How to raise FM to Global Standards
Sanjeev Kumar NGS and Vinay R Deshmukh
The CEO2CEO Roundtable Meet, a flagship discussion at the Clean India Show, went beyond standard industry discussions to provide a compass for the facility management (FM) sector. The closed-door event was helmed by top brass attendees participating from the FM space. The discussion challenged the traditional view of FM merely as a cost-centre and reframed it as an element of corporate productivity.
A key point of discussion revolved around establishing a quantifiable Return on Investment (ROI) for quality FM services, moving towards a universally applicable formula that helps Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) and other C-suite executives appreciate its financial impact.
Additionally, the concept of value-based budgeting was explored, where FM providers market specific, measurable outcomes — such as enhanced employee wellness or reduced energy consumption — to customers, rather than just service hours. Comparing the Indian FM scenario to international standards, the primary difference highlighted was the high population density and the abundance of resource which, in turn, leads to lower societal expectation and valuation of cleaning staff.
It was stressed that there is a need for the professional recognition of these roles on par with global standards. This leads to higher remuneration and better respect for the workforce. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve better service quality which increases the attractiveness of the sector and makes it compliant with global best practices.
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