IWFM Chair Martin G Bell on the importance of completing the Impact and Experience Survey 2020

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IWFM Chair Martin G Bell on the importance of completing the Impact and Experience Survey 2020

It seems like so much has changed in the world and our Institute since we last surveyed members in 2018. When we transitioned from BIFM to IWFM in 2018, we set a new direction. We were committed to leading change for the profession, to raise its voice, and show the value that workplace and facilities management can make to organisations’ performance.

When we looked back at the results from the previous survey (then called the Membership Survey), some things really stood out for what you wanted from our Institute:

• you loved our research offering and you wanted us to widen our research interests to incorporate smart working, technology, sustainability
• you liked what we were doing and wanted more impact in the professional arena
• you wanted more support in your personal and professional development.
   

Research Expansion  

We have raised our insight game, underpinned by solid research and policy agendas. We developed a ‘Creating better workplaces’ web hub with partner Ricoh to deliver a one-stop source of workplace essentials, including insight, guidance and learning opportunities. Our sustainability hub is a source of intelligence on sustainability matters and we will be launching our fourteenth Sustainability Survey in partnership with Inenco imminently.

We have also partnered with technology giant Microsoft for new research to explore the smart workplace opportunities and the challenges that technology presents in tomorrow’s workplaces. We have also stayed current and responsive with our COVID-19 resources and ‘Navigating turbulent times’ webinar programme, developed with our expert communities, helping us all with essential practical help to frontline professional during this challenging time. 

Increased Authority

We have raised IWFM’s voice outside the profession by having our views heard in Government on skills and apprenticeships, better practice on safety and procurement (including appearing before Dame Judith Hackitt to make the case for holistic whole building safety standards), and making a difference through social value.

Supporting Your Development

We have launched a new website with a cleaner format and superior navigation, ensuring that customers can find the information, guidance and support they need quickly and easily. Our website is the key to unlocking the benefits of membership. You may now personalise your experience, plan and record your development, including CPD, and have complete control over your membership with us. Our member handbook can also help you discover other benefits of membership.

Work is underway to revise core elements of our proposition with the IWFM Professional Standards taking centre stage. We’ve redesigned the Standards Handbook to be more accessible and included some new components, such as organisational behaviour and performance, as well as culture and values. There is more to do here to align our entire proposition to the IWFM development pathway. This will form the cornerstone of all IWFM products and services, ensuring that your plan for development can be supported by the best tools which can be easily navigated.

We have responded to your feedback. As we look to the future, the survey results will form a key reference to help us to help you better. We will be referring to this continuously and it will help us to prioritise our actions and resources.

Complete the survey now

Let’s get your views heard! Our profession deserves and demands it. Please complete the anonymous survey that will have been sent to the email account registered with your membership by 30 June. Thank you.

If you’d like to follow me on Twitter, you can find me at: @MartinGBell