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Tools everyone in the Demolition Industry Should be using

Originally when I was given this topic, my first thoughts were….hmmm? Demolition, that’s got to be pretty straight forward, right? Blowing a bunch of buildings up or smashing walls down with a sledge hammer in an episode of “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” came to mind but apparently it’s not that simple.
After hours of research and chatting to a couple of experts in the demolition industry there are basic guidelines to follow before any of the dirty work can even begin.

What exactly are we demolishing?

Are there special regulations?

There are different tools to use for different methods of demolition. One would have to assess where the site is situated. Apparently bringing a bulldozer to a graveyard to build the next Mall of Africa would be frowned upon. Yes, it would get the job the done but there are basic regulation guidelines one would have to follow. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it won’t be that easy to knock it down either. Depending on what you’re demolishing, you may need to use different tools to finish the job.

Here is a list of tools that everyone in the industry should be using:

1. Safety Equipment
The number one rule in construction is always SAFETY FIRST. Make sure your team is equipped with adequate Health & Safety training as well as all the necessary PPE equipment.

2. Explosives
In the controlled demolition industry, building implosion is the strategic placing of explosive material and timing of its detonation so that a structure collapses on itself in a matter of seconds, minimizing the physical damage to its immediate surroundings. Despite its terminology, building implosion also includes the controlled demolition of other structures, such as bridges, towers, and tunnels.
Building implosion (which reduces to seconds a process which could take months or years to achieve by other methods) typically occurs in urban areas and often involves large landmark structures.

3. Excavators
An excavator is a construction vehicle used to excavate or move large objects. An Excavator is basically made up of 2 parts: A driving base holding a powerful boom arm with an attachment designed for excavating. The operator sits within a small cab connected to the base and controls the arm.
The excavator uses a Hydraulic system to generate a Hydraulic force to control the mechanical arm of the machine. It also uses a chain wheel system for its movement.
There are several types of excavators which are classified on use, brand and purpose.

4. Hand-Held tools
These tools are your “go-to” for more precise work.
If you are just taking fixtures off the walls, or removing adhesive from a floor surface for example, hand held light demolition tools will do.
Bigger tasks like mass tile removal, concrete breaking and knocking down partitions, will require heavy duty power tools in many instances.

Sources:
https://home.howstuffworks.com/5-tools-you-need-for-demolition6.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_implosion

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About Shanna Knezovich

I started my journey with Leads 2 Business in 2013 as an Account Co-Ordinator. I transitioned into an External Sales position as an Account Executive in 2015. I help professionals within the building & construction industry keep up to date with the latest project and tender information as well as source new business opportunities throughout Africa.

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Growth Strategies from an Expert

I can honestly say that this time around I don’t feel too nervous about writing my blog even though I needed a bit of a nudge from a friend to get started…
I feel a lot more confident than last time as I did not have to google “blogging for dummies” and “how to write a blog”. Yes, I really did do that previously…😉

My blog today is Growth Strategies from an Expert. Well I am no expert that’s for sure but we are going to be looking at tips from the actual experts.

Wouldn’t you agree that in order to successfully grow your business you need to ensure that you have a well-formulated growth strategy that fits the industry you have chosen? Both profitability and growth are equally important and necessary for a business to survive and remain operational. There is no set growth strategy, it is not a one size fits all kind of thing. Strategies that work for one business may not work for another business, but any business that commits to the process should see the benefits. It is imperative to take the time to prepare a growth strategy in order for business owners to successfully reap the benefits by recognising and seizing new opportunities ahead of the competition. Always remember that realistic strategies lead to positive results.

Let’s now look at 10 Growth Strategies from an Expert:

1. Nail your value proposition
Ensuring your business sustains long term growth you need to establish what it is that makes your services / products better than your competitors. What sets you apart from them?

2. Create measurable KPI’s
Firstly, let’s look at what KPI stands for and what is means: Key Performance Indicator – A KPI is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a business is achieving key business objectives. KPI’s are used to evaluate their success at reaching targets. Ok… got it? So now that we have an understanding of what a KPI is, let’s look at how we can create measurable KPI’s. Start by outlining your business objective and make sure you prioritise them in order for your tactics and strategies to be identified so that they are measurable and not impossible in order to reach success.

3. Verify your revenue streams (income)
Recognise your current revenue streams and identify which new ones could be created in order to increase your business profitability.

4. Identify your customer
Identifying and knowing your customer is key for any business endeavour. Successful business owners understand what their customers want and the most effective way of making their product or service available. As a business owner, it is crucial to take every advantage to outsmart your competitor, and understanding and building upon your customer knowledge and relationship will put you ahead of the game.

5. Understand their key requirements
Customers needs and requirements are very important in business. Understanding their needs and ensuring they are happy will retain your customer base.

6. Make the most of existing business data
Look into your company data on a regular basis in order to better understand your business as well as your customer types which will lead to improved business growth.

7. Define the best communication strategies
Approach your audience and establish what is the most effective communication strategy, but this needs defining in a carefully-considered content marketing strategy. Adjust your communications to something that best suits your customer base.

8. Personalise your approach to retain leads
Let’s be honest here, without new customers, your business growth will remain stagnant. If your current customers aren’t sticking around, you’re having to do a lot more work. Your leads are the key to your business growth. So personalise your approach, not every customer is the same and some require more work.

9. Re-evaluate your competition
Never ever take your eyes off of your competition. Find ways and means to be better, this will help with growing your business.

10. Focus on your strengths
Focus on what makes you better than the competition, what sets you apart from everyone else. Identifying ways to grow doesn’t necessarily involve targeting weaknesses, focusing on strengths can also help establish the best strategies going forward. Adapt your plan to smooth out any weakness.

“THERE IS ONLY ONE GROWTH STRATEGY: WORK HARD.” – William Hague

Sources:
https://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/topics/strategy/construction-company-management/developing-strategic-construction-business-plan
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/020415/what-more-important-business-profitability-or-growth.asp

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.
To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About Nadia Milln

My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

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