/ ENTRANCE
PUBLISHER
Shawn Conrad, CAE
conrad@parking-mobility.org EDITOR
Kim Fernandez, CAE
fernandez@parking-mobility.org TECHNICAL EDITOR
Rachel Yoka, CAPP, LEED AP BD+C, yoka@parking-mobility.org CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Bill Smith, APR
bsmith@smith-phillips.com ADVERTISING SALES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tina Altman
taltman@parking-mobility.org PUBLICATION DESIGN
BonoTom Studio
info@bonotom.com For subscription changes, contact Tina Altman, taltman@parking-mobility.org or 888.IPMI.NOW. Parking & Mobility (ISSN 0896-2324 & USPS 001436) is published monthly by the International Parking & Mobility Institute. P.O. Box 3787 Fredericksburg, VA 22402 Phone: 888.IPMI.NOW Fax: 703.566.2267 Email: info@parking-mobility.org Website: parking-mobility.org Send address changes promptly to: Parking & Mobility or submit online at parking-mobility.org. P.O. Box 3787 Fredericksburg, VA 22402 Interactive electronic version of Parking & Mobility for members and subscribers only at parking-mobility. org/magazine. Copyright © International Parking & Mobility Institute, 2022. Statements of fact and opinion expressed in articles contained if Parking & Mobility are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent an official expression of policy or opinion on the part of officers or the members of IPMI. Manuscripts, correspondence, articles, product releases, and all contributed materials are welcomed by Parking & Mobility; however, publication is subject to editing, if deemed necessary to conform to standards of publication. The subscription rate is included in IPMI annual dues. Subscription rate for non-members of IPMI is $120 per year (U.S. currency) in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. All other countries, $150. Back issues, $10.
It Feels Like Y2K
“
By Roamy Valera, CAPP
T
HE TERM “Y2K” may bring back some vivid memories of what the
industry endured in preparation of the arrival of the year 2000. It was parking’s doomsday for many and for others, it was just an opportunity to adapt and innovate. Experts feared that the switch from the two-digit year ‘99 to ‘00 would wreak havoc on computer systems and parking had its plenty of those. The times also generated its share of tag lines and buzzwords, like the Y2K Bug, Millennium Bug, etc. You could not attend a conference and/or industry meeting without full days dedicated to the topic. Well, it feels like déjà vu! The current pandemic has gripped the world for almost two years and, as a result, we have found ourselves in a similar time. Our vernacular now includes “curb management” (overused term with endless definitions and interpretations), “work from home,” “self-isolation,” “vaccine hesitancy,” “flattening the curve,” etc. All of it captured over the many months we have endured while dealing with a global pandemic. This “Y2K” is different. It has a direct effect on our people (sickness and death). And because of that, we have a need to focus on how we manage them under the new terms and conditions, which have created self-silos and isolation for many. Of course, we will look back at this event, just like we look back at many events during our lifetime, and wonder how we made it. Some of us will be reminded how it changed the social fabric, even if it was for a period. We are challenged with new work policies on how to manage our teams, like the hybrid work arrangement. We’re learning how to deal with new rules of engagement for how we manage the expectations developed during this period. How do we get back
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to our “normal” where we could disseminate our corporate culture and values with greater ease? I will share our organization’s top three approaches to a hybrid work plan/ agreement: 1. Set the stage—think together about how we work together as a hybrid team. 2. Encourage team members’ p articipation— You don’t need to have all the answers, but you really want to hear perspectives from each member of the team. 3. Explain the process—be clear about the return to office plan and any non-negotiables. The new normal will have its set of challenges, which we will overcome with patience, time and a lot of personal and professional investment. One thing is certain: We all need to be ready for the next “Y2K” moment, because it is not if, but when. Take care of each other! ◆ ROAMY VALERA, CAPP, is CEO, North America, of PayByPhone and a member of IPMI’s Board of Directors. He can be reached at rvalera@ paybyphone.com.
STOCK.ADOBE.COM / PROFIT_IMAGE
