CEO Responsibilities
“My role as CEO is to protect the company AND nurture it to grow.” -John Fairclough, CEO Resicom
“My role as CEO is to protect the company AND nurture it to grow.” -John Fairclough, CEO Resicom
Mark Seigle agreed to be my mentor a couple of years ago. Funny story of how it came to be. I applied for a mentor with World President’s Organization, excited about the potential, but concerned about the level of commitment the mentor would have. Somehow my information ended up on the desk of Mark. He […]
Retailers are seeing a growing demand for their brands worldwide. With this tremendous opportunity comes a handful of frustrating obstacles – communication barriers, difficulty in visibility, and time zone differences. These present a new set of problems for national facility managers. It should be normal for a retailer to be serviced the same, anywhere in […]
“Don’t make your audience play Jeopardy. Giving your answer before asking the question puts your audience at a disadvantage. It will also reveal your biases. Make it clear what question you are trying to answer first. Then allow your audience to engage in answering the question too.” -John Fairclough, CEO Resicom
That’s the first question you usually ask of someone new whether at a backyard BBQ or a black tie affair. It’s a question ingrained in polite conversation. But what if when meeting someone new, that person put forth the effort to understand you, and not just what your hands do for a living. Wouldn’t […]
“When your team questions your competence, your ability to influence is shot.” – John Fairclough, CEO Resicom
A recent online article outed certain big box retailers for their elusive adherence to price match policies. A Gallup poll cites only 19% of Americans have “confidence in big business”. ABC news reported more and more employees experience what they consider to be disregarded verbal contracts on the part of their employer, but simply choose […]
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No facility manager wants to be blind-sided; it’s expensive and aggravating. Preventing problems before they happen saves sanity, time, and money. Planned inspections provide consistency to protect your brand. Here is a link about how turning prevention into a repeatable process boosts visibility, efficiency and is more cost effective. Click here for our Maintenance Tips
An entertainment company owns movie theaters throughout the country, many of which were purchased from original owners. While each theater has unique characteristics and nostalgic styling, few meet today’s ADA compliance standards. The client needed a sliding tray installed in a ticket booth and the counter access retrofitted to meet current ADA height guidelines. Click here […]
Click for ADA Sample Assessment ADA regulations impact almost every part of the way a hotel business functions – from bathroom accommodations to public accessibility. There are dozens of potential violations a hotelier faces. There are groups popping up around the country who aim to exploit violations through lawsuits. This summer, Attorney General Eric Holder signed […]
Click for ADA Sample Assessment ADA regulations impact almost every part of the way a retail business functions – from the width of its aisles to the height of its counters. There are dozens of potential violations a retailer faces. There are groups popping up around the country who aim to exploit violations through lawsuits. This […]
An entertainment company owns movie theaters throughout the country, many of which were purchased from original owners. While each theater has unique characteristics and nostalgic styling, few meet today’s ADA compliance standards. The client needed a sliding tray installed in a ticket booth and the counter access retrofitted to meet current height guidelines. Scope of the […]
John Fairclough, CEO of Resicom and guest contributor for DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center’s blog, follows up the recent “Breakthroughs” Business Symposium with a second contribution to the university website. The Coleman Center enriches second stage business owners by offering experience share, insights and practical applications within the business world. The Coleman Center Community Blog Community […]
ADA regulations impact almost every part of the way a retail business functions – from the width of its aisles to the height of its counters. There are dozens of potential violations a retailer faces. There are groups popping up around the country who aim to exploit violations through lawsuits. This summer, Attorney General Eric […]
Eagle Scout candidates sent Resicom letters of appreciation for assistance with their service projects. Scouts affiliated with St. Alphonsus/ St. Patrick Troop 49 in Lemont, Illinois were able to make good use of donated building materials. Paint, shelving and other supplies were provided to the troop so that appropriate supply storage rooms could be created […]
Happy employees mean satisfied clients. Tell us about your best customer service story and you could win a downtown Chicago getaway with a $100 Lettuce Entertain You Gift Certificate. Check out the Resicom Inc. FaceBook page for complete details. Become a fan and share your ideas for what normal should be for your chance to […]
“We are working hard to ensure that the ADA keeps up with technological advances that were unimaginable 20 years ago,” said Attorney General Holder. “Just as these quantum leaps can help all of us, they can also set us back – if regulations are not updated or compliance codes become too confusing to implement. […]
Revisions and more stringent adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act has recently been signed into law. Compliance must commence no later than March 15, 2011. The new standards will encompass all U.S. hotels, banks, retail stores and shopping centers, restaurants and recreational facilities. Property owners and facility management now have the task of […]
October 6, 2010 John Fairclough, CEO of Resicom, has been invited as a guest contributor for DePaul Univerisity’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center’s blog. The Coleman Center enriches second stage business owners by offering experience share, insights and practical applications within the business world. The Coleman Center Community Blog Community recently highlighted Fairclough’s “Outside of the Office”. […]
A rumor exists that the Golden Gate Bridge has a full-time paint crew that works year round. Urban legend has it that as soon as the painters are finished with the length of the bridge, they return once again to the beginning and repeat. They never cease in the application of the orange vermillion color […]
No one looks forward to confrontation. But holding employees accountable is what holds a business to its goals and purpose. In a small business environment, have a systematic process for disciplining and even releasing employees is critical. Our strategy actually includes steps before the discipline/termination process begins. I believe it should be normal for people […]
“Catastrophe” is defined as an event causing unexpected and sudden damage. Torrential rain and flash flooding destroyed hundreds of homes in a suburb of Chicago after a summer storm. For Resicom, the destruction was personal. Employees had family members living and affected in the area. Resicom took it upon itself to react quickly to the situation, […]
How do you respond with quick thinking solutions and resources when a car crashes through a storefront. Summary A client who schedules preventative maintenance and national rollouts had a critical facility emergency. A car had driven right into one of their locations, causing tremendous damage to the front of the building and structure. The facility […]
The leader needs to create clarity in why the organization exists, what its goals are, and the plan it is using to get there. This clarity needs to live in all aspects of the company. The company’s processes must be built using this clarity. I believe another key CEO responsibility is to build/recruit a […]
What is the key trait a CEO should have? Outside of the ethical/moral ones, many desired traits oppose one another. One person says passionate, the other says logical. Another says “Driven” and yet another says “Patient”. Who is right? It cannot be answered with certainty, as it is a subjective question. There are a […]
“Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.” - Albert Einstein
“Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom.” -Euphrides
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” -John Quincy Adams
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” -Theodore Roosevelt
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” -Plato
“Boldness is business is the first, second, and third thing.” -G.Bohn
“Your biggest break can come from never quitting. Being at the right place at the right time can only happen when you keep moving toward the next opportunity.” -Arthur Pine
“You will never win if you never begin.” – Robert Schuller
You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills. -Jim Rohn
Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you. -Henry K. Kaiser
September 13, 2010 In bold pursuit of providing normalcy to the facility management industry, Resicom will continue its European expansion this week when it begins new project rollout Italy. This comes in the wake of Resicom’s expansion into the United Kingdom. International expansion remains a priority for the company, having also completed a multi-province retail refresh […]
Shouldn’t it be normal for a vendor-partner to complete projects consistently, regardless of where the projects are located? We believe it should be normal for a company to gain experience, deposit it into a central hub, then use it the next time a similar project arises. We call it the Knowledge Bank. Building and maintaining […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. How do you provide full, nationwide service within a growing company located in a few select cities? Resicom hires experts in their specific field and […]
It should be normal for a company to provide a sense of security of employment for its employees. Ask a group of people to define- “What does job security mean?”. In today’s volatile economic climate, people might respond that security simply means knowing your job will be there tomorrow and the day after that. […]
Resicom CEO, John Fairclough, will once again be reaching out to fellow entrepreneurs, business owners, and students alike when he presents at UIC in Chicago. Fairclough will be presenting to instructor James Downing’s Family Business Management class. The class will cover the difficulties of turning a small family business into an institutionalized company while maintaining […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. Thanks, in part to Resicom, my brother and I have been able to buy a beautiful home. The company is about consistency. Consistency with what […]
It should be normal for companies to help its employees fulfill their need to give back to the community. Let’s face it. We call it work because it’s time spent away from family, friends and personal interests. But what if you can find a job for which you have passion, interest and inspiration? Suddenly, […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. Resicom has had countless family-oriented gatherings outside work with some of the best food you have ever eaten. I think the people of Resicom […]
Certain roles carry levels of authority – like a parent, manager, or president. This authority is one dimensional, and can be easily disregarded. Unlike power, authority is typically “given” and carries rules in a way that does not ensure buy-in. Power or influence is earned. It is three dimensional, connecting the mind, body, and soul. […]
On August 18th, 2010, PRSM LIVE brought together some of the nations top retailers and suppliers for an eventful day of industry networking and learning. The keynote speaker for the event was Justin Doak, presenting on Navigating Sustainable Industry Benchmarks. Resicom sponsor and attendees, represented by CEO John Fairclough (pictured on the far right) and […]
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies (IES) Advisory Council at the University of Illinois Chicago is committed to sharing wisdom, credibility, networks, and resources to the members of their network. Resicom CEO, John Fairclough, was recently asked to join the IES Advisory Council. Fairclough’s three-year term includes attending formal meetings of the council, serving as an […]
For many children, one of the most exciting parts of back to school is shopping for brand new school supplies. But for families in financial crisis, the idea of the additional expense of new supplies, clothes and shoes for back to school is anything but exciting. Little Beans, an organization dedicated to providing children with […]
DePaul University’s Colemam Entrepeneur Center hosted a business symposium entitled “Breakthroughs”. Held at the Metropolitan Club in Chicago, October 28, invited speakers presented a 20-minute experience share. Resicom CEO, John Fairclough joined a group of 18 accomplished business owners and industry leaders. All speakers shared personal stories of a time when they had their back […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. We asked our employees to share in their own words what makes Resicom unique. “Resicom harnesses cutting edge technology to its fullest potential. Resicom doesn’t […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. We asked our employees to share in their own words what makes Resicom unique. “Resicom is a pretty big operation but at its heart, it […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. We asked our employees to share in their own words what makes Resicom unique. “It is refreshing to work for a company dedicated to bringing […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. We asked our employees to share in their own words what makes Resicom unique. “The Director of Operations and I had a rather heated discussion […]
What makes Resicom different? Every company has a distinct culture- the history, the creativity, the ingenuity behind what keeps the company growing and moving forward. We call these legendary stories. We asked our employees to share in their own words what makes Resicom unique. “Resicom is a environment where a group of type A personalities […]
Resicom is committed to getting better at the things that matter to us. We call it the bold pursuit of what normal should be. It should be normal that a company can create opportunities for the employees that help build our business. Open Position :: Dispatcher The Dispatcher role in Operations is responsible for logistics coordination of […]
How does changing a 9-volt battery save a facility hundreds of dollars later? A national retailer needed a systematic inspection of their facilities. During these visits, it was determined including a procedure to check the battery in the exit door alarm system could prevent a more costly on-demand work ticket when the battery failed. Scope […]
It should be normal for people to communicate clearly and courageously, and save some of their finite resources. If you ask anyone in the facility management “What is the most important key to success?” – The resounding answer will be Communication. This one word is the key ingredient in all successful partnerships. It is an […]
“Sometimes You Have to Look Over the Edge and Not Blink” Resicom CEO, John Fairclough’s featured article on About.com recalls the moment he thought the company might not survive. Many businesses, with Resicom being no exception, felt the strain of the economic downturn. In May of 2009, two critical clients for the national facility maintenance […]
It should be normal for people to know where they stand in the company and know how they are performing. At employee reviews, one of the biggest sources of tension is when an employee feels misunderstood and that efforts and results have not been acknowledged. When someone is blindsided in terms of performance, it is […]
Harold has been a material provider to our company for years. We have never been a large account for him, but he always made us feel special. Not too long ago, we sat down for a chat. That was his style – he was not an order pusher, rather he wanted to learn about his […]
Resicom CEO, John Fairclough, has been nominated for The 2010 Business Ledger Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. A strategically innovative entrepreneur and business owner, Fairclough enjoys a level of success that transcends monetary reward and instead empowers both communities and individuals. Fairclough is motivated to experience share with other first-level entrepreneurs in assist catapulting their business to the […]
It should be normal for a vendor to help a facility maintenance professionals spend their money better. They face the uphill battle of protecting their brand while balancing the needs of operations and finance. This program provides the accountability, communication, and structure needed to protect your brand cost effectively. There are three basic tenets of […]
It should be normal that a company can offer its employees unique, life-changing experiences. Aruba, Jamaica- Ooh, I wanna take ya. Key Largo, Montego, Baby why don’t we go? Congratulations to Resicom Employee Contest winner Paul Romanowski. Paul and his fiancé won their choice of a domestic Starwood vacation destination with airfare. The winning entry was randomly chosen […]
It should be normal for the experience of any project to become knowledge the entire company can share. Imagine the efficiencies gained when a national company is able to learn from a project it completes in Los Angeles, and share that experience with a technician that will complete the same project in New York. Building […]
It should be normal for the experience of any project to become knowledge the entire company can share. Imagine the efficiencies gained when a national company is able to learn from a project it completes in Los Angeles, and share that experience with a technician that will complete the same project in New York. Building […]
Entrepreneur Café-the blog of Resicom CEO John Fairclough received the 2010 Top Blog Award. Sponsored by OnlineMBA.com and AwardingTheWeb.com, a panel of judges reviews nominees that have been submitted or sourced by the panel’s research team. In the case of Entrepreneur Café, the award comes as a pleasant surprise as the nominating team found Entrepreneur Cafe […]
The Finesse Cuisine Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio will feature business consultant and CEO Resicom John Fairclough this Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Weekly guests discuss entrepreneurship, arts, entertainment, food and wine with host and Finesse Catering Company founder Jon Wool. Other guest include Deborah Hall, founder and president of hospitality executive search firm, Hall & Associates. […]
CNN Money.com recently mentioned Resicom CEO John Fairclough. Local entrepreneur Andrea Herrera, founder of Amazing Edibles Catering, credited John Fairclough as the mentor that assisted in propelling her business over the $1 million in sales mark. In 2006, Herrera joined the Accelerator program of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, a group that offers networking and mentoring for […]
PRSM LIVE is bringing together members in their own neighborhoods. Next month, August 18th, members will be able to network and discuss key industry trends and issues over lunch. Guest speaker Justin Doak will provide the keynote presentation -Navigating Industry Sustainable Benchmarks. Resicom is both attending and sponsoring the Chicago development program. This hometown event is an ideal […]
R&D for a construction services company? R&D usually focuses on products and packaging. How about R&D for challenges and choices? It is official! The company that boldly pursues what normal should be has formalized its R&D department. It is headed by the curious Michael Fairclough, Executive VP that has yet to find a challenge he didn’t […]
TVs aren’t just for sports bars anymore. Televisions at retailers and restaurants have become more prevalent for marketing display purposes. A client wanted to change their current menu board visuals with 52”inch LCD televisions connected to the company intranet. updated daily from a remote location. The menu selection could then be updated daily from a […]
A facility required the aluminum window mullions on the building exterior painted. What made the project scope unique is that execution needed to be completed during normal business hours. Traditional spray equipment would be too disruptive during regular hours of operations, as the overspray could not be contained. A durable product to prevent pealing and […]
It’s normal that when someone plans a visit, we tidy up to make a favorable impression. When the person visiting is a CEO, additional effort to make everything sparkle happens PDQ! A retail client requested an emergency job to refresh the high gloss bamboo finish on all display fixtures and wall bays for a last […]
How can a movie theater retrofit the ticket counter without changing the integrity of the ticket booth? An entertainment company owns movie theaters throughout the country, many of which were purchased from original owners. While each theater has unique characteristics and nostalgic styling, few meet today’s ADA compliance standards. The client needed a sliding tray […]
Society teaches us to be leery of questions. Detectives ask questions, offering little in way of information, looking for ways to use the answers against you. Lawyers do the same. There is a sense of when you are questioned, the end result is you will be wrong or bad. I believe it could be normal […]
Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of what normal should be. It should be normal that learning drives growth, and a growing business prospers. Our core value is to be an organization of individuals committed to development. This mind set will drive us toward to our corporate and personal goals. To achieve this objective, Resicom is committed […]
Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of what normal should be. It should be normal that the companies you hire make you better. It should be normal that the people you bring into your organization strengthen your company. This purpose breathes throughout the company and directs how we approach both client relationships and recruiting talented […]
Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of what normal should be. It should be normal that the companies you hire make you better. It should be normal that the people you bring into your organization strengthen your company. This purpose breathes throughout the company and directs how we approach both client relationships and recruiting talented […]
Opportunities need the right people with the right resources to be realized. This cannot be understated. Too many companies do not properly prepare their people for success. They typically under-train and under-support the very people they expect to deliver results. The logic does not add up. The end result includes disengaged people doing things well […]
So many people are in a rush – to get somewhere, to get something done, to clear their list of things to do. We live in an efficiency driven world. This is understandable, as it gives us the satisfaction of accomplishing something. My struggles with this are when people are so focused on getting the […]
Does anyone like being asked a question where their answer really does not influence anything? If someone does not have the option of not doing something, why ask them if they can? Why not just tell them they need to do it. Manipulating them does not demonstrate appreciation nor respect. Why would anyone want to […]
Interdependence. Now there is a word not used nearly enough. People talk about independence quite often. Interdependence is almost never discussed. Gandhi put it this way “Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being. Without interrelation with society he cannot realize his oneness with […]
Lemont, IL Resicom, a full service, nationwide facility maintenance provider had the opportunity to donate our efforts to some very small “clients”. Small as in elementary school kid-size. St. Alphonsus/ St. Patrick School in Lemont were especially grateful when Resicom volunteered both manpower and materials to remove graffiti from the school buildings. The Resi-Crew was […]
How can I make everyone my life touches happier? It should be normal for me to help others have better lives and make a positive impact or impression on them. Sometimes it is a simple as giving feedback and encouragement. Other ways include acknowledging how someone feels, teaching them. My favorite way is by listening […]
In the pursuit of understanding what the people you lead go through, it could be normal for a leader to live in the shoes of his direct reports periodically. This insight can help lead to innovate solutions and process improvements. It also can raise the opinion your direct reports have of you. There is a […]
Boredom at work is just as bad as being overworked. Productivity, quality of work, and mindset all suffer when challenges are too minuscule or are unattainable. It could be normal for work to be challenging with goals that can be accomplished. How can you help others stay engaged by giving them challenging goals that are […]
All human beings want to achieve things. They want and need to feel like they have accomplished something. It could be normal to define what success looks like, then set out to accomplish it. This brings self worth and dignity. How can we help others clarify and achieve their goals?
It could be normal to strengthen the relationships that are most important in your life. Living every minute as if it counted can change perspectives and priorities. Who do you want to spend more time with? Get that time by lessening the time on things that do not matter. There is an abundance of time […]
Guard your time like it is a valuable asset. People know when you quit listening. You cannot fake it. Good listening takes commitment. Be careful of how many people you commit to listen to. Otherwise your time will disappear and you will become ineffective. It could be normal for you to decide who you are […]
Good entrepreneurs tend to be a misunderstood group. They push when others pull. They take chances when others are cautious. They expand while others contract. All the while, their group of friends and family are left scratching their heads trying to figure out if the entrepreneur is crazy or a genius. This current downturn in […]
During difficult economic times, it is important to drive down costs. Although there are many ways to accomplish this, some cost cutting can cause permanent damage to your business. My approach to cost cutting is to turn it into a contest, which I have named “Blood From a Turnip”. Here is an overview. Objective Find […]
Gathering pertinent information to make informed decisions leads to greater likelihood of success. I call this task “Workplace Reconnaissance”. Lets look a common scenario. The leader of a business is in the middle of working on something important for the future of their company. They are interrupted by a team member who throws a fire […]
As business owners and managers, we are often put to the test. We face all sorts of situations with which there is handbook on how to deal with the situation. We need to be able to count on ourselves. Here is the test I give myself before taking action. I imagine my child is watching […]
All businesses are indirectly in the insurance business. I am not referring to the traditional types of insurance, rather I am referring to the management of risk. The people we hire, the technology we put in place, the operational procedures we produce are all a form of insurance we invest in to protect and strengthen […]
All too often people share their two cents when not asked. People tend not to follow advice they receive without solicitation. A more effective method of helping one another is through experience sharing. It is arrogant to assume that you have the answer to someone’s complex problems after briefly hearing about the story. There are […]
Finding a mentor is one of the best things entrepreneurs can do for their business. Too often small businesses do not have a board of directors to keep them accountable. Therefore they do not perform to their potential. Its like the old adage, what gets managed gets done. A mentor relationship can add accountability to […]
There is a certain level of anxiety, nervousness, or uneasiness I feel when someone gives me information. I question the information in my mind. I run it through all kinds of internal tests to see if it makes sense. The first thing I try to do is verify the information. Too often the information is […]
My approach to the financial aspect of business is best summed up by the oxymoron “Aggressive Conservatism”. I aggressively approach the financial well being of the company in a conservative manner. Let me better explain: I pay bills faster than terms. This is not what most people would teach because it has the potential to […]