Mike Leach opened the meeting with a comment on how many people showed up. The cafe had to bring out three extra tables to seat everyone. He asked for all the guest to introduce themselves. Besides the former members, here are the people who where new to me. If you will email me, I'll correct the spelling. Michael Muehchaosa and Mack Schener of Innovative Interiors, James M Howse of the Texas Workers Comp Ins Fund, Tim Mussey of DuPont, Mike Heathe, John Nyfeler of Aguirre,  and Pamela Johnson of Facility Consultants.

Veronica Bailey, Cindy Stewart, and Pamela Krisan did a lights, camera, action to promote IFMA's Halloween party to benefit Hope for Kids and Safe Place. It's gonna be FUN.

Claud Kissmann is an advisor on an FM program at A&M.  The program has the Dean's support and now the program is full at 20 students. 

Cathy Barclay of Knoll and Mark Wendland won the drawings. The prizes were donated by FMG and Dupont.

Glin Jay begin his briefing by saying the FM needs to be looked at as valve added.  You can have a positive impact on the organization with better efficiencies.  It's a difficult job, the rules keep changing and the velocity of change is unprecedented.  If you don't show management how efficient you are, someone will show how in-efficient you are.  He had our attention.

Glin had six things to focus on: FM technology, Custom Service, Work Place Futures, Best Practices, B2B commerce and Training Competency.
FM technologies are the computer based tools that you can use: AutoCAD, PM programs, Work Order programs, project software, life-cycle costing, databases linked to the AutoCAD graphics and it's now all on the Web. Think about how you can use the palm devices to input and retrieve the information.   One good  rule of thumb is the initial cost of the software is only 1/8th of the life cycle cost.   Now, the request for more information drives the system you should have.
Of course, you have to provide customer service, not just customer service but good service.  It's a game of relationships.  Your service must be performance focused.  Always audit and survey.  
Work place futures deals with alternative officing. Now, it's easy to work at home if you spend all your time on the phone and the computer. Plug and Play is expected wherever you are.  If you can make it work, you can save on real-estate.   
Best Practices has been around for a while, and it still plays well. Unless you are really good, you need the "best" experience of others. Networking at IFMA meetings is a good place to learn plus the Best Practice seminars we've had. Benchmarking is another word you should know all about.
Business to Business (B2B) ... You should consider automating your core vendor commitments to ebusiness from ordering, billing, to payments.
Training Competencies: Teach the FM business to everyone in your organization.  One way you can increase your competency  is to become a certified facility manager (CFM).

Mike Leach closed the meeting by announcing the Halloween meeting at the Zilker Club House and asking for a vote to return to the Cool River Cafe. The response was a strong yes.

The following three pictures are of the cafe.  They have a very nice TV setup, pool room, and a cognac & cigar room and more. The parking was much better than the last watering hole.