An interesting conversation with Brian Berry, the CEO of Federation of Master Builders today.
We discussed the pressures that everyone competing in the built environment are facing right now, from the FMB’s micro builder members, to tier 1 / tier 2 contactors, trade associations, manufacturers and the supply chain at the heart of meeting customer demand.
The need for an uplift in demand is clearly the lever we are all looking for, but can new fiscal, or policy changes from the new government really provide the key to unlocking impact in the short-term?
Not convinced, we decided that a ‘positive flip’ was needed, in challenging times, positivity has been proven to unleash greater resilience, competitive advantage and productivity.
So, here are our ‘5 reasons to be cheerful’:
1. The need to build more homes – PROVIDING AN OPPORUNITY TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE. The Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years is a very ambitious ask. It will require the supply chain to step up to provide a greater range of materials to meet the needs of the Future Homes Standard.
2. The need to retrofit 5 million homes – PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNIY TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR COMPANY’S GREEN CREDENTIALS. The requirement to improve the energy performance of many homes provides an excellent market opportunity to supply builders with the energy efficient materials that will be needed.
3. A new planning system that supports development – PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE. Proposed planning reforms to make the system quicker and more efficient will generate more building work which will boost the building materials supply sector.
4. The talent and skills shortage challenge – PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR EMPLOYER BRAND. There are new programmes available, like the Builders Merchants Federation Ltd Sector Awareness Programme, #MateriallyDifferent, providing building materials employers with the tools to compete harder for the talent they need to grow.
5. The sustainability challenge – PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADD CUSTOMER VALUE, INCREASE TEAM WELFARE, IMPOROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE. Recent research conducted by cmdi.co.uk on behalf of the BMF is showing that from a slow start, we are now delivering impact with an increasing focus on social value, greater use of EPDs and supply chain and product innovations that are reducing carbon emissions. It’s time to make sustainability your number 1 strategic priority.
If you’re looking to collaborate, or engage with the FMB to help drive growth in the SME builder space, talk to Brian Berry. If you’re looking to take positive action and compete harder by strengthening your customer facing and / or employer brand, please talk to me.
Dianne Lucas – Managing Director, CMDi