As I type this email, the UK is midway through the second week of lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools are closed; we’re confined indoors for all but essential journeys; plus, no one knows when this will all be over. As someone who works in facilities management, you’ll be dealing with your own unique issues on top of all of this.
Here are three issues that the people we speak to have on their minds.
1 – How is the virus affecting your business?
In an economic downturn, Facilities Management is often one of the first industries to suffer.
Facilities Management is often difficult to quantify in tangible terms and non-revenue producing services may be deprioritised, neglected or simply forgotten about. The exception is cleaning and perhaps maintenance. This is undoubtedly true for client-side businesses, which simultaneously has a knock-on effect on Britain’s service providers.
2 – Will we bounce back?
The Coronavirus nightmare has engulfed our society, not just in the UK but globally. But we can bounce back. Take cleaning as an example. People realise the importance of hygiene more than ever before. That’s why I predict an industry boom post-quarantine. Cleaning contractors will become much more sought-after and therefore, more valuable. This will drive up the price of services, not only benefitting the industry, but also its suppliers and their suppliers and so forth. This transfer of money is the essence of a strong economy and in late 2020, it will help save us from months of economic turmoil.
3 – Are you looking after your staff?
If your buildings are still open, or if you’re running them with a skeleton staff, are you doing everything you can to protect your team? Do they have all the equipment they need to perform their responsibilities without putting their health at risk? Are they happy within themselves to be coming into work? How is the Coronavirus crisis affecting their mental wellbeing?
For your team members that are now confined to their houses: are they working from home? If they are self-isolating due to sickness, are you checking in on them regularly? Are you paying them their full amount? This is a challenging period for all of us, but it’s also an opportunity to do the right thing. If you look after your staff today, they’ll look after you tomorrow.
Find out more
This period of uncertainty will not last forever. We will get through it if we keep to the guidelines and don’t take risks. From the conversations we at Joshua Robert have with facilities management professionals every day, there is a lot of optimism about the future. The economy will recover. That will bring a different set of opportunities.
If you want to be in the best position to capitalise when demand returns, it’s time to talk to Joshua Robert. Give us a call on 0121 582 0877 or email us at propertyjobs@joshuarobert.co.uk.