The challenges of FM during the current pandemic is making us all think on our feet and we are
having to evolve, fl ex and adapt therefore currently those fortunate enough to be employed are
probably learning signifi cantly more on the ground than via any membership body.”
But none of this should preclude the organisation from becoming
a chartered body according to the requirements set out by the Privy
Council. Facilities managers are members of a unique profession with
only some overlap with other bodies, such as RICS, and a growing
number are degree-qualified. While there are question marks over
whether the institute could be described as ‘financially sound’, the
same could be said of many organisations at the moment. Within a
few years, if managed prudently, the IWFM could regain its financial
footing.
What’s key is what the institute does next. A er a period of
adjustment, it has developed a good online o ering. The key for it –
and other similar organisations – is how to monetise that. It also needs
to ensure it continues to be relevant at a time when people are looking
to cut non-essential expenditure. Just as workplace professionals
are adjusting to supporting people to work wherever they may be – a
long-term trend significantly accelerated by the pandemic – the IWFM
needs to adapt. It needs to react quicker and reduce red tape, but
it also needs to better harness the power of its active members and
volunteers – the institute’s critical friends – many of whom feel their
knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas have been overlooked for some
time. That way it will be seen as an essential weapon in the FM’s
pandemic armoury and as relevant today as it was when it was formed
– whether it’s successful in becoming a chartered body or not.
MEMBER’S VIEWS
LUCY HIND, PROPERTY AND
ESTATES PROFESSIONAL
The BIFM, now the IWFM
has always been seen as the
industry organisation to join
when you enter the facilities
management sector. It is
known as the pioneering body
for workplace and facilities
management professionals
for its training and guidance
and at its peak has had over
15,000 members. I have been a
member of the IWFM for many
years and I have heard both good and poor feedback from individuals
and organisations regarding the level of service; for instance, I myself
have tried on a number of occasions to speak to the Institute regarding
upgrading memberships and the system does not appear to be overly
user-friendly. However, the training and guidance notes / documents
on the website make a very handy reference for new FMs to help keep
them up to date. As the facilities sector changes and moves in some
new directions it occurs to me that the IWFM is promoting a wider
range of data to its membership but I wonder if FMs actually know this
and if they have visited the new website? Are they just renewing their
membership annually by habit and not paying attention to the website
and some of the data that is available?
I am however now acutely aware that there are discussions around
which Bodies are most relevant to our field of work, to include technical
22 NOVEMBER 2020
elements in more detail and embrace an expanding FM role. Should
it be the RICS? Where does CIBSE fit etc? I think that this is causing
confusion and a lack of understanding and in some respect distrust. I
believe that there is a lot on o er through the IWFM and I think that if
there was more collaboration between the sector groups there would
be less confusion. I have recently seen many job roles requesting
RICS membership for FMs and currently very few requesting IWFM,
which may force a change in the sector and a review of sector specific
memberships that are most beneficial for career progression.
STEPHEN BURSI, FACILITIES LEAD, BAE SYSTEMS
Personally, I have had little
engagement with IWFM (other
than corporate membership),
with my only portal into IWFM
being via their journal and the
odd on-line article regarding
COVID back in the early days.
Incidentally, on this point, for any
guidance regarding managing
FM related matters regarding
COVID, we have sourced all
guidance and information direct
from Central Government. In
early March, I had asked IWFM for
some initial guidance to which I received quite a poor response.
Stephen Bursi
RUSSELL WOOD, FM AT DENTSU AEGIS NETWORK
My membership lapsed in May
this year. I don’t personally feel
I am missing out on anything as
I use LinkedIn to my advantage
to connect, network, read/
educate etc. I had found physical
networking events useful and
certain SIG’s interesting to
follow and over the years I have
been pointing these scenarios
to my less senior team as I feel
that they would benefit more
so than I am these days. The
challenges of FM during the
current pandemic is making us all think on our feet and we are having
to evolve, flex and adapt therefore currently those fortunate enough to
be employed are probably learning significantly more on the ground
than via any membership body. This isn’t to say I won’t renew my
membership as the timing isn’t right for me personally, but as a rule
and concept I am supportive of the IWFM.
Do you have a question that you’d like
answered by the FMJ Clinic?
Email: sara.bean@kpmmedia.co.uk
FM CLINIC
Lucy Hind
Russell Wood
ADVICE & OPINION
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