Just a Minute Interview with Scottish Construction Now
FROM SCOTTISH CONSTRUCTION NOW
Name: Yosof Ewing
Position: Managing Director
How did you get started in the industry? I used to visit sites with my dad in the good old days. After leaving school I started as a Site Engineer who had the added responsibility of keeping the site within budget. My move into Commercial Management and subsequently other professional fields has occurred over the period of my career, you could call it CPD.
Was it something you always wanted to do? Not initially, I wanted to be in the music industry. However that only progressed as far as being a DJ, happy days. Now however I have a deep affection for the industry and enjoy working in construction immensely, although I still enjoy a song from time to time.
Your biggest professional achievement: Establishing my own Consultancy Practice, it's called ConstructPRO Ltd.
Your biggest mistake: Staying in contracting too long, not that good for the hair style!
Best advice you received: It costs nothing to be nice and honesty is the best policy.
Does your job give you a sense of well-being? Yes, now I am no longer in the grind of contracting I can think more clearly and can define my future career path with more emphasis on work - life balance which I believe is fundamental to business success – too much work leads to stress and I am sure you know the rest of that one…
What you would most like to change in construction? The view Clients and Civils Contractors have of each other is my current project, albeit it might take a while. Its simple, agree the whole of the contract at the start and keep records of everything as it happens. These days time is against everyone and design mistakes and delays with information are more prevalent, however nobody wants to take ownership which ultimately leads to conflict during construction – we hope to make this scenario a thing of the past.
Best thing to happen to the industry in the past decade? The massive increase in apprentices joining our industry. Great news for the future, however I also believe that in these days of Age Discrimination Laws why on earth we can't abolish age restrictions for apprentices, there are countless individuals from other sectors who would jump at the chance to join our industry but get no support. I think it is a real waste of potential talent.
Do you read a daily newspaper? Yes, The Courier, The Scotsman and Scottish Construction Now of course.
Are you making more use of the internet? As a self confessed IT Junkie I use the internet on a large scale and spend a great deal of my working life convincing Clients of the benefits of e trading.
Hobbies and interests: Music, Reading , Cycling, Computing / Learning Programmes and Travelling.
Favourite holiday destination? Hong Kong or anywhere in the Far East .
Favourite band/music? To be honest I don't really have a favourite band, my IPod has virtually everything on it, however if I have to answer I would say somebody like U2 or Coldplay.
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