Success is defined as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. So how does a Facility Manager’s role aid in a company’s success?
Our role and responsibility is to make sure that buildings and their services meet the needs of the people that work in them. This role can still be perceived as invisible. The aim & purpose of FM is plentiful as we all know; security, janitorial, landscaping, parking, heating/cooling comfort, space management, furniture, sustainability, energy management and the list can go on.
It is a two-pronged approach – customer satisfaction and building efficiency.
When “customers” (we define them as both internal & external) are happy, satisfied and content with their surroundings, we are doing the right thing. We know this because for the Facility Manager and C-Suite it translates into absenteeism being low and negative feedback being minimized. Secondly, we know things are going well with the building when energy costs and Capital Replacement of equipment is within life cycles and unexpected downtime is mitigated. This is Success, even if it seems obvious, you can confidently state that the FM has had success.
Another area that shows FM’s success is when a company’s employees express regularly their overwhelming sense of inclusion. It is because FM’s drive engagement and collaboration between various service lines/departments and management, often referred to as “the pulse of the building”.
Additional successes that FM’s bring to the table, company’s, is their understanding of what it takes to encourage that collaboration, especially with regards to space planning. From research, we know that break areas, amenity spaces, and work cafes are becoming one of the most important ways that people come together. When renovations and Capital Planning projects are conceived, the FM’s knowledge of this allows an organization to effectively plan their spaces and bring people together.
Never forget that the “built environment” is very much driven by the FM, creating building efficiency, harmonious, safe, environments for productivity and well-being of all staff, visitors and clients. When these factors are experienced within a facility, only positive business results of staff health, balanced operating and capital expenses will be demonstrated. This is Success! Go toot your horn.
Written by:
Joe Gerrior
Facilities Manager & Director
