Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 - (Page 6)

frugal housekeeper ’Twas the Night Before Whatever Happened to Added Value? The other day, I was listening to a famous author being interviewed on the radio. This author has written dozens of books and is about to publish a new series of books. The radio interviewer asked him from whence he got his ideas, his themes, or even the title of his books. The author indicated that often his books were based upon some observation that he made during his normal days. However, he made an interesting point—he indicated that many times he wrote his books from a title that he imagined for a book. In other words, the title popped into his head and then he wrote the story to match the title. Oftentimes, as this author indicated, the title is the last item to go on a book. Now, you may be saying, why is the Frugal Housekeeper rambling on and waxing less than eloquent about such a matter as the title of a book or an interview with an author on the radio? Well, the author’s name is R.L. Stine. He has sold over 300 million books worldwide—his books sell! This author has been in the business of writing since 1987, and is on to something—when you see, hear, or t by Alan S. Bigger and Linda B. Bigger conceptualize an idea, write about it! (Avid readers can learn more about Stine at: http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/R._L._Stine. or http:// www.scholastic.com/goosebumpsgraphix/artistauthor/rlstine.htm.) For quite some time, we have been trying to conceptualize an idea and put it into words that are meaningful and have an application. Finally, the title is coming and the words will follow. Before the words come, some background information may be helpful for the reader to provide some framework for what follows. During the last few years, we have heard a lot about the term “value-added,” such as valueadded engineering, he or she brings value to an organization, a contractor brings a value-added element to a work site, and on and on. Sometimes that concept seems to be overused and misapplied. For instance, value-added engineering can often change the design or functionality of a building. A value engineer might recommend a less expensive light fixture to be installed; however, once it is installed, it may be found that it is nearly impossible to change the light bulb or repair the fixture, and there may be no spare parts available. Savings up front, but disaster thereafter. The concept of “value-added” has stuck in my craw, got under my nails, and made my teeth gnash, because too often, the key value-added element in our profession is missed, much to our detriment. For the last several years, I have had the opportunity to travel quite extensively, traversing through Ireland, England, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and more recently, South Africa. In addition, I have been blessed to travel to and visit many states and university campuses. During the trips, I have been indebted to this value-added element that is often missed. It is missed in airports and hotels (in the front of the house and in the back of the house), in laundries, in classrooms, in restrooms, in hallways, in hospitals and clinics, in supermarkets, and in super chain stores. Sadly, to shortchange this critical element impacts us each and every day. To illustrate this point, we would like to write a very poor tongue-in-cheek parody of “Twas the Night Before Christ- 6 Executive Housekeeping Today/December 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._L._Stine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._L._Stine http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps

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

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 Contents Executive Corner Microfiber May Impede an Infectious Disease Outbreak Controlling MRSA Outbreaks in Educational Facilities Frugal Housekeeper Restroom Hygiene IEHA Hosts Progressive Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM)™ Symposium Feature Article The Green Scene 2006-2008 EHT Article Index USGBC Tip Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members REH/CEH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

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