Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008 - (Page 19)

the green scene The Post-Conference “Information Inventory” Continues the Green Discussion “The problem with communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” - George Bernard Shaw Now that the dust has settled after the busy conference season, it is time to take an inventory of what we brought back from the programs and exhibits, and ask ourselves how the overall experience will help us during the next twelve months. Too often, we are tempted to let that stack of brochures, presentation notes, and business cards sit in a drawer as something we will try to get to when we have extra time. But, we all know that we don’t have that extra time. I want to encourage all of you to tackle that stack of conference memorabilia, and put it to work for you. Green topics were everywhere throughout the conference season. I hope you all attended the seminars, panel discussions, and presentations that will help you implement new Green programs and enhance your current sustainability efforts. I also hope you visited the multitudes of booths n by Stephen Ashkin showcasing Green Cleaning products and services. The post-conference “information inventory” is a practice which will help you in plenty of ways to get the most out of your visit to I.E.H.A.’s Educational Conference and Convention and ISSA/INTERCLEAN®—North America, or perhaps other conferences you recently attended. In a simple, stepby-step fashion, you can organize that tote bag of business cards, pamphlets, and presentation notes into a database that will help you follow up with contacts, maintain communication with new contacts, stay up-to-date on the latest in Green products and services and, finally, test the authenticity of the claims of those who approached you about using their company’s “Green product line” to help you with your executive housekeeping responsibilities. The first step I recommend is to separate the business cards from the other papers. Go through and pull out those that you remember speaking with or those of people you picked up at a booth of interest. Write on the front or back of the card what you discussed with this person (did you promise to call or email?) and, if any, a little note that can trip your memory about how to remember this person (something about their appearance, something mentioned in conversation, anything to help you picture that person). These business cards of people you wanted to have a follow-up conversation with should be put in their own stack in a safe place where they will not mix with other papers or items on your desk. With the remainder of the cards, you can now sort out those that fit into a “maybe” category and also throw out the ones that seemed interesting on first impression, but then left you somewhat skeptical (continued on page 25) September 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 9

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

Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008 Contents Executive Corner 2008 Salary Survey Results Strengthening Worker Safety in a High Throughput Laundry Frugal Housekeeper How CIMS Relates to You Feature Article The Green Scene The Un-Comfort Zone: What's Pushing Your Buttons? Inside the Industry Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers’ Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - September 2008

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