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The best FMs are not born, they are made

11-07-07 7:32 BIFM

Graham Hewett (pictured), Head of Facilities Management at the University of the Arts London, writes about  CPD – the employers perspective;

Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are my passions; I believe that FMs performance is directly linked to the management efforts invested in them by their employers. This is particularly true of CPD activities where a targeted, structured approach to staff development, such as that offered through BIFM Training and the online CPD framework, can deliver motivational and behavioural improvements even in the most under-performing of organisations.

FMs operate in an ever-changing workplace driven by statute and increasingly intelligent customers and clients. To meet the challenges head on, wise employers recognise the benefits of improved skills, knowledge and behaviours resulting from involvement in formal and informal CPD activities.

Employers supporting well developed CPD programmes for their staff can engender a virtuous circle – effective CPD can deliver improved performance for the benefit of the employer leading to improved morale, as well as personal and customer satisfaction.

Investing resources in CPD can appear to be highly involved and potentially a waste of management effort, until you consider the resources required to manage an organisation without such a programme. Staff look to senior FMs to provide technical and managerial leadership. What better way to demonstrate this than to encourage involvement in the CPD activities delivered by respected exponents such as the BIFM.

As agents and deliverers of change, FMs need to keep one step ahead of their customers at all times. Professional CPD in all its forms offers a clear and often inexpensive route to maintaining the knowledge gap so important for maintaining respect from ‘front of house’ to the boardroom. Developing raw talent takes time, planning and access to all the best CPD resources available including those offered by BIFM Training, FM World and BIFM’s events.

If facilities staff need any convincing of the vital importance of CPD they only need to test their CVs in the job market. Involvement in CPD demonstrates commitment to development and learning, which as an employer is often the difference between a successful and unsuccessful candidate. A motivated and knowledgeable staff member will always deliver better performance than one who is not. The proven and popular CPD routes offered by BIFM provide an attractive package.

To find out more about CPD activities please click below:

Online CPD