WorkplaceFundi

Your Workplace is THE NO. 1 SUPER-CATALYST  in influencing your business performance and an enabler of business strategy and brand.

I will help you create and manage a Workplace where better business outcomes are guaranteed.…

•	Competitive advantage is BOOSTED.
•	Property costs are REDUCED.
•	Operational RESILIENCE IS INCREASED.
•	Organisational CULTURE IS ENRICHED
•	Business RISK IS REDUCED.
•	EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IS BOOSTED BY 16% or more.
•	An environment that ENGAGES AND ENERGISES employees.
•	INNOVATION IS ENHANCED and entrenched.
•	CUSTOMER LOYALTY is boosted
•	Organisational AGILITY is ENHANCED
•	REDUCE environmental impact 
•	Talented employees are 18% MORE LIKELY TO STAY.
•	Co-operation and COLLABORATION IS CULTIVATED.
•	The spaces and SERVICES EMPHASISE WELLBEING.
•	Employees are 30% MORE ATTRACTED to your company over competitors.
•	Organisational VALUES ARE ENHANCED 
•	The organisation’s BRAND IS BOOSTED

If you want results like this and are looking for a proven way to leverage your existing facilities and Workplace then.... 
CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN ABOVE.

But, the reality is that many companies are at risk of squandering these opportunities to use their Workplace to drive improved organisational performance. So, we need to reset the dial and view COVID-19 as an opportunity to re-define how use the Workplace to improve business performance.

BUT... there Will be Winners and Losers...
Set your organisation up for success and CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN ABOVE.

Chief Fundi

South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA)

The South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) is a self-sustaining body recognised locally and internationally for its meaningful role in the South African Facilities Management Community.
SAFMA offers its members many benefits, including sharing expertise with other facilities management professionals in South Africa and internationally, access to an advisory service, networking events, establishing contacts overseas, keeping up-to-date on local and international facilities management trends
The primary objectives of SAFMA are to facilitate, promote and support skills development for Facilities Managers through working with the Quality Assurance Councils and with Endorsed Training Providers - thereby enhancing skills supply. SAFMA aims to promote and encourage networking between Facilities Management Professionals to ensure an exchange of information and best practice. SAFMA also aims to be the only recognised voice of Facilities Management in South Africa.
SAFMA wants to represent the industry in public and private structures and initiatives to assure member interest, create a home for the industry for reference, knowledge, information and direction, and to promote awareness and growth of the facilities management industry both within the FM environment and business in order to grow the industry for the benefit of our members
SAFMA aims to provide the Facilities Management industry with a common voice and platform to influence policy makers and educate industry regarding Facilities Management, whilst also enhancing the credibility of Facilities Management through the professionalisation of Facilities Managers and FM companies.
SAFMA is a SAQA-recognised and is a member of Global FM and the Property Sector Charter Council.

Immediate Past Chairperson

Tsebo Facilities Solutions

Director of Special Projects

Drake & Scull FM SA

Director Operations

TFMC

Member of the TFMC EXCO,responsible for the overall leadership and management of the entire group of companies and contracts in the TFMC stable and for the growth and direction of the business as a whole
Identification and development of 
-Strategic Innovation
-CRM strategy and Customer Experience Management
-Service Quality model
-Best Value model
-Innovative 3D matrix management structure
-Cross functional Service Level Agreements

Managing Executive

Executive to the Business Development and Business Intelligence Unit, Achievements include New 
Commercial Models, Business and FM intelligence, international and internal benchmarking, international business development in Malaysia, Australia, UAE, Nigeria, Kenya and Jordan, Domestic business development bids for ABSA, Anglo America, BMW, City of Cape Town, SAA, L’Oreal, Old Mutual, PPP bids for SANRAL, Department of Rural Development, Department of the Environment and Tourism, KZN legislature.

Business Development Executive

Responsible for the entire Professional Services function in TFMC, including Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, Quality Surveying and Project Management

Executive for Professional Services

OSI Africa

Lead Project Manager of a Entertainment Resort Development including Waterworld, Zoo, Casino and Hotel facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. 
I was directly responsible for the Project Management team along wiht the extensive consultancy team amounted to a core of 15 consulting practices and a further eight companies who are appointed for the project on an ad hoc basis. 

I also advised OSI and their client’s on other casino projects in South Africa, Mozambique and Egypt, as well as the development of infrastructure programs for cell phone and satellite communication networks in Mozambique, Botswana, Angola and the Congo.

Lead Project Manager

TMD Building Consultancy Ltd

Two colleagues and I formed TMD Building Consultancy Ltd in June 1991. Despite one of the worst property recessions in the UK we grew the company year on year to a fee turnover in excess of £1 million p.a. by the time I left in September 1997. TMD Building Consultancy Ltd. continues to operate and is now one of the largest specialist building surveying firms in London and the south east of England. 

I resigned as a director of TMD in September 1997 to move to South Africa.

Director

🚀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 #𝟭 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 – 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝘁
Most companies 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝟮𝟬-𝟯𝟬% of their real estate and facilities budget on inefficiencies—while their employees struggle with outdated, unproductive workspaces.
I help 𝗖-𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 turn workplaces into strategic assets that:
✔ 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 (without sacrificing quality),
✔ 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲,
✔ 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 against risk and disruption.
I'm Andrew Mason—𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶 at WorkplaceFundi—and I help ambitious organisations transform their workplaces into strategic business assets that 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵.
With over 𝟯𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 in workplace and facilities management, I hold international accreditations from the 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗖𝗜𝗪𝗙𝗠) and the 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗿𝘀 (𝗠𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗦). But more importantly, I help 𝗖-𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 like you turn workplace chaos into a competitive advantage.
🚀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:
Your workplace is no longer just a place—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿.
I will help you to:
✅ Slash property and operational costs without expensive fit-outs
✅ Design hybrid-ready strategies that engage talent and boost productivity
✅ Futureproof your real estate footprint and reduce business risk
✅ Align your workplace with your values and strategy—driving change from within
✅ Spark a workplace culture that retains top talent and accelerates innovation

🔧 My 3-step WorkplaceFundi™ Methodology—𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲   𝗜   𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲   𝗜   𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲  helps unlock the ROI hidden in your real estate portfolio. Whether you're consolidating space, supporting hybrid work, or reimagining your employee experience, I’ll help you get the workplace working for you, not against you.

📈 Organisations I’ve worked with have:
💵 Cut property costs by up to 30%
😍 Improved employee engagement and retention
💪 Enhanced resilience during organisational change
🎯 Built high-performance cultures aligned with strategic goals

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲?
📩 DM me or visit www.workplacefundi.com to get started.

Andrew Mason CIWFM MRICS

ATS Automation, Inc

Controls Technician 

AutomatedBuildings

My role involves sharing detailed accounts of my hands-on work in facility management, especially related to HVAC and BAS. I aim to create a platform for experience sharing and collaborative learning. My contributions also delve into the potential of AI technologies to revolutionize building automation and efficiency.

Contributing Editor

American University

Facilities Maintenance Technician

Double T Home Improvement

• Conducted carpentry repairs, installed drywall and ceilings, and fabricated trim and moldings.
• Conducted electrical and plumbing repairs.
• Provided job cost estimates and managed various job sites.
• Completed renovation and remodeling projects, including kitchens, baths, and finished basements.

Owner and Operator

Arlington County Government

• Conducted maintenance and repair of equipment.
• Assisted with the implementation of new maintenance protocols.

Equipment Mechanic II

As a Controls Technician with ATS Critical Facilities Group, I bring over twenty years of hands-on experience in facilities maintenance, which I gained during my time at American University in Washington, D.C.

Throughout my career, I have built extensive technical knowledge in HVAC, Building Automation Systems (BAS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), and mission-critical infrastructure. I combine practical troubleshooting skills with a proactive mindset. What truly motivates me is the chance to learn through collaboration. I believe that the most valuable insights come not just from manuals or classroom learning, but from real-world challenges and sharing lessons across teams.

My approach is simple: stay humble, stay curious, and always strive to improve.

Thomas Trang

One of the strongest lessons I took from Aaron Hastings is this:
The best Controls Technicians are not just problem-solvers. We are translators.
We stand between multiple worlds every day:
• the mechanical reality of the equipment
• the operational reality of the people who live in the building
• the financial reality of the people making decisions
That changes how I think about BAS work.
It is not enough to say:
“The sequence is weak.”
“The alarms are noisy.”
“The plant logic needs work.”
We have to explain what that means in real terms:
• more operator workload
• more nuisance alarms
• less confidence in the BAS
• more energy waste
• more risk during abnormal operation
That is where technical skill becomes leadership.
In critical facilities and data center environments, this matters even more. A controls issue is rarely only a controls issue. It affects trust, clarity, response time, and stability.
That is the kind of thinking I want to keep building:
not just making systems run,
but helping people understand what the system is doing, why it matters, and what needs to happen next.
#BuildingAutomation #BAS #BMS #ControlsTechnician #HVAC #Commissioning #CriticalFacilities #Leadership

Controls Technician, ATS Automation (Critical Facilities). Contributing Editor at AutomatedBuildings. (Action creates progress. Progress delivers results.)

View newsletter: Insights from the World of FM

In the episode “Champion Both Sides of the Table” from It’s a Controls Problem, Aaron Hastings offers more than industry commentary. He lays out a wor

Open article: Championing Both Sides of the Table: What Controls Technicians Can Learn from Aaron Hastings by Thomas Trang • 7 min read

Championing Both Sides of the Table: What Controls Technicians Can Learn from Aaron Hastings

In critical facilities, replacing a failed part without understanding why it failed is not a repair strategy. It is a risk strategy.
That is why this message from Jules Williams stands out so powerfully:
“I am very uncomfortable replacing any major component without knowing what caused the failure, for fear of a callback.”
That mindset reflects more than caution. It reflects professionalism.
A burned motor, failed actuator, bad sensor, or damaged board is often only the visible symptom. The real cause may be hidden deeper:
• voltage imbalance
• poor airflow
• control signal issues
• improper sequence logic
• skipped maintenance
• installation deficiencies
When we replace components without root cause analysis, we may restore operation for the moment—but we also leave the actual failure mechanism in place.
In data centers, healthcare environments, and other critical facilities, that can mean:
• repeat failures
• unnecessary downtime
• wasted labor
• damaged trust
• higher lifecycle cost
Real reliability begins when we stop asking only, “What failed?”
and start asking, “What made it fail?”
That shift changes everything.
Credit to Jules Williams for highlighting a truth every technician, operator, and facility leader should remember:
Don’t just replace the part. Decode the failure.
#FacilitiesManagement #CriticalFacilities #HVAC #BAS #BMS #RootCauseAnalysis #Reliability #MaintenanceLeadership #ControlsTechnician #OperationalExcellence

In the high-stakes world of critical facilities management, a single piece of direct mail, or in this case, a LinkedIn message, can reveal the fundame

Open article: Why Replacing Parts Without Root Cause Analysis Is a Liability Nightmare by Thomas Trang • 4 min read

Why Replacing Parts Without Root Cause Analysis Is a Liability Nightmare

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