TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Real tech wins “I’ve seen how digital tools can empower people,” Coulter says, “making a difference to efficiency and productivity.” Real-world examples include: Client dashboard – it is simple to use and clients really like it. Clients are able to see the project’s progress and have better channels of communication with the builder. It also enables the builder to share tools and checklists with their subcontractors. Costing software – has “made a massive difference” because the company really understands their numbers – mark-ups, costs and profit margins – so they know when to push back against clients asking for price cuts and decisively say no because the numbers just won’t work. Challenges to overcome An ageing workforce that is reluctant to implement technology, inadequate support from tech providers, limited resources, high costs and insufficient trial periods are just some of the challenges that SME construction firms face when it comes to converting their business from manual to digital processes. Which is why Coulter says business owners should try to determine the value that tech can bring and, then, focus on creating a period of exploration and testing within the business to see if it works. “Employees need to be a part of the process so employers need to say, ‘We're looking at implementing this and here’s
a chance to test it.’ Employees need to know that there is a purpose behind the new technology and understand what the desired outcome is.” Growing in confidence One of the paradoxes of technology is, as Coulter points out, that those who are uncertain of tech will only become more convinced of its power and grow in confidence when they use it. “The best way to get people on board with tech is by actually using systems and processes, and, of course, providing them with the right training and support to do so because not everybody is tech-savvy.” But, as seen, training and support is limited. Tech companies provide different levels of after-sales support, often depending on the cost of the product or the version purchased. Additionally, many of the tech companies are based in the US, Coulter says, meaning that different time zones can be a challenge when it comes to immediacy in communication, and they don’t necessarily understand what it is to run a small construction business in the UK, and they don’t know about the day-to-day challenges companies face. “I definitely think that there's a gap in the market for trainers who are experts in particular systems and who can go into an organisation to support people to use them. It’s a gap that we as an industry need to look at to really help businesses get on board with technology, otherwise, they are never going to embrace it the way the industry wants them to embrace it and we’re just not going to get to where we want to be digitally.”
struggle with the trial offers as they don’t have enough time to implement solutions and customise them to their unique business needs to assess how effective they are. “Free trials don't necessarily work so well because you need to tailor a solution to your business, which takes time,” Coulter says. “You’ll struggle to get the best out of a system or understand how it will work for you until you integrate it into your business. The trial period might not be long enough to do it. “We’ve all done it at times, signed up for a trial with good intentions, but it kind of goes on the back burner when everything else comes into play. That's really a barrier.” Of course, all of these systems and solutions cost money and, Coulter says, more needs to be done by providers to support customers to identify their likely return on investment to show whether or not it’s going to be a worthwhile expense. The right solution Before purchasing a new tech solution, Coulter urges businesses, firstly, to determine what they plan to use it for. Her advice is to: 1. Map out all of your business processes using a pack of post-it notes, including your processes for winning clients, writing a bid for a tender, compiling contracts, setting projects up for success, keeping clients happy; 2. Determine which processes are inefficient and whether they could be improved by automating them; and 3. Implement the tech and assess its impact on improving efficiency.
hold their hand and help them implement tech.” But both tech providers and independent tech coaches offering relevant tech support
and guidance are few in number, Coulter notes,
which means the uptake of technology remains relatively low for smaller businesses. Tech solutions providers need to improve engagement with construction businesses to understand their needs better. Coulter believes that trade associations and membership bodies like the FMB should also have a role in the conversation. Not enough trial time Many tech providers offer free trial periods – usually ranging from seven to 21 days – of their software or products. But participants of the FMB Business Coaching Pilot Programme say they
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