My FM Space

Saying Thank You

This is pretty NICE  ....(30 second video)... Have you ever seen one of our
military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but
weren't sure how, or it felt awkward? 
 
Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used to
express your thanks and has started a movement to get the word out.. 

Please everybody take just a moment to watch..... The Gratitude Campaign
...and then forward it to your friends!   THEN START USING THE SIGN.  THANK YOU.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo

Samson Carts - the Cadillac of Efficiency and Sustainability.

"I first saw the Samson Cart at the ARMA International Conference Expo.  My firm had just hired me on to develop their Records and Information Program so I was definitely doing some shopping at the Expo.  I always found it disconcerting that file carts seemed to always be lumped into the same category as library carts and that the options were just so far and few between when it came to finding a hybrid apparatus that would conveniently carry both files and boxes.  For years, in my previous job, we pushed around library carts with legal size redwelds and often times boxes precariously hung off the cart.  But more times than not, files were pushed on the carts and boxes were lugged around on handtrucks.  I always longed for one mode of transportation so that file shifts of intermingled files and boxes would be a breeze.  Something that was sturdy (yes there were many instances of file cart tip over), large enough to minimize multiple trips, but compact enough that  it didn't take up a ton of space in our small Records areas!  I was blown away when I saw the Samson cart and witnessed David King's demo.  It was exactly what I was looking for!  We ordered three of these carts and have been thrilled with its versatility, ease of operation and space efficiency.  Not to mention that it received kudos from our Green Committee (which I am a part) for its sustainability.  We greatly appreciated the carts during our recent indexing conversion process to our new database as well as during our recent office moves.  These carts served us in the same capacity as moving company Gondola carts do, minus the wooden splinters.  Our old carts seem so sad sitting next to what my staff has named the "Cadillac".  Funny enough, the staff printed out Cadillac Emblems from the Web and attached them to the front of the carts. 

I can not say enough great things about the Samson cart and will be a continued customer and endorsement for years to come."

Bradlee W. Davis, Records Manager 

Poyner Spruill, LLP,

Raleigh, NC.

NIU To Offer CFM/FMP Courses in 2009!

The Northern Illinois University will be the first Chicago area University to offer Certified Facility Manager (CFM) and Facility Management Professional (FMP) courses at their Naperville campus.  Working for two years with the Chicago and Northern Illinois chapters of IFMA to develop the program the University is now a licensed instructor of the IFMA core competency programs.

The University instructors are all CFMs and veterans of the industry, bringing real-world experience to the classroom.  It is indeed an important step forward for the profession and IFMA credentialing to have a prestigious university serving the Midwest!

For more information see the website: http://www.cfm.niu.edu/non-credit/cfm/index.shtml

Or click here for a brochure: http://www.cratexpress.com/pdf/IFMA%20brochure.pdf

Greenwashing a Problem for End Users

As the trend continues to grow for "green" or "sustainable" products and services End Users of products and services are not quite sure what those words mean and therefore are left to the Sales pitch and the hope that they've made the correct choice.

Many times though they don't find out until after the fact that the company or product they selected is not really green.  The feeling of being "duped" now overcomes the customer.

Here is a very good article about how to wade through the "wash" http://www.cleanlink.com/sm/article.asp?id=8979&keywords=green,%20greenwashing

Although the story is centered on cleaning supplies the message is universal.  There are some good tips here.

Time to shift focus to economic security and environmental sustainability

If architects, clients and policy-makers take a more long-term approach focused on sustainable building practices, they can help, rather than hinder, future economic security. As we all know, buildings are the largest source of emissions and energy consumption in Canada. They will consume energy in the form of electricity and generate greenhouse gases by burning fuel oil, natural gas or liquid propane in boilers, furnaces and hot-water heaters.

We architects know how to achieve carbon-neutral buildings. Just as the governments of major countries are stepping in to rescue financial crisis, we need our three levels of government to step in and make commitment to deal with global warming. We need all provincial governments to exercise their greening strategies. And we need our central government to become the world leader in spearheading the greening of our planet.

Developers of all buildings, public and private, and financial institutions have a huge role to play in creating a healthy and sustainable environment. By requiring all buildings to have highest sustainable design principles, they will lower operating costs due to low energy and maintenance costs and longevity of buildings will be extended. Never has the architect’s skill and expertise been more needed. Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, PP/FRAIC, is past president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).  Full Article: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/article/id31683

92% Of Organizations Working To Make Facilities More Sustainable

As FMs try to work through the "Greenwash" out there the movement continues.

"Ninety-two percent of respondents to The Global Facility Management Association’s recently released Green Practices Study (PDF) say that they are working to make their facilities more sustainable. In addition, 67% say their customers are “forcing them” make sustainable changes. Forty-six percent say the government is forcing the change."

Unfortunately there are still those that don't understand the complexities of sustainable or "green" sourcing and are often swayed by the vendor hype.  Good rule of thumb...ask them to show your how.

For more industry green trends try the environmental leader website:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/11/21/92-of-organizations-working-to-make-facilities-more-sustainable/

Planning a Move? A Little Best Practices Will Help

If you're a Facility Manager planning a major move or restack there are many variables in the process, some of which will impact your success.  One of the current trends in the moving industry is "Pirate" movers and although the trend is mostly limited to household goods sector it is a wake-up call to all related industries to be vigilant about who's servicing you.

Most moving companies ascribe to ethical behaviour that mirrors their corporate clients.  There are some however that still insist on the "Good Ol' Boy" mentality and that's what holds the industry back.  In some ways the service industry is many years behind Corporate America where due diligence, accountability, and ethical sourcing practices are mainstream.

The Facility and Real Estate professional who assumes that everyone they interact with on a project plays by the same rules are naive and on a path down a slippery slope.  Once you hand off a project to a 3rd party to manage for you, your reputation is also in their hands.  If you plan on being in the profession for a long time the one thing that you own is your reputation for not cutting corners on governance.

In the current economy where the slightest hint of impropriety could cost you, and your family, dearly,  be it sustainability, economics, or timelines make sure that who you hire to be on your team follows the same focus as your company.

One way to do that with Movers is to ask about training and procedures.  Do they have a policy & procedures book or a drug program?  Will they get you the best price on product or just convince you that their choice (their 'buddy') is the best you can do.  Challenge the status quo.  Your company does all of these things why wouldn't you hire companies that are as responsible as yours?

One organization for example, the Office Moving Institute, is an international organization that trains moving companies on best practices in corporate relocations.  The founder, Ed Katz, once owned a moving company in Atlanta for many years.  His vision is to bring the same rigor to the moving industry that corporations have been using for years.  For information on Mr. Katz and his organization, and the companies he has trained:  http://www.officemoves.com/tabeu/eu2.html.

At the end of the day your success now and down the road depends on the people you surround yourself with.  My advise, make sure your consultants use the same practices YOU are required to use, and choose wisely.

Dave King, CFM

BIG PICTURE: Oil Prices: The Stealth Stimulus

     By Brian Blackstone
     A DOW JONES NEWSWIRES COLUMN
   
  WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Economists and politicians have been raising the
stakes on fiscal stimulus to keep the U.S. out of a severe recession.
     And it's becoming a no-limit game.
     What started as a modest idea a few months ago eventually grew into the hundreds of billions of dollars. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said in a recent New York Times column that a package on the order of $600 billion is needed.

     In a 60 Minutes interview Sunday, President-elect Barack Obama said the consensus among economists is that "we're going to have to spend money now to stimulate the economy," and "we shouldn't worry about the deficit next year, or even the year after."

     Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has even gotten into the act, telling lawmakers last month that additional stimulus "seems appropriate."

     Yet very quietly, the cavalry has already arrived in the form of a roughly $90-a-barrel drop in oil prices over the past four months, slashing costs on everything from gasoline and home heating to business energy expenses. That translates into as much as $300 billion in stimulus - more than 2% of gross domestic product - without lifting a finger or adding to the budget deficit.

     "I'm amazed that not more is being made out of it," said Nariman Behravesh, chief U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight.

     Behravesh's forecasting rule of thumb is that every 10-cent drop in gasoline prices is equal to a $12 billion tax cut - one that's aimed at lower- to middle-income households that pay a higher share of their incomes for energy.

Businesses benefit, too, of course.
     With gasoline prices now about $2 a gallon below their record highs, that translates into $250 billion to $300 billion for households and businesses, Behravesh said.

     Chris Varvares, president of Macroeconomic Advisers, estimates the effect on consumers alone from the drop in energy prices at around $135 billion.

     Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, estimates that if oil prices just stay under $75 a barrel - December crude settled just below $55 Monday - it's worth the equivalent of a $200 billion stimulus. were to eventually fall to around $50 a barrel, hardly a farfetched notion, the stimulus would climb to $250 billion.

     "It's not widely talked about," Zandi said, since "that benefit is getting overwhelmed by all the other costs" from the credit crunch and negative wealth effect on asset values.

     Still, economic officials are missing out on a golden opportunity to talk up the economy's sole bright spot during the most critical spending season of the year, especially given that their policy actions seem aimed as much at improving psychology as anything else.

     Though the drop in energy prices will likely stick, "it's happened so quickly it still hasn't sunk in people's minds," said Georgia State University forecaster Rajeev Dhawan, who pegs the stimulus at $200 billion for consumers and businesses.

     It needs to sink in, and the sooner the better.
     So maybe some of Treasury's TARP money would be better spent on full-page ads or mailers detailing how much lower energy prices are saving people each month.

     Along with directions to the nearest mall.
   
     (Brian Blackstone is a special writer at Dow Jones Newswires who covers the economy and the Federal Reserve. He may be reached at 202-828-3397 or brian.blackstone@dowjones.com.)

   
     TALK BACK: We invite readers to send us comments on this or other financial news topics. Please email us at TalkbackAmericas@dowjones.com. Readers should include their full names, work or home addresses and telephone numbers for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit and publish your comments along with your name; we reserve the right not to publish reader comments.

   
     Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http://www.djnewsplus.com/al?rnd=CxbIWcpkX458Gn1gNjc7DQ%3D%3D. link on the day this article is published and the following day.

   
   
     (END) Dow Jones Newswires
     11-17-08 1645ET
     Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 04 45 PM EST 11-17-08

Suddath Leads Best Practices

JACKSONVILLE / MIAMI, FL, JULY 2008 -- With 80 years of moving experience under your belt, is there anything new to learn?

Suddath Commercial Solutions thinks so much of International Office Moving Institute's (IOMI) office moving methods, they have pledged to train every key employee at every one of their 16 branches nationwide in the coming months.

Steve Suddath, chairman of the board for The Suddath Companies, showed his commitment to IOMI's program by attending the first training session held at Suddath's corporate offices in Jacksonville, FL.

Full Story--> http://www.iomisuddath.officemoves.com/

Movers Move Ahead!

In the current business environment using sustainable products is a key issue not only for Facility Managers but also property managers.

In my 25 years of Facility management I have witnessed countless times the labor and material that goes into protecting a facility.  From sticky plastic for the carpet to corrugated on the doors and reams of tape.

Finally, a product that has been on the market for years is gaining popularity, especially with bottom line conscious moving companies that are leading the industry in Best Practices.

Ed Katz, a former moving company owner has made it his life's passion working with moving companies both here and abroad to improve the industry.  Ed designs products to help movers provide a safer, cost effective service.

And these moving companies are gaining market visibility because they are looking to the future and driving better service to their clients.  Part and parcel of this is understanding ecological and economical sensitivities their clients have.

Companies such as Graebel and Suddath are also training their employees nationwide in best (and standard) moving practices to provide "consistent" quality service.

Some of Ed's products protect elevator doorways, secure drawer contents for moves, and protect entryways.

You know, for many years when I've talked to companies about change I've heard some say "well this xxx product was good enough for Grandpa, it's good enough for me..."  And in that line of thought their grandpa probably drove a Model 'T' but things do change and to maintain a company's potential to stay alive things will have to change.

And thanks to people like Ed Katz, change is happenning.

Dave King, Certified Facility Manager

“ . . . our most dramatic success is in using the Mat-A-Door . . . Our customers are extremely impressed with our “cutting edge” approach . . . We imprinted the pads with our company logo, and amazingly, the cost of doing that paid for it the very first time we used the Mat-A-Door, because it attracted the eye of another building tenant and he signed with us to move his business. A truly unexpected benefit of using the Mat-A-Door is the positive reaction from our employees. Our crews demonstrate a visible sense of pride and purpose on the job because they know they are operating at a level clearly superior to that of the competition. Thank you for allowing Jack Treier Moving and Storage to be a active participant in your vision for improving the way we do our
business . . .”
Paul Treier,
Jack Treier, Inc., Moving & Storage

To Learn more about "Mat-A-Doors ---->

http://www.officemoves.com/products/Mat-A-Door/work.html#CustomerList

Also see this--->

http://www.officemoves.com/products/DentPrevent/DentPrevent.html

CrateXpress Develops First Carbon Footprint Calculators for Office Moves!

After two years of research CrateXpress, led by former GE executive David King, has designed a free carbon footprint calculator that helps property owners, facility managers, and movers determine the neft effect of leaving behind plywood and metal carts library carts for the Samson Cart.  The calculator also demonstrates the benefits of using plastic moving crates instead of cardboard moving boxes.

CrateXpress itself is an EPA Green Power Partner that purchases Renewable Energy Certificates to offset 100% of its office energy consumption and 50% of its manufacturing energy.

http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/07/16/businesswire20080716005821r1.html