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SILA BLOGS
Why Employee Wellness Programs Should be Part of Your Growth Strategy?
As an employer, you have the ability to set the tone of the workplace culture and steer your employees towards choosing a healthier lifestyle and be happier. One of the ways to do this is to adopt a wellness strategy that benefits your employees, your business, as well as the community at large. An employee wellness program can be defined as a set of activities and interventions offered by the workplace with the primary aim to improve the health and well-being of the employees.
14th January 2020
Know MoreCreating the Right Facility Management Security Strategy for Your Company
An important aspect of facility management is security. A sound facility management security strategy protects the facility from numerous threats. Such an approach also ensures that the people, equipment, and data at a facility are protected and continuously safeguarded. Here are some of the critical elements inv
8th January 2020
Know More9 Facility Management Trends for 2019
According to a recent report by Research and Markets, the global facilities management market is predicted to grow from USD 34.65 billion in 2018 to USD 59.33 billion by 2023 at an annual growth rate of 11.4%.
24th December 2019
Know MoreHow Facilities Management Can Benefit Both Developers and Home Buyers
According to a recent report, the Indian facilities management market is expected to grow almost 18% by 2022 and cross USD 19 billion (approximately Rs. 131,461 crores). This will make facilities management one of the most extensive domains in the Indian real estate sector, and as such, you should leverage it to your advantage.
23rd December 2019
Know MoreEverything NRIs Should Know Before Investing in Real Estate
According to a recent report, NRI (Non Residential Indian) investments in real estate in India have almost doubled from just $6 billion in 2013 to $11 billion in 2018 due to a depreciated rupee and increased transparency from regulations such as RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act) and GST.
19th December 2019
Know More5 Reasons Why Tier-II Cities Are Worth Investing in Property
While there was a time when the real estate industry of India was mainly driven by the metro cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and NCR, unaffordable property prices, high construction related costs, scarcity of land resources, and constantly declining demands are forcing both property investors and developers to move to Tier-II cities instead.
19th December 2019
Know More5 Reasons Why Selling is a Key Skill Every Founder Should Learn
No matter how amazing your startup idea is, if you are not able to sell it to investors and customers, then you will never be able to get it off the ground. That is why selling is one of the most important key skills that every founder should have. Without a killer salesperson attitude, you may not even be able to create a product that can get people excited.
19th December 2019
Know MorePracticing Agility in Human Resources: Why It Matters
Over 71% of organizations across the world use agile approaches in some way or the other. Of all the organizations implementing agile, 98% of them were able to achieve success.
19th December 2019
Know MoreHow to Make the Transition from Employee to Employer
When you transition from being an employee to an employer, everything changes and no amount of leadership or management courses can prepare you for what’s to come. As an employer, your responsibilities change completely and you become responsible for managing teams, optimizing business operations, and driving organisational growth.
18th December 2019
Know MoreWhy Startup Founders Need Constructive Hobbies to Succeed
As a startup founder, it’s not uncommon to devote every hour of your life to building your business. The idea of taking up activities that are fun sounds like a waste of time or a luxury that most founders cannot afford.
14th December 2019
Know MoreHome Loan Agreements - What are the Clauses That You must Know About
When you decide to acquire a home loan, you must sign a home loan agreement, which is a legally binding document that dictates the rights, rules and liabilities of homeowners. Since a home loan is a long-term investment that lasts 15-30 years, it’s essential to carefully go through the home loan agreement and understand its clauses.
13th December 2019
Know MoreHow to Reduce Interest Rates on Your Home Loan
Most of us dream of owning a home in our favourite city where we can build a future with our family and create new memories. But purchasing a home isn’t as easy for most people. It will be one of the biggest investments you make in your life.
12th December 2019
Know MoreThe Advantage of Strong Architect, Designer, and Contractor Relationships
A common practice among homeowners is to look for an architect, designer, and contractor separately. Homeowners don’t look at the three roles as part of a single team, which leads to conflicts and a mismatch of expectations.
10th December 2019
Know MoreWhy Entrepreneurs Should Work for Someone Else First?
While being an entrepreneur may sound enticing and easy, that hardly is the case. Most entrepreneurs fail and for the ones who succeed, it takes years to start breaking even. It is a high-stress occupation involving many risks. However, it’s possible to improve your odds of succeeding.
9th December 2019
Know MoreWhy Sportsmen Make Good Entrepreneurs
Despite the surface-level differences, athletes and entrepreneurs have more in common than you know. Value for hard work, perseverance, being a team player, are some of the most basic and fundamental values of entrepreneurship and sports.
26th November 2019
Know MoreThe Termite Turmoil
Calling for an expert for pest control services is the second thing you do after panicking during an infestation. However, unfortunately by the time you’ve encountered an infestation, the damage is already done.
11th November 2019
Know MoreDriving employee productivity through efficient space management
In today’s rapidly changing and competitive world, it is critical that organizations have high employee motivation and productivity to achieve their vision and mission statement.
5th November 2019
Know MoreJob Interview Tips
While conducting an interview, I often ask the candidate if they have any questions and responses like “Not really” or worse “How long is the probation period? leaves me questioning the candidate’s actual interest in the job and the organization itself.
15th October 2019
Know MoreRaising Money isn’t an Achievement, it’s an Obligation
SILA recently announced an investment from Norwest Venture Partners, a global Private Equity firm. With this investment, we are glad to have delivered on our seed investor’s capital by giving them a 30x exit. We are grateful to all of our stakeholders who supported us along the way – employees, clients, vendors, and other associates in the business.
30th September 2019
Know MoreIdentifying the Gaps in Performance Reviews and Solving Them
Performance Reviews are a herculean task, the HR Manager and the employees both would agree. ‘You need to perform better’ is definitely not the feedback an employee is looking for, especially in a work environment where there are constant changes these days. Performance reviews until today have more or less focused on the big picture whereas an employee prefers detailed feedback. Let’s look at a few gaps that a performance review process usually has and the possible ways to resolve them.
25th September 2019
Know MoreHow Space Inspires Workplace Motivation
The corporate life has been glamorized since the better part of the century, spurned by a robust and fast-growing economy following the industrial boom. Industrial tradesmen were replaced with mechanized solutions and a ‘traditional’ job became mainstream. An individual with a nine-to-five job was suddenly considered stable and hardworking, and the daily grind became the status quo. The corporate workplace has since evolved and continues to be a dominant part of a worker’s life - particularly those who spend an upwards of 40 hours at the office.
18th September 2019
Know MoreThe Entrepreneurial Skill Set
When one studies great entrepreneurs, there are individual traits that will stand out, however, there are few that I believe are common amongst most.
16th September 2019
Know MoreConveying Your Basic Requirements To Your Architect
The prospect of seeing a design develop from an idea to a completed project is an exciting experience for a brand that is looking to increase its momentum. Communicating your goals for the project can still be a difficult task hence here is the basic guideline to communicate your requirements to your architect for a commercial space.
12th September 2019
Know MoreWays To Grow Through Competitiveness In The Facility Management Industry
The facility management industry has seen exponential growth in the past decade. The increased growth has resulted in a spurt of activity, consolidation has increased and new organized players have begun entering the space.
6th September 2019
Know MoreWays To Design The Correct Training Program
Today, organizations across industries are keen on employing and grooming leaders at all levels. Although role definitions are important, in the present business scenario it is important to empower and encourage employees to explore roles that lie beyond their job description?
5th September 2019
Know MoreImpression Management
How important is Impression Management? What kind of influence it has on your clients, colleagues and especially your top management? And more importantly how can an HR Manager help with it?
4th September 2019
Know MoreGood Leaders Follow The Herd
A leader is a person who ensures that his team grows along with her/him and for this; the leader is mandatorily required to be inclusive, but how? To achieve that, the leadership style has to be dynamic and it also needs to vary based on the situation in hand. But what is essential for every leader to be successful is to be inclusive.
3rd September 2019
Know MoreTips For New HR Professionals
Of the people, by the people, and for the people; that is what HR is all about. Let’s elaborate on how you should learn to manage that when you begin your HR career.
30th August 2019
Know MoreThe Evolution of Project Management Consultancy in Real Estate
Project Managers have been involved in the construction of complex buildings for centuries, although in that period it was the architect himself overseeing the entire construction of the ancient structures such as the pyramids in Egypt and the aqueducts of Rome and more.
29th August 2019
Know MoreHow to Run a Business During a Tough Economy
It is evident that the economy is slowing and that we stand on the brink of another possible recession. As alarming as this seems, it mustn’t be a death knell - the business environment tends to go through these cycles of peaks and valleys every few years. Most companies tend to weather this storm in the short term and manage to turn it around.
28th August 2019
Know MoreHR and Marketing – The New Collaborative Relationship
For decades, Marketing and HR teams have lived in the same friendly work ambiance but have never had a collaborative relationship. Marketing has been focused on positioning their firm in a way that would help them garner new businesses, whereas HR has been focused on talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement and more. Honestly, there has not been a reason either for these verticals to collaborate
27th August 2019
Know MoreGuidelines to increase the HR Value
Top management today faces multiple business challenges, on a smaller as well as the higher level and one of the solutions to these is hiring and retaining the right talent to tackle them. Besides making the correct hiring decisions, HR today is also given an important role that includes being a part of the processes that lead towards achieving the overall targets for the organization. This has helped HR is moving beyond a traditional role to a more strategic one.
26th August 2019
Know MoreHow to Handle an Appraisal Request
As an HR Manager, you might be dealing with untimely appraisal requests on a regular basis. There can be multiple reasons for it - At times an employee might feel underpaid or s/he might feel that they are doing work above their profile and requests for an appraisal. How do you respond to it? Let’s look at few ways to handle it.
23rd August 2019
Know MoreCapitalizing on LinkedIn for Recruitment
When do you think about a professional network, a complete B2B platform, which is the first name that comes to your mind? LinkedIn! Besides helping you largely for building connections and networking, it also serves as a huge platform for recruitment. Let’s look at a few measures through which you can make the most of it.
22nd August 2019
Know MoreParameters to consider before purchasing a home
To begin with, if you are looking to buy a home then look for an offer that fulfills your basic requirements and if you are looking at buying a house as an investment then look at the most lucrative offers available in the market. Now let’s look at a few parameters, both external and internal that need to be considered before making a property purchase.
21st August 2019
Know MoreSafety Management for Residential Buildings
Facilities Managers have a moral responsibility towards providing a safe environment on site for the residents, tenants, and visitors of the building. Let’s look at a few measures that need to be kept in mind with respect to safety management in residential buildings.
20th August 2019
Know MoreHR Vocabulary You Need to Know and Comprehend
Every profession has its own set of definitions, dialogue, terms and more; here are few of the expressions and words that you would be hearing on a regular basis from your HR Manager. Let’s understand what they mean.
19th August 2019
Know More10 ways to gauge the right candidate
Many of us have experienced being blinded with hiring a promising candidate who at a later date turns out to be a disappointment. At times like these, you end up wondering as to what went wrong? It is definitely not the candidate you had hired then where did the loophole happen? Let’s look at a few ways to set the right process and gauge the person accordingly.
16th August 2019
Know MoreFire Safety Tips For Facility Managers
Every Facility Manager (FM) should be experienced with the guidelines for fire safety. To begin with, the equipment that every building mandatorily needs to have is fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, fire panels, smoke control systems, fire hydrants, emergency power supply, mechanical ventilation, air conditioning systems, and emergency exit signs.
14th August 2019
Know MoreVendor Management for FM in residential buildings
Vendor management is a fundamental component of facilities management. While the majority of skills essential to manage a residence/building are available in-house with the FM team, there is still expertise that is required for additional services/operations that an FM Manager needs to outsource.
13th August 2019
Know MoreMergers & Acquisitions - What You Need to Get Right
When a company decides to merge with another or acquire another company, the idea is to form an entity that is bigger in terms of value, resources, expertise than the sum of the two individual companies. The idea behind merging or acquiring with companies is to use synergies to create efficient processes.
9th August 2019
Know MoreHow to hire right Interns
Every organization is looking for an asset/assets for their organization and some of our best ones are the interns we hire! Know you have hired correctly when you decide to extend a permanent position to your intern and when they decide to accept it too. Let’s look at how to do the right hiring in this vertical, to begin with.
8th August 2019
Know MoreThe New Micro-Trend in Mumbai Real Estate
Buying a house in Mumbai is a dream for many, but only a few are able to make it a reality. A dearth of real estate in the ever-expanding city and sky-high property rates leave most to compromise on space and some resigned to alternative living situations such as co-living. As a result, Mumbai residents are often called the matchbox dwellers because for them, staying near the city line is more important than living in a spacious house.
7th August 2019
Know More5 Steps to an Effective Performance Evaluation System
A traditional performance evaluation system has only been about a single process – The managers and employees would have a review meeting once in a year where the employee’s performance would be given a numerical rating based on their results and at times a ranking would also be given after comparing their work with other employees. This system has now started acting as a huge demotivation for the employees as it’s not structured correctly. Let’s look at a few ways that the performance evaluation system can be altered to make it more efficient and effective.
5th August 2019
Know MoreHow to Manage Facility Services in Residential Buildings
Managing and maintaining multi-tenanted properties comes with its share of challenges and the Facility Manager requires a varied skill set. However, the challenges increase manifold if a certain number of apartments/offices are unoccupied or rented out. Here we discuss some effective methods that a facility manager can deploy to efficiently control aspects like security, safety, parking, and office/apartment maintenance issues:
1st August 2019
Know MoreGuideline to ensure a smooth handover from the builder to the Society
A major task today is getting the right handover from your developer/builder to the Residential Association/Society to ensure that there are no obstacles in the future. Let’s look at a comprehensive checklist that you need to cover in this process.
31st July 2019
Know MoreMaintenance Tips for your Home
Owning a home is a never-ending list of to-do activities, which can be - the cleaning of your furnace filter, cleaning of the heat pump, inspecting plumbing leaks and electrical circuits amongst many others. Let us help you with a few tips for the maintenance of your home.
29th July 2019
Know MoreChanging trends in Indian Real Estate
With the emerging trends and changes on the outside, there are a couple of changes inside the real estate system. We expect the impact of Demonetization, implementation of Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA) and Goods and Services Tax (GST), to have a significant impact on the Real Estate sector. These are few trends we expect to play out.
25th July 2019
Know MoreWays to engage employees holistically at workplace
A worldwide study by Gallup determined that engaged employees are far more productive, profitable, and dedicated to customers than those who aren't engaged. Gallup also determined that companies with more engaged employees are far more profitable. This report is based on an unprecedented study of engagement among more than 47,000 employees in 120 countries around the world during 2009 and 2010. We agree but with a difference, just don’t engage your employees, engage them holistically.
24th July 2019
Know MoreReal estate asset classes - What’s in store for 2019?
Nothing is truer about Indians than their love for owning properties. But the biggest myth that needs to be busted is that the real estate sector is a homogeneous one-dimensional sector. Instead of looking at real estate as a whole, it should be seen from the lens of asset classes.
19th July 2019
Know MoreThe Benefits of Turnkey Interior Contracting
The term ‘turnkey’ refers to a service where the Project Manager takes responsibility for the entire process, from design to manufacturing, to completion to the set-up which includes communications and transactions with designers, civil engineers, electrical and plumbing contractors, laborers, painters, welders, etc. In other words, it’s a ‘One-stop all’ destination for the client. Let’s look at a few ways that a Turnkey Interior Contracting benefits the client.
18th July 2019
Know MoreNew Technologies in Interior Contracting
With the trends and ideas changing every day, innovation is the key to be up-to-date with all the upcoming evolution. New technologies and trends are shaping the future of Interior Contracting in an innovative and productive way, here are looking at a few of them.
17th July 2019
Know MoreConstruction Budgeting 101
Project cost overrun is a common dilemma in Project Management. Let’s look at a few comprehensive ways as to how to invest in quality project management, develop a sound plan which incorporates all the costs and at the same time give flexibility to the unexpected expenses.
16th July 2019
Know MoreEvolving Trends in Facility Management
The biggest trend has to be technology considering that artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, drones, machine learning and IoT (Internet of Things) have already become an essential part of the sector. Technology has and continues to play a huge role in streamlining facility management; it began with security applications, smart surveillance, technology sensors and is now moving on to robotics, wireless technology and more. Technology will definitely shape the future of FM in a huge way.
15th July 2019
Know MoreNew Technologies in Facility Management
From IoT (Internet of Things) to Artificial Intelligence, we have begun using sophisticated technologies to aid service delivery in Facility Management (FM). Internet of Things (IoT) - The data generated through IoT backed technology will soon assist an FM team in performing various tasks more efficiently than before.
11th July 2019
Know MoreSecurity Management in Residential Buildings
Security Management is an integral part of Facility Management (FM) services as not only is it responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment for the residents and other key stakeholders, but also for the protection of the entire premises.
10th July 2019
Know MoreHow to be Competitive in Facility Management
The facility management industry has seen exponential growth in the past decade. The increased growth has resulted in a spurt of activity, consolidation has increased and new organized players have begun entering the space. In the ensuing clutter, very few companies have been able to differentiate themselves. A facility management company can tread a different path, stand out and grow by being competitive in the following ways:
9th July 2019
Know MoreReal Estate and Data Safety - Is Your Safe in Real Estate?
Consider all the times you’ve made a transaction for real estate – got your credit checked, paid rent or mortgage, spoken to brokers, listed a house, or simply responded to a call-to-action online. In this age where your private information is a commodity, is there enough emphasis on data privacy?
8th July 2019
Know MoreFather Friendly Policies By HR
As HR professionals, we get a lot of questions from the male team members on the non-existent father friendly policies which brings up the question that a lot is being spoken & written about women’s role as a parent however what is under-played many-a-times is the role of men as parents which holds an equal importance in the growth of a child. Though companies have started taking steps in that direction but are those steps sufficient?
8th July 2019
Know MoreHow to Beat Burnout
Heavy workload, targets, deadlines, pressure are a part of a management life. Most of the times it leaves us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and stretched. Employees usually express it in two ways – either they tend to doubt their own work and value in the organization or they start questioning the processes of the organization. This stage then leads to a weakening state termed as burnout, which not only affects one’s performance but also her/his well-being both professionally and personally.
5th July 2019
Know MorePractical Ways to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process
Conscious or unconscious bias has become an undeniable part of our day-to-day work routine. It acts as a blockage in the employee’s as well as organization’s growth as it restricts the line of thought due to the added subjectivity. In such cases, diversity which usually acts as a strength of the organization turns into its weakness. Corporates are now becoming aware about the consequences of letting bias create a hindrance in their culture & processes, hence the HR team needs to put in a lot of effort in bringing in this paradigm shift in the culture to create a neutral workspace. Companies like Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter and others have recently announced their commitment towards hiring more women, veterans, minorities and older employees. Let’s look at a few ways an HR team can work on introducing the diversity and reducing the bias while hiring.
3rd July 2019
Know MoreLow cost measures to increase building efficiency through Facility Management
There is a constant pressure on the FM (Facility Manager) and his team to use resources more efficiently and conduct operations proficiently. There are several measures that can be adopted to increase the building efficiency and most of them are low cost and simple to execute. Let’s look at a few of them.
2nd July 2019
Know MoreKey Components of Home Society Maintenance Bill
Most of us live in Apartment or Housing complexes that are governed by Co-Operative Housing Societies or Resident Association Bodies. As Property Managers, we are contracted to increase the efficiency of the day-to-day operations at the buildings that we manage. One of our most important tasks is to control expenses incurred to operate the building. These expenses form components of a Maintenance Bill, which every apartment or home owner pays. We often question maintenance charges and are curious to know what our maintenance bill comprises of.
1st July 2019
Know MoreWhy do you need a good facility management team
Hiring the services of the right Facility Management Company is of utmost importance for the longevity and maintenance of a building. An equally important task is to clearly define the role and responsibility of the facility management service provider and give them the authority and framework to make decisions with regard to building operations. Once a framework is set, the Managing Committee of the building can ensure optimum utilization of the capabilities and track the performance of the facility management service provider through the following methods.
29th June 2019
Know More10 ways to improve Electricity Efficiency
Energy conservation is a topic that has been in working for a long time now. A well planned and regulated system for electricity conservation is vital for all houses and business organisations. Lowering your energy bill can be accomplished easily by improving the home's electricity efficiency. Here are a few ways to do the same.
28th June 2019
Know MoreTips for designing your ideal home
A well furnished and organised house is desired by everyone. A planned solution for designing your house can make a whole lot of difference in the way your interior looks. Here we have some tips that will help you design your ideal home.
27th June 2019
Know MoreSecrets to a Healthy Home
There are a lot of essentials that go behind building a good home, more importantly keeping it safe and healthy. Let’s see how can we be bring huge changes by doing little things.
26th June 2019
Know More7 Ways To Invest In Real Estate Without Buying Property
Direct property ownership is one of the best real estate investment options, especially in a country like India where property rates soar every year. Sadly, it’s not for everyone. It requires you to spend excessively on down payments and mortgages However, it’s possible to reap the benefits of real estate investments without shelling a lot of money on direct property investments
25th June 2019
Know MoreMandatory Tools Every Home Should Have
From conducting minor repairs in your home to working on DIY projects, a toolbox can be a godsend. Have a look at which tools are a must for every home.
24th June 2019
Know MoreDecide Where to Invest and Where Not to Compete
In today’s dynamic world, both in terms of academics and the corporate jobs, change being the only constant, the need of the hour is to regularly upskill the employees to maintain a competitive edge in the industry. From an organization’s point of view, it works both ways, organizations can provide the employees with regular opportunities to learn and employees can contribute by implementing the learning in their work, hence adding a value to the system.
21st June 2019
Know MorePerformance Evaluation Systems
An evaluation process by definition means having a system that gives you a feedback on the performance of the employees as per the role assigned to them, it’s a systematized way of evaluating your employee’s performance as per her/his job profile.
20th June 2019
Know MoreArtificial Intelligence in Human Resources
Artificial Intelligence has now become an integral part of every industry from real estate to marketing, advertising, finance, education, and now finally Human Resources.
19th June 2019
Know MoreHow to Demonstrate Your Value to Your Employer
As humans, we crave importance and belonging in our surroundings. With family, friends, acquaintances or colleagues, being valued contributes to a sense of well-being and productivity. And when you’re spending over eight hours working in an office every day, it’s natural to want to feel appreciated by those you work with and those you work for.
17th June 2019
Know More5 Unknown Facts about Living in Alibaug
Living in Alibaug is something most people living in Mumbai covet, but the Alibaug experience is not limited to its beaches. Here are five factors of living in Alibaug that you may not have thought of:
13th June 2019
Know MoreHow to Get Your Customers to Keep Coming Back
As a business, we have one goal – to get (and keep) customers. For years, we’ve sought out formulae and brought in marketing experts to find out how we can find the biggest, best customers to make our business profitable. There has been a consensus over the years that the marketing funnel is the most effective way to convert a customer.
3rd June 2019
Know MoreWhat is The Difference Between Facility and Property Management?
You may have heard the terms ‘facility management’ and ‘property management’ quite frequently, and wondered whether they are used interchangeably. Truth is, both are responsible for constantly improving and maintaining property standards.
30th May 2019
Know MoreWhy Alibaug Is the Perfect Place for a Holiday Home
Alibaug is a destination that makes the dreams of owning a seaside property achievable. Nestled between the tranquil beaches of the Konkan region and located far away from the fast-paced metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune, Alibaug is the perfect place to own a holiday home.
27th May 2019
Know MoreRecruitment Skills Every HR Manager Should Have
The Human Resources team is one of the most important pillars of an organization as it is the one responsible for hiring as well as managing the right people hence creating a backbone for the growth of the organization. Let’s look at a few recruitment skills every HR Manager should possess that would help in making the process more effective.
23rd May 2019
Know MoreWhy Some Founders Fail as CEOs
We tend to idolise founders who are able to take their company from the ideation stage to multibillion-dollar organisations. But the truth is, founders like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg are rare to find -- they are, in fact, an exception and not the norm.
20th May 2019
Know MoreHospitality in India: The Tides of Change
From hypercompetitive markets, changing demography, oversupply of hotel rooms and an untapped religious tourism market, the Indian hospitality sector is set to see a big change.
15th May 2019
Know MoreDo We Need all the Bells & Whistles?
Developers of residential buildings, in order to attract home buyers, are providing amenities that are way beyond necessities. But do we really need all these luxurious amenities and are they worth it? Let us look at a few points that would help explain it.
10th May 2019
Know MoreSpace as a Service: The New State of Real Estate
For as long as it has existed, real estate has been about transacting a piece of land for a purpose. Be it for families to have a secure roof over their heads, or for companies to have a communal and organized space to churn work out of employees, or for patrons to sit down for a meal at an establishment, space has always been a product. Today, while traditional buying and selling of real estate exist, one might be remiss to not notice it dwindling. With the rising cost of real estate as a factor and the entire notion of land ownership being questioned, we are noticing a steady but swift change. What is changing now is the expectation from land – it is no longer static.
7th May 2019
Know MoreWhat do Soft Services Mean in Facility Management?
Facilities management is broadly divided into two sections – Soft services and hard services. Soft services involve the provision of services that are variable in nature and help in making the premises a better place to work/reside in.
5th May 2019
Know MoreDoes an Entrepreneur Really Need an MBA?
A Business school experience teaches you a lot more than finance, entrepreneurship, or how businesses operate. You learn as much, if not more, outside the classroom than inside it.
4th May 2019
Know MoreFacility Management for Green and Smart Buildings
There has been a significant shift in the design, construction and service offerings of buildings in recent times, leading to a simultaneous change in the way these buildings are managed and maintained.
30th April 2019
Know MoreWhy Your Company Culture Should Match Your Brand
When you define your company’s culture and the brand, do they have the same definition? Are you giving the same experience to your employees that you give to your customers? It’s very important to have the same culture internally as well as externally because your employees are your biggest brand ambassadors.
25th April 2019
Know More6 Ways to Ensure Proper Project Budgeting
Project cost overrun is a common dilemma in Project Management. Let’s look at a few comprehensive ways as to how to invest in quality project management, develop a sound plan which incorporates all the costs and at the same time gives flexibility to the unexpected expenses.
24th April 2019
Know MoreParameters to Consider when Selecting a Project Management Consultant
A Project Management Consultant brings the skills and the technical know-how required for a turnkey project. They provide the expertise, tools and manpower required in executing the project from planning to completion. The parameters that help determine the right PMC can broadly be categorised into two categories – Macro Parameters and Micro Parameters.
24th April 2019
Know MoreProptech: Technology in Real Estate
Have you looked at the Uber or Amazon app on your phone in the past week? Chances are that you have. Congratulations, you’re a part of the phenomenon that is the rise of tech. Real estate is no different. Proptech is the acronym used to describe any technology that is set to disrupt the real estate space. This can include software, hardware, materials or manufacturing.
23rd April 2019
Know More5 Ways to Improve Electricity Efficiency
Lowering your energy bill can be accomplished easily by improving the home's electricity efficiency. Here are few ways this can be done:
22nd April 2019
Know MoreHow to Renovate a Workspace
Detailed planning forms a base to every successful work renovation which leads to creating a checklist. Let’s look at few steps that shall help you sidestep the possible obstacles that you may face during a renovation or an expansion at a workspace.
18th April 2019
Know MoreEntrepreneurship or a Corporate Job?
It is incorrect to conclude that pursuing Entrepreneurship is better or worse than pursuing the role of a senior corporate executive. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. However, not every successful entrepreneur has the skillset to thrive in a corporate environment.
15th April 2019
Know MoreHow we created a work culture surrounded by an 'A' team
Hiring the right talent is critical for any business to succeed. Companies must focus on both the technical know-how of a candidate as well as their belief in the company’s value systems, which eventually helps in setting the culture of the organization.
25th March 2019
Know MoreThings to Keep in Mind While Renovating Your Kitchen
In every household or office, a running kitchen or pantry is very important. We all want a kitchen that meets our needs and requirements. Let’s look at a few basics that you need to keep a check on when you consider renovating your kitchen.
21st March 2019
Know MoreEnergy Management for Residential Buildings
The International Energy Association predicts that electricity usage for residential appliances would grow by 12% between 2000 and 2010, eventually reaching 25% by 2020. This means strict measures need to be undertaken in residences as well buildings not just to conserve energy but also help protect the environment.
18th March 2019
Know MoreEntrepreneurship 101: Our Entrepreneurial Learnings
We used to compare Entrepreneurship to running a marathon. However, over the years we have learned that it is more like an ‘Ironman’ race (3.86 km swim, 180.25 km bicycle ride and a 42.20 km run). Not only will you need to grind it out like an Ironman, but you will also need different skills during this journey.
11th March 2019
Know MoreChallenges Faced in Interior Fit-outs and How to Solve Them
Many people look at their interior design refurbishments as an expense, but if done in the right way, they are infact an investment in your business’s/home’s growth and success after on. Though poorly orchestrated fitouts can often result into a nightmare, so it is essential that you plan out the fitouts in a way that you it can take into account several different variables that often lead to a bad fitout experience.
28th February 2019
Know More7 Guidelines for a Successful Real Estate Investment
Invest with a Reputed Developer: Investing with a developer who has a proven track record always pays off, even if you have to pay a premium for the Asset.
26th February 2019
Know More5 Leadership Mistakes an Entrepreneur Must Avoid
An entrepreneur is bound to make mistakes throughout his/her journey. However, the lessons a leader can learn from a mistake are invaluable. Entrepreneurs in their learning stage make plenty of mixed decisions – decisions related to hiring, investing in wrong projects, overspending, taking on more work than they can handle.
21st February 2019
Know MoreHow to Ensure a Smooth Handover from the Builder to the Society
A major task today is getting the right handover from your developer/builder to the Residential Association/Society to ensure that there are no obstacles in the future. Let’s look at a comprehensive checklist that you need to cover in this process.
14th February 2019
Know MoreChallenges Faced by Facility Managers and How to Resolve Them
Maintenance and operations of an asset is an ongoing process which includes facing challenges on a regular basis; the key here is to identifying them and solving them in the most efficient and effective way. Let’s look at a few challenges that the Facility Managers (FMs) are facing today and the solutions to them.
11th February 2019
Know MoreIndian Real Estate Sector Outlook - What to expect in 2019?
Instead of looking at real estate as a whole, it should be seen from the lens of the different asset classes within Real Estate.
23rd January 2019
Know MoreGuidelines For Fire Safety In Buildings
Every Facility Manager should be well-versed with the guidelines for fire safety.
12th January 2019
Know MoreThe Basics of Investing in Real Estate
If you've ever wondered how to begin investing in property, there are a few points you can keep in mind. Here are a few pointers:
9th January 2019
Know MoreGetting The Best Out Of Your Property’s Facility Management Team
Hiring the services of the right Facility Management Company is of utmost importance for the longevity and maintenance of a building.
7th January 2019
Know MoreConsolidation in the Real Estate sector post RERA
The introduction of RERA after the Demonetization drive will result in institutionalizing and consolidating the Real Estate Sector in India. Both, smaller developers/landowners & cash-starved developers will be forced to partner with larger developers or raise equity from institutional investors to survive post RERA.
2nd January 2019
Know MoreChanging Trends in Facility Management
The way facility management functions as an industry is rapidly changing. Let’s look at a few trends that are already a part of facility management and others that will soon be integrated into the sector.
20th December 2018
Know More“Sila Has Provided The Launchpad To Aim Higher In My Life” – Vinay Gangan, Asst. Manager – Procurement, Sila.
Employee(s) are the biggest asset in any organisation. Sincerity, honesty, productivity and mutual trust are essential qualities to be possessed by them. Not only do they work hard, but they also work smart.
20th December 2018
Know MoreHow to Communicate Your Project Vision to your Architect
The prospect of seeing a design develop from an idea to a complete project is an exciting experience for a brand that is looking to increase its momentum. Communicating your goals for the project can still be a difficult task hence here is the basic guideline to communicate your requirements to your architect for a commercial space.
18th December 2018
Know More“Sila Is Responsible For My Exponential Growth” – Dinesh Gupta, Manager – Accounts & Finance, Sila.
Employee(s) have their own capabilities and limits, but some push themselves to get the best out of them, holding firm their curiosity for learning new things.
11th December 2018
Know More“Sila Has Given Me Multiple Opportunities To Learn” – Hareesh Pillai, Project Engineer, Sila
Two of the important aspects a candidate looks for in a company are diversity and freedom to learn more. Meet Hareesh Pillai, Project Engineer, who understood that SILA is for even more, currently handling multiple projects, learning and growing with the every opportunity that comes through. Delving deep into what inspires him, and drives him ahead at work.
7th December 2018
Know MoreRaising Capital For A Start-Up
Stakeholder Management is one of the most important roles of a Founder. Employees, Clients and Investors form the 3 key stakeholders for any startup. In our opinion each one is equally important.
3rd December 2018
Know More“Sila Has Helped Me Grow As An Individual” – Raghav Kapur, Region Head – South India, Sila.
At SILA, employee experience is more important than ever. As our Founder and Managing Director, Sahil Vora says, ” I get more excited when someone gives me a reference for a great candidate over a business lead.”
29th November 2018
Know MoreSila’s Summary Note For 2017
Having been in the real estate services business since 2010, we believe that 2017 was an inflection point for SILA. We had one of our best years from a growth perspective, but more importantly, we have clarity on the next growth drivers and the road ahead.
17th November 2018
Know MoreFundamentals of Facility Management
Facility Management Companies play a key role in enhancing & sustaining the value of real estate asset. The term Facility or Property Management broadly encompasses the maintenance related activities of all classes of Real Estate Projects – Commercial, Residential, Infrastructure, Retail, Hospitality, Industrial.
15th November 2018
Know MoreHow Societies Benefit From Using Professional Property Management Firms
A professional property management firm can easily become one of your greatest assets, second only to the properties that they steward on your behalf. That said, your property manager will make critical decisions on your behalf making it extremely important that you do your homework during the hiring process.
15th November 2018
Know MoreAffordable Home Improvement Projects
Organizing your closets, fixing issues like a broken door or a chipped paint or simply decorating your house with flowers, wall art, paintings and more are the easiest ways to increase the allure of your home. Let’s look at few more elaborate improvement projects that would help you do the same with them being feasible as well.
13th November 2018
Know MoreSumer Trinity Towers – Luxury Residential Project
Sumer Trinity is a 36 story, premium, luxury apartment complex in the Prabhadevi neighbourhood of South Mumbai. The iconic residential skyscrapers provide luxury that is seldom matched elsewhere.
11th November 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered: Tara Shines Pan India – Tara Jewels
When Tara Jewels Ltd. contacted SILA, they were in the middle of planning an IPO. To give investors confidence in their plans, it was necessary for them to complete the roll out of their 35 stores across the nation within a short period of 4 months.
2nd November 2018
Know MoreWays To Improve Your Building’s Operational Efficiency
Searching ways to Improve Building Operational Efficiencies? Want to make the most out of your Building? Is Productivity at workplace your utmost concern?
28th October 2018
Know MoreEconomical Ways To Upgrade The Value Of Your House
When you are planning to sell your house, you definitely would want to look for the best possible rate from the sale. Let us look at a few economical ways to upgrade your house which indirectly would upgrade the value of it.
24th October 2018
Know MoreWhy You Should Consider Deep-Cleaning Your Home
India is fortunate enough to have an abundance of household help which skillfully keeps most homes clean through a range of cleaning services. However, despite daily sweeping and mopping of the house, most nooks and crannies stay untouched unless they're deep-cleaned.
24th October 2018
Know MoreDefining What’s Fair In The Workplace
There are several definitions for a fair workplace; the base to it remains the same – A company that ensures that their practices & processes are balanced and every employee is treated right. The fundamentals of a fair workplace begin with equality.
20th October 2018
Know MoreWaste Management For Commercial And Residential Buildings
Every building – be it residential, commercial, schools, hotels, restaurants and hotels, produces substantial amounts of materials and waste. Hence the facility team needs to focus on managing the same in the most optimum manner.
15th October 2018
Know MoreGuidelines For A Multi-store Roll-out
Want to roll out stores for your company? Don’t know how to go about it? Need guidelines to roll out multiple stores?
11th October 2018
Know MoreEverything You Need To Know Before Entering A Turnkey Contract
A Turnkey Contract is a business arrangement where the project is undertaken from the nascent stage and delivered upon completion. However, there are points that need to be kept in mind before entering the contract for the project from the technical, legal and other aspects.
7th October 2018
Know MoreConstruction Management is one of the best Industries to work in
Many industries have nowadays started adapting tech in order to increase efficiency and accuracy of the business. One of those really fast growing businesses after real estate sector is Construction, which is going to get crowded in the next two years.
2nd October 2018
Know MoreHonesty is the best policy as SILA Excels in offering Soft Services
‘Honesty is the Best Policy’ was a case well proven by one of our own who is deployed currently at Terminal T2 in Mumbai International Airport. Suman Dhoiphode when she returned diamond rings worth lakhs to their rightful owners last year made us believe again in today’s world that “Honesty is the Best Policy” indeed.
29th September 2018
Know MoreDesign Management – Part Art, Mostly Science
What’s With Design Management ? How does it affect any project and what are the factors related to it ? In any Real Estate Project, the Art or Creative part of the Design process should largely end at the Concept Stage of Design.
21st September 2018
Know MoreHow Facility Management has to evolve with Real Estate Markets
Facility Management is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, processes and now technology as well. Facility Management Services refer to the use of third-party service providers for the maintenance of the building/office facilities or outsourcing the management of entire facilities to an organization for the professional delivery of services.
19th September 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered – Hikal Pharmaceuticals
When Hikal Pharmaceuticals circulated their RFP for Facility Management at their 5 units across the country, SILA had been posturing itself to take up an increased number of industrial clients in the facility management space. On winning the contract, between January and April 2016 we deployed 200 odd staff in total at their 5 sites.
15th September 2018
Know MoreTalent Management in the Real Estate Services Sector
At SILA, our businesses include – real estate advisory, project/construction management, turnkey interior fit outs, facility management, & on-demand home services. As a result, the teams are spread over all business verticals lending great diversity to the organization.
1st September 2018
Know MoreJourney From A Janitor To A Senior Operations Manager – Meet Suresh Baria
Understanding and analysing an employee’s journey and growth have emerged as a key priority for human resources and business leaders. Here at SILA, we ensure that work satisfaction and self development go hand in hand.
29th August 2018
Know More6 Ways HR Policies Can Boost Gender Diversity at Workplace
HR (Human Resources) professionals get a lot of questions from the male team members on the non-existent father friendly policies which brings up the question that a lot is being spoken & written about women’s role as a parent. However, what is under-played many-a-times is the role of men as parents, which holds an equal importance in the growth of a child.
25th August 2018
Know More5 Tips to Improve Maintenance Standards at your Textile Factory
In 2012, SILA – Facility Management was asked to propose a solution to maintain a few of Alok Industries’ manufacturing units in Silvassa. Focus was to implement an efficient solution and upgrade the maintenance levels at their factories.
20th August 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered : SMAAASH
Facility Management is all about people, technology & processes. Our focus on training, standardization, and human resource management has allowed us to build best in class processes and systems to better optimize our service delivery.
17th August 2018
Know MoreCommon Myths about Facility Manager
There are a number of myths about a facility manager. Modern office environment has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, roles and responsibilities are drastically changing, but unfortunately our concept of a facility manager has not changed. We still consider these professionals as someone who flies under the radar, who is unseen and less sociable as compared to the other roles in the real estate services sector.
11th August 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered: Alok Industries
A milestone is a hard and fast due date that represents a major accomplishment during the course of the project that is being managed. Sometimes these milestones represent the approval of a major component in the project, like approved testing of the product for release one.
7th August 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered: First International Financial Center
CM&D SILA‘s relationship is exclusive to the owner as they act in the client’s best interests at all times; providing comprehensive management at every stage of a project. Whether it is in the creative stage starting with a concept, and project definition to the completion of construction and turnover of a quality project on budget and on time.
1st August 2018
Know MoreMeet Linda Williams from SILA Bangalore
Delving deep into what inspires her and drives her ahead at work.
23rd July 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered: Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 2
The year 2006 witnessed a momentous change for the airports in India with the privatization of Mumbai’s GVK Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (GVK CSIA). In order to achieve a global standard, GVK CSIA has partnered with well-known international experts for airport design and operations.
16th July 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered : Piramal Group, Mumbai
Facility Management is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the maintenance and upkeep of real estate assets. Large Facility Management efforts often cost much more than planned, some can put the whole organization in jeopardy. The companies that defy these odds are the ones that master key dimensions that align real estate and business value.
11th July 2018
Know MoreHome Automation – The Next Step
In February 2015, in order to offer an extensive list of home services to residences across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and New Delhi. The services include deep cleaning, sofa shampooing, pest control and home health analysis.
7th July 2018
Know More“Hello, Pantry?” – a tale of mutual respect
What’s a workplace without Mutual Respect ? In today’s world of cruelty and rudeness, here’s highlighting a tale of mutual respect between colleagues.
2nd July 2018
Know MoreMapping Performance of the Front Line in Facility Management
The communication and operations gaps in a people intensive business are understood by industry veterans. Before technology was as cheap and easy to implement as it is now, certain mishaps were taken to be a part of the business and the margin was calculated keeping these gaps in mind.
28th June 2018
Know MoreRole of Technology in the Facility Management Business
Facility Management businesses form a part of the service sector, and it is plagued with issues for the human resources teams to manage. Organizations have huge diversity across employees, owing to the geographical, nature of isolated sites and lack of competencies which allow communication gaps to be bridged. What makes technology in facility management industry a value added to their services ?
21st June 2018
Know MorePerformance Management in the Real Estate Services Sector
Performance Management relates to monitoring the performance of employees. It proves out to be a crucial factor in improvising the key areas where the organisation is concerned about. Performance Management in the Real Estate Sector is an essential factor as it involves determining the trends and using certain strategies to shoot them.
15th June 2018
Know MoreNavigating Through Personnel Strengths And Weaknesses In Facility Management
Though this may not be exclusive for the facility management sector in India, a Gallup study highlights how employees who make the most of their strengths in their workplace, are six times more likely to be engaged than their colleagues who seem to be lost on this crucial alignment.
10th June 2018
Know MoreFacility Management For Residential Buildings
The percentage of stand-alone residential buildings & gated communities that outsource the management of their properties is increasing steadily. This trend of outsourcing Building Management to professional property management companies will continue to grow as per the needs of the consumer.
7th June 2018
Know MoreRole of Transformational Leadership in Facility Management Companies
As the world becomes increasingly connected, it offers organizations in the facility management sector an opportunity to engage with an employee at an enhanced level. Today’s teams seek job fulfillment and are keen to work for organizations which are known for their employee friendly policies.
7th June 2018
Know MoreHow work culture offers a distinct Competitive Edge in Facility Management Companies
Attrition rates in the services sector are 19.3%, according to a survey conducted by Aon Hewitt, as published in Business Standard. It is an understood fact that the front line teams face the massive churn throughout the year, owing to the lack of awareness, loyalty and stickiness. Let us understand the “Work culture in facility management companies”
1st June 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered: The J&K Bank Mumbai
SILA, being one of the leading and the fastest growing Facility Management service providers in India, focuses on training, standardization, and human resource management has allowed us to build best in class processes and systems to better optimize our service delivery.
23rd May 2018
Know MoreHow does SILA win at Delivering Housekeeping Services
SILA provides professional housekeeping services in India.
20th May 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered : Pepperfry
CM&D SILA’s expertise is in mediating construction disputes, which expedites the schedule and minimizes delays and cost overruns – all projects in India to date have been examples of where capital market client have brought in CM&D SILA to expedite or take control of the project in order to ensure timely delivery.
16th May 2018
Know MoreProject Delivered : Accor Hotels
For anyone involved in project delivery, it highlights how understanding the customer’s goals and requirements from the very start, has the power to either make or break a project. Being in the Facility and Construction management business, its highly essential for us to understand customer service in all detail.
11th May 2018
Know MoreThe New Breed Of Real Estate Services In India
Back when SILA started with facility management operations in April 2010, we had not expected that our culture would eat our strategy for breakfast. the fact that is has, speaks of our inclusion in the global movement that is revolutionizing work cultures.
7th May 2018
Know MoreHow SILA Leads with a Focus on Customer Service
Being in the services business comes with its own basket of wins and challenges. Facility management remains as core business for SILA.
2nd May 2018
Know MoreUnderstanding Facility Management Services
SILA is the one of India’s fastest growing facility management providers – with clients ranging from the pharmacy giants, premium commercial properties, exclusive gated communities to highly respected real estate developers. What has truly contributed to the growth is our focus on key differentiation, which leads to a superior customer experience.
27th April 2018
Know MoreWhen NextBigWhat Featured SILA
The journey of Sahil Vora and Rushabh Vora through building and growing SILA has been equally fascinating as it has been inspiring. Having young bankers open up a facility management shop is quite unusual, though you have had engineers venturing into home services.
23rd April 2018
Know MoreThe State of Facility Management in India
The Indian Facilities Management (FM) industry is in the midst of rapid developments in end-user industries, which has led to the considerable growth of commercial activities in metropolitan cities such as Delhi /NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
19th April 2018
Know MoreWatch Sahil & Rushabh Vora on The Young Turks, CNBC TV18
Watch brothers Sahil and Rushabh Vora who decided to move from high flying careers in investment banking to starting up a facility and project management venture for the realty sector
18th April 2018
Know MoreVenturing Into Project Management with CM&D SILA
On 3rd March 2014, the Property Times carried the following headlines which led to the birth of our new company. SILA and Construction Management and Development Inc. (CM&D) have formed a joint venture – CM&D SILA Development Services India Pvt. Ltd. – to provide Project Management and related services for Real Estate development projects across India.
16th April 2018
Know MoreTop 5 Challenges In Facilities Management
Facility managers face many challenges each day. From maintenance issues to working on long-term energy efficiency goals, there is a lot to worry about when your job title is Facility Manager. So what are some of the most common and most difficult challenges for a Facility Manager?
8th January 2018
Know MoreHow HR Leaders Make Organizations Future-Ready
HR leaders are on a constant lookout for new strategies that can make organizations dynamic, agile, and future-ready. While you cannot accurately predict the business challenges that your company might have to face, the right HR leaders can be the key to overcome those very challenges.