For Facility, Property & Asset Management Professionals

Focus : Procuring Services (with RFPs)

Procuring Facility Management services is not the same as buying widgets or tendering project work. You live with the results and the people who come along with the supplier for the term of the contract.

This means it is just as important to get the right service and the right company as it is to get the right prices. You can’t use a technical approach to procuring your services like you would with a construction project or a simple price based process used to buy filters. Click Here to read the Blog

I've been involved with procuring FM services from both sides of the table, so I have a unique perspective when working with clients, both Facility Managers and Suppliers. Here are some resources for for both buying and selling services:

For Facility Managers : Developing RFPs

These are more resources you can use as well as some information on seminars I'm delivering about developing RFPs to procure FM services:

Article : Techniques to Get Better Responses to your RFP for FM Services

1 Page flyer : Developing effective RFP's

Upcoming Seminars : I'm scheduled to deliver seminars about developing effective RFPs at two industry conferences this year, including OAPPA in June and IIDEX/Neocon in September. Part of my message is that procuring services requires a different approach and don't leave the whole process up to your procurement department - get involved and shape it to meet your needs, since you live with the results. In the seminar, I give you practical techniques you can use.

• OAPPA is for Ontario based Universities in June, 2010
• IIDEX/Neocon for all Facility and Property Management professional, Sept. 2010.

For Service Providers : Responding to RFPs - Our Book & Seminars

In addition to my upcoming book on Managing Facilities and Real Estate, my book newly released book "Win More Business - Write Better Proposals" , geared to suppliers, consultants and service providers, is now available.

It's based on my experience working with buyers to help them with their RFP development and process to procure FM services and my experience on the service provider side of Facilities and Property Management.

If you're a supplier to the industry, this can help you win more business with better proposals. Facility & Property Managers are sophisticated buyers - your proposals also need to be sophisticated if you want to win their business.

Upcoming Seminars : So far, I'm booked with two trade association conferences over the next year to deliver a seminar on proposal writing for their members. Both conferences are related to the building services industry and geared to both in-house custodial departments and subcontracted janitorial providers. The seminars are based on material from my book and condensed versions of my workshop.

• ISSA / Interclean : Orlando, Florida, November 10, 2010 (I'm also delivering a seminar on strategic writing that's applicable to both contractors and in-house departments who want to communicate better)
• CSSA : Toronto April 19, 2011

"Win More Business - Write Better Proposals" Learn how to hit the mark with clear, concise and compelling proposals that differentiate you from the competition and convince your client. Available from our web site, from Amazon or from Chapters-Indigo. Do you want to learn more? Read more about the Book or Download a Brochure Do you read blogs or listen to Podcasts? We have both: Proposal Writing Podcast

Project Management : Managing Services.

Whether you manage projects internally or use third party project management, you can manage results with a good performance management framework, just like you would apply to other outsourcing company, subcontractor, service providers or internal staff. Click Here to read the Blog

FM Systems : 8 Steps for Implementing CAFM / CMMS / IWMS

There are certain realities with implementing an IWMS / CAFM / CMMS system. I find that the right process is critical to success and is often overlooked. Here is the 8 step process you should follow:Click Here to read the Blog

Have you read our previous article on the topic? Click Here to read the full article.
You can also download our White Paper about Implementing FM Systems.

I've just written another article, this time for Building Operating Management Magazine. It should appear in their magazine in the next couple of months. The article takes a look at the partnership relationship in outsourcing and explores the ingredients required for a real partnership to exist.

Visit their web site for other useful articles and watch out for my article.

For the text of any published articles not on our web site, please email us. To see a complete listing of previously published articles and our speaking credits, click here

We have almost 30 full length on-line articles for you to read. They cover Customer Service, Performance Management, Facility & Property Management and Outsourcing. Click here for access to all our articles.


Connect with me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter