Connected FM

Hosted by IFMA

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127

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Aug 2026

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About the show

A podcast connecting you to the latest insights, tools and resources to help you succeed in facility management. Join IFMA, as we explore new ideas and topics in facility management to help you make sense of the changes and challenges facing the profession while equipping you with the knowledge needed to grow your career. 15 to 30-minute episodes, delivered semi-weekly.

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August 18, 202613 min

How AI and Data Are Transforming Smart Buildings in APAC

Artificial intelligence is changing the way facilities operate, but successful adoption starts long before implementing new technology. Recorded live at World Workplace Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, Dr. Matt Tucker, IFMA's Director of Knowledge and Research, sits down with Serena Pau, Chief Commercial Officer at Neuron Digital, to discuss digital transformation across the region, the importance of breaking down data silos and why curiosity may be one of the most valuable skills facility managers can develop. They also explore how AI can improve reporting, energy management and decision-making while keeping people at the center of the workplace. Timestamps: 0:00 - AI should enhance, not replace, people 0:24 - Introduction to Serena Pau and Neuron Digital 2:18 - Digital maturity across Asia-Pacific 4:08 - Balancing AI with the human side of facility management 6:11 - Why change management matters more than technology 7:00 - World Workplace 2026 7:35 - Where AI can make the biggest impact today 8:46 - Turning AI insights into actionable recommendations 9:02 - Why curiosity is the most important AI skill 10:21 - The rise of the FM analyst 11:02 - Using AI to improve reporting and tell better data stories 12:18 - Building a future-ready digital strategy 13:17 - Mindset before technology 13:43 - Closing remarks Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

August 11, 202636 min

How Facility Managers Can Earn a Seat at the Decision-Making Table

Host Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and First Vice Chair on IFMA's Global Executive Board welcomes Grant Sommerfeld, president of IFMA's FM Consultants Council and founder of Executive FM, for a conversation about the challenges facing facility managers today. Drawing on his experience leading FM transformations across healthcare, municipal government and higher education, Grant shares why many organizations remain trapped in reactive operating models and what leaders can do to break the cycle. The discussion explores the importance of data driven decision making, the communication gap between FM teams and executive leadership, and why facility managers need a stronger voice before major organizational decisions are made. Grant also explains how consultants can help organizations build internal capabilities, improve stakeholder communication and create more sustainable operating models that don't rely on individual heroics to succeed. Resources: Connet with Grant on LinkedIn Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

August 4, 202627 min

Why AI Alone Won't Prepare Your Workforce for the Future

Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace, but successful organizations know that technology alone isn't enough. Recorded live at World Workplace Europe, Dr. Matt Tucker sits down with Jessica Schmidt, Future of Work Strategy Lead at EY, to discuss how leaders can prepare their workforce for the future of work. Together, they explore evolving talent expectations, AI leadership, workplace strategy and why organizations must balance technology, physical workplaces and human behavior to create lasting business value. They also discuss the skills leaders need, why only a small percentage of organizations are realizing measurable returns from AI investments and what facility managers can do to prepare for the future. Timestamps: 0:00 - Why only 28% of companies see business value from AI 1:18 - Introduction to Jessica Schmidt and the future of work 3:35 - The biggest forces reshaping today's workplace 5:42 - Why generational stereotypes miss the bigger picture 6:28 - Changing talent expectations and workplace sustainability 8:18 - Bricks, bytes and behaviors explained 10:06 - Why people matter more than technology 12:34 - Leading AI transformation in facility management 14:15 - World Workplace 2026 15:00 - What an AI-enabled organization really looks like 16:10 - The leadership framework: Tool set, skill set and mindset 17:12 - Building AI skills across your workforce 18:03 - Why mindset is the biggest leadership challenge 19:20 - Helping employees embrace AI instead of fearing it 20:18 - Why most AI investments fail to deliver value 21:10 - From AI assistants to AI agents 22:22 - Preparing the next generation of FM professionals 23:48 - The Great Resignation and evolving employee expectations 25:00 - Why learning is becoming a competitive advantage 26:15 - How organizations can attract and retain top talent 26:52 - Closing remarks Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

July 28, 202626 min

The Never Normal: Rethinking Facility Management in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is accelerating change across every industry, but simply adding AI to existing processes won't deliver lasting results. Recorded live at World Workplace Europe, Erik Jaspers is joined by Peter Hinssen and Mikis Waschl to explore how AI is reshaping facility management, why digital transformation was only the beginning, and what organizations must do to build stronger data foundations, embrace digital twins and rethink how value is delivered. They also discuss the economics of AI, Europe's role in the future of technology and why today's leaders must prepare for a world that is never normal. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Meet The Guests 03:39 Digital Was Just Start 05:36 AI Goes Geopolitical 07:52 FM Outcomes And Twins 11:02 Data Foundations Matter 12:15 CarPlay For Buildings 16:12 Construction Productivity Gap 17:39 AI Economics And Pricing 22:26 Stop Pilot Snacking 23:49 Europe Digital Autonomy 26:07 Wrap Up And Outro Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

July 21, 202624 min

Mastering Energy Management in a Disrupted Market

In this episode of Connected FM, host Dean Stanberry, former Chair on IFMA's Global Board of Directors, welcomes Gabe Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power, for a practical conversation about energy management in an increasingly disrupted market. Gabe explains how facility managers can move beyond treating energy as a fixed operating expense and instead take a more strategic approach to procurement, efficiency and resilience planning. The discussion covers energy contracts, market volatility, demand management, on-site generation and how organizations can evaluate opportunities such as solar, combined heat and power and battery storage. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding energy baselines, gathering operational data and conducting energy audits before making major investments. Gabe shares why facility managers should focus on building a strong data foundation, leveraging expert advice and carefully evaluating the financial realities behind emerging energy technologies. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 3:01 Meet Gabe Phillips and Catalyst Power 5:17 The Biggest Sources of Avoidable Energy Costs 7:23 Why Energy Procurement Strategy Matters 9:00 Resilience Planning and Backup Power Decisions 11:20 What Drives Energy Investments: Cost, Stability or Sustainability? 12:25 Sponsor Message: SiteMap by GPRS 13:03 Evaluating Solar, CHP and Other Energy Technologies 15:26 Why Energy Baselines and Audits Come First 18:00 New Energy Technologies Facility Managers Should Watch 18:42 The Reality of Demand Response Programs 19:53 How Better Data Is Transforming Energy Management 21:27 Are Battery Storage Systems Worth It? 22:36 Why Data Is the Foundation of Energy Strategy 24:02 Closing Thoughts and Outro Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

July 14, 202631 min

From Data to Decisions: Building Better FM Partnerships

In this episode of Connected FM, host Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and Second Vice Chair on IFMA's Global Executive Board, welcomes Justin Hitt, Sr. Manager - Corporate Advisory & Solutions at Lincoln Property Company, for a wide-ranging conversation on facility management strategy, service delivery and the future of work. Justin discusses his experience leading IFMA’s Museums and Cultural Institutions Council, the relationship between operations and sales, the importance of transparency in outsourcing partnerships, and how data can help facility managers communicate more effectively with leadership. Wayne and Justin also examine the growing role of AI, productivity tools and digital workflows in helping FM teams work more efficiently while maintaining a people-first approach to service delivery. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:28 Museum Council Roadshow 06:53 Assessing Clients And Culture Fit 12:50 Dashboards that Speak to the CFO 17:00 AI As Productivity Clones 20:26 How Providers Really Profit 26:33 Sales Ops Alignment Handoff 29:52 Wrap Up Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

July 7, 202631 min

Cómo influye la movilidad urbana en las estrategias de oficinas en América Latina

En el episodio de hoy, Esteban Martínez, cofundador y director de operaciones de Green Loop, y Cibele Verasto, directora sénior de espacios de trabajo en Databricks, analizan el panorama cambiante de la gestión de instalaciones en América Latina, centrándose en la sostenibilidad, el bienestar de los empleados y las estrategias innovadoras para adaptarse a los retos de la movilidad urbana y a los modelos de trabajo híbridos. Este episodio está patrocinado por SiteMap®, con tecnología de GPRS. Para más información, visita sitemap.com/ifma Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

June 30, 202615 min

Understanding Equipment Failures Before They Happen

In this episode of Connected FM, host Howie Barber sits down with Denis Kouroussis to explore how continuous electrical monitoring and intelligent analytics are helping facility teams move beyond reactive maintenance. They discuss the limitations of traditional preventative maintenance methods, the value of high-resolution waveform monitoring and how predictive insights can uncover hidden electrical and mechanical issues before equipment failures occur. Denis also shares a real-world case study involving a 750-ton hydraulic press where advanced monitoring identified the root cause of repeated motor failures, helping reduce downtime and avoid costly disruptions. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:03 Why Most Facilities Still Run Equipment to Failure 2:48 How Continuous Waveform Monitoring Detects Early Issues 4:10 Understanding Upstream vs. Downstream Electrical Problems 5:07 Why Traditional Maintenance Methods Fall Short 7:20 The Difference Between Preventative and Predictive Maintenance 7:43 World Workplace 2026 Sponsor Message 8:10 Case Study: The 750-Ton Hydraulic Press Failure 11:34 How Early Can Equipment Degradation Be Detected? 13:01 Transitioning From Scheduled to Predictive Maintenance 13:39 Why Facility Managers Should Monitor Before Replacing Equipment 14:10 Common Mistakes in Electrical Troubleshooting 14:43 Closing Thoughts Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

June 23, 202630 min

The Hidden Menu: Creating Return on Experience in the Workplace

Host Osama Aduib from ISS Facility Services sits down with his colleagues Paul Ratkovic and Amelia Ekus to discuss the “hidden menu” of facility management. The conversation explores how invisible systems, operational decisions and hospitality-focused thinking shape the workplace experience in ways occupants may never notice directly, from HVAC and lighting to food service, cleanliness and comfort. Paul and Amelia share insights on empathy in facility management, anticipatory service, workplace innovation and how FM teams can create seamless, people-centered environments through collaboration and intentional design. They also discuss the role of technology, AI and data-driven insights in supporting proactive building operations while emphasizing that hospitality, human connection and emotional intelligence remain at the center of exceptional workplace experiences. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Resources: Re-thinking the Purpose of the Workplace Experience The Enduring Significance of Place Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to the “Hidden Menu” of Facility Management 2:01 - How hospitality and facility management intersect 3:10 - Defining the hidden menu in workplace experiences 4:38 - Why engineering is one of the most hospitality-driven functions 6:18 - Frictionless experiences vs. “good friction” in the workplace 8:47 - The emotional impact of HVAC, comfort and building systems 11:10 - Emotional intelligence and empathy in facility management 14:28 - Innovation, anticipation and proactive workplace experiences 16:35 - AI, data and the future of anticipatory service 18:55 - How engineering teams create invisible, seamless experiences 20:35 - Building a culture of hospitality across FM teams 22:10 - Using sensors and data to improve occupant experiences 23:40 - Predictive analytics, occupancy insights and space behavior 25:35 - Practical ways FM leaders can activate the hidden menu 27:15 - Why “placemakers” mindset matters in FM 28:20 - Final thoughts on service, visibility and human-centered experiences 30:20 - Closing remarks Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org

June 16, 202632 min

From FM to PropTech: Lessons From the Field with Billy Holder

What happens when a longtime facility manager steps beyond the built environment to help reshape it through technology? In this episode of Connected FM, host Brent Ward welcomes Billy Holder, Founder & CEO at Project Aidra, for a conversation about digital transformation, AI and the evolving role of facility management in a technology-driven world. Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience in facility management, Billy shares how recurring operational frustrations led him from the FM field into the PropTech space. He discusses why documentation overload, disconnected systems and inefficient workflows pushed him to search for smarter solutions powered by AI and automation. The conversation explores how facility managers can use technology to augment the workforce instead of replacing it, why human connection still matters in smart buildings, and what organizations should consider when evaluating PropTech platforms and AI-enabled tools. Whether you are a facility manager navigating digital transformation or simply curious about where the built environment is headed next, this episode offers practical insights into the future of FM and the people shaping it. This episode is sponsored by SiteMap®, powered by GPRS. Learn more at sitemap.com/ifma Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 Documentation Pain Points 05:31 Winning Tech Buy In 07:15 AI As Workforce Boost 08:57 Human Metrics Matter 12:19 PropTech Stack Essentials 16:14 Training Next Gen FMs 18:55 ESG Reality Check 23:29 The Beautiful Mess Story 27:08 Hidden Wins Of Adoption 29:41 FM In Five Years 30:50 Start Small Advice 32:04 Closing Remarks Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal Visit us at https://ifma.org