Co-written by Michelle LaBrosse, MSME, PMP, Founder Cheetah Learning, and Cheetah Power
Erica Edmond, CAPM, Cheetah Green Team

Being Green is not just Kermit’s theme song anymore.  It’s every one’s.  Green tips are top of mind, everywhere we turn.

So, when we think of project management, how can we apply some “green thinking” to our projects?

Here are our top five ways to bring some green ingenuity to your every day project management.

Read more on Project Management: The Business of Green…

Asset managers and facilities managers used to have a secret pact that both would operate in complete ignorance of each other. To everyone’s relief they might now have to start working together, suggests Claire Saeki.

Over the past eighteen months, investing in real estate has shown itself to be a risky business. Unlike other types of investment in say securities or gold, each building is different and a beautiful array of things can go wrong with it. This is why an investor needs whoever is managing their asset to actually know something about how buildings operate, not just about whether the market is up or down.

Until recently, the physical structure of the building was rarely discussed at real estate investment events. Exemplified by this conversation overheard at a recent investor luncheon where a representative of one large real estate fund said to an architect, who had mentioned his work on sustainable developments, asked: “So what are the most popular green things in buildings then? We are thinking of doing something environmental in some of our developments but I want to know which ones are current.” The two then went on to have a discussion about air conditioning.

FMs should understand from this exchange that their role is now becoming seen as more significant to the people making investment decisions.  What stands in the way between the FMs and investor glory? Asset managers. Or do they? Or are they in reality the same thing? And more importantly: will they become so? In reality asset managers tend to have a significant role within funds, REITS and other serious real estate investors. However, both groups see themselves as important strategically. The asset manager serving the interests of the owner by managing leasing, tenant mix and positioning while the FM focuses on the physical operation of the building for the benefit of the occupants. Asset manager serving the owners and FMs serving the occupants is a fine division of labour, so long as both sides recognize the importance of the other.

Asset management is defined as:

An active approach to asset acquisition /disposal and property management with the objective of optimizing asset performance. Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Dictionary

It appears then that asset management actually encompasses facilities management, or may be even IS facility management. The IFMA definition of FM:

Facility management is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.

It appears that FM is more about making the building work, while AM is to have it make money – which it can’t do if it doesn’t work. And if it doesn’t make money then the FM is probably out of a job. So clearly the two sides really need each other.

The problem with asset managers is that they often come from a real estate transaction background and frequently have no real estate or building experience at all. This results in the view that FM is a pared down form of property management, responsible for keeping things clean and to stop criminals from besmirching the integrity of the asset. FM’s problem is focusing so much on the physical building that they forget to take their role seriously. They should learn to make each of their decisions in the same way the asset manager does. Buildings are valued based on the revenue they produce and the FM can make a pretty big impact on both the top and bottom line if they know the goal and the strategy of the owners.

Clever owners and investors understand that by serving the needs of the tenants they will have less tenant churn, lower vacancy rates and be able to charge more rent. Recent financial events and the rise in awareness about health and environmental concerns mean that asset managers are going to need something more than property management that looks good in a uniform when they are bringing new tenants to view the building. They need proper facilities managers. And that’s not all; any one investing in real estate is also going to need to make sure that whoever they have appointed as asset manager actually knows something about the building itself.

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Tuesday 2 March officially marked the groundbreaking of a new title for RFP Magazine – Eco Build. To celebrate its inauguration and leafy development, Facility Media held a launch party at Hong Kong’s first LEED certified bar/restaurant, Coast. Industry people ranging from real estate analysts, architects, interior designers, developers, facility managers and public relations representatives mingled while enjoying the free flowing wine and platters of nibbles.

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Co-written by Michelle LaBrosse, Founder Cheetah Learning and Cheetah Power
and Erica Edmond, CAPM, Cheetah Green Team

Once upon a time, the act of saving the environment seemed to be limited to a yearly celebration called Earth Day where, like New Year’s Eve, people made resolutions that they wouldn’t necessarily keep.

For decades, the idea of saving the environment and contributing to a healthier world seemed like a great idea, but it was either too big a task for one individual to handle or a seemingly time consuming activity that would cut into money-making time.

Then things started to change at work, at school and at home.  From unthinkable gas prices and a tough job market to skyrocketing health care costs, many folks came to a similar conclusion: to become more resourceful and live better.

Read more on Leading by Example: Green It Like You Mean It…

Co-written by Michelle LaBrosse, MSME, PMP, Founder Cheetah Learning and Cheetah Power
and Erica Edmond, CAPM, Cheetah Green Team

With ongoing concerns about rising energy costs and conservation, green building is a reality that speaks to the project manager within us all.

Networks like Planet Green and HGTV have been dipping their toe into how to “green your home” with simple solutions like switching to different light bulbs or choosing an interior paint with a low-VOC.  That is a great start to a greener lifestyle, but let’s dig a little deeper.

There are many other things to consider and execute to fully renovate your home or to even consider when purchasing a new home.  A big one for most people is to find ways to identify and correct energy leaks through insulation.

The Whole is Greater Than Its Parts

Read more on Building a Greener World, One Building at a Time…

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future.

RFP and Facility Media support Earth Hour 2010 along with the following
companies:

CapitaLand Limited
Cheung Kong Holdings
Henderson Land Development Company Ltd.
Hong Kong Housing Society
Hongkong Land Limited
Hongkong Land (S) Pte Ltd
Hopewell Holdings Ltd.
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd
Hysan Development Company Limited
Keppel Land Limited
KF Development Ltd
Sino Group
Sun Hung Kai Properties
Swire Properties Limited