By Andile Mgudlwa, Managing Director of Facilities Management Division at Empact Group

There is very little doubt that dealing with the global pandemic resulted in a significant shift in how we perceive our workplaces. Whilst society as a whole seems to have gone back to how things were before March 2020, the workforce and the businesses they are employed by seem to be divided on how best to move forward.

Employers are on a drive to get people back to the office for better corporate culture and face-to-face collaboration. Workers on the other hand seem to be torn between the flexibility that comes with working remotely (and the resultant savings on transport costs) and missing the in-person interaction they have with their colleagues when they are at the office.

Hybrid working arrangements seem to be the solution that more employers are adopting to address these different needs. Most companies have put policies and incentives in place to entice people to spend some time at the office with the option of working from home on selected days. Some of these initiatives are starting to produce the desired result, there is however a large part of the working population that has found it difficult to abandon the comfort of their home offices.

For a significant shift to happen there needs to be a re-think in how the office is currently perceived. Insisting on keeping the office set up the way it has always been, is not an option anymore. In order to attract and retain key talent, employers need to come up with innovative ways to address the needs of the increasingly young workforce. More and more companies are now looking towards facility managers to support them develop workspaces that will provide the required balance and keep people engaged. This has resulted in a shift in the traditional role of a facilities manager, a shift referred to as “basement-to-boardroom”. Facilities management is now seen as one of the levers that employers can utilise to drive this strategy and deliver the required results.

Facilities managers who used to focus only on maintenance and the provision of services are now spending more time thinking about enhancing the experience of people working and visiting their facilities. Companies now look to facilities managers to understand the needs of their employees as well as clients and tailor the workplace environment to meet their combined needs. In order to remain competitive in the current talent war, a company’s employee value proposition needs to be stand out above the competition. Facilities managers together with their clients need to constantly keep asking themselves what the future of working in an office building looks like.

Facilities managers have a number of tools available in their toolbox to support an organisation in meeting its strategic goals. Some these tools include:

1. Focus on the experience: Consider what the employees need and want in a workplace environment. It could be a comfortable work area, an inspiring view, or a quiet space to work. Tailor the workplace environment to meet these needs.
   
   
2. Create a healthy workplace: A healthy workplace environment is attractive to potential employees. Ensure that the workplace is clean and hygienic and provide access to healthy food and snacks. Encourage employees to take breaks and provide opportunities for physical activity.
   
   
3. Provide a modern work environment: A modern workplace environment is essential to attract new talent. Consider providing up-to-date technology, ergonomic chairs and desks, and advanced software applications.
   
   
4. Encourage collaboration: Employees want to work in a collaborative environment. Provide opportunities for team building and encourage cross-functional collaboration. Use collaboration friendly workspaces to encourage informal conversations and knowledge-sharing.
   
   
5. Promote work-life balance: Promote a healthy work-life balance by providing flexible working arrangements, such as remote work on certain days, flexible hours, or part-time work. Encourage employees to take time off and provide opportunities for training and development.

Deciding which is the best tool to reach the strategic goal will depend on the company’s specific requirements at the time and these requirements will evolve as the company’s strategy evolves. Facility managers and facilities management providers therefore need to keep their fingers on the pulse to ensure that the experience is in line with the company’s requirements. The real-time data that comes from the CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Management) and IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management System) technologies will ensure that decisions made are informed and data driven. That way the facility managers will always support the organisation by enhancing the workplace experience to meet the ever-changing requirements of the workforce.

Author Bio:

As Managing Director of the Integrated Facilities Management Division at Empact Group, chemical engineer, Andile Mgudlwa went on to complete his Masters in Engineering Management, with a particular interest in renewable energy. Andile is committed to ensuring Empact Group’s Facilities Management is at the forefront of the sector.

Andile’s past experience includes tenures as sales director at one of the largest integrated facilities management companies in Africa and extensive business development experience in renewable technology having held senior roles for companies such as General Electric, Siemens Gamesa and Nordex / Acciona Windpower.

By shaping the facilities management strategy and stewarding the many parts of this division of the business, he helps move Empact towards its goal of being a people-driven business that cares for their people, cares for the communities of South Africa and cares for this beautiful planet we live on.

Andile Mgudlwa’s business philosophy is this: People first. Companies that deliver services rely on their people on the ground to enhance their clients’ experiences. If we create an environment where our people thrive, they in-turn will go beyond the call of duty to deliver on our customers’ expectations.

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ABOUT EMPACT GROUP

At Empact we are on a journey – a journey to do our best and be the best for our people, our clients, our partners, our community and our planet.

This is the passion that drives us to be the preferred, purpose led partner for catering, cleaning and integrated facilities management solutions in Southern Africa; known for our skilled and caring people, our consistent excellence in service delivery and the value we create for our clients.

As a client centric values-based solutions business we aim to consistently create value for our stakeholders all while prioritising our people, protecting and nurturing our planet and positively impacting our communities.

Each of our bespoke, multi-service solutions are uniquely designed to solve our clients’ problems – allowing you to concentrate on your core business; knowing that all your non-core activities are being managed in the safest, most effective and most cost-efficient manner possible.

This is how we care, create value, deliver impact and do right by you.

Food Solutions

Food by Empact Group delivers an extensive range of catering and support solutions for the corporate, industrial, healthcare, education, remote, offshore, mining, retirement and lifestyle sectors. From fine dining to corporate canteens, from grab-and-go to harvest tables and delicious canapés, from a nutritious smoothie to delicious coffee, food is our passion. We understand that food is an essential part of your employees’ wellbeing – so we bring you award-winning chefs, varied menus, world-class service and the freshest, most nutritional ingredients.

Cleaning Solutions

Supercare by Empact Group offers contract and specialised cleaning for a wide range of commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, transport and retail environments.

Our professionally trained and caring staff and management team are dedicated to legal compliance, service excellence with health and safety being our number one priority.

Our safety standards are extremely stringent, putting our people and the environment first. To uplift and empower our people, and allow them to better service your company, we run training centres nationally that develop skills at all levels.

Hygiene and Pest Management Solutions

Supercare by Empact Group delivers outstanding hygiene and pest management solutions to the highest standards of excellence to all industries and environments.

In a post COVID-19 world, hygiene in the workplace has never been more important.

Our products are environmentally friendly, our safety standards are of the highest quality, our staff are professionally trained and our commitment to service excellence is unmatched – all so that we can offer you and your people total peace of mind.

Integrated Facilities Management Solutions

Facilities by Empact Group provides support services and integrated facilities management solutions for diverse industries, including mining, commercial/corporate, offshore and remote sites.

Our management model offers total integrated facilities management services, which are predominantly self-performed by our staff. From corporate offices to large industrial power plants and campuses, our expertise in Facilities Management is consistently growing and evolving.

Our approach and expertise provide cost certainty and all the reassurance you need to get on with your core responsibilities, confidently knowing that we will do right by your facility.

Level 1 BBBEE Certified

Empact Group (formerly Compass Group Southern Africa) is 100% owned by Thebe Investment Corporation (Pty) Ltd (TIC); a pioneering black owned company that uses its business success to transform lives and make a difference in our communities.

We are rated as a Level 1 BBBEE Contributor with a 135% BBBEE supplier recognition, 89.53% black economic interest and 36.34% black women economic interest.

Our level 1 rating forms part of our strategic Transformation Pledge, as we see transformation as a principal and dynamic business process contributing to our competitive edge – a key part of us doing right for society.