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Block
by Block Holds Third Annual Spring Conference for Operations
Managers
March
3, 2006
 In
an effort to continually coach and mentor its growing staff
of Operations Managers Block by Block held its third annual
spring conference in Columbus , OH .
With
this meeting brings about a change in formats. Where each
of the previous Spring Conferences had been held a the corporate
offices in Louisville, KY the group felt there were more benefits
to rotating the meeting to different Block by Block cities
to observe and learn from existing programs. This gives Operations
Managers from around the country the opportunity to see programs
in action, correlate discussions and training to see how it
is applied in real time, and share best practices.
Block
by Block's customer in Columbus , the Capital Crossroads Special
Improvement District, was a great host and participant in
many of the sessions. Some of the shared information regarding
Capital Crossroads included:
- Cleve
Ricksecker, Project Director for Capital Crossroads, shared
a presentation about the organization and its purpose in
downtown Columbus and gave a tour of the district
- Lisa
Defendiefer, General Manager for Capital Crossroads, provided
an overview of the program's anti-panhandling initiative
and gave the group a look at their new info cart
- Block
by Block's and Capital Crossroad's Outreach Specialist,
Alyson Poirier, provided an overview of her role and the
importance of the Social Service outreach program
- Block
by Block and Capital Crossroads Operations Manager, Leslie
Gant and Operations Supervisor, Steve Vidic, discussed the
operational elements of the intensive power washing operation.
All sidewalks in the Capital Crossroads District are power
washed on a monthly basis during power washing season.
Block
by Block is appreciative of David Ginsburg's willingness to
make the trip to Columbus to share with the Operations Managers
an overview on the importance of Customer Service in improvement
district work. David is the President and CEO of Downtown
Cincinnati, Inc.
 Additionally,
Operations Managers were exposed to a wide variety of best
practices, proven methods and Block by Block culture. Additional
segments focused on:
- The
importance of the Block by Block business model
- Break
out sessions to discuss and decide on new concepts and company
initiatives
- Demonstrations
of industry equipment and supplies from a wide variety of
vendors
One
of the most important purposes of the meeting is to build
teamwork among all Operations Managers. Each Operations Manager
is part of a very large network, who communicates with each
other on a very frequent basis to augment the support each
other with knowledge and ideas. "It's great to see a group
of professional people so separated by geography, not only
share good ideas, but work together to evolve great concepts",
commented Steve Hillard, Vice President of Block by Block.
The
time and location of the Fall Operations Manager's meeting
will be determined in early Summer.
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