6 Reasons Why FMs Are Key To Workplace Productivity
Facilities managers enhance workplace productivity by promptly fixing issues, implementing improvements for employee comfort and morale, organizing resources with tools like wayfinding software, coordinating office moves efficiently, and managing both large and small logistical details to ensure smooth operations.
How Facilities Managers Support the Company
1. They Fix What’s Broken
Facilities managers handle the work orders that flow in from their coworkers. If it's frigidly cold on your floor, the FM will adjust the temperature. If something is wrong with the fax machine, the FM will send someone to fix it. These issues can negatively impact employees and affect the quality of their work. Facilities can deal with distractions both large and small, so that workers can complete their tasks with ease.
2. They’re Always On the Lookout for Improvements
FMs keep track of industry best practices to help produce a happier, healthier workforce. Besides dealing with logistical issues like uncomfortable temperatures and broken equipment, facilities managers also learn about more subtle things affecting employee morale, such as ergonomics and physical surroundings. Findings on comfortable office furniture are just as important to them as research on the latest innovations in facilities technology.
3. They Keep Workers Organized
By providing resources like wayfinding software, FMs can reduce the time workers spend looking for empty conference rooms and copy machines. This is helpful for new employees unfamiliar with the office, seasoned veterans visiting new floors, and office visitors. With a computerized map, any employee can direct guests to exactly where they need to be, even if they’ve never been there themselves.
4. They Keep Things Moving (Literally)
When the company needs to move to a larger space, FMs coordinate the move. Their duties include polling workers about issues in the current space, finding a new space that meets everyone's criteria, giving tours of the new building, and guiding employees through the moving process. They manage all this within a set timeframe, knowing that any hours lost during the move translate to dollars lost for the company.
5. They Sweat the Small Stuff
Facilities managers also handle smaller moves, such as when an employee is promoted and moves from one floor to another. This can be a complex process involving IT, HR, the move team, and facilities. The FM facilitates the move, ensuring it’s as smooth as possible so everyone involved can focus on other projects.
6. They Know Profit = Productivity
Facilities managers aim to improve the company’s bottom line. They may analyze a building’s energy usage and suggest improvements to cut utility bills, or experiment with different office layouts to see what works best for employees. Whatever the method, facilities managers seek the best ways for the company to remain profitable and productive.