Three Questions with Tom Wimer

Tom Wimer is President and CEO of KnowledgeBank, Inc. (www.knowledgebank.cc). He recently spoke with the editors of Managing Change about how the changing nature of the Federal workforce is likely to affect real property inventory.

What is your job title, and what specifically does that job entail at Knowledgebank?

I am the founder, President and CEO of KnowledgeBank, Inc., a McLean, VA based human capital management and consulting services company that serves clients in the private, non-profit and government sectors. Readers looking for more information on the company can visit our Web site at www.knowledgebank.cc.

What impact has the changing workforce and changing methods for managing human capital had on the federal government’s strategy for managing real property inventory?

As many close to the federal government market know, there is a rising concern across agencies that in the next five to seven years, a very large percentage of retirement-eligible knowledge workers will choose to leave the workforce. This will leave significant gaps in the talent and experience base for these agencies.

As the next generation of federal employees rises to fill those roles – and as competition for talent outside of the government for government jobs increases – so will the challenge for real property managers. Real property professionals will find that they may need to adjust their views on workspace configuration, and even the amount of workspace required for the new breed of employee that will take the place of the newly retired.

What should real property managers be thinking about to address the work environment demands of the coming generation of workers in the federal government?

“Generation X”, “Generation Y” and other groups of younger employees have developed in the age of technology and virtual work products. They are more accustomed to, and even are arguably more demanding of, a work environment that is “non-traditional.” For example, many have come to expect telecommuting or flexible scheduling opportunities.

Such non-traditional approaches to the work environment will have a direct effect on real property inventory. There may be less of a demand for what may be considered “typical” office space by past standards. Conversely, there may be greater demand for more creative office designs.

Because of these new and changing requirements, real property professionals will need to work more closely with their counterparts in human capital, to ensure that workplace efficiency, comfort, and usability is maximized – and properly designed for the coming generations of federal employees.