One of the key drivers for any business is the quality of its communication with everyone it is involved with. This may include clients, staff, supply chains, professional parties, designers and a myriad of other contacts. In this world where strategic decisions are made at the press of a button or the click of a mouse, it is imperative that the communication methods of the business are as up-to-date as possible.

From identifying opportunities to pricing work and from obtaining quotes to receiving health and safety information and from understanding environmental requirements to downloading specifications and drawings everything now is communicated digitally and electronically. So what areas should be reviewed?

The number of membership organisations within the construction industry is quite staggering. From trade federations to chartered Institute’s and from associations to partnerships and all ranging from health and safety advice to membership services information. The question is which are extremely important and which are nice to have?

By not having certain memberships, it may preclude the business from tendering for work. Accreditations may also influence potential employers, so awareness and knowledge of the latter is essential, as what may be important on civil engineering contracts may not be suitable for social housing or commercial projects. We will support you with guidance of what is mandatory, essential, nice to have and a potential waste of money.

Choosing the correct offices and premises can be critical for your business and will impact in many ways if the wrong decisions are made. It will influence your clients, your supply chain, your staff and potential future development. Your delivery methods will be impacted by your choice, an example being will you use your premises for material storage or will your policy be for just-in-time deliveries? Other important questions will include: