The Building Talks Podcast

What’s it like to start a career in construction as a young woman? In the latest episode of The Building Talks Podcast, Martin Preece had the pleasure of talking with Ciara Ritchie a young and inspiring construction professional, about her experience as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Ciara reached out to us through the Spotify message button (yes, that’s a thing!) to share her insights on transitioning into construction. We explored: 🔸 How the industry was presented to her as a career path 🔸 Her experiences working with more seasoned (and often male) professionals 🔸 The challenges and opportunities she’s faced so far 🔸 What she's looking for in her career, and how she perceives the industry This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in fostering diversity and bridging generational gaps in the workplace. Let’s continue to learn from and support the younger generation! 🎧 Tune in now and let me know what you think. Let's keep building an inclusive, forward-thinking industry! Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #DiversityInConstruction #WomenInConstruction

Last week, Martin sat down with @Brian Sands, a former CEO turned corporate advisor who’s mastered the art of business turnaround and growth, especially in the construction and property sectors. From his humble beginnings as a laborer to his role as a business coach, Brian’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and leadership. We dove deep into his transition from hands-on roles to strategic leadership, and how he’s now helping businesses stabilize or thrive. 🎯 Key Takeaways: ✴Find Your Niche: Specializing in a specific sector is your edge in the competitive construction world. ✴Stay Lean: Outsource admin and focus on what truly matters to drive success. ✴Focused Growth: Don’t try to be everything to everyone—set clear, realistic goals for the first year. If you’re looking to grow your construction business or curious about top-level leadership in the sector, this episode is a must-watch! Check out a snippet from Brian’s insights on Finding Your Niche and Building Lean. Don’t miss out on this valuable conversation with one of the sharpest minds in the industry! Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #LeanConstruction #LeadershipInsights

👷From Laborer to Leader: An Inspiring Journey in the Construction Industry 🚧 This week on The Building Talks Podcast, Martin Preece had a fascinating conversation with Brian Sands a former CEO who has spent his entire career in the construction and property sectors. Brian's journey is nothing short of remarkable—starting as a labourer, venturing into New Zealand, and eventually leading the APM Group through significant growth. Now a corporate advisor, Brian specializes in business turnaround, transformation, and growth, helping organizations stabilize and thrive. His deep understanding of leadership, operations, and the unique pressures within the construction industry offers insights that many of us may not have considered before. If you’re interested in how a strong culture and values can drive success, or you’re just looking for some inspiration from someone who’s truly been there and done that, this episode is for you! Tune in, get inspired, and hear Brian’s insightful perspectives on leadership and business growth. 🎧 Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionIndustry #Leadership

🎧 In the latest episode of The Building Talks Podcast, Martin Preece had the pleasure of sitting down with Ronan Walsh and Alan Findlater the dynamic duo steering the ship at Newbridge. These industry leaders have been shaping Melbourne’s construction landscape since their days at DCWC back in 2008. Fast forward to 2019, they’ve built their own thriving venture, Newbridge, and have an incredible story to tell. From head contracting to launching their own business, their journey is packed with valuable insights, lessons, and strategies. 💡 One of the key highlights of this conversation? How they’ve adapted to market shifts—navigating the property cycles and economic uncertainty. Ronan and Alan discuss the unique challenges impacting the Australian property market, including the aftershocks of COVID-19, global events, and inflation. They dive into how the property sector remains a safe haven for investors and share their thoughts on what's next for the industry, including opportunities in sectors like industrial, private healthcare, and data centers. They also talked about the future of project management, particularly with projects slowing down and how builders and consultants need to pivot to new opportunities. Their advice on staying resilient, retaining talent, and positioning for growth is a must-hear for anyone in the field. 🔗 Catch this short clip now and get a taste of what’s in store! Whether you’re in construction or simply curious about the evolving role of project management, this episode will give you fresh insights and ideas. 👉 Tune in now and prepare to be inspired by two of Melbourne's construction legends! #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #ProjectManagement #PropertyDevelopment

What happens when an Irishman, Welshman and Scotsman record a podcast? Well in this weeks episode of The Building Talks Podcast we found out as Martin sat down with Ronan Walsh and Alan Findlater, Directors at Newbridge, both veterans in the Melbourne construction scene, they’ve built a wealth of knowledge and experience after meeting at DCWC back in 2008. 🔑 Key takeaways in this episode: 💡How both Ronan and Allan made their way into the Australian construction industry 💡The journey from head contracting to forming Newbridge in 2019 💡The value of client-side project management and where it fits in the industry 💡Insightful stories about collaboration, project orchestration, and adding value If you’re curious about the value a client-side project manager brings to the table, or want to hear some fascinating industry stories, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧 Give it a listen and discover what goes into building success from the ground up! Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #TheBuildingTalksPodcast #ProjectManagementExcellence #ConstructionLeaders

Last week on The Building Talks Podcast , we had the privilege of speaking with Professor @Mathew Aitchison, CEO of Building 4.0 CRC and architecture professor at Monash University. In this insightful discussion, we tackled the pressing issues of Australia’s housing crisis and cost-of-living challenges, exploring how modular construction and offsite prefabrication could be game-changers. Mathew delves into the details of industrialised buildings and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), explaining why these methods haven’t fully gained traction yet and their potential to transform the industry. We also take a global perspective, examining the impressive prefab adoption rates in Sweden and Japan’s industrialized construction approaches. This episode is packed with valuable insights and forward-thinking solutions you won’t want to miss! 🎧 Download and listen to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #ModularConstruction #HousingCrisis #GlobalPerspectives #PodcastEpisode

In this week's episode of The Building Talks Podcast, Martin Preece sits down with Professor Mathew Aitchison CEO of Building 4.0 CRC and Professor of Architecture at Monash University. They tackle a hot topic that's impacting millions globally: the housing crisis! 🌏 Global Perspective: Discover how countries around the world, including Australia, are struggling with both a cost-of-living crisis and a severe housing shortage. Understand the scale of the problem and why traditional methods are falling short. 🏠 Innovative Solutions: Dive into the world of modular and prefabricated construction. Learn how these cutting-edge methods are not just theoretical solutions but practical, implementable strategies that can revolutionize the housing sector. 💡 Industry Insights: Professor Aitchison shares his extensive research and hands-on experience in the industry. Look at the latest innovations, the barriers to adoption, and the potential timelines for these solutions to take effect. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: This isn't just a surface-level chat. Martin and Mathew break down the issue into its core components, exploring the roles of different stakeholders and the complexities of implementing new construction methods. 👥 Expert Opinions: With a mix of academic rigor and industry expertise, Mathew provides a well-rounded perspective on why the sector has been slow to evolve and what needs to change to foster growth. 🎙️ Why Listen? Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest trends and solutions in the housing sector. Get Inspired: Hear success stories and innovative ideas that could shape the future. Be Part of the Solution: Understand how different sectors can collaborate to address the housing crisis. 🌟 Audience Takeaways For Professionals: Gain actionable insights to apply in your work. For Policy Makers: Understand the impact of policy on innovation and implementation. For Enthusiasts: Enjoy a thought-provoking conversation that makes complex topics accessible. Join Martin for an enlightening episode that promises to inform, inspire, and engage. Tune in now and be part of the conversation! 🎧🏠✨ Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #HousingCrisis #ConstructionInsight

🎧 Last week on The Building Talks Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting @Adrien Mamet, Managing Director of Mamet Homes and co-founder of BuildUp Australia and BuildUp Apprentice! Adrien’s journey from tradie to luxury home builder in Queensland is truly inspiring. He shares invaluable insights into apprenticeships, mental health, and boosting construction quality. Key Insights: 🛠️ Industry Stress: How constant changes impact mental health. 💬 Communication & Support: Essential for tackling mental health challenges. 🕒 Work-Life Balance: Long hours can affect well-being. 🤝 Mentorship Matters: BuildUp Apprentice connects apprentices with mentors to reduce dropout rates. 🏗️ Quality Control: Need for standardized training and improved oversight. 🔄 Feedback Loop: Crucial for addressing poor-quality work. For anyone passionate about the Aussie construction scene, this episode is a must-listen! Discover how BuildUp Australia is driving positive change and setting new standards. 🎙️ For a deeper dive, listen to the full episode on: 🎧 Spotify 🎧 iTunes 🎧 iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #Construction #BuildUpAustralia

Welcome to this week's episode of The Building Talks Podcast! Get ready for an eye-opening conversation with Adrien Mamet, the dynamic Co-Founder of BuildUp Australia and the BuildUp Apprentice initiative, and owner of Custom Home building company, Mamet Homes! 🏗️✨ This Week’s Highlights: 🔹 Apprenticeships: How can we improve the quality and number of apprenticeships in construction? 🔹 Mental Health: Tackling the critical mental health challenges in the industry. 🔹 Quality Control: The surprising gaps in construction quality checks – and how to fix them. 🔹 Mentoring and Coaching: Building a culture of support and growth. Adrien shares his incredible journey from being a tradie to revolutionizing the construction industry with his non-profit efforts. His firsthand insights will change your thoughts about the built environment and its future. Adrien’s stories are not just informative; they’re a call to action. Whether you’re in construction, passionate about mental health, or curious about industry standards, this episode is packed with thought-provoking content. Download and listen 🎧 to the full episode on: 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ iTunes 🎙️ iHeartRadio #BuildingTalksPodcast #ConstructionIndustry #MentalHealth

In our recent session with Jonathan O'Brien Lead Organiser of YIMBY Melbourne, we explored innovative solutions to Australia’s housing crisis. YIMBY, or “Yes In My Backyard,” focuses on planning regulations, heritage overlays, and the critical "missing middle" housing concept. Jonathan highlighted their flagship report, "Melbourne's Missing Middle", which advocates for densifying around Melbourne’s 1,922 tram and train stations, reaching beyond just the inner city. 🌆 The Inner City Advantage: -Smaller household sizes result in fewer people in inner city areas, affecting local businesses, communities, and churches. -Living close to the inner city increases wages, productivity, and innovation due to the agglomeration effect. 📉 Outer City Development Hurdles: -High-density planning outside the inner city needs substantial government subsidies, making projects less feasible. -Our second report assessed every lot in Melbourne, considering apartment sale prices, development costs, and land costs. We discovered that apartment buildings beyond 7-10 km from the CBD are less viable as people opt for larger land further out. 🌍 Urban Growth Strategy: -The idea of creating new cities in Australia is attractive but impractical without significant investment. -With Melbourne's inefficient land use compared to global cities, inner city densification is the logical focus. 🤔 Your Thoughts? -How can we enhance inner city living to benefit everyone? -What policies can support sustainable urban growth? Join the conversation and explore how we can create a sustainable urban environment that leverages the full potential of our city! #BuildingTalksPodcast #YIMBYMelbourne #MelbournesMissingMiddle