Building Better Foundations By Networking - Ray Theberge - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 028

09/19/24 • 46 min

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert interviews Ray Theberge, VP of Hub Office Installations. Ray shares key lessons from his experience as a facilities manager and one that stood out was that challenges are rarely unique, and seeking support from peers and mentors is invaluable. He emphasizes the importance of building a professional network for career growth, utilizing data to secure resources, and adapting to the evolving focus of facilities management, which increasingly prioritizes people management over technical skills.

The discussion covers effective communication, safety practices, and the significance of networking organizations like IFMA and BOMA. Ray also reflects on his diverse career journey, his commitment to professional development, and his passion for outdoor activities and scouting.

Takeaways:

Understand Your Challenges Are Not Unique: Acknowledge that the challenges you face are common in the industry, relieving stress and encouraging you to seek help or advice from peers and mentors.
Build a Network of Peers and Mentors: Develop a professional network by engaging with peer groups, joining industry organizations, and seeking mentors for guidance and support. This network can offer valuable insights based on their experiences.
Leverage Data for Decision-Making: Collect and analyze data to make informed business decisions. Use data to justify budget requests and improve operational efficiency, addressing resources or system failures.
Shift Focus to People Management: Modern facilities management emphasizes people over systems. Effective leadership involves managing teams, subcontractors, and internal relationships rather than just technical systems.
Prioritize Proper Planning: Anticipate and strategize to avoid last-minute issues. Effective planning and pre-project meetings with stakeholders ensure smooth operations and minimize disruptions.
Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders: Foster open communication channels with all relevant parties, including HR, property managers, and subcontractors. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned on project timelines and expectations.

Quote of the Show:

“Your issues are not unique to you.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-theberge-0374b32/
Website: https://hubofficeinc.com/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/gV5ZYkehrZc
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Takeaways:

Understand Your Challenges Are Not Unique: Acknowledge that the challenges you face are common in the industry, relieving stress and encouraging you to seek help or advice from peers and mentors.
Build a Network of Peers and Mentors: Develop a professional network by engaging with peer groups, joining industry organizations, and seeking mentors for guidance and support. This network can offer valuable insights based on their experiences.
Leverage Data for Decision-Making: Collect and analyze data to make informed business decisions. Use data to justify budget requests and improve operational efficiency, addressing resources or system failures.
Shift Focus to People Management: Modern facilities management emphasizes people over systems. Effective leadership involves managing teams, subcontractors, and internal relationships rather than just technical systems.
Prioritize Proper Planning: Anticipate and strategize to avoid last-minute issues. Effective planning and pre-project meetings with stakeholders ensure smooth operations and minimize disruptions.
Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders: Foster open communication channels with all relevant parties, including HR, property managers, and subcontractors. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned on project timelines and expectations.

Quote of the Show:

“Your issues are not unique to you.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-theberge-0374b32/
Website: https://hubofficeinc.com/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/gV5ZYkehrZc
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Previous Episode

Managing Compliance to Build Winning Teams - Curtis Moulton II - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 027

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert interviews Curtis Moulton II, a Facility Engineering Manager at Pratt Whitney. They discuss the importance of effective communication in achieving team objectives and managing a large facility.

Curtis emphasizes the crucial role of listening to team members and fostering a collaborative environment. He shares insights about bridging communication gaps between different shifts and departments, the significance of standard work in compliance, and empowering team members to make data-driven decisions. Additionally, Curtis talks about managing long-term projects, and his strategies for personal growth. He also introduces his company Nokomis Nuts, which focuses on making healthy eating accessible to everyone!

Takeaways:

Prioritize Effective Communication: Ensure that you can clearly articulate what you’re looking to achieve, the team's roles, and the objectives. Clear communication is the foundation upon which success is built.
Listen to Your Team: Actively listen to your team's ideas and feedback. Often, the best ideas come from those who are directly involved in the tasks. This not only fosters innovation but also makes the team feel valued.
Empower Your Team: Allow and encourage your team to make data-based decisions. This empowerment not only fosters growth and development but also instills a sense of ownership and accountability.
Maintain Consistency Across Shifts: Establish consistent communication and procedures across different shifts. Ensure there is overlap for in-person handovers and use standardized notes and logs to maintain continuity.
Implement Standard Procedures: Develop and utilize checklists or standard operating procedures that cater to the needs of different groups within your organization. This can streamline processes and ensure consistency.
Have a Long-Term Vision: Think ahead and plan for the long term. Whether it’s infrastructure improvements or team development, having a 5 to 10-year vision helps ensure sustained success and preparedness for future challenges.
Build Strong Relationships and Networks: Foster relationships both within and outside your organization. These networks are essential resources that you can rely on for support, advice, and collaboration during challenging times.

Quote of the Show:

“How we grow and develop is by making decisions and trying ourselves, learning, failing, getting back up and trying it again.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-moulton-ii-01a1b169/
Company Website: https://www.prattwhitney.com/
Nokomis Nuts: https://www.nokomisnuts.com/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: [insert link to YouTube video]
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Next Episode

Challenging the Status Quo - Mike Temple - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 029

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert interviews Mike Temple, Director of Facilities and Engineering at Recipharm. With over a decade of experience in biotech and pharma, Mike shares his journey from a young engineer to a thought leader who challenges norms in highly regulated industries. He emphasizes the importance of questioning standard practices, effective time management, and fostering a safety culture.

Mike offers valuable insights on handling regulatory audits, utilizing data-driven safety metrics, and integrating new systems into existing operations. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes about mentorship, networking, and professional growth, concluding with a glimpse into Mike’s hobbies and interests outside of work.

Takeaways:

Questioning the Status Quo: Embrace the practice of questioning standard procedures. Challenge established norms to foster innovation and improvements. For example, Mike found that questioning why things are done a certain way in highly regulated fields can lead to impactful changes and improvements in processes and outcomes.
Show Interest to Prompt Thinking: Demonstrating a deep interest in the reasoning behind current practices can trigger valuable discussions and insights. It shows that you are invested and allows others to think critically about potentially outdated methods.
Develop a Professional Network: Cultivate a network of colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts. Engage in events and informal settings to build relationships that can provide support, advice, and opportunities for collaboration, as seen through Mike's experience at industry events and alumni networks.
Mentorship Benefits: Seek out mentors who can offer guidance and share their experiences. Mentors can provide critical feedback, help navigate career challenges, and offer insights into industry-specific issues. Mike's relationship with his mentor helped him gain confidence and learn valuable lessons.
Effective Team Communication: Foster clear and open communication within your team. Utilize different methods (meetings, emails, informal talks) to ensure all team members and stakeholders are aligned, as Mike does with his operations team.
Integrate Safety into Processes: Make safety an integral part of your operational processes to ensure it is always followed. Mike emphasizes ingraining safety measures into standard procedures to make them non-negotiable and part of the organization’s culture.

Quote of the Show: