Educating Cleaning Managers On Networking Benefits

When I graduated college, my parents gave me two small photos with words of wisdom. The first was a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Believe in yourself. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face...You must do that which you think you cannot do.”

This message has served me well as I entered new industries, welcomed new bosses and tackled new challenges.

The second quote has been equally beneficial: “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room.”

I’ve learned over the years that these quotes actually build off one another. It takes courage to admit that you need help, and even more so to ask for it. But the best way to grow and learn is to expose yourself to people that make you stop and think or provide a different perspective. Networking with other professionals can open your eyes to new possibilities.

As managers, we sometimes get so busy, we rarely leave our offices, much less the facilities. This makes networking a challenge, which is why taking the time to attend industry events can be so beneficial.

APPA, Healthy Schools Campaign, IEHA, AHE, Simon Institute, ISSA — these are just some of the groups that provide annual events for managers in this industry. Beginning in March 2019, you can add Facility Cleaning Decisions to that list. (Click here for details on Clean Buildings Expo.)

Events like these provide different opportunities to attendees. Some specialize in a specific facility type, while others expose attendees to the latest product innovations. Others still, focus on supplying quality and well-rounded education. What they all have in common, though, is the opportunity to network.

These events attract the best of the best. The exhibitors include those that drive innovation. Educational presenters speak from experience and share best practices. Attendees are the cream-of-the-crop facility executives who are eager and determined to perfect their processes and improve their programs. Simply walking among them, you’re bound to pick up some useful advice, but you can’t be a bystander. Come prepared with questions and start up a conversation with someone you’ve never met. Strive to walk away from every conversation having learned something.

As the great Zig Ziglar once said, “If you’re not willing to learn, no one can help you. But if you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”