S T R E E T
L E G A L
LOW SPEED VEHICLES
Investigate how they measure customer
satisfaction. Do they capture feedback on
performance from every customer to measure
their level of satisfaction and identify ways to
continuously improve service delivery?
Resist the impulse to merely accept the
lowest bid. "You will definitely save money
when you contract out the grounds maintenance services," says Chris Kujawa, executive vice president of Kujawa Enterprises in
Oak Creek, Wisconsin. "The question is
whether you will get a great partner who is
flexible and able to deal with all your special concerns like scheduling around band
practice, weather, and sports events and
still be able to provide a great service."
When a partnership is formed, facility
managers should take advantage of having
a fresh set of eyes on the property. Horn
suggests asking the new company to do an
assessment of the grounds and make recommendations for improvements to any areas
that raise public safety concerns, as well as
areas where maintenance could be improved,
water waste can be reduced, etc.
Many facilities are choosing to outsource their grounds maintenance program for financial reasons. If managers
choose a professional company that is a
good fit with the needs of the institution,
there are many opportunities for a highvalue partnership with benefits that go
beyond just the pocketbook.
UP TO 52 MPG
IMPORTED FROM JAPAN
It's Really About the Partnership
"We always start with a partnering meeting,"
says Bill Horn, vice president at California- and
Colorado-based T
erracare Associates. "We
never assume anything. Every situation is different, priorities are different, and we want to hear
the goals and concerns from the institution."
12 | july/august 2013 | Facilities Manager
Sabeena Hickman is the chief executive officer of PLANET, the Professional Landscape
Network, based in Herndon, VA. This is her
first article for Facilities Manager, and she can
be reached at sabeenahickman@landcarenetwork.org.
woodysminitrucks.com
815-222-6336
