GRAHAM Civil Engineering’s Post

With the Six Nations rugby kicking off this weekend, it must be time for a reminder that... Bigger isn't always better! 🤷♂️ 🏉 OK, so we suspect Edinburgh Rugby skipper and Scottish international Sam Skinner *might* get the better of director Sean Harper on a rugby pitch, but we're certain that bigger isn't always better. Rugby aside, anyway... 🤭 We're a small business - that means we can offer a more personal service and build trusted relationships with our clients. As we get to know you, and you get to know us, we can ensure that you always have the right level of service to suit the needs of your business. Behind the scenes, our dedicated team work efficiently and effectively together, meaning that we can more easily manage your requirements and adapt quickly if these change. So, if it's a choice between a big faceless company or a trusted family business, we know who we'd choose! Now, who do you reckon will emerge victorious in this year's Six Nations Rugby, and who'll be taking home the wooden spoon? #PlumbingAndHeating #PropertyManagement #BusinessValues #Accountability #SME

Achieving excellence in both sports and academics is indeed an extraordinary feat! Contrary to the belief that excelling in sports hinders academic performance ( In Chinese we say " "Strong limbs, simple mind."） research suggests a positive relationship between sports participation and academic success. A groundbreaking study from the University of Sydney, published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, found a compelling link between sports involvement and academic achievement1. The research, which followed over 4000 children from age 4 through their teenage years, revealed that active participation in sports correlated with improved NAPLAN scores reduced absenteeism, and a higher likelihood of pursuing higher education.

A very disappointing day for rugby in Australia. It seems history is set to repeat itself with another Australian Super Rugby Team ceasing to exist. It is naive to think reducing the professional contracting opportunities by 20% will increase depth and competition. The NRL and AFL have 17 and 18 teams respectively, Rugby will have 4. Which code do you think juniors will steer towards? A 1/4 chance or a 1/17 or 1/18, less career opportunities will equal less depth as potential players seek certainty and better odds of making it professional. How could a governing body be ignorant to a franchise operating insolvent for multiple years? I question whether this failure of corporate governance raises more concerns for the future of professional rugby in Australia.

The Springbok “Bomb Squad” is more than a rugby tactic; it’s a way of life. With tickets in hand for this weekend’s game at Twickenham, I’m buzzing to see how the Bomb Squad will turn up in the second half, sharing the excitement with those close to me. Since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, this tactic has become part of South African culture, embodying our unique way of tackling challenges head-on. We shouldn’t stop at rugby, though. Imagine a business “bomb squad”- a team of people from different departments, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to solve challenges. You could have your “playmaker” guiding the team’s rhythm, creatives uncovering fresh angles, and newcomers sparking new energy. Together, these qualities are what we look for to build our bomb squad. When others push back against new approaches, standing firm and showing the power of this team-based philosophy is crucial. A squad ready to rally can make all the difference. So, do you have your own “bomb squad”?

Navigating today's terrain with biblical wisdom will provide us with a steadfast foundation amidst the ever-changing landscapes of modern life. By drawing on timeless principles and values, we can make ethical decisions, foster genuine relationships, and cultivate a sense of purpose and direction. Biblical wisdom not only offers guidance for personal integrity and character but also equips us to handle challenges and opportunities in our businesses and careers with discernment and faith. Even when we fall and make mistakes, knowing fully well that the power of redemption can make us whole, is a testimony on its own.

We are delighted to announce our new Legal Column in the ever-growing Sportin Wales magazine. Catch us on page 31, where Rhys Williams shares expert advice on navigating commercial property leases in Wales for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn

History

With our Men’s Rugby 1st XV at Northumbria University we’ve been trying to find ways to encourage ‘positive involvements’ for our players as opposed to just ‘having involvements’. Having sat with Pearse Ferguson our 1st XV analyst we have implemented our new tool - Battle Stats. Which is essentially minutes played divided by Positive Involvements had. These positive involvements include - dominant Carries (linebreaks/offloads), dominant tackles, turnovers for, penalties won, tries scored and positive kicks (50/22s, territory wins). Our players love competing for the these battles stats and it’s been a great tool for us as a coaching team to see where these positive impacts are coming from! How long should it take for players to have positive involvements? How many positive impacts should a player have during a game? Here’s an example of ours, let us know your thoughts! #BattleStats

Contentment, Being-in-the-Zone & Giving Back Shaun Johnson played his last rugby league game this past weekend bringing to an end a 14-year career. He will be remembered as a really good player, who potentially did not achieve as much as he could have, but definitely as one of New Zealand’s greatest. He played some of his best footy over the last couple of seasons after returning to the team he started his career with in NZ. This season was marred by injuries, but some in the game believed that he could have gone on for another year or two. Playing his last game on Saturday, Shaun led his team in a come-from-behind win producing a “miracle pass” in the last minute of the game that led to the final scoring effort helping the team win by two points. Following is a video of his press conference after the game and there are three things that stood out for me – 1. Contentment – he spoke about being content with the game, not because of what the result was but because of how he and the team played. 2. Being-in-the-Zone – he speaks about being in the zone, “in the groove”, feeling “really good”, enjoying what he and the team were doing. He was “locked-in” to execute his role, thinking beyond the emotion of the occasion. 3. Giving Back – he expressed his intent now to give back to the sport, specifically in helping young players “develop their game”, “building a program that gives them access to knowledge that I wish I had access to”. According to me, these three represent a great state-of-mind to strive for when we call it time on our chosen vocations, no matter what they are. Thank you Shaun! #shaunjohnshon #nrl #ruglyleague #lessonsfromsport #leadership #contentment #beinginthezone #stateofflow #givingback #storytelling

I am delighted to be featured in this month's Sportin Wales magazine. You can find the digital version on their website at https://lnkd.in/eMdiuSGm Take a look at page 31 for guidance on navigating commercial property leases in Wales and England for prospective tenants. #LegalAdvice #CommercialProperty #NewColumn #CommercialLease