Oren Gershon is Managing Director at O M G Consultancy where he is passionate about simplifying the world of property and procurement. Workplace Innovator host Mike Petrusky talks with Oren about his journey in facility management, and they explore the challenges of stepping outside of your comfort zone to find your grit and push for professional growth. Oren’s advice to listeners? To focus on productivity as human beings in the context of life.
Agenda
- The role of AI in the future of FM and the workplace
- The importance of stepping out of comfort zones
- The need for facility managers to engage and push their boundaries.
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: Continuous learning and self-improvement in the facility management industry
In this episode, host Mike P and Oren Gershon emphasize the importance of continuous learning and pushing oneself beyond comfort zones in the field of facility management. They argue that professionals should not wait for their employers to offer training opportunities, but should instead actively seek them out.
“Get yourself outside your comfort zone… Don’t wait for your manager to offer you training. Go and look for the training,” advised Gershon. They encourage listeners to find their own motivation, or “grit,” and to drive for what makes them happy. They also highlight the vast amount of available content and resources, such as podcasts and online articles, that can help individuals engage with the industry and expand their knowledge.
Mike P echoes this sentiment, and they both suggest that sharing insights and experiences can help inspire others to push the boundaries of their work and contribute to the industry’s advancement.
Takeaway 2: Embracing change and adapting to new technologies in the built environment
Both Mike P and Gershon discuss the rapid changes and developments in the built environment, particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. They believe these technologies can significantly impact the industry and how Facility Managers interact with their workspaces.
“AI is everywhere… and it’s only really starting just at the tip of the iceberg to interact with our industry,” states Gershon. They suggested that AI will be key in interpreting and utilizing the massive amounts of data generated within the built environment. Gershon also raised concerns about the potential for humans to become “the product for the machines” as these technologies continue to advance.
Mike P adds to this by noting that while these developments can be daunting, they also present new opportunities for Facility Managers to improve their practices and to better understand their workspaces. They encouraged listeners to embrace these changes and to explore how they can use these technologies to their advantage.
Takeaway 3: The role of Facility Managers in shaping the built environment
The conversation highlighted the crucial role Facility Managers play in shaping the built environment and the importance of their engagement in creating productive and beneficial spaces. They suggested that Facility Managers need to take a proactive role in communicating their needs and expectations to architects and fit-out companies.
Gershon notes the need for Facility Managers to understand the entire lifecycle of the built environment. They argued that this understanding can help Facility Managers communicate more effectively with architects and other stakeholders, ultimately leading to better outcomes for their workspaces.
Additionally, Mike P emphasizes the importance of Facility Managers stepping out of their comfort zones and taking on leadership roles in their organizations. They suggested that Facility Managers need to inspire their teams and organizations to look at things differently and to strive for continuous improvement.
Workplace management insights
- There is a trend of fit-out companies and construction companies bringing in workplace leaders to deliver a message to clients that they can deliver social spaces and a sense of community in workplaces.
- The focus should be on how humans can be most productive, considering all interactions with the built environment, not just the office.
- AI is a buzzword in the industry and is starting to interact with the industry, interpreting big data to create environments.
- Facility managers need to engage and push their boundaries, and not wait for someone else to engage with them.
Listen to the full episode here.
Do a deep dive into more workplace insights by exploring all Workplace Innovator podcast episodes.
By Jonathan Davis
Jonathan writes about asset management, maintenance software, and SaaS solutions in his role as a digital content creator at Eptura. He covers trends across industries, including fleet, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality, with a focus on delivering thought leadership with actionable insights. Earlier in his career, he wrote textbooks, edited NPC dialogue for video games, and taught English as a foreign language. He holds a master's degree in journalism.
