Feature
The FM Industry in 2012
Chris Hoar, Chief Executive of the Facilities Management Association (FMA) takes a look at the industry in the year ahead.
functions and services to provide the support essential to its core business operations.
For the last decade or so, most organisations have started to think in strategic terms about the support activities that are being provided by a range of FM providers. At the beginning of the 21st
Century, with
its climate of continuous change in business and technology, and the emphasis on effective utilisation of all corporate resources, FM emerged as a key business discipline. With this has come greater professionalism - and a wider range of choice in how specific functions and services are secured.
As the economic recession continues to bite in 2012, the FM industry is to face the same tough challenges as other industries. As organisations are trying to do more with less, however, outsourcing to FM providers is one way in which companies can look to improve their balance sheets. In 2012 therefore, it is likely that outsourcing will remain a viable option for driving cost efficiency in a number of organisations.
In my opinion, there is no reason why the FM industry will not grow and prosper in 2012. After all, every organisation relies on a mix of
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Ultimately, in 2012, we would like to see everyone that is connected to the FM industry playing an active role in raising its profile; the FM industry is currently the biggest hidden industry in the UK. We would like to see a greater appreciation of its importance to the UK economy, and an acknowledgement of the quality service that it delivers in order to bring innovative solutions.
Whether your organisation operates in the public or private sector, you can be sure that FM companies have a valuable contribution to make to the productivity of your workplace. For example, employees are likely to be less productive in an office with poor lighting, which offers poor catering solutions and a broken lift. FM organisations are crucial in helping to ensure that this is not the case. Naturally, the more productive UK- based companies are, the greater the positive impact on the UK economy.
This year, we feel that the notion of developing the skill set of those working in the industry will be brought into sharp focus. As an industry, we need to continue to develop our existing network of professionals, as well as attracting those from other industries, that can bring fresh ideas and innovation to Facilities Management. As part of this we would like to see more women in senior FM roles, and more young people coming into the industry to develop a career. For the FMA, this
will mean doubling the size of our Young Managers Forum; investing in the Senior Managers of tomorrow.
The FMA will be focused on the delivery of increased membership benefits in the coming year, as well as trying to attract new members from a cross section of the industry. It is hoped that this will help us to strengthen our position as the voice of the industry, helping to raise its profile and demonstrate its importance to the UK economy.
As we seek to strengthen our relationships with existing members and build relationships with new members, 2012 will be the year in which we hope to see further constructive communication with our members. We will be embracing the use of social media to increase our reach, and raise our profile amongst audiences of different demographics.
To conclude, I am sure that the next 12 months are set to be great for the FM industry. With a tough economic climate, more businesses will be looking to outsource the vital support activities on which their core business relies. The coming year is going to be a period of exciting developments for us, in which we look to increase the sphere of distance learning, business innovation and government representation.
www.fmassociation.org.uk
www.tomorrowsfm.com
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