Posts Tagged ‘training’

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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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.

Posted by Michel Theriault May 10, 2011

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Facility Management Magazines Listing : A Great Source for Information, Solutions and Ideas

Magazines 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 a subscription. Some are free to qualified FM professionals, some are association publications provided to members and others require a paid publications.

This is a fairly comprehensive list of magazines from around the world, directly from the ‘References’ section my new book, “Managing Facilities & Real Estate”. In my book, I also list associations and conferences.

The list is alphabetical and mostly includes magazines that deal with FM in general with a few that focus on specific facility types, such as hospital, retail or corporate.

Whether or not you’re in the specific industry or country where the magazines are from, check them out on-line and you may find useful information, ideas and solutions you can use.

If you know of others, even specialized magazines targeting suppliers and contractors in the industry (such as janitorial, plumbing, etc. ), please feel free to add them by adding a comment below with information about the magazine.

Posted by Michel Theriault Apr 10, 2011

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Are you Connected to Knowledge and Experience in the Facility Management Industry?

Connecting in Facility Management I 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 usually the ones who are active and connected in the FM industry.

Posted by Michel Theriault Feb 13, 2011

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Now Available: “Managing Facilities & Real Estate” Book by Michel Theriault

My Facility Management book is now available.
It’s written for both new and experienced facility professionals, regardless of level, function or the type of facility managed, who want to leverage existing skills and advance their career with leading business practices, strategy, management and leadership in FM.

$39.95 US Soft Cover 7″x10″ 532 pages ISBN 978-0-9813374-1-8
$59.95 US Hard Cover 7″x10″ 532 pages ISBN 978-0-9813374-2-5

(Ships worldwide. Standard service up to 6 business days for NA and Europe, 12 days elsewhere. Email for other options. Corporate, Wholesale, Educator or Academic pricing also available.)