Thinking Outside “the Box”

The FM Box. The concept of “outside the box” thinking has been with us for decades. Especially when an industry is in some turmoil, consultants abound with advice that is “outside the box,” “paradigm shifting,” or perhaps able to “break the mold.” For PRSM members, “the box” – as structure – defines what the FM industry is, and why FMs and FM industry suppliers do what they do. The figurative “box” for the FM industry could also be the way we have always done business. And, the same applies to your PRSM Association.

The Challenge. The FM “box” is under siege by more complex operations, business models that don’t necessarily rely on a box, and evolving consumer demand. This in turn, impacts the skills, knowledge and resources FMs need to thrive in their careers. For suppliers, these dynamics create the opportunity to develop services that help navigate this challenging FM landscape. For PRSM Association, we must re-think all we do and remain relevant to the FM industry.

A New Normal for Physical Retail. In early September, I opened my Sunday New York Times to a stunning four-page ad that declared: “The death of retailing is overrated.” The ad was for home furnishing retailer RH and its new Gallery in New York.

The Gallery offers 70,000 square feet of selling space for core interiors furniture and furnishings, RH Modern, outdoor, teen, baby, child and home décor. The Gallery incorporates a complete design firm in the store, and the rooftop of the six-story (plus a lower level) building includes a full restaurant with both indoor and outdoor space.

While the ad was attention-getting, the concept of the Gallery-Design Firm-Restaurant integration is not novel. For PRSM Retailers, designing, building and managing complex, multi-use and experiential retail is the new normal for the FM industry. And, as PRSM FM member needs increase in complexity, your PRSM Association is evolving to meet these needs.

A PRSM Association for the New Normal. If you attended the final PRSM Mid-Year Conference in September in Scottsdale, AZ, you experienced a taste of your new PRSM Association [new technology, tools, resources, meeting formats]. However, much more is to come. At MYC2018, we began the countdown to a BIG announcement that will be made in Denver during PRSM2019 National Conference. By the time you read this, your PRSM Association will be within 180 days of a fundamental shift in how we serve the FM industry.

Thinking Outside the Box. In this issue of Retail Store Maintenance, you’ll read about other ways to “think outside the box” in areas such as security, energy, lighting and landscaping. Even in these traditional FM core competencies, Yogi Berra would tell you: “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

By: Bill Yanek