The Modern Facilities Management Podcast Griffin Hamilton

This weeks guest is Dr. Jake Smithwick, a professor at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Jake and his team have assisted hundreds of owners improve performance outcomes across thousands of projects ($15+ Billion of procured services in construction, IT, auxiliary services, design, healthcare, insurance, and more). His industry experience also includes field inspection of nearly 2,000 roofing systems (74 million square feet) across the United States, and six years in the US Air Force Reserve (civil engineering squadron).

On this episode, Dr. Smithwick discusses the role of AI in facilities management, including: 
The value of mentorship in the FM industry and the positive impact AI can have in knowledge transfer and enhancing FM practices. The fear of the unknown and the skepticism surrounding AI Practical applications of AI in FM for tasks such as work order scheduling, maintenance planning, and data analysis. Chapters


00:00
Introduction and Background
08:39
The Impact and Potential of AI in FM
15:31
Practical Applications of AI in FM
28:31
Closing Remarks
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!

Kevin Bee, the District's Operations Manager at Naperville 203, joins the show to share his journey in facilities management, and the importance of creating a culture that embraces change. 

Kevin started as a custodian and worked his way up, gaining experience in employee relations and eventually becoming a leader. He discusses the challenges of laying the foundation for a culture that embraces change, including the need for consistency and effective communication. Kevin also highlights the importance of explaining the why behind changes and creating a positive culture of growth and mentorship.

Takeaways
Continuous learning and staying on top of new technologies and practices is crucial in facilities management.Creating a culture that embraces change requires consistency, effective communication, and explaining the why behind changes.A positive culture of growth and mentorship is essential for attracting and retaining talent in facilities management.Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
03:13
Starting from the Ground Floor and Climbing the Ladder
08:01
Embracing Change and Guiding the Culture
14:05
Creating a Culture of Growth and Mentorship
22:55
Caring for the Environment and Building a Positive Culture
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!

Annmarie Bhola, Founder of Enhanced Building Solutions, joins the show as this weeks guest.

Annmarie is a former plant operator with extensive knowledge in new construction and existing buildings. She focused primarily on MEP commissioning and energy efficient operations and brings 20+ years of industry experience to clients. 

On this episode, Griffin and Annmarie discuss the importance of standardizing training, and leveraging video content to document tribal knowledge.
Takeaways
Training and documenting tribal knowledge is crucial in facilities management to address the gap caused by turnover and ensure consistent operations.Site-specific training videos are essential to understand the unique requirements of each building and system.Contractor-provided training can lack consistency and may not cover all necessary information, highlighting the need for dedicated training resources.Documentation should be updated regularly to reflect changes in technology and standards.Sound Bites


Chapters


00:00
Introduction and Background
01:14
Identifying the Gap in Facilities Training
03:16
The Importance of Training Videos
04:14
The Challenges of Sharing Training Videos
05:29
The Need for Site-Specific Training
06:46
The Importance of Consistent Video Training
07:44
The Challenges of Contractor-Provided Training
08:37
The Importance of Updated Training Materials
09:37
Separating Roles and Responsibilities
10:36
Preserving Tribal Knowledge
15:29
Addressing the Gap in Documentation
20:43
The Value of an Outsider's Perspective
22:19
The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
24:59
The Necessity of Documentation in a Changing Industry
25:02
The Impact of Mentors on Career Growth
26:29
Expressing Gratitude for Mentors
27:04
Conclusion



Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!

This episode features Alex Cummings, CEO of FlowPath, and Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning.

Interplay Learning has developed cutting edge training technology for the essential skilled trades. Users are able to train and practice hands-on learning from any device or even in VR. 

The FlowPath team has created an industry leading CMMS, focused on simplicity and the user experience for Technicians in the field. 
 
Alex and Doug discuss the importance of using FM technology, like FlowPath, to collect data in real time, and how to effectively leverage data to train and cross-train employees. They also discuss best practices in standardizing training programs, and how this can lead to a better customer experience.
 
Enjoy!


Chapters


00:00
Introduction and Background
02:27
Interplay Learning's Training Platform
05:18
Training Students in Trades
08:01
The Importance of Training for Retention
10:40
Customer Support and Training
12:37
Data Collection and Training Programs
15:04
The Impact of Technology in Facilities Management
16:29
Standardizing Training Programs
21:08
Best Practices for Training and Learning
24:47
The Biggest Impact on Doug's Career
26:26
The Biggest Impact on Alex's Career
28:03
Conclusion
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!

Lisa Keys, Founder of COS Consulting, joins the show to discuss Building Condition Assessments (BCAs) and their importance in facilities management. Lisa has 20 years of experience leading operational and facilities management teams within a diverse range of building portfolios in both the non-profit and public sector. 

On this episode, Lisa highlights the core concepts and components of a BCA, how an organization can leverage a BCA, and where one should begin with a BCA.
Takeaways
Building condition assessments (BCAs) provide a comprehensive overview of a building's components and their maintenance and capital support requirements.BCAs help organizations understand the costs associated with maintaining and replacing building components and develop long-term capital investment strategies.Risk tolerance and available budget play a crucial role in prioritizing projects identified in BCAs.BCAs can identify opportunities for energy efficiency and sustainable practices within facilities management.BCAs should be viewed as dynamic documents that require regular review and customization to meet the specific needs of each organization.If you're interested in learning more, make sure to reach out to Lisa directly:
LinkedIn
COS Consulting

Enjoy! 
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!

In this episode, Rami Abdelhadi, Executive Director of Facilities Operations at Stanford University, discusses the challenges and strategies for talent acquisition and retention in the facilities management industry. He highlights the importance of apprenticeship programs and cross-training to build a strong pipeline of skilled professionals. Rami also emphasizes the role of facilities in supporting education and research, and the need for soft skills in career progression. 
Takeaways
Apprenticeship programs and structured training can help address the talent shortage in facilities management.Building a pipeline of skilled professionals requires a long-term strategy and investment in junior staff members.Facilities play a crucial role in supporting education and research, and creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.Clearly defining job descriptions and cross-training can help maximize the potential of existing team members.Soft skills, such as curiosity and effective communication, are essential for career progression in facilities management.Delegation and empowerment are key leadership skills that can lead to greater productivity and success.Chapters


00:00
Introduction and Background
01:36
The Challenges of Facilities Management
04:15
Addressing the Talent Shortage
08:01
The Success of Apprenticeship Programs
13:40
The Importance of Facilities in Education
14:08
Building the Pipeline and Cross-Training
18:27
The Impact of Mentors and Soft Skills
19:09
Lessons from the Pandemic
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!