Steven Ee’s Blog for FM Practitioners

THANK YOU so much for those who expressed concern about my blog. Yes, it’s been a long silence……Some of you may know that I have been spending much time in promoting Facility Management profession and its practices and in creating awareness to raise the recognition for FM.

I like to update about the awareness of Facility Management and its awareness in Singapore, and probably South-East Asia.

22^nd & 23rd April, 2010, marked a breakthrough for the Facility Management Profession through the organised BCAA-IFMA Regional Conference 2010, entitled “Sustainable Facility Management – A Business Advantage to Organisations” held at Grand Hyatt, Singapore. The events include, on Day One, one full day Seminar and evening Networking Dinner and Day Two, a half-day Workshop and a half-day Site Visits.

The most significant event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between Building Construction Authority, BCA, and the International Facility Management Association, IFMA. The MOU was signed by Dr John Keung, CEO, BCA and Mr Tony Keane, CEO and President, IFMA. The event was published in The Straits Times, dated 23rd April, 2010.

At the evening Networking Dinner, presentation of certifications for the Facility Management Professional, FMP,and the Certified Facility Manager, CFM, has demonstrated the existence of Facility Management knowledge and competencies that are recognised globally and adopted by associations such as the Facility Management Australia ( FMA), British Institute of Facilities Management ( BIFM), Facility Management Japan ( FMJ) and etc. The credentials marked the proficiencies and competencies of Facility Management practitioners, having achieved the awards. The FMPs and CFMs are well seek after by Multi-National Companies, especially the Americans, British, Europeans, Japanese, etc, that recognised the values that these Facility Management professionals will bring to their organisations.

Ultimately, the events were organised to create the value of Facility Management, as the Conference put it, as a business advantage to organisations. How well will the profession and its practitioners will be recognised and raised to a higher level lies on each and every facility management practitioners. Together, let us take pride and continually contribute to raise the recognition of our profession.

To Your FM Success!

Steven Ee

…making a difference in facility management!

Hello FM Practitioners,

Welcome back to this blog. In responding to enquiries about information on IFMA credential programs - FMP & CFM, I have created a slide show. The presentation will explain briefly the credential programs, their entry requirement and the competencies covered. Also, the presentation shows the learning environment that participants will undergo.

Please email this link to your colleagues,friends, whoever who may be keen in FM credential programs.

Keep your questions, queries coming. I will do my best to cover them.

To Your FM Success!
steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…..

I have attached a presentation on the recent IFMA - Leadership and Management Course conducted in Singapore.

Dr Gan C E was the Course Instructor, together with fellow Facility Management practitioners. I was there as the Course Facilitator. What I enjoyed most were the class discussions where the Instructor share his knowledge and sharing of valuable experiences among participants.

Enjoy!

It is FMS Vision to elevate the profession of Facility Management, in Singapore, to be a value-added function and business advantage to organisation.

We hope you will support and join us in the journey…..

To  Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…….

For information.

As you read, you may want to relate to Singapore and South-East Asia regions on how relevant facility management is to these regions….

Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Andrea Sanchez
IFMA
1-713-623-4362

Date Posted: April 17, 2007

CHINESE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES IFMA AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

IFMA Partners with Yingbiao Human Resources Development to Deliver Education

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) today announced formal recognition from the Occupational Skills Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of China (PRC), to provide facility management education in China. OSTA awarded IFMA the certifying document bearing the PRC’s official seal, a prerequisite for providing certifiable education. The OSTA document also signifies that the Chinese government recognizes facility management as a distinct discipline and career pursuit.

Yingbiao Human Resources Ltd., a company recognized by OSTA, will be IFMA’s contract bureau and education partner in the PRC. IFMA and Yingbiao signed a partnering agreement in Beijing in July 2006.

Preparing to enter the Chinese market was a four-year process, including several visits between North American and Chinese delegations, educators and subject-matter experts.

Initially IFMA and Yingbiao will provide a series of courses in China based on the nine core facility management competencies IFMA has identified and developed since introducing the competency-based Certified Facility Manager credential in 1993. All facility management competency courses and supporting materials have been translated from English into Chinese and adapted and customized to fit Chinese culture and business practices. Those successfully completing a course will receive a special certificate for that competency. Certificates will be written in both English and Chinese. The nine facility management competencies are: planning and project management; real estate; leadership and management; finance; operations and maintenance; quality assessment and innovation; human and environmental factors; communication; and technology.

Yingbiao also will present IFMA’s comprehensive Business of FM course at selected times and locations throughout China. The course covers all aspects of facility management and demonstrates how good facility management practices enhance the value of the organization’s physical, human and intellectual assets. It also covers how the facility function can become more visible and achieve greater recognition by all stakeholders in the enterprise—from owners, to co-workers, to customers. The Business of FM course has been tremendously successful in North America, Europe and in other parts of Asia.

“Recognition from the PRC government in Beijing is a significant milestone for IFMA and the facility management profession,” said David J. Brady, IFMA’s president and chief executive officer. “China has the world’s largest population and a robust expanding economy. There is new construction everywhere—factories, office buildings, airports, hospitals, schools and other facilities are coming online in staggering numbers. The need for facility management knowledge, training and benchmarking is commensurate with this rapid expansion. IFMA’s partnership with Yingbiao is an effective way to provide educational content and to connect facility management professionals in China with their counterparts around the world. Certified courses addressing specific needs are the best way to begin and build the relationship.”

Additionally, among other China-related responsibilities outlined in the IFMA – Yingbiao agreement, Yingbiao will administer IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager and Facility Management Professional credentials; recruit individual and corporate members for IFMA; promote the importance of facility management education and its contributions to performance; and help safeguard IFMA’s intellectual property. IFMA is the largest and most widely recognized professional association for facility management, supporting more than 18,500 members. The Association’s members are represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils in 65 countries worldwide. Globally, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management degree and certificate programs, and produces World Workplace, the largest facility management-related conference and exposition. For more information, visit www.ifma.org.

Yingbiao, an independent legal entity in the field of education and training, is committed to the introduction and promotion of various international professional qualifications and is entrusted by the Occupational Skill Testing Authority of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of China. Yingbiao is the official examination office for Sino-British vocational qualifications and has experience with other international vocational certificates in China.

Isn’t it time that Singapore and South-East Asia region also recognise facility management?

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management….

It’s been a long silence. I was away during the Chinese New Year period, in open water. No calls, no internet ….that’s holiday.

OK, I’ve got enquiry about the global FM professional bodies and I like to share first in Part I relating to the ties between IFMA, BIFM, FMA taken from IFMA Press Release. Enjoy reading….

IFMA Strengthens Ties to BIFM, FMA Australia

For Immediate Release
Andrea Sanchez
IFMA
1-713-623-4362

10/29/2008

The International Facility Management Association has renewed its Partners in FM Excellence agreements with the British Institute of Facilities Management and the Facility Management Association of Australia. Representatives from the three groups signed the new agreements at an Oct. 16 press conference during IFMA’s World Workplace 2008 Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas.

Originally signed in 2004, the new agreements call for collaboration between the organizations on services, standards, research, professional development and advocacy. The agreements also expand upon the benefits available to the membership of each organization.

“Bringing our individual strengths together as one provides considerable benefits to our combined 30,000 members and helps advance the FM profession globally,” said John McGee, MBA, chairman of the IFMA board of directors. “We look forward to seeing major, positive impacts on the built environment coming from our shared efforts — those that impact sustainability, global research and knowledge sharing.”

David J. Brady, IFMA president and CEO, and McGee signed the agreements on behalf of IFMA; Ian Fielder, BIFM CEO, and Iain Murray, chairman, signed on behalf of BIFM; and David Duncan, FMA Australia CEO, and Andrew McEwan, chairman, signed on behalf of FMA Australia.

“Renewing our Partners in FM Excellence agreement with IFMA confirms a strong relationship based on teamwork and trust,” said Fielder. “Our respective memberships benefit through this collaboration and access to the member area of each organization’s Web site. I look forward to working with Dave Brady and his team for the benefit of our members.”

“Some four years ago, the IFMA, BIFM and FMA Australia boards of directors had the foresight and initiative to enter into Partners in FM Excellence agreements,” said Duncan. “Now, their legacy is alive and well and will ensure many more value-added services and other benefits accrue — today and in the future — for our combined memberships.”

For more information about IFMA’s strategic partnerships, visit: www.ifma.org/strategic_partners.cfm.

About IFMA: IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,500 members in 60 countries. The association’s members, represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.

About BIFM: The BIFM is the “natural home” of facilities management in the UK. Founded in 1993, the Institute provides information, education, training and networking services for over 12,000 members — both individual professionals and organizations.

The Institute is inclusive, working across related disciplines and forming alliances with like-minded professional bodies. Increasingly international in outlook, the BIFM is a founding member of both EuroFM and Global FM.

BIFM’s members are responsible for many of the services that support business and other organizations, including business continuity, health and safety, space planning, energy management, maintenance and catering.

For more information, visit www.bifm.org.uk.  

About FMA Australia: Since FMA Australia was established in 1989, the association has seen significant growth, with branches in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

FMA Australia provides a range of member services including networking and professional development opportunities and a national annual conference, ideaction, including the opportunity for members to develop special interest groups associated with particular expertise or sectors of the facilities management industry.

Through taking a leading advocacy role on behalf of its members, FMA Australia:

•represents the interests of the profession and industry to government and regulatory bodies;

•encourages the development of university courses in facility management;

•and promotes the facility management profession to senior management and the media to increase understanding of this important area across business and the wider community.

End 

Next, I will share on the credibility and recognition of IFMA credential programs, in anwering another of query received.

Keep questions & queries coming in. This blog is dedicated to FM practitioners. Take whatever information that is useful. 

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management

What about FMP, can you elaborate?

   There is no exam.There will be test & assignments to be done during the course.

·   Designed to broaden a beginner’s knowledge and accelerate transition into the profession. 

·   Knowledge-based: Requires candidates to earn

6 credits through the completion of approved courses. Refer to FMP online brochure at www.ifma.org for more information.

·   1 credit equals 15 hours of instructor contact time. This is equal to a two-day IFMA course or two half-day courses at 7.5 hours each.

·   FMP is an ideal springboard for obtaining the CFM.

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…….

IFMA-Singapore Chapter was invited by Ngee Ann Polytechnic on 20th November, 2009, to present “Career Talk” for the final year “FM” students. Myself, the Professional Development Chair, and a Past President of IFMA-Singapore Chapter presented on: Background of IFMA, FM Credential Programs, FM Career Trend & Oppotunities.

That was a mission to create awareness and promote the profession of FM that aim to provide FM graduates to be, motivation and inspiration, towards being a FM practitioner.

Should any organisations or institutions be interested to find out more about IFMA-Singapore chapter, do log on to www.ifmasingapore.org.sg

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management……..

Isn’t this a common question asked that we often being taken off-guard?

You never know when you may be asked by your CEO (in the lift), VIPs, Visitors, etc., when you are asked “Mr / Ms FM professional, what do you do in facility management? That is a question that may “make or break” your career with your organisation.

Here are two definitions of Facility Management by well-know professional bodies:

“the practice of coordinating the physical workplace with the people and work of the organisation” - International Facility Management Association, IFMA

“The integration of multi-disciplinary activities with the built environment ad the management of their impact upon the people and the workplace.” - British Institute of Facilities Management, BIFM

Which is right / wrong? Take what is useful. Personally, I would suggest that as FM practitioners we need to have a tag-line handy to answer that question “what do you do in FM” within 1minute statement. Something proactive as a “profit centre” rather as a reactive, “cost centre”, simple and clear. Agree? 

Example:

Reactive answers will be: “I fix problems” or ”when something breaks I make it run again”.

Proactive anwers will be: “We keep facilities operating at peak performance” or “We add-value to company by ensuring the facilities operating effectively and at peak efficiency”.

I leant the need to be ready with answers when asked that “ever green / ice-breaker” question especially when I was presenting at Shangri-La Hotel, early this year, for the launch of Diploma course in Resort Facilities Service and Management by Singapore Polytechnic.

Just before my speech, that was my nervous point, I was introduced to Media Corp Radio. You know what it does, broadcasting over radio! Sure enough, later that afternoon, I received a call for permission to broadcast. Listen by clicking this link facility-management1 . Not only that, I received call that my comments will be published in the “Today’s” newspaper. Click on to the link to see today-newspaper . Was I nervous? Sure I was, very. Can I turn down the interview? Yes BUT I took that as an opportunity to “preach” FM.

Fellow FM practitioners, I not writing this to impress you impress upon you the need to be ready with a proactive answer when asked “What do you do in facility management”?

Drop me a not to share your opinions, comments and what you like me to share with our fellow FM practitioners. This is a junction dedicated for FM and its professionals.

To Your Success!

Steven Ee

steven@stevenee.com

I salute to these 4 FMPs who have persevered, with passion, in completing the Facility Management Professional (FMP) program and have earned the FMP title awared by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). They are the FIRST batch of FMP in Singapore, and probably Asia. Wow, what an achievement! 
       

 Presenting… The 4 FMPs, first in Singapore, some say Asia!  Leadership & Management Class - Last Module of FMP program 

These are the FM professionals who are committed in raising the practice of facility management and the profession and be differentiated from others by pursuing the FMP title. They know whom to model and learn after for the best practices in facility management, the IFMA. IFMA being the first and foremost FM body to develop training & recognises the knowledge and competencies of facility management practitioners through its credential programs - FMP & CFM (Certified Facility Manager). 

FMS is the first in Singapore to run the International Facility Management Association, IFMA, credential programs - FMP & CFM. FMS was awarded the “Approved Provider” for Asia region (except China & Hong Kong), begining of the year and started the first module, “The Business of Facility Management” in July 2008. For more info on FMP credential programs, click on this link: IFMA Credential Programs.

To Your FM Success!

Steven Ee

steven@stevenee.com