So what exactly do facilities managers get up to in their spare time? Diary was recently surfing the many websites dedicated to facilities management and came across a web resource page put together by a facilities manager in the US called Gary. After the usual standard list of sources of information — college library sites, facilities management membership bodies, online directories and the like, the page finished with a button to click taking you to Gary's homepage — none other than the homepage for the Alaskan Folk Music Association. Perhaps we shouldn't be that surprised. Making the best of an isolated environment is a common experience for many in our sector...
Coming full cycle
Diary was most impressed to discover that GL Hearn Workspace Solutions marketing director Peter Wilkins will be taking part in The Towers fundraiser for the National Kidney Research Fund. This involves cycling from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But this is most definitely not a Tour de France-style gig. Apparently Wilkins and fellow cyclists will be stopping off on 5 September for a spot of lunch chez GL Hearn WS in Hartley Wintney.
Commuters not chuffed
Diary is delighted to bring you this little gem from the world of consultancy. A firm of transport consultants commissioned by the DTI to examine the nation's rail provision concluded — at this point we suggest you sit down — that commuters are not paying enough for the service. If this were not absurd enough, the report came out in the same week that London Underground admitted it had failed performance targets including security, safety and cleanliness.
Advent-ising already
Hats off to Throwers Plant Displays, part of the giant cleaning and services group OCS, which wins the Diary award for the first unabashed Christmas marketing campaign of the year. 'There may seem to be loads of shopping days until Christmas, but time flies and before you know it, you'll be dusting down the mistletoe and planning what to wear to the office Christmas party,' reads the latest promotional release. Mmmm. Will someone please tell them it's August?
Source
The Facilities Business