The future of FM: Stan Mitchell

Paul Collett , May 17th, 2009

Stan Mitchell, CEO Key Facilities Management International UK, founding chairman, Global Facility Management Association, talks to fmME about global positioning, iconic buildings and the future of FM 

Stan Mitchell will be sharing his knowledge at the Property and FM Conference Middle East as a keynote speaker. But you can access the thoughts of the founding chairman of the Global Facility Management Association here first, in an exclusive Q&A with facilities management ME.

The association’s vision is: ‘A worldwide alliance of member-centred facility management organisations, providing leadership in the advancement of the FM profession.’ Precient sentiments, as during the Q&A session Mitchell extends the hand of friendship to facilities managers in the Gulf region who are passionate about the built environment, yet frustrated at the lack of any dedicated Middle East body or association for the industry to use as a platform for change. The fmME Breakfast Club will be taking that hand.
 
fmME: Where does UAE FM stand in global terms?

Stan Mitchell: The UAE is very much at the beginning of the curve. It, however, has the opportunity to develop on the back of the knowledge that has been gained over the last 25 years in other markets and, if it does so in the right manner, could well be the market leader in the next 10 years.

fmME: What can the UAE bring to the FM world?

SM: Through the proper approach it can bring significant growth in the professionalism and the demonstrable advantages of FM. It has the potential to lead the world not just in building benchmark developments, but in ensuring that they are sustainable and achieve a significant life cost of ownership and operation. 

The UAE has created a significant iconic real estate portfolio which could become the benchmark standard. Perhaps what is more important is the potential for the negative rather than the positive: what would it say if many of these iconic structures are not managed properly and the whole life cost becomes the benchmark about how not to do it?



fmME: Do you believe FM can avoid some of the negative affects of the recession?

SM: Facilities management will (or should) thrive in the recession. Its core business (management of the overhead) is where real efficiencies can usually be made. The recession is an opportunity, in many ways, not to be missed.

fmME: What do you believe the FM role is in an economic downturn?

SM: We need to be developing awareness of how we can soften the impact of any downturn. Professionals need to grasp the opportunity and get the message to the boardroom, and to assist organisations to rationalise and introduce the numerous efficiencies that are available to them.

fmME: What should FMs in the UAE be doing or thinking in the current climate?

SM: Raising the awareness of what true facilities management (as opposed to facilities services) really is, and by doing so business and commerce (not to mention government) will sit up and take note.

The facilities management sector has a huge part to play, not just in supporting real estate developers to improve their lot, but also in assisting the UAE as a whole to recover and re-establish its reputation as a destination of choice.

fmME: What trends do you see most likely being followed by UAE companies?

SM: The plethora of facilities services companies will continue to grow. Some will deliver and some will not. Through the maturing of the market true facilities management companies will start to emerge.

fmME: What are the main global issues the UAE FM has to be aware of and how can the industry address them quickly?

SM: Access to truly professional and experienced resources is essential. There are many people who come from the traditional built environment disciplines; there are fewer who truly understand the differences between activities such as maintenance; property management; strata management and facilities management. The establishment of training and education is coming to the UAE and the opportunity for individuals to properly develop their skills in this area will soon be available.

fmME: What has the Global FM Association got to offer UAE players? 

SM: Global FM is an association of associations furthering the sharing of knowledge and best practice across the profession. Its role is to coordinate and leverage such knowledge across the world. If the players in the UAE want to establish a professional association Global FM will assist them in doing so. Some people are already trying to start a professional association, others should step up to the plate and help. Global FM will then support them to become a member of the worldwide FM family.

fmME: Do you have a personal take on the UAE market – where it is going, are there any specific challenges that need to be addressed now? 

SM: In my opinion, too much has been done too quickly and without any facilities management input at the right stage of design. The lack of facilities management input at the beginning of the design process will impact the long term viability of many developments. 

When the sales and marketing hype has receded people will focus upon the cost of ownership and the customer service experience. Developers should note that reputations can usually be lost much more quickly than they are gained.

One of the main challenges I perceive is the cultural one of accepting the situation sooner rather than later, and doing something productive about it. While there is always enough money to fix the problem after the event, why is it that there is never enough to do it right in the first place?



fmME:  Your address at the Property & FM Conference will talk about FM influencing the boardroom. What is the main message you’ll be conveying on the day?

SM: In relation to my presentation, my objective is to pass on what knowledge I have to those who want to listen, and hopefully make a small contribution to the improvement of the value that those within the sector can make to the real estate industry, business, commerce and government.

Facilities management is not an end in itself and we have no right to get the attention of the board of directors until we can demonstrate the value that we bring. The responsibility to achieve this is with us. 

Keynote speaker

Stan Mitchell will be speaking at the Property & FM Conference on May 25th.

Topic: Influencing the boardroom - the door is always open but are we ready to enter?

Bottom line margin - how facilities management can contribute

Performance measurement - if we do not measure we don’t know

Corporate social responsibility - can facilities management deliver?

Risk management - how facilities managers can soften the economic blow