The rise of facilities management

Facilities management has been a recognised and established business activity since the mid-1980s. The description facilities management was adopted as a collective term for all those activities that support organisations in their occupation of space – from cleaning to security, from space planning to mechanical and electrical maintenance, from reprographics to catering.
    
The need for a professional approach was soon recognised and this resulted in the formation of the BIFM in 1993. The BIFM is the UK’s lead institute representing the interests of those who practice FM and those who work in organisations supplying FM related products or services.
    
The BIFM has remained one of the fastest growing professional bodies in the UK and is the largest national FM organisation in the world. Most of its 11,000 members are individual professionals although there is a growing corporate membership.

Within this fast growing professional discipline, facilities managers now have extensive responsibilities for providing, maintaining and developing a myriad of services. These range from strategic issues such as property strategy, space management and communications infrastructure to operational issues such as cleaning, energy use and security.
    
Skills and knowledge
The FM profession has come of age and its practitioners require skills and knowledge. The sector definition continues to expand to include the management of an increasingly broad range of tangible assets, support services and people skills. Those organisations that treat FM as a ‘commodity overhead’ will be at a significant strategic disadvantage. Successful organisations in future will approach FM as an integral part of their strategic plan.
    
BIFM has many members in the public sector and would be pleased to hear from you if you are working in estates & facilities management and would like to further your knowledge and advance your career. If you are moving into FM from another discipline or widening your role from related areas such as cleaning, catering or security, BIFM is the place to start.
    
Membership of BIFM affords professional recognition and shows that you are committed to the FM sector, many members have said that the tools provided by BIFM have helped to enhance their careers. BIFM offers its members qualifications, examinations and discounted training courses (including IOSH and NEBOSH) as well as a structured Continuing Professional Development programme.
    
Networking opportunities
BIFM is committed to the development of FM as a career of choice and supports all members as they progress throughout their careers. The online job section on the BIFM website is updated regularly and can be searched by keyword, region or salary to help you find your ideal role.
    
BIFM has specialised groups that bring together members who are working in or have a professional interest in estates and facilities management in different sectors. The groups provide an effective means of networking and a forum for exchange of advice, guidance and knowledge sharing all of which help to reduce your isolation.
    
As a member of BIFM you will also have access to a wide range of regional and national networking opportunities organised across the country throughout the year, such as The Facilities Show and Total Workplace Management Exhibitions.
    
BIFM had a successful time at The Facilities Show 2007, which took place on 22-24 May at the NEC, Birmingham. This year’s event saw more exhibiting companies, new feature areas and seminar content lining the show floor than ever before.
    
BIFM hosted a well attended debate focused on how FMs can best develop and progress in their roles and how BIFM can support them to do this. The panel of experts included Dave Wilson, BIFM deputy chair elect; Beth Flood, FMA Young Manager of the Year; Peter Cordy, BIFM Chairman; and David Emanuel, i-fm.net.
    
The panel also gave advice on how FMs can demonstrate that they add value. Beth Flood pointed out that if things are going well people don’t notice FMs, while Peter Cordy suggested that new FMs need to get some quick wins, find key supporters and exploit the opportunities available.
    
The debate then moved on to how FMs can ensure they keep pace with changes in the profession. Dave Wilson suggested that FMs need to read other business magazines as well as FM press and listen to younger colleagues.
    
The panel were asked how school leavers can be introduced into the profession. Peter Cordy said that BIFM is working towards getting school leavers to recognise FM as a career option through the work of the medium term strategy for Professional Standards & Education and also mentioned the new Construction and the Built Environment Diploma for 14-19 year olds. David Emanuel stated that FM is not the first choice career path, so it needs to be promoted and developed through certification, diploma’s and NVQ’s.
    
Gaining knowledge
After discussing the various training opportunities open to FMs the panel went on to discuss whether BIFM is supporting its members to progress in their careers and what it should be doing in the future. The host rounded up the debate by encouraging people to make the best of the opportunities available to them such as regional and national events and gaining knowledge from the BIFM website.BIFM members are also provided with information and knowledge resources such as market research, guidance on good practice and the latest industry news through respected industry magazine FM World. The members-only areas of the website contain a wealth of useful information, which can be accessed around the clock, including a fully indexed document library, FM events diary and active forums to share experiences with colleagues online.
    
Good practice guide
BIFM has recently launched its Good Practice Guide series, which is available free of charge to all members. Titles published recently include ‘Procuring & running catering contracts’, ‘Selecting FM Software’, and ‘Procuring & running cleaning contracts’.

For more information
www.bifm.org.uk