FMForward: Dedicated to the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Facility Management

In the second half of our 4th season, Jackie digs deep into climate, how to plan for change, reduce greenhouse gas, and work on bringing our facilities in line with governmental mandates. In this episode, we are joined by individuals from Bentley University and Greener U. They worked together to create a comprehensive climate action plan for the university that helped them in achieving its 2020 goal of reducing their carbon footprint by 70% (from a 2008 baseline) one year early. Greener U helps their partners navigate the steps to climate neutrality. It is like assembling a 7,500-piece puzzle...with no edge pieces. From big-picture planning and programming to detail-driven project orientation, GreenerU helps institutions navigate the organizational, operational, and infrastructure changes required to reach climate neutrality.We were happy to welcome:Sophie Rodgers, Senior Manager of Sustainability, Bentley UniversityCrystal Johnson, Project Director and Senior Environmental Planner, Greener UWe would like to thank our partners who have underwritten today's episode.MovePlan Group | suki.reilly@moveplangroup.comTecta America | amoura@tectaamerica.com To learn more about IFMA Boston visit www.ifmaboston.org 

In our fourth series students explore what they'll need to stand out, stand-up to the pressure of working in fast-paced competitive environments, and receive a standing ovation from their boss once they've landed their first job in the profession.  They put on their investigative journalist hats and asked seasoned professionals what they wished they had known when they started out, what's changed, what's remained the same, and much more.  And our professionals each week share what they with they had known when they entered the FM profession. Join us to find out what they learned and improve your chances of securing and succeeding in the world of facilities management.This week's guests, interviewed by host Jackie Falla of Elaine Construction, are:Andrew McElman . Massachusetts Maritime Academy . BS Candidate, Facilities EngineeringSteve Ballard . The Country Club . Director of Facilities

In our fourth series students explore what they'll need to stand out, stand-up to the pressure of working in fast-paced competitive environments, and receive a standing ovation from their boss once they've landed their first job in the profession.  They put on their investigative journalist hats and asked seasoned professionals what they wished they had known when they started out, what's changed, what's remained the same, and much more.  And our professionals each week share what they with they had known when they entered the FM profession. Join us to find out what they learned and improve your chances of securing and succeeding in the world of facilities management.This week's guests, interviewed by host Jackie Falla of Elaine Construction, are:Addie Stifter . Wentworth Student . CM Candidate with a concentration in FM and a minor in Business ManagementAlicia Dernier . Novartis . Executive Director, Real Estate and Facilities Services

In our fourth series students explore what they'll need to stand out, stand-up to the pressure of working in fast-paced competitive environments, and receive a standing ovation from their boss once they've landed their first job in the profession.  They put on their investigative journalist hats and asked seasoned professionals what they wished they had known when they started out, what's changed, what's remained the same, and much more.  And our professionals each week share what they with they had known when they entered the FM profession. Join us to find out what they learned and improve your chances of securing and succeeding in the world of facilities management.This week's guests, interviewed by host Jackie Falla of Elaine Construction, are:Adam O'Rourke . Wentworth Student . CM Candidate with a concentration in FMErin McCabe . Lesley University . Director of Facilities and Operations

In our fourth series students will explore what they'll need to stand out, stand-up to the pressure of working in fast-paced competitive environments, and receive a standing ovation from their boss once they've landed their first job in the profession.  They put on their investigative journalist hats and asked seasoned professionals what they wished they had known when they started out, what's changed, what's remained the same, and much more.  And our professionals each week will share what they with they had known when they entered the FM profession. Join us to find out what they learned and improve your chances of securing and succeeding in the world of facilities management.Our first guests in this series, interviewed by host Jackie Falla of Elaine Construction, are:Meredith Borden . Wentworth Student . CM Candidate with a concentration in FMAndrew DelPrete . Liberty Mutual . Sr. Facility Manager

Over the past season of the FMForward Podcast, hosted by Jackie Falla, we've dug into the technology core competency with some amazing guests. For our last episode of the season, we brought back our technology heavy hitters for a very passionate and heated discussion to talk about all of the top technology trends that are impacting facilities management. This episode was recorded in front of a live Zoom audience!James Scott . Lead Researcher at MIT Real Estate Innovation Lab where design and innovation are linked to financial performance in the built environment.Luke Lucas . Sr. Manager of Engineering Business Development at T-Mobile.Amy Marks . Head of Industrialized Construction Strategy & Evangelism at Autodesk, andErik Graham, Founder and CEO at CrowdComfort

This week Jackie speaks with Eric Graham, Founder and CEO of CrowdComfort. CrowdComfort is revolutionizing organizational communication with employees and customers by leveraging mobile technology & cloud analytics. Facility and HR managers access aggregated data to improve employee productivity, optimize building performance and lower operational costs. CrowdComfort's technology leverages the Human Sensor Network to bring new levels of reach and engagement to business operations and the built environment. Get ready to geek out!

Have you ever wondered why the fundamental ways in which we build have remained unchanged for over a century?Hear from subject matter expert Amy Marks on the evolution of construction, digital twins, sustainability, the mechanization, automation, and robotic revolution that is transforming our built environment.  This change places FM’s at the table from the very start, and empowers them with smart data for the operation of their facilities.  An episode you won’t want to miss.Amy Marks is the Head of Industrialized Construction Strategy and Evangelism at Autodesk.

This week Jackie speaks with Luke Lucas, the Senior Manager of Engineering Business Development for T-Mobile on all of the ins and outs of 5G and the impact it is making on corporate real estate and facilities as part of our Technology Core Competency focus.

This week Jackie talks all things Real Estate technology related with Steve Weikal, Head of Industry Relations, CRE Tech Lead, MiT REILab at the MiT Center for Real Estate as part of our deep dive into the Technology core competency. 

This week Jackie speaks with LEAN experts and advocates Melissa McEwan, Haley & Aldrich, Practice Leader and Phil Memmott, Harvard Business School, Senior Director of Capital Programs. They discuss the "language of LEAN", how they became so passionate about it and how our Facilities Managers can utilize the principles for a higher performing workplace. Resources for the discussion can be found at www.ifmaboston.org/podcast

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.

Today we are going to tackle a tough topic – active assailant training, more commonly referred to as active shooter training. This is the first segment in our four part series on risk management, and a serious one at that: 70% of all active shooter incidents take place within businesses or educational settings96% are carried out by men40% result in suicide25% of companies are unprepared for these eventsWe will be speaking with David Trout, Enterprise Preparedness at Raytheon Company and Ryan DeStefano, VP Global Assistance Services at On-Call International – both involved in their organizations active assailant training and preparedness programs – to discuss how to approach planning for and executing a readiness program, or augmenting an existing program. We’ll then wrap up with a few tips to support you in your process and help protect your employees and visitors, while minimize injury and/or loss of life.