Dave Love
There is no question in today’s facility and corporate real estate environment technology, sustainability, economics, and a myriad of other factors are driving trends that shape the facilities management business, but let’s not forget the people. Creating an unparalleled workplace experience for staff is not only a differentiator as an employer, but more so a critical imperative which effects the health and happiness of your greatest asset, your human capital.
Improvements in technology, as well as HR policy have now created a viable “third space” for many employees. People can work 24/7 — at their home office, Starbucks, or anywhere there is Wi-Fi access. Improvements in space planning have created open office plans that reduce your footprint and enhance collaboration. But, how does that affect the employee? How do you ensure work-life balance for those utilizing home office? How do you encourage and celebrate an introvert in an extrovert-driven open office?
The office space is now defined by work style versus the antiquated status ideal. Evidence-based design tells us that space goes beyond the end users and into the core of your business. It’s about retention, engagement, productivity, and let’s be honest, health. From the person on the phone all day at a call center, to the patient for whom an R&D team is developing life-saving pharmaceuticals – effective technical planning and design is dramatic and impactful.
Effective facilities management solutions deliver innovation, significant operating cost savings and more importantly, the ability to effectively create space that delivers a personalized approach to each employee that effects engagement, productivity and health. Today, we join the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) for World FM Day, a virtual event on Twitter. For a longer discussion, check out the LinkedIn Workplace Experience group to engage in some thought provoking discussions with industry leaders.
Dave Love is a vice president for Sodexo Facilities Management Solutions.
Tags: corporate real estate, dave love, facilities management, facilities managers, fm, IFMA, International Facilities Management Association, International Facility Management Association, world fm day, worldfmday