We need to take the time to do things right and to enrich our knowledge. To me, it's time well spent. It was in that spirit that I took part in the symposium organized by the Integrated Technical Management committee on November 1st. I learned a lot.
The theme of the symposium was contract management. During the first presentation, Mme Claire Poitras, a management professor at HEC Montréal, reminded us of the basic rules, from selecting suppliers to enforcing contract clauses. Among other things, she explained the difference between calls for tender and requests for proposals, as well as the importance of responsible sourcing and ESG standards to evaluate corporate governance practices and measure their overall impact on the environment, internal and external stakeholders and communities.
In the second presentation, Mr. Sylvain Pilon, president of the consulting firm Services Conseils SP Inc., compared management of technical services to a ship and its crew, with an impressive list of diverse management aspects: technical manpower, maintenance plans, specialized subcontractors, energy monitoring, energy improvement and decarbonization projects, operation and maintenance of the CMMS system, documentation of important building procedures, and so on.
He reminded us of the importance of periodically questioning the technical needs of our buildings in a constantly evolving market and context. He insisted on the central role of technical services, notably optimizing operating costs, maintaining assets and increasing and ensuring the safety and comfort of building occupants, as well as maintaining environmental certifications. Mr. Pilon also presented an impressive list of factors to consider before signing a real estate technical services management agreement, from determining the work schedules of contract employees to vacation and sick leave replacements.
The third presentation focused on an energy-saving project involving ADM (Aéroports de Montréal), an ESE (energy-efficient services company) and SOFIAC (Société de financement et d'accompagnement en performance énergétique). Mme Martine St-Arnaud, assistant director, Energy Efficiency and Projects and Mr. Stéphane Hamel, assistant director, Procurement - Construction at ADM explained the step-by-step approach for achieving the overall target of zero net emissions by 2040, and reducing emissions by 86% by 2030 as compared to 2010 (Scope 1 and 2 emissions). The two speakers described the responsibilities of each party under an advantageous agreement which, in the end, will enable profits to be shared between ADM (15%) and SOFIAC (85%), without ADM having to pay for the required transformations and equipment.
I think everyone who attended the symposium picked up some good negotiating tips, and some may even consider a major energy efficiency project for their buildings. That's what our meetings are all about: sharing ideas, expertise and experience and gaining valuable insights, all designed to make us better at what we do.
Sometimes we meet simply for the pleasure of getting together, networking and getting to know each other better, like at our traditional Christmas dinner on December 13, when I hope to have the pleasure of running into you.
Take care and see you soon.
Linda Plante
President, Board of Directors
General Manager, Royalmount, Carbonleo