The people behind the acronyms: fresh insight into the ISO/TC 267 Advisory Group

If you were paying attention back in June when the team got together in Dublin during the European Facilities Management Conference (EFMC 2019), you will already know that the ISO/TC 267 Advisory Group chaired by our own Gordon Mitchell, Key FM CIO, focuses on issues related to Facilities Management and technology.

However, with such a rich seam of standards within the ISO 41000 family, do you sometimes find it challenging to keep track of developments? In a recent live chat with Mike Petrusky, hear Laverne Deckert and Gordon distil the issues in this upbeat podcast. They discuss the need for building a standard around technology infusion in the built environment as it relates to smart buildings, data and modelling information to make the workplace more human-centric. The team even find time for an online “celebration” with a Kool and the Gang version of podcast karaoke, which you wouldn’t want to miss!

Crucially Mike asks about the practical application of the TC 267 mission, allowing Laverne and Gordon to share why they believe that the FM experience and data science can be integrated with best practices and accreditations from organisations like IFMA, IWFM, and ProFM. Facility management is value centre and we need to advance practices and standards in FM to allow FM leaders to digitally transform their careers and their organisations.

Roadmap to implementing workplace technologies

Gordon and Laverne

A Roadmap to Implementing Workplace Technologies

Find our more from the ISO here

Focus on Laverne

Laverne works with her clients to assess, analyse, and optimise process improvement opportunities in the Corporate Real Estate and Facility Management industries. She provides on-site and off-site strategic business consultation, team facilitation and project development services. In her spare time, you will find she is never far from her children and her horses.

Focus on Gordon

Gordon has long been ahead of the curve with his vision on blending technology and operations to optimise business processes, but above all his passions lies in ensuring this optimisation has a positive impact on the human stories to be found at the heart of every workplace. Away from work you will find him enjoying quality time with his growing family.

2019 Dublin_ISO

ISO/TC 267 Advisory Group, Dublin 2019

Connect with Laverne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcdeckert/

Connect with Gordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-mitchell-9aaa8834/

Learn more about ISO/TC 267 for Facility Management:  https://www.iso.org/committee/652901.html

 

 

Knowledge Transfer Partnership celebrates ongoing success

This week saw 80 participants from across Scotland attend a unique opportunity for networking and a well-deserved celebratory lunch. The event took place at The University of Western Scotland Paisley campus and was in recognition of the successful collaboration between the university and its KTP project partners.  

What is the Knowledge Transfer Partnership? 

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme has been helping businesses to innovate and grow for the past 40 years. It does this by linking them with a university and a graduate to work on a specific project. Each KTP is a three-way partnership whereby the academic institution sponsors a recently-qualified graduate to work at the heart of a partner business. The graduate, known as the ‘associate’, brings new skills and knowledge to the business. 

Key FM was proud to be represented at the event by Celeste Tom, Key FM KTP Manager.

Celeste commented: “As Facilities management moves towards a more scientific and data-oriented operation working with the best academics to further the profession and its capabilities is an obvious and exciting opportunity”

Stuart McKay, UWS KTP Manager said: I’m delighted to be able to say thanks to the 80 businesses, KTP associates and members of staff attending who have, collectively, embraced KTP@UWS and delivered outstanding portfolio growth.”

KTP Lunch

Stuart McKay, UWS KTP Manager, Celeste Tom, Key FM KTP Team Manager, Ashwini Konanahalli, UWS Lead Academic, Thepparit Sinthamrongruk, KTP associate

KTP delivers real results  

Evidence of the exceptional quality of the KTPs at UWS are visible in KPIs recently published by the university*: 

  • 95% of KTP projects completed by UWS achieve or over-achieve their objectives
  • 20% of completed UWS KTPs are graded as outstanding by Innovate UK (double the UK average)
  • KTPs at UWS are in the Top 10 in the UK, working across 16 different business sectors  

Key FM is delighted to support this project and is looking forward to our KTP associate, Thepparit Sinthamrongruk (known to his friends as John!), starting on Monday. Watch this space for more updates! 

*Source : https://www.uws.ac.uk/business/knowledge-expertise/knowledge-transfer-partnerships/ 

 

Spotlight on Construction Scotland Innovation Centre

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted our CIO, Gordon Mitchell, taking centre stage here at a recent visit to the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) in Hamilton (near Glasgow)Gordon commented, “as facilities managers we always say being involved in the construction process leads to best-in-class buildings, from design through to experience so it was a great visit to see some of the amazing innovations coming out of the construction space. When coupled with our FM sector innovations, this leads to real, lasting optimisations and transformative change” 

Our visit confirmed Key FM’s commitment to the vision of the CSIC and marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration… more details will be announced shortly!  In the meantime, Key FM applauds the work of this industry-led team at the CSIC. Since 2014 they have been linking businesses, university experts, the public sector and the economic development network, including Scottish Enterprise, to support businesses to deliver transformational change in construction. 

csic

Key FM’s Gordon Mitchell and Adam Bellshaw with Mike Paterson (Account Manager, Scottish Enterprise) and Sarah Buchanan (Business Relationship Manager, CSIC)

The CSIC is one of eight industry-led and demand driven Innovation Centres supported by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the Scottish University and College sector. With a remit to assist industry and procurement players to build strong collaborative projects, tackle construction industry challenges, stimulate growth and create new jobs, it is easy to see where synergies lie with an innovative facilities management player such as Key FM. 

How they can help you

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre supports all construction related businesses across Scotland from architects, to product manufacturers, to facilities management. They will work with you to understand your business and connect you quickly to the expertise and services you require. 

  • Support for the innovation expertise available
  • Access to prototyping and testing facilities
  • Facilitation of training and education
  • Collaboration, networking, partnering and knowledge sharing opportunities
  • Access to potential funding 

To be the first to hear about the exciting collaboration between Key FM and the CSIC, follow us on LinkedIn today. 

Expert insight on Risk Management in FM

History has shown over and over again that it takes a strong community to enact real change. ProFM is the result of independent FM organisations and individuals coming together to elevate the facility management profession and advance the careers of facility professionals. The ProFM community takes pride in their will to create and deliver global standards for facility professionals.

In a recent collaboration, Key Facilities Management CEO Stan Mitchell gives his insight into risk management in action and explains how today’s FM industry is relying more and more on risk management skills. Risk management covers everything from the apparently obvious functions of health and safety, maintenance and environmental standards to a host of compliance considerations. However, Stan also highlights the need to mitigate less tangible areas of risk such as reputational risk and acknowledges the key role that operational and management system standards, such as ISO4001, play in this domain. Reputational risks range from the impact businesses have on the environment around them to the role they play in their local community.

Key FM CEO Stan Mitchell has had a pivotal role within ProFM. He supported the body from its inception to create the ProFM® credential. This body of knowledge defines the 19 functional FM knowledge areas and five cross-functional competencies required of today’s facility professionals. It is the result of an extensive 2017 study led by the ProFMI Commission with input from over 3,300 professionals spanning 93 countries.

Stan is a member of the Commission and has since authored training content for ProFM. Our close relationship continues as Key FM is now proud to be an ‘Industry Partner’ meaning we support ProFM in their delivery of training internationally.

Hear the full presentation now to ensure your business is fully abreast with your risk management responsibilities. 

 

 

ProFM

ProFM working together to improve our industry

 

For more information on our partnership with ProFM take a look here   https://www.profmi.org/our-partners/
Find out more about how Key FM Consultancy can help you mitigate risk with an ISO 41001 Audit
https://key.fm/iso-41001-audit-services/

 

 

 

Key FM supports Data Lab MSc placement project 

Meet Tatt Mahapatra the most recent addition to the Key FM family. Tatt is currently pursuing an MSc Data Science for Business at the University of Stirling and joins Key FM as our Data Science Intern over the summer. 

Tatt Mahapatra

Key FM Data Science Intern, Tatt Mahapatra

Tatt is working with us to complete his MSc Consultancy Project funded through the Data Lab MSc placement project.  The Data Lab MSc is a collaborative programme between The Data Lab and eleven Scottish universities. It facilitates industry involvement and collaboration and Tatt’s appointment is an excellent example of our commitment to supporting academia in order to constantly improve our industry and ensure that graduate skill sets meet the evolving needs of our clients and the FM landscape.   

Data Lab Scotland

@DataLabScotland

Working closely with our CTO, he will help us develop an FM domain framework and a Software as a Service (SaaS) module that can be accessed by our software and edited by non-developers. Tatt will also work with Key FM’s CEO, Stan Mitchell, who created the UK’s first FM KPIs and evergreen supply chain contracts. Together they will compile a training manual for Key FM’s valuable human resources and will look at issues around GDPR compliance in the FM domain. In order to upskill Tatt still further he attended a series of workshops on Fast Track to Machine Learning at Code Node London, supported by Key FM. 

Tatt has a background in Care Management, Child and Adult Protection, Mental Health Social Work, Social Justice and Human Rights and previously worked in the NHS Highland and Local Authority Children and Adult’s Services across Scotland.  At first glance this may appear to be a world away from Facilities Management but Tatt views FM as “making the workplace work” and strongly advocates FM to be one of the key drivers of business performance. Tatt sees FM as a people-orientated domain and his interests and experience closely align with the core value of Key FM – integrating people, process and place. 

Follow us for further news on how we are working with leading Scottish Universities, ensuring that close relationships with thought leaders in the fields of technology and FM are always at the core of our business.

London FM Excel 2019 – what did you miss?

Gordon Mitchell Key FM CIO spent a valuable two days chatting with industry peers and forward-thinking suppliers at this years’ FM show in London. If you were not able to attend here is the Key FM round up of the highlights. 

Smart Buildings Expo 

The Smart Buildings Expo was an inspired idea to bring multiple suppliers together in one space to experience the benefits of their technology in a physical office environment. The 196m2 interactive smart office built on the show floor also benefited from a 1-2-1 impartial consultation service and the Workplace Technology Theatre which boasted a rich line up of seminars. This included Gordon’s session on Blending Standards and Industrial Revolution 4.0 where he spoke on behalf of the ISO TC 267 Facility Management Advisory Group 1 in his role as chair of the Facilities Management Technology Task Group (FMTTG). Take a tour of the space here: 

IWFM Meeting of minds

The IWFM is our leading professional body with a community of over 17,000 workplace and facilities management professionals. Through sharing best practice and knowledge with the profession and supporting professional development through internationally recognised qualifications and training, they ensure professional standards underpin the quality of services offered by facilities management professionals. 

Key FM has a long-standing close relationship with the IWFM from its origins as BIFM to our pivotal role in shaping ISO standards for the FM industry. 

Gordon met with Senior Strategic Development Manager, Neil Everitt to discuss the IWFM vision for Professional Development and how it is shaping our industry. 

iwfm London

Gordon Mitchell and Professional Development with IWFM

Wellbeing Theatre 

Key FM has long been an advocate of wrapping workforce wellbeing into the solutions we suggest to our clients. As such we found the chance to hear from other champions of this cause in the Workplace Wellbeing Theatre, through the Wellness Wall by IWFM and sample options from the healthy eating café a great addition to the show this year. Subjects covered in seminars were varied including ‘Mental Health and the Law’, ‘The Wellbeing Professional of the Future’, ‘Tackling Fatigue in Your Organisation’ and ‘Nutrition as Part of a Health and Wellbeing Offer.’ 

See you in 2020? 

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