Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2009 - (Page 12)

FRugAl (continued from page 8) closets are a disaster—mop water sitting in buckets, mildewing mop heads, inadequate supplies, dirty equipment, vacuums that look like they came from prehistoric days (whatever happened to indoor air quality?), etc. The manner in which we keep our equipment, supplies, and closets speaks in large part to the way we may be actually cleaning. Keep the closets clean because what is in the closets will soon be on the floor and out in the building and be seen, or worse, smelled. • Be alert! Over the years, we have heard innumerable examples of politicians and celebrities being caught off guard by speaking in front of an “open” microphone. This happens when a celebrity, politician, or dignitary makes an off-the-cuff or unguarded remark because she or he thinks the microphone is off, yet it is on. It is important for people in the public eye to always remember that they are on stage, and you never know when the microphone is on or who may be seeing you. Years ago, I attended a large conference overseas. During the conference, I had the opportunity to sit at a large table for a meal. People were eating and talking. Sitting right across from me was a quiet man, very thoughtful, very attentive, and he seemed quite kindly. He was not obtrusive, but rather humble. We had our meal together, and he left. A little later on, I asked who the individual was, and I found out that he was the director (equivalent of a president) of an organization that was worldwide in scope with thousands of student workers, volunteers, and employees. The man had met with kings and princes, yet he had time to talk to me. But, I didn’t know who he was. I wonder if I acted appropriately? Be alert at all times. The role of the custodian, housekeeper, or service worker is critical to any organization. The work each of us performs demonstrates day in and day out the attributes and characteristics of our organization, to visitors, patients, and customers. What image are we portraying to the people who come into contact with us? Are we being good ambassadors for our company? Do the customers get an accurate picture of the products and services that the organization can provide by the way we attend to people’s needs, the example we set, the way we dress, the appearance of our equipment, supplies, and tools, and by our alertness at all times? As we enter 2009, many companies and organizations are struggling. The very survival of our organizations and companies may, in a large part, depend upon how well we fulfill our roles as ambassadors. What image does a client see of your company when they interact with you? Will they buy from your company (versus another) because of the exceptional manner in which you act as an ambassador for your organization? The ability of your organization to succeed may be based on how you work or act today as an ambassador. It is an honor to be selected as an ambassador and as a service worker. We put our company on the line each day! u © Copyright 2009. Alan S. Bigger and Linda B. Bigger. Alan Bigger, REH, is the Director of Facilities at Earlham College in Richmond, IN, and President of APPA. Linda Bigger is a freelance editor. E-mail them at frugalperson@comcast.net. IEHA Board of Directors President—Marvin Ellsworth, REH (2-year term) • Village Shalom • 20 Dawn Avenue, Belton, MO 6402 • (93) 266-8449 • Fax (93) 266-8442 • mellsworth@ieha.org [2008-‘0] President-Elect—Eric Bates, REH (2year term) • IEHA, 00 Eastwind Dr., Suite 30, Westerville, OH, 4308 • (920) 29-982 • ericfbates@yahoo. com [2008-‘0] Secretary-Treasurer—Sherry Sidwell, REH (2-year term) • Community Hospital • 55 N. Madison Avenue, Anderson, IN 460 • (765) 298-558 • Fax (765)298-5864 • ssidwell@ecommunity.com [2008-‘0] Director-at-Large—Debra Archbald, CEH (4-year term) • Peabody Hotel Orlando • 980 International Drive, Orlando, FL 3289 • (407) 345-4402 • Fax (407) 345-4459 • Debra.archbald@ peabodyorlando.com [2008-‘2] Director-at-Large—Michael Patterson, REH (4-year term) • Circle Family Care • 038 South Prairie, Chicago, IL 60628 • (773) 307-429 • Fax (866) 466-4026 • iehadirectoratlarge@comcast.net [2008-‘2] Director-at-Large—Tom Jones, REH (4-year term) • W.F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration • 0748 Hawes End Court, Las Vegas, NV 8923 • (702) 895-3728 • Fax (702) 895-4872 • tja10748@cox.net [2008-‘2] Director-at-Large—Diana Ronning, CEH (2-year term) • Swedish Medical Center • 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 9822 • (206) 386-3436 • Fax (206) 386-2875 • diana.ronning@swedish. org [2008-‘0] Director-at-Large—Anna Rodriguez, REH (2-year term) • Valley Regional Medical Center • 00 A E Alton Gloor, Brownsville, TX 78526 • (956) 3507820 • Fax (956) 350-7823 • anna.rodriguez@hcahealthcare.com [2008-‘0] Director-at-Large—Janet Wiggins, CEH (2-year term) • Sonterra Health Center • 854 Sonterra Place, San Antonio, TX 78258 • (20) 545-4800 • Fax (20) 679-4950 • monarch7121@yahoo.com [2008-‘0] Check out our new Web site! www.ieha.org 2 Executive Housekeeping Today/January 2009 http://www.ieha.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2009

Executive Housekeeping Today - January 2009 Contents Executive Corner Start With the Seal: CRI Seal of Approval Offers Proven Effectiveness 2008 IHW Celebrations! Frugal Housekeeper What’s in Your Janitor Closet? Feature Article Let the “Recognition Games” Begin! The Green Scene 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 - January 2009

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