Committed to Excellence: The benefits of joining trade organizations
Membership in industry trade organizations has many benefits. Here are just a few of the ways they can have a great impact on your business:
- Education. This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits to joining a trade organization. In addition to being an excellent source of industry-specific resources, many organizations host informational seminars and conferences on all aspects of your business and offer certification programs and sometimes even discounts at local colleges or for online classes. Continuing to educate yourself on the latest in best practices, technology and new regulations will keep you up-to-date on industry changes and allow you to serve your customers in the best possible way.
- Networking. Taking the time to get to know others and develop relationships with other professionals in the industry allows you to share your knowledge and expertise with others and ask questions of like-minded pros in your field. You’ll find others who can offer great advice on everything from building issues to legal concerns, many times eliminating the need to seek consultation elsewhere.
- Voice. Many times a group speaks louder than an individual. Coming together as a group with the same goals and issues gives you a stronger voice with building officials, manufacturers and suppliers.
- Credibility. Being a member of a trade organization is an indication to customers that you are committed to excellence and are part of a respected industry group. Being able to display your membership on your business cards and website is just another way to increase your professional credibility and ensure your customers that they will always get top quality work when they hire you.
Over the past 40 years, 4M is proud to have built a solid reputation as a trusted advisor through our involvement and participation in numerous industry organizations and events. We feel this is essential to our continued commitment to excellence and our ability to offer our customers, prospects and Team Members our very best in service and training.
The following is a listing of our industry involvement. We consider ourselves honored to be part of these organizations.
Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI)
BSCAI is the go-to source for industry knowledge, trends and data, and a powerful network of BSC peers to grow your connections, exchange ideas and share best practices.
4M is excited and humbled to be the recipient of an unprecedented four industry awards at the BSCAI 2018 CLEAN Awards. The BSCAI CLEAN Awards occur annually and are awarded at the Contracting Success Conference. These awards demonstrate the best in excellence among different BSCs and across several categories. This year, 4M received awards in four of the ten categories, a great accomplishment considering the quality of the competition.
“We are truly humbled by the honors BSCAI has bestowed upon us during this year’s awards,” said 4M President Tim Murch, CBSE. “I know that because of the commitment from our Team Members and the great customer partners we have, 4M looks forward to 40 more years (and then some) of being a leader in the BSC industry. The future is extremely bright.”
Read more about our BSCAI awards HERE.
Many of 4M’s employees have the BSCAI’s Certified Building Executive (CBSE) designation, the most prestigious symbol of excellence in the building service contracting industry.
Read more about CBSE HERE.
4M founder, Mitch Murch, was a co-founder of BSCAI and served as its fifth president. His son, and current 4M president, Tim Murch, has served on and chaired every committee of BSCAI and has also served three separate terms on its board of directors.
Steve Crain, CBSE, 4M’s COO, was elected to BSCAI’s board of directors effective January 2019.
Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA)
BOMA is a federation of 88 BOMA U.S. associations and 18 international affiliates. Its mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge.
4M participates in every market of BOMA and are members of BOMA across the country. 4M employees sit on many BOMA committees, including Green, Community Outreach, and Event Planning. Emily Sarvies, director of development at 4M is an elected board member of BOMA’s St. Louis chapter.
International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
Founded in 1980, IFMA is the world's largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, supporting 24,000 members in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to “advance the professional discipline of facility management worldwide.”
4M participates in every market and are members of IFMA nationwide. 4M employees sit on many IFMA committees, including Green, Community Outreach and Event Planning. Kyle Brown, director of business development at 4M is a chair of the IFMA Membership Board in the Indianapolis chapter. John Oswald, director of business development at 4M, in the treasurer of the San Antonio chapter of IFMA.
4M is also active in the following industry organizations:
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA)
National Service Alliance (NSA)