The role of Facilities Manager is varied and requires strong analytical and organisational skill-sets – attributes which are highly valued across all businesses, especially with more pressure than ever to hit targets and stay sustainable.
Some believe facility management careers may be the perfect jobs for Generation Z. However, there are some common problems that can come as standard with this demanding job. The stress can be real, but you can put steps in place to make your job easier.
How to overcome common facilities management problems
So, what are the main problems that facility managers face? And, how can you take actionable steps to overcome them? Here are some common issues that always arise in the job.
Budget management- a balancing act
One of the ongoing battles for a facility manager is budget management. It can be tough to stay inside ever-decreasing budgets. Especially when you are dealing with ageing equipment and premises.
- Remember to promote the value that facility management brings to the workplace.
- Arrange regular meetings with department heads. This collaboration helps you both to understand each other’s issues. You can then combine budgets to achieve mutual goals.
- Inform senior management about your big wins and plans. If they are aware of the benefits of FM, they will be more inclined to value your contribution.
For some further insight, you could request a meeting with the Head of Accounts. They can give you accurate data to help keep your budget realistic and on track.
Budgeting will always be an issue. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. You could focus on asset maintenance and help to reduce costs in this area.
Providing a clean and safe environment for your employees
A fundamental issue is the health and safety of your employees. It is a legal obligation for your business. But it is also an excellent way for a company to show its caring side to its staff. You can check that your company is following the law by monitoring new regulations.
The health of your employees should always be a focus. The coronavirus (covid19) outbreak has hit home how important it is to keep places clean. It is still too early to say what the full impact on businesses will be.
Events like this are rare, but they can happen. You might already have an action plan in place to deal with such eventualities. If you need to do a deep clean of your office, you could use a commercial cleaning company.
- They have the specialised equipment, technology and skills to clean your office.
- The cost can work out cheaper than your standard cleaning methods. This cost-saving is possible because they can clean in a structured and cost-effective way.
- This efficiency can do wonders for your budget.
Facilities maintenance- embrace the technology
Old buildings come with problems, and some can become nagging headaches for facility managers. It can be hard to incorporate electronics and technology into old surroundings. Sometimes it requires thinking outside the box.
On the flip side, technology can provide you with access to incredible data.
- By promoting a Smart office, you can collect different types of high-quality data.
- You can use smartphones and wearable devices to source your data.
- You can gather information on air quality, light, noise, temperature and how employees use the office.
It can give you a direct insight into how you can improve the building’s performance.
Preventing problems before they occur
The work of a facility manager can be both demanding and rewarding at the same time. That’s probably why you chose this career.
The best way to head off potential problems is to be prepared. Keep on top of changes in the industry, attend relevant events and network with your peers. Always remember to keep your office door and ears open to colleagues. You will then be able to hear about any FM related issues first-hand. This gives you a chance to extinguish the flames before they become a problem in your office.
Office management can be rewarding. Enjoy your work and celebrate your successes with the team and the rest of the business.