Own The Build

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions on the realities of working commercially in construction — including the mistakes, difficult meetings and relationships that shape you as a QS. 
This episode gets particularly candid, with Paul and Chris looking back on their own careers and sharing some of the lessons they learned the hard way.
The conversation explores:
 the toughest meetings they experienced as young QSs and why preparation matters; 
 their biggest commercial mistakes and what they changed as a result; 
 when new technology and ERP systems can actually make commercial teams less efficient rather than more efficient; 
 why understanding the workflow before implementing technology is critical; 
 the importance of keeping your emotions — and your poker face — under control during negotiations; and 
 what separates the best commercial counterparts from the people you never want to work with again. 
Paul and Chris also discuss why fairness and pragmatism in variation management can completely change the dynamic between main contractors, subcontractors and consultants.
The underlying message is simple:
some of the most valuable lessons in commercial management come from getting things wrong, learning quickly and making sure you don't make the same mistake twice.
A candid and practical Question Time episode for QSs and commercial professionals at every stage of their careers.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In the eighth episode of the Own the Build Leadership Series, Paul is joined by David Taylor, former Group Commercial Director at Costain, where he spent over a decade on the Executive Board helping lead one of the UK's largest infrastructure contractors. 
From starting his career as a trainee estimator at Taylor Woodrow to leading complex PFI programmes, resolving some of the industry's most challenging projects, and ultimately becoming Group Commercial Director, David shares the experiences, decisions and leadership principles that shaped a remarkable 43-year career.
The conversation explores:
 why putting your hand up for difficult projects is often the biggest accelerator of a career; 
 how becoming known as a problem solver opened doors throughout his leadership journey; 
 why preparation, stakeholder management and strategic thinking separate good commercial professionals from great leaders; 
 how to build influence across clients, supply chains and executive teams; and 
 why succession planning is one of the most important responsibilities of any leader. 
David also reflects on leading through major industry change, his philosophy of "commercial foresight", and the importance of leaving organisations stronger than you found them—including the carefully planned succession that saw him hand over the Group Commercial Director role before retiring.
The episode closes with a powerful message:
don't chase job titles—chase opportunities to solve difficult problems, earn trust and create value. The leadership opportunities will follow.
A fascinating conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Commercial Directors and anyone with ambitions of leading at the very highest level in construction.
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📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Marc Preston —Quantity Surveyor, dispute resolution specialist, registered counsellor and CEO of New Foundation Counselling—to discuss one of the construction industry's biggest challenges:
Why are we still losing so many people to poor mental health?
Drawing on decades of experience across Tier 1 contracting, development, dispute resolution and counselling, Mark shares a unique perspective on the commercial and cultural changes needed to make construction a healthier place to work.
The conversation explores:
 why mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health; 
 how poor payment practices, inappropriate risk transfer and adversarial procurement contribute to unnecessary stress across the supply chain; 
 why collaboration must become more than a contractual buzzword; 
 the practical changes contractors can make—from welfare facilities to better leadership—to improve wellbeing on site; and 
 why Mark believes the industry needs structural change, not just greater awareness. 
Paul and Mark also debate whether contracts should play a bigger role in driving better behaviours, the commercial case for investing in mental health, and why improving working environments isn't just the right thing to do—it's good business.
The episode closes with a simple message:
if we want better projects, we need to build a better industry for the people delivering them.
A thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Commercial Managers, Project Directors and construction leaders who believe commercial success and looking after people should go hand in hand.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this episode, Paul is joined by Nitesh Rupalia, Technical Project Manager at Taylor Wimpey South Wales, for a fascinating discussion on one of the most overlooked relationships in construction:
The link between commercial, technical and operational teams.
Drawing on experience across developers, architects, Tier 1 contractors and national housebuilders, Nitesh shares why projects perform best when design managers, QSs and site teams stop operating in silos and start working as a single project team.
The conversation explores:
 why the traditional separation between design, commercial and operations creates unnecessary risk; 
 how involving specialist subcontractors earlier leads to better design, greater cost certainty and fewer variations; 
 the impact of the Building Safety Act on procurement, design development and contractor collaboration; 
 why design managers should be commercially focused—not just technically focused; and 
 how aligning project incentives around time, cost and quality leads to better outcomes for everyone. 
Paul and Nitesh also discuss the importance of attending each other's meetings, sharing responsibility for decisions, and creating an audit trail that makes final accounts far less contentious.
The episode closes with a powerful reminder:
the most successful construction projects aren't delivered by brilliant departments—they're delivered by brilliant project teams.
A practical and thought-provoking conversation for QSs, Design Managers, Project Managers and Commercial Directors looking to improve collaboration, reduce risk and deliver better projects.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.

In this special Leadership Series Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, Co-Founder and COO of C-Link, to answer questions submitted by listeners following recent Leadership Series interviews. 
Drawing on themes from conversations with Prabhat Shikotra, Genna Rourke, Anil Rai and other senior commercial leaders, Paul and Chris explore how commercial professionals can apply those lessons in the real world.
The discussion explores:
 how leaders can find time to improve the business instead of constantly firefighting; 
 why delegation is one of the biggest mindset shifts required to move into leadership; 
 how to balance protecting commercial margins while maintaining strong relationships; 
 why solving difficult problems is often the fastest route to career progression; and 
 the importance of taking ownership before waiting for a promotion. 
Paul and Chris also share practical advice on analysing where your time is spent, building trust with clients and supply chains, creating high-performing teams, and why leadership is ultimately about making the business better—not simply managing projects.
The message is clear:
the best commercial leaders don't wait for more authority—they create more value.
A practical episode for Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers and aspiring Commercial Directors looking to accelerate their careers and become more effective leaders.
---------------------------------
📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:
Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial Success
Send us Fan Mail

Want to connect with Paul?

Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at paul@c-link.com or through, C-Link. 
C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.
Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.