Does anyone like being asked a question where their answer really does not influence anything? If someone does not have the option of not doing something, why ask them if they can? Why not just tell them they need to do it. Manipulating them does not demonstrate appreciation nor respect. Why would anyone want to do that?

Where confusion lives, costs are high. Many times the price paid is financial and mental. Relationships can be weakened. Faith in leadership can wane. The benefits of clear and courageous communication are obvious. When leadership asks a question that is really a directive manipulated to look like a question, the culture suffers.

There are times when questions are needed, and others when direction is required. It should be normal to know the difference and use the appropriate one. Build strong relationships. Keep the lines of communication clear.

It should be normal for people to end their workday knowing how they performed. It gives them the consistent feedback that reinforces the right activity, while giving the supervisor the ability to have objective performance discussions.

I am in pursuit of having every position in our company be able to have this daily feedback. We have recently adopted it with a certain role within the company, and within the first two weeks, we have made significant changes.

I will share an example of the sales since it is the easiest to explain in a blog post. Our sales team is measured based on revenue, number of clients invoiced, and types of services sold. We measure these three things because they are critical to our company’s health and growth.

Quick Notes

1. Revenue by itself can be deceiving. If we only see that number, we may miss the risk associated with it if we do not know the number of clients that comprise that revenue (if it is one big client, rather than multiple smaller ones there may be a higher level of risk of those revenues).
2. Number of clients ensures that the revenue is spread amongst multiple treasuries as well as creating more opportunities for growth. If we can continue to add new clients each month, while improving relationships with existing accounts, our company will grow.
3. Types of items sold shows us opportunities to sell clients other services, creating opportunities for growth. It also shows us a level of risk with a client. If they are only buying one type of service, then decide to suspend all spending for that type of item, our revenues are more at risk. This provides insight to both growth and protection goals of the company.

How We Share It

• Everything is goal versus actual. This provides feedback without subjectivity.
• It is reported on daily, with weekly, monthly, and quarterly recaps. Providing the information in a timely fashion.
• They are reported side by side, so that management can show correlation of all numbers.
• The question asked when the numbers are missed is “How can I help you achieve your goals”. This is a much different discussion than discussing the fact that the numbers were missed – that is easy to see and does not require a discussion. That already happened. The only thing relevant to that is to learn how we were derailed and how can we get back on track. Autopsy without blame.

This type of approach can help your management team can manage without emotion.

It should be normal to practice thinking correctly under pressure so that we can be best prepared in pressured situations.

I learned this exercise in London. It was quite revealing to me. Its about preparing your team for situations that may come up where they will feel under extreme pressure. By practicing it, they will be better prepared to handle pressurized situations that may arise.

How To Do It

1. Need a room with a white board and a group of your team.
2. Write out a scenario on the board.
3. Write out the list of the resources the person will have to work with.
4. Set a timer to a short amount of time (2 minutes or less usually works out well).
5. Present the situation to one person and have them solve the situation, with no work allowed after timer sounds.
6. Have the person explain what they did and why.
7. Ask the rest of the group what is right and wrong with it, then define what the ideal solution would have been.

This is a simple process, but can be used in most situation. How can you help prepare your team for success in pressure filled situations?

Humans have always pursued improved solutions to their problems. Think of the transformations we have experienced in transportation between 1900 and 1970. We witnessed the transformation from horse and rail transport, to automobile, then flight, and eventually rocket propelled space exploration. It should be normal to… take everyday challenges and opportunities, and create extraordinary solutions.

It should be normal for someone to understand how performance is measured. School and sports are great examples of this. The opportunity to review the results and ponder adjustments help us align our efforts with our desired outcomes. Be bold in the pursuit of what normal should be.

Lemont, IL

Resicom Project Coordinator Brian Perla and Technician Arnulfo Cantu headed north to Edmonton Canda to attend comprehensive training on electrostatic painting techniques. The training was conducted by a leading expert in the field and hosted by a prominent manufacturer of the electrostatic painting equipment.

As modern science as electrostatic painting may seem, this technique for painting metal was actually invented in 1938.  During the process, a high voltage is applied to paint inside the sprayer gun. The paint particles become negatively charged, as when released from the sprayer search for a surface (such as metal) that has a positive charge to which it then bonds.  The benefits of this system feature low paint overspray and mess, cost effective use of material, and the “wrap” effect in which the paint appears to bend around corners.

One of its downsides is that it traditional has only been successful with solvent based paint products. As new VOC regulations are becoming more prevalent, most traditional paint products are eliminated from electrostatic paint use.

The training addressed both current limitations and new advancements in both equipment and product that can make water-based electrostatic painting possible.

“I am excited about the new developments,” said Perla. “It is ironic how this technique went from one of the more toxic methods of paint applications to the greenest. You combine the low overspray application with the VOC compliment paint and you have a breakthrough in the industry.”

Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of normal.  It should be normal that the companies you hire make you better.  It should also be normal that we strive towards innovations that promote environmentally sustainable solutions.

Lemont, IL

Resicom has been invited by Benedictine University and Professor Jerry Pasierb to present an interactive dialogue with undergraduate students regarding strategic planning and aligning marketing initiatives with core values.

Next Thursday, Benedictine students will meet with Resicom’s marketing team at the Lemont corporate headquarters for a facility tour and presentation.  Students will be encouraged to ask Director of Marketing Laurie Ledonne, Project Coordinator Nicolette Malewski and marketing intern Carly Strama how Resicom puts applied theories into sound practice.

Reiscom structures marketing efforts to mirror purpose.  Whether offering brand and asset protection through facility maintenance or venturing into new endeavors, Resicom’s cause doesn’t change.  All decisions and actions must reflect our purpose- the bold pursuit of what normal should be.  It should be normal that the companies you hire make you better.

How can an auto dealership showroom replace the entire tile floor without closing its doors?

In the competitive auto dealership environment, it makes sense to maintain optimal conditions and inviting appearances.   A client decided to overhaul their showroom with new floor tiles to maintain appearance standards.  What made the situation unique is that the client wanted the project completed within an expedited deadline that would require working during normal business hours.

Scope of Work

1. Map out grid of showroom floor.  Coordinate day-by-day action plan and schedule to rearrange cars.
2. Control sectioned work area with plastic Visqueen zip barriers.
3. Keep supplies in separate area to minimize clutter on showroom floor.  Tile is transported to sectioned areas as needed.
4. Remove existing flooring, install tile and grout.  Clean area and begin on new section.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Work needs to be completed during normal business hours.
   • Work areas were sectioned off with Visqueen zip walls to minimize dust and disruption.
2. Client requested that cars remain on showroom floor during project execution.
   • Resicom worked in a specific pattern so that demolition and installation occurred in small sections making shifting of cars easier.

Project Summary

Coordination is key when executing a demolition/installation project during normal business hours.  Allowances technicians normally have such as room to layout tools and supplies is greatly curtailed.  Technicians working systematically behind a plastic screen, importing materials to the work area as needed was an added challenge.  Although set/grouted tile was secure enough to walk upon the following day, it was not ready to be driven upon.  This required detailed project management of shuffling cars on the showroom floor.

How do you improve car dealership service areas that are traditionally dingy,

dark and dull?

A dealership decided that their service area misrepresented the overall brand image.  Car fumes, dirt and  open bay doors exposing the area to the elements left the service area looking dull and dingy.  The area was a stark contradiction to the bright, well-appointed showroom.   Options were needed to improve the overall appearance.  Resicom presented solutions as to how to best execute a project within the confines of these conditions while achieving the desired look.

Project Overview

Purchasing a shiny, new car is an exciting event.  A dealership wanted to highlight that memorable moment when the keys are turned over to the new buyer by having it occur in a special area.  The client requested the conversion of an extra mechanic bay in the service area into the new car preparation / presentation area.  Resicom’s role in the transformation was to create a new “personal” showroom.

Scope of the Work

1. Assess current bay area, noting electrical, build-out, storage and flooring needs.
2. Determine accessibility to presentation room without having to enter service area.
3. Build out new interior walls and install interior windows visible to hallway.
4. Install additional electrical lighting so room reflects brightness, comparable jewelry store showcase lighting.
5. Utilize additional vertical space by creating mezzanine storage level.

Challenges and Solutions

1. The flooring presented a unique, aesthetic problem.

• A decorative epoxy was poured over the concrete that had a unique pebble affect.

1. The concrete of the maintenance bay while visually unappealing was a requirement so that cars could be repeatedly driven in and out of the room.

• While contemporary and attractive, the floor maintained the strength needed to support weight of cars.

Summary

An elegant restaurant is chosen for an engagement proposal because the surroundings compliment the occasion itself.  So why should a new car be presented in a dingy service garage or in the middle of a dealership parking lot?  Resicom’s client saw the importance of creating a distinct and appropriate space for such an event.  Resicom was able to springboard the client’s idea into options for lighting, access, decorative walls and flooring and even storage.

Project Overview

A client currently owns a large industrial space that is comprised of various warehouse rooms.  In the event of an emergency, the client wanted to ensure that teams could rapidly locate operational panels to shut off power, gas or water.  The client also needed to make sure that the solution was OSHA compliant and met all municipal safety requirements and codes.

Scope of the Work

1. Discuss client’s needs and create detailed floor plan of client space indicating exits and access panels.
2. Research current OSHA compliance and municipality guidelines.
3. Prep, clean, and tape off area floor to be painted.
4. Source appropriate epoxy paint that will uphold under heavy warehouse traffic.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Painting a line in the middle of the warehouse to each access panel and exit meant possible interference to the normal course of operations.

• Therefore, painting was completed during non-business hours to limit disruption

Summary

A large warehouse can be difficult to navigate in normal circumstances.  But add in the confusion of an emergency situation and a typical warehouse suddenly becomes a labyrinth of twists and turns around shelving and storage.  The client needed a solution that was both cost effective and meant current safety standards.  Resicom was able to turn around a rapid solution to ensure safe passage to employees and access to response workers in the event of an emergency.

Which Resicom employee is showing off his legs in the March/April Restaurant Facility Business Magazine?

Marathon runner and Resicom National Business Development Manager Marty Durkin participated in the “Fun Run” as part of this year’s national RFMA conference held in Dallas.  Its doubtful that the runners expected to be running through snow in Texas!  But Marty and the rest of the group didn’t let cold dampen spirits.

Last October Resicom CEO John Fairclough traveled abroad to the United Kingdom and Western Europe gathering information to determine whether international expansion was a sound business initiative.  Having been approached by one of its largest retail clients in regards to possible interest in partnering with overseas facilities, Resicom recently completely our first European rollout.  This project comes on the heels of our first international rollout in Canada for a multi-province store refresh.

Last year, John was quoted as saying,  “To fulfill our quest of continuing to innovate the industry, we need to continue to push ourselves to do things that seem nearly impossible.   Accomplishing this will require a commitment to development, and I look forward to our team solving this challenge.”

Resicom now has the ability to audit what was learned from the project, the obstacles overcome and the future course of action.  Resicom will continue in the bold pursuit of what normal is, regardless of to what location that takes us.

1. All storage space had to be fully functional within a tight deadline.  Therefore, project management created a detailed project scope with daily deadlines to keep technicians on track with the ability to adjust due to unforeseen obstacles.
2. Construction had to be completed without disruption to the client’s flow of operations.  As a result, the majority of the construction was completed during non-business hours to limit disruption to operations.