The Big Picture

We are committed to the long-term goals of our partners. That involves being strategic, and giving them the means to achieve common goals. It involves making sure our solutions are carefully designed and regularly updated to serve schools in the best way possible. And, importantly, it means asking questions to understand our partners better. We value strategic planning so much because we love seeing our partners succeed. Because when they perform at their best, students are empowered to prosper.

Mark Schilmoeller, FACTS managing director of operations, described being strategic as looking at the big picture, seeing where you want to go, and realizing there are several ways to get there.

“Strategic means being flexible with purpose,” Mark says. “Knowing that there must be collaboration, agreement on a clear vision, a shared desire to reach a common goal, and then clearly communicating that direction.”

Thoughtful Deliberation

Thoughtful deliberation starts with genuinely engaging with customers. Listening to others is more than hearing them out. It’s about understanding them on a deeper level, ultimately making the conversation more productive. Doing so creates a dynamic partnership that positively impacts the school and its families.

Mark says that at work, he has the opportunity to engage with some of the smartest people he knows – from the executive team to the assistant account managers. He and his wife are passionate about finding strategic ways to better their family as well.

“At home, my wife and I work together to ensure the best possible opportunities for our family,” Mark says. “Just like at work where I try to create the best possible opportunities for our associates.”

Associates take these authentic opportunities from Mark and use them to strengthen the schools they are collaborating with. Success starts with our leadership and trickles all the way through to the students and families.

Collaboration

Solving problems or questions from an institution requires a team effort. The institution’s administrators, the teachers and staff helping students, the students themselves, or the FACTS team – all individuals at the table have an impactful, important role.

Mark says when he sees the strategic tenet played out at work, he sees collaboration and unification.

“Approach obstacles or goals with an open mind,” Mark says. “Ask questions to ensure you understand the situation completely and correctly.”

Anything is achievable when effective collaboration is carried out. If we can assist in making your school run more efficiently and productively – contact us.

Setting Goals

Without goals, it’s hard to stay on track in any situation – on a team, as a company, or as an individual. Setting goals triggers certain behaviors like staying focused and sustaining momentum along the way. Goals, to FACTS associates, are viewed as expectations.

The end goal for us is to provide school management and payment solutions that support the unique needs of the students and schools we serve. We are thankful for the opportunity to help three million students stay engaged, focused, and enrolled in private education. Like Mark Schilmoeller says: Goals are not an endpoint, rather a directional compass that helps navigate a successful journey.

“In working strategically with our school partners, we can have a positive impact on helping students achieve their educational goals,” says Mark. “It is building a relationship with the client and knowing that we are both working towards a common goal of providing best-in-class customer service to students and families who are working towards their dreams.”