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President's View
As with many of our events, our last site visit to Ocean Park was extremely well received by participants. Unfortunately, we had to turn away some interested parties due to a limit on the number of participants. As always, we encourage you to register early and stress that priority goes to local Chapter members. Our next event, a lunch on 16th March, will take a slightly different format to previous ones, adopting a more informal approach and hence a cheaper price that is bound to attract a good audience. Again, be sure to register early.
In March, we will also be conducting one of our Workshops on becoming a Certified Facility Manager. Hong Kong has a high success rate in the equivalency-based application and this can partly be attributed to the guidance that is given at this annual workshop. If you are thinking of applying for the only internationally recognized FM qualification, sign up for the workshop to improve your chances of certification.
The wealth of information available to FM-er's never ceases to amaze me, not least the information that is contained at www.ifma.org. When was the last time you checked this page out? If you have not done so for some time I encourage you to revisit the site as it has been revamped and is now much easier to navigate and contains a members only section that provides additional resources. With concerns mounting over the incidence of the H5N1 virus around the world, members may also be interested to check out the business pandemic influenza checklist that appears on the site. Our own website, www.ifma.org.hk is also undergoing continual improvement, so be sure to keep your eye on our homepage over the coming months.
Good facility managers always have a contingency and as a Board, we have set our minds towards the new Chapter year that is only a few months away. We are therefore looking for some "new blood" to join one of our committees. The committees were introduced to the Chapter's organization structure this year and are becoming increasingly dynamic, delivering some great improvements to the way we work as a Chapter. Working on a committee enables volunteers to get an insight to how the Chapter operates and presents excellent networking opportunities, as well as giving the chance to look further a field in the world of FM.
We have committees for communications, professional development, IFMA Councils, professional liaison and membership and would welcome hearing from you if you think you can add something to the development of the Hong Kong Chapter. Put your hand up and be part of an exciting Chapter!
The Benefits of getting involved with the IFMA Councils
IFMA formed councils to meet industry-specific networking and information needs of its members. Councils provide opportunities for interaction that transcend chapter and regional boundaries, enabling members to meet other professionals who share an interest in a specific FM practice or who work in the same business sector. Truly global in nature, councils are not limited by geographic boundaries. You are able to communicate with colleagues worldwide about issues, concerns and best practices specific to your area of facility management. Councils are special interest groups reflecting the diverse types of facilities and job responsibilities represented by IFMA members. Currently, there are fifteen IFMA Councils. You can find out what they cover from the following link http://www.ifma.org/chapters_councils/council_listing.cfm
There are many benefits available to you from joining one of the Councils. The top five reasons are: -
1.
Focused Networking - Your facility is unique. You have a unique set of skills reflecting the special needs of your work environment. You possess specialized knowledge about the business you support. When you have a facility-related question, you want to confer with a peer who has shared experiences in that particular work environment. IFMA councils unite members who have similar responsibilities and working situations. Councils direct their own programs, which are structured to meet the needs of their membership.
2.
Targeted Information - Council participation is the ideal solution for facility professionals seeking highly targeted information in particular areas of expertise. Councils allow you to share work experiences and case studies with industry peers. Truly global in nature, councils are not limited by location. You are able to communicate with colleagues worldwide about issues, concerns and best practices specific to your area of facility management.
3.
Community of Interest - You are a part of a community with common concerns.
4.
Information Sharing - Sharing information is a necessity in today's global business community. IFMA formed councils in order to meet the industry-specific networking and information needs of its members. Councils provide opportunities for interaction that transcend chapter and regional boundaries, enabling members to meet other professionals who share an interest in a particular FM practice or who work in the same business sector. Helping each other resolve traditional as well as new day-to-day challenges.
5.
Heightens your marketability - Validates importance of position. Services offered by IFMA councils may include: newsletters, directories and other publications; listservs-electronic discussion groups; teleconference meetings and discussions; benchmarking and best practices studies; council-specific Web sites; industry-specific seminars and conferences.
What you get from joining a Council will vary but may include: -
•
Newsletters: Covering current council news and articles by members on "hot topics."
•
Directories: Membership rosters are available to all council members.
•
Listservs: An e-mail network providing instant access to the entire council membership.
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Teleconference meetings: A venue for discussing benchmarking and best practices.
•
Web sites: Updated frequently to keep council members up to date on discussions and activities.
•
Seminars and conferences: At a minimum, each council meets at IFMA's annual conference and expo, World Workplace. Many councils host spring meetings as well.
Joining an IFMA Council is simple. Either go direct to the Council via IFMA's web site, or contact Leslie Scantlebury, IFMA Council Resource Manager, IFMA HQ, 1 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77046-0194, e-mail: leslie.scantlebury@ifma.org
The world is much easier to analyze when you can divide things into two groups, so using that approach I propose that the Facility Management professional relies on two sets of skills to be successful - those abilities that the FM individually brings to the table, and the collected capabilities of others around them. It is this second set of networked friends and experts that allows us to bring a whole solution to a problem. Let me share an example from my own experience as an FM Consultant.
I became a consultant immediately after "graduating" from Hewlett-Packard in 2002. I spent the last 25 of my 36 years there in FM and EH&S. It was natural for me to want to continue to do good FM work, so I looked for the best network I could find to assist me in my new FM consulting practice.
The solution was found in my own IFMA backyard - the FM Consultant's Council. The amazing diversity of skills and experiences of nearly 800 FMCC members is more than any one individual could have. As I started my professional practice, I felt comfortable giving advice or making a proposal because I knew I could get competent and current help from a number of other consultants.
One of the first issues for a new consultant is setting up the business - procedures, templates, best practices, etc. It was easy to get that help from the FMCC members. Then when I needed a specific resource or supplier contact in another part of the world, it was easy to use the network to find the help I needed. The Council uses an easy e-mail list process to "ping" every member with a question or help request, so it is easy to get the word out and get quick replies from those who offer to help.
After a while, my attraction of the FMCC resulted in my being a volunteer leader for them. So now I am helping my clients and the FM profession as well as the Council organization by sharing my technical and leadership expertise. Along the way, like my many other IFMA experiences, I have found some more treasured IFMA friends and will keep those connections long after my business activities have finally subsided.
Asian Elenex 2006, Asian Building Technologies 2006,
and Asian Securitex 2006
Asia's unique 3-in-1 Electrical, Building Technologies and Security Trade Show will return on 7-9 June 2006 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The 2006 show will occupy an exhibition area of 12,000m2 and more than 700 international exhibitors, from over 40 countries and regions, are anticipated to trade at this 2006 show. Apart from local exhibits, buyers can also explore the latest foreign products showcased by the National Exhibiting Groups from Australia, Canada, China, Korea, Singapore, Spain, UK, and USA.
This 3-in-1 trade show is the industry event for everyone involved in the design and maintenance of buildings. Dedicated to facility managers, property developers & managers, architects & interior designers, contractors, engineers and trading companies and with the close partnerships with the supporting organisations, the 2006 show is expected to be another acclaimed success.
Since its launch in 1984, Asian Elenex has established itself as the region's leading event for electrical engineering and lighting technologies. The 2006 show presents the featured sector "Lighting Technologies" , which focuses on some of the innovative technological products and solutions relating to energy-efficient lighting, namely daylight technologies, decorative & custom fixtures, energy saving lamps, LED lightings, lighting control equipment & systems, switches, and specialty fixture and equipment.
Now in its 7 th edition, Asian Building Technologies 2006 serves as a major platform for players in the building management industry.
he "Building Automation & Management Pavilion" showcases exhibits ranging from integrated home networks, energy management services, parking management systems to testing & measurement equipment and property management sytems.
The new concept "Eco-Zone" will be introduced at " Building Materials & Construction Technologies Pavilion" . The Eco-Zone delivers a wide assortment of the latest building materials that are environmental friendly in terms of their manufacturing process, functionality and/or durability, contributing to a sustainable environment. Exhibits include ceiling, flooring, roofing, carpets, windows, curtains, UV protective window film, and more.
At the "HVAC & R Pavilion," buyers are being exposed to the broad scope of innovative HVAC & R technologies, ranging from heating/ventilating systems, fans, blowers and accessories, to air-conditioning systems applied in the industry. Within this pavilion is the "IAQ Zone" , an expanded area resulted from the growing concerns for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The IAQ Zone will bring forward the initiative to interested parties to learn all about the indoor air quality market and will showcase the latest IAQ monitors, air purifying systems and appliances, thermostats, humidifiers, vapour steam cleaners, and more.
Since 1990, Asian Securitex has become an established international security event in Asia , and is on showcases the cutting edge of trends and technology sophistication that is spread ing worldwide.
The 9th Asian International Security, Safety and Fire Protection Show & Conference will feature an array of the latest equipments and technology for security measures include Access Control Systems, Alarms, CCTV & Remote Monitoring Control Systems, Identification Systems, Smartcard Technologies, Surveillance Systems & Intruder Detectors, and many more.
Events alongside the exhibition
he exhibition is further enriched by orienting 4 high-profile events that are co-organised with the industry's leading professional associations.
•
Asian Elenex & Asian Building Technologies Technical Seminars feature Built Environment, Advanced Building Services Technology, Building Quality & Performance, and the Latest Trend in Installation Practice.
•
Asian Securitex 2006 Conference,: themed "Security & Safety at Public Events," will provide coverage of case studies on Hong Kong Disneyland, Security Lessons Learnt from MC6, Macau's Casino Developments, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
•
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Forum: will discuss topics on Government Initiatives & Certification Scheme, Photocatalytic Air Purification, New Indoor Air Quality Sampling Protocol, as well as an overview of the Past/Present/Future IAQ practices.
•
Facility Management Seminar: - more information will be available in March 2006
Contirbuted by: Hong Kong Exhibition Services Ltd
Tel: +852 2804 1500 / Fax: +852 2528 3103
Email: exhibit@hkesallworld.com
Request for Assistance
Brian Crockford received the following e-mail, which seeks assistance from facility managers with experience in the military. If you can assist please contact Ian van der Pool directly:
-
Subject:
Call for assistance from Dutch IFMA-member
From:"Ian van der Pool"<ianvanderpool@gmail.com>
Date:
Thursday, February 16, 2006 7:13 PM
Dear
colleagues,
My name is Ian van der Pool, I'm a professional soldier in the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and a military facility manager (or rather professional, as I do not directly manage any people).
Currently I am working at the Air Force HQ, and am responsible for policy making in relation to FM-support of our troops at their home bases in Holland and in out-of-area operations. I am quite sure that there are more people like me in the various IFMA Chapters, i.e. professional facility managers, civilian or military, who work with or are responsible for the FM-support of armed forces.
Later this year I will start my Master-thesis on the subject of FM support of armed forces (which I have named Expeditionary Facility Management). I am trying to get in touch with IFMA-members who are willing to share their expertise and experience with me.
I do hope you can facilitate me by sending this message to members of your chapter who also work with the military.
Looking forward to your answer,
Ian H. van der Pool
Major, Royal Netherlands Air Force
Member IFMA Chapter Holland
The Interview
We continue our series of interviews with people within the FM industry by interviewing David Rees, Regional Head of Corporate Real Estate Services Northeast Asia at the Standard Chartered Bank.
The people covered by this section of the newsletter will vary, from senior and well-known members of the industry to graduates just starting in the industry. The intention is to provide information on a cross-section of the industry covering how they first became involved in the industry, what they do, how they relax etc.
The interviews are conducted and reported by Santa Raymond for the Hong Kong Chapter of IFMA.
Q.
What do you consider describes the job you do?
A.
My responsibilities cover five places - namely Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The scope includes all aspects of the whole life cycle of the workplace, encompassing everything from advice to the business, through site acquisition, leasing, construction, renovation, facility operations, and EH&S to disposal.
My primary job is to listen to the business and transform theory, abstract ideas and needs - into a strategy that will develop into a lasting legacy for the company. As a manager, I ensure that others (either staff or service provider) deliver within a structure related to performance-based metrics.
Apart from commercial properties, we have retail and residential requirements; however, it's the retail sites that account for the lion's share of both project and FM activity. Corporate operations include 'hard' elements like M&E and security, and 'soft' ones like catering and cleaning, but there is no 'hand over' in our operation model. Our users are 'occupiers' rather than 'tenants', and they are charged with their fair share of total occupancy costs. We are concerned to fulfil demands and needs, but occupiers do not have 'tenant's rights'; rather we work to standards and use CRM to gauge satisfaction. The look and feel of all our workplaces and retail is consistent throughout the region, with the same sort of carpets, ceilings and furniture - though it may well be locally supplied. We have strong supply chains, which are quite often made up of customers (which helps in keeping relationships). We are very clear about closure at the end of a project, and manage for value by assessing life-cycle costings and P&L impact to the business.
Q.
What is your background?
A.
I am from the US, and originally, studied industrial engineering but then moved on to get a BS in Interior Design. I later completed an MPhil at HK Polytechnic University with John Gilleard. I worked for various firms in the States, before moving here in 1988. Back then, using CAD and sending drawings via e-mail was already normal for us. My particular experience does mean that I am able to talk equally with architect, client, supplier or contractor - which is really what an FM is all about.
Q.
Why did you apply for your current job?
A.
I was recruited. I previously worked for Citex and Hong Kong Telecom. There was synergy between work I had done with both and the situation in Standard Chartered Bank. For me, the opportunity was a question of problem solving and leveraging my previous experience with a variety of HK partners (be they service providers or suppliers) to provide whole life solutions for the organisation. Standard Chartered Bank offered the challenge to do these things and I believe we have all worked together well to deliver the desired goals.
Q.
What are your current key projects?
A.
In our model, FMs are part of the client organisation, and expected to be in keeping with the business, but most people are discipline based - trades, design, etc - rather than trained as managers. Often, they haven't been offered or made the opportunity to invest in themselves to develop as managers. Self -development leads to major transformations. It drives me mad when senior staff sorts out a power failure - I want them to delegate properly so that ownership is taken at the right level. Local people (in all of the countries I have worked) often do a fantastic professional job, but are not recognised enough for what they have achieved. So my key project is helping people become better managers with functional responsibilities.
Q.
What do you see as the future for FM?
A.
The future of FM must be about promoting holistic solutions and considering the long view about the life cycle of workplace. It is a question of owning problems, rather than being prescriptive or activity based, and considering long-term consequences. Facilities Managers are solutions providers who know the tricks. Though they listen to customers - they must not just follow instructions. They must ask questions to make people think about the real 'requirement'. Like this they can get clear problem definition and deliver the 'how to' on their own terms and within their professional capacity.
Q.
What do you do to relax?
A.
I'd like to do more, but this year has been intense. My work / life balance is not good enough and I think this is true of most of us in the FM professions. My family like the water and we all sail - when we can. My eldest son also likes cricket, but I'm not much help there!
Q.
If you weren't in FM, what else would you like to do?
A.
I love what I do, so why would I want to change? If you want to have fun, choose something to give you that reward. It's a brilliant profession - if you accept that FM is cradle to the grave. Whatever you're interested in, there's something for you. FM is all about the spirit of finding linkages to satisfy customer needs. If you're into problem solving and puzzles, there's always room for you to use it in FM.
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