The transition to a better way

As society and the economy open up piece by piece, there will be mixed emotions. Some will feel unsure or concerned; others will be relieved; many will be excited. As a workplace and facilities management professional, you may be experiencing all of these feelings and helping others to manage them. Our Market Outlook 2021 report released last month highlighted that while most in our profession felt optimistic about the next year, some had legitimate concerns such as a potentially lower demand for services as organisations reduce their occupied spaces.

Last month we also released the latest results of our time-series Returning to Workplaces research. It revealed that most UK office 
workers want to move to hybrid working; namely, spending some time at home and some time in the office. 

After your outstanding service during the worst stages of the pandemic and the improvement that has garnered in your standing, I urge you to see this as your next opportunity to add value, further enhance the profession’s standing and do what you do best: help organisations to perform better. This is the workplace and facilities management value proposition manifest. 

The demand for occupied spaces is changing, but it will not disappear. Meanwhile, your skills and knowledge will be critical in helping organisations to navigate the transition to new ways of working intelligently, strategically and effectively. Hybrid working is approaching fast and you have IWFM’s full faith and support in achieving the transition.

Linda Hausmanis is CEO of the IWFM 

To read the full May/June 2021 edition, click here.