'The Big Shiny Builder Syndrome'
Doug Hogarth UHK
Training & Management?of successful ESTIMATING processes of patented software that facilitates time efficient & succinct ESTIMATING valuations for all Telecommunication & Electrical Contractors??"BUILDING REPUTATIONS"??
"There is only one thing worse than losing money, that’s thinking you are making money when you are losing it" (Simon Gompertz)
Hi and Welcome back.
In this LinkedIn Feature I want to share with you my thoughts and experiences regarding 'The Big Shiny Builder Syndrome'??
I love the regular reference of 'The Big Shiny Builder Syndrome' used by Michelle Cirson in her posts on this platform, the analogy of it and Michelle's strategic tips when negotiating with them!
For those who appreciate and enjoy stories of bad 'Big Shiny Builder' stand over ideas and practices, READ ON.
In the early 2000’s as the new Brisbane International Airport Terminal site was being developed by the 'Biggest Shiny Builder' going around at the time (check it out) I was engaged to provide temporary Comms and Elect services to their many Site Offices – which regularly needed moving as the site grew??
Early one week I received a call from one of the many 'Big Shiny Builder' staff. "Hey Dougie – we got a Site Office to be relocated on Sunday can you look after it for us" he said, "Yeah, sure thing can you issue an SI and pay us the $8k you owe us by Friday otherwise I can’t give you any more CREDIT" I said??
"Do you know who you’re dealing with" he said????????????
"Yeah, so pay your Bill" I said??
"You’ll never get another Job from us again"???????????? the 'Big Shiny Builder' says, 30days later we get paid??
6 weeks later I get invited to the offices of the same 'Big Shiny Builder' to sign multiple contracts as one of three?nominated Electrical & Comms Subcontractors for an ANZ Bank Branch refurbishment project throughout Brisbane and nearby regions??
When I enter the meeting room of the 'Big Shiny Builder' I meet a young buck, an old buck and ancient buck??
After introductions the young buck says, ”Now Doug, do you have the authority to sign these contracts”??
“Yes, that’s my signature and title on the tender response”?? I said,
"Ah yes, well then Doug can you tell me if you have any equity in this company" the young buck says ????????????
Immediately I fire back "Do you have any equity in yours”??
"That’s none of your business”??the cocky young buck replies, "That’s Farken Right”??I reply!
I collect my thoughts, I collect my folders, I stand up and I make my way to the lift foyer without a word?? just before I hit the lift call button the ancient buck grabs my arm and asks me to return to the meeting room, when I return, No young buck, No old buck??
The ancient buck apologises, and we sign contracts??
2 years later I get a call from the same 'Big Shiny Builder' on the same Brisbane International Airport Terminal site??
"Hey Dougie – Krone Australia recommended you guys for the installation of all the fiber optic, electrical services?and equipment for the arrival and departure boards which will be delivered on site next week, can you look after it for us"??he says.
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"Yeah, for sure, but if all the ceilings are in, set and painted and there’s no provision made for board fixings and cabling access, then forget it”??
Hopefully, what my experience demonstrates and what Michelle Cirson is alluding to, working in the Construction Industry can be Hazardous to the uneducated, when the Structure and Insolvency rates are considered??
From our WHS training we know the level of exposure to a Hazard determines the Level of Risk and that Eliminating the Risk is the Highest Level of Control in the Hierarchy of Risk Management, therefore, please ALWAYS consider the ALTERNATIVE??
If you can achieve an experienced and reputable status of delivering successful projects consistently in the marketplace, being a nominated Subcontractor is by far the Best Market to compete in??
If your Customer Relationship is Sound, Long and Strong, then obviously, the foundations of Honesty, Integrity and Reputation exist, after all, this is the very reason why the 'Big Shiny Builders' want you to Tender….RIGHT?
Check it Out??
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Author / Senior Lecturer-Western Sydney University / Fellow AIB / Senior Lecturer-IATC
12 个月I hope this adds to the conversation about dodgy developers, builders and contractors - I am reminded of the UK’s Police Commissioner’s response to Maggie Thatcher after the Hillsborough soccer stadium’s riot and fire resulted in 97 deaths and 162 hospitalisations. When asked, “What will you do about these hooligans?” His answer was, “Those are your hooligans, Mrs Thatcher”. (Decades later, the record was corrected to reflect gross negligence of executing crowd control by several police and governing officials) However - the analogy is appropriate for the NSW bureaucracy's multi-decade malaise toward dodgy developers, builders and contractors. (Commissioner Chandler is rectifying this - many thanks). These bad actors are the government bureaucracy’s creation with generous interpretations of strict laws and non-enforcement behaviour. They have doomed citizens to many poorly constructed living spaces with significantly higher maintenance and operating costs. At the extreme, non-performance results in consumer financial ruin.
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1 年Great article mate