Top tips for recession beating employers

The economic downturn is setting some testing challenges for businesses and individuals alike.

Not only is ConstructionSkills playing a positive role in supporting the development of managers and supervisors, it is offering a 'Managing Through the Downturn' course. The workshop draws on learnings from recession-beating employers across the sector who offer their tips on how to manage – and increase business – through this difficult time.

The 'Managing Through the Downturn' course includes tips on business survival plus advice on managing business strategy. It also highlights the skills and knowledge managers need to establish a comprehensive business plan for the next 18 to 24 months and to ensure their businesses are on a firm footing.

Cliff Thrumble, Managing Director of Bournemouth-based Boyland Joinery Limited, explains the benefits of attending the National Construction College’s ‘Managing Through the Downturn’ course. 

“Like many other businesses we started to see a downturn in the market, where custom was slowly dropping off in some areas, particularly in the new build sector. To reduce the impact on the business I started a process of fire fighting, making a few redundancies and cutting costs where I could. However, what I really wanted to do was to take some time away from the day–to-day running of the business so I could think clearly about areas of the company which could be improved.

“I heard about the National Construction College’s ‘Managing Through the Downturn’ course from the British Woodworking Federation. The course seemed like the perfect solution to help show me if there was anything else that I could be doing to save the business.

“The three day ‘Managing Through the Downturn’ course has been designed for business managers to improve the performance and productivity of their businesses by focusing on five key areas. These include revitalising business plans, improving business productivity, managing and motivating the workforce, focusing on the customer and planning for the future. The five modules supply delegates with the practical skills and knowledge needed to help make their businesses succeed during the downturn.

“I thought the course was very well run, so I found it really beneficial. The instructors were very knowledgeable and flexible in their approach, tailoring the course to the needs of the people in the room. Also, the way the course was delivered, through a combination of presentations, feedback sessions and case studies, ensured it was interesting and engaging.

“I found the credit control element and the customer satisfaction and retention module of the course the most useful, particularly how to score suppliers and customers. This helped me to think about new practices I would employ, such as keeping in contact with past customers and following up on each job to check customer satisfaction." 

“The course came at the perfect time for my business so I would definitely recommend it to other companies in the current climate. It has really helped to open up my mind to new avenues regarding the way that things can be done and improve the day-to-day running of the business to the company’s benefit.”

As the direct training division of ConstructionSkills, the National Construction College offers both young apprentices and adult students a wide range of specialist courses at its seven main sites which provide training for more than 30,000 people each year. 

To find out more about the 'Managing Through the Downturn' course and other training courses on offer at National Construction College please call 0344 994 4433 
 or visit www.nationalconstructioncollege.co.uk.