Tag: LegacyImport

While some suppliers report they are swamped right now with end-customers asking them to clean, disinfect and sanitize facilities, others have seen contracts suspended or even cancelled and work may have slowed dramatically.

Now is not the time to withdraw from the marketplace and wait for the storm to blow over.  There are positive steps that can be taken today. They just need to be planned and executed carefully, always keeping in mind the current state of the market.

Here are six steps supplier should consider taking now:

1.Keep the marketing going

Some suppliers have stopped marketing and stopped reaching out to maintain relationships during the COVID-19 outbreak. They went dark. FMs may forget about them and not contact them when business resumes. Keep the marketing going.

2. Shift marketing tactics

Some suppliers are using mass email campaigns addressing the crisis and touting how their products can tackle the challenges it has created. Consider using other tactics as well, such as a short video. Videos can show you care on a personal level and show a company cares and wants to help during this difficult time.

3. Stay in touch

While suppliers should not bury clients or potential clients with marketing messages, it is important to stay in touch. Share important information your client may need to know about regarding COVID-19, that may or may not be related to your own business. Show you care about more than the sale.

4. Cut through the chatter

There is a lot of news and marketing noise out there today about the virus and FMs may have started to tune out. While it is essential to stay in touch, ensure your message has a purpose and is timely. Occasional means occasional: updates every few weeks should be fine. Just not daily or multiple times per week.

5. Get personal

Only target a handful of clients each day. Contact them by phone or email, to ask how they are doing. One-to-one communications can be very powerful in times like this. Learn to listen and learn about what they are experiencing. Then – offer solutions.

6. Handle anticipated cancellations

Due to store closures some FMs may be forced to stop purchasing new products or services. Sometimes, offering them a discount toward a future product or service can help keep operations going.

The key is to maintain contact, assure your customers you are here should they need you and provide helpful information and advice if appropriate. Together, we will get through this.

DALLAS, TX – March 25, 2020– Connex, the multi-site facilities network, formerly known as PRSM, has announced that it is postponing CONNEX2020 National Conference to 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated effects nationwide and following extensive deliberations and consideration by the Connex Board of Directors and staff, Connex is unable to move forward with CONNEX2020 National Conference. No suitable resort was available to reschedule CONNEX2020 this year.

Therefore, the next Connex National Conference will be CONNEX2021 and is scheduled for April 19-21, 2021 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD (Washington D.C. area).

“The health and safety of our members, our communities and staff are of utmost importance. This was not an easy decision, but is supported by all of us, that moving forward to the 2021 conference is the best option to ensure a successful event for our attendees, speakers, and sponsors,” said Myriah Kingen, Director of Facilities Management, DaVita Kidney Care and Connex Board Chair.

”The Connex team continues to work with our members and conference partners to streamline the processes related to the postponement of CONNEX2020. Our goal is to address any concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible. Members should check our website for updates regarding this process,” Bill Yanek, Connex CEO.
 
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Connex is the leading membership organization for multi-site facilities managers and supplier professionals. Established in 1995, and based in Irving, TX, Connex empowers facilities management professionals with events, best practices, benchmarking, education, discussion forums and trusted partnerships. Members depend upon Connex to help them achieve greater success and a competitive advantage through quality programs and resources. For more information visit www.connexfm.com.

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Multiple Connex retailers have thousands of job openings targeting the COVID-19 crisis. We have now added links to their job sites on Career Connexion. If you have job openings or seeking employment please visit Career Connexion today.

Thousands of retail stores have closed recently due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Connex, the multi-site facilities network, is helping retailers manage these “dark stores” to protect both retailer assets and the public.

DALLAS, TX – March 20, 2020– Connex, the multi-site facilities network, formerly known as PRSM, is helping retailers closing thousands of stores by providing guidance in how to protect store assets and the public.

In recent years, according to an extensive FM industry study conducted by Connex, the average retailer closed only 17 store locations annually. In the last month at least 110 retailers have closed thousands of locations. These locations are commonly referred to as “dark stores.”

Top Dark Store Challenges for Retailers

·       Security

·       Systems management (HVAC, water, electric)

·       Exterior maintenance and landscaping

·       Ongoing site assessment

“Connex is here to help FMs manage dark stores,” said Bill Yanek, Connex CEO. “We have the specialized resources and connections with the suppliers multi-site FMs need to manage dark stores or other closed properties.

We will host a live, online broadcast, Monday, March 23 at 1 P.M. CDT to address dark store management. Tuesday’s show will discuss security for dark stores. On Wednesday we will tackle cleaning issues created by COVID-19” said Yanek.

Connex has also created two online communities. In the first community, any Connex member can share information, ask questions and get advice. The second community is reserved for multi-site retail facilities managers only to provide a private community to ask for recommendations from other retailers on how to best battle the virus. The association has also created a news and resources page dedicated specifically to facilities management news about the coronavirus.

More than 650 supplier companies are Connex members, along with 350 leading retail, entertainment, healthcare and financial companies. [KC1] 

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Connex is the leading membership organization for multi-site facilities managers and supplier professionals. Established in 1995, and based in Irving, TX, Connex empowers facilities management professionals with events, best practices, benchmarking, education, discussion forums and trusted partnerships. Members depend upon Connex to help them achieve greater success and a competitive advantage through quality programs and resources. For more information visit www.connexfm.com.

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