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Join The FM Resource Bank

Join the FM Resource Bank
20 May 2020 | Updated 28 May 2020
 

Help us to connect service providers, to pool their resources and help each other in these unprecedented times.

As a leading voice in the facilities management, workplace and built environment industry, we have started an FM Resource Bank to facilitate an area for service providers to exchange details and ask for support.

The aim of this is to help reuse or repurpose resources or labour, that would otherwise go to waste for the common good of the FM community and the country at large. Through this, we hope to create a flexible pool of additional resources.

Join the conversation today, over on our LinkedIn Group

The FM Resource Bank aims to share:

 

  • Surpluses in labour, equipment or resources
  • Spikes in demand and call for additional support
  • Solutions and guidance to all sectors of the FM community

 

“The Facilities Services market, alongside other service-providing sectors, will be under huge pressure to continue to provide services to our client base and also manage our fixed costs. I would like to ensure that we proactively safeguard the future of the business, our employees, supply chain and our clients. I believe that business leaders can work collaboratively to support the FM sector. How we behave through adversity, will be recognised in the post-emergency phase and the longer term. This initiative is not for profit, but to support each other at this challenging time”

–Ian Surtees

CEO,Vertas Group Ltd

 

Why have we created an FM Resource Bank?

 

As a media channel, we were inspired by how FM companies were wanting to support each other through the COVID-19 pandemic, to help each other survive this confusing time. 

After publishing Richard Felton from Purgo Supply Services open letter to the cleaning industry, calling for collaboration and mutual support, we considered that this support should extend to the whole of FM. With additional support from Vertas Group and Europcar Mobility Group, we felt that through our extensive network, we could help play a role in connecting individuals and facilitate this initially through our LinkedIn group for FM professionals.

The ThisWeekinFM Linkedin group provides a platform for sharing news, views, insights and ideas across the built and facilities environment and is the ideal place to begin this conversation.

Relevant offers will then be transferred onto the ThisWeekinFM website, where we can create additional exposure and hopefully generate more interest.

 

How will this work?

 

Initially, we will be sharing a post on our ThisWeekinFM LinkedIn group and inviting members to share requests or offers on a central thread. Members can then respond accordingly on each individual comment if they feel they can assist, and tag in other professionals that they recommend. This thread will be monitored and moderated by our team.

The ThisWeekinFM team will then transfer posts to our FM Resource Bank

How to get involved

 

  1. Join the ThisWeekinFM LinkedIn group
  2. View the FM Resource Bank post under the “Recommended tab”
  3. Share your comment according to the post rules
  4. Invite other FM providers, who you feel may be able to help, to the group and tag them into your reply
  5. We will share relevant offers on our site 

 

“I am delighted that ThisWeekinFM have taken the lead in driving this initiative forward. We are  able to help with any additional vehicles on a flexible rental basis that companies may need”

–Peter Crabtree

Corporate Sales Director, Europcar Mobility Group 

 

The challenges faced by the facilities management industry

 

Richard Felton spoke to us to define what he sees as the main issues facing facilities managers and service providers right now, and how pooling resources might help:

“Clients that want to scale back, defer or cancel services due to staff working from home as offices, schools etc close and have employees working from home in line with Government guidelines.

“The FM Company still has an obligation to pay its staff – again in line with Government requests not to make people redundant – but some clients (fortunately in my experience so far it is a small minority) feel that it is acceptable to ‘bully’ the FM provider to reduce or cancel their contracts and make their employees redundant.

“There is an education issue here, buildings, schools etc still need maintaining, cleaning and kept secure so that they are ready for use (albeit in a reduced capacity during the crisis) and of course ready for business when the situation improves.

“The second issue will occur when the operatives maintaining those same buildings and schools are affected by the virus and workforces are massively reduced.”

 

“The TWinFM initiative addresses this contingency and maintaining a central register of qualified staff that especially SME’s can call upon to keep these buildings functioning will be a fantastic asset. It also helps address the first issue, when for example a contractor is forced by clients to reduce labour and do not want to let their staff ‘go’.”

–Richard Felton

Corporate Development Director, Purgo Supply Services

 

 

Felton’s hope is that FM will now be recognised for the vital role it plays in keeping everyone safe. He concluded:

“Once the world gets back to “normal” providers will no longer be seen as a commodity encouraged to participate in a race to the bottom but as a valued and vital contributor to keeping the economy functioning. At Purgo, we are fortunate to have practical and professional clients who recognise our value and have welcomed our contingency plans.”

Peter Crabtree, Corporate Sales Director at Europcar Mobility Group, commented:

“We're delighted to be able to help with any additional vehicles on a flexible rental basis that companies may need to meet the increased demand for deep cleaning that will combat this virus. From a conversation about how companies working within the FM and cleaning sectors might be able to help each other out in these challenging times, I am delighted that ThisWeekinFM have taken the lead in driving this initiative forward. It's a great way for the industry to help each other and ensure the longevity of their businesses.”

We’ve been fortunate enough to receive support from many industry voices across the sector, and we thank them for their involvement.

Picture: As a leading voice in the facilities management, workplace and built environment industry, we are starting an FM Resource Bank to facilitate an area for service providers to exchange details and ask for support.​

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 20 May 2020

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