Happy World FM Day to our awesome readers!
Hallmark and local flower shops probably aren’t going to see a bump in business for a day designed to honor those who keep institutional and commercial facilities running efficiently.
If you’re reading this and weren’t aware that World FM Day even existed, here is some background courtesy of nationaltoday.com, which specializes in these kinds of specialty holidays.
Seeking out attention is not in the job description for most – if any – facility managers. In many ways, the job of managers and staff is like the offensive linemen on a football team: you don’t hear about them unless something goes wrong.
But a little attention can go a long way toward keeping employees happy and inspiring them to stay on board instead of pursuing other opportunities. In an era where employees in all industries are “quiet quitting” and changing the game about what they expect from their employers, keeping long-term employees and promising newcomers happy and motivated to stay and learn and grow in their positions should be a priority for all managers.
While it may be too late to celebrate this year’s World FM Day, it’s never too late to reward staff for a job well done.
More money always helps, but it’s also important to shower your employees with kindness. If one goes above and beyond the call of duty, make sure to share the news with the rest of the staff as well as other departments within the facility.
Make sure employees have a path to improvement within the department. Give employees opportunities to expand their responsibilities and grow within the department through promotions and additional training on new systems or technologies.
Celebrate your teams. Host a party for the staff and ensure that members of the C-suite attend and share their thanks and gratitude for the behind-the-scenes people that keep the lights on and the restrooms clean.
And finally, toot the horn of your team’s accomplishments both to facility leaders and to the public. If your team’s HVAC project resulted in a 30 percent savings in energy costs, encourage your public relations staff to send out press releases touting the feat.
One of the more satisfying aspects of my job is when we speak with facility managers who quietly do their jobs behind the scenes and out of the limelight, and they beam with pride when we interview them about what they do and how successfully they do it.
If managers want to share their employees’ and departments’ accomplishments among peers, consider making a nomination for our second annual Facility Champion Award from Facilitiesnet. Any level of personnel is considered, and nominations open on May 15.
FMs don’t need me to tell them, but they should know they are appreciated for what they do and will continue to do in the future.
Enjoy your day, FM employees, you’ve earned it!
Dave Lubach is the executive editor of the facility market.
