Hi everyone
I am sorry for the jumpy start to the course with regards to the venue, hopefully this is now behind us and we can catch up on class time and session activities. I will be posting a blog entry each week and you will be required to comment as part of your assessment. There will be two posts for this week (this post and another one tomorrow).
There have been some questions regarding what constitutes a business idea connected to 'the built environment'. Lets use this post to all share a few ideas. If you look at the BE sector from a macro perspective we could imagine the following broad areas: -
1. Procurement (design, construction)
2. Servicing (maintenance, facilities management, etc)
3. Professional services (architecture, QS, engineering, etc)
4. Sector support (marketing, finance, etc)
5. Business support (legal, accounting, HR, etc)
6. Ancillary services (estate agency, contract cleaning, security, etc)
So using the list above, please indicate in your comment to this Blog post at least six business idea (one per 'broad area') that are connected to the built environment. Here are my six: -
1. Procurement - Safety Clothing (aimed at designing & developing branded safety clothing for construction sector)
2. Servicing - Crime Scene Cleanup (aimed at addressing the specific biohazard issues of cleaning a property after a crime has been perpetrated).
3. Professional - Photography Service Business (aimed at documenting the construction of new building).
4. Sector support - Property Marketing (agency focussed only on marketing of high-end industrial & commercial properties on behalf of developers)
5. Business support - Accounting Services (accounting/bookkeeping services for one-man (woman) businesses.
6. Ancillary - Printing Services (outsourced brochure printing and distribution for estate agency sector)
It's as easy as that : ) Lets see your ideas ....
1. Procurement – Building supplies for handicapped persons ((innovatively) designs and manufactures building accessories for handicapped individuals, e.g. wheelchair ramps, bathroom devices, door opening buttons)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing – Construction materials recycling program (collects leftovers/scraps from construction sites for a low price and recycles, redesigns, and resells the materials)
3. Professional services – Digital monitoring system for buildings (the company installs monitoring systems, e.g. motion detectors, CO2 detectors, thermometers, security cameras, entry keys, to reduce the building’s energy consumption while installing or revamping its security system)
4. Sector support – Branding and advertising agency that specializes in creating and promoting a business’s “green” image
5. Business support – Investment firm that works specifically with local governments in the acquisition and sale of property
6. Ancillary services – Safety equipment retailer (sells fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, laboratory safety equipment (e.g. eye wash, emergency shower), weather monitoring system, alien landing defense bubble)
Some nice ideas - especially the building supplies focus on handicapped/disabled persons.
Delete1. Procurement - a material manufacturing company producing lightweight reusable building materials.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - gardening service specialising in roof top gardens.
3. Professional service - consultation company consulting builders on how to minimise the amount of waste material on a building site.
4. Sector support - marketing company with a directory of products that are certified "green".
5. Business support - an employment agency specialising in temporary staff for the built environment.
6. Ancillary service - billboard designer that produces billboards for buidings with a dual purpose of advertising and shading.
Thanks Justin - I liked to consultancy around waste.
DeleteHere are my 5 business ideas:
ReplyDelete1) Business Support - A company that trains graduates to become assessors for GBCSA and when people are needed for assessments, some one from your pool of assessors can do the job. This would support the GBCSA yet still be a separate entity to provide for independent assessments
2) Professional Services - Same as above but for accredited professionals i.e the people that compile the documentation for green buildings for clients.
3) Procurement - an import company that brings 'kit houses' into the country which could be used for low cost housing
4) Ancillary - A company that registers title deeds in low income housing sectors with a system that is more affordable, efficient and accessible to this market
5) Servicing - A bridging company that links construction/engineering students (or any professionals who wish to participate) and NPO's to provide work experience for students on housing projects and free labour for the NPO. (similar to habitat for humanity but with a greater focus on students and housing projects already under construction)
Kirsty (CCHKIR001)
The kit houses idea is great - well done.
Delete1. Procurement- Provide health care/medical Aid on site in case of emergencies.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing- Storage facility where all construction components can be stored: ie wheel barrows, hammers, angle grinders, bulldozers.
3. Professional Services- Computer monitoring system that records t
he whole process of building from stage 1 to completion, showing any errors.
4. Sector Support- outsourced Accounting firm to deal with accounting matters alone.
5. Business Support- Group of Spatial planners, town planners, architects form a company to provide a detailed analysis of the built environment in South Africa in order to determine the development opportunities for South Africa. This would make it easier for Investment companies and property groups to find and look for future developmental areas.
6. Ancillary Services – Transport, for the necessary support of workers so that can get to work safely and on time.
1. Procurement – Developing a Construction Hard-Hat with integrated mouth and earpiece – i.e. ‘Walkey-Talkey technology’ (so as to facilitate enhanced communication between site manager and construction workers amid the noisy environment one finds themselves in on a construction site)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing – Mobile High (Water) Pressure Floor-Polishing Machines for rent which first dampen, wipe, and then subsequently dry and polish the floor with rotating bristles in a circular motion (so as to clean large expanses of tiles or floors with ease and more effectively). Such machines are necessary as traditional floor mops may not remove stubborn stains, clean in between the grit of the tiles or leave a polished finish on the floor.
3. Professional – Industrial Psychology/Interior Design Consulting firm (consultants from both respective disciplines would be dispatched to various work spaces to find and suggest ways to improve one’s work environment through the inclusion of colour, light, improved ventilation and other novel ideas so as to facilitate enhanced productivity and incorporate an element of ‘play’ into the typically aesthetically-mundane workplace.
4. Sector support – Viral Social-Media Marketing Consulting Firm (a team of young, technologically-savvy consultants who would be tasked with making use of social media as a tool to market new developments on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, amongst others, given the fact that social media is free and information spreads quickly when released via social-media).
5. Business support – A Legal Consultancy practice designed to protect developers against the Consumer Protection Act (as best as it can) and explain to them what is meant by it and how to avoid being tied up in a legal court battle against an unsatisfied consumer, or how to subsequently satisfy the consumer.
6. Ancillary - A dedicated Security Company that oversees all security-related issues during the construction phase of any building. (i.e. Access control, inventory-surveillance, securing the storage facility, construction worker surveillance cameras, dedicated night watch, erecting a sturdy fence to enclose the construction area, so as to prevent instances of vagrant occupancy, brick theft, inventory theft or construction worker negligence or malpractice)
Some excellent ideas - very well done!
Delete1. Aids testing, treatment ad counseling for construction workers.
ReplyDelete2. Property management company (Collection of rentals, holding of deposits and tenant/landlord relationships)
3. Independent security services(supplying trained security members with a general understanding of construction sites to assist in security prior to construction completion and post construction building)
4. Call centers (designed specifically for the promotions of rents and sales for existing and proposed developments awareness)
5. A private company that manages deposits from tenants, creating greater returns for landlords with minimized risk.
6. Professional catering for construction workers on site
Jason Paviour PVRJAS001
1. Procurement - enforce designs of buildings and houses to have min security features to help stop crime (legal matter)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - a company in charge of weekly street cleaning in residential areas as well as upkeep of roads and pot holes in these areas to ensure fewer accidents.
3. Professional services - a green company which educates architecture, QS, engineering, etc about green concepts and help them filter the ideas through their work. (constantly update them with programs and classes to keep them in touch with the growing green ideas)
4. Sector support - a retail company aimed at helping students find accommodation during term time (very difficult to find flats where people are willing to rent it out to students)
5. Business support - make the process easier to evict tenants who do not pay rent.
6. Ancillary services - build little huts for police (similar to ADT) so that they can be stationed closer to houses, rather than at their police station that may be far from residential area (free unlike ADT)
Michelle Fraser
(FRSMIC011)
I liked the student accommodation idea.
Delete1) Procurement - Portable offices for project managers and contractors for on-site meetings and seminars with built-in fridges, air-conditioners/heaters. Specialises in being aesthetically pleasing and safe.
ReplyDelete2) Servicing - Sanitary services such as on-site showers and taps along with basic ablution stations. This will be supported with an on-call paramedic service in case of emergencies or general illness within the workforce.
3) Professional Services - High ranked landscaping company which specialises in alternative landscaping for exotic or elite buildings/sites. Large water features and other dynamic displays are expected.
4) Sector Support - Private financing business offering small loans for situations such as renovations or building extensions.
5) Business Support - Team dynamics and Safety seminars and displays, helping the businesses to work with improved cohesion and teaching safety tips to the hands-on workforce.
6) Ancillary Services - A laundry service that cleans and mends the clothing and attire worn by the more hands-on workforce.
Your laundry service was a good idea.
Delete1. Installing solar panels disguised as shingles on rooftops
ReplyDelete2. Applying a similar film/liquid to windows that are used on aircraft windscreens in order to prevent dust accumulation and hence reduce the huge costs associated with cleaning windows in large sky rise buildings. Also allows for insulation
3. Digital program allowing for mid construction architectural changes to plans, altering quantity surveying figures quicker (hence more cost effective)
4. An app designed specifically for property professionals
5. An organisation linking investors to developers providing large scale advertising campaigns in return for 'green construction' funding for developers
6. A firm training all individuals involved in the construction process (from laborers to managers)how to implement green ideas in the construction process from day one. Reducing costs and using profits to expand SA's 'green ability' and 'skill' (importing materials etc)
The building window film is a good idea - could also have security advantages in domestic houses.
Delete1. Procurement - Multitask construction tools for more efficient construction.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Ablution facilities for people on site.
3. Professional services - CAD operators (translating hand drawn designs into digital format).
4. Sector support - A ‘business-led’ network that aims to act as a catalyst for best practice, networking events and exemplar projects – all with the aim of benefiting stakeholders and clients from across industry.
5. Business support - Web page design and maintenance to assist in advertising and marketing of development well in advance.
6. Ancillary services - Accommodation facilities when working on developments that are far distances from workers homes.
Jonathan Frame FRMJON001
1. Procurement - Equipment Rental (allow expensive equipment to be rented out cheaply courtesy of government subsidies)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Mandatory Safety Seminars (with purchases of dangerous equipment (to lessen accidents))
3. Professional Services - Mentoring Program (focusing on bringing experienced specialists (on the brink of retirement) in their respective fields to new developments to pass on their knowledge)
4. Sector Support - DIY Development Agency (Showing homeowners’ basic development 'musts' for small developments)
5. Business Support - Legal Services (help give preference and grant title deeds for green approved housing plans)
6. Ancillary Service - Back-up Electrical Service (provide a backup generator to the buildings when construction would occur which often causes power shortages)
Sean Gotkin
GTKSEA001
I liked the DIY Development Agency.
Delete1. Procurement - Designing 'slip-free' tiles for pool areas and bathrooms.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing- Intoducing or providing plastized concrete, instead of normal concrete. This will improve the flexibility and duribilty of the building and make it more efficient.
3. Professional services- Providing property apps or computer programs for property firms or developers making it easier for them to access title deeds and other property related information.
4. Support sector - Adevertising and branding companies within the property or construction industry.
5. Business support -financial services such as banks or small accouting firms to determine whether or not the product will be profitable.
6. Ancillary Service - Blogs, websited and newspapers to help advertise or promote the product or service.
The apps and computer program idea is a good one, especially with such growth in smartphone and iPads.
Delete1. Procurement - Locker space (aimed at providing storage space for construction workers when they change into their construction clothes)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Fire precaution services (aimed at providing fire extinguishers to shopping centres)
3. Professional - Web brower editing (aimed at providing clients with web page editing services such as creating a web page)
4. Sector support - Current property stats (aimed at giving recent, domestic property data to property valuation firms)
5. Business support - Database services (aimed at providing database services such as creating database records for clients containing various property details)
6. Ancillary - Office block (aimed at providing 24 hour security for office blocks)
Pumulo Kathurima
KTHPUM001
1. Procurement
ReplyDeletePortable-lightweight marquees which can be setup easily and be used during harsh weather conditions (heat or rain). This would be used in the early stages of construction and could also have lighting installed which would allow longer working hours (4am-10pm) and quicker excecution of the project.
2. Servicing
Transport services which collects builders from specific pick up points and drop offs, ensuring full participation and a more punctual routine in the construction process.
3. Professional services
Soil experts. A service which tests the properties of the soil and lower rock formations on a construction site, pre construction. This will help to calculate the thinkness and depth at which the fondations of the building need to be.
4. Sector support
(Venture capitalists). A business which takes on the financing of developments that would not normally be financed by banks.
5. Business support
Property law firm (attending to a variety of issues faced by businesses such as zoning issues, servitudes, legal cases involving property etc)
6. Ancillary services
Video survalence installation. For office, industrial and developing sites. For security and legal affect.
Dylan Heard
HRDDYL001
1. Procurement – Tracker system for materials and/or equipment to control theft on site.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing – Paving cleaning service to maintain the paving of a building on a regular basis.
3. Professional services – Barcode scanning software for materials in order to assist Quantity Surveyors with the measuring of an interim payment claim (knowing what materials have been used)
4. Sector support – A short term financing company to assist small contractors with plant hire.
5. Business support – Disciplinary legal service which provides agents to keep note of all warnings (verbal and written) to assist employers with any disputes if an employee goes to CCMA.
6. Ancillary services – Model building service which makes a fully detailed model of the finalized building (to be used in the advertising of the building)
The tracker system for equipment is a great idea - probably a small investment for a large sense of security and peace of mind.
Delete1. A barcode system that not only tracks what materials are on site but also creates a system which reflects which employees are absent or late.
ReplyDelete2. A daily clean up company that ensures efficiency on a day to day basis by placing all equipment in original positions and therefore reducing costs by preventing loss or damage materials.
3. Seminars-A three day lecture that introduces and explains the Bills Of Quantities so as to prevent the exploitation of certain, previously disadvantaged contractors.
4. Property Marketing- Aims at creating a green image for the company.
5. Legal services- assists primarily in the processes associated with disputes that come about as a result of labour issues. As well as advice regarding the CCMA and labour courts.
6. Stockpile Management- Protection and maintenance of stockpiles for the predicted wet season.
Your education/training idea is good - well done.
Delete1. Procurement - production of natural stone bricks
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Rubble grading service on site to be used in filling foundations
3. Professional Services - team of specialists on site to prevent miscommunication & heighten productivity of every worker
4. Sector Support - A specialist in building up individual worker portfolios which will help give the individual worker more self worth, and encourage a higher level of commitment
5. Business Support - A workshop at the commencement of the project to ensure that the employer and workers are on the same page regarding workers rights.
6. Ancillary Services - A compact first aid kit to be issued to every worker at the commencement of the project
1.Procurement-Hard hat technology to track workers work rate and efficiency as well as hours of work to calculate wages accordingly.
ReplyDelete2.Servicing-Waste management control and recycling service.
3.Professional Services-Digital projectors projecting planned buildings onto your land so the development can be seen what it would look like.
4.Sector Support-Renting equipment to contractors at a rate at which they use it and not a daily rate.
5.Business Support-Legal firm dealing with laws and regulations regarding property.
6.Ancillary Services- Security structure that will enclose the whole construction site acting as a security feature as well as preventing disruptions of bad weather and dirt escaping the construction site.
1. Procurement - Develop storage systems on different places on site which alows contractors to easily access and differentiate between materials and tools on site.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Check ups by a company which occurs regularly with special attention paid to equipment used on site which could be hazardous, to ensure workers are using it efficiently and safely.
3. Professional Services - Computer/digitally generated program showing different international and local designs in order to help decision making at the design stage.
4. Sector Support - Advertising company which uses a variety of advertising techniques eg, websites, tv adverts, pamphlets handed out at robots and also emphasising the difference of their construction to others.
5. Business Support - Workshop to inform staff and workers of what not to do in order to avoid unnecessary legal battles with employer or anyone else involved in the construction.
6. Ancillary services - One company to efficiently transport the tools, equipment, materials and rubbel on and off the site.
Kouthar Mayat mytkou001
Your design idea is great - very much needed given the large number of different design finishes available.
Delete1. Procurement- safer amd light weight tools aimed at reducing risk of injuries on site.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing- maintenance of cranes and other heavy operating equipment
3. Professional Services- consulting company specialising in advising about use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.
4. Sector support- help small time property developers finance their projects
5. Business Support-financing and design firm that can help you improve and see if your idea will work and be profitable
6. Ancillary- time management service which helps you predict how long it should take to build your building and how to manage your time in terms of the projects
1. Procurement
ReplyDeleteCreate a company that specialises in the process of submitting plans into the council. They will work closely with the architect and client but will be in direct contact with the council to ensure a efficient and hopefully fast process.
2. Servicing
A company that has studied the harsh effects of coastal air on buildings. They will specialise in on-site visits for maintenance and cleaning to ensure a longevitiy of the building materials.
3.Proffesonal Services
A photograhic company that records the individual developments and presents a personal hardcover book of the stages and final product.
4. Sector Support
Allowing smaller building contractors the ability to advertise with a subsidised annual edition of eg. Property Sa to allow them to compete with larger firms.
5. Legal Services
Creating a company that specialises in legal assistance for workers without having to use the channel of the CCMA.
6. Ancillary Services
Create a new plumbing installation technique which does not allow the ability for people to vandalise and steal the piping for scrap metal.
Your photography idea is great - I think this has value even at the domestic renovation end of the market.
Delete1. Procurement - Design stable lifts for construction sites for workers to get up to the higher part of the building instead of those dodgy stairs.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - onsite "restroom" facilities, more hygienic and more efficient.
3. Professional services - company that hosts workshops for construction companies on working in a well-organized and competent way and introducing new technologies for this.
4. Sector support - Marketing business that gives green ideas to architecture companies for a cost-effective method of designing commercial property.
5. Business support - accounting firm working with town planners in a small town or peri-urban town, for achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense in that specific town.
6. Ancillary services - security company building secure systems on roofs of property (especially schools) to stop burglary.
ADNNAD002 Nadine Joy Adonis
1.Procurement - Scaffolding (A modern version that uses a lightweight plastic instead of planks as well as a lightweight but strong metal)
ReplyDelete2.Servicing - Glass cleaning (Involving magnetic strips that clean inside and out to remove the need to have someone outside on high-rise buildings)
3.Professional Services - Property specific Chartered Accountancy firm
4.Sector support - Retirement centre related marketing firm (Aimed specifically at those in their premium years, highly specialised)
5.Business support - Law firm dealing mainly in rentals
6.Ancillary services - Garden services (for estates, when signing contracts can specify that you may only use this particular company)
The glass cleaning idea is great.
Delete1. Procurement - A company employed to monitor the safety and health of the labourers to ensure sufficient and adequate work is done.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - A company that equips labourers to learn construction skills, as well as maintenance of machines skills.
3. Professional services - marketing campaigns reaching target markets to ensure success of the desired project.
4. Sector support - Accounting firm attached to the project, to keep contractors within budget and maintain profit margins.
5. Business support - Legal services easily acquired and at the contractors hands, as a result of labour, town council, or public issues.
6. Ancillary services - Security firm designated to certain projects to ensure safe-keeping of on site materials by order of on-site security, as well as monitored camera feedback.
1. Procurement - establishing storage systems for storage of machinery on site.
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - A company that is employed to ensure procedures are being followed by another company.
3. Professional services - Accountants ensuring budget constraints are met.
4. Sector support - aims to provide specialized economic services to priority sectors within the provincial and local economy.
5. Business support - Property management company dealing with lease agreements.
6. Ancillary services - Security company employed to ensure materials are safe guarded on site.
1.Procurement - To encorporate the Nano Revolution and change the way materials are produced(This is the future for product design and architectre, and gives birth to the ideas like self-cleaning windows and smog-eating concrete.)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Provide a new and imporoved formwork company that supplies formwork made from alluminium.( This will reduce the erection time, allow for practicallity, ease and allow for quicker project completion, ultimatelly reducing the costs.)
3. Professional Services - Provide a project specific consultancy firm. ( Property and construction consulatants will work hand in hand with the project manager to ensure that the project is an overall success.)
4. Sector Support - Temporary infrastructural management( Drainage and plumbing support, funded by the government to ensure uninteruppted operations around and on the site. This would include temporary staff housing and ablutions which would allow for quicker completion times, and accessability to the site.)
5. Business Support - Small time financing company ( Smaller listed company, funded by the banks to ensure that the construction industry is specifically monitered, and is given lower laon repayments, and has greater accessability to the money, using exisiting property as security for expropriation.)
6.Ancillary services - A didicated advertising company that is well established and only deals with property caompanies. They would be in charge of the regional advertising of property
Your procurement & servicing ideas are excellent - well done.
Delete1.Procurement - an accreditation body interested in critical analyses in the property and construction field, products, services, personnel. It grades companies and sets standards above that of government standards.
ReplyDelete2.Servicing - same as above
3.Professional Services - a team of specialise who deal with urbanization patterns assisting government while observing opportunity for property development.
4.Sector support – a group which helps to address the reform of old buildings into modern working environments (includes engineers, construction personnel, property developer etc).
5.Business support – a property financing company, to provide needed funds to registered professionals within the industry
The business idea around transforming old buildings into new work environments is excellent - well done.
DeleteNicholas Holton
ReplyDelete1. Procurement- Designs aimed at specifically maximising water retention from Roof or cover drainage. Minimising water waste and decreasing municipal water costs.
2.Servicing- A professional service that ensures clean and health regulation approved roof and drainage systems, ensuring that water retained is safe and healthy.
3. Professional- QS service that provides and ensures that property land is sloped and planned in a way that uses rain water efficiently and so that drained water is does not affect built structures. e.g corroding perimeter walls.
4. Sector support- Marketing, ensuring that consumers feel that they need to have self sufficient water storage systems rather than it just being a luxury. i.e same as "i-pod" example.
5. Business support- A government aided initiative that hepls to subsidise self sufficient water storage systems making it more affordable and serving as an alternative to the municipal water work problem of providing for all.
6. Ancillary Services- Contract construction completion service. Ensuring that buildings are clean and ready for hand-over to the customers.
I really liked your water related project ideas; well done.
Delete1.Procurement- Tools and equipment (design tools and equipment that make work more efficient and safer to use)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing- Maintainance ( Service and maintain capital inputs e.g cranes, caterpillars)
3. Professional services- Quantity surverying company that estimate construction costs
4. Sector support- financing company taht funds potential property developers
5. Business support- labour firm that deal with employment issues
6. Ancillary services- security services on site to prevent theft of equipment and tools
1. Procurement – Construction tools (design and making of day to day used tool for builders)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing – Waste disposal (collection and removal of construction waste in a more efficient way)
3. Professional services – Labour recruitment agency (supply of labourers for constructions sites)
4. Sector support – Property investment firm (make funds available for proposed developments)
5. Business support - Research and development (research and development of proposed development ideas)
6. Ancillary services – Property management firm (management and maintenance of exciting buildings)
Mfundo Bala (BLXMFU001)
1. Procurement - signage (the design and development of highly visible and durable safety orientated signage in order to increase the safety and functionality of a construction site)
ReplyDelete2. Servicing - Service engineer (offers the services of a mechanic to come and perform repairs, maintenance and servicing on your machinery and plants)
3. Professional services - Demolition company (assists with the demolition of buildings and structures in order to create space for new developments)
4. Sector support - Financial advisors (a financial advice company in order to monitor your finances and advise on whether certain decisions would be viable and advisable or not)
5. Business support - Consulting agency (provides companies with innovative management tools and guidance in order to achieve better efficeincy and greater success)
6. Ancillary services - on site ablutions (provides eco-friendly temporary and transportable ablutions for workers and staff on construction sites)