In episode 411, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Tanja Stojanovski, FMP, SFP, Manager, Workplace Experience at Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., about the future of facility management and workplace experience in an era of constant change. Tanja shares her career journey from property management to workplace experience leadership and explains why flexibility, continuous learning, and strategic thinking are becoming essential skills for FM professionals. Throughout the conversation, she discusses the growing role of AI, the importance of professional development through IFMA, and why workplace and facility teams must evolve from service providers into strategic business partners.
Agenda
- Why flexibility is becoming a core FM skill
- How AI and data are shaping workplace management
- The shift from operational support to strategic partnership
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: Flexibility is now a critical workplace competency
New technologies, shifting employee expectations, evolving business priorities, and economic uncertainty all require professionals to adapt quickly.
Tanja believes adaptability has become one of the most important traits FM leaders can develop. She explains, “Always be flexible because change is inevitable and we deal with a lot of change.” She notes that “FM and WX is constantly pivoting” and that teams are often adjusting every day in response to changing conditions.
Rather than resisting change, successful workplace leaders build the skills and mindset needed to navigate it confidently. Organizations that embrace flexibility are better positioned to respond to new challenges while continuing to deliver positive workplace experiences.
Takeaway 2: AI and data are becoming essential tools for FM teams
AI is no longer a future consideration for workplace and facility leaders. Tanja argues that the industry has already reached the point where professionals must actively engage with AI-driven tools and technologies.
“Data drives decisions, and the technology drives the data,” she explains. She then emphasizes that workplace leaders need the right systems, information, and technology foundations in place before they can fully benefit from AI-powered capabilities.
She sees opportunities across workplace management functions, including space management, service delivery, and operational planning. Rather than replacing FM professionals, these technologies help teams become “more elevated, more efficiently, enhanced.” Leaders who embrace AI today will be better prepared for the future of workplace management.
Takeaway 3: FM teams need a seat at the decision-making table
For many years, facility and workplace teams were viewed primarily as operational support functions responsible for executing requests and maintaining environments. Tanja believes that model is rapidly evolving.
She argues that organizations gain more value when FM professionals participate in business conversations earlier and contribute strategic insight. “Taking the FM team, whether it’s workplace or facilities, and taking them from the executors, the doers, to the partners and the collaborators,” is a critical shift for the profession. As she puts it, leaders need to start “bringing them to the conversation instead of to the job.”
The workplace has become a strategic asset that influences employee experience, business performance, and organizational outcomes. FM leaders who understand operations, technology, real estate, and workplace strategy are increasingly positioned to influence business decisions.
Takeaway 4: Continuous learning creates long-term career opportunities
Professional growth remains a major theme throughout Tanja’s career story. She credits industry education, certifications, and networking with helping her expand her perspective and advance from property management into workplace experience leadership.
Reflecting on her experience earning IFMA credentials, she describes the process as demanding but worthwhile, saying, “You need dedication, but it is so rewarding.” She also highlights the value of learning alongside peers from different industries, which exposes professionals to new ideas and alternative approaches for solving workplace challenges.
Her advice for listeners is straightforward: “Never stop learning.” Whether through formal training, industry associations, conferences, or conversations with peers, continuous learning helps workplace leaders stay relevant as technology, business needs, and employee expectations continue to evolve.
Workplace management insights
- Flexibility helps workplace teams respond effectively to constant change.
- AI is already influencing how organizations manage workplaces and facilities.
- Data provides the foundation for more informed workplace decisions.
- Facility management teams create more value when they participate in business decisions.
- Learning from professionals in different industries broadens problem-solving approaches.
- Continuous learning helps FM professionals remain effective in a rapidly changing industry.
Explore the full library of Workplace Innovator podcast episodes for an in-depth look at workplace insights and watch the full video here.
