One of the great new aspects of the BOMA BEST 3.0 program is without a doubt its best practice #16, the program for communicating environmental information to building occupants. There is a strong possibility that this new mandatory element will have the greatest impact on managers seeking certification for their buildings, and for good reason. As you know, BOMA BEST® certification evaluates best practices in property management, and nowadays communal participation and empowerment have become key factors in successful management. Best practice #16 is part of that trend, as it promotes a strategy that allows the best building managers in Canada to raise the bar as regards corporate social responsibility.

The communication program cannot survive on its own. It is intimately linked to environmental policy (best practice #15) and also to the three major objectives (water, energy and waste management). Managers developing a program will have greater success if they include those objectives and a communication plan in their strategy.

Not only that, but drafting a communication plan will be much more inclusive if done in collaboration with leaders in the building who promote sustainable development. Quite often, in every firm or office there are people who are committed to sustainable development, but who are not always aware of what building managers do behind the scenes. It is thus an opportunity for both parties to build bridges and to establish a good relationship as together they determine and reach sustainable development objectives.

Finally, drafting a communication plan can be a daunting or exhausting task, and understandably so. There is always the option of calling on a consultant or an associate for help. Drafting a plan could also be an excellent training project, giving a chance for enterprising students to show what they can do.

Written by  Jean-Michel Champagne,
member of the Integrated Technical Management committee