Communication is a vital aspect of any construction project – it’s still one of the key pressure points for construction workers today. Although communication is necessary for every sector, the vital role it plays especially with construction jobs is not to be understated. Whether it is a manager of cement supplies or construction manager, bad coordination between the main building players causes significant cash losses, safety threats, missing deadlines, and an overall disappointing finished product. Strong coordination makes a big difference between a finished project in schedule and budget and a total failure project.
If you want to learn more about how to improve your Communication with your Suppliers, take a look below:
- Get A Thorough Discussion With Your Supplier Initially
Have A word with your partner at the beginning of the process, objectives, and goals of the project. The first meeting is a perfect way to get all on the table. If a supplier knows what is important to you and the project, they will do so. Good things happen when partners work for the same reason.
- Avoid Using Buzzwords
For over 60 years, we have been working in the concrete business. Some would say we are professionals in concreting. But that doesn’t mean you’re actually. We work in the building industry and while we understand the others in general when a message is used in jargon and slogan terms, we often get lost in translation. Ensure each group can understand the project specifics using generic words that are probably known by all. Take the time to describe it when a concept is foreign.
- Identify Your Chain Of Command
It can be frustrating when you or your provider does not know how to contact with questions, issues, complaints, difficulties, etc. This is especially a concern for a building project involving so many separate parties. A single point of contact is the safest way to prevent misunderstanding.
- Define Engagement Rules
Set criteria for efficient communication. Each concerned party has different goals, tactics, and techniques of communication – find a common base! Here are a few tips to begin with: finalize reporting and updating date, communication means, allot time to a different party for working, and when the cancellations, timeline changes, etc will be required.
- Be Transparent
Sometimes changes cannot be done easily on a construction site when situations are out of reach or someone is making an error. Be open to all participating parties regardless of whether it is. You should give everybody else plenty of time to adapt to the changes.
