10 QUESTIONS WITH...
In each issue we ask an FM professional the Tomorrow’s FM 10 Questions. This month we spoke to Sharmin Akter, Managing Director of Total Solutions Group.
Q1
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I left Bangladesh when I was 16 years old and came to the UK to study. My first job was as a cleaner in McDonald’s, where I worked shift work around my A level studies.
Q2 Q3
Q4 Q5
10 QUESTIONS WITH…. Q6 Q7
IT BE AND WHY?
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I was training to be an accountant, and worked in large companies in the cleaning, flood recovery and drainage industries. I didn’t enjoy the corporate life, and my ambition has always been to set up and run my own business. I identified that whilst specialist facilities services are required by a variety of organisations, few companies have the expertise and resources to offer a range of services, and so in 2014 I set up Total Solutions Group.
WHO, IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY, DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Although sadly no longer alive, my Dad has always been my inspiration, and the key reason that my ambition has always been to run a successful company. He started his business in Bangladesh from nothing, working extremely hard to build a successful company, with the right ethic and always looking after his employees.
IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, WHAT CAR WOULD YOU BUY?
A McLaren 720S MSO in white, with orange trim and black wheels.
HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I think the opportunity is in looking at the bigger picture of how services are provided and the benefits that they can bring to the specific environment. For suppliers, I believe that this means looking at the client’s best interest, understanding what they are trying to achieve, and helping them to do this effectively and efficiently. For the client, I think moving away from the total cost focus and working more closely with service specialists can generate value in their individual environment.
62 | TOMORROW’S FM
I would like to be Wonder Woman, and make the world a better place for one day.
For that day, there would be no wars, no fighting, people would respect each other and everyone would have food on the table. I hope that the impact would bring about a lasting change in how we live.
Q8
IF YOU COULD HOST A DINNER PARTY WITH ANY THREE GUESTS,
DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY BE
AND WHY? My dad, as he is my greatest inspiration, Margaret Thatcher, a powerful lady who I greatly admired and Barack Obama, for an interesting conversation on making the world a better place.
Q9
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE OF THE FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?
I think clients will become more focused on getting the service standards that bring value to their environment, at a good price. I believe that a number of the current TFM/IFM delivery models contain significant middle man margins, which mean that the people delivering the services are often not paid enough. Changing this is vital to ensure good service standards and a loyal workforce in my opinion.
Q10
LUIS DE SOUZA, CEO OF NFS TECHNOLOGY ASKS: WHAT CAN
WE DO TO MAKE FM A MORE ATTRACTIVE
CAREER CHOICE FOR TALENTED INDIVIDUALS? Make it exciting! Today, FM is very traditional and many young people are unaware of what it involves or the career opportunities that exist. I think that professional bodies, trade associations and FM companies all have a responsibility to communicate the career opportunities and the difference that FM brings to everyone’s life.
www.totalsolutionsgroup.uk.com
twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
An engineer, probably working in construction, and I always knew that I would run my own business at some point.
IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER FOR A DAY, WHAT WOULD
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