In studying the role of contract visualization, Stefania Passera’s doctoral dissertation Beyond the wall of contract text (2017), she cites research that: Clear and implementable contract terms are crucial in building successful business relationships Well-structured and well-developed agreements foster better relations Long-term successful relationships require strengthened terms on communication, role
I would like you to (1) learn from the failures of others (the quickest, cheapest and least painful approach) and (2) embrace the idea that failure is not optional – it is your best friend. Lesson: check the technical data In November 1999, NASA lost a $125m satellite, the Mars
In his Forbes article (the Most Valuable Business Commodity: Trust), David Williams proposed that trust within an organisation existed when 9 behaviours or actions were evident. Six of these apply directly to the construction supply network. The behaviours are signs of an emotionally intelligent project team. Behaviours to reinforce Be
Most contracts, whether in the construction industry or not, are based on a ‘bilateral’ relationship i.e. two legal people working towards a common goal. This is the bare bones of contracting. As the proud stoker of a tandem for the last 18 years, the analogy between tandem cycling and contracting
Dy Lynda Shaw in her book Your Brain is Boss says: So often we do not see or hear accurately what someone is trying to communicate, because we get the gist and fill in the gaps according to our own experience and perception so far. You may recognise some of
Good advice when creating contracts: You can draft a contract with the aim of making it either fool-proof (by drafting it in simple terms) or rogue-proof (by drafting complex, detailed terms), but not both This comes from a speech from Max Abrahamson, whose principles of risk management in construction contracts
In Verity White’s Secrets of Productive Contracts she says: The easier your contract is to read, the more trustworthy you and your company seem But is it true? Where’s the evidence? My contract tips [sign up] have reviewed some of the issues: Easier to read = easier to use ‘People
Weirdly, avoiding disputes does not seem to be a key factor driving the drafting of contracts (although PPC2000 might be an exception). However, given the rising cost and time involved in resolving disputes, as well as the damage to reputations and the sustainability of a company, it should be. My
I love the idea that we could create contracts that ordinary people will read, understand and use. Verity White’s Secret of Productive Contracts is another step in the right direction. Verity’s focus is on paperless contracts to speed up the contracting process. I was both delighted and a little bemused
According to Stephen MR Covey, in the Speed of Trust: Trust is a function of two things: character and competence. Character includes your integrity, your motive, your intent with people. Competence includes your capabilities, your skills, your results, your track record. My top tip is to commit in your contract