Introduction

Effective communication is a critical skill for facilities managers, who must coordinate with multiple stakeholders, manage teams, and ensure the smooth operation of physical spaces. This 5-day advanced training course is designed to enhance communication skills tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by facilities managers. Participants will learn strategies for clear, concise communication, conflict resolution, and how to leverage technology to streamline communication within teams and with clients, all while fostering a collaborative work environment.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the fundamentals of effective communication and its importance in facilities management.
2. Learn how to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including staff, clients, contractors, and senior management.
3. Develop conflict resolution and negotiation skills to address issues efficiently.
4. Gain expertise in utilizing communication tools and technologies to enhance collaboration and project management.
5. Improve leadership and interpersonal skills to foster team cohesion and improve overall performance.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Facilities Managers and Operations Managers.
• Building Managers and Site Supervisors.
• Maintenance and Technical Teams Leaders.
• Property Managers and Real Estate Professionals.
• Professionals in facilities management aiming to enhance their communication skills.

Course Outline

Day 1: Communication Fundamentals for Facilities Managers

• Introduction to Communication in Facilities Management
  • The role of communication in effective facilities management.
  • Types of communication: Verbal, non-verbal, and written.
  • Barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them.
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Identifying and understanding the needs of different stakeholders (clients, tenants, contractors, and senior management).
  • Adapting communication style to different audiences.
• Workshop: Developing a communication plan for a facilities management project.

Day 2: Clear and Effective Verbal and Written Communication

• Verbal Communication Skills
  • Structuring clear, concise, and effective messages.
  • Active listening techniques for improved understanding and engagement.
  • Persuasion and influencing skills for facilities managers.
• Effective Written Communication
  • Writing professional emails, reports, and proposals.
  • Creating clear and actionable work orders, memos, and maintenance logs.
• Interactive Session: Writing and presenting a formal communication piece for a facilities management scenario.

Day 3: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills

• Managing Conflicts in Facilities Management
  • Identifying common sources of conflict in facilities operations.
  • Techniques for de-escalating and resolving conflicts constructively.
• Negotiation Skills for Facilities Managers
  • Negotiating with contractors, vendors, and service providers.
  • Ensuring win-win outcomes and maintaining positive relationships.
• Case Study: Role-playing conflict resolution scenarios in facilities management.

Day 4: Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Communication

• Digital Communication Tools
  • Overview of communication platforms (email, chat, project management software).
  • Using Building Management Systems (BMS) and CMMS to streamline communication and reporting.
• Collaborative Tools for Facilities Teams
  • Using cloud-based project management and team collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Asana, Trello).
  • Real-time communication and tracking for maintenance teams.
• Workshop: Setting up a collaborative communication system for a facilities team.

Day 5: Leadership Communication and Team Building

• Leadership Communication Skills
  • Inspiring and motivating teams through clear and empathetic communication.
  • Building trust and fostering an open communication culture.
• Team Building and Engagement
  • Encouraging teamwork and collaboration across departments.
  • Strategies for providing feedback, managing expectations, and ensuring accountability.
• Conclusion and Certification.