The reality of the Facility and Property Management industry is that most managers and staff have strong technical skills but less experience and training in the management and business skills they need to fully benefit from their technical knowledge, improve their careers and benefit their employers. The need to focus on non-technical aspects of Facility and Property Managers skills is confirmed by two recent reports:
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) released their 2007 report titled Exploring the Current Trends and Future Outlook for Facility Management Professionals which lists the top competency that facility management professionals should address as “linking facility management to strategy”.
APPA, the association for universities in North America, released their Thought Leaders Series 2007 which identifies the top ten critical facilities issues for 2007/08. The top issue is improving communications. Also in the list is balancing and articulating expectations, focusing on the customer and aligning facilities planning with institutional goals.
Both of these organizations are putting non-technical skills ahead of the traditional technical skills. Is it because they are more important? Sort of. There is already strong depth with technical skills. Non-technical skills need more emphasis, and through these skills, the existing technical knowledge can be leveraged.
Most non-technical training is available from organizations who do not understand or have experience in the Facility and Property Management industry.
Our workshops and seminars are unique, blending solid management and business skills with the unique requirements of the Facility and Property Management industry. We use examples and exercises that FM and PM staff can relate to. Visit www.fmeducation.ca
