With 2022 drawing to a close and the pandemic now firmly in our rear-view mirror, it is with a great deal of optimism that the FM sector can look ahead to 2023.
Looking at the two biggest FM markets in the GCC, analysts forecast that the UAE and Saudi Arabian FM markets will grow by approximately 10% annually, with the UAE market reputed to be worth over $22bn by 2025 and the Saudi Arabian market valued at almost $35 billion by 2028.
If FM companies are to realise their fair share of these growing markets, what should FM professionals focus on in 2023?
Markus Oberlin, CEO of UAE-based Farnek, which was placed at number four in FM Middle East’s 2022 FM Power 50, shares his top three FM ‘essentials’ for 2023.
Net Zero
It has been well documented that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and to underscore its pledge, the UAE will host COP28 at Dubai Expo in November 2023, placing environmental issues right at the top of the UAE government’s agenda.
Of course, to enable both governments to achieve their goals, the private sector, will have to play their part in supporting environmental initiatives, by implementing corporate net zero strategies.
This is going to require planning and investment, but once corporations realise the cost-efficiency of being sustainable I firmly believe that will accelerate plans to become carbon neutral. And it’s not only about cost savings, most importantly of all it is the right thing to do, leaving future generations with a cleaner, healthier environment.
My prediction for 2023 is that we will see exponential growth in sustainable technologies to enable companies to measure and manage carbon emissions,reduce their waste, energy and water consumption and implement a green supply chain strategy.
This will be particularly true for those organisations involved in real estate development, building management, travel, hospitality, tourism and hotel operations. Governments, investors and consumers will undoubtedly drive this, demanding tangible results and regular transparent reporting.
Digitalisation
Over the course of 2023 and beyond, linking smart buildings with a digitally connected workforce, is our single biggest opportunity – it is also our greatest challenge!
Traditional FM services will unquestionably evolve digitally to connect people, assets and spaces from multiple remote sites, using intelligent analytical platforms, for cleaning, security and maintenance. They can be smartly and centrally managed and monitored by utilising the Internet of Things (IoT), Building Management Systems (BMS), Cloud, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies.
These advances are inevitable. According to research firm Statistica, within three short years more than 74 billion IoT devices are expected to be installed globally. FM companies investing in technology now, will have a distinct competitive edge, facing up to the major challenges in the way properties are operated and managed.
Moreover, robots will be employed for most routine tasks such as cleaning large open spaces. Drones will be used more effectively to survey isolated sites, or to investigate issues where access is difficult or time consuming such as building rooftops.
In summary, these solutions will undoubtedly support operational efficiencies, staff welfare, and sustainability and will present the major opportunities for progressive FM companies in 2023. Once again demand will be driven by enhanced customer experiences and smaller FM companies without sufficient capital investment, may fall by the wayside unless they specialise in certain
aspects of FM service delivery.
Attracting, developing and retaining tech savvy talent
Human resource departments have become a critical part of any organisation’s structure and like many other industries, attracting, developing and retaining talent, is key to the success of the entire FM sector.
Even basic FM roles are becoming increasingly technical, with the introduction of technology into all facets of FM. We are having to compete with many other industry sectors to attract the brightest candidates, especially when FM is perceived as a ‘late bloomer’ when it comes to adopting technology.
Once recruited, employees want to experience solid development, within a company culture that appreciates open communication and interaction, where new ideas are valued and seriously considered for implementation.
Therefore, it is essential that FM companies enrol employees onto regular theoretical and practical training courses, virtual and in-person, through state-of-the-art infrastructure using the latest technology. This will equip them with the necessary tech’ skills to advance to leadership roles.
To that end, it is also important that career paths are mapped out well in advance, so that after agreed periods of development, suitably qualified employees can be promoted into appropriate positions. This not only helps to retain talent, but it also encourages other graduates to join a company they can trust with a tangible track record of promoting from within.