McDevitt & Co Blog

Helpful advice from hugely experienced business consultants
Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade

Ideas, insights and inspiration on how to be a good leader and build a successful business  This collection of industry insights has been specially curated to help Members grow their business and become better leaders. Originally appearing in cabletalk magazine, the expert advice has been written by Paul McDevitt, Managing Director of McDevitt & Co, an experienced business consultancy that helps to inspire people, improve productivity and increase profits in the construction industry. Trusted advice to help power your business Download

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Why We Need to Improve Staff Engagement

Why We Need to Improve Staff Engagement

Improving staff engagement in the UK construction industry is crucial for enhancing productivity, safety, and overall project success. This article explores key strategies and best practices to foster a more engaged workforce in the construction sector.  The state of Employee Engagement in the UK remains low, with only around a third of workers reported as being highly engaged, and productivity continues to lag nearly 20% behind that of other G7 countries, even with recent increases. Increased economic uncertainty means improving engagement, and associated productivity gains, is a...

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Recruitment and Retention Strategies

Recruitment and Retention Strategies

How to Win the War for Talent The UK construction industry faces significant challenges in both recruitment and retention of skilled workers. With an aging workforce, currently 20% of trades people are over 50, with a further 15% in their 60’s.  Prior to Brexit, according to the CITB, 17% of the workforce were born outside the UK, many of whom have now left.   On-going, technological advancements such as BIM and AI, will likely have an impact on job roles and maybe even numbers employed. This coupled with changing working patterns mean companies must adopt innovative...

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I’m the Gaffer Construction Podcast With Paul McDevitt

What opportunities exist for construction companies to better attract and retain talent? While the construction industry faces challenges in perception and career progression, focusing on developing a strong company culture and values alignment could help attract and engage the best people. With a clear vision and strategy communicated throughout the organisation, employees would understand how their work contributes to business goals. Investing in people through training and mentorship shows commitment to ongoing professional growth. Those efforts, combined with competitive compensation and...

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