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Explore every episode of the podcast Construction Disrupted

Dive into the complete episode list for Construction Disrupted. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Construction Conversations - Episode 81 | Amelia Fletcher-Blackburn - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2526 Aug 202500:28:50

As the construction industry continues to grapple with digital transformation, it’s clear that progress is being made, but also that many of the toughest questions still lie ahead. From skills and systems to expectations and execution, the gap between technological potential and everyday practice remains a central challenge.

Those leading the charge in digital construction are not only implementing tools but rethinking how the industry works, how knowledge is shared, how platforms connect, and how people adapt to rapid change. Listening to those on the front lines of this evolution offers a unique vantage point: one that blends realism with optimism, and ambition with hard-earned insight.

Sometimes it’s as important to take a step back to reflect on what’s been learned so far as it is to take the technological leaps forward and understand where the momentum is heading so that we can build a more connected, digitally confident construction sector, one person, one platform, and one mindset shift at a time. Let’s have a chat with someone who is indeed talking to one person at a time.

Amelia Fletcher-Blackburn is an Enterprise Client Partner at Causeway Technologies, where she works with some of the UK’s largest construction and infrastructure organisations to drive meaningful digital transformation. With a strong background in delivering enterprise technology, enabling organisational change and a deep understanding of the built environment, Amelia helps clients navigate complex challenges by aligning digital solutions with business outcomes.

Host of the Deconstructing Digital podcast, Amelia speaks with industry leaders, innovators, and change-makers to unpack what digital transformation really means for the construction sector.

Amelia is passionate about helping the industry embrace digital change in a way that’s sustainable, scalable, and genuinely useful on the ground.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Changing how we think about the future of digital construction.

- Closing the gaps between technology and the way we work on and off-site.

- The evolution of connected platforms and data sharing.

- The expectation of future technology enablement.

- Advice for those starting out in digital construction.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Impactful Shared Workspace - Episode 80 | Greg Demchak - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2519 Aug 202500:28:41

Digital tools promise faster decisions, smoother collaboration, and greater clarity across construction projects, but the real work often begins after the software is switched on. Yet the adoption of such digital tools isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s a behavioural one.

On this podcast, we’re yet to explore the reality of digital transformation on the ground, not from the perspective of dashboards or features, but from the vantage point of the people using them. It’s about time we had a conversation about people, not platforms and the often overlooked human factors that make or break construction technology with someone who knows their behaviours from their bytes. 

Greg Demchak is a seasoned leader in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) technology sector, recently appointed as Vice President of Industry and Market Development at Motif Systems where He aims to bridge the gap between innovative technology and practical application, ensuring that Motif's next-generation AI-powered solutions are aligned with the evolving needs of design professionals.

With over two decades of experience, Greg has been instrumental in pioneering immersive technologies and real-time collaboration tools that have transformed the AEC landscape. His notable contributions include work on foundational platforms like Autodesk Revit and Synchro 4D, as well as leading digital twin initiatives at Bentley Systems. Educated as an architect, Greg holds a Master of Science in Architectural Studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Moving away from fragmented communication methods

- Supporting new ways of thinking

- What ‘success’ looks like and measuring this success.

- False assumptions and surprising realisations.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Building Smarter Concrete Foundations - Episode 79 | Djelal Osman - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2512 Aug 202500:28:25

Concrete forms the literal and figurative foundation of the built environment, yet its role is often overlooked in conversations about innovation. As pressure grows across the construction industry to deliver projects more sustainably and with greater resilience, the systems surrounding this material are beginning to shift.

Digitalisation is no longer confined to design software or post-completion analysis. It’s reaching deeper into the materials, methods, and real-time processes that shape how buildings and infrastructure come to life. At the same time, clients and contractors are increasingly looking for smarter, more connected ways to plan, monitor and optimise across the entire project lifecycle. It’s time to cure this conundrum with someone who has solid knowledge in this area (sorry, not sorry for the concrete gags)!

Dr Djelal Osman's work is shaped by his extensive experience in both fundamental physics and applied artificial intelligence. Currently an Algorithms Engineer at Converge, he operates at the intersection of technology and sustainability, developing AI and machine learning models to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector, focusing particularly on optimising concrete mix designs and usage to minimise embodied carbon. 

Prior to this role, Djelal co-founded an augmented reality startup, Sention, creating novel computer vision algorithms. His academic foundation includes a PhD in Physics from the Quantum Sensors Group at the University of Cambridge, where his research focused on the physics of low-temperature imaging detectors used in orbital space telescopes.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Digital tools streamlining the management of concrete

- Continually improving sensor technology for concrete monitoring.

- How AI is transforming traditional concrete construction practices

- The benefits of using data for efficiency and sustainability

- Where do you think Construction Technology will be in 10 years?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

A Robotic Future - Episode 78 | Michael Ren - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2505 Aug 202500:19:40

Robotics are emerging as a powerful tool to improve efficiency, enhance safety, and tackle the growing complexity of modern projects within the built environment. Yet introducing advanced technologies into active, often unpredictable, construction environments brings its own unique set of challenges. From addressing early-stage problems through innovation, to balancing research and development with real-world application, robotics is at a critical point in reshaping the future of the building site. So let’s dive into this topic with someone who lives and breathes robotic engineering.

Michael Ren is the Founder and CEO of CSC Robotic Engineering Limited, a pioneering construction robot company established in 2019. Under his visionary leadership, CSC Robo is becoming a global leader in innovative construction technologies.

With a career spanning over two decades, Michael is a seasoned technologist and experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record of innovation across multiple industries. His expertise encompasses automation and robotics, power electronics, IoT devices and systems, mechanical and electronic manufacturing, advanced materials research, and micro- and nano-scale fabrication.

Michael has held roles as Director of Strategic Application in Shun Cheong Engineering Group, and as an entrepreneur and one of the founders of iLOda, a startup in connected Bluetooth low energy (BLE) wearable products. 

What we cover in this live episode:

- Finding solutions through robotics.

- Safety protocols and regulatory frameworks we need to consider.

- The best return when using robotics.

- Balancing the need for continuous R&D and technological innovations with deploying and delivering on-site robotics.

- The building site of the future.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Smarter Systems, Clearer Playbooks - Episode 77 | Pip Morpeth - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2529 Jul 202500:33:23

The way organisations manage knowledge, structure delivery, and learn from experience is rapidly changing with the built environment. As projects become more complex and teams more dispersed, traditional approaches to workflows, documentation, and process management are no longer enough. Success increasingly depends on how well teams can capture, share, and evolve their ways of working in real time.

At the centre of this shift is a growing demand for tools that are not just digital, but dynamic, tools that support both consistency and adaptability - smarter systems, clearer playbooks, and more human-centric designs that can empower teams to work more effectively, learn faster, and deliver with greater confidence in a fast-changing world, so let’s chat to someone who is leading the charge on this.

Pip Morpeth is the CEO of Method Grid and a leading voice in transforming how complex projects are delivered across infrastructure, construction, and professional services. With over 20 years of experience, he helps organisations embed clarity, consistency, and innovation into their ways of working through structured playbooks that integrate knowledge, process, and delivery.

Pip’s work combines deep expertise in human psychology, leadership, and change, focusing on what truly drives team performance and sustained transformation. He is a passionate advocate for helping clients move beyond AI as just a nice-to-have feature, supporting teams to scale AI in practical, human-centred ways.

What we cover in this live episode:

- From static procedures to dynamic, interactive playbooks.

- Change management and user adoption challenges when implementing digital tools.

- A 'lessons learned' process.

- Method Grid and AI

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

AI - Faster, Smarter, Sustainable - Episode 76 | Charlie Sheridan - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2522 Jul 202500:25:53

It hasn’t been that long since it was a buzzword we were told we should all be concerned about, as it would soon take our jobs, yet now Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept in the built environment, it’s an active force reshaping how buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained. As the AEC/O sector faces growing pressure to deliver faster, smarter and more sustainably, AI is becoming a key enabler of change, offering new possibilities in automation, insight, and decision-making. It’s time to discuss how, with someone who knows…how.

Charles Sheridan is the Chief AI and Data Officer and leads the global AI Innovation Hub for Nemetschek, driving the seamless integration of AI technologies across the company’s diverse portfolio of software as well as deploying the internal adoption of AI. 

Over more than 25 years, Charles has gained international industry experience focused on addressing critical technology challenges in the cyber-physical world. Before joining Nemetschek, he held key roles at large tech companies including Google, Intel and Huawei, where he spearheaded the development of next-generation cloud, AI, data, and IoT solutions.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Using Nemetschek’s AI Innovation Hub as an accelerator for digital transformation across the AEC/O industry.

- The integration of AI into the building lifecycle to enhance creativity, efficiency and user experience.

- Addressing ethical considerations and ensuring responsible AI deployment.

- AI Assistants' ability to reshape collaboration, decision-making and workflow management.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Technology Adoption Gaps - Episode 75 | Stuart Campbell - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2515 Jul 202500:34:58

The construction industry stands at a critical crossroads. With mounting pressure to deliver projects faster, safer, and more sustainably, the role of technology is no longer a matter of future potential; it’s a present-day necessity. From automation and data-driven design to machine control and connected workflows, digital innovation challenges long-standing assumptions about what’s possible on and off the jobsite and while AI, BIM, and other innovations continue to grow in popularity across the industry, many organisations still struggle with a lack of digital skills and preceieved high implementation cost which usually come due to tech interoperability issues. It’s a triple whammy!

So, for transformation on an industry scale to become a reality, we have to answer some really difficult questions: How do we balance the speed of innovation with a resilience to develop the skills needed to benefit, and can we meaningfully reduce inefficiencies without increasing complexity?

How are the digital and physical worlds converging in construction, and what does it take to lead the charge through that shift with clarity, purpose, and impact?

 Stuart Campbell is the Senior Manager for Trimble in UK & Ireland. He is responsible for managing the team that promotes the Trimble AECO software portfolio within some of the largest main contractors, housebuilders, specialist subcontractors and engineering consultancies and in his spare time, Stuart is studying for an MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Overestimating the pace of innovation and underestimating the depth of skills needed

- The responsibility enterprises have within the industry

- The risks of over-digitising

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Lean Construction - Episode 74 | Remi Dornier - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2508 Jul 202500:32:42

Digital innovation is driving profound changes across the construction sector, offering new ways to rethink how buildings and infrastructure are conceived, delivered and operated. From the emergence of advanced modelling technologies to the application of artificial intelligence and manufacturing principles, the industry is moving towards a more connected, efficient and sustainable future. We know all this, but when it comes to lean construction, it can get a little confusing as construction in itself is anything but lean. We need to chat to someone who can help us lean into this topic and shed some light on its importance.

With 16 years of experience in Dassault Systèmes, Remi Dornier has been committed to his passion of deep interest in Geosciences, Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) sciences and technology. Working in close collaboration with industry, research institutions, and governments he focused on leading business transformation in Aerospace, Naval, Industrial Equipment and AEC industries in both mature and emerging markets with 7 years in France and 8 years in Asia. 

What we cover in this live episode:

- The journey of Lean Construction over the past three decades and its fundamentals.

- Addressing the three big challenges: environmental, economic, and human.

- Exploring the five principles: Focus on goals, Communicate visually, Obsess over the plan, Notice flow, Understand the human element​.

- ​Overcoming cultural and systemic barriers to lean adoption.

- The emergence of AI and how this may shape or define the future of lean construction.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

A Data-Driven Future - Episode 73 | Paul Devlin - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2501 Jul 202500:28:23

Driven by the need to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve collaboration, digital solutions are at the forefront of the changes within the built environment, offering tools that streamline processes and connect various stakeholders across the construction lifecycle.

However, digitalisation is not simply a matter of implementing new technologies, it demands a shift in mindset, culture, and operational practice. As projects grow more complex and pressures on time, cost, and sustainability increase, the industry must rethink how information flows, how teams collaborate, and how value is created at every stage of the supply chain.

From real-time data integration to predictive analytics and a connected supply chain, technology is redefining what is possible but also reshaping the expectations of clients, contractors, and the wider built environment community. The importance of this cannot be understated, so we need to chat to someone who is at the top of supply chain technologies that are facilitating a more connected industry.

Paul Devlin, CEO of Causeway Technologies, is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in sales and consulting, holding executive leadership positions with leading global companies, including SUSE, SAP, SAS, and Teradata.

Paul is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, having begun his career as a plumber before moving into the world of business. He is often sought out within the Industry for his thought leadership and experience in leading sales force transformations in high-growth environments.

Paul graduated in 2016 with a Masters in Leading Sales Transformation from Middlesex University and holds advanced leadership certification from Cranfield University in the UK and the Centre for Creative Leadership in the United States.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Has digital transformation in construction been too slow?

- The cost of doing nothing.

- What’s stopping us from joining the dots between data, technology and people? 

- Is it time to take more risks with technology?

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Augmented Reality Check - Episode 72 | Alexander Sidorov - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2524 Jun 202500:17:22

Augmented Reality (AR) is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in the construction sector, offering new ways to bridge the gap between digital plans and physical sites. We’ve covered this topic already way back in episode 9 - Can AR be a True Reality? where founders of Gamma AR - Caner Dolas & Jayan Jevanesan were kind enough to open up about the benefits of AR within the built environment, and since then the use of this tech has simply intensified as the industry looks for solutions that improve accuracy, collaboration, and efficiency.

AR is moving from an emerging technology to a practical asset with a clear business case. Beyond immediate project benefits, there is also growing interest in how AR can support skills development and attract the next generation of construction professionals, so let’s chat to someone from a familiar organisation shall we?

I’m delighted to welcome Alexander Sidorov, the COO / CFO of GAMMA Technologies, a colleague of Caner and Jayan, who I mentioned earlier, and the company behind GAMMA AR. 

He drives the Company’s Strategy and Operations and has 10 years of experience in corporate finance and venture building across various industries, including construction-related and technology-oriented projects. He also contributes to business development efforts of GAMMA Technologies across several geographies, including the UK and is obsessed with best practices and efficient deployment of field-based ConTech solutions.

What we cover in this live episode:

- The business case for adopting AR technology.

- Lightbulb moments when using AR.

- GAMMA ARs evolution to stay ahead.

- Attracting the next generation of construction workers.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Construction Tech Across EMEA - Episode 71 | Nathan Marsh - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2517 Jun 202500:19:27

As infrastructure demands grow across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, so too does the complexity of delivering them. From transport and utilities to large-scale urban development, the sector must respond not only to technical challenges but also to regional variation in policy, regulation, skills, and economic conditions.

Digital tools and smarter processes are central to addressing this complexity, helping organisations plan more effectively, operate more sustainably, and build with greater precision. Yet transformation at this scale also depends on something less tangible: the ability to adapt ways of working, develop new capabilities, and navigate the gaps between vision and implementation.

With this in mind, let’s chat to someone who is leading the charge on this.

Nathan Marsh is the Regional Executive for EMEA at Bentley Systems. As the senior leader in the region, he is responsible for the strategy, growth, and success of the EMEA business. He has over 20 years of leadership roles within management consultancy, risk advisory, private equity and corporate finance, engineering, and construction businesses, all focused on the funding, design, delivery, and operation of complex and critical national infrastructure.

Prior to joining Bentley, Nathan served as Chief Digital Officer for FTSE and SEC listed construction businesses, leading the deployment of digital solutions into major infrastructure programmes to create value, reduce risk and improve performance. 

Nathan has also served as a British army officer, played professional rugby and is privileged to represent industry on a range of expert panels, advisory boards and committees.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Reshaping the way infrastructure assets are designed, built, and managed.

- The key challenges in implementing tech across varied built environments and economies.

- Growth opportunities from a regional perspective and the tech that will support this growth.

- A shifting skills profile within construction.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Building Safety Technology - Episode 70 | Simon Elliott - Live @ Digital Construction Week 2510 Jun 202500:21:02

The construction site is one of the most dynamic, high-stakes environments in the modern economy, yet it's also one of the least digitally connected. As the industry grapples with increasing pressure around safety, compliance, and labour shortages, the gap between digital intent and on-the-ground reality remains stubbornly wide.

For technology to genuinely improve how people work on-site, it needs to do more than just monitor or automate. It must support real communication, foster trust, and make safety and efficiency part of the culture, not just the paperwork.

From workforce empowerment to ethical accountability, this is a chance to look at construction technology not just as systems of data, but as systems of people with someone who is building systems for people.

Simon Elliott is the CEO of 1Breadcrumb, a construction technology company helping contractors digitise and streamline safety and compliance on-site. Established across Australia and the UK, and is now expanding into North America, 1Breadcrumb empowers frontline workers through its intuitive technology. 

Simon brings over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, with roles across the Health, Government, and Construction Technology sectors. He has founded companies, led M&A transactions, overseen international expansions, and guided businesses through venture funding and strategic growth.

Today, Simon leads the business through its next phase of global scale, while staying grounded in a mission to make safety and compliance simple, embedded, and worker-friendly.

What we cover in this live episode:

- Designing tech that workers want to use.

- Shifting from viewing safety as a checklist to embedding it into the organisational culture.

- Maintaining a high level of compliance.

- Supporting a culture of accountability, not creating suspicion.

- It’s the 10-year anniversary of DCW. Where will Construction Technology be in a decade?

Show Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Links

Digital Construction Week 25 and 26: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Digital Construction North: https://www.digitalconstructionnorth.com/ 

Recap: Digital Construction Week 24 - Episode 69 | Peter Sumpton and Guests27 May 202500:41:32

Been a little quiet on releasing episodes recently as I'm back doing some more live podcasting at Digital Construction Week 2025. Following this episode, I'll have some recordings live from DCW to share with you, so if you haven't already, subscribe and you won't miss a thing.

And that is what they call a seamless segway, because if you missed out on last year's recordings, you're in for a treat. In this weeks special episode we're revisiting the dynamic conversations recorded live at Digital Construction Week (DCW) 2024.

As the construction industry continues to innovation at a faster and faster pace, DCW 2024 provided the perfect platform for thought leaders to share insights on the digital transformation shaping our built environment.

These conversations underscore the industry's commitment to embracing digital transformation. As we reflect on just some of the insights each episode provided, it's clear that the integration of technology in construction is an evolution for efficiency, collaboration and innovation.

Here are some of the highlights We'll dive into from Digital Construction Week 2024;

  • Digital Adoption with Ben Huskisson (Gleeds): Ben delved into the challenges and opportunities of integrating digital tools within construction workflows, emphasising the importance of cultural change alongside technological advancement.
  • Digital Transformations with Kris Lengieza (ProCore): Kris shared his experiences on driving digital change, highlighting strategies for effective implementation and the role of leadership in integrating innovation.
  • Site Efficiency and Management with Roger Bradbury (Chime): Roger discussed practical approaches to enhancing on-site efficiency through digital solutions, focusing on real-time data and resource management.
  • Project Management and Objective Data with Andy Steele (Buildots): Andy explored the integration of objective data in project management, illustrating how data-driven decisions can lead to improved project outcomes.
  • Cloud Construction Technology with Kristina Poluyanova (AutoDesk): Kristina examined the impact of cloud technologies on construction processes, discussing scalability, collaboration, and data accessibility.
  • Streamlining Processes with José Oliveira (DiRoots): José highlighted methods to streamline construction processes, focusing on efficiency gains through digital tools and process optimisation.
  • Machine Learning with Varun Bhartiya (nCircle): Varun introduced applications of machine learning in construction, demonstrating how predictive analytics can enhance decision-making and project planning.
  • Supply Chain Transformations with Neeral Shah (YardLink): Neeral discussed the digitisation of the construction supply chain, addressing challenges and showcasing solutions for improved transparency and efficiency.
  • Digital Twins with Anand Mecheri (Twinit): Anand explored the concept of digital twins, explaining their role in simulating and managing built environments for better performance and sustainability.

Links

Get Adobe Express for FREE: https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Digital Construction Week 25 - Episode 68 | Karolina Orecchini13 May 202500:36:13

Digital transformation in the built environment is no longer a future ambition, it’s a present-day reality reshaping how we design, deliver, and manage our physical world. From automation and data-driven decision making to the pursuit of more sustainable, efficient and connected projects, it’s here, it’s now. But how do we know what the right here and now is for our own organisations, chasing the same efficiencies but with specific needs?

As the UK’s leading event dedicated to innovation in the built environment, Digital Construction Week (allbeit not a week) offers a valuable lens on the organisations, technologies, ideas and conversations shaping this transformation. Now in its tenth year, the show brings together thousands of professionals from across architecture, engineering, construction and operations for two days (again, not a week) of discovery, learning and collaboration.

But what can we expect from this year’s, erm, week? From standout sessions and emerging technologies. The ‘week’ reflects the evolving needs of the industry, the role it plays in helping professionals make sense of complex trends, as well as the required critical decision-making of what tech is right for their organisation. So let’s chat to someone who knows the answer to these questions better than most.

Karolina Orecchini is the Event Director of Digital Construction Week (DCW), the UK’s leading event for innovation and technology in the built environment. With over five years dedicated to DCW, Karolina has helped shape the show into a dynamic platform for professionals driving digital change across architecture, engineering, construction, and operations.

With a background that spans various industries such as beauty and football, Karolina has built a career on delivering impactful events. While the sectors may have changed, a deep passion for bringing people together remained constant.

We're taking a look at:

- The evolution of Digital Construction Week (10 years on)

- What should people expect this year

- Where should people be heading on the day?

- What goes into building an event like DCW?

- Balancing hot topics with ever-present ones such as Digital Twins, BIM and ERPs

- Emerging technologies and under-discussed ideas

- What do you want people to take away from this year's event?

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

Register here: https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=DCW65Visitor

Adobe Express: How to Bring Creativity into Construction - Episode 67 | Peter Sumpton10 Apr 202500:16:06

Anyone can be creative, and anything can be creative. But what transforms something creative into something useful in a business-to-business environment is how it engages an audience. Does it resonate? Is it memorable, functional, and appropriate for the intended channel? And that's just for starters. Using the right creative technology is crucial in a world where the dynamics of creative design execution – be it image, video, audio, or the written word – change almost daily.

In today’s episode, we're discussing why creative technology, specifically Adobe Express, should be a central part of every UK construction company’s toolkit. Communicating clearly, consistently, and professionally is paramount, whether it's winning bids, managing client expectations, becoming memorable, creating brand salience, or effectively collaborating with suppliers and internal teams. Having the right technology to streamline and enhance content creation can set your business apart.

Adobe Express simplifies complex content production tasks that typically require significant resources or specialist skills. From quick-turnaround tender documents and impactful marketing materials to internal training resources, supplier communications, and collaborations, Adobe Express empowers teams of any size to deliver exceptional quality efficiently, cost-effectively, and most importantly, consistently, thanks to its clever product design, intuitive interface, and tools that enhance rather than hinder the creative process.

Allow me to take you through my top five capabilities that Adobe Express has to offer and explore how each can specifically benefit organisations within the UK construction industry or, indeed any organisation with a B2B focus. These capabilities are not just for enhancing marketing; they also support sales, HR, procurement, customer service, product development, HSE, technical, and supplier engagements.

Imagine this scenario:

- Someone has created complex designs in Illustrator and/or Photoshop.

- These designs can be imported seamlessly into Adobe Express, where you need to remove some graphics that aren't relevant.

- You use the Generative AI ‘Remove Objects’ feature to update the design and subsequently apply the correct branding seamlessly.

- This design needs to be used in four different tenders, requiring multiple resizes.

- This can be done with just a few clicks in Adobe Express.

- You decide that, with a few tweaks and using various parts of the design, it would create excellent content showcasing the best your organisation has to offer.

- You schedule multiple posts, even using AI to write intuitive and engaging copy tailored to each communication platform, and with just a click, you have a week's worth of content from a single image.

Top five B2B creative capabilities from Adobe Express

- Staying in sync with your favorite apps

- Commercially safe generative AI

- Brands & Apply Brand

- Complex edits in a single click

- Content Scheduler


Links

Try out Adobe Express at adobe.com/express and then let me know below what YOU love about it!

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

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Construction Marketing Insights - Episode 66 | Ryan Jones01 Apr 202500:47:08

We know the construction industry is evolving at an incredible pace, I start most episodes by saying so, a scene setting if you like, and with it, the way companies market themselves is changing too. From digital transformation to shifting buyer behaviours, marketing teams are constantly adapting to new challenges and opportunities. But with so much data, technology, and strategy at play, what really matters when it comes to effective construction marketing?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest trends, challenges, and insights shaping the industry from the people in the know, those pesky marketers. We’ll be exploring findings from the latest research curated by the SLG Agency in their annual Horizon Report (link in the show notes - obvs), uncovering what’s changed over the past year, and discussing the real impact of key marketing activities. 

From AI and personalisation to the role of brand awareness, we’ll be cutting through the noise to understand what’s driving success, and what might just be a distraction. So, whether you’re a marketer, business leader, or simply curious about the future of construction marketing, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss and who better to lead us through this than someone familiar to the podcast.

Today we welcome BACK Ryan Jones, Managing Director at SLG. Ryan has 20-years of experience managing communications for some of the construction sector’s biggest names, building up a wealth of strategic marketing experience.

Under Ryan’s leadership, SLG has won multiple awards for its impactful campaigns, proving that marketing can do more than just promote, it can shape industries.

Here are the marketing insights we chat about

- Introduction to the Horizon report

- What’s changed since last years report

- Why brand awareness is a main activity… but not a key metric?

- A focus on MQLs and… web traffic?

- Campaign volume down and why this is a good thing

- Content is 'the internal’ King, but strategy isn't

- AI and personalisation are hot topics (but so is podcasting)

- Is AI suffering from 'new shiny toys syndrome' as sustainability becomes unsustainable

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent


Further Links

https://www.slg.agency/horizon-2025/

The Fair Payment Code: What You Need to Know - Episode 65 | Philip King18 Mar 202500:53:14

Today’s episode is slightly different from our usual format, we’re bringing you a special recording of a webinar I hosted with Causeway Technology, featuring Philip King - more on Philip later.

In this session, we dive into the Fair Payment Code, a crucial topic for the construction industry.

Late payments have long been a challenge in the sector, and ensuring fair, transparent, and timely payments is more important than ever. But here’s the thing, compliance with the code isn’t just about policy and best practice. Technology plays a huge role in making fair payment a reality, streamlining processes, and ensuring businesses get paid on time.

Let’s get into it!

Late payments have been a persistent issue in the UK construction industry, creating cash flow problems, delaying projects, and putting undue pressure on suppliers. With increasing scrutiny on payment practices, the introduction of the Fair Payment Code (FPC) is designed to drive positive change, promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency across supply chains.

But what does the Fair Payment Code mean in practice? How can construction firms ensure compliance, and what are the benefits of achieving a Fair Payment Code Award?

We’re joined by Philip King, former CEO of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and Causeway Cashflow Consultant, to explore the ins and outs of the Fair Payment Code. We’ll break down how the framework works, what businesses need to do to meet the criteria, and the competitive advantages that come with compliance.

Here's what you need to know and will find out in this episode:

- From Prompt Payment to Fair Payment – How does the FPC differ, and why was it introduced?

- The Awarding Levels Explained – What do Bronze, Silver, and Gold accreditation mean for your business?

- The Road to Compliance – What documentation and processes are required to apply?

- Clear, Fair & Collaborative – The three core principles and how they are measured.

- Overcoming Barriers – Common challenges in achieving FPC status and how to tackle them.

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/fpc/

Webinar Video: https://campaign.causeway.com/ondemand/fair-payment-code-fpc

Water and Wildlife - Episode 64 | Terry Wilkinson04 Mar 202500:37:44

Highway infrastructure plays a crucial role in modern transport networks, but it also presents significant environmental challenges. Surface water management is a key concern, with increasing urbanisation and a growing population driving the need for more effective systems to collect, store, treat, and release water safely.

Poorly managed surface water can lead to flooding, pollution, and long-term infrastructure damage, with around 38% of all roads in areas at risk from flooding - which essentially means more roadworks, more traffic light systems and subsequently a lower tolerance for other road users… just me? Anyway, this makes it essential to integrate sustainable drainage solutions that balance performance, resilience, and environmental impact.

At the same time, roads and highways can act as barriers to wildlife movement, disrupting habitats and leading to significant biodiversity loss – Imagine if someone decided to drive the M6 right through your living room, nightmare, the toll alone would be ridiculous.

Innovative solutions, such as wildlife tunnels, amphibian-friendly kerbs, and guidance systems, are helping to create safer passageways for animals while reducing roadkill (which accounts for nearly a third of most deaths a 2023 study reported) and habitat fragmentation. 

As awareness of these issues grows, there is a pressing need to ensure that infrastructure projects incorporate both advanced surface water management techniques and effective wildlife connectivity measures.

With evolving regulations, new technologies, and a greater emphasis on sustainability, the challenge now is to drive the widespread adoption of these solutions, ensuring they become an integral part of highway design, construction, and maintenance. And who better to talk to about this than someone that lives and breathes it!

 As a Specialist Design & Application Engineer for ACO, Terry Wilkinson has focused his career on the highways industry, both in his 11 years at ACO and prior to this working as a client, consultant and contractor for Local Authority highways. He is a member of the CIHT and ICE and is working towards his chartered engineer status with CPD at the heart of this journey. His professional interests are focused on wildlife mitigation solutions and highway drainage in particular making him the perfect chap to chat to about SuDs, wildlife mitigation and keeping both humans and animals safe.

Water and Wildlife Topics

- (SuDS) in Highways: Challenges and Innovations

- Wildlife Mitigation in Infrastructure: Balancing Development with Ecology

- Integrating Surface Water Management with Wildlife Protection

- Climate Resilience in Surface Water Management: Preparing for Extreme Weather

- The Future of Highway Drainage: Smart Technologies and Digital Innovation

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent


Further Links

https://www.aco.co.uk/sustainable-drainage-systems-(suds)

https://www.aco.co.uk/wildlife

The Low Bar of Marketing - Episode 63 | Peter Sumpton18 Feb 202500:30:55

Today we’re tackling a topic that I feel is long overdue – the low bar of marketing within the construction industry. Why is the standard so poor? Why do so many marketing teams feel stuck, following outdated or ineffective strategies? And more importantly, what can we do to change it?

In this episode, we’re going to explore why marketing in construction often feels like it’s stuck in the past, discuss the key excuses businesses use to justify underperformance, and most importantly, outline the four foundational marketing principles that can elevate any organisation.

This is a topic I feel strongly about, and I hope that by the end of this episode, you’ll not only have a fresh perspective on marketing but also some practical takeaways to improve your strategy—whether you’re part of a small team, a one-person department, or leading a full-scale marketing operation.

So, let’s get into it.

The Marketing Challenge in Construction

Around this time last year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to present at the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Marketing Forum at JCB HQ in Uttoxeter. The BMF has been on an impressive journey over the past decade, completely transforming its approach and positioning itself as a modern, forward-thinking organisation.

Their move from an old, expensive building in London to sleek, modern offices in the Midlands is symbolic of their wider transformation—one focused on market orientation, putting the merchant first, and driving the industry forward. They understand that when one part of the industry improves, everyone benefits. A rising tide lifts all boats, as the saying goes.

From a marketing perspective, this is one of the few real success stories in the construction sector. And that’s precisely the issue—why are there so few? Why is the standard of marketing in construction so low?

Too often, companies seem to engage in marketing not because they genuinely believe it will drive business success, but simply because "everyone else is doing it." But if everyone else is doing the bare minimum, and we follow suit, we’re just reinforcing the same low standard across the industry. This creates an opportunity—a huge one—for marketers who are willing to think differently, take marketing seriously, and truly elevate their game.

Which brings me back to my presentation at the BMF Forum. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share some of the key insights from that talk because, a year later, the conversation is still just as relevant—if not more so.

I hope this episode gives you value, makes you question some of your current marketing practices, and ultimately encourages you to think differently about how getting your marketing right can lead to real business growth—whether that means increased enquiries, greater brand awareness, higher market share, stronger sales, or ultimately, better profitability.

But here’s the odd thing: while I’m advocating for change, the fundamentals of marketing haven’t actually changed at all. The core principles remain the same.

Sure, media channels have evolved. Consumer habits have shifted. But the way we build the foundations of a marketing strategy has not. That’s what we’ll break down today—how everything has changed, and yet nothing has changed at all.

Topics you’ll hear covered in this episode:

- The Reality Check: The Data Doesn’t Lie

- The Four Foundations of Strong Marketing:

1. Understanding the Market and Basic Market Orientation

2. Strategic Intent – The Car Journey Analogy

3. Tactical Execution – The 4Ps of Marketing

4. Number Crunching – Looking Beyond the Surface Data

- Where are we now and what do we need to do to heighten this bar or mediocre marketing?

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial:

Protecting Your Workforce - Episode 62 | Rhys Elavia04 Feb 202500:36:05

In today’s construction industry, the safety and well-being of workers are paramount. As the sector evolves with new technologies, materials, and methods, so too must the solutions that protect the workforce. Take safety footwear, something we all probably take for granted. An essential line of defense, keeping our little piggies protected. But did you know that innovative developments is not only being used on screens but in our footwear - combining tech, compliance, and sustainability to meet the demands of modern job sites.

From addressing enhanced safety standards to integrating sustainable manufacturing practices, the journey of innovating protective gear is a testament to how the industry values its people. It’s not just about functionality anymore; comfort, design, and ethical production are shaping the future of how we safeguard those on the ground.

Let’s delve into the ever-evolving landscape of workforce protection and explore the advancements redefining safety footwear for the construction industry with our guest.

Rhys Elavia is the UK Sales Manager for the iconic brand, Totectors. As a third-generation member of the Totectors family, Rhys brings a deeply personal connection to the brand’s history, having witnessed its evolution and resurgence firsthand.

From its emergence during World War II, Totectors emergence depended on a 48 hour poker game where founder Bill Benton wagered everything on securing the rights to steel toe cap technology from inventor Arthur Williams, and in doing so transformed the UK safety footwear industry forever.

Today, Totectors continues its legacy as part of International Brands Group, remaining at the forefront of design and innovation.

Protecting Your Workforce Topics

- The Legacy of Totectors: Balancing Heritage and Modernity

- Innovations in Safety Footwear for the Modern Workforce

- The Role of Sales in Building a Brand

- Sustainability and Ethical Manufacturing in Safety Footwear

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://totectors.co.uk/pages/history 

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/23apr92-uk-horror-toll-of-construction-foot-injuries-23-04-1992/

https://www.uvex-safety.co.uk/en/knowledge/safety-standards/safety-footwear/#:~:text=The%20standard%20EN%20ISO%2020345,or%20cold%2C%20and%20hot%20substances

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

The Preconstruction Process - Episode 61 | Anita Soni21 Jan 202500:38:35

In the construction industry, the pre-construction phase is critical in setting the stage for successful project outcomes. It involves thorough planning, coordination, and analysis to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Central to these efforts is the effective use of data and digital tools, which are transforming traditional approaches with more efficient, precise, and collaborative processes. By leveraging advanced technologies such as BIM and integrating data management strategies, the construction industry can enhance decision-making, optimise resource use, and reduce risks. Simple, right? On paper, yes, but when implementing new processes there is always a risk. The risk that not everyone is on the same page, the risk that technology fails, the risk of legacy systems, incorrect data and the lack of enough knowledge within the industry to truly make these things stick! Think we better meet today's guest who should help to settle our nerves on this one.

Anita Soni is a digital transformation leader in the construction industry, utilising data and information management tools & processes to enhance design and construction productivity through BIM, Engineering Survey & Geospatial solutions. 

Anita has a proven track record of leading and delivering BIM processes on multi-sector mega & large infrastructure projects with extensive and successful experience in preconstruction, delivering digital and innovation strategies as well as pre-contract documentation for tenders.

With an Engineering Doctorate from UCL in Geomatic Engineering, Anita is a Chartered Surveyor of RICS and the founder of DataStruct as well as consulting for Third Digital who specialise in CDE configuration and BIM/CAD management services.

PreConstruction and Data Topics

- The Role of BIM in Enhancing Pre-Construction Processes

- Leveraging Data for Better Decision-Making in Construction

- GeoBIM: Integrating Geospatial Data with BIM for Enhanced Project Insights

- The Importance of Information Management in Construction Projects

- Digital Transformation - Can we have too much data?

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.thenbs.com/about-nbs/press-releases/a-digital-evolution-majority-using-bim

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14498596.2019.1627253#d1e626 

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/new-report-shows-uk-construction-leads-on-data-but-gaps-remain-01-05-2024/

Impactful Creativity in Construction - Episode 60 | Daniel Moore07 Jan 202500:58:28

In the construction industry, creativity is often seen as an auxiliary skill, in fact, marketing in general can be very much overshadowed generally and more specifically within boardrooms, usually overshadowed by technical prowess, manual labour and project management capabilities. 

However, as the industry evolves in more ways than one, creative execution is becoming a critical component in driving engagement, enhancing brand recognition, and establishing market differentiation. From crafting compelling content and leveraging social media to developing unique brand identities and measuring campaign success, creative strategies are transforming how construction companies communicate and connect with their audiences. 

As a generalist marketer creating a podcast episode devoted purely to the creative comes with a whole bunch of caveats, many of which I’ve spoken about before. You can’t get to the creative, it shouldn't be touched until the hard work or research, market orientation, strategic intent and tactical development have been worked on, and even then, it should not just be a “we just need an advert/logo/brand”. The creative process is far too technical and important not to pay full attention to it. With that said, within construction, it’s easy to find the haters of the discipline, even though these haters (everyone for that matter) are influenced by creative executions every single day, which means we need to chat with someone who knows their pantones from their framerates.

Dan Moore is a creative entrepreneur and co-founder of dissident creative agency. With a background in photography, Dan’s career in the creative industry began unexpectedly when he pivoted from pursuing plumbing to a passion for visual storytelling. In 2012, he launched his own photography studio, which has since grown into a creative agency that works with both local businesses and international brands on photography, videography, social media and podcast production. Dan brings a problem-solving approach to creativity, focusing on delivering solutions tailored to the construction industry and beyond.

The Topics We Chat Through

- The Role of Creativity in the Construction Industry

- Crafting Engaging Content that Resonates

- The Impact of Social Media

- Creative Consistency

- Visual Storytelling

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent


Further Links

www.dissidentagency.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dissident-creative-agency

https://www.instagram.com/dissidentagency

Ecological Consultancy - Episode 59 | Sarah Stone10 Dec 202400:36:35

Ecological consultancy plays a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future within the construction industry. As environmental regulations tighten and the importance of biodiversity becomes more widely recognised, the expertise of ecological consultants is increasingly in demand. These professionals are essential in guiding projects towards compliance with ecological standards, ensuring that development is balanced with the preservation of natural habitats. By integrating ecological considerations into every phase of construction, from planning to execution, we can mitigate environmental impacts and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. 

This all sounds so easy and I feel most of the time it can be summaries by simply not being a dickhead about things and simply doing the right thing. To put this into some context we need to chat to someone who understands the whole ecological environment from within the construction industry.

Sarah Stone has over 17 years of experience in ecological consultancy. During this time she has been involved in all aspects of ecological surveys, reporting and assessment, for a variety of clients. Her current role sees her leading the technical aspects of the ecology team at BWB Consulting. As well as delivering the full suite of habitat and protected species surveys and reports, the team has an increasing focus on providing commercial advice in relation to a project’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.

Sarah has been delivering and overseeing BNG assessments for a number of years and is proficient in the use of Statutory Metrics for calculating both the baseline and post-development units and advising clients on the best ways to minimise their costs.

List of Topics

- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in UK Construction

- The Role of Ecological Surveys in Construction Planning

- Advancements in Habitat and Species Conservation

- Strategies for Biodiversity Compliance

- The Future of Ecological Consultancy in Construction

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.knightfrank.com/research/article/2023-06-29-biodiversity-net-gain-guide

https://woodhartgroup.co.uk/news/how-construction-affects-the-environment/#:~:text=Research%20conducted%20by%20Bimhow%20shows,big%20contributors%20to%20climate%20change.

https://citychangers.org/construction-facts-and-figures/

Placing People at the Heart of Construction Technology - Episode 58 | Robert Claridge26 Nov 202400:39:59

We have a tendency to only focus on the technological advancements we make and create and not what made it in the first place, a human. The true potential of these advancements is realised when we place people at the centre of any innovative solution. After all, if it doesn’t benefit someone in some way, what's the point?

It’s about time we had an episode that explores this topic - how the integration of cutting-edge tools like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and immersive tech can transform not just the way we work, but how we develop and empower the people within our industry and in doing so benefit the industry itself. It’s a never-ending cycle of positivity, or at least it is if we can master it. So let’s chat with someone who is currently mastering this, shall we?

Rob Claridge is Laing O’Rourke’s European Learning Solutions Owner, overseeing the transformation of its learning and development strategy. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for solving problems by combining the new and the old, his time in the financial sector was marked with several awards, including the 20th Banking Technology Awards’ Rising Tech Star.

Back to the present day Rob now oversees the L&D of several new innovative products and projects including immersive learning and augmented and virtual reality. His work to date on the reimagining of the “Working at Heights” course saw the project honoured at the Building Construction Awards in late 2022 in the field of Virtual Reality. Since then Rob has held talks on The Metaverse, VR and AI – to showcase the innovations that Laing O’Rourke is working with right now.

Discussion Topics

- The Role of Technology in Transforming Learning and Development in Construction

- Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Modern Construction Techniques

- Exploring the Metaverse, VR, and AI in Construction

- The Impact of Immersive Learning

- Entrepreneurial Spirit v Large Organisations and Innovation

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent


Further Links

https://www.oxfordcollege.ac/news/skills-gap-statistics-uk/ 

https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/features/revolutionising-construction-safety-the-impact-of-technology/

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

The Power of Automation in Construction - Episode 57 | Allister Lewis12 Nov 202400:42:53

Automation is revolutionising the construction industry right before our eyes, in plain sight, but we don’t generally notice it, and thats the point. Good automation, not only offers new opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance quality but should go about its business unheard and undetected. 

As the demand for sustainable and high-quality infrastructure grows, construction firms are increasingly turning to automated solutions to meet these challenges head-on and with this are transforming every stage of the construction process.

The integration of automation in construction is not about replacing manual labour with machines and stealing jobs to assist the bottom line; it is about redefining how projects are planned, managed, and executed. As construction firms embrace these advancements, innovation and technology lead the way to more sustainable, efficient, and successful projects. But how do we know what will be successful, it’s not as easy as just a click of a mouse or a tap of a button. We need to chat with someone who knows a thing or two about automation and the simplification of processes.

Allister Lewis, the founder of Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD) is a specialist in Construction Technology software for the AEC industry. With a passion for the use of digital tools, Allister full understands the scale and scope these tools bring and the opportunity that to build a better, faster, and more profitable industry.  Supporting AEC companies by performing digital consultancy services such as searching, reviewing, reporting and implementation,  Allister is currently working on the ADDD Marketplace which will be the central resource for AEC ConTech software in the future. The vision for this is to provide seamless access to all ConTech software through a digital marketplace.

List of Topics

- Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD) - What is it and what is its importance?

- Automating repetitive tasks - how and when?

- Using data to make informed decisions

- Software that will blow you away

- Continuous learning (check out Allisters' top tips on where to gain knowledge)!

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent


Further Links

www.addd.io

https://www.msuite.com/bad-construction-data-costs-industry-1-8-trillion-worldwide/

https://www.statista.com/outlook/tmo/software/productivity-software/construction-and-design-software/united-kingdom#:~:text=Revenue%20in%20the%20Construction%20and,US%240.64bn%20by%202029.

Smart Buildings - Episode 56 | Georgios Grigoriou29 Oct 202400:37:56

As urban environments continue to evolve, the integration of technology into our cities and buildings is changing the way we experience and interact with our surroundings. Smart cities and smart buildings represent the next frontier in creating spaces that are more responsive to the needs of their inhabitants. These advancements promise to enhance the quality of life by optimising energy use, improving connectivity, and fostering more resilience and adaptability.

However, the path towards realising the full potential of smart cities and buildings is complex, involving a delicate balance between innovation and practicality. Critical issues that are shaping this transformation, from the challenges of interoperability and data management to the overarching vision of what the future holds for our increasingly connected world are present before, during and after the implementation of any technology that is to integrate seamlessly with our surroundings. 

So we need to chat with someone who can iron out some of these issues and help us create a cohesive urban environment.

Georgios Grigoriou is a Principal Consultant in Building System Integration and Digital Twin Graph technologies, specialising in strategy, design, delivery and intelligence of energy efficiency and smart buildings. 

Georgios is leading and coordinating the digital readiness, data acquisition and analytics activities, driving innovative, data-driven solutions for sustainable and holistically efficient environments at Arcadis.

Committed to sustainability and better quality of life, Georgios strives to positively impact people, places, and the planet. He’s also been shortlisted for the Best Digital Engineer Award in 2022 and 2023 and is a Committee Member (Digital Media Manager) of the CIBSE Intelligent Buildings Group, where he leads initiatives related to Ontologies.

What we cover in this episode

- Cohesive urban environment (smart cities and smart building integration)

- Data privacy and security in a smart world

- Challenges and opportunities in achieving interoperability

- Data overload? Speed of info knowledge within the industry

- Are the possibilities endless? Is there an end result?

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

Verdantix highlights Arcadis leadership and innovation in Environmental Services and Building Decarbonization Consulting: https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb/news/global/2024/8/verdantix-highlights-arcadis-in-green-quadrant-reports

Ontologies presentation Dec 23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHrJiJHMZ0k

Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024: https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb/news/global/2024/6/cities-have-just-2000-days-left-to-achieve-critical-sustainability-goals#:~:text=The%20Arcadis%20Sustainable%20Cities%20Index,evolving%20understanding%20of%20urban%20sustainability.

Arcadis ranked among the top architecture firms in the world,...

Building Biodiversity - Episode 55 | Lloyd Collins and Alexa Culver15 Oct 202400:40:09

In an era of rapid urbanisation, the importance of integrating nature into our cities has never been more critical. As concrete jungles expand, the delicate balance between urban development and the natural environment faces unprecedented challenges. Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is essential for maintaining the health of ecosystems and supporting human life. However, urban expansion often comes at the cost of habitat loss, fragmented ecosystems, and declining species diversity.

Building biodiversity within urban landscapes is not just about preserving green spaces; it’s about creating a harmonious coexistence between human habitats and the natural world. This approach enhances the resilience of cities, improves the quality of life for residents, and ensures that urban areas contribute positively to the planet’s ecological health. As cities continue to grow, the integration of biodiversity principles into urban planning and development becomes a cornerstone for sustainable and livable environments. The conversation around nurturing nature in our urban landscapes is vital for the future.

To dig a little deeper into this we need to chat with not one but two experts in the biodiversity field - Lloyd Collins and Alexa Culver.

Lloyd works within Environment Bank’s BNG Advisory and Delivery Team as an Account Director in Planning and Delivery, working closely with Environment Bank's developer clients to guide land and planning directors and their consultants through the often high-stakes BNG aspects of the planning process. Lloyd has many years of experience in the private sector and is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and holds a BSc (Hons) / MPlan in Urban Planning, currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Development.

Alexa is General Counsel at Environment Bank, a Member of the College of Experts for the Office for Environmental Protection and recognised in the ENDS Report Power List as one of the most impactful environmental lawyers of 2023. As a lawyer with over 16 years’ experience working on land, planning, environmental and green finance projects, Alexa helps to inform policy developments in natural capital regulation and designs legal contracts, leases and conservation covenants that maximise natural capital value through novel and enduring financial and governance mechanisms.

Listen Up and Learn About

- Why Biodiversity is so Important

- Implementing Biodiversity in Urban Planning

- Sustainability Leadership in the Construction Sector

- Integrating Biodiversity into Commercial and Residential Developments

- The Future of Sustainable Development

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity-net-gain#:~:text=In%20England%2C%20BNG%20is%20mandatory,than%20there%20was%20before%20development.

https://iucn.org/story/202305/embracing-biodiversity-paving-way-nature-inclusive-cities

The Golden Thread - Episode 54 | Robert Norton01 Oct 202400:36:00

One of the most crucial concepts within construction at this moment in time is the "Golden Thread" approach—a comprehensive and transparent record-keeping method that spans a building's entire lifecycle, from design to demolition, driven by the need for safety, compliance with regulations, and seamless communication among stakeholders.

The Golden Thread would not only ensure accurate and up-to-date information is accessible at every stage of a project, but it also empowers construction teams to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively. In this way, the Golden Thread plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by the construction industry, such as complex documentation and fragmented communication.

This is all well and good in theory, it’s a no-brainer, but the issues it looks to resolve are also the potential pitfalls of such a cohesive approach. A fragmented market, the majority of which are small businesses means the application of a Golden Thread isn’t as easy as pressing a button, some don’t even have buttons to press! But this is no reason not to try, try and improve the industry for the better. To find out if this is even possible we need to chat to someone in the know.

Rob Norton is a seasoned professional in the digital construction industry, currently serving as the UK Director at PlanRadar, a leading platform for digital documentation, communication and reporting in construction, facility management and real estate projects. With over five years of experience at PlanRadar, Rob has been instrumental in streamlining construction processes through innovative digital solutions.

Rob is dedicated to making both employees' and employers' lives easier by leveraging technology to make construction more efficient. His diverse background, from wiring fire engines as an apprentice electrician to business development and sales in different sectors, has equipped him with a unique perspective on problem-solving and efficiency in construction. His journey reflects a deep commitment to leveraging digital tools to transform and improve the construction landscape.

If you’re interested in reading more about the golden thread, check out the eBook from PlanRadar: “Digitise the Golden Thread in Fire Safety” - https://www.planradar.com/gb/ebooks/digitise-golden-thread-fire-safety/?utm_source=builddifferent_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=builddifferent_podcast_ebook.

Or alternatively book a demo and see how PlanRadar assists with your processes and projects - https://www.planradar.com/gb/book-a-product-demo/?utm_source=builddifferent_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=builddifferent_podcast_bookademo 

List of Topics

- Implementing the Golden Thread in Construction

- Enhancing Communication and Collaboration

- Benefits of Automating Snagging and Documentation Processes

- The Role of Mobile Technology in Modern Construction

- The Future of Construction Documentation and Task Management

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

In the Making

Transforming Infrastructure - Episode 53 | George Floros17 Sep 202400:38:06

The intersection of digital technology and urban development is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in infrastructure and energy management. Digital construction is driving significant transformations in ways previously unimaginable. As we move towards smarter, more connected cities, the role of data-driven solutions becomes increasingly crucial in shaping environments that are not only technologically advanced but also deeply attuned to the needs of their communities.

Smart cities represent a bold vision for the future—one where technology is leveraged to create more livable, sustainable, and resilient urban spaces. These cities use vast amounts of data to improve everything from energy consumption and transportation to public safety and environmental health. Yet, for smart cities to truly fulfil their promise, they must be designed with a focus on inclusivity and community impact, ensuring that all residents benefit from the technological advancements.

But can a smart city truly contribute meaningfully on a global scale to humanity's well-being and sustainability goals? We need to chat to someone who can help us examine these interconnected topics!

George Floros is the Associate Director of Digital Construction at AtkinsRealis, leading the Digital Construction strategy across the Nuclear & Power sector. George’s expertise lies on the long-term integration of the GEO and BIM domains (GeoBIM) to realise the digital thread across project lifecycles.

George is delivering the Digital Transformation of the AEC industry by leveraging the power of data-driven Digital Twins and Smart Cities. Focusing on holistic integrations with a customer-centric approach, George delivers economic, environmental and social value for all project stakeholders, whilst reducing risk through cross-disciplinary, connected, data-driven solutions.

In parallel to all of this, George is pursuing his PhD at the University College London focusing on the integration of GeoBIM for Asset Management.

List of Topics

- The Potential of a Smart City

- Smart Cities and community impact

- Can Smart Cities contribute to Net Zero targets

- Generating enough power to sustain digital progress

- Digital and nuclear build, operations and decommissioning

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/smart-city-market-size-is-set-to-grow-by-usd-345-8-billion-from-2024-2028-increase-in-it-consolidation-and-modernization-boost-the-market-technavio-f09ca310

https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/news/research-global-citizens-favor-smart-cities-and-call-for-their-hometowns-to-be-sustainable/

Smart Cities, BIM and the AEC Industry - Episode 52 | Shadan Dwairi03 Sep 202400:32:52

The emergence and potential for data-driven smart cities represent a transformative shift in urban planning and management, leveraging advanced digital technologies to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and livability of urban environments. At the forefront of this transformation is the integration of a variety of software and hardware, all of which play pivotal roles in shaping how cities are designed, constructed, and operated. It’s the epitome of collaboration digitally.

These combined innovative digital solutions aim to meet the evolving demands of modern urban landscapes, improving the way communities interact with their surroundings. As cities continue to grow and evolve, the potential for data-driven strategies to revolutionise urban living has never been more promising. But it is not without its challenges and as the latest meltdown from Microsoft evidences, we’re one line of code away from cities potentially malfunctioning.

We need to understand smart cities, the technology behind them and what the future hold a whole lot better, so let's chat with someone who will help us do this!

Dr Shadan Dwairi is a Senior BIM and Digital Engineering Consultant at Costain. Prior to becoming a BIM expert, Shadan’s background was in Architectural Engineering covering a variety of projects which included large-scale commercial, educational, residential and hospitality.

Fast forward a little and Shadan obtained a PhD in BIM in 2019. As a BIM expert, she has been working on high-profile projects such as the Houses of Parliament and HS2. Her main role is interfacing with clients and understanding their needs to deliver and implement digital strategies that would work for their organisation and requirements.  

If that wasn’t enough, Shadan is also a Senior Lecturer in Architecture and BIM alongside conducting research for many publications. Her area of expertise is in automation and digitisation, digital transformation in addition to smart BIM, helping her to identify gaps in the industry, and support clients in solving them.

List of Topics Covered

- The Evolution and Impact of BIM on the AEC Industry

- Using BIM on large-scale projects

- Digital Transformation and Smart Cities

- The Role of Automation Smart Cities

- Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent

Further Links

https://manufacturers.thenbs.com/resources/downloads/bim-construction-product-manufacturers?utm_source=Paid+Search&utm_medium=Google&utm_campaign=BIM+Guide#gad_source=1 

https://ddcsolutions.co.uk/bim-for-large-projects/ 

Future Technology in Construction - Episode 51 | James Garner20 Aug 202400:46:32

As AI continues to revolutionise various sectors, its impact on construction is particularly noteworthy, presenting both significant opportunities and challenges.

One fundamental question that we never seem to get around to talking about is whether AI, as commonly understood, truly exists in practical applications today. We talk a good game, but are we talking about the right game?

And even if we are, we still need to consider how this game is constructed, as any successful deployment of AI is reliant on who is using it and what already exists, the data within construction and its cleanliness and reliability and whether are we truly ready to learn how to apply these tools effectively?

For those who feel they are primed to implement AI solutions right now, it’s important we don’t just go gung-ho here and we carefully consider the practicalities, ethics and pitfalls of doing so, and we’re doing this to solve problems rather than just doing the do!

If you haven’t heard of the paperclip hypothesis, you’re in for a treat! But before we get that all of this, we’re in for a real treat as I introduce our guest today.

James Garner is an accomplished data leader in the construction industry, which all started with his university dissertation on data and digitalisation in the construction sector followed by being elected as a Fellow of RICS for his significant writing contributions to the RICS Black Book technical standards back in 2012.

In 2020, James took up the challenge of becoming Head of Insights and Analytics at Gleeds, an opportunity that allowed him to further his skillset and qualify as a data analyst in 2022, launching the company's data analytics and research capabilities.

Today, James leads Gleeds' Global Data, Insights, and Analytics department, with a focus on business intelligence, project intelligence, data literacy, and data maturity and has been elected as chair of the Project Data Analytics Taskforce as well as being nominated as one of the Top 100 People in Data 2023 by Data IQ.

And if you haven’t already, check out James's weekly newsletter and podcast called ProjectFlux, the link to which is in the show notes.

Topics Covered

- Does AI actually exist?

- Do we have enough ‘clean’ data in construction to use AI effectively?

- Learning to use AI practically (how should we do this)?

- Advice for deploying AI in construction right now

- AI and the paperclip hypothesis

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

https://linktr.ee/projectflux 

Further Links

https://theconversation.com/not-everything-we-call-ai-is-actually-artificial-intelligence-heres-what-you-need-to-know-196732

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/06/10/building-safety-changes-slow-down-construction-recovery/

https://aiartists.org/unanswered-questions

Digital Twins - Episode 50 | Anand Mecheri (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)06 Aug 202400:26:51

Anand Mecheri is the co-founder and CEO of Invicara, the company behind the industry’s first fully composable digital twin platform, Twinit.

With more than 30 years of entrepreneurial experience in building ventures involving enterprise software, solutions, and services, with a proven track record of envisioning, bootstrapping, scaling and creating value in start-ups in the smart building space (all acquired by Siemens, where he previously worked at the building technologies division global headquarters in Switzerland for 2 years), Anand is as thought leader on Digital Twin concepts and technologies and I’m delighted to have him here on the podcast.

You're going to be hard-pushed to find someone who can answer the key questions about digital twins, the benefits of utilising this technology and how we can overcome the challenges of knowledge and acceptance which can stifle the successful integration of technology within the industry.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: Twinit's Journey to Pioneering Digital Twin Applications

- Transforming Construction Operations with Digital Twins

- Examples of Work: Twinit's Impact and Empowering Clients and Projects

- The Benefits of Digital Twins Aside from the Actual Build

- The Challenge of Knowledge and Acceptance Levels of Digital Twins 

- Navigating the Future of Digital Twins

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Links

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/


Further Links

https://twinit.com/resources

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/digital-twin-market-225269522.html#:~:text=The%20global%20digital%20twin%20market,61.3%25%20from%202023%20to%202028. 

https://twinit.com/resources/video/empowering-innovation-with-twinit-unleashing-the-potential-of-digital-integration-2-2-2-2-2 

https://www.ice.org.uk/news-insight/news-and-blogs/ice-blogs/the-civil-engineer-blog/digital-twins-transforming-construction-industry

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367536430_Barriers_to_the_Adoption_of_Digital_Twin_in_the_Construction_Industry_A_Literature_Review

Supply Chain Transformations - Episode 49 | Neeral Shah (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)30 Jul 202400:23:59

Neeral Shah is the founder and CEO of YardLink, a B2B marketplace digitising the $1TN construction supply chain. As a former investment banker, it took a move into Supply Chain Finance to discover a real issue (or opportunity should I say): A fragmented supply chain and inefficient procurement strategies within construction, with too much resource spent just getting hold of the right equipment and materials.

When Neeral started working at a high-growth tech startup the catalyst to YardLink was his involvement in digital marketplaces and seeing the power of network effects. From this point onwards Neeral knew there was a better (digital) solution to one of the construction industry’s biggest challenges with supply chains. Enter YardLink!

Even though Neeral's primary focus is YardLink and delivering the software that can reduce costs and boost profitability, there is a whole lot more to supply chain management and the benefits that come through the successful implementation of supply chain management technology, so let's take a peek at what these are shall we?

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- YardLinks Impact with Digitisation of the Supply Chain

- The importance away from the supply chain (carbon reduction, local suppliers, better business connections, margin improvements, etc)

- Opportunities to reduce costs and boost profitability

- Advice for the hesitant organisations and initial transformational steps

- What the future holds for YardLink - Staying ahead of the curve

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://justentrepreneurs.co.uk/meet-the-founders-interview-series/meet-neeral-shah-founder-and-ceo-of-yardlink 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1275080/uk-software-spending-industry-construction/

https://yardlink.com/blog/what-is-digital-supply-chain-in-construction 

https://yardlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/yardlink-the-true-cost-of-the-supply-chain.pdf

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Machine Learning - Episode 48 | Varun Bhartiya (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)23 Jul 202400:24:48

Varun Bhartiya is the Co-Founder, and CEO of nCircle Tech, a company at the forefront of empowering passionate innovators in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Manufacturing industry, providing disruptive solutions that reduce time to market and exceed business goals.

From Varun's early days blending coding and 3D visualisations along with the integration of AI, Machine Learning, and other groundbreaking technologies, nCircle Tech has collaborated with over 75 software companies and successfully developed over 200 client products.

Varun has been recognised as an inventor, technologist, entrepreneur, and visionary leader in the field of 3D design and visualisation automation for more than 15 years and is now seen as a thought leader and innovator deeply involved with AI, who is driven by his passion for helping companies unlock the transformative potential of AI in the construction industry and how AI can accelerate construction processes to make them better, smarter, and faster.

I can think of no better person to discuss the details of implementing construction technology, best practices, and insights and perhaps dispel a few concerns around the integration of Machine Learning and AI.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: What Does nCircle Look Like Right Now?

- Why it’s important to construction: Insights and Best Practices

- Biggest challenge currently facing: Concerns around Integrating ML and AI

- Examples of work: Collaborations and Client Products

- The people, the data and collaboration: Utilising AL and ML within nCircle Tech

- What the future holds within this sector/tech

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://ncircletech.com/blogs/the-hurdles-of-ai-development-and-implementation-in-the-aec-industry 

https://constructible.trimble.com/construction-industry/the-benefits-of-ai-in-construction

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Streamlining Processes - Episode 47 | Jose Oliveira (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)16 Jul 202400:23:10

Jose is the Founder and CEO of DiRoots, a Custom Software and BIM consultancy company, with over 15 years of experience in the AEC and manufacturing industries aiming to transform global communities. As an expert in BIM strategies and automation, Jose and his team at DiRoots develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity which stems from his genuine passion for researching, exploring, and advancing the BIM automation field.

The vision of DiRoots is to create affordable, intelligent, and innovative digital tools that will help designers, contractors, and manufacturers disrupt and automate traditional workflows.

With over 200 successful custom digital applications under his belt, Jose has won numerous awards and recognitions for his work, crediting this success to his visionary and creative thinking, grounded in teamwork, simplicity, and excellence.

Custom digital software has the ability to transform the construction industry, but only if it's accessible and not siloed in singular organisations across the supply chain. So let's dig into this digitisation and find out how customisation is helping improve projects and streamline processes.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: DiRoots' Evolution as an Industry Leader

- The Role of Custom Software within Construction

- Examples of Work: DiRoots' Impact on Streamlining Processes

- The Outdated Process Challenges We Must Face Head-On 

- The Future of ConTech

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/digital-construction-news/construction-technology-news/the-importance-of-digital-transformation-in-the-construction-industry/117780/#:~:text=Many%20construction%20executives%20believe%20that,a%20challenge%20for%20their%20company. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377969878_Building_Information_Modeling_BIM_Market_Size_Outlook#:~:text=Abstract,the%20Forecast%20Period%202023%2D2030.

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Cloud Construction Technology - Episode 46 | Kristina Poluyanova (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)09 Jul 202400:35:43

Kristina’s Autodesk journey started out in the construction customer success team, helping hundreds of customers understand how to use cloud technology. Progressing within the organisation Kristina has experience in onsite training and upscaling people on technology, as well as exploring opportunities to minimise costs and reduce risks.

With six years deeply immersed in the construction industry across Europe and the Middle East, and a decade navigating the dynamic SaaS landscapes, Kristina’s diverse background spans many disciplines including; customer success, product marketing, sales, and strategy.

Now, as a Senior Product Marketing Manager for EMEA, Kristina brings this rich blend of experiences and insight to this role.

This is a fascinating chat centred around cloud technology in construction and the innovation and growth in this sector that is to come in the future.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- The Role of Product Marketing in Driving Adoption: Strategies for Success

- Cloud Technology in Construction: Transformation within the Industry

- Customer Success Stories: Driving Value with Autodesk's Array of Construction Products

- Market Trends and Challenges: Sustainability v Tech Energy Consumption

- Future Outlook: Innovation and Growth in Cloud Construction Technology

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/246446/download 

https://jessup.edu/blog/engineering-technology/what-is-the-future-of-cloud-computing/

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Project Management and Objective Data - Episode 45 | Andy Steele (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)02 Jul 202400:40:37

Andy Steele initially served as a mentor to the founders of Buildots before transitioning to the role of Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). With a career spanning nearly four decades, Andy brings an extensive blend of expertise from both the construction and legal sectors. Prior to joining Buildots, he held the position of Group CEO for a top 40 UK-based construction group involved in various segments such as development, construction, off-site manufacturing and infrastructure.

Andy is also the Chairman of the UK’s largest construction trade federation, focusing on industry-wide improvements and has more recently been involved in integrating construction technology to further advance the sector.

In this episode, we take a look at onsite digital advancements and the impact correctly monitoring projects can have on the build, an organisation AND the industry itself.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: Buildots' Digital Onsite Advancements

- The Importance of Data and Technology For On-Time Project Delivery

- Examples of Work: Buildots' Impact on Large-Scale Projects

- The People, the Data, and Collaboration: What Should We Be Monitoring

- The Challenge of Utilising Big Data

- Navigating the Future of Project Management and Realtime Data

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://buildots.com/blog/moneyball-performance-driven-construction/ 

https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/big-data-in-construction#infographic

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/press-release/21031884/fmi-corp-study-95-of-all-data-captured-goes-unused-in-the-ec-industry

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Site Efficiency and Management - Episode 44 | Roger Bradbury (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)25 Jun 202400:26:35

With over 25 years of experience in the Construction Industry, Roger Bradbury has gone from tea boy to Managing Director of a £30 million construction company. Like most construction businesses, Wren was run with spreadsheets, pen and paper. Not only was record-keeping (timesheets, H&S compliance, etc) a huge burden, but this meant that the whole company had only a backward view of costs and resources. As you can imagine, as Wren was growing; so were Roger’s frustrations.

He realised that the construction industry was flying blind – and decided to fix it and so in 2016, Roger founded Chime Software to solve the daily headaches he was facing at Wren. Over the past 8 years, with huge amounts of hard work, testing, building and more testing, Chime has evolved to be a key Construction software used by tens of thousands of operatives each day and saving construction businesses thousands in hours and budget.

As Roger can happily chat about how Chime has revolutionised Wren Construction (and hundreds of other companies too) for hours - or so we’ve been told. Let’s condense these ‘hours’ into a neat podcast showcasing the transformation that Roger has brought to the industry through site management technology.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: Chime's Journey in Transforming Construction Site Management

- Reducing Delays Through Good Site Management

- Examples of Work: Chime's Successful Impact on Site Efficiency

- Convincing the Trade and Less Tech-Savvy

- Legacy Site Management Software Challenges

- What the Future Holds within this Sector/Tech

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.cornerstoneprojects.co.uk/blog/delays-in-the-construction-industry-our-2022-survey-results-and-how-they-compare-to-2016/

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Digital Transformations - Episode 43 | Kris Lengieza (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)18 Jun 202400:41:35

Kris Lengiesa is the Global Technology Evangelist at Procore Technologies, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to the intersection of construction and technology and playing a pivotal role in Procore’s product strategy. Previously serving as the VP of Global Partnerships & Alliances, Kris oversaw a diverse ecosystem spanning channel, ISV, public, and association partnerships.

His journey began with 15 years in construction, where he embraced technology as an early adopter and now collaborates extensively with industry innovators, tech organisations, and construction companies exploring transformative technologies that promise to revolutionise working processes.

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction technology, Kris stands at the forefront, bridging the gap between innovation and practical implementation. His vision? To empower the industry, one groundbreaking solution at a time.

With all of Kris's knowledge, in this episode, we uncover what it takes to create true digital transformations.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: Procore's Meteoric Rise

- Implementing Technology within Smaller Organisations

- Examples of Work: Procore's Positive Impact on Projects

- Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Collaboration and Decision Making

- Best Practice in Planning for Digital Transformation

- What the Future Holds within this Sector/Tech

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/pcor/revenue/ 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertdefrancesco/2023/08/29/procore-powers-ahead-in-digitizing-the-construction-industry/?sh=2cfa4fc43cef

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Digital Adoption - Episode 42 | Ben Huskisson (Live at Digital Construction Week 24)11 Jun 202400:26:30

With 21 years of construction experience in numerous countries including U.A.E, U.K, Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Ben Huskisson is a member of the RICS and holds a Bachelor of Science. Currently the Managing Director of Gleeds India since 2010, successfully expanded from 1 office in Bangalore with 20 people to 6 offices across India and with over 300 people today.

Today we’re taking a deep dive into data that elevates performance, productivity and profitability.

This episode was recorded live at Digital Construction Week, ExCeL, London (https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/) where I interviewed some of the best and brightest in the built environment, for a revealing look at innovation and technology.

Topics Covered

- Company and Specialism: Gleeds' Digital Transformation Journey

- Why it’s Important for Construction: Unlocking the Power of Digitalisation

- Examples of Work: Digital Solutions That Drive Project Success

- Building the Right Culture Internally

- The Biggest Challenge Currently Facing: Overcoming Barriers to Digital Adoption

- Navigating the Future of Construction Technology

- Finally, we’re here at Digital Construction Week - Give us your thoughts

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/decoding-digital-transformation-in-construction 

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/ca/Documents/audit/ca-audit-abm-scotia-high-impact-leadership.pdf 

https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_us/topics/real-estate-hospitality-and-construction/ey-technological-advancements-disrupting-the-global-construction-industry.pdf?download

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Construction - Episode 41 | Andrew Knight04 Jun 202400:37:52

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction technology, one innovation stands out as a game-changer: Artificial Intelligence, or AI. Now I could go into the specifics of what is classed as AI, what most class as AI and what platforms are just LLMs (Large Language Models), but I won’t, as the simplification of classing the newest technology that seems to work magic and product something from nothing as Artificial Intelligence works well here in terms of categorisation and a singular point of focus. So let’s not split too many hairs about it here!

For all its promise of reshaping how we design, build, and manage construction projects, the majority of us will not have used it beyond creating minimal, basic content or images that don’t quite cut it, yet. Let’s dive into the episode and explore AI’s transformative potential, challenges, and real-world applications.

Our expert to guide us through this episode is Andrew Knight, Global Leader and Tech Lead at RICS, where he’s been camped out for the past 13 years and prior to his role in leading the AI, data and tech thought leadership and analytics, Andrew managed RICS’ relationship with the finance and investment community working with debt and equity participants, their advisors in law and accountancy, and regulators. 

Andrew has also enjoyed a long career in IT starting out by running programs on mainframes using punched cards, and then working through the eras of mini-computers, personal computers, and the internet - and now the world of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain.

In his current role, Andrew is responsible for AI, data, and tech thought leadership and content development, and the adoption of the RICS Data Standard (RDS) that supports valuation, property measurement, life-cycle costing, building performance, brokerage, and due diligence.

Topics Covered

- Integration of AI into Construction Processes

- Challenges/Risks of Implementing AI

- Building Design Innovations

- Predictive Maintenance and Asset Management

- Ethical and Regulatory Considerations

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewknight3/

https://www.rics.org/news-insights/wbef/to-ai-or-not-to-ai-five-trends-in-the-adoption-of-ai-in-construction

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/business/software/uk-artificial-intelligence-ai-statistics-2023/ 

https://www.maintenanceandengineering.com/2022/04/21/smart-energy-saving-with-artificial-intelligence-ai-the-building-system-management-solution/ 

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/www/pdfs/ai-infographic-pdf.pdf

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Digital Construction Week Preview - Episode 40 | Ollie Hughes28 May 202400:25:43

What's better than an event focussing on the built environment?

OK, there may be quite a few things but I’m thinking of an event that focuses on the built environment AND new technology!

Yes, I am of course talking about DCW (Digital Construction Week). 

As we are only a few days away from DCW, I’m delighted to get Ollie Hughes back on the podcast. Ollie featured in Episode 15 when discussing tech adoption within the construction industry and now he’s back on to tell us a little bit more about the event he co-founded and grew into one of the leading events for professionals within construction and technology.

Topics Covered

- Where are you up to with 1 week to go until DCW?

- What’s changed from last year?

- What are you looking forward to?

- The best way for people to get involved? (what to do when visiting)

- 2 weeks from now, what will good look like to you?

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/

https://www.builddifferent.marketing/podcast/episode/1f3f78b0/tech-adoption-connecting-the-digital-dots-episode-15-or-ollie-hughes

Building Safety Act - The Need to Knows - Episode 39 | Lorna Hagan14 May 202400:34:09

The Grenfell Tower fire changed everything, but it was a tragedy that not only shouldn’t have occurred but was completely avoidable. In an industry where tight margins and the utilisation of cheaper alternative products to remain competitive can take president, we look forward to today, tomorrow and thereafter to ensure that the safety and integrity of high-rise residential buildings is the non-negotiable, constant and unwavering focus. Enter the Building Safety Act of 2022 — a comprehensive legislative framework designed to overhaul building safety regulations and accountability measures, although we’ve all heard of it, do we really know what it is, what it means and how it will impact the industry?

From understanding the Act's core principles to navigating implementation hurdles, it’s an important topic that will affect us all, whether you're a building owner, a construction industry professional, or a resident. I must admit, I don’t know it as well as I should, so we need to chat with someone to help us unpack the complexities, opportunities, and challenges of this landmark legislation.

With an ethos and positive approach to collaborative working Lorna Hagan founded ConstructTuition in 2021, providing practical skills training and advice on Quality in the Construction Industry. 

Lorna’s background in Civil Engineering brings with it 18 years of experience in site engineering and quality management systems, being a certified ISO9001 Lead auditor, and with previous work as Head of Quality, Lorna has managed an annual turnover portfolio of Civil Engineering Projects worth over £200 million.

Systematic, practical and logical in her approach, Lorna is primed to give us the lowdown on the Building Safety Act.

Topics Covered

- Overview of the Building Safety Act

- Key Provisions and Responsibilities

- Implications for Construction Industry Professionals

- Challenges and Implementation Hurdles

- Role of Technology in Building Safety Compliance

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-hagan-cqp-7457483a/

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/30/contents/enacted

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62f3c722e90e076cfa481c31/Building_Safety_Data_Release_July_2022.pdf 

https://www.thefpa.co.uk/news/hse-high-rise-residents-research-shows-fire-safety-knowledge-gaps 

https://www.thenbs.com/about-nbs/press-releases/nearly-half-of-construction-professionals-%E2%80%98unsure-of-building-safety-laws

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Maximising Your Event Budget - Episode 38 | Peter Sumpton30 Apr 202400:16:28

There is always a healthy debate around events and exhibitions in terms of cost vs return, especially within construction where one order can make an event lucrative, but on the flipside, a poor exhibition can leave a large dent the marketing budget and a sour taste in the CFOs mouth.

Done right, exhibitions can serve as powerful platforms for networking, brand exposure, and knowledge sharing. These opportunities not only facilitate connections with industry peers and potential clients but also offer a stage to showcase innovative solutions and stay abreast of emerging trends.

However, harnessing the full potential of these events requires more than just showing up—it demands strategic planning, thoughtful budget allocation, and meticulous execution. No wonder navigating the intricacies of event management and budgeting can be daunting.

As we’ve mentioned, the financial investment associated with these events alone necessitates a keen focus on maximising impact while minimising the additional costs that can soon make an estimated budget look like pocket change compared to the overall cost.

Additional elements such as marketing materials, travel expenses, and staff resources as well as exhibition space and stand design and builds need to translate into tangible returns, whether in the form of leads generated, partnerships, or brand recognition (side note - make sure you quantify what a good return looks like before investing a penny as it doesn’t always mean leads)!

The challenge of optimising event budgets and quantifying their impact is one that resonates with most who have been put in charge of project managing the whole thing. It's a tricky conundrum that requires careful consideration of various factors, from selecting the right events to attend to crafting compelling messaging and experiences that resonate with your target audience.

So, how can we ensure that we're making the most of our event budgets? How can we stand out in a crowded marketplace and leave a lasting impression, reach our goals and exceed all expectations?

These are the questions we'll explore in today's episode where we'll delve into four actionable tactics designed to help you maximise your budget and amplify your impact at events.

Let's dive in and uncover the secrets to unlocking the full potential of your event budget.

Topics Covered 

- Map out your calendar of construction industry events

- Elevating your expertise 

- Planning for deeper engagement 

- Extending your reach 

- Strength in numbers 

- The end of the event ISN’T the end of the event

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.builddifferent.marketing/post/4-ways-to-maximise-your-budget-and-impact-at-construction-events

https://www.builddifferent.marketing/post/2-wenty-ways-to-collaborate-that-benefit-you-and-the-rest-of-the-construction-industry

https://www.builddifferent.marketing/podcast/episode/1fabcb3b/collaborative-working-in-construction-episode-28-or-peter-sumpton

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

UK Construction Week (UKCW) 24 Preview - Episode 37 | Peter Sumpton16 Apr 202400:18:46

I spent last year covering some of the best (and not so best) events and exhibitions within the UK Construction space - You can find my reviews on my YouTube channel (link in the show notes as ever). So this year, instead of creating the reviews, I thought I’d try my hand at previewing - First up, UK Construction Week.

For anyone who doesn't know what UKCW is all about, it’s the biggest exhibition within the UK construction space in the UK -  a hub of innovation, collaboration, and industry insights as well as event sponsors and paying exhibitors gaining great exposure from being part of it. With thousands of exhibitors, seminars, and networking opportunities, it's a great platform for staying ahead of the curve in our ever-evolving field.

So, why are we dedicating an entire episode to previewing UKCW 2024? Well, there's a lot to cover. From the latest technologies shaping the future of construction to initiatives and legislations driving change within the industry. Need to knows, must knows, who knows!

Well hopefully we all do after this episode.

From the seminars not to be missed to exhibitors that are worth a visit, I’ll be giving you an unbiased run-through of UK Construction Week 2024… That’s enough introing, time to get stuck into the details.

Topics Covered 

-  What's new for UKCW 24

- Exhibitors not to be missed

- Seminar and talks selection

- Who’s worth listening to?

- Product demos

- A few unknowns to think about


Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/


Further Links

https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi0WMMtVLdtX4sZ4Eu6vaQw

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Exoskeleton Technology - Episode 36 | Meghan Kennelly09 Apr 202400:32:12

In 1991 Terminator 2: Judgment day was released, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the first film. On its release, we were all treated to the latest in CGI technology, cyborgs and other robots n’shit. Over 30 years later, we still hear murmurings that the robots are going to kill us all and that one day AI will become smarter than us and destroy the modern world. 

And that’s where we’ll pause these yet-to-be-realised predictions and focus on the now and possibly the most advanced piece of kit we’ve ever featured on Construction Disrupted – Exoskeleton technology and while innovations like this may not be picking up any Academy Awards real soon, they are helping to transform the way we work and what is and might be possible in the future.

But I’m not here to tell these tales, we need an expert in this field who can write the script and deliver a best seller.

Meghan Kennelly, the Head of Global Marketing at German Bionic, a European robotics company, is a B2B Marketing expert with an innate passion for cutting-edge technology. 

Meghan’s visionary leadership has led to German Bionic gaining international recognition and numerous awards for its portfolio of smart power suits and wearable technologies which includes connected exoskeletons driven by self-learning and artificial intelligence.

Topics Covered 

- The specifics behind exoskeleton technology

- Is this a skills shortage saviour?

- How exoskeletons can help reduce injuries in the workplace

- Ergonomic data reshaping workplace safety

- Is there an ROI for everyone?

- AI tech and how this impacts future markets 

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/


Further Links

https://empathyfirm.com/Meghan-Kennelly/ 

https://www.firstmats.co.uk/blogs/facts-and-statistics/construction-industry-safety-statistics-executive-summary#:~:text=10.-,Around%202.6%20Million%20Working%20Days%20Lost%20Annually,%2Drelated%20illness%20(80%25).

https://www.nesfircroft.com/resources/blog/how-can-we-solve-the-construction-industry-skills-shortage-in-the-uk-/#:~:text=The%20recession%20expected%20in%202023,output%20in%202023%20and%20beyond.

https://amtrustfinancial.com/blog/loss-control/exoskeleton-and-exosuits-in-the-workplace

https://costcharts.com/exoskeleton/

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Sales and Marketing BS - Episode 35 | Andy Hamer02 Apr 202400:44:35

Today's episode promises to be an eye-opener as we explore the often-overlooked synergy between sales and marketing two-bed fellows cut from the same cloth but at different ends of the table…. usually.

In an industry where precision and collaboration are paramount, the integration of sales and marketing functions holds the potential to be a game-changer. Yet, despite their inherent alignment towards common goals, these two pillars of business strategy often operate in silos within construction, missing out on the powerful impact they could achieve together.

Think about it: marketing lays the groundwork, crafting compelling narratives, and creating brand visibility, opening doors, while sales is on the front line, nurturing relationships and closing deals. When these forces unite seamlessly, the result is a formidable alliance that not only drives revenue but also fosters long-term growth and sustainability.

So why does this powerful combination remain elusive to many, especially within the construction industry? How can we reduce the possibility of failure and look to almost certain success?

Throughout this episode, we'll walk through the answers to these questions, exploring the nuances of sales-marketing integration within the unique landscape of construction. From cultural shifts to technological innovations, we'll examine the factors shaping this paradigm and uncover actionable insights that can empower us to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. But who is our guiding light here?

Andy Hamer is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Gorilla Team Associates, specialising in fractional sales and marketing for B2B tech firms and startups, spanning hardware, networking, services, and SaaS, shaping innovative go-to-market strategies, addressing the needs of emerging startups and global corporations.

Throughout an expansive 40-year career, Andy has secured esteemed senior management and board positions in renowned firms, including Marconi, Strategic Analytics, Equant, Informa, Wongs Electronics, and Bentley Systems.

More recently, he’s delved into Architecture, Engineering and Construction, working at senior and board levels at institutions like Codebook, XYZ Reality, and Archdesk.

Andy has a BA (Hons) in Marketing Engineering, is a certified BIM Information Manager and authored a book on structured data management in BIM as well be achieving the status; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM).

Topics Covered

- Getting market-ready

- The terminology trap

- How can we reduce the chance of failure?

- Why it should always be sales AND marketing

- #1 myth in marketing (I’ll let you decide this one)

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/5919-construction-companies-in-the-uk-close-to-failure/134221/ 

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/inbound-marketing-glossary-list

Digitising Temporary Works - Episode 34 | Ste Baldwin26 Mar 202400:24:11

It’s easy, as humans, to focus on the end goal, what we set out to achieve and whether we’ve achieved this or fallen short. It’s the same in construction, be it remedial works or a new build there is always an end goal in mind. 

It’s easy to forget the peripheral, the support functions, the necessary ones that will help achieve this end goal but will not be around to share in the glory. Take temporary works, for example, a critical lynchpin in any construction project and one that keeps us all safe and supported in the right areas at the right time. 

But how safe and supported will we be going forward with more manual and traditional methods of design and implementation still being used? We’re about to find out.

Ste Baldwin has worked in the world of marketing for over 15 years including Education, Recruitment, Accountancy, Wholesale and Construction and Engineering, 6 of which have been as Head of Marketing and Comms within the Temporary Works sector of the construction industry prior to transferring to his current role as Category Marketing Manager - Below Ground at Mabey Hire he has spent the last 6 years within the engineering and service excellence space of temporary works.

Topics Covered

- Traditional methods of temporary works project design.

- Introducing to EVE.

- Is it worth a client's investment vs traditional methods?

- Transition from on-screen to on-site.

- Using VR.

- Future of technology within the temporary works industry.

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

https://www.mabeyhire.co.uk/technical-hub

https://www.mabeyhire.co.uk/about-us/eve

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

Utilising Power BI - Episode 33 | Samuel Arsenault-Brassard19 Mar 202400:37:05

In an era where every nail hammered, every beam placed, and every brick laid can be augmented by technology, Power BI emerges as a beacon of efficiency and insight. From project management to resource allocation, from cost estimation to risk mitigation, this robust business intelligence tool has been making waves across the construction sector, revolutionising the way projects are planned, executed, and managed.

This software also does the improbable and starts to integrate the supply chain, converting seemingly unrelated sources of data into coherent and interactive visualisations assisting architects with conceptual visualisations, project managers who strive for better insights and contractors aiming to optimise operations.

But this is only the case if we have the skills and abilities to use this type of software at our disposal. So do we? And if we do, is Power BI the one and only platform that can help us achieve greater integration and collaboration at a digital level, empowering decision-makers to navigate the complexities of construction projects with clarity and confidence?

We need to chat with someone who will help us uncover the insights and best practices that can propel construction towards greater efficiency, productivity, and ultimately, success.

Samuel Arsenault-Brassard, Head of Product at VIM AEC, is an authority in BIM data analysis and PowerBI auditing. A dynamic force in architectural innovation and digital artistry, he has carved a niche in blending physical and virtual realms.

As a BIM expert, his work spans from the practical aspects of architectural technology to the creative arenas of lighting design and XR art. 

In the realm of digital art, he is a recognised XR artist and curator, with works displayed at various galleries and his presentations on topics like Metaverse architecture, coupled with his art shows, illustrates his commitment to exploring and shaping the intersection of technology, art, and architecture.

Topics Covered

- The importance of managing and utilising data.

- Power BI and VIM.

- Visualisation, analysis, output, etc (what does good look like)?

- Do we need to up-skill to maximise the success of these tools?

- Space for all system-integrated software or do we need a unified approach?

- AI, Metaverse and the future.

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

www.vimaec.com 

https://cloud.vimaec.com (Cloud Service)

https://www.asite.com/blogs/what-is-the-most-important-data-to-track-on-construction-projects 

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/digital-construction-news/customisation-culture-holds-back-digital-maturity-in-construction/132342/

https://www.citb.co.uk/media/dfuom4ma/ai_and_automation_report.pdf

Geospatial Solutions - Episode 32 | Stuart Gilling12 Mar 202400:40:58

If you’re going to host a podcast, make sure you always cover subjects you know something about so that you can engage with your guests and make sure you don’t look the fool when asking questions or inviting healthy debate. 

Well, let’s try something different this week and go with a topic I know very little about, even though we touched upon it in episode 25, Capturing Reality with Derek Lawrence. This week we’re looking into the world of Geospatial Solutions and whether it’s just for the big ass projects we're accustomed to hearing about via our fav construction media (aside from the podcast of course) or if there’s wider scope here, where this type of technology is accessible and affordable for most and usable on projects both large and small. 

Now I’m being slightly flippant in that most (and I’m including myself in this ‘most’) have heard of the likes of Google Earth and projects such as Earth 2, which could be categorised within the Geospatial sphere, but from a construction perspective, these don’t offer the sector-specific solutions we need within construction. To put it simply, we need to chat with someone who knows what they are talking about!

Stuart Gilling is the Managing Director of Malcolm Hughes, geospatial consultants specialising in the capture and processing of measured data in all environments. Stuart also bares the title of MRICS Chartered Surveyor - Geospatial solutions and consulting - RICS Registered Expert Witness specialising in boundary dispute resolution.

Prior to this, Stuart initially managed the CAD production team and was instrumental in the adoption of BIM across the business and the adoption of UAV (drone) services. With 17 years’ experience in the geospatial profession, he also completed a Management and Logistics degree followed by a Masters in Business Administration, becoming a member of the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors in 2006!

Topics Covered

- What is Geospatial Analysis?

- The tech behind it - What do you need to get started vs detailed large-scale projects.

- PUMA128 (PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation)

- Potential commoditisation of the industry v bespoke solutions.

- Growth Opportunities.

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028 

Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/

Further Links

Mentioned in this episode:

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial

Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028

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