Posts Tagged ‘facilities management’

Workplace Integration 2.0 ~ What’s it really mean to me?

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Debra Dailey

A recurring theme in Sodexo’s Workplace Trends 2013 Report is the need for Corporate Real Estate (CRE) and Facilities Management (FM) professionals to shift their entire approach.  The new method is  a mindset where “human centric” needs are given just as much attention as traditional asset and infrastructure considerations. In other words, it’s about shifting from a “Cost per Square Foot” to a “Quality of Life per Square Foot” approach.
In embracing this new perspective, it is imperative that CRE/FM professionals come to appreciate the importance of meeting a more holistic set of employee workstyle and lifestyle needs. It is even more important that these professionals understand how integration of workplace service solutions can more effectively meet employee needs in order to influence business outcomes and create higher value.

It's time to think of Facilities Management as "Quality of Life" per square foot.

The “Quality of Life per Square Foot” approach is designed to capture all of the key attributes of this real estate and FM “2.0” strategy. Quality of Life (QOL) references the general well-being of individuals and societies. In the context of the workplace, however, QOL includes not only physical and social well-being, but also career well-being. This third spoke of the QOL wheel encompasses engagement, morale, and overall satisfaction with one’s work and work environment.
Decades of research support a connection between the built environment and employee engagement, productivity, and well-being. The role of the FM/CRE professional is, then, to promote and help create a workplace that supports improvements in all of these outcomes in an evidence-based, measurable way.

Environmental solutions in the workplace can include wellness hubs, collaboration spaces, and improvements to lighting and air quality, just to name a few. For today’s FM/CRE professional, however, meeting the holistic needs of the workforce must go a step further in order to truly affect the employee experience and improve operational efficiencies.
An expanded definition of “workplace solutions” can include anything from IT systems, to workplace design, to human resources initiatives, to wellness, facilities, and more. But the reality is that inefficiencies almost always arise when different solutions are managed in silos. To prevent this, the FM/CRE industry must also support the integration of services solutions.. Inherently, increased productivity, innovation, and performance occurs when diverse systems in the workplace are “talking with each other” and when the needs of the “whole person” and not just the employee are met.
Even the concept of “integration” has evolved. No longer referring to merely the aggregation of services, integration in today’s business environment asks employers to view the needs of its workforce and workplace services solutions in a way that deliver both the optimal employee experience with the greatest operational value. Alignment with professionals from other disciplines will be key to fulfilling the vision for a new approach to employee experience and well-being.
For more information on the “Quality of Life Per Square Foot” approach to corporate real estate, download the full report here and join the conversation at our Quality of Life Per Square Foot group on LinkedIn.


Debra Dailey is vice president, Human Capital and Outcomes at Sodexo.

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Winter Storm Coming? Think Carbon Monoxide Safety!

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Joe Albright

As people in northeast brace themselves for the blizzard of 2013 or ‘Winter Storm Nemo’ as some are calling it, millions of people are making plans to stay warm in the event of related power outages.

I am reminded that Carbon Monoxide (CO) issues are more prevalent in the winter months than any other time of the year.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and its Carbon Monoxide Information Center, more than 150 people in the United States die every year from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning associated with consumer products.

These products include faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces.

The use of portable generators indoors is another major contributor to CO poisoning-related deaths. This usually happens following a bad storm, when power outages occur for an extended periods of time.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Sodexo manages facilities programs at school districts, college and university campuses, corporate offices, hospitals and other healthcare centers and we understand there are a few basic steps you can take to safeguard against CO-related issues.

The following include helpful and easy Q&A’s that will help ensure you and your family not only stays warm, but also remains safe this winter.

Q. What is Carbon Monoxide?

A. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels (Gasoline, Heating Oil, Kerosene, and Natural Gas).  Diesel Fuel because of the combustion method does not produce carbon monoxide but does produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which in sufficient concentration can cause drowsiness, inattentiveness, and respiratory issues.

Q. Where is carbon monoxide found?

A. Because it is a combustion by-product, carbon monoxide can be found in the fumes of furnaces, vehicles, portable generators, stoves, lanterns, or the burning of wood or charcoal.

Q. How do I know if there are unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in my home?

A. Areas where combustion of fossil fuel occurs should have a carbon monoxide monitor.  These are either wired into an alarm system, battery operated, or plug in.  Typical areas for locating carbon monoxide monitors include garages, furnace areas, kitchens with natural gas or propane stoves and ovens, and any area where there is a heating oil or gas heater.  This includes areas where there are gas fired fireplace logs — even if they are of the ventless type.  It is also recommended that a carbon monoxide monitor be installed in the sleeping area of the home along with the smoke detector.

Q. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, nausea, chest pain, and confusion.  People who have been consuming alcohol or are asleep may succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning before experiencing symptoms.

Q. How often should I have my furnace and other appliances checked for proper operation?

A. Furnaces, hot water heating systems, stoves, ovens and any other gas, heating oil, gasoline, or coal burning systems should be serviced by a qualified maintenance person annually.

Q. How often should I check my carbon monoxide monitor?

A. Carbon monoxide monitors, just like smoke detectors should be tested monthly and if not equipped with a long life lithium battery, should have the battery changed every time you change your clocks for daylight savings time.

Q. Is there something I should look for if the carbon monoxide monitor sounds?

A. If the carbon monoxide monitor ever sounds other than when you are testing, leave the house immediately and call 911.  Since carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, there is no way for you to determine where carbon monoxide is coming from.  Play it safe and evacuate!

Q. What should I do if I or members of my family have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A. Immediately see your doctor or go to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic.  Carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from being transported by your blood to the vital organs of your body including your brain.  If you feel dizzy or are experiencing confusion, do not attempt to drive yourself.  Call an ambulance or have someone call for you.

Q. What can I do to protect my family from carbon monoxide poisoning?

A.

  • Never use a generator, charcoal grill, camping stove, or other gasoline or charcoal burning device inside your home, basement, or garage.  Passive venting, placing these devices by an open window does not eliminate the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning either.  Don’t compromise your safety.
  • Even if you have been told that you garage is completely sealed, if it is attached to the house, especially if it is under the living area, do not start or run your car in the garage.  Even if the door is open, there is no guarantee that carbon monoxide will not enter the living space.
  • Never burn anything in a fireplace or stove that is not vented to the outside.  These fireplaces are only meant to burn what they are fueled with.
  • Never heat your home with your gas stove or oven.  Not only is it a costly heating solution, it is deadly!

Joe Albright is operations vice president for Sodexo Education – Schools.

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Workplace Trends for the New Year: We have heard all this before – or have we?

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Michael Norris

Each New Year, corporate researchers, trend spotters, and soothsayers publish a plethora of Top Tens and Trend Reports; no stone on the subject matter is left unturned. All of these pieces attempt to look into the future, dole out advice on how to do things differently for the upcoming year, and how to start anew.  The workplace is no different, yet still, I am excited about 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report. This year’s report and its collective research, offers a unique perspective on the issues being evaluated at the corporate Board Room level about the “at work” environment—the ins and outs of what are essential to successful individual and organizational performance.

To boil it down, as conversations in the C-Suite continue to place more emphasis on how to maximize resources at every function and level of the organization, these trends will continue to grow in importance, relevance and application to business.  Now, more than ever, executives should be keenly aware of what is driving the health and productivity of their people. Otherwise, efforts to maximize resources are moot.

Click on the picture for a preview of the 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report

The upcoming report, set for release January 28, 2013, identifies 12 key trends impacting the “new normal” of a workplace where volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity are part of the daily grind. The report’s expert contributors, like principle researcher and behavioral scientist Rachel Permuth, PhD, MSPH, Sodexo; Tom Stat, Founder/Partner, Eleven Consulting Group; David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, American Psychological Association; and Jim Ware and Paul Carder of the Occupiers Journal, help us understand how continued focus on integration of workplace solutions into strategic plans, not as tactics, is imperative to the future of the success of organizations.

Key Workplace Trends for 2013 include:

  1. The Built Environment’s Crucial Role in Organization Performance
  2. Superstar Recruitment – the Power of Community
  3. Inspiring a Connection to People, Community and Brand Through CSR
  4. A Contemporary View of Inclusion and its Effect on Psychological Health
  5. 21st Century Mentoring
  6. Thriving in the Cloud
  7. Ushering in the New Era of Recognition
  8. Facilities Management: A Strategy, Not a Tactic
  9. Data Reporting OUT; Predictive Modeling IN
  10. International Design and Construction; a Shifting Paradigm
  11. The Changing Office…Literally
  12. Integration as THE Solution

Our findings clearly show that organizations are responding to a “people-and quality of life” centric approach, not just HR-driven thought leadership.  In addition, leading facilities organizations like CoreNet and IFMA (International Facilities Management Association) are finding common ground at the executive level. This preview of the reports twelve trends illustrates that “people-centric” approaches will yield positive outcomes and drive more value than past brick and mortar strategies.

Stay tuned for the release of our full 2013 Sodexo Workplace Trends Report next week on SodexoUSA.com. It is something you will want to share with your organization, and include in your strategic planning for the coming year. You can also join the conversation now in our Workplace Experience Group on LinkedIn and let us know how your organization is addressing these trends.

by Michael Norris, COO Sodexo North America  & Market President Corporate Services

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Smart CRE Drives Smart Business

Friday, October 5th, 2012

Gary Herald

Aligning with the C-suite is traditionally top of mind for any progressive executive, but perhaps less traditionally, the role of the facility or corporate real estate manager is on the move…to the C-suite.  Corporate Real Estate execs with a seat at the table no longer think in terms of traditional metrics, such as cost per square foot and occupancy rates, but aligning with the strategic imperatives of the C-Suite. 

These include attracting and retaining top talent, increasing image value and reputation, along with productivity, innovation, and speed to market.  This new way of thinking is transforming the industry and at CoreNet in Orlando this week (#CNGOrlando), the industry will clearly illustrate how smart facilities management drives smart business.  

The function of corporate real estate is now held accountable to deliver value to the larger organization it serves.  To use a phrase from CoreNet’s playbook, let’s REimagine how the successful alignment of assets and infrastructure drive overall business results.  Innovation in the built environment not only reduces cost, but also maximizes collaboration and human performance.  In maximizing human performance, the organization achieves innovation and speed to market. 

Two issues that every executive will agree are critical to success.  RE-imagination true alignment with the business.

The future vision for our business effectively aligns the assets and infrastructure of an organization to meet its current and future challenges. 

In a time when accountability is at an all time high due to short development cycles and fierce competition in the marketplace, the need for total alignment and effective collaboration has never been clearer.  The larger return on investment is the success of the facilities management and real estate function and what they can bring the organization by driving business outcomes.

Connect with Sodexo Facilities Solutions at CoreNet or follow the conversation on Twitter #CNGOrlando through @SDXSolutions.

Gary Herald is senior vice president of Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions.

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World of FM Celebrates Success of the New Facilities Manager

Monday, June 25th, 2012

Gary Herald

By nature, Facilities Managers are problem solvers.  Historically, that is the role of a Facilities Management Professional in organizations – everything from hot/cold calls, space planning, sustainability, energy conservation to cost rationalization through effective use of assets and infrastructure are all examples of what solutions we are expected to produce each day.  The role is changing, however.  The impact of the real estate portfolio and facilities management function is becoming more and more apparent, and is earning a seat at the strategy table.  Corporate Real Estate executives have a chance to shape the future of their organization, not only from the cost and efficiency perspective, but also the asset and infrastructure planning perspective and perhaps, most importantly, delivering performance of individuals and organizations.

For these reasons and more, our team of talented and committed professionals is excited to celebrate the evolution to be more than the problem solver.  They engineer solutions that provide direction, innovation and tangible results for our clients.  No one knows more about the new role of the Facilities Management professional than the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).  In fact, this week it’s World FM Day. On June 28th events will take place on six continents, including a virtual event on Twitter (#worldfmday) which “celebrates success.” 

This virtual celebration of our industry is a great way to share conversation and insight with other FM professionals around the world on how the profession is growing and changing in unprecedented ways.  With services in 80 countries, Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions is looking forward to this conversation and I, for one, will be anxious to see the buzz about successes around the world. Together we will celebrate success, not only of the facilities industry, but also of our people.

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

We know that facilities management is a critical component to caring for the assets and infrastructure of a business, but it’s also critical for employee performance and engagement.  As mentioned in Sodexo’s 2012 Workplace Trends Report, executives are noticing that a company can only be as good as the engaging, innovative, and thriving environment they provide their employees.  But, whether it’s an energy management solution, an infrastructure renewal project, or a facility redesign to optimize workspace, the conversations are taking place at all levels on how today’s facilities solutions are mission -critical to an organization’s culture and ultimately their future.

Join the conversation with us @SDX_Solutions today on Twitter.

Gary Herald is senior vice president of Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions.

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REimagine: Measuring for True Value

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

David Love

Creating organizational value and aligning with the c-suite is top of mind for progressive real estate and facilities executives.  They no longer think in terms of traditional metrics, such as cost per square foot and occupancy rates, but aligning with the strategic imperatives of the C-Suite.  These include attracting and retaining top talent, increasing image value and reputation, along with productivity, innovation, and speed to market.  This new way of thinking is transforming the industry and has us all REimagining success.  REimagine is the focus of the upcoming Corenet Global Summit in San Diego, and I am excited to be taking part in such an exciting event.

Driving business imperatives.  REimagine the function of corporate real estate; and how it delivers value to the larger organization it serves.  REimagine how the successful alignment of assets and infrastructure drive overall business results.  Innovation in the built environment not only reduces cost, but also maximizes collaboration and human performance.  In maximizing human performance, the organization achieves innovation and speed to market.  Two issues that every executive will agree are critical to success.  REimagination equals true alignment with the business.

Click on CoreNet's summit logo for a direct link to their upcoming event homepage.

Measuring what matters. REimagine how you look at results and how the data identifies problems and opportunities which provide a platform for change. More importantly, think of ways that your data answers the critical questions of the c-suite.  Does the physical space lend itself to being a company of employee choice?  Does the space promote conviviality?  What is the ratio of time that employees spend by themselves vs. in joint sessions?  Is that ratio correct for the work function?  Are the ergonomics of the space aligned with the job function – thus reducing health care claims?  In today’s knowledge economy, return on investment is giving way to Value on investment.  Corporate real estate executives who effectively enable the intangibles of community, knowledge, and innovation will emerge leaders in their field and organization. 

The REimagination-ing of our business effectively aligns the assets and infrastructure of an organization to meet its current and future challenges.  In a time when product development cycles are shorter than ever, competition is fierce, and the best talent is harder to find, the need for total alignment and effective collaboration has never been clearer.  The larger return on investment is the success of the facilities management and real estate function and what they can bring the organization by driving business outcomes.

Join Sodexo and other industry leaders as we REimagine, REorient, REignite and REinvent what we do and how we do it. Connect with Sodexo Facilities Solutions at CoreNet (booth 225) or follow the conversation on Twitter #CNGSanDiego through @SDXSolutions.

David Love is a vice president of Facilities Solutions, Sodexo

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The Smarter the Solution, the Smarter the (World) Workplace

Monday, October 24th, 2011

In the blink of an eye, technology changes; and just as it changes the gadgets we buy and the entertainment we enjoy, it also changes the way we do business. Keeping up with advances in technology, not to mention government regulations, is enough to keep any facility manager up at night. Add sustainable systems, aggressive energy-saving goals and performance, and it’s no wonder companies are making the choice to focus on their core competency and outsource their integrated facilities management (IFM) to people like us.

As the industry of outsourcing hard and soft facilities-related services continues to grow at lightning speed, solutions providers are challenged to increase skill, competency and use of technology to ultimately win the battle for value. It’s more important than ever to be forward-thinking about how we can run smarter, faster, more efficient facilities.  That’s why conversations like the ones happening next week at International Facilities Management Association’s (IFMA) World Workplace Expo in Phoenix are vital to the industry.

IFMA’s World Workplace addresses challenges our industry is facing and enables conversations that lead to solutions and captures best practices. I look forward to this year’s conversations as we tackle the important task of using smarter facilities management to run smarter facilities

So rest easy facilities managers, this is a win-win. As organizations rely more and more on us as service providers to provide non-core services, it challenges us to gain more competency and skill, as well as the trust of our client to bring expertise, results-oriented systems and knowledgeable teams to the table.

Join the conversation with us at Sodexo, or @SDX_Solutions on Twitter. Also, you can stop by and see us at the conference!

Gary Herald is senior vice president of Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions.

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Experience = Results

Friday, July 8th, 2011

There is a buzz in the workplace community – we could hear it loud and clear World Facilities Management (FM) Day, a virtual event on Twitter hosted by International Facility Management Association (IFMA) last week. Workplace professionals around the globe are challenged with not only managing space, but results-based plans for maximizing space efficiencies and effectiveness for employers. This is a change that will benefit employees in the short term, employers in the long run, and will provide amazing opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships that deliver mission critical results and drive change in the workplace of the future.

Last week, Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions came out in full force on Twitter during World FM Day and we had some energizing conversations about advancing the workplace of the future globally. This virtual event was a chance for the widely varied industry of professionals to further dialogue about some very real transformations that are happening in today’s workspaces by highlighting challenges and solutions for large and small facilities alike, and for our recruiting team to get out there and talk to potential candidates.  Let’s be honest, a career in facilities management has never been so exciting.

Like I have said before, executives are noticing that a company can only be as good as the environment they provide their employees to engage, innovate, and thrive in. The key question is how to rationalize office space to create and accommodate flexible work arrangements, yet still keep employees energized and engaged? And then how do you, in that same physical space, use technology and digital solutions to drive efficiency and results?  The discussions that took place on Twitter last week and other events around the world were all about creating an experience as the future of the workplace and comprehensive human capital solutions that are advancing today’s workplace. 

The entire event was exciting for us, especially the Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions team, because ultimately these conversations bring more and more awareness to something we at Sodexo know to be true: facility managers really can really have an impact on bottom line results.  Congratulations IFMA on a successful event. We look forward to more conversations at World Workplace 2011 in Phoenix, or join more discussions now at the LinkedIn Group Workplace Experience.

Aster Angagaw is a senior vice president of market development at Sodexo.

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