Block Podcast - Like buses, you wait a while and two come at once!

The Block Podcast makes a big return today; it's been almost two months since the last podcast with Christmas and a very busy start to the year delaying the first recording of 2012. So it's typical, you wait a while for one and two come along at once!  Yes, we're releasing two podcasts today.

The podcast team got together to record one episode and the chat was so interesting that we just let the recorder run and we've ended up splitting the recording in two parts; Episode 5 and Episode 6.  There is a natural break in the topics and it seemed sensible to chop it into two 45 minute podcasts rather than one bumper edition.

Episode 5 is largely a very interesting chat about Procurement in the construction industry and, Episode 6 is primarily about how the construction industry could, and should, use social media.

These Episodes were recorded on the 27th February - here are the participants:

• Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing
• Gill Joy, Director,  Intend Development
• 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

EPISODE 5
We discuss lots of different aspects of procurement in the construction industry, here are some of the key topics:

• The complexity of the process
• Are SME's getting their fare share?
• BBA Accreditation and the cost of being registered
• Quirky.com and crowd funding for product development
• Are the contracts profitable or, are companies buying the work?
• How good id you bidding?
• Do you review and fine tune failed bids?
• The Glasgow Construction Forum 
• Scottish Procurement Construction Linked In Group

There's lots of great chat in this Episode and lots of useful information for anyone involved in the procurement process, it's well worth a listen.  You can download Episode 5 on iTunes or, you can listen to it here on the blog:

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

EPISODE 6

This is an interesting discussion about how the construction industry is adopting social media and, what they could be doing to improve their marketing and existing services with the adoption of Web 2.0 technology; here are some of the key topics:

• Is the construction industry using social media effectively?
• Creating content internally vs using an agency
• Twitter as a powerful search tool
• Twitter for building awareness and finding collaborators
• Augmented reality - is it a viable alternative to model making?
• 3D printers vs Fly-though video
• QR Codes - some innovative uses within the construction industry

Episode 6 concludes with a brief discussion about the new Permitted Development rules and whether they are a good thing for the industry.

This episode has lots of useful information and examples of how social media and Web 2.0 technology can be used in a number of ways within the construction industry - a worth while listen.  You can download Episode 6 on iTunes or, you can listen to it here on the blog:

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

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.

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.

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

We would like to apologise to those of you who have already downloaded Episode 3 of the Block Podcast; it wasn't until after it was formatted and uploaded to the server that we noticed there was a problem with the sound.

We have now rectified the problem and replaced the file on the server. If you have already downloaded the podcast form iTunes, please delete the file then refresh you podcast feed and the new version will download. Alternatively, you can listed to the amended version via the audio player in this blog post.

Once again, our apologies for any inconvenience.

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

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 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

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 - Episode 2...we're back and we've got some friends to join us!

We were extremely encouraged with the response to Block Podcast Episode 1 and with the number and variety of people who have expressed an interest in taking part either on a regular basis or, periodically when their area of expertise is required.  episode 2 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Friday 5th August and we were delighted to welcome some guests along to take part, let us introduce them to you:

• Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing 
• Paul McComish, CEO McComish Group
• 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 you will probably gather, we had great fun recording the second episode of the podcast with some lively discussion and the odd bit of humour!  We hope we have captured some really interesting content for you, here's some of the things we discuss during the podcast:

• Live organ donation - nothing to do with building design or property by we thought, given Kenneth's experience, we would have a very brief chat about the very topical subject of payments for live organs.
• Sustainability Statements - what's it all about and what are the associated costs and implications for house builders?
• Zero carbon emissions - is it really achievable?
• Solar panels as an investment - we look at the "Roof-for Rent" proposition and discuss some of the issues surrounding it
• Insurance claims - what's the insurance company's view - Like-for-Like vs replacement with a sustainable solution
• Social media in the property industry - how do you project your personal brand where we refer to the expert advice of  Jennifer Holloway, Managing Director, Spark Branding
• We also ask the question - Are CV's a thing of the past
• Recruitment - Is there a shortage of skills? Are graduates ready for the workplace? Is there a better solution for training tradesmen in the future?

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

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.