Connected FM

IFMA
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A podcast connecting you to the latest insights, tools and resources to help you succeed in facility management. Join IFMA, as we explore new ideas and topics in facility management to help you make sense of the changes and challenges facing the profession while equipping you with the knowledge needed to grow your career. 15 to 30-minute episodes, delivered semi-weekly.

  1. 12 hr ago

    How an FM Student Challenge Opened Doors Across Europe

    In an industry traditionally dominated by seasoned professionals, how can young talent gain visibility and step into leadership? Host Mathias De Roeck sits down with IFMA Student Challenge participants to discuss the transformative power of international networking and early career exposure.  Together, they discuss: How stepping out of your comfort zone to present at international conferences unlocks global career opportunities and LinkedIn visibility. Why facility management is viewed strategically in countries like the Netherlands, while remaining largely operational or fragmented in Belgium and the Czech Republic. How young graduates navigate the "5 years of experience required" catch-22 and build workplace confidence. Encouraging non-native English speakers to participate in global industry events despite language anxieties. Why senior leaders need to trust, mentor and create practical entry points for young professionals.This episode of Connected FM is sponsored by Tork. Whether you’re managing office buildings, healthcare facilities or high-traffic spaces, Tork offers hygiene products and smart dispensing solutions designed for today's dynamic workplaces. Head over to torkglobal.com to explore their full range of products.  Resources mentioned: Read the blog "3 'Aha Moments' Facility Leaders Are Taking Into 2027" 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

    How an FM Student Challenge Opened Doors Across Europe

  2. 3 Nov

    How Early FM Involvement Transforms Design & Operations

    Why is facilities management ultimately a relationship-driven profession? Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and First Vice Chair, IFMA Global Executive Board, sits down with Maria O'Callaghan-Cassidy, Senior Associate Vice President of Facilities, Development and Operations at San Jose State University, to explore the intersections of workplace design, operations and leadership.  Together, they discuss: Why bringing trade teams into early project design prevents maintenance disasters downstream. How proactive communication and checking in during quiet periods builds trust with stakeholders. How cutting classroom support response times down to seconds transformed user trust at Wharton. Navigating tight state university budgets without compromising student-centered priorities. Addressing the gap in senior FM roles and cultivating effective mentor/mentee dynamics.This episode of Connected FM is sponsored by Tork. Whether you’re managing office buildings, healthcare facilities or high-traffic spaces, Tork offers hygiene products and smart dispensing solutions designed for today's dynamic workplaces. Head over to torkglobal.com to explore their full range of products. Resources: FM Women's Connect CommunityRead the blog "3 'Aha Moments' Facility Leaders Are Taking Into 2027" 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

    How Early FM Involvement Transforms Design & Operations

  3. 27 Oct

    The Hidden Reason People Feel Connected at Work

    What does it take for people to feel genuinely connected at work? In this episode, host Dr. Matt Tucker sits down with organizational psychologist Yoy Bergs and MillerKnoll workplace researcher Mark Catchlove to discuss identity, relationships and physical space. Together, they explore: Why identity is multiple, contextual, dynamic and socially constructed.Why place alone isn't the answer, but flexible, supportive design enables real collaboration.How remote models impact social learning, community and identity cues.Why organizations should ask why and when people need to gather, rather than just forcing attendance.Whether you're leading teams, shaping workplace culture, or designing modern spaces, this conversation offers actionable insights on building a workplace where people feel seen, valued and connected.   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

  4. 20 Oct

    The "Go-To Person" Problem: Transitioning Facility Data from Memory to Mapping

    When critical facility infrastructure fails, where do your teams turn for reliable drawings? In this episode, Andy Santoro of Sansys sits down with former Etobicoke General Hospital infrastructure lead Scott Payne to discuss the reality of managing complex facility data.  Together, they explore: Why scanned PDFs and paper as-builts break down over time. Moving critical facility data out of one "go-to" person’s head and into a shared platform. How tracking critical equipment, electrical panels and shutoffs reduces risk during emergencies. Practical ways to map downstream impacts before isolating transformers, water lines or med gases. Interested in hearing more? Andy and Scott will take this topic to the stage at World Workplace on 20 November for their education session, “When the Go-To Goes: Don’t Let the Knowledge Walk Out the Door.” Learn more. 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

  5. 13 Oct

    ISO Standards in FM: Driving Digital Transformation with High-Quality Data

    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

  6. 6 Oct

    What Human-Centered Leadership Looks Like in the Workplace with OpenAI’s Tracy Hawkins

    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

  7. 29 Sept

    What Happens When Disaster Planning Becomes Daily Operations?

    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

  8. 22 Sept

    The Trillion Dollar Threat: Why Cybersecurity is an FM Emergency

    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

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5
out of 5
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About

A podcast connecting you to the latest insights, tools and resources to help you succeed in facility management. Join IFMA, as we explore new ideas and topics in facility management to help you make sense of the changes and challenges facing the profession while equipping you with the knowledge needed to grow your career. 15 to 30-minute episodes, delivered semi-weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    IFMA
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Connected FM

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