FEATURE IFMA’S WORLD


WORKPLACE EUROPE: A ROUND-UP


Located in Barcelona’s impressive 14th century Casa Llotja de Mar, 2018’s edition of the International Facilities Management Association’s (IFMA)


World Workplace Europe conference came at a time when Catalonia aren’t the only ones declaring their independence.


The mild climate, strong wind, poor acoustics and majestic setting weren’t the only things on the discussion table at this conference that took place over two days in early May. The topics on the agenda included the usual suspects with a few notable extras. On the whole, well- devised content was delivered positively throughout the conference, both days were chaired expertly and enthusiastically, and many an FM membership body’s flag was being flown, with members of IFMA (the hosts), RICS, BIFM and CoreNet all in attendance.


Futurologist Paul Papadimitriou kicked off the proceedings with his keynote address, ‘People in the digital age’, asking the question ‘as the influence of artificially intelligent and automated tech spreads, what effect is digitalisation having on our social and professional lives?’. He spoke of the global race to easier experience, reminding us that every time we use a technology it is because it’s easy. One thing became clear if it wasn’t already: the real disruption is happening in the b2b world. One delegate certainly made the most of his hearty hotel breakfast and a cortado or two that morning, asking the speaker boldly if he thought ‘FM should change its name, and what would you change it to?’.


Another stand out discussion came from HOK’s Kay Sargant, who discussed whether our data is currently too thin. She asked why we are so set on collecting all this data, and reiterated that this question needed to be posed first and foremost. What are we really doing with it anyway? She called for more ‘thick’ data – not just the what, but the multiple layers that show the why underneath.


Peter Ankerstjerne, an IFMA board member, asked during a panel discussion whether HR departments are mature enough to develop with us. Kate North of Colliers, echoed this point and called for more collaboration – challenging us all to engage with one another more, promulgating that no one department can do it alone. If an organisation is made up of a multitude of different silos, North believes that the FM discipline can adequately prove its value by stepping up and working alongside HR, IT and Marketing.


88 | TOMORROW’S FM


Day two saw an update from IFMA and RICS on their ongoing collaboration, which was driven by observations from both sides in 2016 that fundamentally FM has a lot of fragmentation. Instead of adding more disintegration to the marketplace, the two bodies have decided to work together, with the aim of creating a global platform for professionals to engage.


“A survey examined the perceived benefits of alternative workplace programmes, aiming to uncover the leadership implications for property executives.”


One of the most promising presentations was the unveiling of the ‘New Ways of Working’ report, which delved into a decade’s worth of surveys, including the views of more than 2 million employees globally, presented by Chris Hood, of Advanced Workplaces Associates (AWA) and Gabor Nagy of Haworth. The survey examined the drivers and perceived benefits of alternative workplace programmes, aiming to uncover the leadership implications for property executives. Hood stated that the findings are not a recipe for success, alluding to the fact that more needs to be done, with the survey acting as evidence to kick start that process. The results are due to be launched officially this month and if the taster top-line findings are anything to go by, the insight will be invaluable.


Other presentations, seminars and panel discussions included updates on BIM, biophilic design, smart buildings and the war for talent. However, one thing was clear: alone, the many individuals, groups, organisations and membership bodies that comprise FM offer and add value in unique ways. But together, the industry can be uniting force.


www.ifma.org twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


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