Facility Managers do a lot of things and sometimes those things get in the way of what they should be doing. They get re-directed by the latest trends and concepts and neglect to focus on the fundamental things that drive results and improve what we do. Instead of spending so much effort always responding immediately…
DetailsEnvironment and Energy conservation is an important topics to building owners and managers, yet the challenge of getting occupants to buy-in to your initiatives and actually change their behaviors remains difficult. Increasingly, individuals are seeing the messages in the media and making changes at home, yet they often have a difficult time linking it with…
DetailsEffectively communicating with people who use the facilities & buildings we manage is critical, yet it is often at the bottom of a long list of priorities Facility Managers deal with on a daily basis. A newsletter is an often-overlooked tool for communicating, and can support other customer service strategies you currently use. A well-written…
DetailsI recently had a coffee with a recruitment specialist who focuses on Facilities Management jobs. She confirmed my own observations – increasingly, companies are looking for Facility Management staff who have skills and knowledge beyond just technical. They are looking for Facility Managers (at all levels) with proven management, leadership and business skills, not just…
DetailsSince I’m revising my presentation on communications for facility managers so I can deliver it at the ISSA conference in November, I was able to add this example of what not to do that I found recently in a washroom at a major facility. While at least the handwriting is very neat and they got…
DetailsHere are some of the things I’ve done or seen over the years to promote the Facilities Management department and services. They won’t all be appropriate for every environment or organization, but you should implement some of them to raise your profile and influence in the organization.
DetailsMy latest article “Make Your Memos Hit The Mark” is the cover article for the January issue of Buildings Magazine. This is a great US based magazine for both Facilities Managers and Building Managers.
While it’s nice to have your ideas and concepts features by a magazine like Buildings, I’m glad that Buildings is putting focus on the non-technical skills in the industry.
Getting your senior management to approve implementing a system is tough, whether it’s Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) or a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). To start, they may not understand the Facilities Management function and it’s importance, so they may not recognize the benefits of having a system. Rather than trying to focus on…
DetailsI had a chance to speak to a room full of facility and property management professionals about promoting their FM role within their organizations. In most of my discussions with facility managers, their profession doesn’t get as much recognition in their organizations as other departments or groups. It’s time that changed.
DetailsExcellent communication is one of the most important business tools you can have, since so much of what you do is selling, whether it’s policy and procedures, letters to occupants, tenants or landlords, your strategic plans or even business cases.
DetailsI frequently promote the management related skills of facility and property managers to complement their technical knowledge. I’m finally delivering my workshop on Strategic Writing to the public through Conestoga College’s School of Business continuing education. The workshop is running twice this fall. If you are in the area (Kitchener or Guelph, Ontario, Canada), join…
DetailsEffective Facility Management is all about communications. Whether you are managing office space, maintaining building systems, developing strategic asset plans or all of the above, good communication skills are essential.
