Making the most of membership

What will the next big innovation in the facilities management industry and what direction will we take next, wonders BIFM chairman Ian Broadbent.

 

25 November 2010

Have you ever sat there and wondered how it all started, the universe I mean, not FM. It's a scary thought when you sit and think about it and certainly beyond me to find an answer to. Equally though thinking about it, how and when did FM start? I think we all have an idea of when but I wonder who originally coined the phrase Facilities Management. I noticed, incidentally, when I was in the US that they use the phrase Facility Management, I think if I was working in the industry I would find that quite frustrating but maybe it's just one of those vagaries between our common language.

To be a pioneer must give an amazing amount of satisfaction and I wonder whether the people who pioneered FM at the time realised what they would end up creating in terms of the global industry, network and family that we now live in?

So what will the next big innovation in our industry be or what direction will we take next? Have you ever considered how you could be part of that, maybe you have an idea that you just haven't taken any further or maybe an opinion that you haven't tested with your industry peers. I'm a regular user of Twitter and LinkedIn and I wonder if the founders of these "everyday tools" realised quite what they were creating at the time? To have that initial idea and follow through and become an international sensation must be a great feeling. Of course it's important that they are kept fresh and some say already that Twitter has had its day and has been overtaken. I think this is a really important thing to be aware of as we go about our everyday work within our businesses. Time doesn't stand still and as our industry and/or our business moves on we need to move with it, or better still stay one step ahead. So how do you do that? Well there are some simple things to start with such as:

1. Reviewing the strategy of your business and ensuring your FM strategy is aligned.
2. Look at the goals for your team, self and business, ensure they too are aligned and that you live and breathe them.
3. Get out and look at what your industry peers are doing; I am sure there will be a business in your area happy to throw open the doors and share ideas and good practice.
4. As a BIFM member you have access to all the online resources, events, good practice guides, groups and networks. Make sure you use them.
5. Ask for feedback from your team, customers and other stakeholders.
So if you do have that great idea or innovation or simply want to know what's going on why not engage and let people know, or maybe just engage to find out what other people are talking about? Remember we can be found on line at www.bifm.org.uk and our networking site is at www.networkwithbifm.org.uk. You can read more from me on my weekly blog linked from the BIFM website or catch me on Twitter @ ibroadbent_bifm. I look forward to hearing from you.

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