Relax, It is almost Year End

Relax, It is almost Year End

 

Relaxation tips for the Construction Industry

 

It is that time of year when everything starts to feel a little out of control.  If you are in the Construction industry, deadlines loom like ominous clouds just before the weekend and time seems to disappear into something akin to a black hole never to be recovered.  Small things get on your last nerve, there doesn’t seem to be enough coffee in your mug… ever!  No one else seems to appreciate the gravity of the depth of the situation you are in.  To add to that, some people seem to be in holiday mode already, which is really frustrating because it is somewhere you would very much like to be but just can’t seem to reach.

 

If it is any comfort. You are so close.

 

Feeling a similar inclination to run for the hills screaming, I went in search of some quick fixes to ‘chill out’ at the office and hopefully maintain some semblance of sanity for the remainder of the year.  Fast Company mentions a few pointers which seemed to help me gain some equilibrium, so I thought I would share it in hope of making the load lighter for you:

 

# One : Take time to look out the window.

Hartkopf found that people who sit near a window have 23% fewer complaints of stress-related illnesses such as headache, back pain, and exhaustion. “Windows provide stimulation — excitement, pleasure, and information,” he says, “Subconsciously, we need to know if it’s raining outside. ” Always choose an office with a view, even if you’re offered a larger, windowless office. If you’re stuck in a cubicle, make frequent trips past the lobby.

 

#Two : When exercising, do so Outside

After looking out the window all day, get outside! Eifert’s study shows that outdoor exercise reduces the level of stress hormones in the bloodstream, resulting in positive mood changes. “There’s more to exercise than just doing the exercise,” he says. “People who buy Nordic Tracks from TV rarely keep it up, because indoor settings don’t generate the positive effects on mood that outdoor settings do. ”

 

#Three : When working out, it’s okay to go slow

Dishman found that regardless of whether you exercise at 80% or 40% of capacity, the effect on stress is still the same as long as you work out for at least 20 to 30 minutes. “Not exercising is bad for your mental health, but there’s no consistent relation between the intensity of the physical activity and the psychological benefit,” he says. “For mental health, more is not necessarily better. ”

 

#4 : After your workout, take a few moments to relax

After an aerobic workout, Mardus suggests, find a place to lie down; close your eyes; listen to music or nothing; and enjoy the floating, narcotic effect of the endorphins you just released. This way you stay in an alpha state and get an almost meditative effect. It seems to last for 20 minutes or so. ” As you shower and head back to work you’ll slip into a beta brainwave state, which helps you shake that “I don’t care” feeling.

 

#5 : Change your mindset

Rosch says that we become stressed when we dwell on the problem instead of finding a solution. The trick is to look for ways to take control. His example: “Your 15-minute commute takes an hour each day because of traffic. You arrive at work completely wired from battling gridlock. Instead of getting mad at the traffic, come in an hour earlier and leave an hour earlier. If that’s not possible, get a cassette and use the time to learn a foreign language. Once you gain control over the situation, you’ve taken a very big step toward reducing stress. ”

 

While these tips are great, sometimes you are unable to get outdoors. Its just not possible and you are stuck in a cubicle or at your desk.  Some ‘quick fix’ stress busters to help this are:

 

1) Close your hands in a tight fist for 10 seconds and slowly open them. Repeat five times.

2) Roll your head from side to side. Repeat five times.

3) Tighten your toes, hold them for 10 seconds, and release. Repeat five times.

 

I think Fast Company has it right.  It is important to get some kind of physical activity happening to break the tension and be able to refocus. With time being an issue for most people, it is comforting to know that just 20 – 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference.  See it as a break from the stress and something that helps you to get in the right frame of mind rather than another thing to add to your list and you will be surprised at the effectiveness.

 

If we don’t get the chance to wish you happy holidays in person, I hope that your newfound stress busting habits carry through the holidays and that you have a relaxing and wonderful break.  Catch you on the flip side. Until 2015 …….

 

 

 

Who are the people you have just quoted?

 

Volker Hartkopf, architecture professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania and director of the Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics.

Georg Eifert, professor of clinical psychology at West Virginia University.

Rod Dishman, professor at the University of Georgia, has reviewed some 250 studies on the effects of physical exercise on stress.

Craig B. Mardus, author of “How to Stop Worry in One Second” (Warner Books, 1995), has spent 15 years researching stress while working at the Canyon Ranch Spa in Lennox, Massachusetts

Dr. Paul Rosch, president of the American Institute of Stress and a clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College.

 

 

 

Source:

http://www.fastcompany.com/27773/5-ways-chill

 

 

About Carmen Barends

Social media adventurer for Leads 2 Business, exploring new frontiers and taking new ground. “Not all those who wander are lost.” JRR Tolkien

Getting a chance at the Worm

Getting a chance at the Worm

 

 

“The early bird gets the worm”

I have heard that it’s not much fun to rise early, or should I say very early. However research is rarely wrong. Not a morning person?  Well, according to Forbes “Love it or hate it, utilising the morning hours before work may be the key to a successful and healthy lifestyle”.

So why don’t more people start their day in the right way? Poor time management, late nights, too much to do…. the reasons run on.  But early mornings are often touted as the most beautiful time of day and getting up early could actually set the pace and tone for the rest of your day.

Why? Well apparently numerous influential thought leaders and CEOs get up early and follow some great habits to get themselves ready for the day (so maybe we could learn something from them?).  The top five listed habits quoted by these successful people are:

 

Exercise

Yes, it’s been said loads of times! But a quick workout at the beginning of the day can give you energy and improve your mood (which often carries through the day).

 

Map out your day

Think about what your goals are for the day. This time in the morning is often the only peaceful time you will get without any interruptions and putting in a little planning can help your day run a little smoother.

 

Eat a healthy breakfast

A good breakfast ensures no growling stomach half way through the morning (and one less thing to worry about). It puts a person in a good mood and helps improve your outlook on the day. It is also a great time to chat to your family and do a bit of bonding and set the tone for their day too.

 

Visualisation

The mental version of staying healthy. Think about your day and the success you are going to have. Spend a couple of minutes in your head. See yourself walking tall!

 

Make your Day Top Heavy

Do the most unpleasant tasks first. Get them out of the way so you don’t have to have them looming over you all day. That leaves the things you enjoy for the rest of the day.

 

So if this has touched a heart string for you, you will know that perhaps it’s time to consider changing your routine up a little.

 

 

Remember, the early bird gets the worm.

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2013/10/02/5-things-super-successful-people-do-before-8-am/

About Carmen Barends

Social media adventurer for Leads 2 Business, exploring new frontiers and taking new ground. “Not all those who wander are lost.” JRR Tolkien

Symbiosis through L2Q

posted in: How To 0

 

LEADS 2 QUOTES (L2Q)

A remarkable pricing platform that is used by Contractors to send out price enquiries to Vendors / Suppliers when tendering for contracts, which has made an irrefutable impact with far reaching benefits for its users.

 

Here are some suggestions to the two major key players in this highly competitive industry we call CONSTRUCTION:

To the Vendors that receive the Requests for Quotes (RfQ’s):

  • Respond timeously to the RfQ’s by using our fast and easy online links.
  • Engage/negotiate/communicate with the Contractor. Be pro-active, contact the Contractor and enquire how competitive your prices are. This will stand you in good stead if the contract is awarded to the Contractor that has requested a price from you.
  • Become a Platinum Directory Listing (PDL) subscriber. You will be e-mailed award notifications on tenders that you have been requested to price on (so even if a contract has not been awarded to the Contractor that has requested a price from you, you now have been notified of the successful tenderer and can re-direct your quotation).
  • By being a PDL subscriber you have access to our very extensive Directory, make use of it by looking up companies and market yourself by sending out your company brochure/profile from our website, or if you prefer, make contact telephonically.

 

 

To the Contractors that send out the Requests for Quotes (RfQ’s):

  •  Acknowledge receipt of the quotations.
  • Engage/negotiate/communicate with the vendors/suppliers.
  • Acknowledge that you recognise and appreciate the time, effort and cost that goes into submitting a comprehensive quotation, thereby dispelling the vendors impression that you are using their prices as “cover prices”.
  • Use the RFQ functionality to communicate with the vendors that you have requested prices from.We strive to create value for our subscribers and recognise the vital role both the vendor and Contractor play in meeting each other’s requirements that are critical in each other’s successes.

 

So let’s foster healthy, mutually beneficial relationships based on solid long-term partnerships.  So why don’t the main Contractors hop onto the L2Q train and see how your tendering world will change? If you don’t, dare I say, you may kick yourself for not doing so.

About Lola Govender

My name is Lola Govender. I have been working at L2B for 14 years and am very passionate about our business.

Keep Calm – 2015 Is On It’s Way

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Keep Calm 2015 is on the way!

Christmas aka silly season is looming on the horizon and so is the end of the year. This time of the year is frenetic…. Frantic….. Work to finish….. Deadlines to meet….. Projects to complete!

Keep calm…………and know that at Leads 2 Business, in Private Projects we have plans in the pipeline making sure that there are new and exciting projects on our database for next year, including Africa and the Mining industry.

According to Ernst & Young’s website:

“Africa is on the rise. While Africa’s challenges are well documented, there is an increasing recognition that the continent is on an upward trajectory, economically, politically and socially.
The latest foreign direct investment (FDI) flows have increased strongly in the past decade, investor perceptions of Africa are ever improving and the outlook is positive, with capital inflows forecast to reach US$150b by 2015.
In terms of destinations, while South Africa maintained its position as the top FDI destination, emerging hotspots for investment in Africa are Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.
South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are considered the most attractive investment destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa, whereas Morocco is seen as the leading destination for doing business in North Africa, largely on account of its relatively stable political environment.”

On further investigation..… “In 2010 the African continent had 51 cities with more than a million inhabitants and only one city with more than 10 million inhabitants – Cairo, Egypt. By 2040, the continent is expected to have more than 100 cities of more than 1 million inhabitants and seven cities of more than 10 million. The largest city is projected to be Kinshasa in the DRC, Central Africa where the population is expected to reach 24 million by 2040”.

In various countries in Africa, in a bid to cope with this rising urbanisation, entirely new cities / mixed use developments are already under construction. Developments such as Tatu City, Kenya, The City of Light in Accra and King City in Takoradi, both in Ghana, Pearl Marina in Uganda, Roma Park in Zambia, Kigamboni in Tanzania and while in Nigeria there is the modern Eko Atlantic City which being built on reclaimed land from the sea. These ‘self-contained’ new cities which are based on the ‘work-play-live’ concept, are intended to relieve the highly congested cities and minimise the need for inhabitants to go into the ‘city centre’. The cities do not just comprise of residential units, they are fully self-contained, this means there are office blocks, shopping malls, recreational areas like parks, churches, schools and even hotels.

All this fore-mentioned information bodes well in terms of new possible projects for the New Year. If you are a Private Projects Subscriber, you will know that we already have all the mixed-used developments listed above on our database and so much more!

If you are looking for new project leads in Africa, South Africa and the Mining Sector and you are not subscribed to Leads 2 Business (really?!?) then now would be a really good time to change that….

What are you waiting for, 2015 is only 42 days away!

Sources :
http://www.ey.com/ZA/en/Home/Africa-Attractiveness-Survey
http://www.ey.com/ZA/en/Issues/Business-environment/EY-africa-attractiveness-survey-2014
http://www.howwemadeafrica.com/africas-constructionindustry

About Marlaine Andersen

Leads 2 Business Advertising Co-ordinator and Digital Designer

Time to contact your contractor?

posted in: How To 0

Time to contact your Contractor

 

 

Have you ever wondered how a contractor chooses who he awards contracts to or how to get a contractor to notice you?

 

We went in search of possible answers from some of the industry leaders as to what they look for in a vendor and what the winning factor for them could be.

 

Construction moves fast!

 

It’s a fast paced industry in terms of carrying out the building works and having deadlines met.

 

Buyers don’t chase after vendors!

 

Contractors don’t like to be pestered. They don’t have time to sift through superfluous information. Have your documents together and ready to get the ball rolling. Contractors don’t become contractors because they love to communicate. They have more experience doing things a certain way and in a timeous manner.

 

No delays! If you are going to say that you will do something then do it!

 

If you state that you have priced or are going to price, send your prices through and make sure that they are sent on time. A contractor won’t stay in business unless he prices competitively. If your price is too high in comparison to the current market, he will get another quote for comparison.

 

It’s all about establishing good, trustworthy relationships with contractors and having the capacity to perform.

 

Contractors, yes as vendors know, have a preferred list but it’s NOT limited. Contractors DO try to blend in new blood. A contractor will look at past experiences to determine how companies and vendors market themselves, their quality of work, competence of staff and whether one can cope with regards to work volumes and requirements.

 

Just as we, as people, try to market ourselves for a new career, what candidate to vote for in an election, choose a life partner, it all involves a list – a list of various factors, criteria and considerations, which will benefit you, your company and your decisions in life in general.

 

Many thanks to Neels van Staden from Stefanutti Stocks Building for his assistance and insight.

About Chantélle Naudé

I have been with Leads 2 Business since 2009, from Leads 2 Quotes to Directory. Mom to 3 girls. Outspoken, Fastidious and lover of all things Spicy and Shiny.

Making the most of your Advertising

posted in: How To 0

Making the Most of your Advertising

 

Banners are everywhere! As Internet users, they are on almost every site we visit. It is obvious the power that banner advertisements have as a means to promote your business. We want to go out of our way to intensify future growth for your business. However, whether you’re an industry leader or an emerging company, the difference between a poor banner design and a great one could see your ROI and site traffic go through the roof. It’s essential that your banners stand out from the crowd. How can you create a banner that will generate high click-throughs, or have a strong brand impact? First, we need to understand the current trends in Web advertising. Once you have covered this, you’ll have the foundations to prepare effective banners for your business. Even though the Web has been around for some time it is still a relatively new advertising medium.

This serves as an explanation why most banner adverts to date have focused on the generation of a direct response. Those who make advertising decisions are also less willing to take risks with a new medium, and demand to see direct results from their advertising spend. This is also why banner adverts have gained popularity so quickly – they are easy to track, and make ROI calculations simple. The problem with this model is that advertisers have come to demand an instant response from banner advertising and if it fails to deliver an immediate ROI, decision makers want it slashed from ad budgets. The reality is, due to the recent decline in advert rates, click- throughs, and the general effectiveness of direct response banners, many companies have retreated, unsure which way to turn. To remain competitive it is up to you to design a banner that encourages click-throughs that drive traffic to your site.

So how do you design your banner for maximum click-throughs?

Try incorporating some of these ideas into your advert to increase the number of clicks it generates.

Use prompting words: Using words that prompt the user to take action, will have a positive effect on the results of your adverts. For example words such as “Click Here”, “Click to Visit”, and “Visit Now!” can increase the likelihood of click-through.

Create a sense of urgency: In order for a visitor to click on your banner, they must get the impression that the information on your site is more important than the site they’re currently viewing. Create a sense of urgency by including phrases such as “Hurry!, Only while stocks last” and “Available for a limited time!” Keep it simple: Keep your banners clear and simple. Optimise your banner space with elements that generate click-through. Remember that it’s the job of the banner to get the user to click through and it’s the job of the Web site to provide information about your products and services, not the other way around!

Format for success: Your banner’s colour scheme is very important. Keep your colour scheme constant throughout especially if you’re using animation. Complimentary colours that grab the users’ attention work best to ensure key words stand out.

Target your audience: By using our sites your target audience is already construction oriented. Be sure to think about the subject matter this audience would be familiar with, interested in, and are likely to click on.

Security: New security features implemented by Microsoft for Outlook users will prevent a .gif animation from looping through all frames. So please ensure that all relevant information is displayed in the first frame, to accommodate these clients. Also, please keep in mind the fact that the effectiveness of banners decreases over time, so it’s a good idea to create new banners every few months.

About Taryn Duckham

I am a lover of awesome design, customer centricity and the art of influence. Being able to effect this through analysis, written or visual content and front-end design is part of my work, my great love of creatively solving problems that reach across as many parts of Leads 2 Business as I can.

Understanding Awards

Understanding Awards

 

 

The pendulum for researching tender awards swings from one extreme to the other. The only constant are the benefits. When researching tenders awards, you never know what you are going to get. It could be so simple and painless that you’re unsure if you’ve actually just worked on, confirmed and published a tender award. It could also be so teeth-gnashingly frustrating, that you would think you’d been charged with finding the Holy Grail. The cast of characters are vast and numerous, but tend to favour certain categories:

 

Quick and Painless: This category is populated by those that publish award information in the media (you would think that this is a given. But it’s not); who answer phones and are willing to answer questions; those who answer emails (regardless of the email content. Answer emails. That’s it). Basically, if you are willing to engage in a conversation and confirm or supply me with award information, this is your category. I thank you. My Department thanks you. Our subscribers thank you. Transparency in the tender process hard at work.

 

Not Quick and Definitely Not Painless: This category contains everyone else.

 

Every unanswered email, ever.

 

The “instant-hangup”. You know the one. You call, it rings, it’s picked up and then “Click”. A sub-category that involves me phoning back and remaining on hold indefinitely. This results in partial deafness in my right ear from listening to either a tinny Greenleaves on an endless loop or a wind instrument butchering of a ’80’s One Hit Wonder. I will turn that ringing phone into an instrument of torture until that Government employee crawls out from under their desk and answers the phone. Generally, this results in them realising that if they give me what I want; I will go away. Until next time. But let’s not burst their bubble.

 

The “Wrong Department”. I tend to end up at HR. Regardless of how I worded my request. When I’ve done the full circuit of synonyms for “tender” and am now on a first name basis with the woman in HR; I know it’s going to be a long day.

 

There’s the blatant “No”. I can respect these guys because at least they’re not wasting my time or theirs. But I do think “Dodgy” when this happens. Which I will concede is unfair. The construction industry is very competitive, and as we all know, information is very valuable. Not everyone likes their “business” to be spread all over the place. Of course not, why would any company in this day and age want other people (with money), to know about their services and how some people (also with money) trust them with it to do a job? Scandalous. Yes, I know. You main contractors and some consultants out there don’t want to be inundated with calls. I get it. I know. I sympathise. But I’m still going to call anyway. A sub-category of this group are the “No Internet presence” people. They don’t exist. At least not digitally anyways. They can not be found. It baffles me, how they do business at all?

 

The “Who are you and why do you want to know?” category can go either way. This category either just wants to be informed (I can admire this) or they are suspicious of us. I’m perfectly happy to explain myself and what L2B does, just short of submitting a DNA sample. This category is an opportunity as they either subscribe to us or give us the opportunity to explain that publishing their awarded company details on the L2B website, is the grownup version of “Na-na-nana-na!”.

 

The “Uber-suspicious” group is like trying to have a conversation with Gollum, protecting his Precious (insert bad Gollum impression here).

“Sir, I don’t want to take it from you. I just want to talk to you about it”

“Filthy Hobbitses!”

“Um… okay. You have a good day, sir”. I don’t really blame this guy. Tender awards sometimes happen when they are needed the most, and sometimes when they won’t help a damn.

 

Tender Awards are not boring, that’s for sure. And very emotional. Anything from surprise, joy and excitement to doubt, jealously and anger. And that’s just the researchers.

 

Construction isn’t my business; information is, so those of you out there:

 

Subbies, reach out and touch someone. In the non-lawsuit kind of way. And no one likes a Spammer. This isn’t about shot-gunning a kitchen and hoping a cake will fall out. Be selective. Be smart. Approach those that you know will use your product or service. Approach those that will know what you are talking about. Create relationships. Even if the answer is “No!” that’s still a conversation.

 

Contractors, do not ignore the subbies. New products, skills and services are being created every day. The construction industry, although very traditional and conservative, is also incredibly innovative. Broaden your supplier lists and don’t get held hostage by suppliers/ subbies who are unwilling or unable to adapt to the times. Give the new guys a chance to impress you. Those that can’t deliver won’t last long anyway. You were once new too. Help a brother/ sister out. Plus, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone

 

If you’ve been awarded a tender and you’re proud of this fact, and want to metaphorically thumb your nose at your competitors, please email Tenders@L2B.co.za with the details.

Your company is doing well, broadcast it.

Free advertising, people.

That stuff’s expensive.

 

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

Do you have what our clients are looking for?

posted in: How To 0

Do you have what our clients are looking for?

 

 

Supply and Demand…. that’s what its’ all about right? Anticipating what your customer or client is going to need before your competition and delivering it at the lowest price but with more benefit and value because that’s what everyone expects!

That seems like a lot of variables and it actually makes my head hurt thinking about it!

But does it have to be this complicated?

Well if you are in the construction industry, lucky for you the answer is NO!

And this is where I break out in Tarzan song and chest pounding… “coz I work for Leads 2 Business!”

A lot of people are under the impression that we purely publish Tenders and Project developments on our site and sure that’s where we shine, but what people don’t know is by using the Leads 2 Business website to its fullest, you can network and market your business, big or small.  So let me run through some of the ways with you.

Welcome to our Directory!

Now here is where it gets fun, because even if you are only subscribed to our Platinum Directory for R 650.00 per annum you are able to email key contacts throughout the construction industry, you can enquire about their services, or introduce your own, upload your profile/brochure and you can customise your email by adding your own company logo and personal signature.

But wait there’s more!

LOL! I feel like I’m in a cheesy infomercial but I can’t help it, my Company and all it does excites me 🙂

So…. by the click of a button you can see every Project, Tender or award that contact you looking at on our Directory is or was involved in and, sure, you would have to subscribe further to access the full details of these items, but isn’t it cool that you can see what you in for before you subscribe, if you ask me, that’s inspired!

Now OK, so you’ve decide to subscribe to our Daily Tenders or perhaps our Private Projects (which includes Daily Tenders FREE I might add).  Now, as before, you can email directly from our website but now with KNOWLEDGE.  The knowledge of knowing exactly what that Architect, Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor etc. is working on.  Imagine yourself as a electrical or security installations company, for interest sake,  then being able to get hold of the Quantity Surveyor months before the Project goes to tender and having your products specified on that bill of Quantities.  Do you know what that would mean for business? That’s right! MONEY!

Everyone of those bidders are going to be calling YOU!

Fascinating stuff right? Absolutely, its what we do!

So to all of you who thought we simply publish Tenders and Projects….. you would be wrong, we offer you the support and give you the tools to take your business to the next level and we love watching you succeed as a direct result of it 🙂

Sometimes the difference between getting that contract or not is who you know… and we help you with that!

So why don’t you take the leap and contact me, let me show you the way! 

You can mail me at Directory@L2B.co.za or go to our website and take a look for yourself first at www.L2B.co.za.

We look forward to hearing from you…. Have a Super day!

 

About Sherina Shawe

I am a strong believer in "What you put in , is what you will get out" and this drives me every day, whether it's at home with my gorgeous family or at work where I get to fuel my competitive spirit. I love who I am and who I'm becoming. I love where I am , but more importantly where I'm going.... #EternalOptimist #Aspire2Inspire

Keep Calm and Love Technology

posted in: Life Lessons 0

Keep Calm and Love Technology

“If someone from the 1500’s came to us now and looked at what technology has enabled us to do, they’d think we were superhuman.” – Kenji Huang

 

For most of us switching on the computer, sending an email from our phones and using a GPS are part of our everyday lives but for millions around the world these tasks can seem foreign and difficult to grasp. Many people feel confused and wish they knew more, but struggle to understand technical lingo.

One of these individuals is my Dad, a 58 year old who has dismissed technology ever since I can remember, I regularly describe him as “technologically challenged”, meaning that finding the “ON” button on most electronics is difficult for him.

If I put myself in my Dad’s shoes (and thus the shoes of many others like him) and imagine what it must be like. I realise that there are also many things about technology that are foreign to me. To others who have more knowledge and wider access to tech I might also be considered “technologically challenged”.

 

Here are some “technologically challenged” scenarios I came across:

  1. ‘A woman called the help desk with a problem with her printer.  The tech asked her if she was “running it under Windows.”  The woman then responded, “No, my desk is next to the door.  But that is a good point.  The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his is working fine.”’
  2. ‘Tech Support: “Ok Bob, let’s press the control and escape keys at the same time.  That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen.  Now type the letter ‘P’ to bring up the Program Manager.” Customer: “I don’t have a ‘P’.” Tech Support: “On your keyboard, Bob.” Customer: “What do you mean?” Tech Support: “‘P’ on your keyboard, Bob.” Customer: “I’m not going to do that!”’

 

Some may ask, “how on earth scenarios like that still happen in 2014?”.

Many older people or those starting businesses are choosing today for the first time to use computers and the internet. They have realised it’s less expensive and easier to ‘keep in touch’ via email and social media and that technology can be used to keep abreast of current affairs, grow businesses, open communication channels and make everyday tasks quicker. Many new users may be defined as “technologically challenged” but this is only the start to becoming technologically capable.

So, where do you start? How can you use technology to expand your business while keeping abreast of events? And how do you find technical support that can speak to you in a way that makes sense and is helpful whether you rate yourself as a tech geek, technologically challenged or anything in between?

How about starting with a company whose ‘ethos is that of service excellence, customer relations and providing solutions to an evolving construction Industry’?

Click, Call or Email Leads 2 Business if you want to know more.

About Sasha Anderson

Millennial Mom + wife living the hash-tag life. Reach out if you want to talk: L2B, social media, construction, technology, marriage, parenting, popular culture and travel. Remember: If You Fail - Fail Forward

Documenting your Project with Pictures

Documenting your Project with Pictures

 

Photo documentation and the use of clear and concise photos is an invaluable tool in the Construction & Building Industry.

Methods of photo documentation:

You can snap photos using your smart phone or tablet, save them instantly and store in a dropbox. You could use a camera and upload the photos from your computer. You can add details and notes describing weather, manpower, constraints to the contractor and any other details. Remember that all your photos should be stored securely.

There are numerous methods of photo documentation; the most commonly used are Word, MS. Paint and Power Point. Adobe Standard can be used for combining pictures into a PDF and then making the annotations. The photo is converted into PDF and this provides some protection against your work being easily edited or tampered with. One can also provide hard copies to clients and anyone involved in the project if necessary.

Construction teams around the world rely on webcam technology and software to monitor, document and promote their most important projects. Webcams can be used to capture job site images. You can also capture interior images of your building project at key milestones for a complete visual record.

Types of Photography:

There is ground level photography as well as aerial photography. Aerial photographs have an advantage over ground level photographs as the aerial view enables the whole of an area to be observed, rather than just a portion of it as the scale of aerial photography is relatively consistent throughout the entire frame. This enables relatively accurate measurements to be made using photographs taken from this vertical view however the main disadvantage of aerial photography is that the point of view is unfamiliar. Most features look very different when viewed from above and this can make it difficult to recognise ground features. It is advisable to use a combination of both aerial and ground level photographs.

To accurately and best show the progress of construction you should take daily, weekly or monthly photos from the same perspective. You can also take ‘walk through’ videos and ‘still’ pictures at different stages of construction.

Reason for Photographs on Projects:

1. Help to lessen potential legal issues.
2. Used as a document trail to help resolve potential disputes.
3. Used when you want to explain exactly where something is or what is it.
4. It provides a valuable training tool for improving the quality of work.
5. They are a measure for protecting and covering yourself. It’s a safe guard for getting blamed for something you did or didn’t do. “The eye in the sky doesn’t lie.”
6. Taking pictures before and after specific item was completed can be used as a good addition to the company portfolio. This can be used as a pre-sale. It’s a portfolio of completed and current projects.
7. Used by subbies so that they can estimate using the scales plan, pictures and real details specs.
8. For warranty purposes.
9. Many clients appreciate photographic documentation.
10. Photo’s offer a unique perspective of the entire project.
11. Used to record already damaged items delivered to the site or items that have been vandalised.
12. Recording milestones in the building work.
13. To show the equipment used on site.
14. Used for monthly progress reports and marketing materials
15. Photos can be used to document why a project might be running behind. They will show snow, flooding, and other situations hindering the progress such as subs not performing on time.
16. Portfolios can also be created for containing a final image, prints etc. for those who have worked on the project.

Photographic documentation helps give the client a visual of what is going on at the site when they cannot be there. Photos are also used to document any safety concerns. It takes very little time and in today’s technology driven world, to whip out a camera and take photos of the site every now and then helps document progress and concerns.

Think about when you’re looking at purchasing a specific product, vehicle, house or appliance. When searching online, people generally scroll past the items for sale that have no image available. Pictures are eye catching, attract buyers and potential future clients.

Photos and backup documentation go a long way to ensuring that you are keeping your project on the right path and saves a lot of headaches later on. It is important to remember that you not only document problems but follow the problems through to resolution. You want to be able to tell a story with a beginning, middle and an end. Tracking your project from planning, site clearance, breaking ground right through to the final ribbon cutting at the grand opening of a successful complete project.

“If you aren’t using photo media in your workplace yet you are missing out on a real money maker and money saver”. Remember the classic saying…..a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/How-important-is-project-photo-102651.S.183473485?view=&item=183473485&type=member&gid=102651&trk=eml-b2_anet_digest-group_discussions-25-grouppost-disc-1&midToken=AQHA-MYM12l6-g&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=1q9wYECfJogCs1

http://www.skysiteaerial.com/aerial_construction.html

http://www.eagleseyephoto.com/

http://www.consumerbuild.org.nz/publish/phase/buildingphase-monitoring.php

http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-16_u-188_t-633_c-2350/aerial-photographs/nsw/aerial-photographs/geography-skills/photographs-and-drawings

About Michelle Crosby

I started my journey at Leads 2 Business in the Directory Department in 2012. I was then promoted to the Private Projects Department in 2014 and was recently promoted to Projects HOD this year.

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