Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2008 - (Page 7)

ment for all. • Customer service: An organization probably has no better ally than a customer-focused housekeeper or custodian. This person is really an ambassador for the organization. The housekeeper may be the first person that a visitor to a facility meets. The manner in which the housekeeping staff addresses guest issues is as vital as their appearance, demeanor, and dress. Just as an ambassador represents the national interests of a country on the international scene, the housekeeper or custodian represents the company to the world of customers! • Image of facility: The image of any facility can be directly impacted by the level of cleanliness in a facility. If the entryways are clean, the area is well lit, and the restrooms are fresh, the customer’s immediate first impression will be vastly more positive than if he or she enters a facility that is dirty and littered, poorly lit, and the restrooms are grimy and stale. Which type of facility would you prefer to visit? • Interior design: The entire housekeeping staff has a vital role to play in this area and are critical in the planning for renovation of an existing building or in new construction projects. By clearly documenting and specifying materials, surfaces, and equipment that works, the housekeeping staff will have a direct impact upon the return in investment and life cycle of a building. • Water quality: Housekeeping staffs across the nation and the world use millions and millions of gallons of cleaning chemicals. By using chemicals correctly and purchasing environmentally-friendly and preferred products and chemicals, the housekeeping staff has a direct impact on water quality because many of these chemicals and/or products ultimately go down the drain. row, making it even more critical The list could go on and on for us to understand our role in indefinitely. The key point is that the process. housekeeping and environmental • Critical Issues in Long-Term managers are critical to the suc- Care (LTC) at www.ltcop.org cessful functioning of the whole of • “Critical Issues in Education the organization or facility to which Facilities and Business,” Ameriwe may belong. In other words, the can School & University, January functions that we perform are key 2006, and also viewable at www. drivers in organizational effective- schooldude.com or www.asumag. ness and should not be underes- com timated. In order to increase the • “Critical Issues: CB Richard value and worth of our profession Ellis,” January 2005, at www. to the facilities field, we need to buildings.com be aware of the critical issues that • “Facilities Industry Trends— are impacting the organization or Survey Results” 2004, at www. facility as a whole. By so doing, we fmlink.com will have a better understanding of • “This Year’s Critical Issues our roles and functions, and this Will Escalate If the Hotel Induswill enable us to be better prepared try Doesn’t Address Them Now,” to perform at the optimal level. September 2007, by Rick Swig at Housekeeping and environmental www.hotel-online.com managers should be equal partners • “The Future of Higher Eduand players at the facilities man(continued on next page) agement table. As we look forward to 2008, there are innumerable critical issues facing facilities. In order to compile a working list of critical issues for your consideration, the following documents or Web sources have been considered. You will notice that the - Durable, Stainless Steel Carts & Fixtures lists basically - Factory Direct Prices cover a three- 10 Year Guarantee Against Breakage year time frame. The reason why we considered these three years critical is because many of the same issues have resoRequest your free catalog today. nated for sevwww.RoyceRolls.net toll free 800-253-9638 fax 616-361-5976 eral years in a Royce Rolls Ringer Company January 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 7 http://www.ltcop.org http://www.schooldude.com http://www.schooldude.com http://www.asumag.com http://www.asumag.com http://www.buildings.com http://www.buildings.com http://www.fmlink.com http://www.fmlink.com http://www.hotel-online.com http://www.RoyceRolls.net http://www.RoyceRolls.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2008 Contents Executive Corner How Hand-Held Computers Benefit Quality Assurance Programs Shining the Light on ATP Detection Frugal Housekeeper MRSA: Myth or Monster? The Impact of New Laundry Technology I.E.H.A.’s 41st Educational Conference and Convention Wrap-Up Board Briefing 2007 Audit Report The Green Scene 2007 International Housekeepers Week Celebrations! Inside the Industry Product Highlights Advertisers' Index Joint IEHA/ISSA Members New Members Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2008

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