The Building Talks Podcast  By  cover art

The Building Talks Podcast

By: Martin Preece
  • Summary

  • A fortnightly podcast where we meet and talk to professionals in the Construction, Property Development, Engineering, Architecture and Consulting sectors across Australia's Built Environment. During our building talks, we discuss topics and issues faced across the industry and specialist sectors within it, discuss the careers and experiences of guests, whilst getting to know the people behind the projects, and the construction and development projects they have been a part of.

    Our guests span the built environment - so includes leaders from architects, engineers, builders, consulting Project Managers or Quantity surveyors, industry researchers, HR and business experts - all people 'in the know' who work within the build environment and have some insights and deep understanding of the industry.

    © 2024 The Building Talks Podcast
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Episodes
  • Strategies for Thriving towards Retirement Age, Construction Careers: A Building Talks Special with David Fisher
    Apr 22 2024

    Hey Legends! Welcome to another insightful episode of the Building Talks Podcast! In this edition, we're diving into the later stages of a construction career with our special guest, David Fisher. With over four decades of industry experience, David shares invaluable insights on navigating retirement age in construction.

    From his roots in New Zealand to wearing multiple hats in the sector, David's journey offers a wealth of knowledge. Now at 61, he's contemplating how to maintain momentum while embracing a more relaxed pace in the twilight years of his career.

    Join us as we uncover the challenges and opportunities of this stage, from biases against older workers to the importance of passing knowledge to the next generation. Plus, we discuss the need for clear pathways for transitioning out of the industry and the value of projects like the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) in shaping careers.

    Actionable takeaways to navigate construction's evolving landscape:

    • Experience Counts: Older construction pros bring valuable know-how to the table, before and after retirement.
    • Plan Ahead: Planning for retirement is key to staying on track and avoiding aimlessness.
    • Bias Alert: Watch out for biases against older workers in the industry—they can limit opportunities.
    • Passing the Torch: Sharing knowledge from older to younger workers is crucial for filling skill gaps.
    • Navigating Change: Transitioning out of the industry can be daunting without clear pathways.
    • Team Harmony: Employers should balance using experienced workers' skills with supporting younger staff.
    • Smooth Transitions: Flexible retirement plans ensure a seamless shift and ongoing contributions.
    • Learn and Grow: Projects like the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre offer valuable career lessons.

    Tune in, grab your headphones, and join us for an enlightening discussion filled with eye-opening revelations and fresh perspectives for the journey ahead!

    Chapters:

    00:00 The Role of Technology in Podcast Recording
    13:50 Transitioning into Semi-Retirement in the Construction Industry
    31:55 Utilising the Knowledge and Expertise of Older Professionals
    46:29 Balancing Knowledge Transfer and Training
    55:11 The Impact of Projects on Career Development

    If you're all about the Aussie construction vibe, then you won't want to miss our latest episode featuring David Fisher. Dive into strategies tailored for thriving in retirement age within the construction industry. Gain insights on navigating transitions, leveraging experience, and embracing new opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode offers invaluable guidance for building a successful career path in construction.

    Hope you enjoy the podcast!

    The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

    www.buildingenvirons.com.au

    Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to The Building Talks podcast so you don't miss any updates.

    #ConstructionCareer #RetirementPlanning #IndustryInsights #CareerJourney #KnowledgeTransfer #CareerTransition #CareerDevelopment #ConstructionIndustry

    Contact The Building Talks Podcast

    • Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
    • Visit us on our website
    • Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Talking with Dan Burmeister and Chris Bertacco about 'pivoting' during the Pandemic, reaching the milestone of delivering 100+ Cladding projects, and life within the competitive Fit-out sector!
    Apr 8 2024

    Hey Legends! This week's podcast episode is a real treat! I had a chat with two of the directors at St Ferrer, a mid-tier building contractor in Port Melbourne. They've got quite the story to share – from being a fit-out and refurbishment contractor to becoming a top player in cladding remediation projects.

    In this episode, we meet Dan Burmeister and Chris Bertacco, each with their own unique journey into the construction world. Chris, haling from a non-traditional background, started off in the restaurant biz before finding his groove in business development roles. Dan, on the other hand, took the more traditional route, starting out in the trades and working his way up through big contractors.

    This conversation is less about business strategies and more about the story behind St Ferrer's evolution. We dive into how they adapted when their core business, like everyone's, took a hit during the pandemic, and how they found opportunity in cladding replacement projects.

    You'll hear about the challenges and complexities of these projects, and how St Ferrer turned them into successes. We also discuss why these projects became necessary on a large scale, and the auditing process that followed.

    But it's not just about projects – it's about resilience, evolution, and creating a thriving culture within a company. Despite tough times in the industry, St Ferrer's story is a testament to the power of adaptability and seizing opportunities. So, if you're looking for some inspiring insights into navigating challenges and finding success in unexpected places, this episode is a must-listen!

    During our conversation, we delved into some fascinating topics:

    • Background of St Ferrer Building Contractors
    • The Demand, Need and Complexity of Cladding Projects
    • Strategies for High-Stakes Cladding Remediation
    • Navigating Through Market Challenges with Diversification
    • Empowering Growth: Finding Purpose and Ownership in Construction Beyond Top Tier Builders
    • Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Fit-Outs
    • Evolution of the Business & creating a Positive Culture
    • Opportunities in a Challenging Market

    If you're all about the Aussie construction vibe, this episode is your go-to for some real talk with the directors at St Ferrer. Get ready to dive into their fascinating journey from fit-out specialists to cladding replacement experts. Discover how they tackled tough times during the pandemic, found new opportunities, and turned challenges into triumphs. From the intricacies of cladding projects to the secrets of thriving in a competitive market, this episode is jam-packed with insights that'll keep you hooked from start to finish. Tune in and get inspired by their story of resilience, evolution, and success in unexpected places.

    Hope you enjoy the podcast!

    The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and South East Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

    www.buildingenvirons.com.au

    Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to The Building Talks podcast so you don't miss any updates.

    Contact The Building Talks Podcast

    • Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
    • Visit us on our website
    • Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Talking with Justin McGrath about Growing Leadership skills, Crafting a Career, and Progressing and Mastering Capability
    Mar 25 2024

    Hey Legends! This week, I had an awesome chat with Justin McGrath, the construction director at DeLuca Corp in Brisbane. Justin's journey to becoming Construction Director is super interesting – he started out as an Apprentice on the tools, worked his way up through different roles, and now he's killing it in his current gig.

    We talked about everything from the importance of apprenticeships to mastering new skills as you climb the career ladder. Justin shared some really valuable insights into developing Leadership skills and adapting to different teams and roles in the industry. It was a super insightful convo, and Justin's got some great stories and advice to share. Trust me, you don't want to miss this episode!

    In our chat, we geeked out over these cool topics:

    • The Risk of Business Insolvency
    • Gaining Experience and Filling in Knowledge Gaps
    • Treating Each Role as an Apprenticeship
    • The Challenges of Becoming a Project Manager
    • Choosing the Right Leaders and Developing Leadership Skills
    • Setting Up Projects for Success
    • The Challenges of Construction Management
    • The Impact of Dysfunctional Teams on Projects
    • Learning from Tough Jobs and Adversity
    • The Construction Market in Queensland
    • The Importance of Relationships in Construction

    If you're all about the Aussie construction scene, this episode with Justin is a must-listen! His journey from apprentice to construction director is packed with insights into leadership, skill development, and navigating the ups and downs of the industry. From the importance of apprenticeships to mastering new skills and adapting to different construction methods, Justin shares valuable lessons and stories you won't want to miss. Tune in for an inside look at Queensland's construction market, leadership development, and the future of the industry.

    Hope you enjoy the podcast!

    The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and South East Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:

    www.buildingenvirons.com.au

    Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to The Building Talks podcast so you don't miss any updates.

    Contact The Building Talks Podcast

    • Follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram
    • Visit us on our website
    • Email us at info@buildingenvirons.com.au
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 23 mins

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