People practice yoga to gain a better sense of “self.”

They seek a connection and awareness that leads to balance and “oneness” with the world around them. Reaching this state requires intense concentration and dedication to fine-tuning body and mind.

The same benefits — balance, awareness, connection, oneness — are byproducts of getting a better handle on what makes your building tick. Building data is the “ch’i” (or life force) that drives all facilities. Religiously gathering data that impacts housekeeping, and finding ways to store and mine the information, can have a profound effect on your contribution to the building and the building team.

Seat-of-the-pants management (even if it’s in the lotus position) can contribute to undue stress and anxiety. And just as practicing yoga has been known to lower your blood pressure, serious database management can work wonders on the operational efficiency of your buildings.

This month’s cover story — “Data-Based” — has fun with symbols of Zen enlightenment. But I really wanted to drive home the benefits of becoming a numbers guru. Remember, though, buildings change with retrofits and renovation, so you need to keep revisiting the numbers that represent rethinking building use and people shuffling.

A healthy bottom line, harmonious cleaning team and customer peace of mind: Could a housekeeping manager skilled in the art of database management ask for better karma?




POSTED ON: 5/1/2004