Key takeaways
What property managers can take from Benjamin’s perspective
- Give to get. Benjamin says the value of BOMA comes from getting involved in what you love, from golf tournaments to awards to advocacy, and building your network there.
- Operations matter more than design. Most of a building’s life is day-to-day operations, which is why BOMA BEST certifies how buildings are run, not just how they were built.
- Carbon is becoming the main measure. Energy efficiency and energy sources are now the biggest focus, while the social side of ESG, like accessible washrooms, still needs work.
- Downtowns need help now. Benjamin worries that without action on poverty, safety, transit, and hybrid work, Canada could see a generational loss in its downtown cores.
- Buy technology that solves a problem. It’s easy to buy tech and much harder to know what to buy, so pick tools that improve efficiency or the bottom line.
About the guest
BS
Benjamin Shinewald
President and CEO, BOMA Canada
Benjamin has led BOMA Canada, the national association for building owners and managers, since 2012. A lawyer by training, he practised on Bay Street, worked in the federal government at the Privy Council Office, and led a national non-profit before joining BOMA.
Episode summary
In this episode
Jared Sarbit talks with Benjamin Shinewald, President and CEO of BOMA Canada. Benjamin is a lawyer by training who worked in the federal government and led a national non-profit before joining BOMA in 2012.
Benjamin explains what BOMA is and how members get the most from it, then walks through BOMA BEST, the sustainability certification held by more than 4,000 buildings in Canada, and its newer BOMA BEST Smart program. He shares how BOMA works with government, why carbon pricing predictability matters, and why he is concerned about the future of Canada’s downtowns.
He also covers the BOMA Plus janitorial accreditation, the role of technology in buildings, what is coming next for BOMA Canada, and why leaders should read more widely than business books.
Chapters
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:04Introducing Benjamin Shinewald
- 1:45From law and government to BOMA Canada
- 4:39What BOMA does
- 6:40BOMA BEST certification
- 9:43Sustainability and ESG
- 11:59Education and BOMEX
- 13:55Technology and BOMA BEST Smart
- 15:46Working with government
- 17:50Carbon pricing and downtown recovery
- 22:48BOMA Plus janitorial accreditation
- 25:41The future of property management
- 27:59What’s next for BOMA Canada
- 29:40Why leaders should read widely
Jump to a chapter (14)
- 0:00Episode preview
- 1:04Introducing Benjamin Shinewald
- 1:45From law and government to BOMA Canada
- 4:39What BOMA does
- 6:40BOMA BEST certification
- 9:43Sustainability and ESG
- 11:59Education and BOMEX
- 13:55Technology and BOMA BEST Smart
- 15:46Working with government
- 17:50Carbon pricing and downtown recovery
- 22:48BOMA Plus janitorial accreditation
- 25:41The future of property management
- 27:59What’s next for BOMA Canada
- 29:40Why leaders should read widely
From the conversation
Transcript excerpts
I’m really really concerned that if we don’t turn the ship we’re going to have a generational loss in downtowns.
Benjamin ShinewaldPlay from 0:07
I’m going to get a lot out of being a member of BOMA by giving a lot to BOMA.
Benjamin ShinewaldPlay from 6:00
It’s… relatively easy to buy technology, it’s quite hard to know what to buy.
Benjamin ShinewaldPlay from 26:27
Want a cleaning partner that supports your BOMA BEST goals?
We’ll walk your building with you and send a written cleaning scope and price. Free, no obligation.
Read the conversation
Full episode transcript
Show transcript
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FAQ
Questions about BOMA Canada
What is BOMA Canada?
BOMA Canada is the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada, a not-for-profit industry association that is more than 100 years old. It has 11 chapters across the country and serves asset managers, property managers, building operators, and the vendors who work with them.
What is BOMA BEST certification?
BOMA BEST sets standards for sustainably operated buildings, helping owners assess where they are, certify their achievements, and plan improvements. Benjamin Shinewald says more than 4,000 buildings in Canada are certified, and version 4.0 adds a sister program, BOMA BEST Smart, for smart buildings.
What is the BOMA Plus janitorial accreditation?
BOMA Plus is an accreditation that sets an industry standard for what owners and managers expect from janitorial companies. Benjamin says it was designed so that both small and large cleaning companies can achieve it, with pricing that makes it accessible.
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