Block Podcast Episode 3 - Marketing in construction, contaminated land Regs and why not to get Newts on your boots!!!

Audience numbers continue to grow for the Block Podcast and we are extremely happy with the reaction to Episode 2 and the feedback we have received via Twitter and email, please continue to tell us what you think of each episode and any suggestions you may have for the future.  We are also keen to hear from anybody who would like to take part in future podcasts.

Episode 3 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Tuesday 27th September and we were delighted to welcome back some guests along with one new one - here are the participants:

• Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing 
• Fraser Duff, 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

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 marketing within the construction industry, here are some of the key topics:

• The need to be more focussed in today's market
• Do your existing clients know all of the services you provide?
• Target specific audiences for particular services
• Explore potential new markets by looking at things like changes in legislation
• Check that your business is geared up to chase potential new markets
• Are you engaging and making the most of your relationships?
• Is it relationships or price that really drives business?
• Are you humanising your organisation in order to encourage relationships?
• Is the construction industry making the best use of new technology such as Skype?

We also explore the value of collaboration and the benefits of forming partnerships, how much you should publicly promote partnerships, whether partnerships can get help you tender for bigger projects and, whether architects still play the lead role on construction projects.

We then move swiftly onto the subject of networking and explore the real value of networking events - can we really form lasting relationships from these meetings or, are they simply a hunting ground for salesmen?

Finally, we discuss the Contaminated Land Regulations and the planned changes in the legislation.  Along the way we discuss the following:

• The complexity of the current regulations
• Why we need different legislation in Scotland
• The Ravenscraig solution
• What defines contaminated land
• Is there a legal obligation for Local Authorities to request reports?
• The benefits and implications of assigning reports

We also learn about the pearls of Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam .  Not content with that, Fraser explains why you don't want to get Newts on your boots!!!

During the recording we also talked about the role of SEPA and issue an invitation to them to take part in a future podcast so, if you know someone from SEPA perhaps you can share this blog and the podcast with them.

We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and, 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

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Supporting A Friend - Mr Jon-Marc Creaney (scarpadog)

Before I get into this blogpost I just wanted to quickly say thanks to everyone who donated to my charity www.justgiving.com/kenneth-martin. We have now reached our target of raising a massive £5000 for Yorkhill's Sick Children's Hospital, following the anniversary of my kidney to my dad. A massive thank you.

Now on the issue of fundraising this brings me onto the topic of the post. My former colleague and good friend Jon-Marc Creaney is currently going through treatment for Cancer. He is posting remarkable insights into his journey of recovery on his blog which you can follow here.

So, many of Jon-marc's friends are doing much fundraising for The Beatsons a charity which is devoted to helping people like Jon-marc through his recovery period. My wife Sandra and Jon-marc both attend the local Lanarkshire Business Group who are running a disco fundraiser for The Beatsons in association with Jon-Marc's Charity. If you would like to donate to this wonderful Charity you can find a link to the just giving page by clicking here.

EVERY PENNY HELPS SO PLEASE DONATE NOW

If 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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