Category: Management & Leadership

Hot Air Dryers Vs Hand Towels – the Great Debate

Every time I visit a washroom, it’s interesting to see whether they have paper towels or hand dryers. This is because I’m interested in the benefits and drawbacks of each as well as whether I’ll end up with dry hands when I’m done.

Personal preferences aside, there is a lot of debate about this issue and even a lot of somewhat conflicting research and studies.

It seems to come down to three different decision factors: Operational, Health & Safety and Environment. Each of these things may drive your decision and it may not be the same as your colleague. Making the best decision for your situation is the goal and we’ve compiled some information that will make your decision a little easier. The real problem is that it depends on what your goals are and what ‘research’ and opinions you listen to. And I haven’t seen one definitive source. I’ve included a list of resources at the end of this article.

Posted by Michel Theriault Jul 03, 2011

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The Facility Management Pie – Scope and Responsibility

Facility Management Pie - Roles and Responsibilities

Unlike 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 working knowledge of each one so you can effectively deal with your colleagues, manage staff or interface with external resources. A pie-shaped diagram is the easiest way to represent the broad responsibilites in the Facility Management Profession since FM includes so many different skills and responsibilities.

This FM Pie has been very popular with FM’s around the world. It has been translated to Czech and Russian so far. For the Russian version, visit the Russian International Education Centre of Facility Management. For the Czech version, visit the Czech Chapter of IFMA.

If you want to translate it to your native language, please contact me for the source graphic.

(A larger version of the FM Pie is provided below along with a download link. A mouse pad is also available.)

Posted by Michel Theriault Jun 05, 2011

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Sparring Partners – At The Facilities Show, Birmingham, UK

I had the privilege of speaking at The Facilities Show in May. My seminar is based on a cover article I wrote for Building Operations Management Magazine called ‘Sparring Partners’ (email me for a copy of the article) and focused on the 3 ways we fail to develop a strong partnership with our service providers and what has to change in how we procure services, structure contracts and financial models and manage performance.

After all, it is critical to our success in FM to have service providers who are also successful and the old-school approach that is founded on an adversarial relationship that takes more time and energy than it should to manage, distracting us from strategic and business responsibilities.

Posted by Michel Theriault May 31, 2011

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IFMA Facility Fusion 2011 Panel in Boston – The Evolution of FM

Recently, 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 Facility Management beyond its original roots of a very technical and tactical function into a profession that while still grounded in technical requirements, leverages strategic business skills to make a difference for the companies we serve.

It was a privilege being on the panel with the other panelists, all senior FM leaders. You can watch a video of the panel further below.

Posted by Michel Theriault May 15, 2011

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The Developing FM Profession: Middle East

I 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 a copy of my new book “Managing Facilities & Real Estate” to each participant in the course.

As a result, I decided to learn more about what MEFMA was trying to accomplish in the Middle East so I asked the Membership & Event Director, Sinead Bridgett, a few questions, which are answered further below.

On the subject about developing the profession, I’ve just returned from Abuja, Nigeria, where they have a strong IFMA chapter and quite a few FMP certified Facility Managers. I gave a short speech about the “Sustainable FM” at a chapter meeting and will do a future item on my trip.