Surveying is a people business

Building surveying and valuation is a highly technical profession, requiring a deep understanding of construction, materials, regulations, building pathology etc. However, at its heart, it is a service that is by people, for people. It's not just about assessing buildings and infrastructures; it's also about understanding and meeting the needs of clients, whether they are homeowners, property developers, buyers, or sellers. I believe that surveying is a people business and it is an aspect that is central to storytelling and social media. Let's explore why surveying is a people business.

Understanding client needs: Every client is unique, with different requirements, concerns, and goals. A surveyor needs to understand these factors to provide a service that meets these specific needs. This requires effective communication and empathy, which are key people skills.

Communication: Surveying often involves complex terminology and concepts that clients may not easily understand. Surveyors must be able to translate this complex information into simple, relatable language. This involves telling a story that the client can understand and connect with, enabling them to make informed decisions.

Trust and relationship building: The information provided by surveyors can have significant financial implications, and may influence important life decisions, like purchasing a home or investing in a property. Hence, trust plays a crucial role in this field. Building trust with clients requires a strong interpersonal relationship, professionalism, transparency, empathy and reliable service.

Problem-solving: Building surveyors often face unexpected problems or challenges during their work. These might be structural issues, regulatory complexities, or potential disagreements between parties involved in a property transaction. In these instances, people skills like negotiation, conflict resolution, and diplomacy become crucial.

Teamwork: Surveyors often work as part of a larger team (both within and outside an organisation), which can include contractors, engineers, solicitors and property professionals. Collaborating effectively with this team requires strong interpersonal skills, including communication, cooperation, and the ability to see and understand different perspectives.

Advocacy: Surveyors sometimes needs to act as an advocate for their client. This could mean negotiating with contractors, defending the client's interests in a dispute e.g. party wall, or guiding them through the regulatory maze. This advocacy requires a deep understanding of people, their needs, their rights, and their concerns.

On social media, building surveyors can use these people skills to connect with their audience, explain their work, share stories from their experience, answer questions, and build trust. This can help demystify their work, make their services more accessible, and highlight the human side of their profession. While surveying requires technical knowledge and expertise, it is also a profoundly human-centred profession. The ability to connect with, understand, and serve people is integral to success in this field!

Storytelling and social media

Storytelling is how we, as humans, connect. It’s how we understand complex topics and make decisions. In the digital age, the power of storytelling is paramount - particularly in the realm of social media. For surveyors, leveraging storytelling can significantly enhance your online presence, better engage with your audience, and ultimately drive business growth. But why is storytelling so vital for surveyors, and how can it be effectively utilised?

My next article will focus on the art of storytelling in social media for surveyors will some expert advice and guidance, so please sign up for my newsletter if you haven’t already and share it with your network and colleagues!

Please leave any comments or thoughts and if you want to discuss anything digital marketing and surveying please do get in touch! Contact me at [email protected].

#surveying #surveyors #rics #womeninbusiness #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #property #valuation RICS Chartered Association of Building Engineers Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) Property Care Association