Why follow the latest facility management trends?

Incorporate them into your business and management strategies to create future scenarios, as well as implement new routines and schedules. While not every trend may fit into your business plan, being knowledgeable and aware of them will grow your employee and client’s confidence in your facility management services. 

Below, we’ve highlighted the six current trends in facilities management.

Trend #1 Economic Growth

By 2025, the facilities management global outsourcing market will be worth $1 trillion, according to CBRE’s top trends in facilities management. 

Outsourcing has long been the fiscally responsible move and that isn’t stopping. Instead of focusing on cutting costs, companies are choosing to outsource in order to give in house teams the opportunity to focus on other priorities such as strategic initiatives. This, however, makes hiring the right vendor even more crucial. 

Ensure that a vendor can answer questions about:

• Turnover rate
• Training process
• Experience
• Routine inspection process
• Communication methods and processes
• Referrals

Trend #2 integrated services

Progressive companies and organizations are also working to adjust structures, bringing departments or individual contractors that were previously separated by function or location and housing them under one partner. Globally business is expected to more than $152.7 billion by 2021 on integrated facilities management services, according to Business Wire.

An integrated approach allows for improved consistency in service and quality and also providing a better vantage point for the overall management and long-term vision. Independent services function independently creating gaps in quality, poor overall management, and misuse or overuse of resources. 

Trend #3 focus on users

Following other industry trends, facility management is leaning stronger towards personalization and catering to the individual. This means more flexibility in space-use, customizable services and solutions, and more tailored products. 

“Companies expect their FM and services industry providers to supply individualized services that maximize their value proposition,” according to Service Futures. 

The growth of technology makes this easier to offer both in a customer and employee setting. Online apps and tools play a larger role in a customer’s journey, helping them get real-time updates and product or service knowledge. 

For employees collaboration and social spaces for co-working, as well as wellness-capable buildings with built-in exercise rooms or calm areas for meditation has developed into an expectation. Over 30% of FM revenue is generated by the healthcare sector, according to Services Futures. 

Trend #4 collaboration

The relationship between client and supplier is shifting from a well-completed single or recurring task to a relationship that grows into a long-term partnership. Clients today want to select partners that can not only complete the needed job but, more importantly, align with their company’s culture. 

This makes it more important for facility management companies to understand the motivations of each workforce generation. Are they motivated by workplace flexibility, on-site resources, personal growth, and promotion opportunities? Attracting, recruiting, and retaining valuable partners becomes more complex as newer generations enter the workforce. 

Trend #5 the smart workplace

As technology continues to grow and develop, it is becoming increasingly easier to provide a connected workspace that is both energy-efficient and comfortable. “20.4 billion connected things will be in use by 2020, up from 8.3 billion in 2017. Smart buildings with lights, sensors, windows, HVAC units, doors, and CCTV integrated into a network are becoming increasingly common, ” said CBRE in their most recent Top Trends in Facilities Management report. 

An increased focus on energy-efficiency makes LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) much more valuable. Partners and customers will more actively look for businesses that are LEED certified, which may benefit from tax credits. 

Big expectations are a real challenge faced by facility management companies. Not every company has the flexible budget to shift funds towards the latest gadgets. First, ensure that you have a good grasp of your resources to fill in gaps as efficiently as you can. Maintain communication between you and your team to be aware of growing needs. Listen to your customer’s needs to more accurately determine where funds should be diverted. 

Trend #6 technological development

The growth in technology not only helps increase employee and customer comforts but also allows for deeper dives into collected data. Building management systems can use collected data about the workplace and workforce to make actionable, data-driven decisions. They can better understand the use of the existing space to make more efficient decisions. 

The technological impact doesn’t end there. The market for robotics is growing. Robots are being used for security patrols, greeting visitors, and taking over automated services. This allows for reduced labor costs, reduced workforce risk, and increased efficiency.

ALign your business goals and strategies

Every business is different and facility management companies are no exception. Reviewing the expected trends and incorporating them into your planning will help put your management company above the rest. 

Like most facility management challenges— controlling costs, extending the life of your resources, doing more with less, keeping accurate records, and choosing the right vendors— the key is that once identified, you can determine the most efficient and effective way to overcome them and instill confidence in your team.

While all companies benefit from a team that handles troubleshooting or reactive maintenance, it can be stressful and, if recurring, harmful to the team and client morale. Predictive maintenance, driven by examining upcoming trends and other data, can empower facility managers with actionable data and resources.

Equip your team by strategizing around the upcoming trend, such as increased co-working spaces, wellness spaces, or supporting outsourcing needs. Don’t be caught by surprise or get in over your head. One of the best ways to successfully get in front of facility management challenges is to bring in a vendor that is knowledgeable and familiar with upcoming changes. 

CSG supports facility managers by providing the resources they need to adapt and work with the latest trends while staying within budget and ultimately saving money. Contact our team today to get your free quote on janitorial services, carpet cleaning services, and more for your commercial building.

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