I am really looking forward to this Blog developing. A close friend encouraged me to use the name. It is simple and easy to remember. And quite applicable to our Daily lives as Facilities Managers.
In my years of FM I think the biggest choker has been politics. I wrote Valium in the description of this blog, but Thorazine may have been more applicable. How many times have good practices been thrown out because of a weekend phone call from the right level of management? Ever had your facility described as a "Political Cesspool"? I am smiling while I write this although I know how painful is it to be in one.
The mention of pain makes me think of the new wave of Re-Commissioning. I do believe the programs are great to get things right. They may be more expensive than good maintenance since they are usually initiated from an outside source like an ESCO of some sort. You know, ideas of your own that would never float, but brilliant lightning bolts from a salesman with "Something for Nothing" emblazoned on his briefcase.
So the re-commissioning team comes in and does all the deferred maintenance, resets all the schedules, points out the path of new operational methods to you, and brushes their palms off leaving for the next recommissioning. And you are alone again holding the bag. How long will it take until the political phone call comes in? They are all gone. These programs so dearly need continued support for the facilities manager. When the political phone call comes in, or the decision that the finance department can not afford "expensive" water treatment, or a 1:1 drive ratio AHU is specified you find yourself, again, on your own.
Every re-commissioning team needs to establish an operational support team to maintain the optimal performance and prevent the over reaction to problems that arise from their efforts.
This is real stuff in our lives. It does not get shared because most trade articles are written by or for sales people. As Facilities Managers we don't have time. I have time because after 40 years in FM I have "come over to the dark side" as a contractor. I am here to give back to the Facilities Manager. If I got a smile or a head nod that's great but don't be a lurker. It only takes a minute to post a smiley face if you liked it or a "hhhhrrrumph!" if you think I am full of BS.
Bernie
