There’s a good reason why mobile IT is proving popular on building sites. Teams need to stay co-ordinated, and the building site is where all the action happens. If managers have to spend their time in the site office using IT systems it means they can’t be on site. Project directors will usually spend most of their time in offices or at meetings, but construction managers should be spending a decent chunk of their time out on site. In the past this meant that apart from a basic mobile phone, they were out of touch with relevant IT systems for all of that time.

There are several tasks taking place on a construction site which can benefit from mobile connectivity, including reviewing up-to-date notes and plans, keeping accurate distribution and usage records, allocating tasks, monitoring progress, health and safety risk assessment and monitoring, quality checks, site design problem resolution, site diary management, accounting for attendance of operatives and visitors and maintenance inspections. There are all sorts of situations where managers need to access up-to-date data, capture data and communicate with those outside of the site and its office. Mobile IT has revolutionised some of these activities, with particular firms developing bespoke applications to suit their needs.

There are barriers to the adoption of smartphones, tablets and mobile IT in construction, including cost, training and safety issues regarding the use of the devices.

In the past businesses and government organisations have relied on rugged PDAs, otherwise known as enterprise digital assistants (EDAs) for mobile data use. They can often include additional features which can be useful including barcode readers, radio-frequency identifications, magnetic stripe card or smart card readers. While rugged PDAs are a good choice for construction sites, they can be both very expensive and considerably less modern than the modern mobile IT devices.

The older generation of tablet PCs were adopted by some in the construction industry, but compared to the iPad and latest android devices, they don’t compare. The devices were weight and cumbersome, having to be carried on a shoulder strap around the site. Modern devices are lightweight and have more software, applications and plug-ins available. Rugged PDAs and older-style tablet PCs lack the level of software available on new mobile internet devices. While older devices might have been treated like company facilities, individuals are much more likely to feel a sense of ownership over modern mobile IT devices and get the most out of them as a result.

Smartphones, tablets and mobile IT is changing the construction industry for the better. They allow managers to spend more time on site and less time in the site office away from their team and the action.

Image used courtesy of Yagan Kiely on Flickr

Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including the construction industry, aerial platforms and cherry picker hire.

This year – as in all years – you will continue to take control of your company and keep moving forward. That means new opportunities, new projects and new clients. The only question that remains is: ’what is the best way to find that new work’.

That’s where Construction Sales Centre comes in. A Sales Hunter from CSC, working for you just one day a week, will find that stream of new opportunities for you. The work is still there. It just takes a more concerted effort to find it. Outsourcing your sales to a professional that we can provide for you will give you peace of mind. The continuing search for new business does not stop for you.

Give us a call and we can chat about your strategy and how we can help you continue to grow your construction business.

Is your website..

• Up-to-date
• Contemporary in design
• Fully optimised for Search engines
• Easy for you to update
• Linked to Social Media sites

 Are you proud of what they find?

These days, your website is the most crucial element of your marketing collateral. It is often how potential clients find you, and then check you out. Are you happy with your site? Is it doing all that it could do for you?

We will help you assess your site’s effectiveness and if necessary build you a new site with easy to use content management system, full search engine optimisation (SEO) and a facebook page if you want one.

We also offer:

• Brochures
• Exhibition stands
• Pop up banners
• Business cards
• Stationery
• Flyers

The better these sales aids are the easier it is to gain leads and turn them into business.

Call Phil Kinnie on 07918 611 349 or email us to discuss you marketing collateral needs.

At the beginning of 2011, we produced a well-received and free report on outsourcing sales. Describing the perilous state of the market, it explored how companies are looking to cut overheads and get greater flexibility in their sales teams.

“Outsourcing has long been a feature of some of the world’s most successful businesses.” 

Outsourcing has been a trend that seems to wax and wain depending on the prevailing mood, but as this chart from Google shows, interest is ever increasing:

Book’s published about outsourcing as a percentage of all books

But is it for you? Some construction firms are using CSC to provide experienced, ‘part-time’ sales hunters whose focus is filling the pipeline with quality sales meetings and invitations to tender – with none of the down-side of employing a full-time member of staff.

Our clients benefit from the peace of mind that they have no commitment to fixed salaries and can use CSC as much or as little as they like.

When times are tough, as they so clearly are now, tightly controlling costs and driving revenue are essential to survive.

We’re helping others to do this and it would be great to help you. The report is still available and I am more than happy to send you a copy (email me at philkinnie@constructionsales.co.uk). It would be great to talk about how a little outsourcing might make a big difference to your business.

Working with UK construction companies CSC offers an outsourced sales operation. We provide what we call ‘sales hunters’ who ensure a healthy new client pipeline for mid- to large-sized companies.

“Here at CSC we offer both focus and expertise. This is not telesales. We put experienced people with a background in sales and construction, in touch
with companies who need a sales push to drive business. Our outsourced sales hunters can give the flexibility and discipline that their own staff might not
be able to deliver.”

Phil goes on, “CSC was born out of innovation in the 80’s when our technique of allocating a specific person to ‘find a market’ was first put into practice. CSC has helped out a wide range of clients including; architects, contractors, surveyors, and suppliers.”

A native of British Columbia, Canada and anglophile, Phil Kinnie’s background lays in telecommunications and IT in the North American market. He has a degree in Computer Systems Management and has worked in the UK for the past nine years exclusively within the construction industry.

The UK construction industry accounts for 10% of UK GDP yet many companies simply lack the expertise and means to build a client base.

“Experience has led me to believe that the UK construction industry is very much a word-of-mouth industry. People hear of this company or a friend
recommends that company and gradually the tenders start coming through.

“Our sales hunters walk the talk, and can get a company actively driving sales on a no-commitment basis, benefitting from their concentrated approach and vast knowledge of the industry on just a few days a month.

“The global economic recession, instability in the financial sector and a fluctuating housing market have all given the construction industry a pummelling. Now more than ever companies need to be proactive and turn the tide, seeing the help of individuals who can propose a viable marketing strategy that “delivers, and gives a business a choice, helping them build a healthy client base”.

If you would like to discuss how we could help your business or to receive a free copy of our Outsourcing Sales report please contact Phil on philkinnie@constructionsales.co.uk or on 07918 611349

The Construction Sales Centre will work with you to develop your strategy, AND we will then implement it for you. We don’t just hand the plan back to you – we do the actual selling work. We bring the expertise of a professional consultant to your business who will work with you to further develop your business strategy. Working from your premises, as a part of your team, the consultant will identify current opportunities in your key market sectors, contact the decision makers and introduce your company where upcoming relevant projects exist.

Contact me to discuss.