At a time when there’s enhanced awareness of personal and environmental hygiene, whether in the home or in the workplace, it’s reassuring to know that the moulded range of products from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – possesses inherent anti-bacterial properties
A gas network construction project fundamental to a £1bn regeneration scheme in Liverpool has been completed three months ahead of schedule, despite the coronavirus lockdown. Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) designed and completed the gas works for the Paddington Village Energy Centre and District Energy Scheme on behalf of Liverpool City
Scotland’s leading procurement solution provider, dedicated to benefitting Scotland’s social housing and public buildings, is revealing that it has secured its landmark 100th Partner. Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) provides Partners – such as councils, housing associations, universities and emergency services – with access to innovative procurement solutions, which aim to
SITECH UK & Ireland, the leading distributor of Trimble® technology, now offers an innovative progress tracking software solution that uses drones to help site managers map, measure and manage their sites more effectively. Trimble® Stratus, powered by Propeller, is a data analytics and visualisation platform that is designed specifically for
Leading architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has submitted detailed plans for a new £6 million, 1,100m2 Bus Interchange which will be the first step in Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term plan to regenerate Stevenage Town Centre. Explains Alistair Branch, Director & Head of Transport for SGP: “The relocation of
NATIONAL property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has strengthened its top team with the announcement of two senior promotions across its design and architecture departments. Steve Cummings, who joined the firm in 2008 as a project architect, will take over as national director for architecture, following on the success of long-standing
From one angle, the future of the world looks bright. But if you look closer, it’s actually green. The piece of good news is that the world may be fully powered by renewable energy by 2050; that’s just three more decades to go. How ready are you to experience the
While CCTV systems are primarily used for security purposes, the latest technology has made these them even more useful in construction site management. Being a hive of activity, site managers undeniably need an extra set of eyes to monitor all the activities taking place on the construction site. The latest
Your small business is likely easy for people to pass by seeing as you aren’t large in size. But, that’s not fair, and we know it because you might be able to offer them the best solution on the market! If you’re being passed over, or you think you are,
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,
At a time when there’s enhanced awareness of personal and environmental hygiene, whether in the home or in the workplace, it’s reassuring to know that the moulded range of products from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – possesses inherent anti-bacterial properties that can help in the fight against disease and infection. The Knightsbridge moulded range is produced using Urea Formaldehyde, a high-grade thermoset material which has properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition, Knightsbridge’s precision manufacturing methods result in fine, scratch free faces – avoiding dirt traps in which harmful microscopic organisms might lodge. The range’s high gloss, high quality materials’ resistance to scratching helps maintain product appearance over the longer term too. The range makes a positive contribution to reducing instances of the most commonly encountered bacterial forms such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella Pneumoniae and E-Coli and Salmonella. From socket and switch socket outlets, plate and dimmer switch modules; through to coaxial media outlets, Euro and modular data faceplates plates; the range is truly comprehensive and easy to install. While there’s no substitute for proper cleaning and vigilance, Urea Formaldehyde’s established anti-bacterial properties help the Knightsbridge moulded range of wiring devices and accessories contribute beneficially to any home or commercial hygiene regime. For further details of Knightsbridge’s innovative wiring accessory and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760.
A gas network construction project fundamental to a £1bn regeneration scheme in Liverpool has been completed three months ahead of schedule, despite the coronavirus lockdown. Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) designed and completed the gas works for the Paddington Village Energy Centre and District Energy Scheme on behalf of Liverpool City Council’s main contractor Morgan Sindall to help pave the way for a world leading innovation district in health sciences. EAU was recommended to Morgan Sindall by gas metering specialists Exoteric, another Energy Assets Group business, when potential delays to the original gas network construction schedule threatened to impact the wider development programme. “We quickly met the construction team on site in Liverpool and within a few weeks had mapped the network and submitted multiple analyses of potential mains connection points to the client to avoid the need for reinforcement work,” said Daniel Goulty, EAU Multi Utility Design Engineer. “A decision was taken and network design approval received at the end of January. Construction started over weekends in February, in line with Liverpool Council’s traffic management requirements…then came lockdown.” It wasn’t until late April that work resumed under strict operating conditions, including regular temperature checks, social distancing, PPE, constant site monitoring and limited site access. Yet, by early June – three months ahead of schedule – the complex design and construction programme, which included navigating a dual carriageway four-way junction, had successfully delivered a gas network comprising 160m of low pressure pipe supplying the Paddington Village Energy Centre and District Energy scheme. This energy infrastructure will enable Paddington Village to become a landmark mixed use development for world-leading MedTech businesses as well as residential accommodation and luxury hotel. Andy Dinnage, Morgan Sindall Head of Building Services – North Construction, commented: “Paddington Central is a major development of international repute and in Energy Assets Utilities we found a gas network design and construction partner with the expertise, commitment and agility not only to meet our schedule but to beat it, despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus lockdown. They did a great job.” Once developed, Paddington Central will be home to The Royal College of Physicians as part of a new Northern Centre of Excellence, which will also include University of Liverpool’s International College, and The Rutherford Cancer Centre North West, a proton beam cancer therapy treatment hospital. Paddington Central will kick-start the entire Paddington Village development programme in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, leading to the creation of thousands of highly skilled jobs. www.energyassets.co.uk/gas/utility_networks
Scotland’s leading procurement solution provider, dedicated to benefitting Scotland’s social housing and public buildings, is revealing that it has secured its landmark 100th Partner. Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) provides Partners – such as councils, housing associations, universities and emergency services – with access to innovative procurement solutions, which aim to drive social value by streamlining construction, refurbishment and maintenance contracts. Their Partner organisations delivered more than £160m worth of projects in 2018-19 alone through their procurement solutions. Formed in 2016, SPA is hailing the sign-up of its 100th Partner as an overwhelming endorsement of its key role in helping public sector organisations to work with Scotland’s supply chain to deliver projects better, faster and more cost-effectively. In 2018-19 (the last available annual review), SPA worked with 43 Partners to deliver more than 220 projects which represented a total value of £160m – a 50% jump on its performance on 2017-18. Projects range in size and scope from the £16m Balloch Campus new school development for West Dunbartonshire Council to an £18,000 door replacement programme for Hawthorne Housing Co-operative. The Scottish Government has committed to the delivery of 50,000 new homes, of which 35,000 are to be affordable housing, by the end of the next parliament. SPA frameworks will be used by its partners to deliver more than 3500 homes in Scotland – 10% of the Government’s 2021 target for social rent housing. SPA Director Clive Feeney said “SPA has team of dedicated experts firmly focused on championing best practice and ensuring Partners can benefit from access to specialist procurement solutions that deliver social value in their communities. He said: “SPA frameworks provide our Partners with a quick and easy route to market – saving time, resources and money. “We share the aspirations of Partners, suppliers, residents and other community groups to create better buildings and homes across Scotland to ‘futureproof’ the country. “Reaching the milestone 100th Partner cements the important link SPA has with Scotland’s public organisations, local businesses and local communities. “And the scale and success of the works undertaken on SPA projects to date, underlines the vital position SPA holds in Scotland’s supply chain network. “This all provides a clear endorsement that our service works and delivers value time and time again.” SPA’s frameworks can be used by all publicly or partially publicly funded organisations in Scotland and have been established in strict compliance with the Scottish public sector procurement regulations. Partners are estimated to save 350,000 hours every year by using the frameworks. Partners can also receive a share of any surplus achieved from the execution of the frameworks, via a rebate – in 2018-19 this amounted to £580,000. The top performing framework in 2018-19 was Offsite Construction of New Homes which amounted to nearly £97m worth of projects. SPA also underlines its commitment to improving social value in Scotland’s communities through its Community Benefit Fund. SPA’s Founding Partners worked with the Lintel Trust – formerly the Scottish Federation of Housing Association’s Charitable Trust – to hand out grants totaling £205,000 in 2018-19 involving projects in areas such as employability, social inclusion and digital participation. Clive added “that providing ongoing support to social landlords and councils – and encouraging them to consider collaborative working and innovative practices, particularly as they wrestle with grant reductions and budget cuts – is a key focus for the future. He said: “The only way the Scottish housing sector will improve is for it to work better with one another. We want to encourage our Partners to share resources. This will not only help to ensure communities will thrive but will also result in better value for money. “Completing housing projects on time, or ahead of time, brings a wealth of benefits: tenants can move in faster, and the housing provider can start to see the return on their investment and benefit from a higher quality product.” Gavin Cockburn, Acting Service Lead – Procurement at South Ayrshire Council, said as a founder member they have benefitted greatly from a strong, collaborative relationship with SPA. He said: “The choice, quality and flexibility that SPA frameworks offer is excellent, and the outstanding assistance provided by our Client Support Manager and the rest of the team is very much appreciated. “As well as allowing the Council to fulfil many complex and vital requirements within South Ayrshire – from new homes to energy efficiency projects, community building upgrades and heating services – one of the special benefits of partnering with the SPA are the opportunities that our framework rebates and Community Benefit Fund provide to our local communities.” Steven Brady, Managing Director of Hadden Group, added: “We first joined SPA as a framework supplier in 2017 and have received a steady pipeline of projects from clients across three different frameworks including new build housing, schools and community buildings. “We have delivered a range of projects including Early Years Nurseries for both Falkirk and West Lothian Councils and are currently on site with affordable housing projects in Biggar and Bathgate. “We are also working closely with Perth & Kinross Council to deliver two new Early Years facilities. In addition, we are working with North Lanarkshire Council to provide more than 70 houses in three separate developments, all of which are due to commence in 2020.” As well as providing compliance, quality and best value to Partners, SPA frameworks support a streamlined process from the award of a contract to completion of a project. Under the frameworks, Partners have the option to either award a contract directly or run a mini-competition between companies that have declared an interest in the project.
SITECH UK & Ireland, the leading distributor of Trimble® technology, now offers an innovative progress tracking software solution that uses drones to help site managers map, measure and manage their sites more effectively. Trimble® Stratus, powered by Propeller, is a data analytics and visualisation platform that is designed specifically for earthmoving applications to help contractors track progress and productivity. Harnessing the power of highly accurate surveying and mapping capabilities, contractors are able to avoid costly delays and minimise rework. Unlike other industries that are embracing digitalisation, earthworks and construction have traditionally lagged behind and have been slow to innovate. For example, many construction companies still rely on traditional methods of surveying, such as pegs, to map a project. This often requires skilled surveyors that can make the necessary calculations and interpret the data. However, their time on site is limited, and it isn’t always easy to access this expertise when you need it. SITECH now supplies Trimble® Stratus to help construction companies digitise and overcome common surveying issues. The new package uses Trimble’s ® Connected Site solutions and delivers a new end-to-end solution for contractors. This means that contractors can place and activate their ground control points and then fly their drone to collect site data. Using Trimble® Stratus, you can then upload and view this data and share it between the site, office and across the team. This can help prevent miscommunication and ensure that everyone in the company is updated on site progress. “If manual surveys are inaccurate, construction companies can see a decline in performance and see delays that mean they fall behind schedule and go over budget,” explained Ian Barnes, Head of Business at SITECH UK & Ireland. “By using drone technology, surveyors can access highly accurate data to ensure operations remain on schedule. Companies can also remove employees from difficult to access and dangerous areas, like quarries, improving safety as well as accuracy.” “While other software tries to accommodate a broad category of users, Trimble Stratus is 100 percent focused on earthmoving and construction environments,” explained Jan Wouter Kruyt, Director of European Operations at Propeller. “The cloud-based platform is also really intuitive and can be used without surveying expertise ─ the drone images are processed in Trimble Stratus and then visualised as an interactive, measurable 3D terrain models. It’s easy to create and share measurements on these 3D maps. “The new package delivers several benefits for construction companies, including capabilities to compare designs and minimise rework by generating highly accurate survey data,” continued Kruyt. “Most importantly, having frequent up-to-date survey data on hand means that companies can complete projects ahead of schedule and under budget, something that’s becoming more important as companies try to get back on track following lockdown.” “Trimble® Stratus is ground-breaking for construction companies that want to enhance their surveying,” continued Barnes. “By harnessing the power of drone technology and combining this with a Trimble® platform, contractors now have access to highly accurate progress tracking with a solution designed specifically for earthworks projects like theirs.” Interested in using Trimble® Stratus to help you plan your site? Visit our website and find out more about what we offer https://www.sitechukandireland.com/sitech-drone-services/.
Leading architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has submitted detailed plans for a new £6 million, 1,100m2 Bus Interchange which will be the first step in Stevenage Borough Council’s long-term plan to regenerate Stevenage Town Centre. Explains Alistair Branch, Director & Head of Transport for SGP: “The relocation of the interchange will unlock development sites in the town centre and enable SG1, the first phase of the biggest town centre regeneration scheme in the east of England.” With a gross development value of £1bn, the 20-year regeneration programme aims to attract large-scale investment to the Town Centre and create new homes, offices, retail and leisure facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, and a wholesale transformation of the public realm. SGP’s design provides an upgraded modern bus station as well as improving connectivity between rail, bus and town centre services. A centralised concourse canopy structure is the focus of the new Interchange, housing retail and passenger waiting areas under a simple mono-pitch form that over sails the parked buses. The roof hangs from a central avenue of columns to create the expansive space below and a central barrel rooflight maximises natural lighting. Lighting in the head of the columns and canopy soffits will provide illumination and animate the structure at night. Continues Alistair: “Although the design was very much form following function, the Interchange uses a bold, sweeping architectural style to create a positive and welcoming gateway to the town centre for passengers and passers-by.” The project promotes a greater integration of transport services, creating a ‘transport hub’ for bus and rail passengers, supporting connectivity and accessibility to the town centre and with London and other parts of the country. With 10 DIRO and 2 DIDO stands around the central concourse, the design provides for the efficient movement of traffic and people, safely segregating vehicles and pedestrians. Alistair concludes: “This project marks the latest success in our expanding transport portfolio, which has seen SGP secure over £100 million worth of infrastructure projects in just three years.” The planning decision is expected June with work on site due to commence Summer 2020.
NATIONAL property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has strengthened its top team with the announcement of two senior promotions across its design and architecture departments. Steve Cummings, who joined the firm in 2008 as a project architect, will take over as national director for architecture, following on the success of long-standing national director Paul Rothera in the post. David Shaw has been promoted to national design director – a strategic appointment with a focus on further enhancing design quality across all of Pick Everard’s disciplines. The promotions form part of the firm’s ambitious plans for continued growth and will see the approach across the discipline developed and strengthened, with clients benefiting from enhanced innovative, sustainable, and design-focused solutions. The practice is also pleased to confirm that former national director for architecture, Paul Rothera, will continue with the firm. Paul has been a driving force behind the firm achieving its 2020 strategic plan and will be integral to the development and realisation of the firm’s strategic plan for 2025. Paul will also continue to work closely with David and Steve in support of the continued success of the architectural discipline. David and Steve have a long-standing friendship, having first met while completing their Architecture Part II studies at the University of Nottingham, both graduating in 2003. They gained their Professional Accreditation in 2005 while working together at a well-respected design-orientated Nottingham practice, where they worked together until 2008 when Steve joined Pick Everard in their London office. Since then Steve has developed his career working for some of Pick Everard’s most important clients, predominately focusing on the education and commercial sectors. He said: “I have been part of the Pick Everard team for nearly 12 years now. During this time, I have thoroughly enjoyed working across three offices and the practice has given me the support, flexibility, and opportunity to realise my career goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing a part in delivering inspiring and practical design for our clients during that time. I am excited about the challenge and opportunity, for continued success for the practice, which my new role will bring. “We have already made some great progress in growing and developing this area of the business under Paul’s leadership. I am excited about shaping how we move architecture at Pick Everard forwards, build on our already very strong team and continue to enhance our capability to ensure we are the architect of choice for our clients across all sectors and regions. Alongside our architects, we have an excellent interior design team, and a growing BIM management offer, giving us lots of exciting new opportunities to work with clients to deliver great design solutions. “After so many years of knowing and working with David, I’m really looking forward to collaborating with him and the wider team to promote design excellence in everything we do and ensure we deliver better together.” David spent several years gaining experience across multiple sectors including higher education, health and master planning, before joining Pick Everard in 2016 as an associate. Now taking on a new role within the firm – national design director – David said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to develop the design offering throughout the business and co-ordinate our approach across our design teams. A fully integrated design approach working with a holistic, innovative, collaborative, and sustainable design focus from the outset of the project will provide exemplar solutions for our clients while driving our environmental agenda. I am passionate about this and am determined to challenge and raise our quality bar even higher. “Pick Everard is an ambitious firm. I am very proud of the progress we have already made in transforming the business since I arrived nearly four years ago and am excited about what the future has to bring. It will be fantastic to continue working alongside Steve and the whole team to improve our services and bring our big plans for the future to fruition. “There will undoubtedly be a lot to learn from the current COVID-19 situation to ensure that our teams can embrace a more flexible work-life balance, finding the way in which they deliver the best possible design service across the board – we must use this as an opportunity to springboard and be more agile and deliver better for our clients. Equally, we are in a position to help our clients move to a new normal for their day to day operations.” Since joining the practice, David and Steve have worked on high-profile projects and have helped to build an exceptional architecture and design team through strategic recruitment and collaboration with universities to support and recruit the best graduates. They have forged a strong working relationship during their four years together at Pick Everard and the Partnership believe this will benefit the practice moving forward. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said the promotions recognised the hard work and dedication of the duo. He said: “Both Steve and David have worked tirelessly to grow and develop the design and architecture offering at the firm and they have both made important contributions to the firm already, so we are very pleased to welcome them to the management team. “Investing in and developing our people is a hugely important part of our strategy for growth and these two senior promotions are indicative of that commitment to our people. I would like to congratulate them both and am looking forward to working with them as we develop the business further over the coming months and years. “We are delighted to have retained Paul Rothera within the firm in his new strategic role. In the past five years, Paul has led the architectural discipline in delivering a 40% increase in income and has significantly lifted the status of our architectural team, who are now ranked 56 in the AJ Top 100. “Paul has been a driving force in achieving a greater talent density within the business, through strategic appointments, growth opportunities, and the development of a unique graduate
From one angle, the future of the world looks bright. But if you look closer, it’s actually green. The piece of good news is that the world may be fully powered by renewable energy by 2050; that’s just three more decades to go. How ready are you to experience the new era of sustainable power? Here are all the key insights you need to know about the transformational shift to sustainable energy. Key stats and facts about renewable energy According to statistics, if the world completely migrates to renewable energy, it could save 4-7 million people from losing their lives to air pollution every year. Power experts in the renewable energy industry are very confident about this statistic. And they believe that the next 30 years may mark the turning point for new power solutions. Global connectivity to wind, solar, hydroelectric power can potentially cut down energy use and power costs. However, without the necessary support from stakeholders, including policymakers and business organizations, the historic transition to green energy may be a daydream. Even if it may happen, it will fall outside the 30-year time limit. A whole world using sustainable energy: how will that look like? Many people cannot just wait to see a 100% renewable world. So they keep wondering what life will be like in that advanced age. Thanks to the availability of numerous research data on renewable energy subject, curious minds can have a better preview of the renewable world that lies ahead. Stanford University researchers have carefully analyzed tons of research papers on the subject in an attempt to foresee the different scenarios. Is renewable energy going to be limited to entire nations or just a few individual countries? This is one of the pressing questions that interest researchers. The Stanford University research project looked at a broad diversity of situations, geographical locations, world superpowers, and the sub-Saharan African region. What they found was nothing short of good news. It emerged that the world can generate enough renewable electricity to power the transport sector, heating, and cooling industry, and meet almost all its energy demands. This will not be limited to major powers, but different locations on a global scale. Aside from saving 4-7 million lives annually, renewable energy can reverse the negative impact of global warming and also stabilize the world’s energy sector. This is not something from science fiction. It actually lies within the confines of modern energy companies. Companies like Dale Power Solutions have already started responding to the renewable energy challenge by helping organizations boost the efficiency of their power systems. The fact is that the need for back-up power solutions will continue to abide even if the world succeeds in going fully renewable. To summarize, the oil-driven world is poised to hit the rocks, moving forward. One Finish research study estimated that oil-rich Saudi Arabia could switch to renewable systems by 2040. Moreover, modern civilization knows that without the transition to sustainable energy, their future on Planet Earth may be uncertain.
While CCTV systems are primarily used for security purposes, the latest technology has made these them even more useful in construction site management. Being a hive of activity, site managers undeniably need an extra set of eyes to monitor all the activities taking place on the construction site. The latest technology for CCTV makes these systems more efficient and accurate, making them indispensable tools for site managers. In fact, CCTV systems are arguably the best form of construction site management. Here’s why: Surveillance and Security A CCTV system will offer 24 hours, 365 days surveillance and is, therefore, a no-brainer for construction site managers who want to have eyes on all the activities on the construction site. With the latest CCTV cameras equipped with technology like night vision and motion detection, they provide the best security solution for construction sites. Particularly, modern CCTV systems can identify people who are activity within 20 meters and have clear visibility of up to 50 meters. Where advance night vision is needed, CCTV cameras with thermal imaging can be used on construction sites as they produce visible images through temperature detection of objects Modern CCTV cameras like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras can read vehicle number plates. When connected to access control barriers, these cameras ensure that only pre-approved vehicles gain access into the construction site. Such top-level surveillance and management help prevent on-site crime, maintain internal safety, and observe security procedures. Recording Activity An important aspect of CCTV systems is recording and storing video surveillance feed. Modern systems allow for the recording of the high-quality video feed and frame-by-frame playback of this feed. This helps review any suspicious activity or accident that could have been missed by the construction site manager.Technology like video compression for CCTV systems helps relay video feed, especially within an IP CCTV system, as well as storing video files. Video compression codec’s filter unnecessary frames per second without compromising the image quality of the videos. This way, construction site managers don’t have to worry about missing video feed or poor image quality when reviewing activities on the construction site. Health and Safety One of the legal duties of construction site managers is to ensure that everyone on the site is safe and secure, especially in the event of an emergency. With all the activities that go on in construction sites, workers and visitors may be at risk of injuries since they are generally hazardous places. CCTV cameras provide a great way of monitoring the whole construction sites. CCTV cameras equipped with PTZ (pan, tilt, and zoom) and wide dynamic range technology make it easier for construction site managers to have a clear view of the entire site and act quickly in the event of emergencies. Real-Time Feedback Modern CCTV systems come with analytical software which realizes the environment and can, therefore, provide better surveillance even with disruptions that come with weather changes. Such intelligent systems can measure and compare various construction site parameters and can send an audio, SMS to the construction site manager whenever variations are detected. Installing CCTV camera systems equipped with the latest technology helps provide better surveillance and security, access control, and helps keep occupants safe.
Your small business is likely easy for people to pass by seeing as you aren’t large in size. But, that’s not fair, and we know it because you might be able to offer them the best solution on the market! If you’re being passed over, or you think you are, then you need to do something about this sooner rather than later. As such, in this article, we’re going to be looking at how you can make people take notice of your small business. If you want to know more about this topic, keep reading down below. Provide The Best The first thing that you’ve got to do if you want people to take notice is to provide the best service, customer service and everything in between. When someone is thinking about purchasing from your company, you’ve got to provide them with the best everything from start to finish so that they go and tell their friends or family members how great your business is. Word of mouth is the best way to get people to know about who you are, and you want this to be positive. Nobody wants to go and try out a business that someone they trust has said isn’t very good! Try to also encourage your customers to leave reviews online so that others can see how good your solution is. The more reviews you have, the more legitimate your business looks, meaning the more people are going to try you out. Appearances Can Be Deceiving Finally, appearances can be deceiving, but that’s not always a bad thing. People are more likely to buy from a big business than a small one, that’s just a fact, which is why you need to get yourself a business address, even if you work from home. A site like https://physicaladdress.com/virtual-business-address/ can provide you with what you are looking for, and help your business to look bigger than it is. You want people to think that your business is huge so that they take a chance on your service. Unfortunately, if you’re a small business, then you’re more likely to get passed over, so the best thing you can do is not let them know that this is what you are. Engage With Your Customers Finally, if you engage with your customers, people are going to take notice. Nobody wants to purchase from a faceless corporation these days, instead, they want someone to talk to, and they want someone to care. Use social media and your website to talk to your customers and potential customers, engaging with them in a way that shows how much you value them. All your customers want is to feel appreciated and looked after by your company and here are some of the ways that you can engage without coming on too strong https://www.copper.com/blog/engage-customers. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now have a good idea on some of the things that you can do in order to make people take notice of your small business. Show them that you are just as good as your competitors!
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.