While the current economic conditions may make you want to throw your hands up in despair, a pro-active FM who takes the initiative can play a key role in restoring a positive ethos in the organisation. There are several ways in which this can be achieved, all of them reflecting well on the FM department and helping to affirm the value of FM within the enterprise.

Not least of these is the contribution that efficient management of facilities makes to staff morale. Ensuring that comfortable environmental conditions are maintained, that equipment is fully functional when its needed, that meeting rooms are available and visitors are managed efficiently all provide invaluable support to the activities of colleagues.

In parallel, the FM has a role to play in driving cost out of the business by ensuring that the organisation’s assets are used to full effect and that any wastage is minimised.

As noted above, many of the benefits the FM can bring to the organisation require a pro-active approach that may well increase the time pressures on FM staff. So, at the same time, it’s important to evaluate the FM processes and ensure they are as efficient as possible – making use of the tools available to maximise those efficiencies.

Technologies such as specialised software packages with intranet links for easy access by FM staff and customers, use of remotely hosted ‘Software as a Service’ resources to cut IT overheads and more efficient management of both office-based and mobile staff all have a role to play