For many facilities professionals looking to enhance the role they play in their companies, finding the time to strengthen — or even develop — management techniques can be challenging. Implementing new technologies, responding to increasing demands for more facility services and addressing staffing shortages often hinder efforts to think critically about the future of an organization (and, for that matter, of a career within the organization).
At the National Facilities Management & Technology Conference (NFM&T), taking place March 20-22 in Baltimore, a new slate of free conferences will focus on sharpening the soft skills needed by forward-thinking FMs, and encouraging them to think strategically about their departments, their organizational mission and their careers.
“We’ve seen a distinct shift in the need for managerial and strategic training in the facilities marketplace,” says Wendy Loerch, director of education for NFM&T. “We’ve dedicated more of this year’s seminars to addressing management skills, including those needed for interaction with the C-suite.”
Offered at no charge alongside more than 90 free seminars at NFM&T, the following sessions were developed specifically to enhance a facility professional’s managerial skill set:
“The Knowledge Economy Morphs Into the Creativity Economy”
Presenter: Stormy Friday, President, The Friday Group
Learn about the next generation of organizational improvement. A new form of creativity helps facility organizations rethink service delivery approaches to enhance performance. Take away a creativity toolbox to design a strategy for your organization.“You: A Focal Point Of Influence”
Presenter: James Barbush, Facilities Contracts Manager, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The motivational presentation will help facility managers inspire and teach people to influence their work atmosphere, regardless of their environment’s positive or negative aspects.“The DNA of Successful Executive Leadership”
Presenter: Karla Brandau, CSP, President, People Skills International
Attendees will identify their strengths and learn how to minimize weaknesses. Strategies are aimed at increasing influence, improving communication skills and maximizing leadership abilities, especially in times of change.“How to Win C-Level Approval for FM Automation”
Presenters: Kevin Janus, Vice President of FM Services & Chris Keller, President, Integrated Data Solutions
FMs are responsible for the infrastructure that supports business processes. Yet support for improving that infrastructure is sometimes hard to come by. This case-study-style session looks at how to understand management’s needs, how to express results in terms of those needs, how to show the strategic value of facility management, and how to establish trust.
Click here, for a complete listing of conference sessions.
Making Connections
NFM&T’s “ShowConnect” system enables registered attendees to network with other attendees before, during and after the event. “Networking is one of the most commonly cited reasons attendees come to NFM&T year after year,” says Wendy Loerch, NFM&T director of education. “ShowConnect is a great tool to help make this key activity even easier.” |
