Tag: leadership

“Facilitopia” – A Brighter Vision for the Facility Industry

“Facilitopia” – A Brighter Vision for the Facility Industry

I am honored and excited to be this year’s keynote at NFMT in Baltimore, where I will be speaking about a topic near and dear to me – Facilities!  This passion for the industry is the impetus behind my utopian vision for facilties, that I have lovingly coined “Facilitopia”. Now, don’t get me wrong, I […]

More Than Glorified Janitors – Selling the Value of the Facility Team

More Than Glorified Janitors – Selling the Value of the Facility Team

Please do not take offense by the title of this article; I am not saying anything negative about janitors.  In fact, my intent is for us, as facility professionals, to realize the value of every team member in the facility department – from custodial and landscaping to journeymen and management – and market that value […]

Getting an A-Grade at the C-Level

Getting an A-Grade at the C-Level

As facility professionals, we are pretty good at reacting in an emergency, dealing with difficult people, figuring out how to get a square peg into a round hole, doing more with less, and many other challenges that fly at us daily.  However, the one key area where programs fail or struggle time and time again […]

The Rule of 100/10/1 – Learning to Speak Bean

The Rule of 100/10/1 – Learning to Speak Bean

If the facility management industry is to ever move beyond being seen as just a cost center, then they must learn how to see and convey the impact facility departments have on revenue generation and the bottom line.  There must be a clear understanding of the organization’s financials and how management perceives value.  The facility […]

IFMA Charlotte Hosting FMP Classes in May/June 2020

IFMA Charlotte Hosting FMP Classes in May/June 2020

Earn your way to IFMA’s FMP, Facility Management Professional, one of the most sought after credentials in the facility industry.   The FMP provides a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to manage a robust facility management program and is beneficial to those entering the field and the well-seasoned.  Additionally, the FMP is good preparation for those desiring to obtain their […]

Free Webinar – Selling the Value of Facilities Management

Free Webinar – Selling the Value of Facilities Management

In spite of efforts to develop and present bulletproof business cases, we often fall short when it comes to “closing the deal.” Selling the merit of a business case does not start at the executive meeting; rather it is an on-going, active effort that is a primary duty of a facility manager. During this presentation, […]

Presenting to Upstate SC IFMA Chapter – “More Than Glorified Janitors?”

Presenting to Upstate SC IFMA Chapter – “More Than Glorified Janitors?”

Most facility departments are under-funded and under-staffed.  They act as modern-day MacGyvers trying to resolve the decline of aging systems and the increase of operational demands with a piece of gum, a ballpoint pen, and a paperclip – sound familiar?  This lack of resources and seeming disconnect with management perpetuates the costly firefighting cycle in which many organizations find […]

From the Grounds, Up – Selling the Value of Facilities

From the Grounds, Up – Selling the Value of Facilities

There has been much deserved emphasis on getting facility management to the C-suite, which is necessary for our industry to realize success.  However, all efforts expended earning our way to the executive level, can be quickly dashed if facility staff and contractors are not on-board with our initiative.  Thus, it is equally imperative that we […]

Setting a Vision for Success in Facility Management

Setting a Vision for Success in Facility Management

as published in the November edition of Buildings Maintenance & Management magazine Proverbs states that “without vision, the people perish”, which essentially means that the people wander aimlessly without any clear direction and are left to their own demise.  Or to quote from another wise sage, Tobi Keith (for those country music fans) – “if […]