The Competitive Contractor: Recent Episodes
Shivendra & Co
The Competitive Contractor podcast covers topics that will help contractors helping build Australia's infrastructure grow their business, improve profitability and become a competitive contractor.
In this special edition, we're celebrating not just a number, but the journey of resilience, learning, and community building that started back in 2020. We began amidst the uncertainty of a global pandemic, providing practical tips and strategies to navigate unprecedented challenges. Today, we dive deeper, exploring emerging trends and cutting-edge topics with industry heavyweights.
In this episode, we're not just reminiscing; we're looking ahead. We discuss the evolution of the competitive contractor, the importance of adapting in a rapidly changing industry, and the role of visionary leadership. Our guests share insights and stories that redefine what it means to be at the forefront of construction and engineering.
Join us in raising a toast (or a protein shake!) to the future, as we commit to another 50 episodes of empowering change and leading innovation.
Connect with us!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com
In this insightful episode, we explore the rapidly evolving construction industry, delving into the critical role of technology as a fundamental business tool.
Kris Caplice, the visionary Executive Director of Resource Services Group, shares his expert perspectives on adopting cutting-edge practices like AI, emphasising the need for businesses to stay ahead in this dynamic sector. We also discuss the scope of transformation beyond tech advancements, including shifts in contractor models and adapting to new work cultures, particularly remote work post-COVID.
He highlights the significance of collaborative teamwork and effective leadership in nurturing talent for business growth. Additionally, we delve into AI's predicted role and the importance of valuing people over technology in the construction industry.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Kris Caplice: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-caplice-99555b17/Resource Services Group (RSGx): https://www.rsgx.com/
Peter Colacino, Principal at Modifica Advisory, discusses the transformative power of supply chains as prominent contractors shift towards efficient project delivery strategies. Discover how the construction industry addresses challenges such as workforce diversity, digital adoption, and productivity amidst a surge in major infrastructure investments.
Gain insights into the comprehensive concept of social impact, encompassing community engagement, sustainability, and more. Unravel the complexities of the Voice referendum's implications on the industry and the importance of long-term planning for sustainable solutions.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Peter Colacino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-colacino-68a3021b/
Caroline Wilkie, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) shares insights shaping the industry's sustainable future. Discover how rail outshines road travel, aligning with net-zero goals while boosting efficiency through interoperability. Explore the allure of rail for shorter routes, reliability, and work-on-the-go possibilities. Gain strategic insights into long-term planning, overcoming workforce shortages, and the transformative potential of high-speed rail and innovative technologies like Hyperloop. Delve into balancing local content and national needs and the impact of infrastructure funding.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Caroline Wilkie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-wilkie-92673460/
Australasian Railway Association (ARA): https://www.linkedin.com/company/austrail/
Website: https://ara.net.au/
Robert Sobyra, Head of Policy at the Australia Constructors Association (ACA), dives into pivotal construction challenges. Amid ongoing projects, the industry grapples with issues like insolvencies and material price escalation, impacting operational efficiency.The discussion revolves around the "All Risk, No Reward" report, triggered by the construction sector's pandemic-driven upheaval. Discover how this report uncovers unique risks within the building sector, spotlighting a risk concentration in the head contractor segment. Learn how pandemic-related support inadvertently extended existing challenges.Robert highlights the importance of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and the role of government entities as catalysts for industry-wide improvements. Uncover strategies for mitigating risks, enhancing industry practices, and fostering a healthier, more sustainable construction sector.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Robert Sobyra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sobyra/
Australian Constructors Association (ACA): https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-constructors-association/
Website: https://www.constructors.com.au/
In this captivating episode, Treaven Martinus, the visionary CEO and founder of Martinus, is a prominent player in the infrastructure industry. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities within the sector, specifically focusing on the dynamic realm of rail.
Throughout the podcast, Treaven shares invaluable insights and experiences, shedding light on the key factors contributing to his company's remarkable success, Martinus. From the power of a growth mindset and strategic investment in people and capabilities to the significance of engaging local businesses and embracing a team-of-teams approach, listeners gain valuable lessons for thriving in the competitive landscape of the infrastructure industry.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Treaven Martinus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treaven-martinus-61b25612/
Martinus: https://www.linkedin.com/company/martinus-rail/
Website: https://www.martinusrail.com.au/
Sam Barr, Director of Knowledge Mobilization at the Global Infrastructure Hub, emphasizes the criticality of incorporating sustainability practices into the construction industry. Contractors proactively adapt procurement, materials, and supply chains to align with broader sustainability goals. Barr emphasizes the need for construction leaders to prepare for macro trends like the UN Development Goals and net-zero targets. He highlights the role of technology, particularly InfraTech, as a catalyst for the industry's future. However, full adoption of InfraTech remains challenging, requiring government support through regulatory frameworks. Tune in to learn more about positive workplace diversity changes and the essential role of long-term planning, talent development, and investment in innovation for the industry's sustainability and success.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Sam Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-barr-00ba1124/
Global Infrastructure Hub: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-infrastructure-hub/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gi_hub
Website: https://www.gihub.org/
Delve into the pressing issues affecting project outcomes and costs. In this episode, CEO of Consult Australia, Jonathan Cartledge, sheds light on the construction industry's challenges and opportunities. With a focus on creating a collaborative supply chain and positioning Australia as a global centre of excellence, Cartledge advocates for a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects such as culture, diversity, and digitalization. How can collaboration and innovation drive progress and overcome obstacles like risk allocation?
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Jonathan Cartledge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathancartledge/
Consult Australia: https://www.linkedin.com/company/consult-australia/
Website: https://www.consultaustralia.com.au/
Explore how contractors in the construction industry can enhance their capacity and capability. Our guest, Ian Hudson, Executive Director of Industry Capability Network (ICN) discusses strategies like prefabrication, specialized tools, and building an attractive employer image to overcome capacity challenges. Additionally, Ian emphasizes the role of digitization in cost savings and efficiency improvement. Retention and upskilling through micro-credentials are highlighted as crucial for addressing the labor shortage. How are long-term planning, capacity balancing, and improving management practices essential for sustaining businesses and mitigating risks?
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
Ian Hudson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihudson/
ICN-NSW: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icn-nsw/
Website: https://icn.org.au/icn_nsw/
Explore the role and impact of industry associations in shaping the trajectory of the construction industry. Are they effective in driving innovation, collaboration, and progress? Or do they inadvertently hinder growth and hinder adaptation to changing market dynamics? With his extensive experience and leadership in the aviation sector, James Goodwin provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities industry associations present. As the CEO of the Australian Airports Association, James brings a unique perspective on how associations can facilitate growth, foster partnerships, and advocate for the industry's collective interests.
Connect with our Host and Guest!
Shivendra Kumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivendra-kumar/
Shivendra & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shivendraandco/
Website: https://shivendra.com/
James Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgoodwinairports/
AAA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-airports-association/
Website: https://airports.asn.au/
Today, we take on a topic that many people are reluctant to – Business Improvement. The challenges faced by the industry and economy have put a lot of pressure on businesses, and one way to deal with it is to look at processes and simplify how we do them.
I can see the industry's reluctance to make things better, not because the pressure is not there but because there's hesitation to invest time and resources to make things better for the business and the people. Hence, joining me in episode 40 is Chris Cleary, a Business Transformation Specialist at Vative, who will shed some light on why such improvements are necessary.
Chris started his career in the Australian manufacturing and resources sector and had roles in engineering, manufacturing, senior leadership and business improvement arenas. He is an enthusiastic Business Improvement Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with almost 40 years of experience mentoring teams and creating cultural change within organisations.
Passionate about delivering purposeful training and education from the Front line to the Executive Suite, aligned with enabling practical change and results, Chris strongly advocates personal engagement with individuals to create cultural change within organisations collectively.
Join us as we tackle critical things we need to do to thrive.
Useful links:
Vative: https://vative.com.au/
Follow Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cleary-a6ba7a24/
About Shivendra & Co: www.shivendra.com
The Jobs and Skills Summit held last month, brought Australians together to work constructively on the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian labour market and economy. Jon Davies, the CEO of the Australian Constructors Association represented the construction industry and businesses at the summit and had the opportunity to raise topics at the forum.
In addressing the participants, Jon highlighted challenges facing the industry and solutions that with the support of the government, make the construction industry more sustainable.
In this podcast, Jon provides us with an update from the Job and Skills Summit and also shares his thoughts on the challenges.
Can we look to the future with optimism? Listen to find out.
Jon Davies was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Constructors Association on 1 July 2020, after leading the Queensland Major Contractors Association for two years. He has over 30 years of construction industry experience supporting the successful commercial delivery of projects in Australia, the Middle East, the UK and Asia.
Jon is a passionate advocate for change. He is driven by a desire to ensure that every level of the industry is sustainable, resilient to boom and bust cycles and able to deliver the infrastructure society needs in a collaborative and efficient manner.
Useful Links:
Outcomes of the Jobs and Skills Summit: https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/inline-files/Jobs-and-Skills-Summit-Outcomes-Document.pdf
Address by Jon at the Summit: https://youtu.be/yrYCPgAJxKs
Follow Jon Davies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceoofaca/
More about ACA: https://www.constructors.com.au/
About Shivendra & Co: www.shivendra.com
The construction industry has to break through a steel ceiling to become a great and sustainable industry.
What is the steel ceiling? How is it keeping construction businesses and the construction industry from a future that at the moment exists in our imagination?
Joining me in Episode 38 is Peter Wilkinson, the founder and director of SamWilko Advisory, where he works with small-to-medium-sized enterprises, mid-tier, corporate businesses, and government in the Transport, Construction and Consulting Services sectors. He is the author of “The Steel Ceiling: Achieving Sustainable Growth in Engineering and Construction”. With over thirty years of experience, he has worked in the infrastructure, mining, defence, utilities and property industries, both locally and internationally.
Peter is passionate about the industry and is gifting the industry with his knowledge and insights through a new book "The Steel Ceiling". Published by Wiley, this book looks at historical data to predict what's around the corner for the construction industry. This is a must-read for those determined to build successful and sustainable engineering and construction businesses.
Useful Links:
Sam Wilko Advisory: https://samwilkoadvisory.com/
Order the Steel Ceiling: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-steel-ceiling-peter-wilkinson/book/9781119910442.html
Follow Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwilkoadvisory/
More about Shivendra & Co: www.shivendra.com
Reach me: hello@shivendra.com
This is an episode you don’t want to miss.
The pain is real, and the facts reveal it. 35% of civil contractors in NSW lost money on projects in FY21 and many more continue to operate on wafer-thin margins. And while the infrastructure boom might be keeping many of us busy, is it constructing or damaging an industry vital for the country’s future?
Join David Castledine in this episode as we speak on policy meeting practice. We hear the effort behind the scenes to address the challenges faced by civil contractors, have more women join the industry as well as various approaches to ensure the voice of the industry is heard by decision-makers.
David is Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Contractors Federation (New South Wales). Since joining he has instigated and overseen a significant restructure of the organisation, with consequent significant increases in Member services and advocacy representation.
Links:
CCF NSW: https://www.ccfnsw.com/
Dozen Dos: https://www.ccfnsw.com/News/NewsBlog/ArticleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/240
For more details about this episode or the Competitive Contractor Podcast, visit www.shivendra.com or drop us a line at hello@shivendra.com
Ever wondered how, we as leaders of the construction industry can leave a legacy and contribute to the vision of making the construction industry more advanced, more productive and safer?
Well, one thing is for certain - it can be done and it is becoming increasingly easy to do that.
How you may wonder?
What if I said that an opportunity provided to a young high school student many years ago today has led to an Australian start-up that could change how projects are planned.
And that’s just the start of the story.
Without giving much more away, I am delighted to have Patrick Munsey from Aivia Group with me today. Patrick Munsey is a partner at Aivia Group, a professional services and consultancy firm that provides the capture, processing, and analysis of geospatial data, primarily derived from drones. They specialise in photogrammetry and reality modelling for aerial mapping and asset inspection applications across a wide range of industries.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-munsey/
Website: https://www.aiviagroup.com/
Shortage of resources, larger and more complex projects while costs of materials rise is keeping leaders of construction companies awake at night.
Is it possible to do business and be successful in the current climate? This is the question many current leaders and owners of construction companies are trying to answer.
Chris Pearce joins us in Episode 35 of the Competitive Contractor podcast. Chris is the former President and CEO of Toll Global Logistics, where he spent 16 years in various roles, including Divisional General Manager and General Manager. Chris now operates two businesses: EV20 Consulting Group and Jorson Technologies. He is also an advisor to executives of several large organisations.
In this podcast, Chris shares the following:
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Ways construction companies can create nearly 30% additional capacity
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Opportunities for cost savings that are usually ignored
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A prediction on traits of successful construction companies in 2025
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How Drive Lynx is approaching the ConTech revolution with the community in mind
Relevant Links that are mentioned in the podcast:
Drive Lynx Software: https://ev20group.com/drive-lynx-construction-management-software/
EV20 website: https://ev20group.com/
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ev20-group/
To book a demo of the Drive Lynx software: hello@shivendra.com
Throughout 2020 and 2021, the COVID 19 pandemic has given prominence to ongoing issues in the construction sector as contractors struggle with issues like supply chain delays and rising costs.
It's clear a new approach is needed. A new approach to leadership, a new approach to investments, a new approach to collaboration and most certainly a new approach to engaging with our teams.
We know from past discussions, digital technology solutions can reduce the risk and be the difference between success and failure in today's uncertain construction market.
To discuss these challenges and to challenge our thinking, I am joined in this episode by Tony Simonsson, Chief Operating Officer at Payapps. For your information, Payapps is a cloud-based technology to simplify the progress claims in construction in the construction supply chain. In this podcast, Tony speaks about the role technology plays in promoting trust and collaboration. He also discusses how important courageous leadership and a no complaint attitude are for success in 2022.
Projects are getting larger and more complex. Budgets, delivery timelines and requirements are tighter than ever before. For the industry to be sustainable, what do you think clients and the construction industry need to do differently going forwards? What is the role of innovation and what can clients and contractors do to encourage more collaboration, between and within their teams?
In this episode, we tap into the experience of Damian Ennis. Damian is a round-peg, who goes in search of square-holes - “nothing of worth, ever came from your comfort zone”.
As an Architect in the infrastructure space (particularly in mega projects), or an organised Irishman, Damian is used to being someone who has an ‘outside skillset’ when solving problems. With experience spanning over $41BN of projects (and growing), Damian brings with him lessons and insightful stories right from where it all happens.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-ennis/
For this week's episode of The Competitive Contractor, we invited Alastair Blenkin to discuss his passion with technology as well as the positive and transformational change it's having on the Construction industry.
There was a time not so long ago when we would not associate the construction industry with technology, and even if organisations wanted to adopt technology, there weren’t too many options to consider. The story is very different today, there are technology tools for everything and construction has progressed through a tech makeover overnight it appears. And in doing so, the industry now has the challenge of choosing the right technology and from what I hear from business leaders - it is no easy decision.
Alastair is the Founder & CEO of ProcurePro, a digital procurement & contract management platform for the Construction industry to this podcast. ProcurePro is fast becoming one to watch in the Australian and global Construction-Tech landscape.
Their innovative technology is a game-changer for Commercial Managers, Project Managers and Contract Administrators, providing visibility, controls and efficiencies by digitising the commercial aspects of construction.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairblenkin/
https://procurepro.co/
Episode 31 (#1 of Season 4) of the Competitive Contractor podcast discusses the impact and changes technology is having on the Australian construction industry. The adoption of technology within the construction industry is growing traction at a rapid rate across both tier 1 and 2 organisations, government entities and smaller construction companies. Undeniably, technology and digital intervention have proven to assist in productivity, time to market and accuracy within companies. This podcast discusses just how much technology has already changed the way construction companies operate and how much the government is pushing for further change and what this will do to the construction industry as we know it today.
- Northwest Metro rail was one of the first major projects that influenced the government to look into and utilise digital transformation across projects to catch up with the rest of the supply chain,
- How the private sector has led the charge on digital strategy and technological transformation within the construction industry.
- The expectation for both tier 1 and tier 2 companies to utilise technology and a digital strategy in order to prepare, apply and win tenders.
- Victorian government looking to spend over $144billion in the next 3 years across construction where digital strategy is essential to ensure the success of projects.
- Technology transformation still have a long way to go across the construction industry, however, is now an inevitable change,
- Don’t invest in all technology, but understand your processes and implement the technology that supports the processes more efficiently.
Steve Appleby:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenappleby/
https://melbim.com.au/index.php/home/steve-appleby/
https://iimbe.io/our-people/
Steven Appleby Managing Director at IIMBE. Steve is a founding member of MeIBIM and is a member of the Victorian Digital Asset Strategy steering committee and New Zealand’s BIM Acceleration Committee.
Steve brings 18 years of diverse project experience across Australia, SE Asia, New Zealand and the UK to IIMBE’s clients that leverages the power of BIM and Digital Engineering to deliver a raft of benefits to individual clients and broader industry alike.
IIMBE is a company founded by three experienced BIM, Digital Engineering and Information Management experts one of which is Steve. IIMBE provides developers with a one-stop shop to ensure there is a consistent approach to managing and using data from multiple partners on large builds.
Each of the directors has been implementing and working in BIM since 2003. Their vision is to deliver a better way of working for our clients while unlocking the benefits of Digital Delivery for the industry.
We bring you the recording of a webinar that discusses a topic that is at the centre of many conversations and an area many industry professionals voted for industry leaders and executives to address first.
This is the recording of the second online event in the "Transforming Australia's construction industry - a group up approach" series. The panel consists of leaders who have walked the talk. They have initiated the change in their organisations, taking a ground-up approach. We also have panellists whose work have shaped how the industry approaches the culture topic.
Panel Chair: Matthew Mackey
Panel Guests:
Alison Miram (CEO, Roberts Co)
Marc Kenney (CEO, Mettle)
Kevin Porter (Anthropologist, Industry Observer)
Closing remarks: Jon Davies (CEO, Australian Constructors Association)
The Transforming Australia's Construction Industry - a ground-up approach series and the Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com.
Episode 29 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast focuses on Smart and steady wins. It's an episode that shows what you and your organisation can achieve through steady effort over time.
A very timely discussion as at times I feel the industry doesn’t value the impact of continuous improvement, transformation and investment in innovation. BAU activities get prioritised over long term initiatives and short term results get over resourced over visionary game-changing ideas.
But have you imagined what today would look like for ideas imagined 13 years ago?
What would a vision that was embedded as part of an organisation BAU and supported through yield for your organisation today?
In this inspirational episode, Cameron Coleman, the CEO of Wagners tells us how the Wagners team began working on today’s opportunities 13 years ago. He shares how the vision of the Wagner family materialized and how they are continuing to improve it through automation and globalisation.
You don't have to go to Silicon Valley and its surrounds and follow Elon Musk and Garrett Camp. We have them in our surrounds too.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. Find out how you can work with us to grow your business.
Recently there has been a lot of dialogue and discussion on industry culture. Some have raised the issue of trust, some raised the issue of shifting responsibility and blame while some have referenced the term succeed at all cost.
I needed to explore this further. Why is this the case? Is profitability the main agenda in the industry, pushing off all other social responsibilities of businesses? And do businesses that value partnerships, relationships and have their horizons set on their legacy through their people, actually succeed?
In my search for guidance, I reached out Dr. Shashank Shah, who is the author of the book “Win-Win Corporations”. In discussions, he mentioned his research on Larsen and Toubro, and other companies and how their approach has made them strong and successful corporations. I explore this further in this episode of The Competitive Contractor Podcast.
Dr. Shashank Shah is an international researcher and stakeholder management strategist with 150+ national and international publications to his credit. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard Business School and Copenhagen Business School; fellow and project director at Harvard University South Asia Institute; postdoctoral fellow at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning; editor-in-chief of Harvard University Postdoctoral Editors Association; and consulting editor with the Business India Group. A TEDx and Talks at Google speaker, he has addressed 150+ prominent platforms across academia, industry and civil society. He was a recipient of the President of India and Governor’s Gold Medals, and of the AIMS International Outstanding Doctoral Management Student Award. A national bestselling author, he has authored three books: 'Soulful Corporations', ‘Win-Win Corporations’ and 'The Tata Group'. He was listed among the 'Top 200 Most Influential Global Thought Leaders' to be followed in 2021 by peopleHum.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. Find out how you can work with us to become a competitive contractor.
Episode 27 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses the introduction of technology in construction companies.
Enabled by technology, the construction industry is edging closer to the meeting point of theory and practice. At the same time we are gliding rapidly from a place with limited technology tools to a ConTech marketplace with too many choices. The industry is becoming smarter and it will continue to do so – the time has come.
Where do construction companies and contractors start from?
What should they keep in mind?
Do leaders of construction companies need to be tech-savvy?
This is what I discuss with Tannis Liviniuk, CEO of Trillium Advisory Group. Having begun her career in the field, she spent over 10 years wearing out steel-toed boots while accumulating a wealth of hands-on experience in the intricacies of construction project delivery.
Tannis is an active industry advancement advocate. She has been a guest lecturer at the University of Houston and for the Construction Industry Institute (CII) at the University of Texas at Austin. Tannis speaks at industry conferences globally on topics of industry innovation, Advanced Work Packaging, 4D/5D Planning, and advancing opportunities for women in construction. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and is certified in project management by Stanford University's Center for Professional Development.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Episode 26 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses why ‘working on the business’ is as important as working in it.
Construction business owners have big dreams that begin with small steps, which at the start are big decisions and investments. As time progress, some make it big, and some don’t.
What are the secrets of those who have made it big?
What did they do early on and what are they doing now?
Let’s hear from Scott Fraser, GM Construction of Brefni. Scott has spent 25 years in the construction industry and has ridden the timeline of shifts the industry has seen.
Brefni is more than a business as I see it. As you would find out in this podcast, Brefni is about making the right choices, having high ambitions and about focusing on contribution to the industry and community.
Scott also shares how Brefni made it to the big league - being recognised as the Top 10 innovative companies in Australia in the property, construction and transport sector.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Episode 25 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses innovating for the greater good.
There is a lot of hype about technology in construction and what it is capable of but its seldom these days that we associate innovation in our industry with materials and methods. There remains so much opportunity to improve our materials, especially reducing its environmental impacts and so much opportunity to make work methods safe.
But is it really possible to do this as a contractor without support from governments?
I got my answer in a conversation with Jason Zafiriadis, the General Manager – Earth Friendly Concrete for Wagners.
Jason has been with Wagners since March 2020 and has over 18 years of experience in areas of sales, marketing, strategy and leadership. Wagners is recognised as a leader globally for its innovative earth-friendly products.
Listen to find out how Wagners innovates for the greater good.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Episode 24 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses actions needed to progress the construction industry.
Construction is a unique industry. What we do helps other industries, society and communities to progress but as an industry, there is reluctance and hesitation when it comes to progress. Maybe there are valid reasons why progress is too slow for many of us. The big questions are - are all the stakeholders trying hard enough and what exactly is slowing things down?
To discuss this topic today, I have Matthew Mackey.
Matthew is the National Director for Cost & Commercial at Arcadis in Australia and is extremely passionate about the future of our industry. He is a recognised commercial leader with extensive local and international cost management expertise, developed over 20-years in the construction industry. Matthew has lived in Brisbane for almost 10 years and has worked on a diverse number of projects across Australia, including the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, Auckland Airport Second Runway Expansion, and Sydney Metro.
Matthew is a regular spokesperson and contributor on how the industry can improve collaboration and productivity and how data and digital technology can provide a positive impact on the future.
This is an episode not be missed by current and aspiring leaders of the industry.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Episode 23 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses the topic of innovation in doing business.
Taking a business that is doing well to a new level is one story but taking a business that was left with only 3 staff to now approaching $100M in revenue in a few years is what exemplary transformation is about.
What were the key ingredients of this transformation? Was it challenging?
In this episode, Marc Kenney, the Managing Director of Mettle shares how his focus on innovation and people created the breakthrough the business needed. Marc has been in construction for over 30 years, serving in leadership roles globally. Recently, Marc was also featured in the Australian edition of the CEO Magazine.
Innovation changes organisations and can you imagine what is possible if you empower people at the same time?
Listen to find out.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Episode 22 of the Competitive Contractor Podcast discusses the topic of incentives in the construction industry.
Incentives or paying staff for performance is a topic many construction businesses talk about and consider, but struggle getting off the ground. While it looks simple on the surface, there are a lot of dimensions to it ranging from financial to psychological.
Does paying for performance really work?
How do we move to an incentivised pay structure and how we ensure that it is successful?
Let’s find out what Adam Cooper, the President of Ascent Consulting (https://ascentconsults.com/) has to say about this. Ascent advises construction companies globally on Business Operations, Management, Technology, Leadership and Growth Strategies. He has personally written and consulted extensively about incentive programs for construction companies, and I am delighted that he is able to join us for this podcast. Adam is also a strategic partner of Shivendra & Co.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
Season 3 of The Competitive Contractor podcast launches today with Scott Power, the Chief Executive Officer of the BMD Group.
In Episode 21, titled “Seeing things differently”, Scott discusses factors other than great visions and ambitions that build thriving and successful construction companies.
BMD’s story is inspirational. Over a 41-year history, BMD has grown from a small business to become a diverse organisation providing integrated services of civil engineering, construction, design, property development, landscaping and maintenance.
With Scott’s leadership, BMD has seen the business become a truly national contractor and launch operations offshore. Their capabilities extend beyond transport infrastructure and land development, into non-traditional sectors including ports, airports, oil and gas, and resources.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. Click here (https://contractors.shivendra.com/) to find out how you can grow your construction business and be more profitable.
construction #infrastructure #contractors #inspiration #podcast
Episode 20 coincides with the end of 2020 and for the benefit of the listeners, I thought to go over episodes that generated discussions and conversations. As the Competitive Contractor podcast grows and adds on episodes, it is still important to remind ourselves of the gems contained in the earlier episodes.
I take the opportunity to thank all guests and everyone who supports this initiative.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
In this episode, I cover how construction business owners and leaders can maintain momentum. Challenges that crop up in business daily are often distractions, diverting time, energy and focus away from strategic initiatives. While overcoming challenges help with the short term and are important, the importance of strategic goals and initiatives should be underrated. I share an approach I use for my own business as well as what I advise my clients. I found this method is simple, it keeps you accountable and takes a positive approach.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
In this episode, I respond to a question on productivity posed during our Building Successful Construction Companies webinar. A topic not usually talked about but it is a significant contributor to two of the pressing issues facing the construction industry - labour shortage and project overruns. Industries such as manufacturing, mining and healthcare have seen vast improvements over the past decade and more with a sustained focus on productivity. This has seen these industries catch up to the times and for businesses to remain viable. In this episode, I share areas construction companies can focus first to turn the dial on productivity.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
In this episode, I respond to a question on the outlook for the industry. While 2020 has proven all predictions incorrect, it still helps to plan and forecast what lies ahead. In this podcast, I review a few sources of data which paints quite a promising future for the construction industry. A lot of is driven by initiatives of the government but indications are that private sector projects will pick up. I also share sources where such information can be easily accessed.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
In this episode, I respond to a question on how forums and industry events such as conferences and webinars help young professionals. I discuss how such forums are a win-win for professionals and their employers. Imagine playing tennis where every good shot reflects on the scoreboard. In this forum, business owners and leaders will gain tips to perfect the shots ensuring their business scoreboard gets taken care of. The reality is when you focus too much on the scoreboard, you start missing the balls.
Point to note - the people who make Apple, Tesla and the other big names successful, are just like us :-)
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
In this episode, we look at how you can set and attain your business goals.
- Be crystal clear about the goals
- Form the right team from the start
- Define the roles of everyone involved
- Review often (Wayne Bennett way!!)
- Work to the final whistle
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
In Episode 14, I discuss a topic that is very close to and probably the favourite part of Shivendra & Co's service offering. Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) are an essential part of construction businesses (or any business). It helps trigger behaviour and actions that drive a business towards its goals and aspirations. But while it is easy to understand the concept, many businesses in our industry fail to realise the importance of developing, implementing and utilising KPI's. And of those who try, a handful end up giving up due to frustration. Frustration caused by not getting the fundamentals right.
In this topic, I scratch the surface when it comes to KPI's but I address the fundamentals. It starts with making KPI review a part of the business and not a separate reporting activity, ensuring KPI's are easily understood, visible, reliable and easily implementable. Furthermore, KPI's in growth-oriented businesses need to stretch the team and effective KPI's always trigger action.
There is much more than what I discuss involved than I can cover in this podcast. Contact us at Shivendra & Co if you would like to discuss this further.
This podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co who work with construction companies and contractors to grow their business, improve profitability and operate smoothly.
In Episode 13, I discuss daily huddles. This is a mixed bag when it comes to implementation as there are businesses who live by this, whereas there are others who just don’t have the time to apply this.
Daily Huddles is like sugar – you know what it tastes like after you’ve implemented it.
And here’s what we know from successful construction businesses – they actively take time out to have these daily conversations at multiple levels of their business.
These are thoughts that have helped my clients sprint off the mark and minimize the impact of COVID-19. I am sharing this with you, as it is my mission to see local contractors grow and become more profitable.
The next few episodes of the Competitive Contractor is focused on helping owners, directors, general managers, and leaders of construction companies and contractors prepare for 2021.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. To discuss how you can win more work, grow your business, and become profitable, contact us today.
#construction #infrastructure #contractors #business #projects #strategy #bidding #winning
In Episode 12, I discuss planning and budgeting. A topic that many businesses think of doing but don’t get around, causing them lost opportunity and potential.
From promptly investing in areas of growth, diverting resources to emerging opportunities early enough and stopping $ leakage in a timely manner, planning and budgeting allow you the opportunity to look ahead.
And here’s what we know from successful construction businesses – they actively take time out to look ahead.
These are thoughts that have helped my clients sprint off the mark and minimize the impact of COVID-19. I am sharing this with you, as it is my mission to see local contractors grow and become more profitable.
The next few episodes of the Competitive Contractor is focused on helping owners, directors, general managers, and leaders of construction companies and contractors prepare for 2021.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. To discuss how you can win more work, grow your business, and become profitable, contact us today.
#construction #infrastructure #contractors #business #projects #strategy #bidding #winning
The next 10 episodes of the Competitive Contractor is focused on helping owners, directors, general managers and leaders of construction companies and contractors prepare for 2021.
In Episode 11, I discuss steps you can take today, without any investments, to win more work and start building a strong pipeline for 2021.
Winning new work is a major worry for construction business owners, general managers and leaders of small to medium-sized construction companies.
In this episode, we will discuss:
- What makes this a concern
- Why you never get ahead
- Why it should be addressed
- Ideas you can work on to fix this
These are ideas that have helped my clients sprint off the mark and minimize the impact of COVID-19. Sharing this with you as it is my mission to see local and family-owned contractors grow and become more profitable.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. To discuss how you also can win more work, grow your business and become profitable, contact us today via www.shivendra.com or hello@shivendra.com.
construction #infrastructure #contractors #business #projects #strategy #bidding #winning
We all are familiar with made in Australia, buy Australian made and so on. But we often don’t realise that such terms extend beyond manufactured products. Construction is one such example where 80% of major infrastructure projects are delivered by multinational firms. While local contractors are involved indirectly, there is the common question of – if we are constructing the project indirectly, why can’t we involved directly? There is so much potential in the local construction industry. Our history of building the world renowned Snowy Hydro Scheme back in the day, and also being the birthplace local construction firms who are now owned by multinationals with a global footprint.
It’s potential that’s idling – and the question I have today is how do we fire up Australia’s construction potential!
In this podcast, I am joined by the CEO of the Australian Owned Contractors and a very passionate advocate of Australian Contractors, Brent Crockford. Brent has been in engaged in the public service sector since the early 2000’s and has worked with Governments and policy makers for most of his career. Earlier this year, Brent was appointed to lead Australian Owned Contractors, an industry association representing 16 mid-Tier construction companies.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
This episode of the Competitive Contractor Podcast is different as I challenged myself to put out a solo cast.
There are a lot of discussions taking place on how the construction industry, particularly at the contractor and sub-contractor level would be post-COVID (now!). These are great conversations but not as much if the context isn’t correct. And this is solo cast is about clarifying some of these things.
Some say investing in technology is the answer. But is it really the answer, or a tool?
Others say digital marketing is the silver bullet to grow your construction business. But is that where all our focus needs to be?
Here’s my perspective on traits clients and main contractors will be looking for in their contractors and where your efforts need to be directed now to be ready for 2021.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co. Find out how you too can win more work and grow profitably - www.shivendra.com
Traditionally data in construction has been used as more of a reporting tool by business analysts, however, data can serve as a crucial informant of strategic decision making. Due to the inherently complex nature of construction projects, managing and processing vast amount of data from multiple sources, is a weighty task, and one, which results in the underutilization of much of the available data. Data is an asset we cannot continue to ignore. Realizing its value early enough gives us an edge to become more competitive to discuss data as a tool for constructors.
In this podcast, I discuss the use of data analytics in construction with Neil Patel. Neil is the General Manager of Concerto Analytics. He has a strong passion for solving large, complex problems facing organizations. over the years. Neil can be reached via https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilpatel-/ or Neil.Patel@ConcertoAnalytics.com.
And here is a special offer for our listeners - Concerto Free Trial for up 3 colleagues for 3 months if use "Competitive Contractor” in the response to "How did you hear about us?" description https://concertoanalytics.com/sign-up/
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com
Communication plays a massive part in our lives. It is the glue that keeps things rolling and the construction industry, in particular, is one that is based on interactions between people. From discussions with employees, subcontractors, the clients, and the external stakeholders, which not only includes the community, but also the future workforce and investors.
But despite it being such a crucial part of the industry, there is probably not enough focus, no attention given to communication is a powerful tool for marketing for advocacy for capturing and transferring learnings, as well as to engage the community in building Australia.
What's changing in the way the construction industry communicates? What are some unexplored areas?
I discuss this further with Michael Parker, Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Praxis Communications. Michael has spent many years developing communication strategies to position brands set agendas, improve marketing and manage issues, and the media.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Why don’t solutions to business problems stick? Why does it feel businesses operate on a treadmill when it comes to solving problems?
These questions keep coming up in conversations with many executives, business owners and project managers.
Interestingly, these questions have been discussed over the many years - constantly and rightfully so given the old line that change is a constant. But more seriously, solving problems and implementing change swiftly and sustainably is critical for businesses intending to grow, succeed and thrive in the current climate. So what do we miss when it comes to solving problems and changing? What is the missing ingredient in the recipe for successful change?
We discuss this topic with Indi Ray, a senior manager at nbn responsible for customer-led transformation. Indi is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt in Operational Excellence, Lean Coach and Change Manager. Over the past 16 years', Indi has been mobilising, leading and managing organisational transformation programs to optimise systems and processes to deliver efficiencies and improved user and customer experiences. Indi has led Business maturity programs that drive E2E value stream improvement across many industries such as oil & gas, defence, utilities, telco and retail.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co (www.shivendra.com)
The construction industry has a poor track record of insolvencies. There are various reasons for this and the commonly talked about one is biased risk allocation, which is pushing risk downward in the value chain along with poor payment practices. When compared to other industries, construction also has a higher capital requirement due to investments in plant and equipment.
Insolvency is a topic we avoid talking about, but the challenge is real. With COVID-19 and with some specialised construction projects such as NBN coming to an end, the threat is real for businesses. And while challenges faced by larger organisations make headlines in mainstream media, the realities and stresses of small to medium-sized contractors only remain front of mind for the owners, unknown to many of us.
In this episode, I am with Andrew Spring, a Partner in the National Insolvency Firm, Jirsch Sutherland. Andrew’s career in the specialist recovery and insolvency practise commenced in 1999. Having worked internationally for a number of years, Andrew joined Jirsch Sutherland as a partner in 2011 and with his experience and expertise helped many local businesses, including many in the construction industry ride through difficult and challenging periods.
We discuss Australia's insolvency regime, duties of directors, dive deep into the voluntary administration process and discuss recent changes to illegal phoenix activities. We made sure jargons and legal terms are minimised.
The Competitive Contractor Podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co (www.shivendra.com).
A lot has changed and is changing in the construction industry. A transformation of the local infrastructure construction industry has been talked about for a long time. The good news is that with the jolt from COVID-19, there are now more conversations on changes needed in the construction industry. But not all changes can be initiated and implemented by businesses as they require collective effort at the industry level.
So how do we move the construction industry from here to there!
In this episode, Jon Davies, the recently appointed CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) discusses his vision for the ACA, how the ACA is helping address the challenges the industry faces and why he is excited to be a part of the construction industry.
More information about ACA can be found via https://www.constructors.com.au/. You can also follow Australian Contractors Association and John Davies on LinkedIn.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
Resilience will be the dominant word for organisations, boards and CEO’s going forwards. A lot has been said and written about resilience at the individual and business level recently and this podcast extends it to an industry level.
The construction industry has been struggling with issues such as low profitability, skills shortage and mental health for a while. Industry resilience, therefore, becomes an important topic and we need to act to ensure the industry that builds Australia remains strong enough to construct the bridge between now and our future economic aspirations.
In this podcast, we hear from Le Tilahun, Associate Partner of McKinsey & Company. He shares his thoughts on how the construction industry in Australia is doing currently and presents areas the industry needs to focus on first.
Your action list to think about resilience in the construction industry starts here.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co.
In this podcast, Robin Miles provides insights on decision making in a crisis. Robin Miles is the co-founder of Inspireme consulting. Robin assists companies, organisations and individuals to discover the power of inner leadership and the potential of united teams. In this podcast, Robin discusses the Harvard Negotiation project theory on collaboration and negotiation and benefits organisations have seen applying decision-making methodologies. He emphasises how businesses, during times of crisis, need to go hard on the problem and go easy on people. Robin provides advice that will help every contractor, beyond doubt, to navigate successfully the current crisis.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co
In this podcast, Kate Burrows provides insights on successful tenders. Kate Burrows is the founder and managing director of The Tender Training College. Kate helps small and large contractors with tender submissions. In this podcast, Kate discusses the Go/No Go process contractors need to apply for tenders, important considerations when writing tenders, mistakes to avoid and the elements of a tender submission that decides who wins a tender in tight situations.
The Competitive Contractor podcast is brought to you by Shivendra & Co - www.shivendra.com