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Autumn 2005
Volume 3 Edition 2

Dear Construction Marketer

In business development and marketing, the relationships we create with our supply chain and business contacts are critical factors in our success.

In this issue we focus on developing effective relationships with clients, and target clients, and the tools needed to support this activity. Having the right team in place and the right software are two key cornerstones. Through training you can develop processes and skills and by attending networking events you can create and maintain the contacts.

Editor
Jan Hayter
MarketingWorks.

Effective Business Development

EIC is one of the UK’s leading mechanical and electrical specialists. With over 30 years’ experience, EIC delivers design & build and traditional projects along with test & maintenance solutions to both public and private sector customers nationwide.

Read how the Microsoft Business Development Solution gave EIC the ability to track and manage the complex web of interconnecting relationships of end clients, main contractors, consultants and architects involved in every construction project. Also how it gave the company the ability to track and handle every single bid – including multiple bids for the same project.

More

Key Client Management Guides


Developing Relationships

This is the second of 4 articles on Key Client Management in the construction industry.

1. Why Key Client Management?
2. Developing relationships
3. Key Client Plans
4. Ongoing management of Key Clients

More

To read the previous article, Why Key Client Management, please click here.

DIARY DATES


Critical success factors in bid management
20th October 2005, London


“Very useful and thought-provoking, with practical examples that are easy to use”. Bid Manager, Atkins

  • Identify factors affecting bid/no bid decision-making
  • Improve conversion rates
  • Learn how to evaluate and review post-bid
  • Understand the relevance of client evaluation, assessment and scoring

Winning business with winning proposals
12th January 2006, London


“Possibly the most powerful workshop you are ever likely to attend.” Martin Abel, Business Development Director, Shepherd Construction.

  • Ensure you create and prepare cost-effective business proposals
  • Identify pro-active approaches to establishing clients’ needs and expectations
  • Understand and demonstrate how to define and communicate value
  • Learn about suggested layouts and formats

How to develop and implement a 3-year marketing plan
19th January 2006, London

“Very thorough, clarifying a marketing plan to me and thus making my job easier.” Business Development Manager, Wrekin Construction.

  • Develop your strategic and business development plan
  • Develop a marketing culture
  • Examines your issues and future concerns
  • Includes sample plans as case studies


How to develop and implement a 1-year marketing plan
2nd February 2006, London

“Well targeted concise introduction to the subject…”
Business Development Manager, Wrekin Construction.

  • Puts your marketing plan implementation on a fast-track
  • Construction industry business development tactics and knowledge transfer
  • Save thousands of pounds by avoiding trial and error

Movers & Shakers Breakfast Meeting
3rd November 2005, London


Speaker: Tony Pidgley, Managing Director and Founder -The Berkeley Group PLC, 'Renewal and Respect - Keys to the Renaissance of Britain's Towns and Cities'
£32.50 for members and £38.00 for non-members.

Making Collaboration Pay
15 November 2005, London

NCCTP (the Network for Construction Collaboration Technology Providers) is running its first one-day conference, with the aim of developing delegates’ knowledge and understanding of online collaboration solutions and their use within the UK construction industry. Learn about the three keys to successful online collaboration: the people, the processes and the technologies.

The Construction Marketing Awards
30th November 2005, London Zoo

Organised by EMAP Construction Network, sponsored by MarketingWorks and supported by CIMCIG (Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction and Engineering Industry Group).
The Construction Marketing Awards is a unique event designed to reward marketing and business development excellence and achievement within the construction supply chain. It is the only awards event of its kind, and showcases how successful marketing initiatives have made a positive impact on the business of construction.
Contact David Penford on 01476 860759, or by email on david@clockwork-uk.com.
Single ticket prices are at £140 (+VAT) and tables at £1350 (+VAT)

Reducing Bid Costs in the Construction Industry – with the Microsoft Business Development Solution,
15th November, London

The costs of bidding in the Construction Industry are often reported to be wasteful and excessive. So do you know the cost of bidding in your business and how that might be improved? Attend this event to find out how you can reduce your bid costs and improve your bottom line - with the Microsoft Business Development Solution for the Construction Industry.

Effective Business Development in the Construction & Building Products Industry, 22nd November, Dublin

Find out how the Microsoft Business Development Solution for the Construction Industry & Building Products Industry enables you to manage all your clients, contacts and influencers, track and follow up projects leads/bids as well as organise and control client and project information.

Building Rapport


Building rapport doesn’t necessarily involve liking or agreeing with someone. It does however mean that the other party feels that you have engaged with them and that you respect them.

More


When Value Really Matters

We've mentioned before how important it is to show the client how they will benefit from choosing your recommendations. Demonstrating value, particularly value based on your differentiators, is always important. But sometimes it's really important. Read this article for some examples.

More


Readers Have Their Say


After recent articles on the usage of the English language, dozens of people have sent in the words and phrases that put their teeth on edge. Here is a selection of their pet hates.

More


Building a Business Development Team


A successful business development strategy depends on having the right managers for the implementation of a company’s business plans.

This means recruiting the right staff in the first place and managing their development over time.

More


10 Success Keys For Proposal Automation


Here are some pointers for building your successful business development team. If you're thinking about implementing a proposal automation solution for your business, you may want to know what factors deliver successful implementations.

More


Special Offer !

At a recent Networking workshop, one delegate reports that he "ironed out a deal" with two members of his own supply chain at the event.

The event afforded, he says, "the perfect opportunity" to get business done.

So, if you bring three members of your supply chain to the next MarketingWorks Fundamentals of Networking Open Programme workshop, speak to Duncan Coombs to get the fourth place free.

The next Fundamentals of Networking Open Programme Workshop is 23rd February 2006.

More

Past Newsletters

If you would like to see a list of the articles from all 9 of the previous editions of Business Developer, please click here.






The Optimist says,

"The glass is half full."

The Pessimist says,
"The glass is half empty."

The Marketing Consultant says,
"Your glass needs re-sizing!"




WHAT'S NEW ?


MarketingWorks is delighted to announce that Simon White has joined our team of senior consultants. Specialising in bid management, he has hands-on experience of many bids, proposals and PQQs across all sectors of the construction industry. He is skilled in evaluating organisational bidding capability and implementing best practice by mentoring and training.

His experience in Arup included a focus on improving both systems and processes associated with bidding and capturing work in competition. With Simon’s arrival, MarketingWorks has been able to extend the range of bid management services that we deliver to our clients.

New Bid Management Services
MarketingWorks is pleased to announce the launch of its integrated bid management services. The delivery services include:

  • Bid team mobilisation and management
  • Tender presentation interview facilitation
  • Independent review of proposals and presentations (Red Team)

The consultancy services include:

  • Review and upgrading of bidding capability
  • Development of individual bidding / proposals skills

By adding these delivery services to our established range, we are providing a fully-rounded and joined up service, focused on helping our clients achieve better results from their win-work activity.

More


Click here for an overview of all Bid Management Services

Business Developer is jointly produced
by MarketingWorks and SevenThree
MarketingWorks provides proven consultancy and training to help construction firms re-organise their business development activities to focus on winning business. With MarketingWorks you will develop and implement efficient and effective marketing capabilities that will get results and avoid costly mistakes. Through our workshops and consultancy you can achieve the management and staff "buy-in" necessary to secure successful implementation of sustainable cultural change in marketing.
SevenThree provides business development IT solutions for the construction industry. Our software solutions help you track and manage clients, contacts and project leads, control and organise client and project documentation as well as collaborate more efficiently on bids and proposals. Through the success of our client projects and expertise of our people, we are certified for 3 of the leading products in this area, namely Pivotal, Microsoft CRM and Microsoft SharePoint.
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