From the Editor
One of the biggest challenges facility managers face when working on green initiatives — LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) certification, specifically — is implementing strategies that would normally fall outside the purview of the facilities department.

But like most challenges, this one can be an opportunity in disguise. What better way to foster a collaborative organization committed to sustainability than to work with another department — human resources, for example — on a project that will earn both departments an “’atta boy” from the C-suite? 

Here’s one chance: LEED-EBOM offers 15 points — an unusually high number for a single strategy — for developing an alternative commuting and transportation plan. Alternative transportation includes things like public transportation, alternative fuel vehicles, car and van pools, telecommuting, and bicycles. If 75 percent of workers get to work with one of those non-single-car-trip strategies, facility managers get 15 points toward there LEED-EBOM certification. That’s more than a third of the way there!

But it’s human resources, generally, who would be best positioned to get the word out about such programs — with newsletters, notes in paychecks or the company intranet. They can also offer incentives to get workers to avoid commuting alone. And finally, it’ll most likely be human resources that will track and report the numbers for the LEED submittal. So working closely with HR not only ensures the optimal number of points, but it can also open doors for future collaborations.

I’d love to hear from you: In what ways have you worked with other departments on green initiatives? Any lessons learned or tips you’d care to impart?  

Cheers,

Greg Zimmerman, editor  

Green Strategies
Clout: Making Things Happen, Getting Things Done 

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