2023 was a year of change and innovation for the facilities management industry. As we slowly began to ease COVID-19 restrictions, new challenges began to take their place. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the need to increase safety and security and utility bans have forced managers to think on their feet for a majority of the year.
Despite this, it was the facilities managers who continued to charge forward and take on each challenge with ease by remaining flexible and adaptable, allowing them to reap any rewards afterwards.
"This year's top articles represent a diverse set of interests," says Dan Weltin, editor-in-chief, facilities market. "With staffing shortages, it's no surprise that an article about apprenticeships is in our top spot. And, with the buzz surrounding Artificial Intelligence, of course a feature about ChatGPT would perform well. This year we also had a little fun by sharing top occupant complaints from readers and these were clearly enjoyed -- as well as an article on how to handle them."
FacilitiesNet’s most read articles of 2023 discuss a range of topics that is currently impacting the industry. These articles offered insights and information to help managers succeed throughout this tumultuous year and what they can expect in 2024.
10.) Pooping Dogs, Sticky Doors, and Women with Urinal Problems: Complaints from Government Facilities
Government facilities – whether local, state or federal – need to be operated efficiently and securely. Unfortunately, facility managers don’t receive the attention they deserve, but rather, they get it for the silliest of reasons. Earlier this year, FacilitiesNet asked its readers to submit the most outrageous complaints they’ve received from tenants. Here are the best and funniest stories.
9.) Active Shooters in the Workplace: 10 Insights that Improve Safety
Active shooter incidents have become far too common in the United States. For facilities managers, the safety and security of building occupants falls in their line of duty. Contributing writer Bo Mitchell covers 10 insights that managers should consider to improve the safety of their buildings.
8.) 3 Best Practices for Handling Facility Complaints
As we learned from our 10th most read story of the year, complaints can range from legitimate and important to somewhat irritating and downright silly. In this article, senior contributing editor Greg Zimmerman covers three strategies to best deal with complaints as they come in.
7.) More Leaf Blower Bans Take Effect Across the U.S.
Summer landscaping looked a little different this year as several new leaf blower bans went into effect this year. This article covers where leaf blowers are currently banned and what the city’s reasoning was.
6.) Snakes Plague Hotel Guests
We all remember the infamous movie from the 2000s Snakes on a Plane, but there could potentially be a sequel in the works after snakes were found in a Wisconsin hotel. An inspector testing the hotel’s pool and hot tub discovered snakeskin alerted the manager to contact a professional pest control company to deal with the snakes.
5.) Low-Hanging 'Nuts': Crazy Complaints from Office Tenants
Despite the fact that facility managers are in charge of assets worth millions of dollars, some people are only concerned about the temperature of the facility. In the first of our complaints series, FacilitiesNet asked readers to submit their most outrageous complaints they received from tenants. The following selections were highlighted.
4.) Vermont Bans Sale of CFL Lightbulbs
Earlier this year, Vermont became the first state to ban the sale of CFL lightbulbs. The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation endorsed the use of LEDs, issuing a notice that read, “screw-based LEDs provided the same or better overall performance at a cost equal to or better than that of a mercury-containing screw based compact fluorescent lamp.”
3.) Maintenance Worker Electrocuted, Killed
Many people overlook the dangerous nature of maintenance and engineering activities. Unfortunately, the risks are ever-present in a regular work day. Over the summer, a man died after he was electrocuted during an incident at a shopping center in West Virginia.
2.) What Can ChatGPT Do for Facility Managers?
2023 was the year of AI and the accessibility of ChatGPT. As many companies pushed their employees to start using their technology, many facilities managers wondered how it could truly benefit them. In this article, Zimmerman discusses how managers can leverage ChatGPT on a daily basis.
1.) Hiring Challenges Lead to Apprenticeship Training Program
The ongoing labor shortage made itself present throughout the course of 2023. Many managers were struggling to find ways to recruit and retain new talent, with limited to no success. However, not all facilities experienced the same struggles. Executive editor Dave Lubach spoke with Kent Statue University on how they utilize their apprenticeship program to hire from within.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market.
