The Man Who Can Plan – Ben Hendriks

In the age of the modern workforce, we are so often guilty of having a “go with the flow” attitude. Although in theory, this can be a great mindset, it is not always possible. Beneath the outer layer of this lifestyle are the ever-turning gears that keep our seemingly ‘carefree’ approaches to work operating…?

We call them plans, and like it or not, whether you work in Real-Estate, Teaching or Fashion, planning will always need to be done.?

So, who better to speak to than the self-proclaimed “planning nerd” himself, Founder and Managing Director of Mecone. Ben boasts an impressive resume varying from student and environmental planning to strategic urban planning and development advisory consulting.

The ogistics of urban planning involves civil engineering, architecture, human geography, politics, social science and design sciences. It is the type of planning that ensures societies and civilisations can function successfully, from transport to developments to local neighbourhoods.?

However, I want to focus more on the principle that comes with such a role. Planning is not only relevant on a local, state or national level - but also within each and every company. And so, I wanted to find out, in business, why do we need to plan??

Well, as Ben articulated it comes down to one crucial thing, to be really good at the big picture stuff, you actually need to understand how it all fits together.

This can translate across each industry or better yet, the people within our companies as each individual team member is a critical blueprint to the overall business plan.?

It all starts by fostering and cultivating a workplace of trust. Having confidence that your team is the best at their job allows them the freedom to explore new projects with independence and curiosity. As a leader, you physically cannot oversee every tiny aspect, so best to take a step back and have faith in the people you’re hiring.

On the matter of hiring, Ben and myself share a common belief that employers do not need to hire the best in the game, or the most experienced.?

In fact, there is something to be said for growing your talent in-house. Whilst many businesses like to hunt for the perfect match, we like to say that if a person is young, eager and has the “right ticker” they can be moulded and shaped into the perfect employee for your workplace. Identify the passionate kids at a young age and work with them to learn, improve and evolve for whatever is next - whether they remain in your company or move on, this kind of investment sees a return in value that is hard to quantify.?

With this mindset, it is no accident that Mecone is considered an Employer of Choice.

What did this approach to recruiting mean for Mecone? Well, the successful development of the tech-tool Mosaic is just one of the many exciting and innovative additions to come from the team. This online, interactive and free mapping tool allows developers instant access to Greater Sydney’s strategic planning information. This alone revolutionises accessibility to property data and proves the power of many creative minds, uniting for a common goal.?

Much like the gears I mentioned earlier, nurturing and growing a team of collaborative experts, creates an engine of productivity. Which in turn, ensures all the puzzle pieces connect to form the big picture; the plans.?

What’s next for Ben Henriks and Mecone? The options are endless, but you’ll have to tune into this week’s episode of ‘The Moxham Mindset’ Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all streaming services to find out more.

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Website:?https://moxhamcommercial.com.au/?

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