Stop Getting The Blame

Why FMs should…

“Facilities management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and

improve the effectiveness of its primary activities.”

The British Institute for Facilities Management (BIFM)

It’s an all too-common occurrence for Facilities Managers that their good work goes unnoticed

whilst they’re the first in the line of fire when something goes wrong.

Strong concerns are often raised by FMs regarding perception of their role;

the time spent on operational activities, management’s failure to adopt the discipline’s

value, a poor alignment with other departments and the need for strategic leadership.

User perceptions are now a critical element of achieving strategic FM.

They ensure that organisational learning and growth can be implemented and integrated into

core objectives by effectively being able to react to change. They also perform a fundamental

dimension to contemporary FM performance measurement systems.

User perceptions are now a critical element of achieving strategic FM.

So, how can perceptions be changed to support FM? And, what can be done to

ensure that Facilities Managers…

Stop Getting The Blame

Research confirms what the FM industry has always known: a key difference between the

service and manufacturing sectors is ‘intangibility’.

Services are not easy to measure; performance measurement techniques and

theories need to be more sophisticated. (Fitzgerald et al (1991))

But it’s not all doom and gloom…

Traditional or financial measures are now increasingly considered “past their sell by

date”- and there is a growing acceptance to account for a range of measures, in addition

to cost to achieve this. (Kincaid, 1994)

And there are more measurements than just ROI for proving FM’s value…

And there are more measurements than just ROI for proving FM’s value…

Staff health, safety and happiness;

And there are more measurements than just ROI for proving FM’s value…

Staff health, safety and happiness;Improved productivity;

And there are more measurements than just ROI for proving FM’s value…

Staff health, safety and happiness;Improved productivity;

Supporting business objectives.

Does your company suffer from low bouts of sick building syndrome?

Once again most organisations are the first to pin the blame on the FM when levels rise, but what about those who manage to keep

it consistently low?

Studies have shown that by taking steps to improve indoor air quality, Facilities

Managers have had a positive effect on worker productivity and performance, as well

as decreased the adverse health effects related to sick building syndrome.

Studies have shown that by taking steps to improve indoor air quality, Facilities

Managers have had a positive effect on worker productivity and performance, as well

as decreased the adverse health effects related to sick building syndrome.

A Facilities Manager’s role may well be under the radar, but that’s not to say it doesn’t

make an impact…

A Facilities Manager’s role may well be under the radar, but that’s not to say it doesn’t

make an impact…“An improved working environment has

been shown to reduce complaints, absenteeism and, at the same time, increase

productivity.”

(Roelofsen, 2002)

Facilities Managers have also been reputed to play a part in reducing employee

disengagement.(Pech and Slade, 2006)

It is argued that the focus is on symptoms of disengagement such as distraction, lack of interest, poor decisions and high absence,

rather than the root causes.

It is argued that the focus is on symptoms of disengagement such as distraction, lack of interest, poor decisions and high absence,

rather than the root causes.

The working environment, of which an FM has control of, is believed to be a key root

cause in employee engagement or disengagement.

The FM role can have a surprisingly large effect on the psyche of your employees;

workplace satisfaction has been associated with job satisfaction (Wells, 2000) and perceptions

of workplace quality have a significant effect on building users’ psychology.

A reduction in the frequency of cleaning, the removal of plants and leisure facilities or even limiting catering options has been

shown to lead to disengagement in employees.

These are just some of the ways in which the FM role supports the wider business.

The work of an FM in running a smooth ship and creating a pleasant environment helps

your company boost its image.

Success is linked to hard work, but 76% of office workers have also said the perception of

success is linked with office environment.

Facilities Management staff play a major part in creating the office environment and in

turn help boost company respectability when clients visit.

Without an experienced FM position, your organisation could succumb to unhealthy

and/or unsafe working conditions, ineffective air conditioning and poor layout, creating an

uncomfortable, potentially dangerous environment for workers and visitors alike –

not to mention an expensive one.

The role of a Facilities Manager is often overlooked -

The role of a Facilities Manager is often overlooked -

the first to receive the blame if any accidents take place and the last to be

credited for their efforts –

The role of a Facilities Manager is often overlooked -

the first to receive the blame if any accidents take place and the last to be

credited for their efforts –but take comfort in the fact you are having

an effect on the company as a whole.