The International Facility Management Association s first annual International. Smart FM Drives Smart Business

Transcription

1 Smart FM Drives Smart Business International FM Congress 2012 Highlights The International Facility Management Association s first annual International FM Congress took place Nov. 1, 2012, during World Workplace 2012 Conference & Expo. in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The forum was attended by over 40 key leaders across the worldwide facility management profession. The goal of the gathering was to bring FM s challenges and main issues to the forefront collectively discussing ways to improve the profession throughout the world. Moderated by IFMA past chair Kathy Roper, three panelists and influential leaders in FM presented unique viewpoints on how facility management is viewed and changing in their region of the world.

2 Although IFMA is recognized as the benchmark and main FM reference, many multinational companies (such as John Lang LaSalle, CB Richard Ellis and Johnson Controls Inc.) play key roles in bringing FM ideals to the different Brazilian regions. There is a great amount of importance placed on local support for professional development. Panelist one: Francisco Abrantes, MBA, Brazil CEO, Powertronglobal Inc., São Paulo, Brazil Abrantes has been involved in facility management for 18 years and worked in various benchmark groups and other related associations. He explained how the concept of FM in Brazil is not the same as it is in the U.S. In Brazil, facility management is labeled as facility services and is still heavily associated with the janitorial and cleaning industries. Due to the many regions in the vast country, there are many differing viewpoints of the FM model depending on where you reside. It is common for professionals not to label themselves as facility managers, since much education on what the profession exactly is still needs to take place. Political and economic aspects also influence the role that facility management plays in Brazil. Outside Brazil, it appears that other large South American countries also lack direction on what FM s role is. It is necessary to sell the idea that FM is the overall foundation providing operational efficiencies. Due to the lack of available professional development and standardization, there is an urgent need and opportunity to present the profession s competencies in a formal way. Panelist two: Jon Seller, general manager, Optegy Group, Hong Kong Seller resides in Asia. Over the span of his career he has worked in 25 countries where English was not the first language. In emerging countries there is still a need for someone managing facilities to bring process to the management of properties. Currently, this often is done in a very ad hoc manner. There is also an incredible thirst for FM knowledge in Asia. Unfortunately, the profession lacks credibility and is often confused with property management. Credentials are sought after; perhaps being the key to making a facility manager stand out as a recognized professional. In less mature FM markets, there is great opportunity to provide a better understanding of core competencies within these regions.

3 How do we develop a sustainability approach along consistent values and metrics? What is the context to customer focus? Is it service focus, hospitality focus, etc.? Is existing benchmarking data translatable? If not, what value does it have? What is the strategy behind work management and succession planning? Panelist three: Marc S. Liciardello, CFM, MBA, CM, vice president, corporate services, ARAMARK Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., USA Liciardello is the current IFMA chair and an accomplished business leader with more than 25 years of experience in the facility management profession. He states that facility management learning opportunities revolve around how one empowers FMs worldwide by: Referring to the existent solid data, there is no need to reinvent the wheel; Focusing on work/life integration rather than work/ life balance; and Supporting practitioners so they can continue to be aligned to add value to the organization. It is also vital to have consistent levels of excellence that add value. There needs to be a non-fragmented view of the profession, with value being found on a global basis. This value should be aligned with the organization s culture and customer. In developing these ideals, one should ask: How do building conditions support the business? From impacting the built environment, promoting global advocacy around public policy legislation to creating a successful planning strategy, the connecting opportunities that facility management provides are many. Forum discussions Upon the end of the prepared presentations, the forum was opened up to further questions and elaboration from attendees. The following captures specific topics that initiated detailed discussions among the group. What are your major concerns and issues related to facility management? Research Ideas that are backed up by research are key. Connecting research across regions and continents has not been successful thus far; collection has not been at a global level. There is a need to use more resources and have more knowledge sharing. How can we be perceived as thought leaders who drive value? How do we create a common reference everyone can go to?

4 Questions to consider: How does one map what s needed and/or what s important? What research is needed where and in what part of the world? What currently exists? What s meaningful and how do we share it across boundaries? Lynda Stanley (Federal Facilities Council) mentioned she is working on a U.S. Congress project and asked if the sustainability standards being used are cost effective. There is a need to make a case for determining the costs and benefits of specific tools. Kathy Roper (moderator and Georgia Institute of Technology) stated that facility managers are not likely to conduct research themselves. It is the associations role to make it easy for its members to find the results of that research. Collins Osayamen (Sheltercare FM Consultants) discussed how his challenge in Nigeria is to receive FM solutions. Conferences are a perfect way to receive this information. Hearing from others on how they have solved their problems inspires and helps those around the world have the same understanding. It is necessary to create a forum where all decision makers come together and provide a platform where discussions and solutions are created as one. Knowledge sharing From his international travels, Tony Keane (IFMA) noticed that the industry does not agree on one definition of facility management. The definition is difficult due to the wide spectrum of the profession. To earn more credibility and respect, FM must be defined more professionally and consistently; not vary from person to person, company to company, or country to country. According to Ismena Clout (BIFM), when facility management is successful one can make a huge impact on the workplace. Although there are challenges everywhere, it is important to share what worked and what didn t to avoid unnecessary trial and error and advance at a more efficient pace. In Australia, Duncan Waddell (FMA Australia) commented how the Sydney Opera House project helped put facility management on the map and become recognized by their government. This is just one example of how support can happen; one must just give it time and patience. Lionel Cottin (ARSEG) inquired about the future of the profession. It is obvious that associations need to block a lot more time to work on research and joint definitions. Although time is often limited, it is vital to make an extra effort to share time and information with members. All FM associations should come together on a more regular basis, whether that is through independent efforts or organized groups. Roper added that it s not about differing definitions; it seems they all say the same thing with different wording. The issue is agreeing on one and coming together to help define the industry in a unified way.

5 Michael Feldman (Los Angeles World Airports) asked, How do we get everyone on the same page on what FM is globally? Who brings all the skill sets together to get something done? Oscar Chan (Macau Facility Management Association) added that associations must lend a hand where facility management maturity level is low. Stephanie Fanger (General Dynamics C4 Systems) mentioned that at the university level, nobody knows what facility management is. She is frustrated that FMs are still referred to it as janitors and that it is essential to increase awareness programs set up at the high school and university levels. Clout agreed and suggested that experienced members should go speak to schools and mobilize memberships. to move forward thinking out of the box. Kevin O Toole (Vanguard, Corporate Real Estate and Facilities) added that much more effort on recognition needs to take place. The next generation must play a pivotal role in helping to tell the story. Marc Liciardello (panelist and ARAMARK Corporation) agreed and stated that to do this correctly, a worldwide story that is consistent and pervasive must be told. Roper added that the group must realize together what is needed to accomplish a joint story and move in it. The industry cannot come back in a year and be discussing the same issues. Liciardello stated that people are looking for value so whenever you are involved in a project, it is important to get the chief financial officer s attention. One needs to make the world aware of how facility managers can make an impact, thus telling the FM story. Research should be conducted on what s meaningful and what it s going to drive. Facility managers impact assets and human capital; not many professions can say they do that. This is a vital part of the story. Creating and owning the FM story Tudor Trita (ROFMA) believes an FM story that people can relate to should be created. Matt Dawson (Ernst & Young) added that since facility professionals are like the caregivers of the enterprise and actions create identity, the focus must be on how the market perceives you rather than how you perceive each other. Facility managers own their story. If they are not being recognized, the story needs to be recreated and retold. According to William O Neill (University of Minnesota), if there is a problem one must get help from people outside of the current structure. It is imperative to find innovation Cottin stated that it appears that the real marketing issue is with the actual profession s name. In France, the broad term general services manager is used. This seems to be a human resources issues and a marketing plan must be developed for it. Facility managers must also make an effort to be more visible and stop being the industry that doesn t exist. Clout agreed but mentioned that associations must not feel defeated these are all issues that must be dealt with collectively. There is also much to be proud of for the industry. Proposed next steps As part of the new FM story to make facility management better known, develop an incentive to attract people to the industry.

6 Once a month reach out to the media in respective countries. Attempt to get published in the press to further promote the profession and advance the audiences. Develop a paper summarizing the FM Congress discussion. Post to corresponding association websites and share the link to further promote the ideas presented. (this document) Continue networking on a regular basis keeping abreast of challenges and potential opportunities to work together. In 2013, agree to collectively push forward at least one to two ideas that resulted from the FM Congress discussion. World Congress 2012 Participants ABRAFAC (Associação Brasileria de Facilities) ARAMARK Corporation ARSEG (Professionnels de L environnment de Travail) BIFM (British Institute of Facilities Management) Colombian Facility Management Association Consultants Circle Ernst & Young EuroFM (European Facility Management Network) Facility Engineering Associates, P.C. Federal Facilities Council FMA Australia (Facility Management Association Australia) FMN (Facility Management Nederland) GEFMA (German Facility Management Association) General Dynamics C$ Systems Georgia Institute of Technology Global Corporate Services, CBRE, Inc. Graphic Systems, Inc. Hines IFMA (International Facility Management Association) Jumbo Chains Management Los Angeles World Airports Macau Facility Management Association Optegy Group Powertronglobal, Inc. ROFMA (Romania Facility Management Association) SAFMA (South African Facilities Management Association) Sheltercare FM Consultants Takasago The Hershey Company University of Minnesota Vanguard, Corporate Real Estate and Facilties