How to ensure your built environment organisation moves from being a C19 responder, to a new norm ACCELERATOR.
The work we’re doing in the built environment right now, has revealed 3 distinct types of organisations. Those that are still RESPONDING, those that are now RECOVERING and those few that are dramatically ACCELERATING.
While many businesses are still managing for cash flow and ensuring people and system challenges are addressed, ACCELERATORS are seizing short-term gains, whilst also putting in place long-term strategies and shifts to be successful for the next 3 years or longer.
We have also learnt that there is a much greater appetite to work more collectively, right across the supply chain, with high levels of positivity fuelling a shared ambition to emerge fitter, stronger, better, by building excellence together.
The insights we’ve gained are all from leaders in the sector and I’d personally like to thank everyone we’ve worked with over the past six months – you know who you are! I can truly say I’ve never been so proud to be a professional working in the built environment as I am right now.
The crisis has rocketed building and construction into the 21st century and the changes we’re seeing will accelerate the sector into a new era of opportunity that will underpin the ability of the country to recover – and hopefully thrive.
Lessons from leaders
The key lessons we’ve learnt from those companies who are winning in the current situation involve a rapid response to the wide range of challenges faced, to the adoption of new thinking and above all positive, proactive leadership.
Communications clarity is king – not just cash
There is no such thing as over communication in a crisis. Clarity of communication and the management of expectations has built more trust with all audiences than lofty or empty management or marketing messages.
Loyalty keeps the supply chain moving
Loyalty to priority suppliers or channel partners has ensured continuity, cash flow and built deeper long-term relationships that will be the bedrock for future growth.
Management has to lead, not just respond
Adapting to change is a daily task. Monthly reviews are now metrics Mondays, management has to lead based on data [where it exists] but then act decisively, especially when it comes to the difficult decisions. Whilst it’s vital to be positive, now is a great chance to make big changes.
Working remotely works
Don’t be held back by old school thinking. WFH can be very efficient and many employees’ productivity has rocketed above old levels.
Build a better business for the future, now
Accelerators have a short-term focus on filling the vacuum that has been left by failed businesses faster than competitors to build medium advantage, whilst also planning dramatic and disruptive shifts for long term growth at the same time.
Speed, convenience, transparency, trust
Four simple words that will accelerate growth and success in the sector. If they are not part of your brand strategy, it’s time to re-think it.
How to ensure your built environment business becomes an ACCELERATOR by asking the right questions
From vision to innovation, brand and culture, here are some of the questions we believe you need to answer to ensure your built environment business moves beyond just responding, to joining those few businesses who are dramatically ACCELERATING.
- Does your mission & vision communicate a strong sense of purpose that connects with staff and customers better than your competitors?
- Have you shifted your value proposition/s to changing customer needs & expectations?
- Have you revamped your growth strategy – where to play & how to win?
- Have you built a roadmap with agility built in, to map your action plan for growth?
- Does your brand strategy embody success drivers like – speed, convenience, transparency, trust?
- Are you reviewing how to disrupt the market in the long-term whilst also identifying opportunities to leapfrog the competition right now?
- Have you incorporated the ability to accelerate innovation and change into your culture, reflecting new expectations, with clear priorities?
- Is the business focused on making products and services as useful as possible to customers and easier to buy than competitors?
- How are your products and services better aligned with customer needs than competitors?
- How well have you diversified your channel strategy to explore all alternatives, from e-commerce to partnerships?
- Have you built a profile of what your ideal customer, partner and key worker looks like?
- How proactively are you supporting your customers or partners with new tools and content to make their lives easier, more convenient and speed up the transaction experience?
- Are using your CRM to its full potential by joining up sales and marketing metrics?
- How well do you gather, interpret and action insights about your business, customers and competitors?
- What trends, channels, legislation, Government funds etc can be capitalised on to support growth [C19 / BREXIT] and beyond?
- How well is your e-commerce solution supported by a digital marketing strategy?
- Has your communication strategy been updated to respond to opportunities to dominate media channels and accelerate market share gains?
If you are unclear about the answers to any of the above, you need to take action, fast.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help your organisation become an ACCELERATOR, please contact CMDi to find out more >