Professional cleaning has always come at a price that too few have been willing to pay. So will the greater interest in genuinely effective cleaning brought about by the pandemic lead to the end of deeply ingrained prejudices against the service? asks Martin Read.
Contract caterers went from feeding buildings full of people to grappling with reduced work and earnings as well as job losses — all in a matter of weeks. Nevertheless, the sector believes that despite the challenges, there is hope through innovation and flexibility. Bradford Keen reports.
Does the pandemic spell the end of the open plan office? In short, no, despite the many headlines and social media pundits calling for its death. This moment in time, however, provides an opportunity to rethink the current layout to enable employees to work effectively, safely and in comfort. Bradford Keen reports.
Legislation has catapulted the race to achieve net zero carbon emissions to the top of the sustainability agenda. Martin Read reports on a refreshingly collaborative environment with investors, developers, agents, operators and tenants all focused on the same goal – that is, before the pandemic struck.
Social value has dominated the agenda over the past few years with Covid-19 further highlighting sustainability’s human dimension. Yet in the months immediately pre-Covid, attention was turning towards the UK’s 2050 deadline for net zero carbon emissions as the new kid on the sustainability block. Ahead of its 2020 sustainability survey report, Martin Read attended an IWFM sustainability SIG workshop to consider the topic’s shifting priorities.
Empathy, emotional intelligence and other soft skills have become vital in how workplace and facilities managers deal with the needs of their teams and their end-users during the Covid-19 crisis, with uncertainty bringing these skills into sharp focus. Bradford Keen reports
An understanding and appreciation of others’ perspectives, be they peers or subordinates, makes for the broadening gamut of skills required to be an effective workplace and facilities manager. Bradford Keen talks to sector specialists about the personal professional development and training necessary to ensure truly empathetic facilities service management.
In just three tumultuous months, the homes we live in and the ways we get to and from them have become much more significant components in what many now see as a considerably nuanced workplace equation. Simon Wicks assesses how the built environment beyond the office doors may affect the future health and wellbeing of workers.
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for contactless solutions and social distancing applications, making intelligent space management a priority. Falling costs and an evolving workplace offering add to an intensified focus on the true value of responsive, data-driven building management tech. Bradford Keen reports
Aerospace and automotive organisations using trailblazing advanced manufacturing processes need flexibility to scale up and down production as required – and a facilities management function that can similarly flex with them. Bradford Keen explores the vital role FM plays in this high-tech market.
