcomes in the workplace. We confront mindsets and habit from old school mindsets, young pro…
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113 Learning from Job Description and Interview Fails
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Business owners and managers complain about the lack of quality applicants and employees who won't stick around. We take a look at some examples of terrible job descriptions for ways construction professionals can better navigate the recruitment process. We will also review some clips of hilariously bad job interviews for ways modern businesses can…
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Standing Out in a Job Interview - Tips for Employers and Employees
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For those of you watching, who are actually preparing for an interview, we will help you Prepare 2 Thrive. For those business owners, managers, parents, and educators, you will want to share this information with young professionals preparing for interviews. What we discuss in this video will help job seekers stand out and thrive in a job interview…
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Structuring Your Business for Growth - TDP 22 Replay PLUS
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We take a trip down memory lane with a REPLAY plus of Episode 22 of The DYOJO Podcast. We discussed growing your business without compromising your values with guest Lex Sisney, author of Organizational Physics and Designed to Scale. In this BONUS Episode 0:00 Jon is traveling to Winter Break 4:12 Review of an old episode 8:51 Business structure vs…
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When was the last time you reviewed and updated your job descriptions? Do they reflect what you value as an organization? Do they accurately reflect the roles and responsibilities of the position you are hiring for? Do they map out a path to success for the recruit as well as the supervisor? In this short clip from Episode 112 of The DYOJO Podcast,…
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Finding good construction hires from unique sources
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We put the question back to you in the DYOJO Podcast audience - where have some of your best hires come from? Some people hire from the franchise system thinking, "Well, if I'm in this franchise system, and they're in this franchise system, they could plug and play." Has this worked for you? A lot of contractors try to hire someone who has worked f…
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Ep 112 Create a Competitive Business Advantage in 2024
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IN EPISODE 112 of THE DYOJO PODCAST: 0:00 Old contractor vs New contractors 2:04 Using Xactimate for Insurance Claims 4:02 Understanding Millennials with Tony Canas 9:06 Improving the Hiring Process 13:51 Creating a Pathway to Success 19:05 Preparing 2 Thrive Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast - helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curv…
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Xactimate is a Claims Estimating Language (Clip from Ep 111)
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Contractors are frustrated with the insurance claims process. Many have found their villain in the various estimating software programs. Of particular note, Xactimate draws the ire of property restoration contractors. One doesn't have to search far to find a social media rant about the inefficiencies of estimating tools. BUT, has the listener ever …
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Nicole Humber, CEO of Bravo Restoration in Windsor, California, joined the DYOJO Podcast to share some inspiring words for aspiring construction professionals. Nicole says, "If you don't have a leader that is invested in your growth, then you have to invest in yourself." Hear more from Nicole and others on Episode 110 of The DYOJO Podcast as we dis…
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111 A Simple Formula for Better Construction Estimates
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Our deep thoughts for construction estimators are brought to us this week by Norm Foster in his book, first published in 1961, Construction Estimates from Take-off to Bid. In this helpful book, Mr. Foster reminds contractors that, “A good estimate is built around a good set of quantities and a proper feeling for cost, rather than being a by-product…
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110 Record Breaking Charitable Contractors
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This week we will discuss record-breaking efforts by contractors who care for their local communities. We will share some creative ways business owners and managers can connect with clients and engage their employees. In This Episode #110 0:00 Contractors break charitable record 0:56 Creative community and team engagement 5:40 SOCKTember 2023 resul…
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109 Billions for Construction Rehabilitation from President Biden
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Episode 109 of The DYOJO Podcast, we are talking about construction opportunities. Our main story centers around an October 16, 2023 announcement from the White House. This press release outlines new actions on home ownership including $16 billion dollars designated for housing and rehabilitation. CONSTRUCTION STORIES: President Biden proposed $16 …
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108 Crime & Construction - Contractor Burns Truck to Cover Fraud?
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On Episode 108 of The DYOJO Podcast, we are talking about crime and construction. Our main story centers around a burning truck, a missing contractor, and millions of dollars for housing developments being unaccounted for. STORY: Today's construction crime, developer Bret Detamore allegedly faked his disappearance for nearly a week and burned his b…
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Paul Donald, CEO of Encircle and MANY others join us to discuss how to position your team to cash in on insurance claims and storm response. We will go behind the scenes of IAQ Radio and review lessons learned from industry pioneers and contractor networking events. IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 SOCKTember 2023 7:00 Fall PNW Contractors Symposium 10:46 Lea…
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Ep 106 Productivity Part 2 - Accountability & Leadership
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Everyone talks about ACCOUNTABILITY, but what does it mean to create it within an organization? Our guest Geoff Lawson (Auburn, WA) shares his experiences with hiring, training, and developing skilled trades teams. In part two of this discussion on productivity, we will dive into elements such as: * Developing your leadership skills * Collaborating…
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Our guest Geoff Lawson and host Jon Isaacson discuss examples from relational leaders in their career experiences that helped them develop their own approaches to becoming better managers. Hear more on Episode 105 of The DYOJO Podcast titled Productivity Part 1 - Training and Expectations. Excerpt from "So, You Want To Be A Project Manager" by Jon …
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Ep 105 Productivity Part 1 - Training & Expectations
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Productivity leads to profitability. Our guest Geoff Lawson (Auburn, WA) shares his experiences with hiring, training, and developing skilled trades teams. In part one of this discussion on productivity we will dive into elements such as: Training team members to excel Reducing friction through clear expectations Increasing profitability by underst…
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What factors cause contractors to lose their businesses? We discuss some of the unique challenges restoration contractors face when working on insurance claims as well as some of the creative solutions that have helped our guest Brendon Rumsey grow by twenty percent annually. In Episode 103 Bredon shared the interesting story of how he wandered int…
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As a continuation of our discussion with Brendon Rumsey (Rumsey Construction & Restoration, South Carolina) from The DYOJO Podcast Episode 103, we elaborate on: The importance of contractors understanding their costs (Direct and Indirect) so that they can customize their pricing to meet their goals. The value of meeting locally with other contracto…
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Is your position defensible or are you just being defensive? Our guest Brendon Rumsey, Rumsey Construction & Restoration (South Carolina) joins us to discuss some of his experiences with getting into property restoration (insurance claims), collaborating with local contractors, and learning to defend your pathway to profitability as a contractor. I…
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Special Event - PNW Water Damage Claims Symposium
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Are you a contractor in the Pacific Northwest (PNW)? We are hosting our first half-day water damage and insurance claims symposium in Edmonds, Washington on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. This event will feature three Ted-talk style presentations from subject matter experts. Joyce Gabriel - Landall (Tacoma) and Expert (Olympia) Colby Wynn - Affordable Res…
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The Power of Being a Connected Contractor
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We discuss the power of contractors connecting at the local, regional, and national levels. Our guest Brendon Rumsey (South Carolina) discusses his experiences with starting a local contractor's networking group, utilizing resources from the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), and defending his business practices in court. In This Video: 0:00 D…
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Ep 102 Building A Strong Local Construction Brand
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Contractors face many challenges. Friend of the show, Michelle Blevins, returns for Episode 102 of The DYOJO Podcast to discuss some creative ways employers and managers can better engage their community as they build a local brand. Michelle discusses authentic leadership, the importance of marketing TO the team as consistently as one markets to cl…
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Ep 101 The "P" Word (Program Work, Preferred Vendors, and Third Party Administrators aka TPAs)
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Some contractors love program work and set up their businesses to attempt to thrive in this revenue stream. Some contractors hate third-party administrators and do everything in their power to avoid anything resembling a TPA agreement. Many contractors have questions about preferred vendor programs and who they can best utilize this resource. On Ep…
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Discussion with David Princeton, Advocate Claim Service, and Bill Wilson, author of When Words Collide, on what contractors and policyholders can do to attempt to equalize the insurance claims games that carriers play. Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast - Helping Contractors Shorten Their DANG Learning Curve…
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Ep 100 Matching Materials for Insurance Claims
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How often do policyholders with insurance claims have issues where their roof, siding, flooring, kitchen cabinets, or other materials were the same prior to a water or fire damage occurring, but the insurance company is contesting whether they owe for "matching"? How specific are insurance policies on the definition and execution of matching materi…
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In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis went on television to warn consumers about unscrupulous contractors and public adjusters. Patronis referred to them as "locusts" and "predators" that complicate the recovery process. Patronis says, "The predators are going to come in like a bunch of locusts" while "peopl…
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Who Can Kill The Zombie Parasite Mold, Cordyceps?
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Have you observed the popular series Last of Us on HBO Max? Without spoiling too much of the show, this is a zombie-type thriller where the contagion is not a virus or a bacteria, but a parasitic fungus. Cordyceps, an actual mold known to take over the minds and bodies of entire ant colonies, is the culprit. In anticipation of the property restorat…
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On Episode 99 of The DYOJO Podcast, we discuss: 0:00 Let us discuss moldy things 0:58 Pending mold legislation supported by the IICRC 5:18 Holding bad actors accountable within the skilled trades 8:39 Filtering through industry BS with Cliff Zlotnik 11:25 Industry regulation at the state level with Gordy Powell 20:07 Mold in pop culture - Zombie fu…
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Stop getting burned, for dumb reasons, on construction projects
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Who is at fault if a "client" signs a contract (or work authorization) but they have no authority or ability to pay? It only takes getting left holding the bag once for a contractor to realize that there are two critical questions for every construction project. Want to get paid? Ask these two critical questions: Do you have the authority to sign m…
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TDP 98 The Secret Life of Construction Contracts RJC v. AISD Part 4
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A good construction contract is not a silver bullet for all customer disputes, but setting clear expectations can help all parties work towards an agreed-upon outcome. "As a contractor, we're going to be held accountable for what we can prove at that time not necessarily what we actually did. The simpler the better, or the more understood the bette…
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Ep 97 Book #5, Gas Stoves, and 80s Prisons
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This week on The DYOJO Podcast we discuss: Book #5 from The DYOJO - Challenge Accepted The government’s plan to save us all from gas stoves Lessons learned from a missing beam in a 1980’s prison IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 The Power of the Postcard 1:46 An Unnamed Adjuster Talks Matching Materials 8:08 What Are We Working On - Workshop 11:06 Book 5 - Cha…
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Early bird discounts expire SOON. Register yourself or your team to participate in this one-of-a-kind one-day workshop "Lesson Learned from Storm Response and Hurricane Recovery" presented by The DYOJO, Pete Consigli (The Global Restoration Watchdog), and Jon Isaacson (The Intentional Restorer). WHO: Property restoration contractors, insurance clai…
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Ep 96 Moisture Damage Documentation RJC v. AISD Part 3
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How important is moisture documentation? It is the key to getting paid for disaster response and property restoration projects large or small. As we continue our discussion regarding Robert Jordan Construction (RJC) versus the Arlington Independent School District (AISD), it would appear a lack of documentation cost this contractor upwards of $1.2 …
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Filtering Through Industry BS with Cliff Zlotnik
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On a daily basis, intentional restorers are flooded (pun intended) with tidal waves of information. If a restoration contractor wants to learn and perform their duties in a manner that is in step with the best practices in their industry, they have to filter through a lot of misinformation (dare we say, BS). Founding Father, Cliff Zlotnik, shares h…
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Workshops, Whistleblowers, and Matching Materials
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Tune in this Thursday for The DYOJO Podcast as we discuss THREE ITEMS: 1. What We're Working On - the Lessons Learned from Storm Response and Hurricane Recovery workshop with G. Pete Consigli, CR, WLS 2. In The News - At least 21 independent adjusters are acting as whistleblowers calling out insurance companies for doctoring estimates. Including cl…
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Ep 95 A Tale of Two Contractor Litigation Scenarios
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On Episode 95 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss A Tale of Two Contractor Litigation Scenarios, Tale 1: Robert Jordan Construction v. Arlington Independent School District (Texas) Tale 2: Conway Construction v. City of Puyallup (Washington) These are two very different litigation experiences. We discuss some of the ways that they are similar and mostl…
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In our latest video from The DYOJO Podcast we discuss three things: Overcoming the fear of creating content with an article in Property Casualty 360 Working with the right mentors with Whitney Wiseman Becoming an industry expert with Bob Blochinger IN THIS EPISODE: 0:00 Content, Coaches, and Courtrooms 0:48 Half-assed contractors - do you agree wit…
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Ep 94 The Roadmap to Expertise with Bob Blochinger
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“An expert is somebody who knows what he's talking about through experience, training, and education. You cannot become an expert without all three.” - Bob Blochinger As a guest for Episode 94 of The DYOJO Podcast, Bob Blochinger shares his thoughts on the roadmap to expertise. For a professional to seek and achieve expertise, they need to be able …
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What is the opposite of stupid? An expert. How then does one become a subject matter or construction industry expert? In this brief video, a promo for Episode 94 of The DYOJO Podcast, "Bavarian" Bob Blochinger shares his thoughts on what it means to be an expert. Bob believes in a triangle of success, "Expert is somebody who knows what he's talking…
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Be there or be square - Winter Break January 2023 and THREE exclusive DYOJO events
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Tune in to The DYOJO Podcast for some exciting news about THREE EXCLUSIVE EVENTS: Check out TheDYOJO.com/blog for information and links: 1. Eventbrite Link for the LIVE recording of The DYOJO Podcast on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 12pm PST - Guests include Pete Consigli, Bob Blochinger, IAQ Josh Winton 2. The DYOJO Watchdogs Neighborhood Cardiga…
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Ep 93 Contractors behaving badly? RJC vs. AISD part 2
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The DYOJO Podcast introduced a series of episodes covering the lawsuit between Robert Jordan (RJ) Construction and the Arlington Independent School District (AISD). According to RJC they brought suit for underpayment of a 2021 emergency response at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas following the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri. We are divin…
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SOCKTember 2022 Winners & Plans for Next Year
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Restorers Raise OVER 57,000 Socks for Local Charities If a few local contractors combined forces to ask friends, vendors, and service partners to donate pairs of NEW socks, how many could they raise? In 2020, professionals from various industries in Washington state assembled five teams to test the concept of competitive sock-raising for local char…
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Ep 92 Contractor bankrupted by storm response, RJC vs AISD part 1
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An unexpected winter vortex rips through Arlington, Texas in February 2021 causing incredible damage throughout the South. Contractor Erick Hernandez who works in the Houston area notes that in the days prior everything seemed normal. Like many Texans, Erick was scrambling to save his home from the effects of freezing conditions and widespread lack…
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What happens when an emergency water damage response is provided by a contractor BUT there is a disagreement when it comes time to collect payment for work completed? The customer says, "Thank you for helping us BUT..." Recently, one such issue came across the desk here at The DYOJO Podcast between RJ Construction (RJC) and the Arlington Independen…
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