The Competitive Contractor

Episode 35: Chris Pearce - Creating capacity in construction companies | The Competitive Contractor Podcast

Shortage of resources, larger and more complex projects while costs of materials rise is keeping leaders of construction companies awake at night. Is it possible to do business and be successful in the current climate? This is the question many current leaders and owners of construction companies are trying to answer. Chris Pearce joins us in Episode 35 of the Competitive Contractor podcast. Chris is the former President and CEO of Toll Global Logistics, where he spent 16 years in various roles, including Divisional General Manager and General Manager. Chris now operates two businesses: EV20 Consulting Group and Jorson Technologies. He is also an advisor to executives of several large organisations. In this podcast, Chris shares the following: 1. Ways construction companies can create nearly 30% additional capacity 2. Opportunities for cost savings that are usually ignored 3. A prediction on traits of successful construction companies in 2025 4. How Drive Lynx is approaching the ConTech revolution with the community in mind Relevant Links that are mentioned in the podcast: Drive Lynx Software: https://ev20group.com/drive-lynx-construction-management-software/ EV20 website: https://ev20group.com/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ev20-group/ To book a demo of the Drive Lynx software: https://info.shivendra.com/apply51605320

Episode 34: Tony Simonsen - Being positive beyond COVID-19 | The Competitive Contractor Podcast

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the COVID 19 pandemic has given prominence to ongoing issues in the construction sector as contractors struggle with issues like supply chain delays and rising costs. It's clear a new approach is needed. A new approach to leadership, a new approach to investments, a new approach to collaboration and most certainly a new approach to engaging with our teams. We know from past discussions, digital technology solutions can reduce the risk and be the difference between success and failure in today's uncertain construction market. To discuss these challenges and to challenge our thinking, I am joined in this episode by Tony Simonsson, Chief Operating Officer at Payapps. For your information, Payapps is a cloud-based technology to simplify the progress claims in construction in the construction supply chain. In this podcast, Tony speaks about the role technology plays in promoting trust and collaboration. He also discusses how important courageous leadership and a no complaint attitude are for success in 2022.

Episode 33: Damian Ennis - Experience, the under-utilised asset | The Competitive Contractor Podcast

Projects are getting larger and more complex. Budgets, delivery timelines and requirements are tighter than ever before. For the industry to be sustainable, what do you think clients and the construction industry need to do differently going forwards? What is the role of innovation and what can clients and contractors do to encourage more collaboration, between and within their teams? In this episode, we tap into the experience of Damian Ennis. Damian is a round-peg, who goes in search of square-holes - “nothing of worth, ever came from your comfort zone”. As an Architect in the infrastructure space (particularly in mega projects), or an organised Irishman, Damian is used to being someone who has an ‘outside skillset’ when solving problems. With experience spanning over $41BN of projects (and growing), Damian brings with him lessons and insightful stories right from where it all happens. https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-ennis/

Episode 32: Alastair Blenkin - Before you spend more money on technology | The Competitive Contractor Podcast

For this week's episode of The Competitive Contractor, we invited Alastair Blenkin to discuss his passion with technology as well as the positive and transformational change it's having on the Construction industry. There was a time not so long ago when we would not associate the construction industry with technology, and even if organisations wanted to adopt technology, there weren’t too many options to consider. The story is very different today, there are technology tools for everything and construction has progressed through a tech makeover overnight it appears. And in doing so, the industry now has the challenge of choosing the right technology and from what I hear from business leaders - it is no easy decision. Alastair is the Founder & CEO of ProcurePro, a digital procurement & contract management platform for the Construction industry to this podcast. ProcurePro is fast becoming one to watch in the Australian and global Construction-Tech landscape. Their innovative technology is a game-changer for Commercial Managers, Project Managers and Contract Administrators, providing visibility, controls and efficiencies by digitising the commercial aspects of construction. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairblenkin/ https://procurepro.co/

Episode 31: Steve Appleby - It's time to get on the train | The Competitive Contractor Podcast

Episode 31 (#1 of Season 4) of the Competitive Contractor podcast discusses the impact and changes technology is having on the Australian construction industry. The adoption of technology within the construction industry is growing traction at a rapid rate across both tier 1 and 2 organisations, government entities and smaller construction companies. Undeniably, technology and digital intervention have proven to assist in productivity, time to market and accuracy within companies. This podcast discusses just how much technology has already changed the way construction companies operate and how much the government is pushing for further change and what this will do to the construction industry as we know it today. Northwest Metro rail was one of the first major projects that influenced the government to look into and utilise digital transformation across projects to catch up with the rest of the supply chain, How the private sector has led the charge on digital strategy and technological transformation within the construction industry. The expectation for both tier 1 and tier 2 companies to utilise technology and a digital strategy in order to prepare, apply and win tenders. Victorian government looking to spend over $144billion in the next 3 years across construction where digital strategy is essential to ensure the success of projects. Technology transformation still have a long way to go across the construction industry, however, is now an inevitable change, Don’t invest in all technology, but understand your processes and implement the technology that supports the processes more efficiently. Steve Appleby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenappleby/ https://melbim.com.au/index.php/home/steve-appleby/ https://iimbe.io/our-people/ Steven Appleby Managing Director at IIMBE. Steve is a founding member of MeIBIM and is a member of the Victorian Digital Asset Strategy steering committee and New Zealand’s BIM Acceleration Committee. Steve brings 18 years of diverse project experience across Australia, SE Asia, New Zealand and the UK to IIMBE’s clients that leverages the power of BIM and Digital Engineering to deliver a raft of benefits to individual clients and broader industry alike. IIMBE is a company founded by three experienced BIM, Digital Engineering and Information Management experts one of which is Steve. IIMBE provides developers with a one-stop shop to ensure there is a consistent approach to managing and using data from multiple partners on large builds. Each of the directors has been implementing and working in BIM since 2003. Their vision is to deliver a better way of working for our clients while unlocking the benefits of Digital Delivery for the industry.