The IFMA Austin News
November 1999 abridged
Jayne Mortensen

IFMA-Austin Association

Posted 11/10/99
Modified 11/10/99

November is a Best Practice      By Mortensen
Ok, time has run out and November is here. By now you have received numerous faxes or notices...and a full program guide was in October's issue of IFMA Austin News... so no more procrastination...it is time to register for IFMA-Austin's Best Practices Seminar. There is limited seating for the seminar...so don't wait another minute.

Thursday, November 11th, starting at 11:30 with a networking lunch the 1999 Best Practices Seminar will begin at the Austin North Hilton & Towers (6000 Middle Fiskville Road, behind Highland Mall). Luncheon is only $15.00 for members and $20.00 for guests, however if you participate in the seminar for the cost $90.00 for members and $100.00 for guests, lunch is included.

This year IFMA-Austin will be introducing a new program called: Austin Best Practices and Solutions Recognition Award. On page 4 & 5 of this newsletter is the detail behind the new program and also a submittal sheet for you to fill out, should you know of a best practice being utilized daily here in Austin by one of our very own FM's. If by chance you don't make it to the seminar, please make a point to submit entries.

Earnie Leake CFM, IFMA Fellow and R. Allen Baldridge, CFM IFMA-Dallas, will be taking attendees through the What? Why? And How's ?of Best Practices, before concurrent breakout sessions will be held in two sessions.

Session One topics are:
Roofs Everybody has one. Find out how to appy the principles of specification, inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement of any type of roof. The speaker will be Dennis Wilson with W.P. Hickman Systems, Inc.
FMEA Failure Mechanisms & Effects Analysis. This will be a panel discussion using statistical methods to assess risk, detect vulnerability and analyze any system or process. Doug Strange, AIA with AMD will be moderator and his colleagues, Dan Smith, IEEE and Randy Hooper will be panelists.
Session Two topics are:
Pest Control What are we going to do about the pests? Birds, snakes, rats, roaches and ants will not be the panelists...but the topic discussed. David Mascorro, FMA will be moderating the following panelists: Frank Maldanodo with Austin Bergstrom International Airport, D. Bob Davis, Staff Entomologist ABC Lawn and Pest Control and Larry Ryder, ABC Lawn and Pest Controls Staff Agronomist.
Systems Furniture We've come a long way cubie! Systems furniture, more commonly known as cubicles have found their way into every corner of the workplace. Walt Latko with Dell Computer will be challenging panelists Cleon Almond with Furniture Marketing Group and Jayne Mortensen with Herman Miller, to identifying how to make systems furniture work for you not against you.

We look forward to seeing you there!

How IFMA Began

by Jayne Mortensen

In 1977, Herman Miller, the contract furniture industry leader, started an organization called FMI, Facilities Management Institute in Zeeland, Michigan. This organization offered educational programs for individuals responsible for duties related to the corporate facility. It was designed as a service to educate their clients and provide better solutions for furniture as it interacted with the facility. A deeply rooted research and design company, Herman Miller wanted to design products based on their customer’s needs. They didn’t ask the presidents of the company, they asked the individuals responsible for managing the facility. At the time no one knew to call them Facility Managers, for the most part these individuals had “real jobs” working full time at some other function for their companies. In 1979, George Graves was working for Texas Eastern Corporation (known today as Duke Energy) and through his association with Herman Miller, became involved in FMI. Mr. Graves realized the need for a national association dedicated to the what was becoming a new profession, called facility management. In 1980, with the help of Bill Back and J.C. Avant, both with Texas Eastern, they organized NFMA, National Facility Management Association. The first meeting was private and took place in Houston, Texas, where the attendees were Mr. Graves, Mr. Avant and a handful of other oil and gas company representatives. The meeting lasted two days and during that meeting the responsibility and duties of a facility manager were outlined and a Constitution and Bylaws were finalized. Mr. Graves was elected as the first President and Mr. Back was elected first Secretary. The “N” in NFMA was replaced by an “I” after Canadian facility professionals became involved in the organization, therefore becoming IFMA, International Facility Management Association. In twenty short years there are now more than a hundred IFMA chapters worldwide, and you can earn a degree in Facilities Management through accredited University programs. Thanks, Herman Miller and the leaders of Duke Energy...for getting us started and thanks to the countless members and volunteers that keep us growing into the next millennium. Join IFMA today by contacting JoAn Reames (IFMA-Austin Membership Chairperson) at 837-9500 and become part of the next twenty years of progress.


October Meeting

By J. R. Howard

Bob Payne conducted the meeting and introduced Judy Balli who gave a rah rah speech on our Habitat House. She challenged the women to turn out more people than the men with the winning gender receiving a free meal. I do work for food, but I forgot to count the people with short hair. JoAn Reames offered membership information to our visitors. Patty May briefed us on the need to sign up now for the Best Practices Seminar in November. It will be here before you know it. Please attend the benefit, it will be an afternoon well spent. Dennis Wilson introduced our guest speaker, James Mosley, of ABB Professional Carpet Care. Now the fun began. If you weren’t paying attention to the meeting, now you were. James spent the last 7 years in the carpet cleaning business after he had a changing life experience. He was a meat cutter and wanted to really do something when he grew up. After careful evaluation, he and his wife threw themselves into their work. When you are exicted, the details are not important. He exploded with his dream and he thanked his wife for keeping his feet on the ground. He told us that relationships are most important. You should work hard at developing and improving them...with gusto. GET EXCITED! Work with your relationships so everyone wants it. People should say “Are you folks like this all the time?” Don’t hide your love, really show it. Get six-pack drunk on your relationships. Whatever you do, put your heart into it. A good book is “Strike The Original Match” by Charles Swindoll. The successful person is one who moves on in spite of failure. They have the ability to continue to move forward. James Mosley’s Six Pack: 1st Can: Action – It always costs less than inaction. Don’t hesitate to teach. Avoid making your business and hobbies an obsession which might ruin a relationship. 2nd Can: Purpose – It is the engine that directs our lives. “I can provide for my family.” 3rd Can: Desire – It creates power. 4th Can: Commitment – Give all you’ve got. You can not quit no matter what! 5th Can: Perseverance – Never despair. If I do, I will work on in despair. 6th Can: Attitude – A matter of perspective. We see what we expect to see and not what we can see. “Relationships – the most important thing in life”


Welcome New Members

by JoAn Reames

We are pleased to welcome the following new members to IFMA-Austin.

John Waldner
Account Executive
Danka Services International

Claude E. Kissmann, PE, CPE
Facilities Engineer
Southwest Research Institute

James D. DeVries, Ph.D.
Site Operations Manager
Advanced Micro Devices

Gregory D. Bonneau
Regional Sales Manager
Superior Chair

Grace Savant
Senior Facilities Administrator
3M Company

Leon B. Dorsey Jr. CFM
President
Core Strategies

Jim R. Shannon
Regional Sales Manager
Earth Protection Services, Inc.

Thanks so much for your participation, we are looking forward to progressing with your help!


Introducing the IFMA Asutin Best Practices Recognition Award Program

To further enhance the educational opportunities provided through IFMA membership, the IFMA Austin Chapter is looking to fellow members to capitalize upon and benefit from their experiences. One of the most effective forums is best practices. By spotlighting and sharing our best practices, we can inspire and help others to achieve excellence in their various facility related realms. As we approach the second annual “Best Practices Seminar”, the time is right to launch an ongoing program to continue the educational process. This exciting new program is the IFMA Austin Best Practices and Solutions Recognition Award.

The goal of this award is to identify best practices and recognize the facility practitioner for personal contribution. In justification, most professionals meet daily or monthly business challenges, some routine and others exemplary and extraordinary, such as business disasters. A jury of peers who actively practice facility management will judge the submissions. A body of past Chapter presidents have agreed to comprise the core of this committee. Other volunteers are welcome.

The standard of selection will be as follows: Facility Managers who are able to recognize creative and proactive facility solutions to business challenges will judge Best Practices. Individuals who submit a best practice, or are nominated by FMs because of some solution or success, are not competing against others or compared to rigid criteria. This is a showcase in an ongoing format. Although the frequency will be limited, the duration will not!

Now you’re inspired and ready to submit yourself or someone else. Here’s some suggested guidelines for consideration: improved building design, construction fast-tracking, unique relocation, disaster recovery efforts, major business solution, important contribution to environmental & health/life safety. The results are most often tangible and measurable.

Include in your submission:

1. Uniqueness of solution and implementation
2. Timeliness in achieving or responsiveness to disaster situation
3. Significant cost savings
4. Trend-setting aspect of process
5. Business success or solution achieved
6. Any other relevant facts or information, including major participants in or contributors to success.

The award will include recognition within IFMA, as well as notification of said recognition to awardee’s employer. Chapter meeting presentation, newsletter and Web page feature, as well as a plaque or certificate will also be included. (NOTE: If a sponsor is identified, plaques or quality, framed certificates will be possible! If interested in sponsoring, please let us know.)
You, the contributing member, will establish the timetable for this award program. Don’t wait to make a submission, and you’re not limited to just one entry. The committee is prepared to accept submissions immediately and announce the first winner during the general session at the Best Practices Seminar on November 11. To simplify the process, a brief form is provided. You may submit your entry via fax, e-mail, or postal service.
Send to:
IFMA Austin Chapter
PO Box 90151
Austin, TX 78709-0151
FAX: 512-301-3405pbielss@usinternet.com


IFMA AUSTIN BEST PRACTICES AND SOLUTIONS RECOGNITION AWARD DATA SUBMITTAL SHEET

BEST PRACTITIONER’S NAME:

BUSINESS/CORPORATION:

DESCRIPTION OF BEST PRACTICE AND SOLUTION:

BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Complete information for review. Include measurable results.) Uniqueness/Creativity

Timeliness of Solution

Proven Cost Savings

Improved Facility Process

Business Success Contribution

Other Facts or Information

Submitted By:

Name:

Corporation:

Phone:

Address:


If Your Dog Were Your Teacher...

If your dog were your teacher, you would learn stuff like:
· When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
· Never pass up an opportunity to go for a joyride.
· Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
· Let others know when they are invading your territory.
· Take naps and stretch before rising.
· Run, romp and play, daily!
· Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
· Avoid biting when simple growl will do.
· On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.
· On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shade tree.
· When you are happy, dance around and sway your entire body.
· Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
· Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
· Be loyal.
· Never pretend to be something you are not.
· If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
· When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.


Test Your FM Knowledge! Per uniform building codes, what is the minimum width for a major exit corridor?
A)3’ 8” Three feet – eight inches
B) 5’ 0” Five feet – zero inches
C) 6’ 0” Six feet – zero inches
D) 7’ 6” Seven feet – six inches.


IFMA-Austin‘s “House”

Habitat House

To get off the bench, join a committee

-Christmas Party –
Call Patty Bieless at 288.9370

-IFMA 2000 Golf Tournament –
Call Bob Payne at 258.5171

-Communications –
Call Jayne Mortensen at 472.7300 X177

-Programs –
Call Bob Paine at 258.5171

-Membership –
Call JoAn Reams at 837.9500

-Education –
Call Patty May at 380.0444

-Community Envolement –
Call Tom Cagley at 443.4929

Call today and GET INVOLVED!

1999 Program Calendar

November 11th

Best Practices Seminar
Luncheon w/Afternoon Seminar

December (TBD)

Holiday Party


A is a good answer.