Chairman’s Blog: The Fine Art of Refinement

Since moving the ESUS newsletter to an all-digital format, we have been gradually refining the format and content.  This issue represents another step in that evolution.  In an effort to make the newsletter email more concise, some sections of the newsletter will be access via link to an online page vs. being displayed in the email body.  

This is in recognition of the fact that not everybody reads every section of the newsletter.  They will still be there, but only if you chose to click the link to browse them online.  We will continue to highlight a few feature stories and upcoming events in the email body.

And speaking of refinement, IFMA is in the process of updating its credential education materials.  As the education content is organized around Core Competencies, the first four representing the FMP credential are just wrapping up their update cycle.  The remaining seven competency sections will be updated in 2019-2020.  This effort is necessary to keep up with the rate of change being experienced in the Corporate Real Estate industry.  Issues such as IoT, AI, Renewable Energy and Resilience were not on our professional radar when the coursework was created or last updated.  

Sustainability remains a Strategic Theme and Core Competency for IFMA.  However, we now need to expand our Sustainability perspectives to include Climate Change and its resulting need for Resilience strategies.  Wellness and Well-being have also emerged as a logical evolution of Sustainable processes and technologies.  

Some of you may have seen that IFMA is launching an Inaugural Education Congress, to be held on Friday, October 18th during World Workplace in Phoenix, AZ.  Delegates will be part of an effort that will drive our future education, event programs, and create one-of-a-kind experiences in the facilities industry.  Many Chapters, Councils, Communities and Fellows will have delegates participating in this Education Congress.  If you have ideas or suggestions you would like considered, please check with your chapter, council or community to see if a delegate was submitted and coordinate with them.

As always, we hope you find the newsletter enlightening…
Dean Stanberry