Connected FM

For years, facility management relied on local habits, tradition and gut feel. Today, international standards like ISO 41001 and the work of ISO TC 267 Work Group 6 are creating a shared global language that connects data, technology, and business outcomes. In this insightful conversation, host Jim Whittaker leads a deep dive with Planon Solution Architect Mahnaz Ensafi and JLL Director of Data Insights Dipin Kasana on how FMs can navigate the changing digital landscape. Together, they discuss: Completeness, validity through standards, cross-system consistency, and currency/timeliness. Why organizations must map processes and define business problems before evaluating or configuring new tech tools. Navigating privacy, transparency, model bias, accountability, and essential human oversight in autonomous FM systems. Translating technical data science concepts into actionable daily practices for facility managers. Starting small with defined pilot projects, prioritizing user training, and establishing continuous data monitoring rather than one-time fixes. Whether managing a single building or a global portfolio, discover how trustworthy data and standardized frameworks help quantify value and drive strategic decision-making. Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Great facility management isn't just about managing square footage; it's about building spaces where people can do their best work. In this conversation, Tracy Hawkins, VP of Real Estate and Workplace at OpenAI, shares key leadership and operational insights gained over a career spanning Yahoo, Twitter and OpenAI.Together, Wayne and Tracy explore:Why protecting your team from "Sunday night scaries," remaining authentic, and maintaining transparency during corporate ambiguity builds resilient organizations.Why OpenAI's spaces are designed to feel welcoming, warm and human-first rather than cold and overly digital.Actionable advice for emerging professionals, bridging the gap between project management and operations, and empowering women to step into executive FM and real estate roles.Whether you are managing local facilities or scaling a global corporate real estate portfolio, discover how leading with empathy and leveraging technology thoughtfully drives operational excellence.Resources mentioned:Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Disaster planning is no longer reserved for rare emergencies. It's becoming a core part of facility management. In this episode, IFMA's Director of Knowledge and Insights, Dr. Matt Tucker is joined by Holley Henderson and Dr. Mark Wilson of Chemical Insights to discuss how extreme weather, wildfires and cascading disasters are changing the role of facility managers. Together, they explore exposure science, building resilience, chemical hazards after disasters and why today's facility managers are making critical decisions with limited information.  Timestamps: 0:00 - Why facility managers are becoming frontline resilience managers 1:30 - Meet Holly Henderson and Dr. Mark Wilson 3:40 - Why disasters are becoming part of daily operations 5:00 - When frequent disasters lead to complacency 5:50 - How climate change is increasing exposure risks 7:00 - The hidden chemical hazards inside buildings 8:20 - Why lead and asbestos remain long-term risks 10:00 - Making critical decisions with limited information 11:00 - Can AI improve disaster response? 12:00 - Why resilience is now a core FM skill 14:00 - Are buildings designed for multiple disasters? 15:30 - How exposure science informs better FM decisions 17:00 - The overlooked danger of residual dust 18:45 - Why post-disaster cleaning matters more than you think 20:00 - What are cascading disasters? 21:00 - Planning for more than one disaster at a time 22:30 - Why disaster planning is never one-and-done 23:45 - Balancing business continuity with occupant health Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

As smart buildings become more connected, they also become more exposed to cyber threats. In this episode, host Dr. Matt Tucker, IFMA's Director of Knowledge and Insights, sits down with Stacey Shepard, Advisory Board Member at Building Cyber Security, to discuss how facility managers can bridge the gap between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) to protect their organizations. Together, they unpack: Why global cybercrime is now a multi-trillion-dollar issue impacting business continuity, productivity, and physical safety. Understanding how building automation, HVAC, access control, and IoT devices create non-traditional entry points for bad actors. Lessons learned from high-profile hacks involving ransomware, supply chains, and interconnected smart devices. How FMs can establish strong communication channels with CIOs and C-suite executives. Practical advice on performing asset inventories, reviewing vendor contracts, and leveraging free tools like the 16-step checklist from Building Cyber Security. Whether managing a single facility or a global portfolio, this episode provides essential strategies for treating cybersecurity as a core component of emergency preparedness and all-hazard resilience. Resources Mentioned: Building Cyber Security Website Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Facility management is no longer just about tactical maintenance. It is about driving business performance, shaping company culture, and creating strategic value at the C-suite level. In today's episode, host Edward Wagoner is joined by WE leadership team members Tim Allen, Martin Ruppe and Kati Barklund to break down what makes the Workplace Evolutionaries community essential for anyone touching the built environment. Together, they detail the many ways to engage with the community, including: Local WE Hubs: How regional communities of practice tailor global workplace strategy to local markets and foster peer networking. Monthly WEbinars: Gaining a competitive edge through 60-minute virtual sessions featuring global corporate speakers and real-world ROI case studies. World Workplace & Key Events: What to expect at major annual gatherings, masterclasses and interactive sessions. Educational Programs & Hot Topics: Diving into professional development pathways, change management, AI integration, circularity/sustainability and cross-disciplinary liaisons across HR, IT, FM and academia. Whether you are a seasoned workplace strategist or new to the field, discover how joining the WE community can help you bridge research and practice while expanding your career horizons. Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

What if waste wasn't just a sustainability issue but one of your organization's biggest business opportunities? In this episode, IFMA's Director of Knowledge and Insights, Dr. Matt Tucker, is joined by Hélène Carpentier, the founder of Circular Workplaces, to explore why the future of facility management is circular. Together, they discuss how culture influences waste, why procurement is one of the most powerful drivers of circularity, and how facility managers can reduce costs while improving workplace experiences. Timestamps: 0:00 - Why FM can disrupt the waste industry 1:30 - Meet Hélène Carpentier and Circular Workplaces 3:00 - How culture shapes waste around the world 5:00 - Why developed countries create more workplace waste 6:00 - The hidden cost of "throwaway" culture 7:30 - Why Hélène founded Circular Workplaces 9:00 - The business case for circular economy 10:00 - Why waste is part of the workplace experience 11:00 - Why circularity is already in FM's DNA 12:00 - How FM can disrupt the waste industry 13:00 - Why the "Netflix of FM" matters 14:00 - From ownership to services: A new FM model 15:00 - Why procurement is the key to circular FM 16:00 - The coffee cup example every FM should hear 17:00 - Looking beyond waste to transform operations 18:00 - The Circular Workplaces framework 19:00 - Why doing nothing could cost £1.6 million 20:00 - Waste is your biggest operational inefficiency Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

What does it take to transform aging buildings into resilient, high-performing spaces? Recorded at IFMA's World Workplace Asia-Pacific, this panel brings together Samuel Ma, Head of Account Management at JLL, Andrew Macpherson, Executive Director, Head of Asset Development at JLL, and Caitlin Shem, Head of Sustainability Consulting at JLL, to discuss the future of urban regeneration. They explore why retrofitting existing buildings is often more sustainable than rebuilding, how facility managers can play a larger strategic role in asset enhancement, and why predictive maintenance, AI and better operational data are changing how buildings are managed. The conversation also examines the growing importance of resilience, biodiversity and government policy in shaping the next generation of cities.  Timestamps: 0:00 - The three pillars shaping future cities 1:35 - Why aging buildings need a new approach 4:55 - Why retrofitting beats rebuilding 6:20 - Decarbonization, resilience and biodiversity explained 8:10 - Bringing nature back into cities 9:00 - What One Bangkok gets right 9:40 - Why older buildings are losing tenants 10:15 - World Workplace 2026 11:00 - Why facility managers are essential to urban renewal 11:45 - The rise of the "urban steward" 12:20 - Moving from reactive to predictive maintenance 13:00 - How better data drives better investments 14:15 - Why AI is making predictive maintenance a reality 15:10 - "Now is the age of predictive maintenance" 15:35 - What governments can do to accelerate urban renewal 16:20 - Public-private partnerships for better cities 17:45 - How policy is changing sustainable buildings 18:30 - Why building performance matters more than ever 19:50 - The growing link between sustainability and property value 21:00 - Why collaboration will shape the future of cities Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Strong strategies don't fail because they're poorly written. They fail because they weren't designed with operational reality in mind. In this episode, Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and First Vice Chair on IFMA's Global Executive Board, sits down with Amanda Muzzarelli, Global Operations Director at Macro, to explore what separates effective facility management leaders from reactive ones. Together, they discuss preserving institutional knowledge, creating psychological safety, developing future leaders and why understanding day-to-day operations is essential for successful strategy execution. They also examine how AI may reshape facility management workflows and why curiosity and leadership remain the profession's greatest competitive advantages.  Timestamps: 0:00 - Why role clarity is a gift 1:20 - Meet Amanda Muzzarelli 2:40 - From public affairs to facility management 6:10 - Why institutional knowledge lives in people 7:30 - Building psychological safety for knowledge transfer 9:00 - How to preserve institutional knowledge before it's lost 10:35 - Escaping the tactical mindset 11:10 - Why role clarity makes better leaders 12:10 - Leading global FM teams without micromanaging 13:15 - Developing leadership instead of doing everything yourself 15:05 - Self-reflection as a leadership skill 18:20 - Why great FM strategies fail during execution 20:45 - World Workplace 2026 21:15 - The biggest mistake strategists make 22:30 - Why facilities teams need a seat at the table 23:35 - Shadow systems and hidden operational knowledge 25:05 - How AI can eliminate repetitive FM tasks 27:10 - When will AI become part of everyday FM? 28:10 - Amanda's prediction: AI in FM within 3–5 years 29:20 - Why AI won't replace facility managers 31:05 - Who will lead AI adoption in FM? 32:10 - Why curiosity matters more than technical expertise 35:00 - Preparing the next generation of FM leaders 35:50 - Amanda's World Workplace sessions 36:45 - Closing remarks Resources from the episode: Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn Join us at World Workplace in Anaheim 17-19 November: https://worldworkplace.ifma.org/ Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Artificial intelligence is changing the way facilities operate, but successful adoption starts long before implementing new technology. Recorded live at World Workplace Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, Dr. Matt Tucker, IFMA's Director of Knowledge and Research, sits down with Serena Pau, Chief Commercial Officer at Neuron Digital, to discuss digital transformation across the region, the importance of breaking down data silos and why curiosity may be one of the most valuable skills facility managers can develop. They also explore how AI can improve reporting, energy management and decision-making while keeping people at the center of the workplace.  Timestamps: 0:00 - AI should enhance, not replace, people 0:24 - Introduction to Serena Pau and Neuron Digital 2:18 - Digital maturity across Asia-Pacific 4:08 - Balancing AI with the human side of facility management 6:11 - Why change management matters more than technology 7:00 - World Workplace 2026 7:35 - Where AI can make the biggest impact today 8:46 - Turning AI insights into actionable recommendations 9:02 - Why curiosity is the most important AI skill 10:21 - The rise of the FM analyst 11:02 - Using AI to improve reporting and tell better data stories 12:18 - Building a future-ready digital strategy 13:17 - Mindset before technology 13:43 - Closing remarks Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

Host Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and First Vice Chair on IFMA's Global Executive Board welcomes Grant Sommerfeld, president of IFMA's FM Consultants Council and founder of Executive FM, for a conversation about the challenges facing facility managers today. Drawing on his experience leading FM transformations across healthcare, municipal government and higher education, Grant shares why many organizations remain trapped in reactive operating models and what leaders can do to break the cycle. The discussion explores the importance of data driven decision making, the communication gap between FM teams and executive leadership, and why facility managers need a stronger voice before major organizational decisions are made. Grant also explains how consultants can help organizations build internal capabilities, improve stakeholder communication and create more sustainable operating models that don't rely on individual heroics to succeed. Resources: Connet with Grant on LinkedIn Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org