Positive partnering

20 February, 2005

Those who have experienced the very real benefits of partnering are strong advocates of this approach to project management. The article by Donald Leeper, president elect of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, bears eloquent testimony (page 8). His regrets are that partnering is not more widely practised and its benefits not fully realised. Both Donald Leeper and current CIBSE president Graham Manly know just what is missing. Graham Manly said at CIBSE’s recent annual dinner, ‘For partnering to work, what is needed is that added ingredient — trust.’ Homing in on that word, Donald Leeper argues that a proactive commercial approach based on trust consumes less resources than being unreasonably tough with suppliers and partners. The importance of the human dimension is revealed in a study by the University of Brighton Business School and the New Local Government Network Research Unit. It found that at the beginning of partnerships, many managers were taken completely by surprise by the unexpectedly deep emotional commitment they felt to partnership working. They had to develop skills centred on co-ordination, negotiation, persuasion, diplomacy and change management — unusual skills for those working in contracting and procurement. CIBSE’s president-elect has a keen interest in partnering. Expect to hear much more during the next 12 months.

BCIA welcomes tougher commercial building energy standards but calls for greater ambition across the wider sector

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the government’s confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK’s commercial building stock.

GOLDBECK commits to three-year schools partnership to inspire Cardiff’s future construction talent

GOLDBECK has launched a new long-term education initiative in Cardiff, committing to support three local primary schools as part of a programme designed to introduce young children to enterprise, careers and the wider world of construction.

Calendar

Submit event

Tweets by MBS_magazine