In episode 145 of the Asset Champion podcast, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Lisa Lavender, CEO at Lever360. She’s a passionate restoration professional focused on delivering industry software tools and education for job management and operational success. The two talk about connecting people to the purpose of their work in the facility and restoration industries by inspiring them to create clean, healthy, and safe environments. They then explore the role artificial intelligence (AI) and technology can play in streamlining services and improving customer interfaces. They also emphasize the importance of the human side of caring for the built environment.
Agenda
- Lavender’s journey from accounting to restoration
- Importance of training and role of technology
- Need for leadership and accountability in the industry
- Strategic uses for AI now and in the future
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: Training and technology should work together, not against each other
Integrating training and technology helps streamline services and improve customer interfaces, but there’s still a strong need for human connection within these processes.
“From an operational perspective, we still want to be there for the customer,” Lavender shares. While AI and tech tools are transforming the restoration industry, from remote monitoring systems to AI-constructed estimates, the human element remains crucial. “I think we have to be careful of not disconnecting the humanity of everything we do and replacing it with tech.”
Takeaway 2: Focus on purpose and engagement for the next generation of workers
It’s critical to connect workers to the larger purpose of their organization, and that means there’s a real need to focus on engaging the next generation of workers.
“Each facility is part of an organization that’s serving a purpose,” explains Lavender. “And we often say we’re making a clean, healthy, and safe environment for people to live and do work, and that’s what we want people to connect to.”
And t’s true regardless of role, adds Petrusky. “It doesn’t matter if somebody’s cleaning the floor or the carpet or whatever their role is, they’re part of this larger organization that’s serving people in some way.”
Takeaway 3: The importance of management engagement for impactful training
Management plays an important role in the success of training initiatives. Without buy-in and engagement from the top of the org chart, training efforts may not have the desired impact.
“Impact is related 70% to management engagement,” explains Lavender. “When we don’t have the leadership throughout the company buying in and engaged with people who are training, that’s going to be a barrier to getting that impact from training.”
Petrusky summarizes Lavender’s points. “… it’s about that philosophy you’re describing of understanding the culture of the organization, the outcomes we’re looking for and helping communicate the value of everybody’s role and responsibility if we’re going to be on this journey successfully.”
Maintenance management insights
- Training and upskilling are crucial for the restoration and facilities industry. This is particularly true given the rapid advancements in technology and the ongoing changes in the industry.
- Leadership and accountability are key to successful training outcomes. The impact from training is related 70% to management engagement.
- AI and technology can facilitate services and streamline operations in the industry, from customer interfaces to scheduling and deploying tools. However, it’s essential not to disconnect the human element of the work.
- There’s a need to focus on the next generation, from onboarding to their development and growth, and help them connect to the larger purpose of the organization.
- Despite technological advancements, there’s still a need for people in trades and skills, like janitorial restoration.
