Every building service contractor (BSC) eventually runs into a problem or a dilemma that they need help with. Any number of business consultants will offer you their services, or you may consider turning to a lawyer, an accountant or nearby business owner.
But there’s nothing like getting help from a peer — someone who is actually in the industry. Only they can truly know what it's like to be in your shoes. That's why peer groups are becoming instrumental in today's evolving business landscape. BSCAI knows this and fully advocates peer-to-peer networking.
In fact, Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services founder and CEO Todd Hopkins helps set up peer groups for BSCAI members. This spring, training sessions were held at the Executive Management Conference in Miami Beach, Florida.
"We provide a full orientation on how to participate in a BSCAI peer group, as well as an overview of the purpose and value of peer groups," he explains. "Seasoned peer group members share their experiences and how they run their meetings. While all groups have very similar goals of learning from each other, they tend to take on a life of their own as far as style and format.
"At the end of peer group training, we give attendees a chance to complete an information form expressing interest in joining a peer group. Then, based on business size and geography, we make introductions. Most of the groups are made up of businesses that are similar in size, but cover a different geographical footprint."
One industry professional who has benefited is Richard Rodriguez, who currently serves as Vice President of Operations for Houston-based McLemore Building Maintenance Inc. "We're part of a four-company peer group, and we meet once a year," he says. "Networking with my peers has given me a better understanding of what is going on [in the industry]."
He continues, "Sometimes, we tend to put blinders on. We get in this tunnel of 'This is the way, and this is the only way.' We end up losing focus on everything around us. Peer groups get you to open your horizons a bit, and they get you to continue to think outside the box. To this day, if I have a problem or a question, I can pick up the phone and say, 'Hey, do you guys have any experience with this?' It's good to have a different resource."
The benefits of belonging to a peer group are indeed many. Hopkins says that chief among them is best practice sharing. "Also, help and insights," he adds, "thinking through challenges that arise. We have seen peer group members join together and help each other with major problem solving. Some of the groups even take it to another level, allowing their sales and operations managers to have conference calls with each other."
Rodriguez says the benefits for him are more personal: "It helps me understand that I'm not on an island by myself. Those problems I'm experiencing and dealing with day in and day out? I'm not the only one. Some of my peers are experiencing the same problems. Peer groups give you the opportunity to put it out there and ask, 'How did you handle this?'"
Hopkins concurs, adding, "It's amazing how quickly BSCs will trust each other. We’re all in it together. Peer group conversations go much deeper than your typical educational conference."
Rodriguez echoed Hopkins' "We're in this together" sentiment. But both men acknowledged that some may be reluctant to join a peer group for fear of spilling company secrets or giving away too much. Hopkins doesn’t believe this shouldn't be a concern. "There are no secrets," he states. "Only good answers and helpful insights that can come at a perfect time from an industry peer who has 'been there and done that.' The best leaders in our industry are learners and sharers. We can all grow together. That’s why BSCAI has been the No. 1 place for top BSCs to gather. We share, and we benefit from others sharing."
Hopkins believes there will be a large number of peer groups in the future. Furthermore, he is hopeful they will use BSCAI events as a gathering place to invest face time with each other, while also taking advantage of BSCAI education.
Rodriguez, an 18-year veteran of his company, reflects, "Are we perfect? No. Do we make mistakes? Yes. But can we learn from them? Absolutely. I spoke at the BSCAI Contracting Success Conference last year in Las Vegas. Since then, I've had one peer group member from Chicago wanting to come down here and see what we do and how we do it. Understand that we are friendly competitors. We're all in this for one thing — ourselves and our families — but we are in this together. There are only so many things you can control. We all have labor problems, equipment problems, personnel issues. So, let's talk about them. If we get better as an organization, we get better as an industry."
For even more networking opportunities with fellow BSCs, join BSCAI for the Contracting Success 2018 Conference in Dallas, Texas, October 31 - November 2, 2018.