A WEEK OF LEARNING

In this session I want to talk about what I consider to be the best opportunity for anyone associated with the cleaning industry to learn more about this great profession.

Next month in Las Vegas, NV. you have the opportunity to attend both the ISSA and BSCAI conventions. The ISSA trade show runs from November 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the BSCAI part is from the 20th through the 22nd with some events at the convention center and the peer to peer sessions taking place at the Bellagio hotel on November 21 and 22. Check them out at bscai.org and issa.com. Both web sites have complete information on the countless educational opportunities available as well as all the companies that will be there offering the latest in new products, equipment and services.

I know, I know, this sounds like a commercial for these two organizations but there is no other place under the sun where you can gain as much knowledge and interact with industry professionals. I have been attending one or both of these conventions since the early 70's and each year I learn something new and meet someone new that adds to my knowledge of this great industry. I always look forward to attending and especially these days.

Think of all the changes taking place in our industry---internet proposals, paperless proposals, biometric clocking in and out of our employees time, robotic floor maintenance equipment, on the go training with pod casts, mp3 players, youtube learning, group purchasing power no matter what size your company is and the list goes on and on. This is great "stuff". I remember back in 1970 I was trying to learn how to use a pager. Now look how we communicate. We are no longer the mop and bucket brigade. We are professional business people gaining respect and stature in the buisness community. Attending these two events will almost assurdedly provide you with many ideas of how to professionalize your company even more.

I have had the opportunity to interview nearly all the speakers for the BSCAI peer to peer sessions on Thursday and Friday, November 21 and 22 and the sessions they will be presenting are truly outstanding.

Beginning October 14 and continuing through November 8 we will be providing DAILY pod casts beginning with 2 contractors telling of their convention experiences and then featuring one of the speakers each day giving us bullet points of what their session will be about. I even get to tell about my session on Recruiting and Keeping great hourly employees that will be on Thursday the 21st. (How's that for a commercial?).  All of these daily pod casts can be heard at www.tripodcast.com. All of the pod casts are free and if you want, you can sign up to receive an e-mail each time one is posted. This is our  4th year of providing these informational convention pod casts and the audience grows dramatically each year and we have fun doing them.

So let me encourage you to take advantage of this learning opportunity. It will be the best week of your life to learn more about what you do to provide a clean and healthly environment for the public and how to do it even better.

I will also have a table at the BSCAI solutions pavillion on November 21 and 22. Come by, say hello and let us know what subjects you would like to hear more about, both in this blog and on our weekly tripodcasts.

I look forward to seeing my old friends and making new ones in this jam packed learning week. Take advantage of the opportunity now. Go to the web sites above and get registered. See you there.

Till next time.