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…
DetailsI recently held a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting for the Certificate in Facility Management at Ryerson University for which I am the Academic Coordinator. It is a continuing education program for people in the Facility Management industry to develop and upgrade their skills. The PAC was formed for a program review to identify changes…
DetailsIt’s a common misconception that Facility Managers need a seat at the C-Suite table along with the COO, CEO, CFO, CIO, and the other top executives. Quite simply you don’t. And in most organizations, you won’t. The nature of what we do as Facility Managers, while important to your organization’s success, simply won’t warrant a…
DetailsDoes your Company know why a Professional Facilities Manager like you is essential to get the best value out of their Facilities? Facilities represent a large part of any company’s assets and expenses (usually the second highest cost behind personnel) yet Facilities Management doesn’t usually receive the same attention that other parts of organization receive.…
DetailsThe Facilities Management profession is not well understood by organizations and often even less so by your Human Resources department. They are more likely to deal with the large number of employees engaged in the core business of your organization or in the more recognizable support professions like IT, finance, sales, etc. As a result,…
DetailsFacility Managers are always getting things done around their facility, whether its responding to a complaint, dealing with space issue, organizing a move, coordinating maintenance or delivering customer service. It almost feels like you are on a treadmill, moving ahead but never really getting to the end. It’s a fact of life in the Facilities…
DetailsI was talking to a contact in a different industry about the Facilities Management department at their company and the general lack of balance between the technical or functional skills and other general business skills within the facilities industry. Interestingly, my contact shifted the discussion to their own profession and the fact that they have…
DetailsThe Facilities Management profession has come a long way, and modern management, leadership and business practices are required not only for you to service your organization well, but to also compete internally for scarce resources and demonstrate your value. Here are the features of a High Performing FM Department that if you aren’t already doing,…
DetailsThe modern Facility Manager needs a slightly different mix of skills to navigate not just within the profession, but within their own organizations to be successful, especially if they want to become the Head of FM, whether for a small organization or a multi-national corporation. The FM Knowledge Grid illustration (see a larger one further…
DetailsBelonging to a professional association and even having a designation is a great way to develop more credibility, find solutions, expand your professional contacts, make yourself more marketable and generally advance the Facilities Profession. There are a large number of national associations around the world, as listed in my Facility Management book , and provided…
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…
DetailsOur first survey from our Facility Management survey and polls site FMinsight.com was closed late last year and we now have summary results in a highly graphic format. Only participants in the survey recieve the more detailed results, so be sure to contribute to our open surveys on FMinsight.com For our first main survey, inspired…
DetailsUnlike some professions, Facility Management encompasses many different roles and skills. Not everyone in the facility or property management profession are responsible for all of these roles. Some are responsible for specific functions as specialists, others are responsible for everything while some oversee all these roles through other specialists. Regardless, it’s important to have a…
DetailsRecently, I was invited to be on the panel at the opening session of IFMA’s Facility Fusion conference in Boston. The focus of the panel was the ‘Evolution of Facility Management’, a topic I am very passionate about. My recent business trips to the Middle East and Aftrica re-emphasized to me the need to develop…
DetailsI learned about the Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA) when I was in Abu Dhabi delivering a workshop on Strategic FM. (read what I said about FM in the Middle East) At the time, I heard that they were developing a “Foundations in FM” course for local facility practitioners. Recently, they decided to provide…
DetailsMagazines are a great way to learn and to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the Facility industry. Even if you can’t read every article, you are likely to find something you can use, and if you pass your magazine around your office, everyone will benefit. Many have on-line content so you don’t necessarily need…
DetailsThis is a quote I’ve had in my files almost since I started my career in Facility Management over 20 years ago. Almost everyone in the Facility Management profession can relate to this. If you want this to print and hang over your desk or share with your colleagues, the download link to the PDF…
DetailsI had a conversation recently with a client, the head of a large facilities department. We were talking about the difference between those who get involved and advance their knowledge and those who don’t. Which one do you think are more likely to get ahead in their careers and deliver results for their employers? It’s…
DetailsIn the December 2010 issue of Canadian Facility Management & Design magazine, the magazine’s editor Pamela Young interviewed me about Facility Management and about my new book “Managing Facilities & Real Estate” Here’s how she began the article: “Managing Facilities & Real Estate, by FM consultant and Strategic Advisor principal Michel Theriault, is hot off…
DetailsWhile in Abu Dhabi to deliver my Strategic Facility Management training workshop, which is closely related to the focus of my new FM book, “Managing Facilities & Real Estate”, I had a chance to meet Ali Al Suwaidi, one of the MEFMA board members. Ali had been the Senior Director Operations at the worlds tallest…
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