January 16, 2008

Thank you for Attending

Strategic Planning

Speaker R. David Pettit
from Center for Context

With Round Table Participation from :

Mark Freda- Goldman Sachs & Co.
Joe Patti-Sun Chemical Corporation
Mark Shaw: Sanofi-Aventis

Recap: January Meeting

"The lights are out and you're in the basement with a flashlight searching for the electrical panel. You alternate the position of the flashlight between scanning the wall for the panel (the long-view) and checking the floor in front of you to ensure you don't trip on something (the near-view)." This was the analogy used to differentiate strategic planning (the long-view) from tactical planning (the near-view) and to illustrate the importance of doing both. The successful facility manager must have a strategic plan which is aligned with the organization's strategic objectives and constantly monitor the environment to make adjustments, as needed, in both the strategic plan and the related tactical plan.

At the January chapter meeting this definition of strategic planning and many other helpful insights from the knowledgeable presenters were shared with attendees. The record-breaking turnout, with almost 100 chapter members and guests, had the opportunity to learn from R. David Pettit and a panel of three senior-level facility managers representing the chemical, financial and pharmaceutical industries.

David's presentation is available here

David is a consultant with Center for Context specializing in strategic planning who has also taught the subject at Farleigh Dickinson University. He was joined by Mark Shaw, VP of General Services at sanofi-aventis, and two chapter members: Mark Freda, CFM, VP of Real Estate Strategy at Goldman Sachs & Co., and Joe Patti, CFM, Director of Facility Management/Technology Group Controller at Sun Chemical Corp.

One recurring theme throughout the presentation was the importance of communication up, down and across the organization. Picking up on this theme, the February chapter meeting will include a program entitled "FM Speak - Effective Communication". It will provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about successful communication techniques and share their own experiences in a roundtable format.

Chapter President -