Question 3
Can you give an example of a time you advised a client to take a route they were unsure about – but you convince them otherwise? Did it all work out?
Ian Dovey,
SHEQ Director
“Take time to understand the Clients drivers and concerns…
Many years ago, we were tendering for a new school teaching block for a school in Chippenham, Wiltshire. At that time, this was your typical school building and layout, but it was the location on site – at the opposite end to the access point that was likely to cause issues. The Construction Director and I agreed to a site visit. We headed out to the school and reported to the reception explaining that we were on site regarding the new school block.
What happened next made a huge difference.
The two of us spent the next 2-3 hours walking the school, talking to all staff that we met regarding the planned development and their concerns. These included grounds and reception staff, the caretaker, the kitchen team and teachers. We learnt a lot about the school, the pinch points with access/parking and times to avoid, the out of hours activities including evening events and sports, food deliveries, bin collections, exam dates and locations, outside teaching areas, key paths and routes that the children and teachers took. It was invaluable.
One moment was a tad embarrassing – after talking to the kitchen staff we were invited into the kitchen for a breakfast roll. I was sure the answer would be ‘thank you but no’, but ten minutes later we were sat at their table with a mug of tea. It was at this moment that the deputy head walked in. After a few awkward seconds, we introduced ourselves and explained why we were there. Thankfully, this developed into a wider discussion and gave us insight into her concerns and even some issues regarding the design itself.
When we attended the interview, what can I say, we smashed it!
We presented a logistics plan that addressed all of the issues raised from across their staff, we were able to discuss who we had spoken to and how we planned to overcome specific issues. I am also pleased to say that the deputy head smiled when she recalled the story of finding us in the kitchen filling our faces.
Clients up and down the Country have an idea of what they are looking for, but often do not understand how it can be delivered with the minimal interference with their activities. In this instance we took away their doubts and fears. The time taken to understand the client’s needs, drivers and concerns was invaluable and necessary to enable the successful delivery of the project.
This was a key learning point in my career and one that is still a driver today. This is reflected today within Sweet Projects and aligns with our approach and values, by understanding our clients expectations we can create confidence and add value through the construction and delivery of exceptional buildings.”
Question 4
What is one example of when a colleague has ‘gone beyond’ for you?
Toni Da Costa,
Office Manager
“Our colleague, Neeraj, Sweets Welfare Assistant, truly went above and beyond for me. No matter the task, Neeraj is always incredibly helpful, but this time he really outdid himself.
He arranged operatives to assist with an office churn that could have taken a few days and been highly disruptive to our staff. Thanks to his efforts, everything was done swiftly and with ease. He gathered several operatives (who are very busy on site) to quickly move office desks and equipment to various floors and in the correct places. Neeraj always knows exactly who to ask for help and does it all with a smile.
This dedication aligns perfectly with our Sweets values, where we all chip in to make our working day more enjoyable and efficient. At Sweet Projects, we are all respected regardless of our roles, and it truly feels like a family. Thank you to Neeraj, for his support and dedication!”
Question 5
What is your proudest ‘exceptional’ Sweet Projects moment to date?
Tom Beardmore,
Project Manager
“One of my proudest moments so far at Sweet Projects is to have achieved full marks in the Considerate Constructors Scheme on both sets of visits, with multiple innovations being submitted to grant us further points. This accolade not only highlights our commitment to excellence but also underscores the collaborative effort and innovative approaches that define our team at Longcross and the wider business.
This achievement is a testament to our team’s unwavering dedication to quality, safety, and community engagement. It reflects our business’s core values and our commitment to setting new benchmarks in the industry which has been proven by exceeding the stringent criteria set by the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Both of these achievements were accomplished during the peak of the project’s operational delivery requirements that involved complex coordinated operations whilst simultaneously implementing and collating the evidence and practices required to obtain this level of achievement.”
