Top 3 Priorities For Facilities Managers In 2023
By Hannah Dwyer, EMEA Head of Work Dynamics Research and Strategy, JLL.
It’s no secret that we’re currently operating in an economically cautious and challenging environment. Economic uncertainty, not least cost pressures impacted by inflation, are underpinning corporate real estate (CRE) decisions.
However, despite justified concern around an uncertain economic outlook, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel. With the Bank of England suggesting that inflation may have now peaked, there is potential for recovery to be made in the second half of 2023.
For facilities managers looking to improve building resilience and capitalise on more favourable operating conditions, it is important that investment is made in hybrid implementation, exploring ways to utilise technology to make operations more dynamic, and new that partnerships are forged. It is these three areas that should be the key priorities for businesses as they navigate the year ahead.
Hybrid Implementation
Most indications show that at least some form of hybrid working is now here to stay. It is an expectation among employees, and employers must ensure they respond accordingly. Managing a hybrid work setup is not straightforward for managers, as they assess the changes being implemented by their competitors while working out the best the fit for their own operations.
For CRE leaders and facilities managers who oversee global portfolios, the situation is even trickier. They also need to consider regional variations in how hybrid working will work. No one market is the same in this regard.
In many cases there is also still uncertainty within businesses around exactly who is responsible for implementing the changes required. This is leading to an evolution in the role of leaders and increasing awareness of the interlinked roles that facilities management, HR and technology teams will have to play to make hybrid a success.
The importance of getting hybrid implementation right cannot be understated. It provides an opportunity for employers to demonstrate to their employees that they are focused on them and their wellbeing.
Dynamic Operations
Investing in technology this year should also be a top priority when it comes to capturing the complex metrics that arise from real estate management. Especially at a time of cost pressures and economic uncertainty, technology can be used to support the improvement of operational efficiency and resilience of buildings.
Technology can be used in a number of ways to suit individual portfolios. It can enable real-time monitoring to drive faster and better decision-making. When it comes to the workplace, technologies can help facilities managers create a healthy, dynamic and engaging work environment that’s energy efficient and automated – and importantly, help to reduce costs.
Combining data sources with built environment knowledge, can help organisations tackle cost and energy challenges. Data-led information can help businesses see where money can be saved and when to invest in more efficient systems.
With staff often working in different locations, organisations will need to empower and engage employees wherever they are and manage variable and dynamic occupancy patterns. Investing in tech to facilitate and improve connection and collaboration between those in the office and working remotely will be key.
Partnerships
Within real estate, there exists an ecosystem of partnerships that are emerging to address the challenges facing the industry. Organisations should prioritise seeking out assistance from third party specialists to support them this year, as it is through collaboration that resilience can thrive.
This could mean investors and occupiers working more closely together, alliances with academic or government organisations, or outsourcing to service specialists. By embracing a partnerships led approach, facilities managers can rapidly harness an ecosystem of specialist skills and expertise, to accelerate progress, achieve strategic objectives and ultimately reduce spend.
For businesses looking to thrive this year, there is no one size fits all solution. But those that look to successfully implement hybrid working, embrace technology and explore new partnerships to support individual business goals that will be set up for success. The coming months will see anything that helps drive cost efficiencies gain momentum, with technology and partnerships being closely interlinked to ensure that the future of work and facilities management, works for everybody.
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