I started this in 2011 and finished in 2012 - Here's to your success

I have written this blogpost so many times then deleted it and then edited it and then lost it and now I am starting again. I guess the brain cells have diminished over the festivities.

All of that said I am looking forward to 2012. We all leave the worries of 2011 behind us and look forward to the promises of 2012 and what will hopefully be a great year for all of us.

We are looking forward to a bumper year and hope that the Construction Industry Sector now refuses to participate in the ongoing credit shortage and certainly not to participate in a 'double dip' which we must all try and avoid.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the last day of the festive holidays before we return for the 2012 journey. We have a few existing projects which are steaming along and a few new ones just about to get kick started. We also look forward to the 5th 'property podcast' with the fatbuzz team and our regular guests. You can listen to podcast #4 by clicking here.

So here's to your success in 2012, whatever you do and wherever you may be. Let's all make this year count.

If you have enjoyed this post or the podcast please use the Facebook, Twitter and Share buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance they will find it interesting too. Thank you.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.

Block Podcast Edition 4 now available - Working from home vs the office - The work/life balance and much more...

It's early December and we are now at Block Podcast No.4, we've been very encouraged with the response and feedback from the initial podcasts.  We are continuing to look for people to take part in future podcasts and, for your suggestions of topics you would like us to discuss on future episodes.  If you would like to take part or suggest a topic please contact Kenneth Martin who will be happy to chat through your ideas.

Episode 4 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Thursday 1st December 2011and we were delighted to welcome back some guests along with one new one - here are the participants:

• William Hume, Director, Terrenus CDH
• John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK

Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd

As usual, we covered lots of topics during our open and lively conversation and we hope that there's something in the podcast for you.  To help you decide, we've listed some of the topics/questions that were asked and answered during the recording.  We began by looking at the issue of home working as opposed to working from an office, here are some of the key topics:

• Flexible working
• The benefits of collaborative working
• The ease with which you can open branch offices
• Serviced offices and meeting room facilities
• Is there any stigma in working from home?
• Trust issues - will your employees give 100% if working remotely
• Work/life balance
• Is there too much negativity around?  
• Has the current climate been a wake up call for many businesses?
• Loyalty in business - Is there still loyalty in business?
• Investment - Is it being affected by uncertainty because of the independence issue?
• Is investment too heavily weighted in favour of energy projects?
• Solar energy and the tariff changes
• Lack of investment in the communications infrastructure
• Is the planning process affecting investment?
• The costs associated with the planning process
• Does the planning process lack a certain amount of judgement or are the planners bound by too many regulations?
• Grand Design - Has it become a bit of a circus?
• The passive house
• The increasing demands on the built environment

We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and remember if you would like to take part in a future episode please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat.

We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

If you have enjoyed this post or the podcast please use the Facebook, Twitter and Share buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance they will find it interesting too.  Thank you.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.

An Update From Our MD - Kenneth Martin

Right, 10 minutes to go before the next episode of Grand Designs so thought I would give this quick update.

So many things going on now with Block Architects particularly now that we are heading towards the Christmas Shut Down. I'm sure Gordon White of fatBuzz will not want me mentioning Christmas so I did just to anoy him... (He'll probably go in and edit that bit!!!

Anyway, Christmas is approaching fast and as it does, we find ourselves in that position where the work load increases and the time left to do it in is decreases. Don't worry though we always get things done!

Between now and December we are looking at Building Warrants for 3 new bespoke houses, 3 self builds on site for site inspection already with another due to start next week in Hamilton and 1 more to go in for planning before Christmas. Multiple house alterations and extensions are at various stages and we have a dentist surgery on site in Burnbank Hamilton. We also have a secret project that we cannot talk about yet but hey, it's a belter as they say!

Today we were told that we had achieved planning approval for 2 house plots for the Celtic FC Legend Mr Bertie Auld. A great result! When I told him today you would think that he had scored a goal!!!

I must also thank Bertie at this point for arranging a signed football top for a charity fundraiser for The Beatson in Glasgow. My dear friend and former colleague Jon-Marc Creaney is fighting Cancer and Lanarkshire Business Group did a fundraiser last weekend where they raised in excess of £4000. WELL DONE!!!!

Well that's as much as I can write in 10 min as the Grand Designs theme tune has started.

Finally, we will record another #blockpodcast No 4 before Christmas so watch out for this and please do listen in.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.

Social Media and the Block Podcast

I just thought I would drop a quick Blogpost regarding the newest PR and marketing drive, the block podcast. It goes without saying that everyone is trying something new in order to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. I have always tried to do this through various initiatives.

Last week the block podcast No 2 was in iTunes top 200 downloads so of course I am delighted. The feedback has been immense with loads of interest in the guest speaker slots. If you are interested in coming onto the podcast please do contact us.

You can also follow the podcast on twitter with #blockpodcast.

Finally, I am happy to receive discussion topics via email Hamilton@blockarchitects.co.uk

Here's to the future success of the podcast.

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

f you have found this post interesting please use the Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Share Buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance some of them will find it interesting too. Thank you

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Block Podcast - Episode 1...In search of presenters

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Block Podcast; a regular podcast for all those interested in propert and construction. In the podcast Kenneth Martin, MD at Block Architects, explains what it's all about and the type of things that will be discussed in the future.

Kenneth starts with an appeal for anyone interested in property and construction to get involved in future episodes; we are looking for regular contributors as well as "resident experts" who will be willing to contribute of their areas of expertise when the need arises.

So, what type of people are we looking for?  well, just about anybody involved in planning, design or construction; architects, interior designers, engineers, surveyors, builders, developers, facilities mananagement, landlords...really anyone who has a relevant interest in this area.  If you are interested in being part of a future podcast please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat.

In this inagural episode we also talk about the use of social media within the building and construction industry so, if you are using social media you may want to join us to talk about it.

Please take time to listen to the podcast and let us know if you are interested in being part of our exciting new communication tool.  We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes

If you have enjoyed this post or the podacst please use the Facebook, Twitter and Share buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance they will find it interseting too.  Thank you.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.