Consultation on BIFM's international strategy opens

05 June 2008

BIFM has set up a working group to develop its international strategy. Currently BIFM has several relationships with bodies outside the UK, and these have grown significantly in recent years as opportunities have arisen but a strategy for these relationships is needed.

The BIFM Board recognises that there has been no formal strategy or aims for these relationships, and fells that more can be achieved with greater clarity of purpose and focus, to allow more fruitful relationships to develop with partners. The strategy project is being managed by a review team of Dave Wilson (Deputy Chair), David Millar (International special interest group), Bernard Heys (International Region), David Hogg (Board) and Richard Byatt (Executive). The project objectives are:

1: “To formulate a clear, achievable and balanced strategy for BIFM’s international engagement for the period 2009 – 2012”; and

2: “To outline to the Executive and Board the resources, costs and measurable outcomes which might be expected to follow from that strategy”

The review group is currently undertaking as wide as possible a consultation with interest groups across BIFM, including an online forum and meetings with groups. BIFM Members can also send comments direct to the review group by email to isg@bifm.org.uk.

The review is intended to be as open as possible, and began in May with a workshop session with Members' Council. At this stage it is seeking views on some fundamental questions:

1) What does BIFM want from its international engagement?

2) What outputs / results might BIFM seek from our collaborations?

3) How should BIFM prioritise these outcomes? – assuming resources are not infinite, what do members want most?

For clarity, this review is not looking at BIFM’s existing international relationships: their ability to deliver the aims of the strategy logically follows from the strategy, and while there may be dialogue in the future at a senior level with BIFM’s partners to see how BIFM can influence them to better help meet its aims, that will not be part of this process.

The review is due to report back to the Board in September 2008, so comments will be welcome until mid-August. As the review develops, the project team will post additional comments and questions on the BIFM discussion forum. There will be a final presentation to Members’ Council in October.

Send your comments direct to the review group by email to isg@bifm.org.uk.