Sean Aloise

Sean Aloise is the Communications and Special Projects Manager for the Facilities Services department at the University of San Francisco. He was recently promoted to this position after serving the university for fifteen years in the Facilities Services.

During his time in the facilities Services department, Sean Aloise was recognized for several accomplishments. He implemented new protocols and initiatives to improve performance throughout the University of California.

Over the years, Sean Aloise was a speaker at several Facilities Management Conferences. The conferences discussed a multitude of topics important to the industry. One of these events focused on communication and public relations initiatives. When Sean was asked to speak, he discussed A First Impression Contest. Competitors were to capture the attention span of the public and deliver important information within a ten-second message.

Sean Aloise earned his promotion to Communications and Special Projects Manager based upon his accomplishments, his creativity, cooperation, and a willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I have been fascinated with graphic design and publications my entire life. As a child, I’d play around with Adobe Photoshop software. I was creative and tried to make newspapers while I was in grammar school. Later in my career, I looked into publication work and worked on programs for weddings. It intrigued me when I found out about UCFS knowing that it was the second-largest employer in the Bay area. I wanted to work for the organization because of its mission. They were teaching health worldwide and had topnotch research. UCFS is ranked very highly as a school and as a hospital. I joined what was called the Capital Programs and Facilities Management department, now it is just Facilities Services. We are a customer-service-based department and we provide engineering, build infrastructure, as well as management for the custodial work. There is a huge need for an internal publication and public relations for our customers. As such, I began taking more classes in Adobe Suite. I am highly creative and I became proficient with the Adobe Suite. I can create new, interesting, modern, and contemporary designs. We have over four-hundred employees in our department. Overall, we are forty-thousand strong for our external communications.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

There are a variety of tasks that I have to address so I’ll give you the top four. I run marketing campaigns. I have to do the development and meet with staff for a successful campaign. For example, we are currently working on a project right now called “The Great Big Badge Swap. We have to exchange I.D. badges so that they will work in all of the buildings. Internally, I address communications and engagements. I fight for diversity inclusion in our department, we are trying to add females within the department. We send out building management communications to address projects to be completed on every building on campus.

How do you bring ideas to life?

As a highly creative person, I leverage feedback from a small committee. We have a contest for first impressions. It is a contest to refresh a space. Students have to write a paper explaining the space, why it should be refreshed, and how it would enhance life on campus. The whole process of the campaign was a learn-as-you-go process. But it pushed my creativity to a whole new level.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The old school is out. No one wants to read a twenty-page newsletter. I am working with snap chat, twitter and across social media. I am taking the old processes such as newsletters and emails and converting them to videos. It turns a 20 minute read into a 20-second video. It captures the attention span and provides the right information.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One of the things that I do is to ground myself. I have a ritual I do that centers me. It helps me to go into work refreshed, fun and energized.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell younger Sean Aloise to take things slower and take on all of the experiences that are given to you.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

That the sky is green and the ground is blue – ha! Meaning to say, I tend to see things in the reverse sometimes which I believe keeps my mind open to possibilities or, things don’t have to remain so constant, change can be positive, though different at times, positive.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I believe that everyone should immerse themselves in their culture. You should go to museums, concerts, or perhaps a new restaurant. I enjoy doing that even

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

The strategy that I use is to build positive relationships. I always acknowledge with a smile or a hello. I am an extrovert at work with a positive attitude. People always seem to remember me.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I have been pretty blessed with very few challenges in communications. Time management was an issue at one time. I am a yes person. I tend to take on more than what time will allow in a single day. I overcame it by shifting my time to better work within my schedule.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

A good business to get into is to use media and technology to forecast where the world is going in terms of communications. Any digital signage or technology with a focus on public relations can be converted to a video to capture public attention.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I think spending money on a creative writing class is so important. Everything is about writing today.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I would have to say Adobe Photo Suite. I am on that program daily. It helps me in every aspect of communications.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Everyday Grace, by Marianne Williamson. She is very spiritual. It teaches you to acknowledge your passion and live life being grateful and gracious.

What is your favorite quote?

All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. By Walt Disney.

Key Learnings:

● Build positive work relationships.
● Take things slower and take-on all of the experiences that are given to you.
● Work with a positive attitude. People will always remember you.