Harry Potter, women & James Nisbet...

I’ve been reflecting upon a presentation I delivered at the Health Care Supplies Association’s (HCSA) Conference & Exhibition on Friday 2nd November, held in Stratford-upon-Avon. This meant catching a train from Marylebone Station and travelling on Chiltern Railways on the Thursday. Nothing too dramatic in that you might think, which at face value there wasn’t. The thing is, the experience provided me, personally, with a calmness and a great sense of well-being.

No, they don’t hand out cigarettes filled with dubious tobacco at Marylebone Station as you enter your rail carriage; it is just that the whole affair was like going back to a time when things were quieter, calmer and far less hurried.

Marylebone Station itself is very much as it was in 1899, when it first opened to passenger trains. It is quite small really, dwarfed by the likes of other London termini such as Victoria and Euston. It is architecturally splendid, with neat brick arches and wrought ironwork that were de rigeur in the 19th century. It is beautifully airy and light, a testament to not only the people who designed and built it, but also the partnership between Network Rail and Chiltern Railways, whose investment has lovingly restored this quite unique London building. So by the time I pulled out of the magical Marylebone Station, I was in a really good mood and perfectly at one with the world.

The rail journey was equally peaceful and easy on the eye, save for traveling within a whisker of the new Wembley Stadium and its gigantic steel arch. Hopefully I will eventually admire this huge, roguish looking structure, but currently I am far from moved by its physical presence.

Maybe a complimentary seat, within a prime location of the stadium, followed by a sumptuous meal within one of its numerous corporate hospitality suites, will help me appreciate this modern version of the coliseum?

It took close on 2½ hours to get to Stratford-upon-Avon, but I have to say I was not bothered one jot. It was virtually an ‘all stops, back-water’ route, yet the passing scenery was so idyllic and archetypically English, against the backdrop of a clear, sunny Autumn day, I was more than content to idyll away the time musing and gazing wistfully out of the window. When we eventually pulled into Stratford-upon-Avon, I was in such a dream like state I could have easily mistaken it for Hogsmeade Station and we were all disembarking for Hogwarts School.

The ensuing HCSA Conference & Exhibition at the Holiday Inn may not have been graced by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, nor Ron Weasley, but it is fair to say that all who attended had a wizard time.

Interestingly, Prof. Christine Harland, the HCSA President, stated during her opening address, that the conference title of 'Rewriting The Script' was all about new roles, team decisions and moving out of our ‘comfort zone’. (Moving from ‘Muggles’ to ‘Initiates’ maybe?) Prof. Harland could have stated that at any business conference, for any sector, any where in the world and hit the proverbial nail on the head. In a complex, dynamic global market that we all operate in this day and age, appreciating and positively engaging with those three elements are to be openly encouraged.

Maybe it was the calming and gentile visual effect of Marylebone Station and the jaunty, leisurely rail journey up to Shakespeare country that set me up so positively and creatively for my presentation to the conference. (See image, although I do look somewhat perplexed!) Or it could have been the warm and convivial company I was afforded by my sponsors, Helena Fuller, Ken Lawrie and their Team from Yorkshire & The Humber Strategic Health Authority? Whatever, I thoroughly enjoyed performing to the enthusiastic and welcoming audience, who were most generous in their feedback at the Conference Dinner. Which by the way was excellent! Neil Argyle, of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, demonstrated a highly tuned, dry, sardonic wit that would not be out of place on any TV or radio comedy programme and After-Dinner Speaker David Gunson had the attendees in uproar with his hilarious tales of being an air Traffic controller.

Yes, the conference was a resounding success and its organising committee can reflect upon their efforts most positively. Maybe a member of the QS fraternity can deliver a speech to this progressive Association next year? Always good to swap notes on procurement, isn’t?

I have also been reflecting upon… my call for more women in construction (see Elvin’s blog 'Women in Construction: More Please!') I am delighted to say that the company with whom I started my career, Holloway White Allom, is doing their bit for promoting this very cause, on not one, but two noteworthy fronts.

First, as part of their support of National Construction Week, they took a group of under-graduate students from the University of Westminster around their site at 103/104 Eaton Square in London’s Belgravia. Specifically this project, because it has an unusually high percentage of females amongst the team. Holloway White Allom has female quantity surveyors, a commercial manager and a design manager. Three female architects work on this project and Grosvenor, its developer, have females undertaking the roles of development director and development manager. Thus the under-graduates saw the practical application of women at work in the construction industry. Wonderful, raises your spirits, doesn’t?

Secondly, and really great news for those of us keen to see more women take up construction’s craft skills, Anna Gomm, who specialises in painting and decorating, was Holloway White Allom Apprentice of the Year. Now that’s the way forward; a died-in-the-wool traditional London Building Contractor, who built that great British landmark building The Bank of England no less, well and truly “Rewriting the Script.” Bravo HWA for showing us lessons we can all learn from!

Notes on Nisbet
Finally, a reflection on James Nisbet’s new book, ‘Building Contracts Reformed’, and its questioning of PFI, frameworking, design and build and cost-plus contract across the public sector in the last decade. Here, I feel, the grand old sage of cost planning, who let us not forget was a major innovator in his time, is merely performing what this specific blog is actually advocating; be a ‘Reflective Practitioner’. A term often aligned to Donald Schon’s broad notion that an effective manager constantly ‘reflects’ on their actions and takes new actions in the light of that reflection. Basically, being autonomous, self aware, self directed and using whatever happens for learning and growth.

Nisbet, in my opinion, has reflected upon what has happened and is quite rightly questioning the results of initially Latham, and then Egan, on ‘Re-thinking Construction’. I’d say James Nisbet is drawing our attention to the fact that there is no one right way to procure – just different - and we should certainly not disregard established procedures in favor of something more ‘fashionable’. Nisbet has picked up on the fact that all too often the procurement route has been the problem, not the solution.

If we appreciate fully and in its entirety, what the contract has to provide in the way of ‘contractual obligations’ to whom, where, when, why and how, prior to determining the procurement route, it will have a better chance of delivering what was intended.

Basically, determine the procurement challenge on its individual traits, and then provide an appropriate contractual solution to the challenge in hand. Do not be persuaded by ‘this year's model’, no matter who is advocating it, if it does not actually provide an appropriate procurement route for the specific project being considered.

It is a good thing to do every once and a while. My reflections lead me to pronounce that ‘old’ does not necessarily equate to obsolete and we should treasure our heritage, our traditions and their associated values. We should learn from, and adapt where necessary, our exiting ways of thinking, saying and doing.

Well-done Chiltern Railways. Well-done Hollway White Allom. Well-done James Nisbet. You have all certainly made me reflect. Have they had the same effect on you dear reader?

And Finally…

His priority did not seem to be to teach them what he knew, but rather to impress upon them that nothing, not even... knowledge, was foolproof.
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix