In an article depicting the corporate environment of 2001, the December 2000 issue of Facilities Design & Management magazine reinforced the trend toward more amenities. For todays commercial building, this means childcare, gyms, high-quality cafeterias, and of course, gourmet coffee bars. In the current business market, where companies seemingly expand and contract on a daily basis, the need for a flexible work space was also underlined—with the campus design upheld as the plan of the future.
The trend toward sale/leaseback of real estate will continue, the magazine explained, as corporate ownership of real estate loses favor. According to the article, unless real estate holdings can produce a 15 percent return, many companies will find that their capital is better off in other investments.
Also in that issue, the top issues affecting FMs in 2001 were explored with the energy crisis making top billing. Facility managers quoted escalating bills for gas and electricity, coupled with a lack of information to make good energy decisions. Recruitment was cited as an-going concern, as retaining a qualified workforce proved difficult for many FMs. Outsourcing and e-commerce also made the top of the list.
Based on a report in Facilities Design & Management
