The UK chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has published a global outlook report featuring interviews with FM leaders to explore the trends, opportunities and challenges faced by FMs.
The report takes in expert views from 12 FM professionals in the UK, US, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, Nigeria, South Africa and Australia.
A key question was: “If you had to sell FM as a career choice, what would be your sales pitch?”
Martin Pickard, president of the IFMA UK chapter: “A career in facility management is one of the most diverse and interesting pathways you can follow. If you are people focused, a great problem solver, a terrific communicator and excited by the opportunities brought by change then you’re halfway there in an international profession that can take you from the mailroom to the boardroom.”
Zack Farrar, CFM, Jacobs, Milwaukee, U.S.: “I love not having to do the same thing every day. FM roles are so diverse and give the opportunity to learn and do more and more, as you move through the roles, locations and organisations. At the end of the day I’m a project manager with many hats and a lot of knowledge on a lot of things. It’s a fantastic way to become a well-rounded professional and make a good living.”
Andrew Mason, owner, Workplacefundi, South Africa: “As a young FM, new to the industry, you can expect to lead a small team of cleaners, security guards and receptionists in the facility that you look after. To do this, you will need leadership skills, so I would sell facility management as one of the quickest routes for our youngest talent to get onto the leadership ladder.”
Helena Ohlsson Skjeld, director of services, Scania Region, Sweden: “If you work in FM, you can make a difference in almost every industry. You can make better buildings, smarter infrastructure, reduce negative impact on our planet, create safer and healthier environments, improve workforce happiness and productivity, and even save lives.”
Adejumoke Akure, partner, Estatelinks Ltd, Nigeria: “FM makes innovation and creativity possible. FM creates a rich well of empowerment that is clearly relevant in nation building both of physical infrastructure and economics. It’s a great tool for international trade and wider influence.”
Luis Gameiro, JLL regional facilities manager, Portugal: “It’s a job only for the brave and most daring ones.”
Stephen Ballesty, FRICS, FAIQS, CFM, IFMA Fellow, director, In-Touch Advisory, Sydney, Australia: “FM is the foremost contributor to a more productive, sustainable and liveable built environment, leaving only one question: ‘What role will you play?”
You can download the paper here: www.ifmauk.org/downloads
