by | Jul 4, 2019 | Adaptive
Key FM is a family business and us such we feel it is only fitting that the canine friends at the heart of so many homes are also given the place they deserve within the Key FM family.
But this policy isn’t just about our aim to ensure our head office feels like a home from home, it is much more than that. The last decade has seen many shifts in the way we work, particularly within the built environments we operate for our clients. Hot-desking, agile working and co-working are common working patterns in modern offices. We have observed a tide of development in the wellness space recently whether it be at the EFMC in Dublin, the FM ME Awards in Dubai and the London FM Show, wellbeing for employees is now firmly embedded in the FM agenda. From yoga studios, biophilia and art therapy to offering healthy snacks and drinks, showers and physical and mental health support options to improve the lives of your workforce abound. Winning the war for talent is a primary objective for most organisations and we have seen this clearly translate into increasingly imaginative ways to improve a typical working day for staff and ultimately retain the best talent.
Allowing staff to take their dogs to work is another manifestation of this. Google has long been known as a dog friendly employer and some of the biggest pet food companies are now running successful campaigns to support businesses that would like to embark on the same journey.
In short, at Key FM, our teams having their trusty companions at their side as part of their everyday routine goes to the heart of how we are best placed to champion wellness in your workplace. Looking beyond our smart building technology to ensure our solutions truly serve the needs of the people at the core of your business.
Key FM Programme Manager, Celeste, with Skye
Programme Manager, Celeste, says : “For me having Skye in the office helps me keep relaxed. He gives me a reason to take a break and take him out or get him a biscuit and he never fails to make me laugh at multiple points in the day.”
Check out the benefits that your workplace could enjoy through encouraging your team to bring their dogs to work.
Pets relieve stress
Having pets in the office reduces stress and makes employees feel more relaxed. Repeated studies have shown that individuals who bring their dogs to work have decreased hormonal stress levels when compared with those who did not bring any pets to work.
Pets promote positive social interactions
A pet-friendly workplace tends to increase employee satisfaction, improve morale, and promote an atmosphere of teamwork and communication.
Pets at work save employees money
Allowing employees to bring their pets to work helps their wallets, which could be a great financial perk when you consider the cost of doggie day care or dog walking services for employees who work long hours or commute every day.
Pets improve your company image
Allowing pets in the office can boost a customer’s perception of the business. Most customers have a positive response when they are offered a chance to interact with an employee’s pet, and it can help them to relax and enjoy their visit to the business.
Pets increase employee performance
Employees of pet-friendly businesses tend to work longer hours and have fewer absences. They don’t have to worry about rushing home to let the dog out or staying home to watch a pet that may be feeling under the weather.
Pets attract top talent
Employee turnover is costly, and companies are always scanning the horizon for perks and benefits that will draw loyal employees. Just as female job candidates will at times choose the workplace with the most generous maternity leave and child-care policies, a pet-friendly policy will work for similar reasons for that much-desired prospective employee
Follow us on Facebook for regular updates from Key FM canine friends around the world!
by | Jun 17, 2019 | Adaptive, Key News
Key FM is pleased to share details of CIO Gordon Mitchell’s upcoming seminar at the Facilities Show, London Excel. Key FM is looking forward to joining industry enthusiasts for 2 days of insights and knowledge sharing-opportunities from the 18th to 20th June.
Blending FM Standards with Industrial Revolution 4.0 – The Adaptive Workplace
Join Gordon as he takes you on a journey looking at the opportunities for FM presented by Industrial Revolution 4.0. He’ll give his predictions for developments in workplace culture and environment and highlight the role of technology in the future FM landscape. Industry-leading insight will be supported by concrete business case studies and examples underpinned by Gordon’s experience in the longest running FM company in the UK.
Facilities Show London 2019
Date: Thursday 20th June
Time: 14:45pm
Location: Workplace Technology Theatre
ISO TC 267 Technology Task Group
Gordon is chair of this new ISO Technology Task Group with a remit to build a working understanding of the implications of technology developments within the realm of FM. The group will build a framework of capabilities to facilitate a deeper understanding of how best to integrate everything from Artificial Intelligence and blockchain to robotics into facilities management. Ultimately providing clarity on how technology integrates with the many built environment tools and knowledge bases available on the market.
Where social science meets the workplace
Key FM is keen to ensure that people are at the heart of everything we do. With this focus in mind, solutions that Gordon will highlight in his seminar come back to a central question. Does this space support the overall aim of a happier and healthier workforce? Key FM aims to work with suppliers that are in tune with this mission from both the UK and internationally. To find out more, make sure you join Gordon on Thursday.
Gordon will be available before or after his seminar to discuss implications for your business.
Connect with Key FM today to help us ensure your FM solution is ahead of the technology curve.
by | May 31, 2019 | Adaptive, Key News
Both Stan and Gordon Mitchell, Key FM CEO and CIO respectively are looking forward to the upcoming Euro FM event in Dublin from the 13th – 14th of June. Stan and Gordon will rub shoulders with attendees from over 50 countries making EuroFM into one of the best places to network with peers from universities, research centres, professional organisations and corporations from all over the world. It is an open network for Facility Management – an annual reunion where stakeholders from five continents promote and shape the future of our profession.
Gordon Mitchell CIO Key FM
This year the event will take an innovative concert-style approach at the AVIVA stadium central Atrium. All events will take place in the same space allowing attendees to maximise networking opportunities without missing out on the highlights of the programme. We’ve heard plenty of tasty food and drink will be on offer non-stop and of course a double expresso option for those of you that think lunch is for wimps! You’ll need to keep your strength up for two intense days with over 45 speakers… or at least in order to make it through to the cocktail party on Saturday!
Key FM knows that the future of our industry lies in the solid academic training of tomorrow’s professionals, so we’re excited to hear that slots have been reserved at the workshops for students and there will be a prize for the most outstanding student at the awards ceremony on Friday afternoon.
ISO Expertise on hand!
Stan and Gordon will be attending in their capacity as shapers of ISO policy (Stan leads ISO TC 267 for Facility Management and Gordon is spearheading a newly formed ISO Facility Management Technology Task Group.) They are looking forward to connecting with bloggers, podcasters, influencers and motivators from areas across the industry to share insight and expertise in an innovative and inspirational context.
Feel free to connect with either Stan or Gordon over LinkedIn prior to the event with any questions or to meet up over an espresso or two!
by | May 25, 2019 | Adaptive
On the 19th of June the 12th edition of the facilities management Middle East Awards (fmME) will announce its winning selection from the cream of the FM world.
Meet the judges
Key FM CEO, Stan Mitchell and an eclectic mix of industry peers including technical specialists, academics, real estate and property management specialists have come together to independently judge nominations. Stan will be working alongside Abdulla Al Awadhi, director FM and HSE, Tecom; John Stevens, managing director, Asteco; Lara Khozouz, group operations director, Abdali Investment and Development, Jordan; and Saeed Al Fahim CEO, Stratum to ensure that companies that have made a lasting impression on the FM scene in the Middle East are recognised for their efforts. Awards are given out across 15 categories, with trophies for the winners and highly commended entries.
Tarek Nizameddin, senior executive director, Ejadah said: “The FM ME Awards present Ejadah with a great opportunity to establish our commitment to recognising and supporting healthy competition, excellence and innovation throughout the FM industry. This enables Ejadah to align itself with the values and philosophy behind the FM ME Awards and encourage the implementation of state-of-the art technologies and service methodologies in the Middle East Market. The awards showcase success stories and appreciate the industry’s best performers – a principal along which Ejadah operates on a daily basis.” He also acknowledged the cut throat competition in the current FM market but said that the “FM sector is currently one of healthiest sectors in the UAE market. This is due to the increased demand of services with the delivery of mega projects, the approach of Expo 2020 and the inauguration of new destinations in the UAE. However, competition is becoming tougher with the implementation of the cost-reduction approach among the majority of FM clients.”
According to judge Stan Mitchell “FM awards are an essential aspect of promoting our discipline and it’s strategic, tactical and operational potential to add real value to the demand organisations that we serve and the impact we bring.
It is for this reason that I am pleased to be a judge in the Middle East Facilities Management Awards 2019 to assist in showcasing a region that is fast becoming an exemplar in demonstrating Global FM best practice.
The standard of submissions is excellent as are those awards for the many people who are behind those initiatives. I am looking forward to finding out the winners on 19 June.”
Follow Stan on twitter to keep abreast with industry insights in real time.
by | May 20, 2019 | Adaptive
Once a year, the global facilities management community comes together to celebrate the FM industry. World FM Day 2019 on 15 May last week was a celebration of Global ISO FM Standards and it acknowledged the milestone of creating the ISO 41000 series of Standards and Technical Reports focussed on the industry.
Stan Mitchell, Chair of ISO TC 267 Facility Management, with Key FM celebrating World FM Day 2019
“Developing ISO Standards is a massive game changer for our industry,” said Duncan Waddell, Chairman of Global FM, the organisation which founded World FM Day. “These standards represent a significant step forward in the standardisation of FM management professional practices internationally.”
Facilities Management is a US$1.15 trillion global industry, with 65,000 professional and industry participants worldwide and World FM Day allows these professionals to celebrate the significant contribution that FM makes to the global economy.
But once the publicity around World FM Day has calmed down how do FM professionals around the globe keep the momentum going throughout the year? How can we ensure we continue to recognise the vital contribution that facilities management professionals make to business worldwide from health and safety and productivity to the well-being of people who utilise the built environment?
With this in mind a report published by the IFMA to celebrate World FM Day asks 11 FM professionals globally to explore the opportunities and threats facing FM today.
On the one hand outsourcing and integration of FM services as a business model has been open to criticism but at the same time, many people outside of the FM profession have woken up to the importance that a pleasant workplace has on productivity. This talent agenda is bringing new interest into that “wellness” aspect of the profession.
Here are some of the highlights from around the world:
Bulgaria, Petar Tashev, Editor-in-chief of Facilities Magazine
“Our main challenge, though, is to market FM better in order for potential clients to understand what is FM for – not saving money, but increasing the wellbeing of the people inside the buildings.”
Sweden, Helena Ohlsson Skjeld, Director of Services, Scania Region
“Another challenge is competence. The universities here have tried to develop education and training but most people in leading roles in FM come from other sectors. How do you train someone to handle such a broad and complex role?”
Nigeria, Adejumoke Akure, Partner, Estatelinks Ltd
“International standards are at the very heart of the success of cross-border FM. Defined and measurable standards give clarity to operations and relationships as well as provide the ground that activities can be built on without ambiguity but with a caveat! Local culture must be clearly addressed so standards and its continuous improvement can be successful.” Source: IFMA, World FM 2019 Day Report
The full report makes interesting reading, download it directly from the IFMA.
From our in-house ISO expertise, our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with The University of the West of Scotland to our inherent belief running through everything that we do that buildings are about the people that use them, speak to us today about how Key FM is tackling both the threats and opportunities covered in this report.
by | Apr 19, 2019 | Adaptive
Congratulations to UWS Lanarkshire – a sustainable campus for sustainable minds
The campus at UWS Lanarkshire is carbon neutral and powered by 100% renewable energy. Photograph: University of the West of Scotland
The campus is designed to revolutionise students’ higher education experience through recognising that physical and digital spaces both shape learning.
Traditional lecture halls and enclosed classrooms have been put to one side in favour of an open, technology-rich, immersive and interactive environment which allows for both online and face-to-face collaboration and is open 24/7.
The new campus covers 26,000 square metres of flexible space, serving more than 4,100 students and 200 staff in five academic schools. It houses simulated nursing and midwifery wards, an extreme environments laboratory, state-of-the-art biomechanics and specialist sports labs, auditorium, a gym, health and fitness centre, a conference space and areas for individual and collaborative working.
The three campus buildings are linked by The Street, a work and social space for students, staff and the local community with access to businesses including the bank HSBC, retailer John Lewis and engineering company Babcock, providing collaboration opportunities for students, graduates and academics.
Shout out to sustainability!
While the campus it replaced contributed 22% of the university’s overall carbon footprint, Lanarkshire is carbon neutral, powered by 100% renewable energy from the nearby Blantyre Muir wind farm and solar panels. Rainwater harvesting collects, filters and pumps water around the campus and the building incorporates LED lighting linked to daylight and occupancy. The campus ventilation system is able to monitor CO2 concentration and vary airflow rates accordingly, saving electricity.
New bus routes from nearby areas serve the site and electric vehicle charging points have been introduced. Cycle storage and maintenance are provided thanks to a partnership with Cycle Scotland.
UWS and KEY FM Partnership
We are working with UWS drawing on their wealth of knowledge and experience such as is evidenced by their success in winning this prestigious award. Together we aim to create the world’s first framework for autonomous buildings. This project will encompass all traditional application environments available in the built environment and will evolve to integrate such technology as digital twins, virtual reality, augmented reality, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, autonomous smart building functions, predictive and conditional–based monitoring and so much more.
Key FM, University of Western Scotland and Innovate UK
Oh and we’ve also heard on the grapevine that the Lanarkshire has pioneered in-house roasting of Fairtrade coffee beans at the university – so we’re keen to give the certainly excellent coffee a try on our next visit!
If you want to evolve your own Smart Estate or find out more about autonomous buildings, please contact us for more information or follow us on our journey with UWS for more inspiration!
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