FMForward: Dedicated to the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Facility Management

Last season(s) we covered risk and COVID and with the start of what we are calling our third season, we are covering each of IFMA's 11 Core Competencies. In this first episode, Jackie is joined by three female power houses from Colliers International Kristin Blount, EVP, Partner, Lauren Vecchione, SVP, and Beth Halvorsen, Executive Managing Director. The four roll up their sleeves and get candid about the tenant's leverage and role within the current marketplace and what do keep in mind as you look for more or new space as part of our Real Estate Competency.

Readying one's workplace for the return of employees amidst the pandemic is a complex process that takes into consideration screening, physical distancing, security, cleaning, and all of the systems within the space. The most prevelant is the HVAC and how it will function to reduce the likliness of a spread of the virus. This week Jackie speaks with  Athene Sirivallop, SFP, Director, Hub & Workplace Operations of Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and Anthony Petone, P.E., Principa at BR+A Consulting Engineers on what FMs need to know.

In this episode Jackie catches up with Joe Hirsch, Managing Director of Semaca Partners, educator, TEDTalk speaker, and this year's FMForward keynote speaker. He got rave reviews within the conference and brought a ton of energy to our virtual setting, so we wanted to bring him back to continue the conversation on his views around partnership within the workplace and approaching management as a coach, not as a boss. We hope you enjoy!

Jackie speaks with Chuck Carberry, Director of Sustainability/Landscape Architecture for Fidelity Investments and Jim Stanislaski, Architect at Gensler on what they are seeing the impact has been of the pandemic on sustainability in the workplace and our lives.  Listen in!

In this episode, Jackie speaks with Maureen Hickey, Vice President for Real Estate at Berklee College of Music where they discuss the impacts of COVID-19 from an academic perspective and the unique perils institutions have in returning to the workplace.  You don't want to miss this one! For more information on FMForward the podcast, visit www.ifmaboston.org/podcast. 

In this episode, Jackie speaks with Frank Rhodes, II, CFM, Area Director, Engineering and Facilities for Marriott where they discuss all of the aspects that our FMs are facing right now on the return to the workplace from phased reentries, to testing protocols, to building recommissioning and everything in between.  You don't want to miss this one! For more information on FMForward the podcast, visit www.ifmaboston.org/podcast. 

With the cost of real estate at a premium, swing space is a rare commodity.  Listen as Jackie speaks with Kevin Ruby, AIA, Director of Annual Capital Projects, Boston College and Daniel Chadwick, Vice President of Project Delivery, Fidelity Real Estate Company about the risks associated with renovating in place from both the academic and corporate perspectives. Join us to hear the in’s and out’s of risk associated with your construction projects.  This deep dive goes way beyond issues of safety, so grab your pen and prepare to take notes. Visit www.ifmaboston.org/podcast for more information.

As we are in week 5 of social distancing due to COVID-19 it's hard to imagine a time when we can get back to "business as usual".  Jackie spoke with Ashley Goosman, Business Continuity & Crisis Management Specialist for Liberty Mutual for a follow up conversation about her views of how and when we will begin to return to the workplace and what do FMs need to do to prepare.  Visit www.ifmaboston.org/podcast to download all of the resources Ashley mentions in the podcast.

Do you ever get so caught up in the day to day needs of your building or office, and its functional requirements, that you forget to plan for when nothing functions?  

Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, I’ve already got a business continuity plan in place – is this episode really for me?  Or perhaps you’re wondering if you’ve covered all of your bases? Today we are going to discuss what goes into a business continuity planning, how to develop one if you don’t already have one, and talk with Ashley Goosman, Business Continuity & Crisis Management Specialist, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and we’ll conclude the episode with practical tips for ensuring your company survives and thrives beyond a disaster.

Due to COVID-19, like it or not, all non essential employees have been sent to home offices to work remotely.  What impact has that had on our Facility Managers?  What risk are our companies experiencing as a result?  And how can we engage our employees virtually in the meantime.  Join Debbie Benjamin, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Mary Pattison, Monster Worldwide as they walk through their best practices.