PIMC Groundbreaking

On our way to the Peacehealth-Peace Island Medical Center groundbreaking ceremony in Friday Harbor. What a gorgeous day for a boat ride to the islands!

St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Gala – June 4, 2011

We soared to new heights at the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Gala last night in Bellingham.  It was a perfect pre summer evening with temperatures in the low 70′s and a beautiful venue in a tented pavilion on the hospital grounds. Thank you to our friends the Curnows, Fritts, Larsons, and Matthews for joining us at our Management Services Northwest table.

It was a wonderful evening where over 44o friends of the Hospital gathered for great food and fellowship, and to celebrate those who give back wholeheartedly to their communities not as an obligation, but rather as a way of life.  As our own  renown Dr. Ian Thompson said, “I am, we are, so very blessed.”

Some of the fabulous people that attended the event with us!

 

Management Musings – One Team, One Focus

 The Corporate Theme we have been working on at Management Services Northwest this year is “One Team, One Focus”.

 Many qualities contribute to being a successful, high functioning TEAM. I am proud as it was demonstrated throughout our start-up of a new Portland operation this month.

 It was exciting to work side by side with everyone to strengthen our relationship with one of our long term clients. I observed our team members come together as ONE TEAM in several ways including: 

• Cohesiveness: MSNW teammates traveling many miles outside their home territories to work as a cohesive team
• Commitment: Putting job titles aside and simply pitching in with one group effort
• Support: MSNW teammates finishing their own work and helping others
• Unity: Demonstrating a commitment to team excellence

 A sign of a healthy team and strong organization is one where there is trust, high morale, and high productivity.  This was very apparent among our start up team and I wish to thank everyone who was involved in this challenging yet rewarding experience. 

 Thank you to all of our MSNW team members for striving along with me this year to be One Team with One Focus – Creating an Unbreakable Relationship with our Customers. 

 Janelle

 

MSNW promotes safety first!

Janelle with two of her managers, Mario and Christopher, led MSNW team members in a demonstration of our Stretch and Flex Program. Everyone participated and had fun getting warmed up for their evening work shift.

With a theme of “Stopping Accidents Before They Stop You”, the MSNW team is dedicated to a safe and accident free workplace in 2011. Go MSNW!

Management Musings – The Power of Team

Every year we choose a new theme at Management Services Northwest, and in 2011 our Corporate Theme is “One Team, One Focus.”  This year we want to work together to be a high functioning, highly effective team with one focus – creating an unbreakable relationship with our customers. 

This weekend we learned a lot about what makes teams successful from watching young high schoolers play basketball.  My family and I just returned from the WIAA State Basketball Tournament in Yakima, Washington where our two teams, Lynden Christian High School and Squalicum High School both came home with 2^nd place trophies.

 It takes many things to make a successful team, both on the basketball court and in business.

 First, to have a successful team you must have talented players.  It takes talent along with skill to win.  Each player must know their role and do what is required to win. Sometimes there are several skilled players but they don’t share the ball and play together.  A team must have selfless members.  In one game with just a few seconds on the clock I watched one player try to do it by himself as he took the ball all the way down the court to the basket and ran out of time.  If only he would have passed the ball to his teammate down court they could have made the basket. 

 In addition to talent, a team must have passion.  There must be passion for the game combined with zeal to win.  It was exciting to watch some teams with passion and drive exuding from them as they played and it made you want to cheer them on.  The intensity flowed into the stands and then back down to the court. The team could then feed off the energy of the crowd to tip them over the top.

Talent does not shine without dedication and hard work. The team must be dedicated to one another as well as improving ones personal skills. You could tell a team that worked together – a pass without looking, sprinting to take a charge, confidence to try and steal the ball knowing their teammate would have their back. True teams work in unison.

Then of course, a team needs a leader. Not another player but someone offering direction from the sideline. I couldn’t help but notice the coaches and how they differed in approach.  You can have a great team, but without a great coach a team can only go so far. It was inspiring for me to see the great coaches leading their teams with honor and integrity.  Encouraging their players to stretch themselves, correcting mistakes without being demeaning, and patting their backs in accomplishment. I admired the ones that were examples of professionalism, dignity and great sportsmanship, versus the ones that screamed at their teams, the refs, and aggravated the fans.

Great teams had a leader that taught skill, promoted teamwork, instilled passion, and encouraged dedication. One Team, One Focus brought the winning teams to victory. Well, we almost won it all!! LOL

Christmas time is here again….

Dear Friends,

It is incredible to see how the year has flown by, and Christmas time is here again.

We have celebrated a milestone this year at Management Services Northwest with our 15th Anniversary.  I am grateful to our valued clients for their partnership, trust and confidence in our team to take care of their facility needs.  I am grateful to our team, who takes pride and ownership in caring for our client’s facilities.  Without our clients and dedicated team we would not be celebrating 15 successful years in business.

Since 1995 our clients have trusted us with the care and maintenance of their real estate assets.  Today our business is strong and thriving.  We are dedicated to continued learning and growth in order to provide the best service along with a complete spectrum of programs to be a one call source for all facility needs.

Many business owners will say that the last two years have been the most challenging in their business careers.  I would concur with this, and at the same time say that this difficult economic time has strengthened our team, and our company as a whole.  We have gotten back to basics, focusing on our core values, and keeping them at the forefront of every decision.  By doing this we have experienced new opportunities and rewards that may not have presented themselves otherwise.

All of us at Management Services Northwest look forward to entering 2011 as a stronger company than ever before, with a renewed passion for taking care of our clients.  In this special time of year, may we all take the time to say thank you, to remember what is truly important, and to celebrate the gift of the Christ child with much joy.

Wishing you all a safe and blessed Christmas season.

Janelle

Business is alive and well in Washington State

As the winner of the Washington State 2010 Small Business Person of the Year award, I had the privilege of attending the SBA Small Business Awards Gala last night along with my family and some of my team members from Management Services Northwest.  Business is alive and well in Washington State, and what a special awards banquet the Small Business Administration puts on each year.  This year the Gala was held at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center.  It was a very special evening where many businesses were honored for their accomplishments.  It was wonderful to be among so many talented and enterprising individuals and my hearty congratulation goes out to all of those that were recipients of awards.

Quoting Nancy Porzio, the Seattle District Director, it truly was “a BIG night for small business – recognizing the best in Washington State’s small business community”.     I was so honored and humbled to be selected as our State’s Small Business Person, and as I gave my acceptance speech, it was difficult to maintain composure when I could see my Mother tearing up in the audience. 

I am so thankful to my parents, and it was wonderful to be able to tell them publicly what an incredible example they have provided for so many years of love, integrity, and strong work ethic.  I remember they often told me growing up, to always give my very best in everything I did. 

It was also special to be able to have some of my MSNW team members along to celebrate.   Lisa Haveman, my Operations Manager, and Brent Spaulding, my General Manager, were both in attendance and I am so grateful to them for their many years of hard work, dedication and support.   My daughter Terell (Bruland) Weg grew up the business and has proven herself a valuable player on our team.  Other managers in attendance were Jeff Brand, Stu Gorski, and Wayne Galloway.  My team and I at MSNW have walked together through the hard times, and the wonderful and exciting times as our business has grown.  Thank you to all of my team members throughout Washington and Oregon for everything you do each day to live our company brand – We’ll Take Care of It!   This is OUR award. 

Finally, I want to give the thanks and glory to God.  His hand has been on me, and I only hope I can give back a portion of the blessing on others that He has poured on me.

A joyous Christmas to all!

It is hard to believe the Christmas Season is here again.   Every year I tell myself that I will have my Christmas shopping completed in October to avoid the rush, but every year, I am out with all the procrastinators in the final hours!

This year has been a difficult one for so many in light of the deep recession our country is in.  I am so thankful to have such a strong and dedicated team at Management Services Northwest,  as well as loyal clients of many years.

A VERY SPECIAL EVENT

In light of the difficult times, I wanted to take an opportunity to share a special event that took place at our office last week.  The pastors of my church came out last Wednesday and with a small group of staff that were here, went around to every department in the office and prayed over our new facility, our business, and every staff member.  They prayed the most beautiful and heart felt blessing from God over all of us, and in a time where there is so much uncertainty out in the world, it is so comforting for me to know that there is Someone out there in control of it all.

May you and those who are close to your heart, experience a most joyous Christmas Season!

Warmly,

Janelle

Management Musings 10/22/09

I had the privilege of speaking to the AVID classes at Ferndale High School this week about believing in themselves, dreaming big, and the power that positive thinking and positive words have in their lives.  It was refreshing to see such bright young minds, so eager to learn.

Speaking to the kids was a great reminder to me of the importance of believing in myself and my team members as we navigate this new business world we are living in.  Life can drag us all down.  When we become adults the responsibility of being a parent, running a home, and making a living can be challenging.   I will tell myself this week what I told the awesome students of Ferndale High – Never, never give up.  When you fall down, or are kicked down, you must always get back up, put one foot in front of the other, and keep going.  When you believe in yourself, and give your very best in every situation, you cannot fail.  You can only learn and grow.

You can do it if you believe you can!  Napoleon Hill

Washington’s top 100 fastest growing companies

We are excited to have been nominated as one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Washington.  This evening we attend the awards banquet at the Washington State Convention Center and will find out where we rank!

In this difficult economic time, it is important to celebrate all of our ”wins”, and this is indeed an honor for our team at Management Services Northwest.  Thank you to all of my dedicated team members – we accomplished this together.  Thank you to our wonderful clients.  We wouldn’t be where we are without your loyalty, trust and confidence.