Corporate business team and manager in a meeting, close up

On management: Be the last one to speak

May 9, 2018

A facility manager’s job is about more than just managing a facility—it’s also about managing your employees as a leader. Author Simon Sinek recently gave an inspiring talk about how to solicit the best ideas, and the concept is simple: …

Categorized: Facilities Management, Professionalism

Green wall, eco friendly vertical garden

Thinking of getting a green wall? Think moss.

May 2, 2018

Living walls—aka green walls or vertical gardens—have become a popular item for many facilities around the world. These walls are made of living plants growing into a support structure that includes the necessary growing elements like soil, irrigation, and drainage. …

Categorized: Buildings, Environmental, Facilities Management, Maintenance

Recording closed Radiator Heater with Infrared Thermal Camera

Find trouble before it finds you with thermal imaging cameras

April 25, 2018

Thermal imaging cameras have been around since the Korean War. But in recent years, thanks to technological breakthroughs and cost savings, facility managers have found ways to use this technology to detect early signs of building deficiencies, troubleshoot electrical and …

Categorized: Buildings, Facilities Management, Maintenance

Businesswoman standing and leading business presentation. Female executive putting her ideas during presentation in conference room.

Does your facility have an active shooter plan in place?

April 18, 2018

Having an active shooter plan can play an important role in keeping your facility safe. Just as fire drills can prepare workers for emergencies, so can active shooter drills. The tips below include the most up-to-date government recommendations.   Gunshots …

Categorized: Emergency Preparedeness

A caution sign warning of a lead hazard. Lead is a heavy metal and potentially hazardous to human health.

Keeping your home safe from workplace lead exposure

April 11, 2018

Since the 1970s, the government has spearheaded and implemented many protocols that have resulted in a significant reduction of lead exposure throughout our country. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt, “Lead exposure poses a significant …

Categorized: Buildings, Environmental, Facilities Management

Broken elevator with caution tape

How to prioritize maintenance work orders

April 6, 2018

Sometimes it seems like every work order demands to be “top priority.” This can be frustrating and overwhelming for a busy facilities manager, but in the words of Douglas Adams, “don’t panic.” Here is a quick guideline to help you …

Categorized: Buildings, Facilities Management, Maintenance

caution wet floor warning sign with blurred worker mopping floor.

Cleaning routine for restroom facilities

March 28, 2018

Maintaining clean and fresh restrooms is essential to any facility. They can often make a bad impression on guests and employees if not routinely cleaned.   Many facility managers (FM) buy products specifically designed to reduce odors in restrooms, like …

Categorized: Cleaning, Environmental, Facilities Management, Maintenance

Tired man working on his mobile phone at night

Curb your cell phone use

March 23, 2018

Cell phones are incredibly useful for a whole host of reasons. Most people could not imagine working or even getting through a typical day without them, but there’s a dark side to this tech. There are, as Tristan Harris said …

Categorized: Facilities Management, Professionalism

Young businessman using a smartphone with smile on his face

Your Android phone is being targeted for crypto-mining

March 15, 2018

Last year, cybercrime cost the global economy $600 billion. In the US, $11 billion was lost to intellectual property theft, almost $800 million was paid in ransom, and $1 billion was spent in cybersecurity insurance. All those numbers are up …

Categorized: Security

Exposed ventilation duct of modern office building. adobe rgb 1998 use...........

How’s your IAQ? New tech lets you optimize

March 9, 2018

In 2015, HEALTHfx did a study comparing employees’ cognitive function in offices that had good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)—meaning offices with high ventilation, low CO2, and low volatile organic compounds—and employees who worked in a conventional office environment. The study …

Categorized: Buildings, Energy Efficiency, Environmental, Maintenance