Share these talks and lectures with your colleagues
Invite colleaguesPractice paper
Back to the future : Changing business priorities have accelerated trends and are driving fundamental shifts in the structure and approach to corporate real estate outsourcing
Corporate Real Estate Journal,
10
(2),
195-215
(2021)
Abstract
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) trends over recent years have driven stronger alignment of corporate real estate (CRE) management with core business transformation. Stakeholder expectations for demonstrable change are necessitating business to respond to issues at an unprecedented pace. The intense C-suite focus on purpose and accountability is demanding a reset of CRE management. Digital transformation is seen as key. ESG initiatives have caused C-suite executives to become more aware of the strategic value of CRE management. No longer viewed as a cost centre focused on cost reduction, the mandate for CRE management is to deliver value, cost efficiency, continuous improvement and innovation. Fast-paced change and the need for agility has challenged the status quo of outsourcing. New technologies, automation and shared economy models have resulted in insourcing and demand for change. The cost of inflexible and inefficient ‘self-performance’ facility management (FM) outsourcing principal contracts presents market opportunity for disruption. CRE management requires more choice and very different, flexible models. When CRE outsourcing began over 20 years ago, models varied but were highly flexible and advancing as highly strategic. Service models devolved from strategic partnerships to contracted suppliers. Technology advances necessitate a look back to the more client-centric, strategic, flexible models of the past.
Keywords: outsourcing; integrated facility management; facility services; sustainable development goals; environmental; social and corporate governance; corporate social responsibility; digitisation; business transformation; as-a-service (AAS)
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Maureen Ehrenberg FRICS, CRE, LAI is CEO of Blue Skyre, Innovating the Built Environment (BSI). An internationally recognised expert on real estate business transformation, strategic redesign for the future of work and digital facility management, Maureen serves as an adviser and board member to global organisations, investors and real estate technology providers. With more than 25 years’ experience, she has deep expertise in providing real estate advice and services to companies around the world. Before founding Blue Skyre, she was Global Head of Real Estate Operations and Strategic Services for WeWork. She has held global executive roles with JLL, CBRE and Grubb & Ellis Company. Maureen serves on the Americas Board of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the US Department of State Bureau of Overseas Building Operations, Industry Advisory Group (IAG). She is a management trustee for the International Union of Operating Engineers, a trustee of Roosevelt University and a member of the Real Estate Advisory Board for the New York State Teachers Retirement System (NYSTRS). Maureen has also served on the global boards of CoreNet Global, IFMA (International Facility Management Association) and OCSRE (Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate). A frequent speaker and author, Maureen has been recognised as an industry thought leader with an Innovator of the Year Award from CoreNet Global, the Chair’s Citation Award from IFMA, the Julie Devine Digital Impact and Lifetime Achievement Awards for Vision in Technology from RealComm and has received several awards and recognition for leadership and service in the real estate industry.
