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It’s Feel Good Friday! Today on the Daily Grind, we highlighted how you can create a better virtual workplace with insights from industry speaker Alissa Carpenter, CEO of Everything’s Not OK and That’s OK.

 

Alissa Carpenter founded Everything’s Not Ok and That’s Ok in 2015 after more than a decade of work in higher education.  She is an author, TEDx speaker, podcast host and learning facilitator working with organizations to transform the way employees communicate by creating inclusive workplaces.

 

“When working from home, I always stress giving yourself grace and give others grace, because this is so different from a regular work from home situation. I see this more as a crisis work from home, so a lot of the strategies and tips I would usually share are just not always possible,” explained Carpenter.

 

“Give yourself permission to acknowledge not every moment is going to be ok. If you can set aside time and set new expectations for yourself, that is very important. In this new normal, really establish what you can expect from yourself, what your expectations should be and what needs to be deferred to your supervisor.

 

Expectations and communication are the two biggest things you need to focus on right now, and it really transcends the time that we’re in. Know who is responsible for what and what the priorities are is so important.

 

Before we were in this situation and just in the office and working with your colleagues there might have been ten projects on the docket and things shifted at a vastly quicker rate; things are different now. We’re no longer literally face to face, so communication is going to be the key to making sure everyone is on the same page.

 

The other thing people are really struggling with are work hours. I’m finding people are getting stuck in an ever shifting on-demand schedule. We’re not really setting clear expectations or boundaries and that’s vital trying to stay levelheaded as we move forward in this crisis.

 

Another tip to be aware of us is with restrictive communication, its vital to always be showing gratitude. Now more than ever we did in the past – to do those “Check-In’s.” Things such as “I appreciate you, what you’ve been doing for our team, etc.”

 

Sending something physical, something simple like a card, or even an e-card – just something different that catches them by surprise and lets them know they are valued goes a long way to keep our connections strong,” concluded Carpenter.  

Today, on the Daily Grind, Bill Yanek, Connex CEO, shared how Connexfm.com and the new pandemic resources center is keeping members up to date with relevant COVID-19 industry news, employment opportunities and tools that are rolling out during the current crisis.

 

Yanek began with a quick update, “First and foremost if you want to know anything regarding COVID-19 and how it effects the FM industry, how its effecting Connex events, and what is or is not happening – it’s all at www.connexfm.com,” said Yanek.  

 

“Recently our homepage underwent a facelift, that makes finding this information very easy and straightforward. Current and previous episodes of the Daily Grind can be found there as well. So be sure to visit often for up-to-date pandemic and industry news and resources.”

 

The second resource Yanek highlighted was the Connex Career Connexion. The Covid-19 crisis has hit employment in the FM industry particularly hard. “We’re currently upgrading the entire Career Connexion experience to make it easier for both employers seeking employees and those searching for jobs.

 

“Previously the Career Center was simply a posting board for retail FM and supplier jobs. We’re now working on designated Connex staff providing assistance to make posting jobs and resumes as easy as possible.”

 

“We’re also paying close attention to the C.A.R.E.S. act recently passed by Congress and signed by the President. Obviously, this Act effects the economy and various sections of the FM community. We’re providing FM related information and links at connexfm.com under the Covid-19 updates section. So be sure to check back often to stay informed.”

 

“One final warning everyone needs to know about. There has been an alert issued by US Homeland Security regarding various phishing attacks related to the C.A.R.E.S. act loan application process.

 

These phishing attacks are delivered via spam email, phone calls, texts, etc. If you have questions regarding communications you may have received about applying for financial assistance, be sure to contact the lender of your choice first to verify the request before providing critical information.  

 

“On a final note. One week from today would have marked the beginning of our annual national event: Connex 2020. That obviously didn’t happen. However, soon you will receive information about our new virtual conference scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – April 20- 22. The virtual conference will feature select presenters from those who were going to present at the original CONNEX2020 conference.  This virtual conference will enable our FM partners to practice social distancing while still connecting with each other and learning from industry leaders,” concluded Yanek.

 

Connex member, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is procuring face masks for associates who work in its stores and distribution centers as a measure of protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the coming weeks, the Exchange is distributing reusable face masks for its customer-facing and distribution center associates worldwide. The masks have an antimicrobial effect that lasts in excess of 100 high temperature laundry washes, providing permanent antimicrobial effectiveness.

“The Exchange’s No. 1 priority is the well-being of those who live and work in military communities,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “Associates who are awaiting their masks are encouraged to make their own in accordance with the surgeon general’s guidelines.”

The Exchange, the Department of Defense’s largest retailer, began working to obtain masks last week, ahead of the DoD’s April 5 guidance on wearing cloth face coverings in public centers or work areas to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Exchange is mission essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more here.

As Ben Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan – you are planning to fail.”

While COVID-19 is not a disaster most would have predicted, it highlights the importance of disaster planning. During this episode of The Daily Grind from Connex; straight from our famed think-tank is our northern partner from Canada: Michel Theriault, FMP, RPA, LEED AP – the Principle and Strategic Advisor of FM Insight Consulting, Ltd. discusses the importance of disaster planning.  With 30 years of FM experience in the industry and author of several related books, Michael brings expert knowledge in how to plan for a wide variety of natural disasters and disruption. 

 

In light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic unfolding what is, or should, the FM community to do? The simple answer is always have a plan. While planning for every disaster scenario is impossible every organization needs a basic plan that can be adapted across wide range of disasters. From hurricanes to fires, to power-outages and ice-storms, and diseases anything that can disrupt normal business flow should be accounted for.

 

If you don’t have a disaster plan on day one, create one. At the end of the day, something is better than nothing. Also keep in mind that several events can occur simultaneously. Case in point; on-top of the current pandemic, southern states are coping with the annual reality of spring storms, and the chaos and destruction they can bring. The reality is the world doesn’t stop for just one event, so plan accordingly. 

 

And just as important as dealing with the current event is planning for the aftermath. What precautions will become the new normal and what practices will return to the old ways? While this is never an easy call to make, by studying the surrounding countries or regions coping with the same issues and how they recover can provide a good idea of what to plan for and how to adjust quickly. 

 

During these trying times, not having a disaster plan is unacceptable. No plan is fool proof, and adjustments will need to be made on the fly, a well-defined guide book for moving forward is vital to your success during this crisis and in preparing for the next.  If you do not have a disaster plan today is the perfect time to begin work on one.

 

View Michel Theriault’s episode here.

PRSM retailers and suppliers should take advantage of a recently past tax law that could save thousands of dollars on HVAC or security system improvements. For example, under the new law, a retailer, in the 35 percent tax bracket, spending $150,000 on new rooftop HVAC units could potentially save $52,000.

The 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs act expanded “section 179 property” to include improvements made to nonresidential real property for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning property, fire protection and alarm and security systems.

To qualify as section 179 property, the improvements must be made to nonresidential real property and must be placed in service after the date such nonresidential real property was first placed into service.

Beginning in 2018 a building owner may be able to immediately deduct up to $1 million of all its section 179 property, including improvements made to nonresidential real property, e.g., HVAC property and mechanical systems, placed in service in a given tax year. The deduction phases out dollar-for-dollar if the building owner places more than $2.5 million of property in service.

Alternatively, building owners may be able to immediately deduct all improvements made to nonresidential real property for HVAC property and mechanical systems after September 27, 2017, referred to as “100% expensing” under section 168.

The 100% expensing is not subject to the limitations placed on section 179 property and is available to building owners regardless of the dollar amount of property placed in service in a given tax year. Note that 100% expensing begins to phase-out after December 31, 2022 and completely sunsets after 2026.

To access more information about section 179, click here. To access a potential savings calculator, click here.