Based on the ISS 2020 Vision White Book; New Ways of Working – the workplace of the future we have identified key ways Facility Managers can prepare for the future of work.

1. Guide
Key ways to prepare Facility
Management for the Future of Work

2. Introduction
The global competition, growing war for talents, the
introduction of new technologies and the greater focus on
sustainability – are factors that are changing how companies
plan for and develop their workplace strategies and how the
Facility Management industry can develop services to support
them.
The following guide is based on the ISS 2020 Vision research;
New Ways of Working – the workplace of the future and
represents key ways Facility Managers can prepare themselves
for the future of work.

3. Make room for
continuous adaptions#1

4. • Companies seek to reduce their exposures by
transferring as many fixed costs as possible
• Companies leverage value networks instead of value
chains
• Companies change their understanding of the role
that the workplace plays in creating value
#1. Make room for
continuous adaptions
We’ve entered an era of continuous
innovation. This forces business
leaders to ask for higher degree of
organisational and work-related
flexibility.

5. Implications for Facility Managers
Service concepts need to
look beyond the workspace
to the surrounding built
environment for efficiencies
and reduced costs
Facility Managers need
to offer service-centric
approaches that reflect
and support the core
organization’s strategic
objectives, brand and culture
Facility Managers must
develop more efficient
and less disruptive
reconfigurations

6. Use technology to
enhance collaboration#2

7. • New technologies allow us to work smarter and more
innovatively
• Ubiquitous mobile technology expands organisational
boundaries and leads to the reconfiguration of many industries
• Technology can lead to intra-organisational turf battles and
challenge organisations’ abilities to mange and analyse data
flows
#2. Use technology to
enhance collaboration
Continuous technology developments
affect workplaces in all industries and
sectors.

8. Implications for Facility Managers
Focus on creating seamless organisations
that provide similar workplace experiences,
both virtually and physically
Find ways to collaborate with IT providers
to develop mutually supportive workplace
strategies and eventually avoid conflicts
Manage workspaces and global projects
virtually through cloud technologies
Ensure that all workspaces, whether onsite
or at third space, can, and are, working
together

9. Act on employee
diversity#3

10. • Organisations and future offices will be challenged in
balancing the needs and requirements of four or more
generations
• Developing increasingly diverse teams that possess different
cultural and work skills will become a strategic goal of more
organisations
#3. Act on
employee diversity
The employee diversity is increasing.
There are more mobile workers, older
employees and more globally oriented
and sourced personnel.

11. Implications for Facility Managers
Help attracting, retaining and
motivating a more diverse
employee base
Help the business
differentiate from
competitors via office
amenities
Work to adjust workplace
strategies to different local
needs, behaviors and cultural
requirements

12. Make health &
wellbeing a priority#4

13. • As companies adopt more flexible work arrangements,
people are adopting a number of improper postures that will
negatively impact their health and wellbeing in the future
• Employees believe that the employer has a role to play in
reducing the amount of stress in their lives, and the workplace
can help reduce stress levels that employees are facing.
#4. Make health and
wellbeing a priority
Introduction of new technologies, and
the ability to work from anywhere, is
introducing new ergonomic challenges.

14. Implications for Facility Managers
Balance demand for cost
cuts while ensuring the
productivity and wellbeing of
employees
Develop training programs
and recommendations
that remind workers about
correct ergonomic postures
Establish collaborative
partnerships with specialised
companies that can facilitate
wellbeing services

15. Secure
sustainability#5

16. • Sustainability is a growing requirement
from businesses and governments
• The need for reducing the environmental
footprint of offices is a growing challenge
#5. Secure
sustainability
For many companies, the sustainable
workplace is becoming a tool to
attract talents and enhance global
competitiveness.

17. Implications for Facility Managers
Analyse sustainability
challenges and consequences
regarding supply and value
chains, building design,
location, management and
maintenance
Assess sustainability
challenges according to
regional conditions and
challenges
Look beyond the confines
of the core organisation
and see how employees
and other companies,
including competitors, could
help develop sustainable
workplace solutions

18. Learn more about the
Future of Work.
Download the ISS 2020 Vision White Book:
New Ways of Working – the workplace of the future