What initial impression would you like to make on professionals or clients when they visit your office premises?
As is known, when an individual steps into the office facility for the first time, s/he instantly forms a good or bad impression of the organization, even before initiating any communication.
Having a well-maintained office space helps in making a fine impression on clients. Furthermore, the regular upkeep of machines, accessories, and other utilities sustains their efficiency for an extended period.
In addition, timely maintenance helps save costs by preventing unnecessary damage. Moreover, a clean and pleasant office environment contributes to boosting the employees’ morale. Hiring office facilities management services is becoming a regular practice for professional maintenance of every aspect of office resources.
Delivering excellence in integrated facilities management services across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey for 20+ years is the EFS Facilities Services Group.
EFS has been recognized for providing quality facility management services to some of the giant corporates, including leading multinationals in the region. The company has a persistent track record of near 100% client retention.
The accolades that it has received from national and international organizations for high customer satisfaction have been the cornerstone of EFS’ legacy. Driving EFS Group to new heights of success and innovation is its expert leader, Tariq Chauhan (CEO).
We got the exclusive opportunity to interview Mr Tariq, where he shared with us in detail about EFS’s journey and the various achievements it has obtained over the years.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Please brief our audience about your company, its values, and how the company has been positioned as a leading player in the industry.
A people-first organization, EFS Facilities Services Group, is a regional leader in delivering integrated facilities management services. EFS’s global presence spans the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey, and it is among the top-ranking facilities management companies in the UAE.
For over 21 years, EFS has been well-acknowledged by the business community for providing quality services to some of the biggest regional names, including leading multinationals in the region. With USD 1.5 billion in contract backlog and managing an approximate total area of over 45 million square meters, EFS has set new benchmarks in facilities management through quality service delivery and innovation with 28 operating companies in 21 countries across the region.
The group of companies is unique in combining progressive, people-focused leadership with the fast adoption of technological advancements, creating the best environment for personal growth for employees and clients’ portfolios.
What range of services does your company offer, and how are these making an impact in the industry and your clients?
EFS endeavors to deliver quality facility management and value-added services designed to meet our clients’ demand for sustainable service delivery, optimum cost savings, and measurable end-user satisfaction. Our services range from integrated facilities management services, technical operations and maintenance services, soft services, disinfection, project management, and support services to consultancy and other specialized services.
From the beginning, EFS has set new benchmarks in facilities management through quality service delivery and innovation. The sustained track record of nearly 100 percent client retention and accolades for high customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of EFS’s legacy.
Our FM portfolio comprises prominent and prestigious clients, ranging from large government entities to many Fortune 500 companies. We offer total facilities management solutions consisting of over 75 services through dedicated business verticals such as Oil & Gas, Banking, Industrial, Public Sector, Integrated Workplaces, Education, Retail, and Mixed-Use Developments.
EFS is led by competent, experienced management with several decades of combined core industry expertise and a past track record. Our company is complemented by QMS-ISO 9001:2015, EMS-ISO 14001:2015, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 standards. We have built and earned our reputation and gained the trust of top companies in the region.
Being an experienced leader, share with us your opinion on how the adaptation of modern technologies has transformed businesses and what more could be expected in the near future?
The fast adoption of technologies has been a top growth indicator, mainly since the global pandemic shifted the business environment into a fast-forward dynamic of growth. In our industry, technology has been an important ally in scaling up processes, upskilling the workforce, and investing in long-term strategic growth. As we move towards a post-COVID world, the hybrid use of collaborative technology and fast upskilling are imperative.
Taking into consideration the current pandemic and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your company to sustain operations and ensure the safety of your employees and clients at the same time?
From the onset of the pandemic, EFS’s response was fast and designed with the safety and well-being of our employees in mind. As a people-first organization, our employees are paramount to the swift operations and steadiness of our growth.
From mass vaccination drives to preserving and retaining employee and client benefits to implementing policies to preserve the safety of our first responders, EFS had an around-the-clock leadership team working to ensure a multidimensional and simultaneous response across all verticals:
- Health and safety for all employees, clients, and the community at large.
- Adherence to local and international regulations and guidelines.
- Business continuity.
- Supporting endeavors and initiatives by the national leadership.
- Use of technology and innovation for dealing with COVID-19 challenges, including remote working, health protection, automation, decontamination, real-time monitoring, learning initiatives, communication, and continuous improvement.
- Financial safety and security.
- Employee engagement and communication.
- Continued learning and development.
- Continued client engagement and satisfaction.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the business world?
First-time entrepreneurs should consider obtaining as much knowledge as possible about financial operations. Aside from that, understanding that mindset, introspection, resilience, and growth come as a package is important.
The entrepreneurial world requires a huge effort and a resilient spirit, which is why prioritizing mindset training and self-reflection can become a game-changer in the performance of any start-up.
How do you envision scaling your company’s operations and offerings in 2022?
As we are in the last quarter of 2021 and we are approaching the next year, we are preparing to look back at our growth. In 2021 alone, we acquired new businesses to support our growth and expansion in new markets, we invested in learning and development, we launched the Abhaar Worker Welfare Foundation, and we serviced some of the most prestigious projects in the region.
The Expert Leader
Tariq Chauhan is the Group CEO and the transformational driving force behind the growth of EFS. Since 2010, Tariq has been at the helm of EFS Facilities Services Group, leading as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of EFS’ Board of Directors.
Tariq has led the evolution of EFS Facilities Services’ business portfolio, spearheaded the company’s expansion into 21 markets across MENA, Turkey, and South Asia, and supervised the growth of its workforce of 22,000 globally.
Tariq was named one of the Forbes Top 50 Indian Executives in the Arab World in 2018, as well as one of the Forbes Middle East Top CEOs in MENA in 2021.
HONOURS, AWARDS, AND ACCOLADES
- Won Prestigious Taqdeer Award multiple times under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
- EFS has been ranked as one of the region’s top facilities management companies by Forbes ME.
- For several years in a row, named “Construction Industry Power Hour” by Construction Business News Middle East
- Award from the International Organisation for Freedom, Protection of Human Rights, and World Peace.
The EFS Group is Duly Accredited by Several Technical Awards and Accreditations As Below:
- The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
- The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA)
- International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
- The Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA)
- US Green Building Council (USGBC)
- The British Safety Council
