Blogs

How Tech is Changing FM Forever

By Shawn Black posted 03-30-2021
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How Tech is Changing FM Forever   In today’s technology-centric world, many FM companies have struggled to keep up. They are resistant to technological advancements, and they doubt the benefits that come with computers and automation. For some, it is merely fear of the onboarding process that prevents them from converting to technological advancements.   Fexa is dedicated to removing these barriers and helping businesses see the benefits that come with integrating technology into your workflow. Fexa’s own Beth Mooney and Connor McKee, the Client Director and Director of Product Development, respectively, joined Shawn Black for an episode of FM ...
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A FM Game Changer

By Shawn Black posted 03-15-2021
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An FM Game Changer   Do you remember the days before Uber revolutionized the transportation service industry? Taxis, buses, subways, and private drivers dominated the market for people who needed a ride from point A to point B. Now, we open our smartphones, click on our Uber app, and call a driver to pick us up in a few short minutes. We pay and tip drivers through the app, and there’s even a rating system for both drivers and riders, allowing both parties to be selective about the people with whom they choose to do business.   Similarly, iVueit is successfully changing the landscape of facilities management services across the country. Mike ...
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Negative Boss Vs. Positive Leader

By Shawn Black posted 03-09-2021
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In his recent article , Jim Robinson wrote, “As a leader, one of the keys to cultivating a work environment that is productive, creative, and high-morale is being a positive leader rather than a negative boss. This idea might seem simple, but what exactly separates these two identities?”   Shawn invited Jim to join this week’s episode of FM Evolution to talk more about Jim’s article and break down the differences between positive leaders and negative bosses. Here’s what you need to know!   Be a Forward Thinkers When you sit back and observe positive leaders, one commonality that stands out is their forward-thinking approach. Influential ...
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Cybersecurity for FM's

By Shawn Black posted 02-22-2021
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As a Facility Manager, your role is continually changing. Apart from addressing different situations each day, you also have to learn to adapt to a changing world. One of the most significant changes that FM’s have been dealing with in the recent past is technological advancement. As computers and technology have improved over the last 20 years, an FM’s role has leaned farther and farther into the integration of technology, and it doesn’t look like this will change any time soon.   FM’s have had to adapt the way they work as the world around them has digitized. Technological advancements have forced FM’s to educate themselves and keep up with the technology ...
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The 3 Categories of Biosecurity Measures

By Joseph Heaney posted 02-02-2021
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Biosecurity comes in many forms. Our team at Lotus Biosecurity has broken down the many potential biosecurity  measures into three vital categories that can help you determine what will be most useful for your space and your people.   For the purpose of this article, the virus we are generally referring to is COVID-19, but viral pathogens are often transmitted and destroyed in similar ways.  It’s safe to assume that biosecurity measures that can effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be applied to other viruses as well, including influenza, the common cold and more.    Preventative Biosecurity Measures If you envision mitigating the risk ...
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3 Important and Cost-Effective Biosecurity Measures for Essential Businesses to Thrive

By Joseph Heaney posted 01-25-2021
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While many businesses have been shut down or have had their operations greatly changed throughout the pandemic, owners of essential businesses have had to adapt and implement critical biosecurity measures on the fly. In many cases, these measures have come via news reports, word of mouth testimonials, and investigating successful peer companies, and the lack of consistency in messaging can be maddening. The   Cleveland Clinic   compare each biosecurity measure to layer of wiss cheese, each with holes but playing an important role in protection against the spread of the virus. Knowing that each has an important role to play, and in the case of most businesses' ...
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What is Biosecurity and Why Does it Matter?

By Joseph Heaney posted 01-21-2021
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We now live in a new reality. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been left wondering how to keep their employees and customers safe. Even though vaccine distribution is now underway, we cannot rely on vaccines alone to return life to normal. For starters, the vaccine does not work instantly, and while the 90+% effectiveness is truly a medical marvel, it is not 100%. Furthermore, while it has been shown to prevent severe symptoms in these high percentages, it has not yet been proven if  vaccine recipients will carry the virus and transmit it to others. In addition, there are many people - including those who are immunocompromised - that ...
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Is Digital Signage Worth the Investment?

By Cindy Price posted 12-22-2020
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Wikipedia defines digital signage as “A sub-segment of electronic signage. Digital displays use technologies such as LCD, LED, projection, and e-paper to display digital images, video, web pages, weather data, restaurant menus, or text.” In short, you can network just a couple of displays to thousands of displays that can be remotely managed with the objective of connecting, engaging, and informing your customers both on and off-premise.  Digital signage can be found all around you, taking on many uses. But according to   Digital Signage Certified Experts , it consists of the following concepts: Replacing a static sign with an “electronic” display can ...
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Autonomy in the Workplace

By Shawn Black posted 11-11-2020
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A plan to promote a positive and prosperous work environment could contain many facets, but one absolutely imperative characteristic is autonomy. By granting employees autonomy within their role, you provide them with the opportunity to combine the use of their left and right brain, promoting creative solutions to real problems.   For many people, autonomy’s foil, micromanaging, is their natural leadership style. Because they do not trust the team they work with, they find it easier to control every decision their employees make. They are plagued by questions, continually worrying that an employee will make the wrong decision or complete a project incorrectly. ...
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Leadership in Hard Times and Innovating to Win

By Shawn Black posted 09-23-2020
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In my latest episode of FM Evolution I had the opportunity to chat with Jon Bolen, CEO of ENTOUCH. We talked about being a leader through uncertain times, ENTOUCH's innovative mindset, and cultivating ENTOUCH's strong culture.  LEADERSHIP THROUGH A PANDEMIC Jon's company has been able to stay above water throughout the pandemic and economic collapse. In fact, they did not have to furlough employees, while other companies' hands were forced. He attributes much of this to a strong mentality of not being a victim of the pandemic. He wants to be the antithesis of sitting around and waiting until the world goes back to something resembling normalcy.   While ...
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Virtual Reality Training for the Next Generation of Trades w/ Doug Donovan at Interplay Learning

By Shawn Black posted 09-16-2020
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Shownotes (00:47) Intro (3:10) Introducing Interplay Learning (4:40) The role of VR in Interplay Learning’s curriculum  (12:02) Addressing the age gap in FM workers (14:48) COVID’s effects on Interplay Learning (17:59) Looking into Interplay Learning’s online training (22:50) What kind of results in Interplay Learning seeing in the market? (25:41) What is Doug reading? (28:57) Wrapping up   Quotes “That’s the gap that we’re trying to fill.  We put up an on-demand, online catalog for electrical, mechanical, and industrial workers trying to activate the learning around these technician trades.” (4:04)   “Ultimately it’s all about ...
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Fraudulent Utility Calls

By Wayne Beamish posted 07-15-2020
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Within the utility sector, during the COVID-19 crisis, many utilities have changed their payment policies to ease the burden for companies that have either had to close or move to shortened operating hours. The utilities have allowed customers to extend the due dates on their bills, defer payments in some cases up 6 months or allowed negotiated payment terms to spread out the total cost. Now that we are 3 months into this crisis, some of the policies that were implemented are now expiring and payments are coming due. This has become an opportunity for scammers to try to install themselves and take advantage of the situation.   We are currently working with ...
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The Road to Storefront Safety

By Mike Kurland posted 06-18-2020
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This article first appeared on www.branded-group.com Whether you are shopping at one of your favorite retailers or enjoying a delicious meal at a restaurant, the last thing you’d expect to see happen would be a car crashing into the front door. While this may seem far-fetched, it is a reality for thousands of facilities including retail stores, offices, restaurants, and other businesses. According to the   Storefront Safety Council , each year in the United States there is an average of 20,000 occurrences, (roughly 60 times per day), of this unexpected incident. Of these crashes, 24% involve retail stores, 23% occur in commercial buildings, and 19% of restaurants ...
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Being Your Best Self at Work Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

By Mike Kurland posted 06-11-2020
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This article first appeared on   inc.com Even if your New Year's resolution is no longer top of mind, continue to prioritize self-care throughout 2020. With January 2020 already in the rearview mirror, it can be challenging to persevere in our intentions and  resolutions for the new year . The  motivation to start fresh  can falter as our best intentions get hijacked by day-to-day life. However, if we truly want to make positive changes and make the phrase “New year, new you” come to fruition, we must  evaluate ourselves personally and professionally . As leaders, this introspection has to extend to our organizations as well. What can we do better ...
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A Retail Experience to Remember

By Mike Kurland posted 06-04-2020
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If you walk into your favorite retailer, you can easily see that change is in the air. Whether it be the new display cases or bright LED lights or even the addition of a coffee bar, the days of one and done shopping are over. Today’s customer wants to have a shopping experience, where their time in your store becomes something to remember. It’s called “retailtainment,” and it’s likely the biggest trend hitting retail in quite some time. But what exactly is this new form of shopping that’s causing a stir in the industry and more importantly, are you ready for it? RETAIL PLUS ENTERTAINMENT EQUALS MEMORIES. Retailtainment is defined simply as the combination ...
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COVID-19 Phase II - Filing a Claim to Cover Your Losses Before You Open

By Shawn Black posted 05-29-2020
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“Business Interruption is a comprehensive policy… if your business stops because a loss occurs, you have physical damage to your property, there is this business interruption coverage that covers the profits you’ve lost during that time you were shut down.” Eric Townsend [00:06:55]   As life begins to return to normal following the COVID-19 Pandemic, businesses are struggling to financially recover from unprecedented losses. Although some insurance policies will cover partial amounts of these losses, there is no way to know with certainty just how much any business truly lost. Here is what you need to know as your business begins to ...
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Company Culture Making Employee Experience Count with CEO, Jim Robinson

By Shawn Black posted 05-18-2020
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Employees are the backbone of every company, which means employees view their job is just as important as the work that they are doing. Are you creating an environment that employees feel seen, heard, and respected in?    Keeping employees invested in their work is an age old dilemma. One way to gain the focus of employees is to direct their attention towards measurable growth. That growth may not come in the form of monetary wealth, but instead in personal and team goal achievements. Determine how you as a leader can pour into your employees without micromanaging. “As the owner and the leader of the company, sending random emails, texts, and phone ...
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Leading in a Crisis with Jim Robinson

By Shawn Black posted 05-18-2020
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Leading in a Crisis   COVID-19 has rocked the world, to say the least. Many businesses have been dismantled, employees laid off, and industries changed forever. In these times of uncertainty, how can you rise to the occasion as a leader?   A simple way to break down facing an intimidating situation is with the acronym F.E.A.R. Leaders can do one of two things: Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. Leaders who can perform with the latter of these in mind will rise to the occasion and encourage employees to do the same. This mindset allows your team to stay on track with goals and keep sight of your company’s vision in the midst ...
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FM Evoluton Podcast - Leadership Series:The Big Re-Opening- Leading During Phase II of Covid19

By Shawn Black posted 05-18-2020
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What's up guys! Check out our latest Podcast in our Leadership Series.   Show Notes   (00:47) Introduction (2:58) What can we expect now that businesses are trying to reopen? (4:41) How do you think this process is going to affect them and immediate future? (6:25) How do you think restaurants are going to manage with all those new requirements? (8:42) What do you think is the best way for restaurants to keep their team safe?  (12:01) OSP: Optimized Sanitation Process (12:47) Covid 19 Safety Compliance Monitoring (15:59) There Will be challenges, but were not on the sidelines ...
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Create a Culture of Learning

By Mike Kurland posted 05-07-2020
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Continuous learning is an essential component of Branded Group’s #BeBetter culture. In her recent LinkedIn article,  Five Tips for Advancing an Authentic Learning Culture , Kiira Belonzi, Branded Group’s Vice President of Business Development, discusses five key strategies leaders can implement in the workplace that promote an environment of learning. As the Vice President of Development and lead educator for a nationwide facility services provider, many of the solutions that I implement for our company result in happier, more productive employees and improved client services. Fortunately, I am passionate about identifying opportunities for improvement, ...
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