Chris Bradley, Director of Commercial & Product Development explains why Asset Management is more than just policies and paperwork.
Good asset management is more than having great processes and procedures, what I call the ‘hard stuff’, but without the buy-in and engagement of staff to apply them they will fall into disrepute and the benefits sought from good asset management practice will not be fully realised. Its about the people and culture – what I call the ‘soft stuff’.
High performing asset management organisations recognise that by creating a positive learning environment and embedding what has been learnt into every day work is an essential part of delivering successful asset management.
It identifies what competencies are required across the organisation to enable staff and teams to build their asset management knowledge, skills and confidence and importantly encourage the collective sharing of this knowledge. Experience has shown this improves personal and team engagement and motivation.
A comprehensive communications strategy is also a vital part of the positive learning environment as it reinforces not just what the organisation is looking to achieve through its asset management approach, and why, but also addresses the ‘what’s in it for me’ questions. Staff understand their role and what’s expected of them. It enables a consistent message that, along with the ‘hard stuff’, leads to a standardised approach to the delivery of the organisation’s strategic objectives.
Evidence shows, as in the case of Sodexo or China Light and Power for example, that where organisations have adopted a positive learning culture that this not only brings success to the organisation itself but that its staff take pride in being part of this success they become more confident with improved motivation. This, in turn, this leads to staff feeling good about their role and how they are perceived by their peers all of which helps to drive better wellbeing and staff retention.
In summary, successful asset management will demonstrate the following attributes: –
Senior management recognise that:
- An asset management mindset needs to permeate the whole organisation
- Achieving the collective shift in what people think is possible
- Implementation heralds a new dawn in ‘how we work around here’.
Everyone:
- Has a part to play in making asset management happen and in its continual improvement
- Needs to be free to work in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary groupings.
Learning is seen as:
- A precondition to making it happen
- Providing people with the competencies they need
- Encouraging the collective sharing of knowledge and the free movement of people.
Communication:
- Starts at the top and runs throughout the organisation
- Regularly reinforces why we’re changing and what it means to staff and customers alike.
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