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Logistically Speaking...
with Ted Ulmer, editor Recently I heard a comedian say that for around 10 to 15 years now he's enjoyed eating at Arby's because of their 5-for-5 deal -- five sandwiches for five bucks. "Couldn't beat it back then, and you still can't beat it today," he boasts. He goes on to share his joy of this favorite fast food deal, and also expresses admiration for the franchise because they have somehow managed to keep prices the same for so long. However, his amazement eventually becomes skepticism of the long-standing deal. "How is this possible? Were they actually overcharging me all these years?" That was a short-lived theory (Arby's wouldn't do that to me) so our comic concludes by strongly reminding us that the restaurant the only American company doing something about inflation. Applause!! Guess you had to see it, but it was funny. This comedian also got me thinking. The service that I've been selling for nearly 12 years (local office moving services) costs the consumer about the same now as it did then. It was like this in my old hometown, Seattle, and it's probably pretty similar here in Austin. Considering the increase in costs for fuel and labor since 1996, you might say that local moving is a good deal. Truth be told, you have the government to
thank for a competitive moving industry. This is mainly due to
deregulation, and it's coming to an energy provider near you. Whether
this translates into reduced energy rates for the masses, we'll see.
But the combination of technological advances and deregulation should
produce a competitive market for energy that benefits all.
This brings me to Globalcon, being
held March 19 and 20 at the Austin Convention Center. Globalcon is
your best local chance In an energy-related story you'll find further in the newsletter, IFMA-Austin's first vice president Mark Wendland writes about the City of Austin's changing energy policy, and our chapter's involvement in helping to shape the future of energy usage in Austin. Thank you, Mark. If you have something newsworthy that you think would be of interest to our membership, please send your submissions to me anytime: tulmer@centralsystems.com. Perhaps it's an accomplishment by you or another IFMA-Austin member, a measure of success that your organization has experienced, or something that you simply feel we should know. Please drop me a line. Thanks! Members being profiled in the newsletter this month include professional member Melody Williamson, a Facility Manager for AT&T, and associate member Matt Miller, New Business Development for Innovative Interiors. Did you know that IFMA's "Facility Management Journal" is now being published on the national organization's website? You can see the latest issue at http://www.fmjonline.com/. Timely articles include "Landscapes for Changing Seasons," "Solar Shading = Energy $avings," and in the theme of Globalcon, "Using Technology to Boost the Bottom Line." That is just the beginning of what you'll find. Lastly, our annual golf tournament is quickly approaching. You can still play, sponsor, or volunteer. If you'd like to play or sponsor, please read on. If you're a professional member and would like to volunteer, please contact chapter president Shannon Schiermann. Our designated charity will once again be K9 Search of Austin. Last year we were able to donate four thousand dollars to this worthy cause, and it would be fantastic to beat that number this year. Chances are good this will happen; former chapter president Sharon Henson of National Instruments did an incredible job of "dialing for dollars." Hats off to Sharon! ______________________________________________________________________________________________
The 2008 IFMA Austin Open Many thanks to our tournament sponsor:
New
& Renewing
Members:
If we missed you, please let us know! | ||||||||||||||
2007-08 IFMA Austin Board of Directors
2007-08 IFMA Austin Committee Chairs
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of
our March luncheon. Our chapter typically refrains from holding
luncheons (consider it like fasting) during the months of a major event,
like the annual Holiday Party, or the
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"Performance Review" Q
& A with Melody Williamson, Facility Manager for AT&T
Provide some insight on your Employer/Company's core function/service.
Identify Company's total number, sq. ft., types, and locations of
offices, e.g., corporate, industrial, owned, leased, downtown, suburban,
local, regional.
Identify Company's total number of employees.. What are your primary job functions? How long have you been in the FM field?
How many square
feet are you responsible for?
Who do you report to?
Who reports to you? Do you outsource any functions? Which ones? Describe your recycling program, if applicable.
Describe any energy conservation measures you have implemented in your
facility.
Identify some FM challenges you face within your organization.
Identify some challenges the FM industry as a whole must face in the
near future.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside work? Thanks, Melody!
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"Cold Call" is a
regularly featured interview with an
associate member. Describe your company's core competency.
Describe your primary job functions. Describe an average day.
What type of clients you work with?
What percentage of your work and clients is local/regional/national?
How long have you been in this field?
Tell us briefly about your career, education, certifications.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from a client?
Tell us about an
interesting situation(s) you’ve encountered related to your current
work. The most interesting and challenging thing I’ve encountered working in this industry so far is finding the time to fill one of these questionnaires out. I love QA’s and I love to be the center of attention, but to make time in this ever so changing and demanding industry is very hard. Obviously the end result is…… I’ve found time to be the center of attention. Thanks for your patience Ted. (Editor's note: No problem; handy training for potential dental career). How's business right now?
Matt
Miller,
Business
Development,
Innovative Interiors Inc.
Identify some challenges in your industry. Tell us about your personal life, family, hobbies and interests outside
work.
Can we quote you on that? Thanks, Matt!
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Be
a Leader!! For information on LEED, please visit
www.usgbc.org.
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CFM Corner |
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with Joe Latteo
IFMA-Austin is committed to your professional success! CFM & FMP programs are changing to help your facility career as well as your current position. Write me here and I can help you get started. |
Click logo above to learn about the IFMA Green Zone! |
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by Mark Wendland, CFM,
RPA, FMA Recently the Austin City Council directed the
City Manager to investigate, identify, and make recommendations As a result, an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Task Force was formed. It is comprised of individuals from real estate related industries and professional associations. Task force members include architects, real estate inspectors/appraisers, IFMA, BOMA, lenders, mortgage brokers, apartment representatives, home remodel contractors, HVAC/home performance contractors and City of Austin officials. While the resolution is very broad in its scope, the task force is charged with developing and recommending specific protocols which will mandate future energy efficiency standards in existing buildings. To help you understand some of the challenges the task force is faced with, see language from Resolution below:
The task force has been given a deadline of June 1, 2008 to provide a report of its findings to the City Manager. The City Manager, in-turn, shall provide a draft ordinance to the City Council by August 1, 2008. To date, two meeting have been held, but the task force has a lot of ground to cover in a very limited amount of time. I am representing IFMA Austin in this task force and will keep you informed as additional information develops. Special thanks to John M. Sutton (BOMA-Austin Sustainability Task Force Chairman and IFMA-Austin member) for his successful effort in getting IFMA-Austin a seat at this table. Please contact me with any questions you may have at (512) 219-4715 or mark.wendland@tgslc.org.
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regarding cost-effective, energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades
that can be made to existing homes, multifamily and commercial
buildings (referred to as Resolution No. 20071213-064). This
resolution is a component of the Austin Climate Protection Plan, No.
20070215-023.