Comment

Opinions on facilities management from all corners of the sector, including our facilities blog, David Walker's diary and viewpoints from leading industry figures.

David Walker's diary

27 August 2010

Managing change
Switching contractors mid-project proves a headache this week but our regular columnist finds the time to work on a control room refurb and reflect on 30 years in FM
Back to reality
Our rested columnist returns from a break in Cyprus but its back to the grind now as refurbishment continues at work and a new project arises at a historic pumping station.
Money down the drain
The new target for water efficiency requires us to make changes in our habits across businesses and homes, all of which helps to save resources and reduce our bills.
Up, up and away
Just as our regular columnist heads off for a much-needed holiday he has the task of confronting a noisy and bad-tempered visitor that decided to set up home on the roof.
Improving with age
Managing a listed building throws up its fair share of special challenges from finding specialist craftsmen to complying with the DDA, not to mention planning consent.

» more from David Walker

Viewpoint

28 June 2010

NVQ qualification
We have saved the NVQ qualification but now we have to inform employees of their value, says Nick Gooderson, head of standards at ConstructionSkills
Energy supplement 2010: Power strategies
Facilities managers must apply more innovative thinking in their approach to power generation strategies, says Aggrekos Jeff Short
Let there be light and heat
The UK may soon face a powerful problem literally as supply fails to keep pace with an  unrelenting demand for energy. But if renewables are the answer where is the investment?
Invest in graduates
In hard times its a mistake not to employ graduates as an investment to bring ideas, enthusiasm and hard work, says Rollrights Andrew Hulbert
Reducing Carbon Emissions
Reducing carbon emissions can be achieved with a holistic approach linking strategy, innovation, technology and knowledge, says Mities Paul Burnett.

» more viewpoint pages

Letters

26 November 2009

Banks bottle up property assets
While confidence in the commercial property market is continuing to rise, this is not being matched by the availability of freehold assets that are available for investors to buy.
Try making a great FUSS
FUSS - further use of your skills set - is something to consider. Becoming involved in charities or the not for profit sector rewarding and developmental.
Batteries should be included
While we agree with some of the points made by Dr Kirk (Legal Update, 23 April), we believe a move to mains electricity for FM companies could present other health and safety hazards due to trailing cables. There is a need to move away from disposing batteries and other hazardous waste at landfill sites.
EPCs: dont just comply, deliver
The FM 100 Poll around EPCs (18 June)revealed a surprising split of FM support for mandatory and recommended enforcement.
Readers' Letters 25 September
The experience of the FM youth. Recession-proof FM is a thing of the distant past. Are security guards really cleaning toilets?

» more letters

FMBLOG

Connaught suspends trading but why?
Following the announcement that social housing business Connaught suspended trading in its shares, blogger Michael Fisher asks why. 08 September 2010 16:53:50
Debt in Dubai
FM companies in the UK are suffering the effects of debt in Dubai, blogs Mick Dalton, the new regional ambassador for the Ifma Foundation for the Middle East 08 September 2010 11:12:05
Cracking codes and getting the secrets, a day in the life of JB
Life as a FM can often seem like a covert mission particularly when it comes to handling management information, blogs John Bowen. 06 September 2010 12:43:50
Get on your bike
Almost half of us Brits think that cycling is cool and normal, and no longer the preserve of 'beardy weirdy Guardian readers', blogs Louisa Roberts 03 September 2010 17:36:01
Police investigate The Big Society
The government's Big Society is coming to the police, and it could mean significant changes to the way police buildings are designed, says McBains Cooper's Mark Leeson 02 September 2010 12:53:35

» more from the facilities blog

BIFM forums

FMs can engage in conversation and debate with other FM professionals via the BIFM online forums. This provides an ideal opportunity to share knowledge, opinions and advice on particular topics or a specific work project.

» Visit the BIFM forums

Links open in new window on BIFM site. Forums are open to BIFM members only.

Chairman's blog

BIFM Chairman Ian Broadbent writes a regular blog about the wider world of facilities management.

» Visit the BIFM chairman's blog

BIFM Columns

27 August 2010

Looking forward to change
You never know, you could turn out to be the person that makes that difference in the BIFM and the profession, says Stuart Harris, the BIFM's newly appointed deputy chair.

» more BIFM columns