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John Burke Associates

John Burke Associates
In Business

Why is there a Shortage of Materials?

materials shortage

Why is there a Shortage of Materials?

In recent months the shortage of materials has become a widespread issue across the construction industry. Many trades have been affected by the reduction in supply, from SMEs to large contractors. Which in turn has caused prices to increase by 14.7% in comparison to last year! A trend which does not seem to be improving any time soon. Furthermore, in just one month the prices rose by 2.2% from May to June this year. Therefore, it is possible the prices will continue to increase as suppliers struggle to meet demand. In this month’s blog we look at the possible causes.

What Materials Have Been Affected?

There is a wide range of materials which have become increasingly difficult to source without inflating price tags. Whilst circumstances will differ from material to material, most shortages are forecast to last throughout 2021. Materials including:

  • Concrete
  • Timber
  • Bricks and Blocks
  • Steel
  • Roof Tiles
  • Paint and Sealant
  • Plumbing Items
  • Electrical Components
  • Plaster & Plasterboard
  • PIR Insulation
  • Aggregates
  • PE & PP Plastics

What is Causing the Shortages?

There is a combination of factors contributing to the shortage in supply of such materials and consequently the inflation of prices. These factors include:

Covid-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic is a big contributing factor to the lack of building materials available. From staff shortages in both warehouse and haulage to border closures, it is arguably the leading cause of diminishing supplies.

Brexit

Since leaving the EU, exports to the UK are subject to long delays. This is due to issues such as the Declaration of Conformity making it difficult for manufacturers to keep up to date. This causes further delays in exportation.

Increase in Demand

In June 2020, the Prime Minster Boris Johnston announced the most radical reforms to our planning system since WW2. With the aim to make it easier to build better homes where people want to live. This gave the green light to many developers and homeowners alike, to begin construction work. As such, demand for materials increased rapidly.

How We Can Help

Employing Project Managers and/or Employers Agents for your project negates the burden of such scenarios. Here at John Burke Associates we pride ourselves in creating and maintaining effective communication channels for our clients. We can also provide Interim payment Certificates for valuations of works and materials on and off site. To discover our full portfolio of services please browse our website.

John Burke Associates
In Uncategorized

Modern Methods of Construction

Digital Construction Week

Modern Methods of Construction

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has long been considered the answer to many issues faced by the construction industry. MMC is a way of achieving more without using more. It is an idea which dates back to post-WW2, but are we using it to its full advantage industry-wide?

During a housing crisis in 2005, The National Audit Office commissioned MMC as a way to get the best value, and a way to ‘produce more, better quality homes in less time’. So why are only 8% of homes built in the UK built using MMC?

 

Is Cost an Issue?

It is no shock that the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as post-Brexit uncertainty, has had an impact on the profit margins of major construction companies. Until MMC is more widely adopted throughout the industry, we won’t see the costs involved reducing.

Do We Have the People?

Training people in MMC manufacturing and construction often takes less time than training traditional skilled workers. However, due the relative newness of MMC, the industry has struggled to train the right people at the right time.

According to CIOB, 22% of people employed within the construction industry are between the ages of 51 and 60. With almost 25% of the workforce nearing retirement, focus needs to be placed on training the younger generation. However, data from the Office of National Statistics reveals that employment within the construction industry is at a 9-year low.

Is Support from the Government Enough?

In March 2021, the UK Government launched a taskforce, focusing on increasing the use of MMC nationwide. Furthermore, MMC is now a condition of the Government’s Strategic Partnership Grant Programme. Each partner must build 25% of homes using MMC.

In February 2021, a consultation was launched by the Government, which raised the question – should MMC be incentivised as part of the New Homes Bonus scheme? We believe that doing so would reduce costs, increase productivity, and help the UK reach it’s 2025 goal of all new-build homes being zero-carbon ready.

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John Burke Associates
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Pride in Business 2021

diversity and equality

Pride in Business 2021

The month of June marks a month of LGBTQ+ Pride across the UK. As this month ends, it is important to continuously understand the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, that these issues are not ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when Pride month ends. John Burke Associates believes leaders must encourage ongoing diversity and equality throughout all aspects of the working environment.

How Business Can Be Inclusive All Year Round

Although June is dedicated to Pride, businesses need to work year-round to become and continue to be as inclusive as possible.

Many businesses adapt their logo to include a rainbow – the worldwide symbol for Pride. Though if the same businesses to not work alongside members of the LGBTQ+ community year-round, this often feels like a small token. Businesses need to address where real change and action is needed to be fully inclusive of everyone.

Are You and Your Business an Ally?

As well as being a celebration within the LGBTQ+ community, Pride month brings together LGBTQ+ people and allies alike. Does your business support the LGBTQ+ community year-round? As businesses change their logo to include a rainbow during June, many have been criticized of ‘rainbow capitalism’. We must all practice what we preach not just in June, but always encourage diversity and equality for all.

Listen to the LGBTQ+ Community

Like many things, becoming a more inclusive business is often easier said than done. If you yourself are not part of the LGBTQ+ community, pay attention to people who are. This may be colleagues, members of your staff, or people from your local community.

Actively Remove Barriers

To treat everyone equal is to treat everyone exactly the same. Although this seems like the most logical way of working to create equality at work, it does not always acknowledge many barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community. On the other hand, equity acknowledges issues and barriers, and creates opportunities and recourses needed to achieve true equality across the board.

 

 

John Burke Associates
In Business

Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from the 10th – 16th May 2021.

Lockdown and social distancing measures have been easing over the past few months. We have highlighted in our previous blogs the importance of focusing on your own and your employees mental health during this time. Worries about work and home life, your own or your families physical and mental health can all take a toll on your mental health.

The Mental Health Foundation

For this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation is focusing on how connecting or re-connecting with nature can improve our mental health. Their study on mental health during the pandemic reported that 45% of us found being in green spaces, surrounded by nature was a key coping strategy.

Nature is Everywhere

Connecting with nature does not have to involve elaborate hikes through mountains and valleys. Simple things such as a walk through your local park or listening to birdsong can vastly improve our mental health.

If you are physically able to do so, exercising outdoors is a great idea. Physical exercise increases levels of endorphins in your body. Doing this outside is not only linked to reducing stress, anxiety and depression, but it can also help with feelings of social isolation.

Never Suffer Alone

Mind – Mind is a mental health charity that offers free advice on mental health.

You can contact them on their info line on 0300 123 3393, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm.  Alternatively you can email them on info@mind.org.uk

Young Minds – Young Minds is a charity that focuses on young people’s mental health. It is there to offer support to young people, as well as their parents and guardians. A young person can text YM to 85258 for urgent support from a trained volunteer.

Samaritans – Samaritans is mental health charity that free offers support over the phone, or using an online web-chat 24/7 365 days a year. They are available by calling 116 123.

 

John Burke Associates
In Business

Leadership after the Pandemic

Leadership and Management

We’ve seen a massive shift in leadership and management styles in the last 12 months. Alongside the technological advances of the last decade, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced businesses to swiftly adapt to new styles of work. Fortunately, adapting is human nature.

In our previous blogs, we have outlined how managers can assist their staff whilst working from home, as well as how a hybrid-style of working may be our future. After the pandemic, we are bound to see a variety of working environments across the board. Whichever style of working suits your business, it is important that leadership and management strategies adapt accordingly.

The ‘new-norm’

We’ve all heard this phrase, even more so as more restrictions are lifted nationally. But what does the ‘new-norm’ actually mean? And how will it affect your business?

As your business model adapts to flexible or hybrid working, it is imperative that managers ensure that all of their staff are ‘singing from the same hymn-sheet’. Leadership styles will need to adapt to make sure that organisational goals are achieved with staff working within the office, and from home.

Teamwork starts with the individual

As a manager, it is crucial that you understand your staff on an individual basis. Each member of your team will have different feelings towards restrictions easing. Vaccination rates across different age groups, and mental health and wellbeing are all factors to an individual’s readiness to come back to the office.

Catch-up with your team on a one-to-one basis. Helping them find the right working environment will ensure that your business continues to reach and exceed goals and expectations.

Moving Forward

If we have learnt anything this year, it is that humans will adapt. As we move forward, we must continue to adapt our businesses with the same vigour as before. In doing so, your business and team will continue to flourish both personally and professionally.

 

 

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John Burke Associates
In Business

Is the Future Hybrid?

hybrid-working

‘Hybrid-working’ – A mix of office-based work and working from home/a different location to the office.

At the beginning of the pandemic many companies were unprepared and needed to react quickly to enable staff to work from home. It is expected that as restrictions are lifted, employees who work from home on a regular basis will increase to 37%, compared to 18% pre-Covid-19. A CIPD survey also revealed that 33% of employers plan to introduce a form of hybrid-working in the future.

So How Can You Make Hybrid-working Work?

If you choose a hybrid-style working model for your company, it is important to remain focused on structure. Working from home gives employees more independence and freedom to choose their own working hours. It is therefore crucial that employers focus on work output and delivery rather than simply hours spent in the office. Structure needs to be the priority whilst managing a hybrid workforce. We recommend having set days in the office dedicated to meetings and company collaboration.

Why Return at All?

Working from home has its silver linings; Time and money saved on the commute and spending more time with family and the kids. However, we do think it is important to return to the office in some fashion.

  • It allows staff to interact and socialise with their team in a way that WFH may prevent.
  • Some employees find it difficult to create a home-life/work-life balance whilst WFH.
  • Getting back into the office (even part-time) will create a ‘sense of normality’, which we believe will benefit the wellbeing of staff.

 

The Take-Home Message

We cannot predict what is going to happen in the future and it’s clear to see that the events of the past 12 months have shaken many industries. Moving forward, we need to focus on how these changes will shape how we all work in the future. Hybrid working has an advantageous environmental impact that many were keen to see for years prior to 2020.

Ultimately, we are optimistic about the future of the office and we are excited to see how companies adapt to this new way of work in years to come.

John Burke Associates
In Business

Why Choose RICS Chartered Surveyor?

John Burke Associates  takes pride in providing a personal, but professional service.  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) regulates all work we carry out for our clients. RICS is a professional and global body, which ensures and maintains the highest standard of work. In this month’s blog we look at the importance of choosing a RICS Chartered Surveyor.

A Global Set of Standards

RICS maintains global working standards through extensive training and continued professional development. Therefore, this guarantees you will receive clear, independent and knowledgeable advice. There are over 130,000 surveyors worldwide with a RICS accreditation, working towards a better future. Furthermore, RICS requires all members to have insurance which will protect you and your project.

Regulated by RICS

As we are a RICS-regulated firm, our clients have full confidence that we abide by the highest professional ethical standards and regulations. In addition to the extensive experience and expertise of our surveyors, you also have the knowledge that any work carried out is in line with the following standards.

  • We behave ethically, with the highest level of industry integrity.
  • Being a RICS accredited surveyor ensures that every member of our firm has the competency and skills required to carry out the services we offer.
  • We carry all work out with transparency, and any conflict of interest is made known to the client.

For more information on the standards set by RICS, please visit rics.org/uk.

Protection for Your Money

Amongst other standards of work, RICS regulates how we keep our client’s money safe. As we are a RICS-regulated firm, we must adhere to client money rules. Therefore, you have complete peace of mind that your money is protected every step of the way.

In Conclusion

It is imperative when choosing a surveyor or a building consultant, to take into consideration what it means to hire a RICS Chartered Surveyor. Here at John Burke Associates, we take pride in knowing that we work to the highest possible industry standards, ensuring that all our clients receive the best possible service.

 

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John Burke Associates
In Featured

Boosting staff morale whilst working from home.

Boosting staff morale

The past 12 months has seen a rapid rise in people working from home. According to the Office of National Statistics, as many as 46.6% of those in employment worked at least partly from home in April 2020. With the on-going pandemic it is likely that nearly a year on, such figures will have increased. Therefore, boosting staff morale is paramount to your company’s success during this time. Especially with many employees reportedly feeling disconnected from their workplace, it is now as important as ever to find ways to boost company morale – albeit remotely.

Communication

Strong lines of communication create an atmosphere of confidence in the workplace. As such, short, daily meetings and using remote-working technologies will encourage employee trust in the company. As a manager, keep lines of communication open – let your team know they can reach out throughout the workday.

Reward Hard Work

A simple yet overlooked way to boost morale – let your team know if they are doing a good job. Shout-outs in meetings, or personal emails are a great and easy way to reward hard work. Spirits are kept high when hard work is recognised.

Encourage Balance

When working from home, the lines between work-life and home-life can become blurred. Check in with your team; consider discussing a more flexible workday to suit each employee. As a structured workday may not always be ‘one size fits all’.

Virtual Team Building

The idea of team building has been around since the ‘20s – encouraging honest communication, and often forging friendship in the office. There is no need for this to stop whilst working from home. Set time aside in the week to encourage virtual team building activities – a workplace where honest and fun communication is encouraged, results in a happy, productive team.

In Conclusion 

As management, keeping an eye on boosting staff morale is critical – even more so when not, everyone is working at the same location. Keep this advice in mind and watch as you and your team enjoy a happier, more productive working week.

John Burke Associates
In Uncategorized

Reach Out This Festive Season

Mental Health Awareness

Whilst this time of year is joyous for many, for some it is the worst season for mental wellbeing. A recent survey carried out by Toolstation shows the devastating effects the pandemic has had on tradespeople. If you combine this with the usual pressures of the festive season, it is no surprise people are suffering. Thus, John Burke Associates supports the “Head First” Campaign

Mental Health Awareness

What the campaign is about

Working in association with the mental health anti-stigma campaign, Time to Change, Head First encourages tradespeople to open up about their mental wellbeing. As mentioned above, Toolstation carried out a survey with 5000 of their customers. Nearly half (45%) said their main concern is the mental wellbeing of family members and friends. In addition, 25% of those surveyed stated they are concerned about their own mental health most of all. Therefore, this campaign is to get people in the industry to discuss their anxieties and always ask twice.

Ask Twice?

Yes, ask twice! We all know how the conversation goes; Are you ok? Yes, good thanks, you? It is almost an autonomous answer. Consequently, the sentiment loses its true meaning; to check in on the respondent. Take a moment to stop and see if that person really is ok, delve deeper into the question. Ask twice, it has not been an easy year for anyone, are you sure you are ok?

What Can I Do as an Employer?

If you suspect a colleague or employee is not ok, a great way to encourage them to open-up, is to lead by example. When someone asks you if you are ok? it could be because they are not. So, be honest with your response, if you are feeling pressure, talk about it. In doing so, you are creating an environment where it is acceptable to discuss our feelings.  Consequently, encouraging others to admit they are feeling the pressure and demonstrating that nobody must feel alone.

More info on How to Offer Support

 A Message from John Burke Associates

We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are struggling during the festive season, you are not alone! This year has been unprecedented for so many of us and lives have been affected in untold ways.  Do not suffer in silence! Below is a list of confidential services which are here to help you;

  • Samaritans

    Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
    Email: jo@samaritans.org
    Website: https://www.samaritans.org

  • Mind Infoline

    Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday) or text 86463

    Email: info@mind.org.uk
    Website: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines

  • The Mix ( 13-25 year olds)

    Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (11am-11pm, free to call)
    Email: Helpline email form
    Crisis Support: Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258.
    Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support

  • Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line

    Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday)
    Email: advice@rethink.org
    Website: http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice

  • Saneline

    Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm)
    Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helplineSaneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

  • Side by Side

    Website: https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/aboutSide by Side is an online community where you can listen, share and be heard. Side by Side is run by Mind.

  • SHOUT

    Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
    Text: 85258
    Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/

  • NHS England IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)

    If you’re based in England, you can use webpage to find and refer yourself to mental health services in your area.
    Website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

John Burke Associates
In Uncategorized

5 Positive Implications of Strong Leadership

Employer’s Agent Services

Image courtesy of Mohamed Hassan/Pixabay

Here at John Burke Associates we believe any company is driven by a strong leadership. A motivating leader inspires higher levels of employee engagement, in addition to promoting productivity. Therefore, our Project Management and Employer’s Agents division work proactively to implement and deliver synergy across all sites. Consequently, we know that a great leader is strong, but also has soft skills. In this month’s blog, we look at five benefits you can gain through developing your interpersonal skills. Especially during challenging times such as these.

Trust

Employees are more likely to put their trust in a leader who exhibits charisma and a positive attitude. As a result, this trust leads to greater autonomy and collaboration.

Confidence

An employee who experiences warm and affective behaviour from their leaders will gain an increased sense of self-worth. Furthermore, this creates a sense of safety and belonging within an organisation, resulting in employee allegiance.

Creativity

When someone feels like they are being listened to and that their opinions and ideas matter, their creative performance increases. It is vital to nourish your employee’s creativity and embellish their abilities through positive encouragement.

Communication

If you want your employees to outperform the competition, you must achieve a common goal. To do this, you must communicate your cause clearly. You need to be concise when explaining your expectations and each employee’s role in delivering these. Developing your interpersonal skills will enable you to understand their requirements and communicate yours, therefore, aligning in a common cause.

Communication

If you want your employees to outperform the competition, you must achieve a common goal. To do this, you must communicate your cause clearly. You need to be concise when explaining your expectations and each employee’s role in delivering these. Developing your interpersonal skills will enable you to understand their requirements and communicate yours, therefore, aligning in a common cause.

Results

A leader who inspires their employees often achieves enhanced results. An employee who feels motivated is more open to new ideas and change in the pursuit of excellence. Furthermore, those who feel appreciated will always outperform those who do not.

Lockdown Leadership Advice

Leadership is more important now than ever! Lockdown has left many employees feeling disconnected and it is harder to recognise when people are struggling. Ann Francke OBE recently wrote an article for the CMI titled “Bridging the great disconnect.” Our Project Management and Employer’s Agent division recommend this short read to anyone looking for guidance.

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