Ritu Grover, CEO, TGH Lifestyle Services Pvt Ltd highlights few areas for businesses which will curve the future road-map post COVID-19
An insight on how COVID-19 has impacted the businesses
The facility management companies are making sure that worker engagement keeps on going as well as clients are ready to make due and advance payments.
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| Ritu Grover, CEO, TGH Lifestyle Services Pvt Ltd |
As we all are going through COVID-19 pandemic, we need to absolutely keep in mind that enormous number of facility management professionals as well as service providers are on the front lines of emergency and preparing everything which is needed during this outbreak. They are facing the reality every day and regularly playing various roles such as managers and coordinators.
There is a saying that one of the most treasured tools that all facility management leaders have is the highly accurate and detailed facilities data which includes facts & figures of not only their employees but also assets which are associated with everyday operations held in the organization. For all the record tracking, workplace management software are being used which provide a platform to the facility management leaders to record the data as well as use the data regularly for response planning as well as coordination.
The facility management companies are making sure that worker engagement keeps on going as well as clients are ready to make due and advance payments. Workers are also provided temporary accommodation, food, hygiene support, and their safety is ensured regularly. Some of the top facilities management organizations in India employ lakhs of blue-collar workers.
Facility management industry is taking up an initiative to provide extra incentives to blue-collar workers who are regularly engaged in sanitizing commercial towers, office cleaning, sanitizing of commercial complexes, etc. It is also noticed that the need of blue-collar workers is increasing day by day and their work is almost doubling.
If globally observed facility management industry is showcasing considerable amount of enthusiasm in adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Software as a Service (SaaS), and exceptional connectivity based approach in managing offices and buildings. Various technological changes are coming under facility management industry which serves faster response, better visibility, and smarter solutions to facility management problems.
Well, it is too early to fully measure the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is safe to judge that how facilities provided in day-to-day life will change. We have mentioned few measures below:
1. Hygiene and Sanitization Practices
We all know that pathogens can stay on touchable surfaces such as tables, light switches, and door knobs for days, it is very important to adapt the habit of cleaning and sanitizing those areas regularly. With the help of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- authorized disinfectants that are appropriate for specific surfaces should be used, under this facility managers can increase the frequency of cleaning floors, and other touchable surfaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Common spaces in an organization such as break rooms, rest rooms, conference rooms, etc. should be given more attention.
2. Formulate effective communication practices
It is important to set effective communication protocols in any facility management organization. Keep your employees updated with upcoming changes in the organization or on any other changes that arise under the current scenario, such as facility closings. Be direct and straightforward. Information can be passed through SMS, calls, website, or through any other social media platform. Make sure your employees, clients, and stakeholders are aware of the changes you are going to bring in.
3. Be ready to face huge impact on your business
Keep yourself prepared for upcoming changes in demand of your products and services, as well as variation in customer behavior. Try to communicate as much as possible with your clients and customers about any of the new facility added, changes in means of payments, or product shortages. Let them know about the changes you have adapted to continue to meet their demand.
We all are well informed with the fact that coronavirus evolved from an epidemic to a pandemic. And if it has not impacted your business and facilities in current date, it’s likely it is going to.
(Ritu Grover is the CEO of TGH Lifestyle Services Pvt Ltd. Views expressed in the article are of the author.)
(Ritu Grover is the CEO of TGH Lifestyle Services Pvt Ltd. Views expressed in the article are of the author.)
