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Articles by Charles Thomas
Understanding Your Department’s Role in the Organization
While facilities management may often go unnoticed, its impact is felt in every corner of the organization. Facilities management can often be described as the “invisible profession.” When everything is running smoothly, when the lights come on without a second thought, the air is clean and comfortable, and the building is safe, very few people notice the work that goes on in the shadows. Yet, the reality is that your department is the backbone of the organization.
How to Operate When You’re New to Leadership in Facilities Management
The foundation of effective management is strong relationships. Stepping into your first management role in facilities management is a milestone that brings both excitement and a fair share of nerves to the table. Suddenly, you’re not just responsible for your own performance; you’re entrusted with guiding a team, setting priorities and making decisions that impact the entire operation. It’s the equivalent of being removed from the driver's seat to being the team principal, in a sense.
How to Operate When You’re New to Leadership in Facilities Management
The foundation of effective management is strong relationships. Stepping into your first management role in facilities management is a milestone that brings both excitement and a fair share of nerves to the table. Suddenly, you’re not just responsible for your own performance; you’re entrusted with guiding a team, setting priorities and making decisions that impact the entire operation. It’s the equivalent of being removed from the driver's seat to being the team principal, in a sense.
Evidentiary Debt: The blind spot liability
On a gray Tuesday morning, the audit seemed routine. A stack of binders sat on the table, the compliance officer was confident, and the regulator’s tone was cordial. Then came the question that changed everything. “Can you prove that unauthorized access never occurred?” The compliance officer smiled, gestured toward the screen, and ran a log search. Nothing appeared. “See? No anomalies.” The regulator didn’t smile.
Critical Skills: Continuous Improvement as a Facilities Manager
To stay effective and relevant in the industry, managers must be proactive and intentional about keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. Continuous improvement is the driving force behind excellence in facilities management. In this dynamic field, the best facility managers understand that learning is a lifelong journey. The landscape of facilities management is always shifting, with new technologies emerging, regulations evolving and best practices being refined.
Critical Skills: Continuous Improvement as a Facilities Manager
To stay effective and relevant in the industry, managers must be proactive and intentional about keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. Continuous improvement is the driving force behind excellence in facilities management. In this dynamic field, the best facility managers understand that learning is a lifelong journey. The landscape of facilities management is always shifting, with new technologies emerging, regulations evolving and best practices being refined.
Strategy for Success: Saying ‘Yes’ to Almost Anything
By embracing new experiences and maintaining curiosity, managers can lay the foundation for a rewarding and dynamic career. OTHER PARTS OF THIS ARTICLEPt. 1: This Page Early in your facilities management career, the word “yes” is your passport. It’s the open door to opportunity, learning and, frankly, survival. Most facility managers don’t start their careers with a clear roadmap, and they’re tossed into the deep end, learning to swim by taking on whatever comes their way.
Strategy for Success: Saying ‘Yes’ to Almost Anything
By embracing new experiences and maintaining curiosity, managers can lay the foundation for a rewarding and dynamic career. OTHER PARTS OF THIS ARTICLEPt. 1: This Page Early in your facilities management career, the word “yes” is your passport. It’s the open door to opportunity, learning and, frankly, survival. Most facility managers don’t start their careers with a clear roadmap, and they’re tossed into the deep end, learning to swim by taking on whatever comes their way.
Develop Your Career by Attending Industry Events
Shows like the upcoming NFMT provide fresh ideas, new contacts and often a needed break away. There are myriad benefits to looking outside of the workplace for the betterment of your career. Attending industry trade shows such as NFMT provides unmatched value. No matter the location, who you’re with, or the duration you plan to be in attendance, the benefits gained are undeniable because it’s an education that’s in a league of its own.
ESG: The Facility Manager’s Role
By contributing to environmental, social and governance initiatives, facility managers can get a seat at the C-suite table For the facility teams who no longer want to be looked at as glorified sanitation engineers, tool belt men and women, or hot and cold call responders — and want to take their facilities programs to the next level — ESG provides that opportunity.
Allergy season: The science behind the struggle
Spring season is here, which means warm weather and flowers blooming, but for those with seasonal allergies, like Olivia McCarter, it's not all sunshine. More than 25% of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For sophomore McCarter, it’s no joke. McCarter is from southeast Oklahoma, about three hours from Stillwater, but this is her first year in the town. She said she is taking lots of medication to manage.
Occupant Safety is Every Facility Manager’s Responsibility
From day one, the importance of security should be taught to new team members. In any facility, the people that occupy the space need to be on the facilities teams’ mind. Occupant safety should always be a top priority. From elementary schools to assisted living facilities, no matter the type of building or the age of the occupants, the mindset is all the same.
Renewable industry reaction to the Winser report's Govt endorsement- 'a massive positive step'
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Fusion Fuel inks green hydrogen deal with Spanish Customer
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Dyness aims to lead global energy storage technology, concludes B and C funding rounds
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LG Energy Solution inks long-term cobalt supply agreement with Electra
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TotalEnergies takes full control of renewable energy producer, Total Eren
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Juniper Green Energy signs MOU with Power Finance for renewable energy
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Eku Energy to commence two new battery storage projects in the UK
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Canadian green hydrogen producer acquires three wind farms in Nova Scotia
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Prime Coalition and Azolla Ventures discloses aid for climate tech startups overlooked by traditional investors
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Seatrium sets sail with S$1.1 billion green finance boost from OCBC
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10 Skills for New Facility Managers
EBOOK The Skills Guide for Facility Managers details 10 must-have traits for those new to the industry Just starting out in your facility management career? Little to no experience in the field? You have a firm interest within this industry but don’t really know where to start or know how to gain momentum toward the success you want? If so, this guidebook was made for you — the facility manager that is new to the industry but very eager to get started and ready to make an impression.
A Career in Facilities Management Requires Empathy
Facility Manager Cost Saving/Best Practice Quick Reads RSS Feed Understanding how an individual works can help improve team morale. July 29, 2022 - Contact FacilitiesNet Editorial Staff » We’ve all had that end user that would not let up on an issue. We’ve all had the vendor that is not willing to comply or compromise on scheduling, scope of work and more. It takes a certain mindset toward a goal and effective change to be fine with those circumstances.
4 Ways Facilities Managers Can Better Prepare for the Day
Facility Manager Cost Saving/Best Practice Quick Reads RSS Feed With things changing rapidly in facilities management, it is important to be as prepared as possible. June 20, 2022 - Contact FacilitiesNet Editorial Staff » Not having a preparation routine in place is much like going about your workday flying a plane while you’re still building it. You may be okay for a little while, but when an emergency comes getting back on course is unlikely.
These Times
These times have left us nothing to defend, And Rigel arcs its way into the night. What’s now is last, but it is not the end. The land of wealth and fame has failed to bend To those who seek a refuge from the blight. These times have left us nothing to defend. The truth is sold for lies, and some pretend There’s nothing better, nothing worth the fight. What’s now is last, but it is not the end. The earth, though scarred and stained, yet seeks to mend The senselessness of human pride and might.
Charles Thomas: A Very Serious Column
Big World, Small Town — Charles Thomas Life can be hard. And if you’re old enough to read this, you probably already know that. If you live long enough your heart will be broken, and you will have experiences of deep disappointment in your fellow humans. The luckiest of us are able to delay this for a handful of years but eventually the truth of how terrible other people can be and how unfair life is, hits us all.
The Surprising Power of Collaboration
Big World, Small Town Earlier this month, Spencer Silver died in his home in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was 80-years-old. If you don’t know who Dr. Spencer Silver is, well you’re in good company. Like most people who change the world, Spencer Silver was not a household name. I actually had no idea who he was until I read his obituary in the New York Times last Sunday. But I was very struck by what I read about his life in the appreciation written by Richard Sandomir.
SCORE topics: The reality of running a small business: Prepare yourself (and your loved ones)
Running a small business is challenging for the owner as well as their family. By understanding the realities of running a business ahead of your launch, you and your family will be better prepared for life as entrepreneurs. It’s easy to romanticize about being your own boss and striking out on your own. It’s also easy to forget what we all know to be true — running a small business is a difficult and life-changing challenge.
In the Facility Management Game, Teamwork Wins the Day
A successful facility management department is one that has an "us and we" mentality, as opposed to "I and me." Just like any other team, a facilities team is only as strong as its weakest link. And if you’re on a team, that means all involvement must be conducive to what the team philosophy is. When there’s an individual only worried about themselves and not the rest of the team, that team member will provide nothing but headaches to combat during the time they’re on that team.
How to Manage Successful Vendor Relationships
Understanding both your organization’s and your facility department’s goals is a huge step towards cultivating vendor and contractor relationships. Here's what you should know. Upholding relationships with the vendors and contractors your organization chooses to do business with can make or break your facilities program.
In Memory And Honour Of TGG Senghore, CRG, JP, PRO. ECC (VAT) – The Standard Newspaper
By Charles Sarr Thomas (in-law and family friend) A big tree has fallen! A great son of the soil has passed on! How shall we mourn this loss? Thomas Gregory George Senghore popularly known by his acronyms ‘TGG’, was born and raised in Banjul, of a renowned Catholic family, son of Gregory Michael Senghore and Caroline SiggaSenghore of blessed memory. His church baptism was by his later mentor, Father Thomas Gregory Jobe.
FM Perspective: As a Young FM, Be Curious, Always Willing to Learn
Are you ready to be a jack-of-all-trades, to never stop learning, and to let your curiosity run wild? Then facility management is the right career for you. As a facility manager, technical efficiency and business savvy go hand in hand. For that reason, new FMs starting a career in facilities management should be aware that it’s a complex profession. We’re often referred to as “jack of all trades,” because there are so many things to learn about and understand.
Gambia: Celebrating Life of George F. Gomez - Mentor and Friend
He was one of those we could call 'A Man for All Seasons': one who traversed a wide spectrum of Gambian life, with devotion and outstanding ability; a top legend, certainly; An Icon of all Icons. Many a legend have been known to excel only in one particular field or another. For George this is not the case having indulged very well in multiple/various specialties. He was a spectacular sports icon, infield of play and in sports administration and management.
CELEBRATING LIFE OF GEORGE F. GOMEZ, MENTOR AND FRIEND – The Standard Newspaper
By Charles Sarr Thomas He was one of those we could call ‘A Man for All Seasons’: one who traversed a wide spectrum of Gambian life, with devotion and an outstanding ability; a top legend, certainly; AN ICON OF ALL ICONS. Many a legend have been known to excel only in one particular field or another. For George, this was not the case having indulged very well in multiple/various specialties. He was a spectacular sports icon, in the field of play and in sports administration and management.
Out of Africa: The Challenges, Evolution, and Opportunities of African Military History in: Journal of African Military History Volume 1 Issue 1-2 ( 2017)
When African Studies and African History came about as unique disciplines in in the West during the late 1940s until the 1960s, many of the early scholars, such as Melville Herskovits and Simon Ottenberg, saw their mission in part to undo spurious stereotypes of the African people.
Tintagel, Cornwall: the 1990 excavations
Dearden, B. & Clark., A. 1990. Pont-de-l’Arche or Pitres? a location for and archaeomagnetic dating for Charles the Bald’s fortifications on the Seine, Antiquity 64: 567–71. Edmonds, R. 1844. Sepulchral monument at Carnsew, 12th Annual Report Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society: 69–71. English Heritage Marketing Division. 1989. Spotlight: visitors to properties in the care OF English Heritage 1988/9. Hartgroves, S. & Walker., R. 1988.
Tintagel Castle | Antiquity | Cambridge Core
Economy, society and welfare among the Britons and Saxons . : . . The parish of Tintagel: some historical notes . : . . Ships and seamanship in the Ancient World . : . . The plan and interpretation of Tintagel , : – . . The boat motif on the Tintagel slate fragment; its implication , : – . . , Report of the Royal Institution of Cornwall : – . , & . . Botanical survey of the areas damaged by fire and seawater application at Castle Island, Tintagel, Cornwall . : . .
CHARLES G. THOMAS: The US can’t fight terrorists in Africa directly
Boko Haram kidnaps hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls to be used as sex slaves. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb guns down dozens of victims at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Still other terrorists attack the Radisson Blu in Mali, just one week after the Islamic State attacked Paris. Africa has been suffering from still more terrorist shootings, bombings and suicide attacks, regularly. How should the United States respond to these increasing Islamist attacks in Africa?
What Causes AIDS?
Most Americans believe they know what causes AIDS. For a decade, scientists, government officials, physicians, journalists, public-service ads, TV shows, and movies have told them that AIDS is caused by a retrovirus called HIV. This virus supposedly infects and kills the "T-cells" of the immune system, leading to an inevitably fatal immune deficiency after an asymptomatic period that averages 10 years or so.
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