I Lost 2 FM Projects I Nurtured for 7 Years. Here’s What I Learned...

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It’s me, your FM bestie—just in case you forgot. Yes, the one who writes raw, experience-driven FM newsletters, sharing insights from the deep trenches of the FM world.

I hope life has been treating you well. As for me, it’s been a rough patch.

Losing a project of 8 years, and another of 5, would send chills down any FM’s spine. What happened, you ask? Well, that’s a story for another day.

Today, let’s focus on the lessons, what went right, what went wrong, and how we can move forward with great strides.

Mistake 1: Documenting

Over the past 8 years, the facility was nurtured to peak condition, so much so that barely a single spare part was changed.

It’s not that spare parts are exorbitant, but these efforts often go unnoticed. The landlord isn’t always aware of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the property in top shape; they often only see the “tip of the iceberg.” As long as the property is delivering returns through full occupancy and rent, landlords don’t want to be bothered with the details of upkeep.

But when a situation arises that requires upgrades or significant costs, the landlord might hesitate, believing it’s either unnecessary or covered by the FM company

Record historical data and reports, even if it takes a few extra hours of your precious time.

It’s hard for some landlords to justify expenses on things they view as intangible, like maintenance.

For example, if a property is 90% occupied, rent is on time, and base and operational costs are covered, it’s wise to set aside 5% of the yearly operational budget for maintenance.

Consider a situation where there’s a leakage in a chiller compressor. Advanced sensors can detect this leak early on. If water from the leak seeps into the system, it can cause severe damage, requiring a costly compressor replacement.

Technology upgrades are essential, and landlords should budget for them accordingly.

Mistake 2: Setting Boundaries

It’s crucial to clarify what is covered in the contract and what falls outside its scope.

Flexibility is great, but too much accommodation can blur boundaries and lead to expectations that all responsibilities fall on FM, often resulting in overwork and overwhelm.

And if the landlord’s approach becomes toxic, it may be time to pack up and move on to greener pastures.

Sometimes, losing a project can be a blessing in disguise. However, if it’s lost due to performance issues, it’s a wake-up call—a reminder for us as FMs to dive deep and reflect on what went wrong.

That’s all for this week! I know it was a bit of a lengthy read, but I hope it offered you some valuable insights.

If you’re still here, thank you for sticking around. I truly appreciate your subscription to my newsletter—each one means so much to me. 🤍