Rob Almond is the CEO of NEST, a pioneer of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) in North America
Economic uncertainty has become a constant backdrop for today’s business leaders. Whether it’s rising interest rates, inflationary pressures or shifting labor dynamics, decision makers are being asked to do more with less and make those decisions faster. New tariffs and the broader uncertainty of what might come next only add to the challenge. New trade policies and import taxes are already affecting construction timelines and material costs, creating ripple effects across facilities planning.
While finance, procurement and supply chain often lead these conversations, there’s another area quietly influencing business stability: facilities management.
As the CEO of an integrated facilities management (IFM) company, I’ve seen how facilities leaders are stepping up in this moment. From optimizing costs without sacrificing service to keeping assets online and managing vendor disruptions, here’s a closer look at how having the right IFM partner can help companies stay proactive rather than reactive.
What IFM Brings To The Table
Facilities leaders are typically under pressure to trim budgets while maintaining performance. IFM companies provide services such as preventative maintenance programs to help reduce emergency repairs, which can cost three to four times more than planned service. Smart capital planning and lifecycle forecasting can help delay replacements, stretch the value of major investments and preserve service levels during disruptions such as fluctuating materials costs.
Vendor stability is another area where IFM can provide structure. Reliable IFM partners bring vetted networks of financially sound contractors—an asset when timelines shift or economic pressures grow. Meanwhile, facilities data is becoming a planning tool in addition to being a reporting metric. Key performance indicators (KPIs) like first-time fix rate and cost per location can allow facilities leaders to make fact-based decisions and allocate resources more effectively. In a constrained environment, good data is often the difference between guesswork and strategy.
When IFM handles execution well, it can free facilities leaders to contribute at a higher level, allowing them to focus on innovation, operational resilience and aligning their work with broader business goals. That reliability can build confidence across the enterprise.
Choosing The Right IFM Partner
If you’re a facilities leader considering an IFM model, here are a few best practices to help identify the right partner for your company’s needs:
• Assess financial and operational transparency. Look for a provider that can clearly articulate how they track vendor performance, manage costs and report on outcomes. Ask for sample reporting dashboards and examples of how they’ve helped clients adapt to unexpected changes.
• Prioritize cultural fit. A good IFM partner should feel like an extension of your internal team. Beyond credentials and technology, gauge how well they understand your company’s values, pace and expectations.
• Verify their contractor network. Ask how vendors are selected, vetted and managed. Are they equipped to scale across your footprint? Do they have contingency plans if a provider fails to deliver?
• Dig into data practices. Facilities data should be actionable. Confirm how your potential partner captures, analyzes and applies data to drive decisions. Can they customize reports to your priorities?
• Watch for hidden fees or rigid structures. Not all IFM models are created equal. Understand the fee structure and be wary of one-size-fits-all solutions that don’t allow for flexibility as your needs evolve.
Final Thoughts
The best facilities leaders I know see the entire field. They combine financial fluency with operational expertise and an unshakable commitment to getting the job done right. When you’re backed by an IFM model that streamlines the day-to-day, you can become an invaluable partner in helping your business adapt and thrive. Because in times like these, confidence is currency.
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