71 Per Cent of Facilities Managers Sceptical of Digital Transformation 

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10 February 2021 | Updated 17 February 2021

Research suggests that more than two-thirds of FM leaders are resistant to digital progress in the workplace.

The Connected Enterprise report, produced by Sigma Dynamics, in partnership with applied futurist Tom Cheesewright, reveals that 71 per cent of C-suite executives, directors and senior managers are sceptical about the benefits of implementing new business technology.

Just a fifth (21 per cent) said that they believe they will have to implement more technology in order to remain competitive. 

According to Colin Crow, Managing Director of Sigma Dynamics, these attitudes means senior facilities management business leaders are at risk of jeopardising future business survival.

“COVID-19 catalysed investment in technology, but that investment was often overdue. If we are to avoid playing catch-up when the next challenge hits – or the next opportunity appears – then we should be thinking now about what changes to our technology, processes, culture and models can best prepare us for the future."

–Tom Cheesewright

Applied Futurist

Senior FMs Cynical About Technology

• 64 per cent are doubtful that it improves efficiency.
• 71 per cent are cynical about its ability to improve productivity.
• 79 per cent question its positive impact on customer relationships.
• 13 per cent think technology can cause problems if not implemented carefully.
• 8 per cent worry that the cost often outweighs the benefits.
• 8 per cent believe the traditional way of operating is more effective.
• 71 per cent believe that Brexit will have an impact on their customers’ demands and expectations over the next five years and 59% think that the pandemic will.
• 40 per cent said that they don’t believe that changes in customer demands and expectations will require the adoption of more business technology
• 50 per cent think that events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have made business technology more essential to success.

Applied Futurist, Tom Cheesewright, commented on the results: “COVID-19 catalysed investment in technology, but that investment was often overdue. If we are to avoid playing catch-up when the next challenge hits – or the next opportunity appears – then we should be thinking now about what changes to our technology, processes, culture and models can best prepare us for the future.

“Making the right investments in technology, and skills, is a critical part of future-proofing any business, adding resilience and agility.”

Colin Crow, Managing Director of Sigma Dynamics, added: “From these statistics, we can infer that many senior business people in the facilities management industry that have been burned by previous digital transformation efforts. It is unfortunately quite common for businesses to choose the wrong technologies, or roll them out without enough support for employees, which can be very costly mistakes.

“Some of these misconceptions are therefore understandable, but as the twin threats of Brexit and the COVID-19 have shown us over the past year, the business landscape can change with incredible speed.

“Organisations must be agile and open-minded in order to cope with the impact of these, and other, national and global challenges that we will all inevitably face, and it will soon become almost impossible for businesses to thrive without the help of strategically planned and implemented technological innovations.

“However, from our research, it’s frustratingly clear that these events still have not served as a wake-up call for complacent business leaders.”

Next & Best Practices: 
Digitizing Facilities Management

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating new urgency amongst corporate executives to digitise their facilities and workplace processes to improve building resiliency and drive new cost savings. Facilities executives launching new digital programmes need to navigate a continually changing pandemic situation, competing internal demands and a complex marketplace of technology options.

For firms refreshing their facilities strategies, you can attend a Verdantix Summit, which will provide practical advice on getting value from digital technology such as IoT platforms, sensors or advanced analytics. Attendees will gain wide-ranging insights from facilities and real estate leaders, technology experts and Verdantix analysts on the next and best practices to enhancing your facilities management strategy.

To register to attend and find out more, click here.

Picture: a graphic showing the words “digital transformation” in a circular design 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 10 February 2021

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