Facilities Management does not just mean the building
The term Facilities Management (or FM) seems fairly self-explanatory, but it does not just mean managing the facility itself. To successfully, safely and efficiently engage in FM, it is extremely important to look after everything inside; from equipment to services to, most importantly, people. After all, a building is just bricks and glass; it is only where you do your business, not what does your business for you.
The people who work for you are your most important asset. You may think they are replaceable, and to an extent that is true; there will always be people looking for a job. But it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your employees, and keeping them happy will obviously increase output and productivity greatly.
Your employees are what keeps your company moving and making money, and replacing workers is costly. There are obviously initial costs to consider; firstly any redundancy payments required to vacate the position; secondly, the massive price paid to recruiters who put forward the right candidate for that position. You can of course do your own recruiting, but that is costly in time, and in all honestly can be less efficient still. There is also the drop in productivity that having a new starter will inevitably bring. All things considered, failing to keep your work force happy can cost you thousands of pounds per employee, so it is worth spending a little to ensure they have everything they need to work.
This is where equipment comes in. Facilities managers have to consider whether the equipment that is available in the building is suitable for the job at hand. This does not just mean a computer with high enough technical specs. Of course this helps; a slow computer will only frustrate its user and will end up seeing another drop in output, even if the computer is good enough for the job. It means heating in winter and air conditioning in summer; catering at lunch time; internet that is fast enough; any number of things that an experienced FM company or professional will know to look for. Spartan operating might look good for business on paper, but this can be misleading. You will know how your market works inside out, but it might require outside help to give you a hand with understanding how your own workers are performing. Assessing performance is easy; improving it is the difficult task that a Facilities Management company can help you with.
When we talk about facilities management, we do not just mean the building itself, but everything and everyone in it. Facilities management companies with experience understand everything it takes for your business to run smoothly.
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