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Latest issue of Insight now available to view online

by • Comment, News, Newsletter

 

General Motors Technical Center designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956

General Motors Technical Center designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956

In this week’s issue of Insight: we question why so many people still bother going to work given that the costs associated with it keep rising dramatically at a time when pay is standing still; Sara Bean reports from the Workplace Futures conference; we discover why so many construction industry leaders feel the UK Government will fail to meet one of its key targets for the uptake of BIM; Mark Eltringham applauds a Silicon Valley office that takes its design cues from the Jetsons and modernism (and not a slide to be seen); how Google Glass is making its mark at work; and we report on the BIFM’s latest attempts to carve out a more significant role with the launch of new professional standards.

Virgin Atlantic first airline to apply Google Glass to customer service

by • Company news, Facilities management, Technology

VirginGoogleGLass2

It’s already been predicted that Smart Glasses will be a boon to technicians, engineers and healthcare workers, as well as useful interactive, hands-free devices for office staff. Another obvious application for wearable technology is in customer services. Virgin Atlantic is applying the technology to deliver the airline industry’s most high tech and personalised customer service yet. Working with air-transport specialist SITA, it’s the first airline to test how the technology can best be used to enhance customers’ travel experiences and improve efficiency. During a six week pilot scheme, concierge staff in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow airport will use wearable technology to greet customers by name and begin the check in process. The benefits to consumers and the business will be evaluated ahead of a potential wider roll-out in the future. More →

Employers urged to offer flooded staff access to workplace facilities

by • Facilities management, News, Workplace

UK Floods

As much of the UK prepares to endure yet another winter storm, the TUC has issued guidance for employers on ways to support staff affected by the flooding, and offered advice on the sort of health and safety risks the floods could pose to workplaces. The guidance aims to help employers and employees ensure that workplaces situated within flooded areas are safe before anyone returns to work. This covers both journeys to work through flooded areas and the sort of dangers to look out for in affected buildings, including for example, from contaminants and faulty electrics. The union also urges employers to offer extra support to staff whose homes are either already partially submerged or are at risk from the rising floodwater; which for example could include allowing them to use showers and washing facilities at work. More →

Why do we bother going to work? Good question.

by • Comment, Facilities management, Flexible working, Workplace

CommutingWhile the UK Government continues to explore new ways of getting people back to work more quickly following (or even during) illness, there are a number of counterpart questions that they continue to fastidiously ignore, one of which is ‘why bother?’. We might all ask ourselves that from time to time, whether petulantly or as a pressure-relieving alternative to ramming a co-worker’s head through a window or a laptop in a dumpster. But there are also reasons to raise the question coldly, rationally and with full awareness of all the facts, not least when it comes to assessing the increasing cost of going to work in the first place. Put simply, for many people it makes little or no financial sense to go to work.

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Small steps to innovation debated at Workplace Futures 2014

by • Facilities management, Flexible working, News, Property

Siemens eröffnet Stadtentwicklungszentrum The Crystal in London

New or refurbished workplaces are often described as ‘innovative.’ But while the architect and designers behind a building’s design are often credited with innovation, when it comes to the FMs tasked with managing the property, things are less clear cut. Although the FM sector is increasingly under pressure to demonstrate innovation, whether as services provider or as an in-house department; determining what exactly this constitutes, much less being able to demonstrate it in practice, is a lot more difficult. The 2014 i-FM Workplace Futures Conference, held this week at the Siemens Crystal building in London’s Docklands, bravely aimed to address this conundrum. It was, as the organisers admitted, a tall order to ‘nail this innovation theme,’ but it seems that taking small incremental steps may be the key to success. More →

Insight newsletter is now available to view online

by • Newsletter

The-Fountainhead-newsletter

Gary Cooper as architect in the 1949 adaptation of The Fountainhead

In this week’s Insight newsletter, available to view online; Mark Eltringham on why architects are not the only people entitled to have an opinion on buildings [pictured]; the Carbon Trust warns future environmental constraints will actually go way beyond carbon; the total cost to the European economy of corruption is some €120 billion; and (GCHQ) advises that all public sector staff who are still using Windows XP at home should be denied access to networks. News of the introduction of the first working 3D pizza printer; how the influx of tech firms is leading to an unprecedented rise in London office rents and the construction industry records its best month for almost six-and-a-half years.  To automatically receive our weekly newsletter, simply add your email address to the box on the home page.

Strongest growth in commercial construction activity since 2007

by • News, Property

Strongest growth recorded in commercial construction activity for over six years

The construction industry has had its best month for almost six-and-a-half years; including the largest increase in commercial activity since August 2007. Although the upturn was led by house building, which increased for the twelfth successive month; surging growth was also recorded for commercial construction and civil engineering, due to increased spending by business on infrastructure, office space, industrial units and retail outlets. The Markit/CIPS Construction PMI™ rose from 62.1 in December to 64.6, its highest since August 2007 – one of the strongest growth rates seen since survey data were first collected in 1997. The index shows that while house building has been rising for a full year, commercial building and civil engineering only started recovering in earnest last summer. However, growth of both has now accelerated sharply. More →

Oil and gas firm moves in as regeneration of London’s Victoria area continues

by • Company news, Property

123-Vic-completed-external-440x200The regeneration of London’s Victoria area continues with the news that Land Securities has let a further 18,000 sq ft at its 123 Victoria Street SW1 development. Oil and gas exploration company Ophir Energy PLC is relocating from its Mayfair headquarters to join existing tenants such as US software company Intuit, CDC Group, CPA Global and Jimmy Choo. This latest letting means 123 Victoria Street is now 93 per cent let with just 17,000 sq ft still available. Kaela Fenn-Smith, Head of Leasing at Land Securities, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ophir Energy to 123 Victoria Street. Their decision to move from Mayfair and choose Victoria as their new home reflects the area’s ever-increasing reputation as a vibrant destination for forward-thinking companies.” More →

This week’s Insight is now available to view online

by • Newsletter

Living up to iconic office furnitureIn this week’s Insight, available to view online; signs that the recovering UK economy is putting pressure on the availability of both skilled employees and Grade A office space; the disparities that exist in flexible working arrangements across the country; and the Green Building Council criticises Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to slash 80,000 pages of environmental guidance. RICS publishes a report by Occupiers Journal on how to prove the value of FM to board level directors; Pam Loch provides some legal guidance on managing employees embroiled in an office romance and Mark Eltringham wonders when modern office furniture design will begin to live up to the iconic pieces of yesteryear [pictured]. To automatically receive our weekly newsletter, simply add your email address to the box on the home page.

Modern romance: advice to employers on managing workplace relationships

by • Workplace

Managing workplace breakups

 

Despite all the cautionary tales regarding the dangers of office romance, countless employees start up relationships with co-workers every year. Whether sparks fly over the work photocopier or more likely, on a Friday night in the pub after work, the workplace still beats the internet for finding romance. The sheer number of hours we spend with colleagues together with the stresses and strains of work, can lead to close friendships that may go on to become a relationship further down the line. Research shows that couples who met at work are most likely to marry. However, the fact is that many relationships can and do fail and this is no less so for workplace relationships. Whilst clearly there are issues for the people involved to manage, it can also create headaches for employers. More →

Green Building Council slams PM’s plans to slash environmental guidance

by • Environment, Facilities management, Legal news, Property

Plans to slash environmental guidance

The UK Green Building Council has condemned Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge to scrap realms of environmental guidance. In a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses earlier this week, the Prime Minister said that by March 2015 Defra will have slashed 80,000 pages of environmental guidance, saving businesses around £100 million per year; “to make it vastly easier and cheaper for businesses to meet environmental obligations.” However Paul King, Chief Executive at the UK Green Building Council, branded the move utterly reprehensible. He said: “The Prime Minister’s boasts of ‘slashing 80,000 pages’ of environmental guidance is. It is the same poisonous political rhetoric from Number 10, devaluing environmental regulation in a slash and burn manner. These words are not only damaging and irresponsible, but misrepresent the wishes of so many modern businesses, both large and small.”  More →

Latest issue of Insight now available to view online

by • Facilities management, Newsletter, Workplace, Workplace design

2.Insight_twitter_logo smThe latest issue of our weekly newsletter is now available to view online here. This week: Ilkka Kakko argues that designing for serendipity is about more than facilitating chance meetings; Mark Eltringham looks for the missing link between offices and avocados; we report on the ongoing recovery in the construction and property markets; raise questions about what happiness at work really means; and Sara Bean argues that we should never assume that working from home is the best way for an individual to work. If you don’t already subscribe, please do by adding your email in the box on the home page and we’ll make sure you see the freshest thinking on workplace design and management each week.

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