Tag Archives: webinar

RFPs Just Not That Into You: Finding That Special Someone

Woman having a date at a table with a laptop.By Mandy Bowers

My husband and I were engaged after a six-month courtship. We were introduced by a mutual friend and our first date was at a coffee shop. We pushed past the first date jitters and ended up talking for hours, finding things we shared throughout our conversation. Josh and I had the benefit of meeting before smartphones were prevalent—dating was awkward enough before the advent of mobile apps and dating sites. I can’t imagine navigating swiping left or right to find someone. (Which way is “yes,” by the way?)

The request for proposal (RFP) procurement process is like dating in the digital age. You write your profile (the RFP), including interests (project scope) and what you are looking for in a suitor (consultant). You then consolidate your information, upload everything, and wait for responses—putting yourself out there. Best case scenario: You get a handful of excellent matches to thoughtfully evaluate and select a match. Worst case: You get way too many responses (or too few) that don’t meet your needs.

While it can be entertaining to hear a bad date story, I think we all would rather avoid the personal embarrassment. Often, a bad date can leave you wondering: What could I have done better? Should I have updated my profile picture? Should I have worn something different? Did I talk too much/little? The answer isn’t in the questions you ask yourself but rather in the questions you ask your potential suitors.

Join me on August 11 for Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers; Improving Your RFP Procurement Process as part of IPMI’s 2021 Parking & Mobility Webinar series. I will address RFP myths versus realities, tips for writing an RFP, and RFP best practices. While I can’t guarantee you will find the love of your life, I will provide you with tools to help your procurement process pique interest for a perfect match.

Mandy Bowers is senior marketing specialist with Kimley-Horn. She will present on this topic during an IPMI Webinar on August 11; 1 CAPP point.  For details and to register, click  here.

Are Flexible Work Arrangements the New TDM Tool?

Cartoon of man working from home, teleconferencing with colleagues.By Perry Eggleston, CAPP, DPA

Rahm Emanuel said, “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

I started as executive director of UC Davis Transportation Services on January 2, 2020, and while I was still learning my way around the campus, the COVID crisis struck. The industry suddenly faced unprecedented difficulties that challenged the most senior mobility experts.

March 16 came and suddenly, there were discussions of campus closures, distance learning, and teleworking. Until that time, telework was a wish for many in the transportation industry but not considered plausible due to supervisor and management reluctance. Within a week, these discussions made campus-wide telework a reality. When this COVID thing lasted longer than a few weeks, the campus started to look at how we could use the lull to continue the momentum of flexible work arrangements (FWA–the term our campus now uses for telework and compressed work schedules), and our department pushed the campus to continue planning using them past the pandemic.

To address all the issues for making FWA an ongoing TDM strategy, I am co-chairing a university committee: “Reimagining the Workplace.” Stakeholders from human resources, technology, planning, safety and ergonomics, employee/union relations, communications, legal, and finance are all involved. The committee has already identified several advantages to FWA: recruiting the best talent, employee well-being, more campus space for students, and reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. However, there are challenges to be overcome to arrive at the advantages.

Join Ramon Zavala and me April 21 when we host the IPMI webinar, Teleworking: An Alternate Mobility Mode. We will look at what institutions should consider when creating their own FWA program and planning lessons learned.

Perry Eggleston, CAPP, DPA, is executive director, transportation services, at UC Davis. He and Ramon Zavala, the university’s transportation demand manager, will present on this topic during an IPMI webinar, April 21. Click here for details and to register.

Negative Online Reviews: To Respond or Not?

Stick figure man being punched by fist flying out of computer screenBy Melonie Curry, MBA

“That sign was not visible.” “I’ve never heard of that parking regulation.” “Why don’t you address real crimes?” “This is just a money grab by a corrupt government agency.”

Sound familiar? How many times a day do you hear these or similar comments? Receiving a parking citation is a very unpleasant experience for most. Now, they are empowered to write an immediate online review in the heat of the moment. They can freely express their frustration about the undeserved envelope on their windshield and give your organization the lowest rating possible. It won’t be long before the members of their social media network chime in.

It often seems futile to respond because the review is posted and the damage is done. How many people will read the review in future? The author’s frustration is understandable, and you cannot change that. But is what they posted accurate? Does it include misinformation?

You already have the negative review, so what do you have to lose? Take this opportunity to clear up any posted misinformation. It may be printed on the citation but make sure they are aware of their options to contest. Provide a link with refresher course on local parking regulations and help them avoid future citations.

Some will comment with further fury. Often, many comment, “Thank you.” They are surprised that someone actually responded and they feel heard. They may not give you a 5-star review but they will appreciate the effort and learn some important information on how to avoid future frustration.

Melonie Curry, MBA, is staff analyst with ParkHouston. She will present on “Using Social Listening to Improve Your Customer Service” during an IPMI webinar, Wednesday, March 17 (1 CAPP point). Click here for details and to register.

The American Dream, Parking Technology, and the Realities of COVID-19

By Geoffrey Posluszny

The American Dream is an entertainment retail complex located next to the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, just a few short miles from New York City. This development has been in the works for more than 20 years and has had its share of ups and downs. After a couple of different names and a couple of different owners, the project partially opened to the public in October 2019 but was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It weathered this latest storm and reopened in September.

My company has been involved in the project since its first conceptual design was publicized in 1996. In 2018 as the project was nearing completion, a new parking access and revenue control system (PARCS) needed to be designed, procured, and installed. I was brought on board when the PARCS design project surfaced. I gladly accepted the assignment not knowing anything about the American Dream or the unimaginable magnitude of the project. I am eternally grateful to have been selected.

The selected PARCS system integrates with the latest technologies, including a fully automated pay-on-foot system, level-by-level parking guidance, license plate recognition (LPR), valet parking program, EZ-Pass Plus payments, online reservations, packaging with amusement tickets, and pre-paid Ticketmaster football and event parking programs.

Join me when I present a case study on the project in an IPMI webinar, December 9, at 2 p.m. Eastern. We’ll discuss how the technology was selected, the RFP process, construction, installation, testing, and implementation. We’ll also explore how COVID-19 affected the project even though we had already implemented most of the contactless technologies that can combat the pandemic’s effects.

Geoffrey Posluszny is a parking technology and operations consultant with Walker Consultants. He’ll present on this topic in an IPMI webinar, Wednesday, Dec. 9. Click here for details and to register.

Online Instructor Led Learning: Wicked Problem Solving – October 21, 2021

 

 

Register here for this event. $150 for IPMI Members


Non-Members may attend for a $300 registration fee. Click the register link above to attend as a non-member.  Need help logging in?

Contact us at professionaldevelopment@parking-mobility.org.

NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY.


Wicked Problem Solving

In this intermediate-level course, industry leaders will be provided with wicked problems and practice how to solve them. Learn what makes a problem wicked. The easy problems are solved, the ones left for executives are wicked.

Objectives:

  • Learn about your approach to problem-solving and those of others.
  • Practice identifying the three aspects that make a problem wicked and recognize steps on how to solve them.
  • Practice identifying wicked problems given current real-life scenarios that the industry is facing due to COVID-19.
  • Identify the people problems that impede solutions.

This is a two-day course.  Offers 4 CAPP points or .4 CEU’s toward application or recertification.

For more information, contact professionaldevelopment@parking-mobility.org


Instructor:

Dr. Andrea Hornett

Andrea Hornett taught strategy at Penn State and is retired from the business faculty at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Andy researched virtual teams at Xerox, earning her doctorate at George Washington University. She has more than a hundred presentations and peer-reviewed publications in organizational problem solving and learning, leadership, ethics, and knowledge transfer. In her extensive business career, she developed and consulted on global strategies and organizational solutions (e.g. DuPont Pharmaceuticals, The GAP, National Alliance of Business, Manufacturers’ Association of the Delaware Valley).

 

Register here.

Online Instructor Led Learning: Wicked Problem Solving – May 13, 2021

REGISTER HERE.

You’ll notice that we have launched your new member portal.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact info@parking-mobility.org


Non-Members may attend for a $300 registration fee.  NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY.


Wicked Problem Solving

In this intermediate-level course, industry leaders will be provided wicked problems and practice how to solve them. Learn what makes a problem wicked. The easy problems are solved, the ones left for executives are wicked.

Objectives:

  • Learn about your approach to problem-solving and those of others.
  • Practice identifying the three aspects that make a problem wicked and recognize steps on how to solve them.
  • Practice identifying wicked problems given current real-life scenarios that the industry is facing due to COVID-19.
  • Identify the people problems that impede solutions.

This is a two-day course.  Offers 4 CAPP points or .4 CEU’s toward application or recertification.


Instructor:

Dr. Andrea Hornett

Andrea Hornett taught strategy at Penn State and is retired from the business faculty at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Andy researched virtual teams at Xerox, earning her doctorate at George Washington University. She has more than a hundred presentations and peer-reviewed publications in organizational problem solving and learning, leadership, ethics, and knowledge transfer. In her extensive business career, she developed and consulted on global strategies and organizational solutions (e.g. DuPont Pharmaceuticals, The GAP, National Alliance of Business, Manufacturers’ Association of the Delaware Valley).

Online Instructor Led Course: Analysis and Application of Technology, March 11, 2021

 

Register here for this event.  $150 for IPMI Members.

This course is a two-day course. March 9 and 11.


Non-Members may attend for a $250 registration fee. Click the register link above to attend as a non-member.  Need help logging in?

Contact us at professionaldevelopment@parking-mobility.org.

NOT A MEMBER? JOIN TODAY.


This course is about the development and introduction of new technology in all aspects of our lives that are happening at a pace never experienced before. This is certainly true in how we manage and conduct business in the parking and mobility sector. In this session we will discuss new and emerging technologies, the associated advantages and disadvantages, factors to be determined when considering implementing technology, and what constitutes a successful implementation. This aligns with content in Domain VI of the CAPP Exam Content Outline.

At the completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Evaluate new technology to become a ‘smart consumer’.
  • Recite your business model including how new technology fits into your organization.
  • Determine a need before selecting a solution.
  • Craft an effective plan for the consideration and implementation of technology.

Offer 4 CAPP points or .4 CEUs towards application or recertification


Instructor:

Tom Wunk, CAPP

Tom was Vice President of Sales Engineering PARCS Solutions for T2 Systems and has been in the parking control industry since 1973. He is a Certified Administrator of Public Parking. A product of the State University of New York system, he has developed and provided training presentations for the IPMI, ASIS, PIE, and the AAAE. He is a member of the IPMI Technology Committee, the IPMI Educational Committee, the Smart Card Alliance, and the EMV Migration Forum.

Register here.

Granular Choice, Reduced Parking Demand, and Delighted Customers

By Chris Lechner, CAPP

UCLA has long been a leader in reducing drive-alone rates. Historically, attention has been focused on subsidizing alternative transportation products, but parking policy plays a key role. Though often overlooked, daily discounted parking is crucial support strategy to meeting transportation demand management goals.

UCLA has been able to expand the use of alternatives, lower the drive-alone rate, and maximize the utility of a limited and shrinking parking inventory by selling parking by the day to faculty and staff at a discount from the public daily rate. This flexibility enables customers to drive when they need to, and do something else when they can. Daily discounts remove the incentives of all-you-can-park permits, incentivizing customers to “Drive Less and Save More.”

Recently, UCLA has been able to maximize this transportation demand management strategy by utilizing virtual permits. This has removed sign-up requirements and enabled pre-tax payroll deduction as a payment method. Additionally, the operational flexibility provided by this approach has provided frameworks and flexibility to respond to the impacts of Covid-19.

In an IPMI webinar later today, I’ll lay out the landscape at UCLA, review the history of our daily discounted parking program, highlight some of the operational flexibility afforded to us via this program, and finally review how this has allowed us to respond to the pandemic. I hope you’ll join us.

Chris Lechner, CAPP, is parking data analytics and strategic projects manager at UCLA.