I spent last week in Chicago at the BSCAI convention and the ISSA/Interclean trade show and what a great week it was. Lots of people, lots of exhibits, lots of new stuff, and lots of discussion.
Let me list some of the most prevalent conversations taking place that were different from some of the previous years.
1. More than ever I heard people talking about training and asking about different ways to effectively do that training. I was involved in 3 sessions on employee training that had every chair full and some great discussion. It is obvious that the idea of how to train the different age groups and cultures in the work force is really becoming important to contractors if they want to be effective in their training programs. My old saying of "On the job training is a recipe for on the job failure" was a frequently used phrase (by me) and was accepted when people really thought it through. Many admitted they had not been in the field to double check how that old time employee was really training that new recruit. I'm confident many went home to check that out this week.
In addition, the subject of electronic means of training was discussed many times over. More contractors are beginning to use the internet for training with pod casts, MP 3 players, you tube, i phones, tablets etc. Many contractors I visited with were planning to take steps to implement new ways of training and more consistent, frequent training. The industry is really beginning to understand the tremendous investment we make in recruiting new people into our organizations and we need to give them the support and training to become successful. Hooray!
Our company had a table in the solutions pavilion at the BSCAI portion of the week and more than ever we were asked what CDs, DVDs, or books we had on training. I realize it was good for our company sales but more importantly it signals the emerging belief in the value of training and training of all generations.
2. I heard more and more companies talking about the need to become facility services companies rather than cleaning companies. Our customers are looking more and more toward wanting to use one service provider to take care of cleaning, landscaping, trash removal, pest elimination etc. Many companies are already doing this and have for years but I see more and more companies finally taking the plunge to REALLY service their customer or find themselves on the outside looking in. How about you?
3. Perhaps the most dominant theme this year was the part that information technology is now playing in making a BSC successful. Many exhibitors were present to display their wares on customer communications technology, inspections, timekeeping, and an array of other ways to become more successful in obtaining and retaining customers as well as just running a much more efficient organization. I LOVE IT.
All of this coupled with new technology in training as I discussed above and have in other blogs and magazine articles is really bringing our businesses into a new era and we need to enter that new era with excitement and positive energy. Are you ready for that new era? Chances are your competitor has or is jumping in with both feet. I was really intrigued with the countless number of applications that BSCAI partner Sprint displayed in the BSCAI booth. I hope you took advantage of learning about all that can be done today with the tools available. The distracted driver application may just save an employee's life. Check it out. I know it sounds like a commercial but Sprint, Team, CleanTelligent, and a host of others are working daily to help us improve our businesses and when we attend a show like the one in Chicago we get the opportunity to really look at how we can improve our businesses in this new technological age.
I met many new people in Chicago and thanks for introducing yourself. What was really gratifying was the large number of people that approached me to say they were listening to our FREE weekly tripodcasts. In fact, one man from Australia told of how he appreciated the various speaker tripodcasts leading up to the event so he could plan which sessions to attend. Thanks to all of you and we'll do our best to deserve your continued listening. In 2013 we will be having some experts from our industry as guests from time to time on the tripodcasts. These are people who really know their subject and will bring a fresh perspective on a particular subject when they join us.
I've attended the BSCAI conventions since 1970 and never get tired of meeting new people and making new acquaintances. This year was no exception.
Till next time.
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