Barings, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has announced that its 180,000 sq. ft. Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre offers occupiers a ‘touch-free’ experience due to a host of smart technology features. Technology forms an integral part of Landmark’s design,
The construction of three existing schools, which will accommodate an additional 990 students in Sandwell, has just been started by Willmott Dixon. The £23.8 million projects include Q3 Academy Langley, West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Bristnall Hall Academy, all three being able to provide school places from September 2021. Designed
A commercial trash compactor is a type of machine that allows you to reduce waste products so that it can take less space in dumpsters, landfills, and garbage cans. Upgrading your waste management systems is noteworthy if the volume of waste materials need efficient processes. Any type of business looking
Concrete forms are designed to withstand heavy loads, but they aren’t invincible. That’s why it’s important for contractors to avoid placing excessive and unnecessary pressure on their forms when pouring concrete. Until concrete cures, it behaves like a liquid. That means it exerts hydrostatic pressure on the forms into which
The welfare, health, and safety of workers should be the main concern for business owners. Apart from offering labor, employees can also save you a lot of money. The cash lost because of sickness, or other health problems costs businesses in the US billions of dollars. However, operating your machines
CHAS, the supply chain risk management experts and the National Federation of Builders (NFB) have renewed their commitment to promoting high operating standards within the UK construction industry. Under the latest agreement discounted membership of CHAS will give NFB members the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to operating in line with
Commercial construction involves building, renovating, or designing buildings using the most appropriate equipment and qualified personnel. The projects can vary from large-scale, medium-scale, or large-scale. Most commercial construction companies specialize in offices, residential, government, retail, and institutional buildings. They are numerous advantages of hiring expert constructors such as Baycrest in
Construction management is a complex field that involves the supervision of a construction project so that it goes according to plan. A construction manager manages the project to go in line with the budget and the timeline. They should make it achievable while ensuring they meet the building codes, design
It is one thing being able to start a construction company and quite another thing managing to ensure its successful operation. To be a successful construction business owner (or any other business owner, for that matter), you need to be able to exhibit the kind of flexibility that is required
Are you looking for ways that construction businesses can secure their footing on the market this year. Our recommendation is that you explore the latest technology on the market. Here’s why this might be a smart choice. Security One of the first reasons why you should invest in the latest
Barings, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has announced that its 180,000 sq. ft. Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre offers occupiers a ‘touch-free’ experience due to a host of smart technology features. Technology forms an integral part of Landmark’s design, which is why it achieved Wired Score Platinum certification. Landmark includes a host of features such as: pre-installed ultra-fast fibre connections with Colt, Openreach and Telcom; free WiFi; intelligent destination control lifts; smart building management systems, close proximity to The Loop network, smart access control and visitor management systems; a bespoke occupier engagement app; intelligent LED lighting that responds to outside conditions; and solar panels on the roof generating on-site electricity. Recent research undertaken by CBRE, joint agents on Landmark with Colliers International, states that adoption of touch-free technology and other smart building tools will support new work practices as part of updated occupier strategies. CBRE’s 2020 Occupier Flash Survey, conducted in May 2020, concluded that touch-free technology is expected to be adopted by 45% of those surveyed with 41% reporting an increased interest in buildings with WELL or sustainable features. The survey suggests technology investment was very much at the heart of occupiers’ strategies before the protocol shifts necessitated by the pandemic, at which time 83% of EMEA occupiers reported they were intending to increase future investment in real estate technology and 21% said they were prepared to pay a rental premium of more than 20% for tech-enabled buildings. Ian Mayhew, Managing Director at Barings, said; “Having acknowledged that forward-thinking businesses want next generation office space with resilient digital connectivity, the technological infrastructure at Landmark played a vital role in the design and construction of the building. Recent events have highlighted the importance of providing occupiers with a touch-free experience in addition to the all-important ‘plug and play’ set up when they move in and the ability to work at speed on a daily basis without interruptions. “From entering the building, either on foot through the revolving doors, or by car or cycle, occupiers and visitors have a completely touch-free journey through the building to their office destination in large part thanks to the bespoke occupier app working in conjunction with smart access controls and visitor management systems” Said Mayhew. Neil Mort, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester, continued: “CBRE’s research shows that investment in technology is now an integral part of occupiers’ real estate strategies advancing beyond a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’ element. Digital buildings help to drive operational efficiencies and reduce costs as well as enhance productivity and improve the occupier experience, ensuring that the value of integrated technology extends far beyond the immediate health situation. Covid-19 has changed and challenged the way we work, with digital lifelines now more essential than ever. It has also presented an opportunity for companies to accelerate their digital transformation. Landmark is well placed to help a wide cross section of companies enter a ‘new normal’.” The technological infrastructure at Landmark is a key reason high profile companies such as global property consultancy JLL relocated its 170-strong Manchester team to the 10th floor; now JLL’s largest commercial office outside of London, and why strong interest is being shown in the remainder of the space. Landmark offers 14 floors of BREEAM Excellent, virtually column-free office space and was built with an offset core to enable not only large and efficient floorplates but also maximum flexibility to occupiers. This removes a design barrier in any fit-out project and enables occupiers to design their office space in a flexible way, allowing the workplace to accommodate social distancing guidelines if needed again in the future. Substantial private and public sector capital has gone into the transformation of St Peter’s Square and the Civic Quarter in recent years. This has led to a number of major occupiers relocating to the area. Landmark, which has received overwhelming support from Manchester City Council, is the concluding project for the prime St Peter’s Square business district.
The construction of three existing schools, which will accommodate an additional 990 students in Sandwell, has just been started by Willmott Dixon. The £23.8 million projects include Q3 Academy Langley, West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Bristnall Hall Academy, all three being able to provide school places from September 2021. Designed in conjunction with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and ADP Architecture, the facilities are being built as part of the authority’s Schools Capital Programme 2019-2021. “We are very excited to be on-site at these three prominent developments within Sandwell – these schemes will provide much-needed school places for the local community throughout its period of rapid expansion,” said Michelle Cotterill, operations director at Willmott Dixon. “We have experience within the education industry and a proven track record of working in live education environments. We are delighted to be providing Sandwell Council with a trio of high-quality education facilities,” Michelle added. The specifications for the development, which have been procured via the Constructing West Midlands Framework, include the following: extending the existing teaching accommodation including providing a theatre, new multi-use hall and completion of all external spaces at Q3 Academy Langley, the completion of a new specialist teaching block, a sports hall and a new sports pitch at West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and the provision of a new stand-alone building comprising of teaching, kitchen and dining facilities at Bristnall Hall Academy.
A commercial trash compactor is a type of machine that allows you to reduce waste products so that it can take less space in dumpsters, landfills, and garbage cans. Upgrading your waste management systems is noteworthy if the volume of waste materials need efficient processes. Any type of business looking to streamline its waste management will benefit from shifting to the commercial trash compactor. If your business also needs something manageable and smaller, you can consider the following tips to successfully buy an industrial trash compactor. Be Familiar with the Features Improving productivity is the ultimate solution for many companies. Ensuring that the compaction speed can keep up with the company’s productions is important. With the rates reaching around 300 pounds per hour, equipment like KenBay commercial trash compactors are fast and in no position to hold up the production process. The compaction rate of these machines is also high, so you may save enough space by reducing the volume of waste materials. Whether you save space with piles of cardboard boxes or waste removal, these pieces of equipment will reduce the dumping costs. 2. Know Different Types of Compactors Buying compaction equipment from a provider like Rotobale may be a great step for your business with a lot of wastes. If you generate around 40 cubic yards of waste materials every week, vertical compactors may be a perfect solution you need. However, for businesses that generate more than 100 cubic yards, self-contained or stationary compactors can serve them well. Self-contained compactors are designed to deal with granulated or waste materials, which may leak. Some of these wastes include medical and food processing yards. As for stationary compactors, you can use them in applications like: Warehouse Industrial Retail 3. Learn About the Maintenance Tips With unattended trash compactors, garbage may accumulate and overflow, resulting in unseemly piles of waste. As the litter continues to fester and pile-up, your equipment may become a breeding ground for bacteria that causes diseases. Because of that nature, your compactor may be prone to constant tear and wear, especially when used regularly. To prolong the lifespan of the equipment, you need to learn about the maintenance tips. Inspecting can be a better way of maintaining your equipment, and this should be done after every one or two weeks. With regular inspection, you’ll note the weak points and parts of the machine that require replacement. Consequently, you may also consider changing the oil filter, keeping the power unit clean, checking all connections for faults, and using quality all-weather hydraulic fluid. 4. Understand the Safety Measures Using commercial trash contractors may come with numerous hazards, so it may be important to ensure that your staff operates the pieces of equipment with precaution. All your employees should not handle your equipment without safety training; otherwise, there might be serious accidents with consequences. You can also consider two safety rules, which you can follow when using compactors. Firstly, you need to ensure the compactor’s door is closed before operating your equipment. Lastly, you should never open the door while the compactor is still operating because the risks can be massive. Apart from training your staff and considering safety rules, you should also consider: Keeping animals away for the equipment Understanding the loading limits Using a rod for moving compactors The Bottom Line! Many businesses, including hospitals and manufacturing companies, use commercial trash compactors. Smaller versions referred to as SmartPack Automatic Trash Compactor are quickly replacing ordinary trash equipment in fast service restaurants, airports, and cafeterias. You can also do the same for your business to save on removal costs, avoid diseases, and increase productivity.
Concrete forms are designed to withstand heavy loads, but they aren’t invincible. That’s why it’s important for contractors to avoid placing excessive and unnecessary pressure on their forms when pouring concrete. Until concrete cures, it behaves like a liquid. That means it exerts hydrostatic pressure on the forms into which it is poured, acting laterally on the vertical faces of the formwork. This hydrostatic pressure is temporary since fresh concrete changes from a liquid to a quasi-solid relatively fast. In the meantime, though, the formwork must be solid and secure enough to withstand vertical and horizontal loads and lateral pressure. Vertical Loads Using prefabricated Lightweight Formwork rated for the intended use is the easiest way to avoid formwork system failures, but there are some applications that require custom-built forms. When designing custom forms, keep in mind that the vertical load will include not just the weight and hydrostatic pressure of the wet concrete but also the weight of the forms themselves. It’s often the case that the forms must also withstand vertical loads from equipment, tools, and workers, as well. Concrete with normal reinforcement ratios exerts a dead load of 22 to 25 kN/m3. It’s fine to use this estimated dead load to calculate vertical loads in most cases. However, the weight of the materials must be computed separately if the reinforcement appears to be heavy. According to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), live loads, including workers, tools, and small equipment, can be estimated at a minimum of 2.39 kPa. If motorized carts or buggies will be used, assume a minimum vertical live load of 2.39 kPa. Both the vertical dead load and the live load must be taken into consideration when designing formwork. Horizontal Loads While vertical loads are caused by the weight of the material, the forms, the concrete workers, and any tools or equipment they will be using, horizontal loads are caused by factors like inclined supports or inclined dumping of concrete, seismic loads, and wind loads. The ACI Committee 347 offers detailed recommendations for designing formwork to accommodate minimum horizontal loads. They suggest using the greater of 1.5 kN/linear meter or 2% of the total dead load on the form calculated as a uniform load per meter of edges as a guidepost for ensuring adequate bracing to prevent lateral collapse. Lateral Pressures Vertical concrete formworks are subject to internal lateral pressures in addition to horizontal and vertical loads. Lateral pressures are more difficult to calculate since they vary based on the type and depth of the concrete, its state of curing, and the speed of vertical placement. It’s always best to consult a licensed engineer for help with calculating lateral pressure. Keep in mind that the lateral pressure exerted on concrete walls and columns is transferred to the external tie elements found on the sides of forms and to the plywood, studs, and tension ties found on wall forms. That means not just the form materials themselves, but also all external tie elements must be strong enough to withstand strong lateral pressures. The Bottom Line Calculating horizontal and vertical loads for concrete foundations and lateral pressures for concrete walls and columns requires a good deal of specialized knowledge and experience. The easiest way for amateurs to ensure that their formwork will be able to withstand the pressure of poured concrete is to purchase prefabricated forms rated for their intended purposes. Those who plan to make custom forms should always consult licensed engineers before using them.
The welfare, health, and safety of workers should be the main concern for business owners. Apart from offering labor, employees can also save you a lot of money. The cash lost because of sickness, or other health problems costs businesses in the US billions of dollars. However, operating your machines properly or being secure on the catwalk can be a good way to enhance your workers’ safety. By getting rid of contaminants, bringing in lots of fresh air, and removing dust fumes, an industrial ventilation system from a provider like Canarm might be the first line of defense against illnesses. Whether you need to ventilate your workspace or keep off pollutants, going for an effective system will ascertain that you breathe fresh air. Parts of the System Depending on a particular situation, you may require a combination of some parts of the industrial ventilation system. For instance, when you want to ventilate your workspace, it may not be enough to buy a big fan. You’ll also have to do the necessary calculations so you can figure out the amount of airflow you require in the workspace to solve your air or heat quality requirements. Beyond that, you may need to consider whether your application needs a negative, balanced, or positive pressure; otherwise, the consequences may be disastrous. To be on a safe side, consider various configurations of the propeller, including size, pitch, and shape. Other parts that a ventilation system may come with include the following: Dampers Air filters Silencers Dehumidifiers Dust collectors Louvers Different Types of the System The industrial ventilation system is divided into two main categories; local exhaust ventilation and dilution ventilation. Local exhaust ventilation aims at stopping pollutants before spreading. Unlike dilution ventilation, local exhaust system doesn’t depend on fans to disperse air. Instead, it works the same way vacuum does and usually results in a low amount of contaminants. For that matter, it can be convenient to get rid of the high amount of dust and toxic chemicals. On the other hand, dilution ventilation may encompass a few techniques that range from allowing fresh air by opening windows and doors to using big fans. The main purpose of this system is to take air away from employees to ensure they don’t breathe in contaminated air while handling business projects. Safety of the Unit Rotating blades have a significant risk of injury, and should be handled with care and vigilance. If you are not careful, this may be hazardous to your respiratory system and eyes. For you to avoid such risks, it would be best to tag out and lock out the system when working on your equipment. You may also test it by operating the starter to make sure the whole unit is not energized. Guards may keep employees safe from all sorts of dangers when operating a ventilation system. However, they can also become a commercial safety hazard, so it would be important to ensure guards are in a good state. Apart from guards and rotating blades, it may also be important to be careful with: Debris or any material entering the system Hot surfaces Blade failures Pinch points in sheaves Final Touches! Air quality is one of the powerful requirements that you need to provide for your workers. When you have a go with a commercial ventilation system, you will be in a better position to make your employees healthy, safe, and happy. Beyond that, you may also keep materials and products free from problems, which may come with impurities and pollution.
CHAS, the supply chain risk management experts and the National Federation of Builders (NFB) have renewed their commitment to promoting high operating standards within the UK construction industry. Under the latest agreement discounted membership of CHAS will give NFB members the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to operating in line with high safety, sustainability and ethical standards via CHAS’s third party accreditation packages. CHAS membership will also mean they are eligible to be assessed to the construction industry’s new Common Assessment Standard which CHAS was the first accreditation body to offer following its launch in 2019 and which is now is being specified by employers including HS2 and the Crown Commercial Service. Under the agreement CHAS will offer all valid NFB members a 20% discount, for both new and existing/renewing contractors. NFB Contractors will be visible within the CHAS client portal upon order purchase and/or accreditation, making their profile visible to over 1500 CHAS Clients. NFB will provide CHAS accredited contractors up to 10 % discount when joining the NFB and for subsequent renewals which will give them access to a growing range of benefits including training support and business services. Ian McKinnon, Managing Director of CHAS comments: “We are delighted to be renewing this important partnership which will help construction firms of all sizes demonstrate compliance and build their businesses. Both CHAS and the NFB have gone from strength to strength since we first joined forces in 2018 so it is exciting to be able to bring an even greater range of benefits to our respective memberships.” Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, says: “We are very happy to be renewing this agreement with CHAS which will help our members’ businesses prosper while opening up a range of benefits to CHAS members.” About CHAS: CHAS is the leading provider of risk prevention, compliance and supply chain management services for clients and contractors. Since 1997, CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) has been helping to improve health and safety standards across the UK and safeguard organisations from risk. CHAS is an authority and trusted advisor on health and safety compliance, responsible for setting industry benchmarks and providing the new Common Assessment Standards. CHAS’s aim is simple: To standardise and simplify health and safety assessment for contractors To support organisations in efficiently managing their supply chains To deliver a full suite of supply chain management tools.
Commercial construction involves building, renovating, or designing buildings using the most appropriate equipment and qualified personnel. The projects can vary from large-scale, medium-scale, or large-scale. Most commercial construction companies specialize in offices, residential, government, retail, and institutional buildings. They are numerous advantages of hiring expert constructors such as Baycrest in your new-build up, renovation, and redesigning of any building. Disposal of equipment They are heavy machineries such as excavators, backhoe, bulldozers, loaders, and trenchers, which are useful in constructing new buildings. Most of these pieces of equipment are expensive to acquire in the market. In most cases, it’s unreasonable to purchase such expensive equipment for one time project. Construction companies specialize in building from the initial start-up stage to the final finishing stage. They have invested in various equipment that is critical in all phases of constructing any building. Hiring the experts ensures the process of crafting and modeling a new house is hassle-free and conducted correctly. It gives you peace of mind as you don’t need to hire or buy expensive construction equipment. Specialized services Construction experts specialize in various niches as remodeling, flooring, wall construction, and roofing, among others. Some professionals specialize in one niche and aim to offer exceptional services in that area. Hiring them allows you to enjoy their world-class facilities and ensure that the building’s final appearance is satisfactory. Lower risks Improper construction such as unstable foundation and weak walls subject your house to numerous risks such as collapse. Also, hiring incompetent workers leads to developing sub-standard buildings that pose health risks to the occupants. They can also end up constructing buildings that don’t comply with the laws and regulations of the country, leading to you facing major legal implications. In the construction process, the law requires that you insure your workers in case of accidents. With commercial construction, the workers are already protected by the company, and you will not incur the costs of insurance expenses. Warranted services Warranted services mean that the company will be liable if the construction services do not meet the expected standards or don’t give the expected results. If the construction has any imperfections or vulnerabilities, the company will offer correctional facilities at no extra cost. Most local constructors don’t offer warranted services, and if their services are questionable, it is impossible to hold them accountable for any negligence in the service delivery. Also, you will have to incur extra costs for the rectification of construction mistakes. Customized services The commercial constructors aim at ensuring you are 100% satisfied with their service delivery. They aim at ensuring they attend to your needs in a specialized manner. If you want renovations of your office space, the expert will ensure that the office is renovated and designed according to your work nature and taste and preference. They will involve you in the construction process to ensure you can recommend your desired final look. Bottom Line Despite its size and nature, every construction project needs an expert to ensure it is done correctly. Commercial construction experts ensure that the final building structure meets the right standards, is built according to your preference, and complies with the country’s laws. It would be best if you considered hiring them on your next construction project to ensure the process is conducted in a hassle-free manner.
Construction management is a complex field that involves the supervision of a construction project so that it goes according to plan. A construction manager manages the project to go in line with the budget and the timeline. They should make it achievable while ensuring they meet the building codes, design and specifications. A project manager can also be charged with hiring on-site workers, setting the finances, timelines, setting a communication strategy and generally developing a potential strategy for the project’s success. For construction to come to fruition, it undergoes five significant processes that every construction manager should familiarize themselves with. Initiation Before the project begins, the necessary stakeholders(it could be the owner of the construction and the construction manager) must create and develop a business case to determine if the project is feasible. Feasibility is the practicality of the project, which involves the identification of the project’s objective and need. The business case includes the recommended course of action. The necessary stakeholders conduct an examination study to determine whether each action identifies the project’s objective and come into a final recommendation. If the project is feasible, they initiate the work plan and write the project initiation document (PID). Planning During the planning of the construction project, it involves the identification of each activity that will take place as well as resource allocation. The team identifies all the work, the project’s task and the strategies for producing the required resources. A project plan outlines the activities, tasks, and timeframes involving the work. The project manager plans the preparation of the project finances by providing an estimate in terms of labour, equipment and material costs. It is also known as scope management. Then there is the creation of the last quality plan that shows the communication plan, risk management plan, control measures and an acceptable plan. The communication plan outlines the framework to be used to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings. The risk plan identifies risks beforehand, such as cost and timelines that may not be met or resources shortage. The acceptance plan outlines the criteria that will be useful in gaining the client’s acceptance in the project’s execution. Execution Execution involves the implementation of the project by putting the work into motion at the site. The project manager should continually monitor progress, maintain control and communicate during each stage of the project’s implementation. Appropriate adjustments are made during implementation and recorded as variances from the original plan. A construction project management accounting software comes handy in monitoring cost expenditures, task implementation during construction and the project’s progress. The construction manager uses the information to control the direction of the project to go hand in hand with the project plan and also to measure the performance. If there is any deviation, the team makes corrections immediately. Performance and monitoring Performance and monitoring happen concurrently with the execution phase. The manager updates the stakeholders on the progress of the project during team meetings. The status reports should highlight the probable endpoints in terms of time, costs and the project’s quality. This phase is crucial to measure progress and performance and ensure that the project is in line with the original project plan. In this stage, it’s also important that construction teams need to be Covid-19 compliant to ensure excellent performance. The construction industry needs to abide with existing health and safety protocols to avoid facing legal consequences. Construction managers can use a project management software or service software to easily monitor field workers remotely. This way, managers or supervisors can monitor a wider range of workers and projects, and save time and effort commuting from one construction site area to another. Using the right performance and monitoring tools, managers and other team members will have one place to check accurate data, promoting good collaboration and productivity. Supervisors can immediately update the management of the project status, employee performance, project issues, photos, videos, and other relevant information. Through this, the management can make seamless and sound decision, making for a successful construction project. The closure phase of the construction This phase marks the project’s fruition. There is the termination of supplier contracts, initiation of the final budget account and handing over the project documents to the building owner. Then there is the communication of the project’s closure. The construction manager may hold a meeting to what if the team met the project’s objectives and where goals weren’t accomplishable and why. It helps in improving future projects. Takeaway Construction management is no longer confined in one setting or place at a time because managers can multitask with the help of advanced technology, such as software programs. Proper implementation of various stages in the construction project includes careful planning, objective execution, performance monitoring, and compliance with government laws. From start to finish, you can use the above guide to help achieve your short-term and long-term goals for your construction business.
It is one thing being able to start a construction company and quite another thing managing to ensure its successful operation. To be a successful construction business owner (or any other business owner, for that matter), you need to be able to exhibit the kind of flexibility that is required to run a business in addition to the right organisational skills and a solid business plan. Expecting business to start coming your way just because you have opened a construction company is a grave mistake. To successfully run your company and rake in financial rewards, you need to put the right measures in place. Let’s take a look at some of these measures. Embrace the benefits of technology The construction industry is constantly improving, with technological advancement and information at the driving seat. Thus, you need to embrace new forms of technology and ensure that you incorporate them in the modus operandi of any kind of construction project you undertake. This will help ensure that you achieve quality goals through cost-effective means that take less time to complete. As your business begins and continues to grow, you will need to avail yourself to the right kind of information that will enable you to integrate data, control tasks, and even communicate with your suppliers in an effective way. Thus, make sure to sign up for technological advancements such as cloud computing and different kinds of construction software. The former will ensure that your company has reliable access to information, while the latter will give you the ability to execute your projects more efficiently, timely, and effectively. Keep proper records Keeping detailed records is another effective way of exploiting the technological advancements already mentioned to the benefit of your business. Keeping proper and detailed records will also ensure that you keep tabs on everything in your business. It also shows you the position of your business in terms of its operations and finances. This makes it easy to identify business challenges that require immediate attention while guiding you to formulate the right strategies or policies that work best for your business. You also need to ensure that your company data or information is adequately protected. The IT company Netstar offers cyber security solutions that come with the protection of your company’s critical data and systems from cyber attack. Have a unique strategy You need to have a business strategy that is unique and even revolutionary – a strategy that will mean that you are always ahead of yourself. Your strategy should allow you to be proactive, and always look for new ways of improving your business, and thus, set it apart from the others. Create a construction business strategy that will help you focus on the targets that should be achieved, making projections into the future as well as making preparations for any kind of unexpected events. The big idea here is to avoid being reactive to situations that arise, instead of being proactive. Having a solid business strategy will also help you eliminate many issues that other construction businesses suffer from. Make your clients happy The success or otherwise of your business will depend a whole lot on whether your customers are happy and satisfied or not. If they are, your business will grow; if they are not, then you can expect to lose them to a competitor. Every successful construction business owner will admit that the customer is king. This means that you have to put the interest of your clients at the helm of your priority list. You need to establish trust between your business and your clients – and this includes those potential clients that only call in to make enquiries. Always remember that when it comes to customer delight, the best approach to creating a strong bond with your customers is to ensure their happiness while working with you. Create a committed team The kind of team that you invest in can also become the difference between making profits or losses. The construction business is a very demanding one. Thus, you need to surround yourself with a team that is as committed as you are to achieving your goals. Create clear goals with your team and share the responsibilities with them. Make them feel like they belong to a family in your business. This sense of belonging can be enough to gain their loyalty, devotion and hard work. But do not stop there, take time to scout frequently for new talents that you can add to your team – new hands that will bring something different and help the business grow.
Are you looking for ways that construction businesses can secure their footing on the market this year. Our recommendation is that you explore the latest technology on the market. Here’s why this might be a smart choice. Security One of the first reasons why you should invest in the latest technology for your business is to guarantee that the right security standards are there for day one. You might not think that construction businesses are targeted for hackers that often. However, it occurs a lot more often than most people realise and when you think about it, that makes a lot of sense. After all, construction companies often have a lot of data on major clients. In the wrong hands, this could be incredibly valuable and might even be sold on the black market. But it’s not just about data security. You need to think about protecting the physical elements of your construction business too. For instance, you should consider using remote CCTV systems. Remote CCTV systems will allow you to keep a check on your construction site, even when you are away from it. This will provide you and your clients the peace of mind that your construction project is not in jeapordy. Impress Your Customers Another key point to consider is how to ensure that your customers are impressed with your company and what you can offer. The right technology is a great way to do this because it will ensure that your company looks modern and successful. If you invest in the latest innovative tech, then customers are going to make snap judgements like this about your business. This could give you the upper hand over a competitor who could be biting at your heels. Of course, it’s not just about how things look, it’s about how things feel. Ultimately, the right technology is going to ensure that processes in your business feel a lot smoother and more streamlined. You won’t have to worry about customers waiting for hours to receive an update for your business because this can be automated. You won’t have to be concerned about glitches with forms not going through because you will be utilising the latest software. This is going to be reflected in your reviews and that’s going to help encourage more companies to trust your business. Find New Clients Similar to other business sectors and industries, it is essential that construction companies are able to find new client pools. This can be difficult in a competitive market and with construction there’s the added complication of not knowing which region you should target. Some clients are going to be willing to search further for a construction company that they trust or that has the right level of positive reviews. That’s where tech is again going to come in handy. With the right technology, you will be able to access a big data pool. If you use solutions such as https://www.intellectsoft.net/blog/what-is-enterprise-integration-software-and-how-to-implement-it/, then you will be able to make sure that you can easily use this data in the right way. Specifically, you’ll be able to find links and patterns that will help you exactly what type of client you should be targeting. You will be able to build a solid representation of your ideal client and then base marketing or promotions around this individual. Easy Management As a business owner, it can be tricky to effectively manage every aspect and sector of your company. There are often a lot of different moving parts that need to fall into place and this is particularly true for the construction sector. You need to make sure that you get the right planning permission and ensure that everything is on target for the deadline that you provided to the client. Again, this can be complex at best and impossible at worst. One of the ways to handle this will be to make sure that you are using – you guessed it – the right technology. Specifically, you may want to consider investing in a cloud server. The right cloud server will ensure that data within your business model can be accessed instantly by all the relevant parties. This means that you won’t have to worry about different members of your team or outside contractors being on the wrong page at any given point. As well as this, a cloud server will allow you to check for updates and provide updates to clients in real time. You will even be able to get them to digitally fill in crucial forms for the project. This will guarantee that everything can proceed smoothly without any delays at all. You can learn more about business cloud servers on https://www.getfilecloud.com/cloud-based-server-for-small-business/. A Flexible Dynamic Finally, while this certainly isn’t going to be an exclusive issue for construction businesses, it’s important that companies like this are more flexible, due to the constant shifting global situation. As well as forcing companies to adopt and adapt to social distancing measures, the coronavirus pandemic has brought the potential of a massive, looming recession. It’s possible and indeed likely that a recovery will begin before the full impact of this is felt on the construction sector. However, it’s important to be prepared for the worst. Technology can help here because it will ensure that businesses are run in a way that is flexible and can easily adapt to shifting dynamics. For instance, with the right technology, it could be possible to run a construction business like this from home, at least in theory. After all, a construction company doesn’t require office space and you can avoid the need for a physical address for equipment by leasing rather than buying. Of course, for this to be possible, you do need to make sure that everyone remains connected. This includes both members of your team and the clients that you are offering your services to. It’s essential that everyone remains on the same page. We hope this helps you understand why technology could be a vital part of