Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2008 - (Page 8)

Frugal (continued from previous page) cation: A View from CHEMA. A Report from the Council of Higher Education Management Associations,” by Philip J. Goldstein, August 2006. You can download a PDF file free at www.appa.org • “University Facilities Responding to the Changing Landscape of Higher Education: Including the Top Ten Critical Facilities Issues,” 2006. A free download is available at www.appa.org • “Educational Facilities and the Impact of Technology, Expectations, and Competition: Including the Top Ten Critical Facilities Issues,” 2007. A free download is available from www.appa.org Some of the repeated critical issues that we face as professional facilities managers as we enter 2008 are: • Improving communications: It is imperative that facilities administrators have the skills and abilities to communicate across the organization’s structure, despite silos and barriers that exist. The key resolution to this issue seems to be for facilities managers to use every possible form of communication method available to get their message across; the old adage seems to stand the test of time that we can never over-communicate. As we move into the new year, we need to resolve to increase our communication effectiveness. • Competition for limited resources: Not only do organizations face competition from outside the organization, there is often competition inside the organization. We must understand this competition and where our departments fit into the picture. In order to compete for limited resources, we must be able to communicate effectively—our clear and well-ordered communication will have a drastic impact upon our ability to receive resources such as training, equipment, salaries, and personnel. It is imperative that we effectively Quality Customer Service There seems to be an ongoing expectation by customers for increased quality of service, even in an environment when managers seem to have decreasing resources to meet those expectations. ongoing monitoring of the quality of services provided will enable managers to proactively prepare and plan for providing effective customer service. Eric Conrad of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) stressed the importance of having an effective quality management system: “It’s our reference—a set of guidelines that says [to clients], here’s how we run a top-notch, worldclass organization.” We would be wise to do nothing less in 2008. • Total cost of ownership: Facilities managers need to look long term at the value of the services they provide and the impact such services have on the total cost of ownership of a facility. A clear understanding of how much it costs to operate our services for a year, and then extrapolating that data over the lifespan of the facility, will help not only to clarify the operational costs for such services, but what impact it may have if such services were reduced or eliminated. • Energy and resource management: A trip to the gas pump indicates that the cost of gasoline is increasing at an alarming rate and it may not be too long before we are paying four dollars for a gallon of gasoline. Likewise, when we receive our utility bills each month, one can see that prices are going up on every front. Multiply those types of expenses and one can see that organizations are likewise struggling with the same cost-containment issues. As we move into this year, we can implement simple steps to assist in controlling energy costs, such as turning off lights in areas not in use, using energy-efficient light document what our needs are, how much it will cost to service those needs, and the long-term impact of funding or not funding those needs. • Evolving technology: Organizations are facing huge technological challenges not only to stay current with technology, but to stay ahead of the competition. Demands seem to be increasing exponentially. Hospitals, hotels, colleges, schools, and large industrial complexes are expecting the housekeeping department to be part of integrated facilities operations. Thus, we are expected to have an operational computerized maintenance management system, a quality assurance program that includes the use of personal data assistants (PDAs), and the ability to produce computerized reports and data on demand at a moment’s notice. We need to stay fresh and on top of evolving technologies in 2008. Rick Swig indicated that technology is impacting the way that hoteliers operate, and he stresses, “Hotel owners and operators who have fallen behind the curve must invest now to catch up ” • Customer service: It seems that this issue crosses all sectors within facilities. There seems to be an ongoing expectation by customers for increased quality of service, even in an environment when managers seem to have decreasing resources to meet those expectations. Quality customer service starts with effective training programs and evaluations of the services provided. Implementing an effective training program and 8 Executive Housekeeping Today/January 2008 http://www.appa.org http://www.appa.org http://www.appa.org

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

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.