Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Facilities managers are often putting out proverbial fires, leaving less time for those “important but not urgent tasks”—like upskilling and refreshing technical knowledge. But these “non-urgent,” small tasks, like preventive maintenance, can balloon into much bigger problems over time. According to Siemens’ “True Cost of Downtime 2024” report, the world’s top 500 companies lost 11% […]
In the skilled trades, confidence isn’t just about experience—it’s about staying sharp, adaptable, and prepared for evolving industry demands. Certifications have become a crucial tool for professional growth, particularly in trades like fire protection and electrical work. They provide workers with the structured learning needed to refine their expertise, enhance job performance, and build confidence […]
Editor’s note: This FM Perspectives op-ed was written in honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (observed March 8). 22: The percentage of women in the global FM labor force. 45: The average age of women in FM. These two pieces of data are from IFMA’s “Women in Facility Management: A Global Salary and Compensation Supplementary […]
The rapid advancement of digital technology, the focus on climate-resilient buildings, and the movement toward renewable energy are just a few of the many factors disrupting the skilled trades industry. Workers in fields like facilities management, electrical, engineering, and fire service face the daunting challenge of keeping up with these trends so they can do […]
Covering everything from maintenance and security to technology and construction, 2025 predictions abound in the facilities management industry. But what do facilities managers, themselves, hope to accomplish in the new year? The start of every year represents an opportunity for new beginnings or ambitious goals. Given how demanding and all-encompassing facilities management can be, even […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) has very quickly become familiar to everyone involved in facilities management. Through prescriptive data insights, combining advanced analytics and AI-driven recommendations, there are a wealth of benefits that AI brings for the industry. After all, McKinsey research estimates that generative AI could soon make up $4.4 trillion of value annually. The rise […]
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released its third annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled worker sentiments around the current state of labor, training, and technology on the jobsite. The survey provides a look at what the skilled trades industry can expect in each of these areas in 2025. The findings are based […]
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) announced a collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer members of both organizations training and resources to enhance the safety and performance of facilities and facility professionals globally. Through this collaboration, IFMA members will have access to NFPA’s training and certification programs, as well as more than […]
Diversity, equality, and representation are essential across all industries, including facilities management. In honor of Black History Month, Erna Perkins-Jones shares her FM success story, discusses what the annual observance means to her, and offers advice for future facility leaders, no matter their skin color. Perkins-Jones is the director of facilities at Johnson C. Smith […]
As we entered 2024, many facilities professionals made New Year’s resolutions to boost their careers. Some will be going back to school to get a college degree in facilities management or a specialty such as sustainability or operations management. Others will be taking classes, or simply studying on their own, so they can gain the […]