When the timely completion of a construction project or a project stage is at risk or has failed, the result is disruption or chaos, and this has been the subject of many lawsuits for many years. Delay and Disruption disputes are often centred on time issues. The CIOB has reported its findings that projects that suffer from disputes about delay also suffer from poor time control. So it would seem that good project time management would be an essential element of any construction programme.Project Time Management is too often neglectedThis is not often the case. Of the issues that commonly determine project success, cost, quality and time, time is the least understood and least often managed with the support of formal models, benchmarks or tools. Managing project timings seems to sit in the shadows of successful project management. Where, for example, Quantity Surveying is a specific and recognised discipline, with professional bodies that govern performance and advise on techniques, there are no such bodies for the time-related aspects. Time management is often viewed as simply a feature of the project management software. But if we don’t lend greater priority to managing time, then time-related issues, such as delays, will have a disproportionate impact when they go wrong.Put a strategy in place for managing time on projectsHaving a strategy in place for training and tools that improve project time management will bring immediate and long-term rewards; good time management in construction project management is key to minimising the risk of a delay and disruption claim. Managing time using tailored and developed time management software is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of any construction company’s best practices. It is a discipline that brings with it a trail of evidence and auditable records that can be used to stand up in any law case and minimises the risk of even getting that far in first place by encouraging best practice and mitigating risk.Pick the tool with Project Time Management capabilitiesThe effects of poor time management relate to every size of project, but the more complex a project the more disproportionate are the effects and impacts of time. So having the backup of strong project management information systems that can show how plans may have adapted throughout the course of a project to cope with deviations provides a strong defensive tool for when things go awry.Choosing the right project management solution is essential. The time management tools embedded in software for managing construction projects, regardless of complexity, are much more capable than the simplistic time management models which are designed to improve personal productivity. They are fundamental to the contractor’s productivity and the effective management of its entire supply chain. They are also necessary for the building of a strong reputation for good project time management, which is essential within an industry long suffering from delay and disruption issues, and will create a distinct competitive edge for the contractor.
Create An Online Brand: Learn The Way To Build Your Online Brand Effectively
Learning tips on how to build your online brand and social media branding requires plenty of thought. Are you ready to recreate yourself or do you simply just want put it all together to produce a particularly effective online brand image?
When you reach adulthood, you’ve figured out who you will be in terms of character, values, personality and morals, but have you given much thought to your personal brand as it relates to the corporate world? How about the way you are perceived on the internet? What’s your online company brand stating about you? Consistency is definitely essential here. I will go into some detail about applying the consistency and how to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Build Consistency When You Build Your Online Brand: Social Branding.
The very last thing that you want to do that would be entirely counter to creating your online brand would be to continue replacing your online brand. Having a tag line, mission and purpose is truly important. Be certain to communicate this text in all of your communications. For instance, you want to have the identical verbiage about yourself in Facebook as you do in your weblog. And don’t modify either without modifying the other. It is definitely not smart to continually alter your brand on a regular basis. You could tweak your brand in an attempt to enhance it over a period of years but preserve it the same. Now I’ve observed really winning re-launches do fairly well, but typically after the brand had an online presence and following to start with. This is a marketing approach that may boost your customer base significantly, however it is a technique that must be done properly, but that is getting off the topic and I will save that for another post.
Listed below are a few points to stick to on how you can build your online brand or social branding:
Username – Create your on-line brand with your username profiles. I recommend that you choose to use the same username with all of your online profiles as much as possible. As an illustration, I’m known online as Sharon Prosperity in over 100 sites. Consider all of the social media networks, article listing sites, blog networks, Facebook, twitter, and Skype. There are many more, but you get the idea. This is also known as social media branding.
E-mail Signatures – You may very easily develop your on-line brand simply using a good catchy Electronic mail signature that tells the world what you are all about.
Pictures – I imagine people are surprised by this one. You can build your on-line brand with pictures. If you have a company logo you’d naturally use that, but don’t discount the power of your own persona. If you have been following me then you know that I use the exact same picture in as many places (Web 2.0, other blogs, Facebook, Twitter, forums, etc.) as I can. This goes a long way to develop trust and consistency in the eyes of your audience. Your social media branding is personalized with images of you as part of your networking sites.
Design – This would be what your colors, fonts and theme look like. Again, maintaining your fonts and colors as consistent as possible is how you’ll be identified online.
Real – This is something that I have caught a handful of others on. Although it’s obvious that a person would act in a different way (e.g. not as professional in a personal relationship) it’s unfortunate that some people believe that they have to be fake. Their online brand is that of another person who’s rather different from their true self. It’s a matter of being authentic which will ultimately convert leads into sales. You have been perceived as someone who is adding value rather than somebody who has their own interests at heart.
Many people have a knack for this creative image creation and some don’t. So, if you find yourself feeling frustrated with being the non-creative type then understand that you’ll find tools out there which help with building your on-line brand. If it’s all about moving up the corporate ladder, getting out of college and seeking to get that first job or starting your own traditional or web based business, realizing resources like this exist is a life saver!
Now that you have an idea of the way you would like to construct your image, the final tip is actually very easy, but does definitely take a little time on your part, but will pay off as you construct your online brand.
Develop your online brand and social branding with networking…networking…networking.
You have to get the word out about who you are and what you offer as part of your online brand. I’m reminded of one of my first traditional companies. I didn’t want to start out advertising and marketing through the newspapers or yellow pages until I obtained the company logo, business cards, or tag line ready to rock and roll. It would seem un-businesslike to hit the net with the idea you will be in business without getting everything in place, but people do it every day. So many people have the wrong concept about a web-based business. An on-line business is a real business and it has to be treated as such. When you eventually have your image or online brand put together, get out and promote and form relationships with people. Allow your on-line brand speak for you and watch your business increase.
Abroad Travel Tips
Travelling is always fun! It can be made memorable if you follow some travel tips. During your travels, just pick some handy pointers mentioned below to enjoy the whole travelling experience.Security First:• Inform your bank ahead when you leave your home country to comfortably use bank cards while you are abroad. This is to avoid account freeze on any withdrawals or payments on your card, as banks may think that your card has been stolen or cloned• Carry at least 2 scan copies of your passport with you and in separate bags. Keep an email copy of your passport to yourself and also a trusted parent or friend before leaving your country. Make sure that you carry a list of emergency contact numbers for any bank cards or traveler’s checks• Do have some money in your belt which is well hidden. A trick here is to have a fake wallet with some expired cards and a little money, in case of being mugged• Lone female travelers can protect themselves by arranging a doorstop and put it in the door, which makes opening even an unlocked door impossible, and it would make plenty of noise to alert youPacking:• Keep small bottles to fill shampoo/conditioner to avoid carry large sizes as there will be a limit for hand luggage• If travel with heavy luggage, buy some compression socks so that you can carry a few more items! Roll clothes instead of folding them to save space.• Pack your luggage in waterproof bags. Use travel towels which are light, hygienic and can absorb nine times their weight in water• Always get padlocks with you while travelling, as lockers may be provided to leave valuables• Remember that toilet paper and a torch are essential items. It is good to carry a pack of cards – they help in creating easy camaraderie in groups• Carry a sarong – you can lay on the beach, it can be used as a towel, covers your shoulders for temple visits and many more!• Pack in ketchup, tabasco, mayonnaise, salt, pepper sachet. These days laundry service is available at hotels, so just carry minimum clothesEtiquette:• Always discuss the price of the total fare with taxi drivers BEFORE you get in. Check if there is any charge extra for air-conditioning and be aware of the lodge surroundings you stay• Understand the sort of behaviour of your travel country before you arrive. Maintain friendly nature. Respect their traditions as you are a guest.