Ken Winch, FCSI
FROM
THE PRESIDENT |
FRIENDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Just recently I was enjoying an evening with friends; the company was excellent, the food good, and the wine flowed.
The evening passed with enjoyable conversation and great humour until the wine joined the discussion and collectively, we began to right all the wrongs of the world. We talked about the sadness of events throughout the world and which ranged from the wars in the Middle East, the famines of Africa and the Tsunami.
This led the conversation, almost naturally, to thoughts about our collective and individual attitudes and responsibilities in our personal, private and professional lives. As you might imagine these were broad, wide ranging, diverse, heated at times, extremely passionate all the time and serious. Thank goodness the good humour and friendship was maintained throughout.
A good time was had by all concerned and, needless to say, the only conclusion reached was that it was an enjoyable evening and that we had consumed too much wine. But, we looked forward to the next gathering, which would unquestionably follow the same format, and provide the same results. Some things never change it seems.
The following day was different; I felt alright but the question of responsibilities had impacted more than I might have expected and I began to reflect. In the process, my thoughts turned to work, and to consultancy in particular, and our personal and collective responsibilities to our chosen profession.
There is no doubt in my mind that our first responsibility is to our clients in providing them the best service and solutions whether that is concerned and management advice or design.
To achieve this, we need to constantly research and learn about thing new in the market. If I have a fear. It is that fees are being quoted low in a difficult marketplace and that some of us are unable or unwilling to afford this important task on a regular basis.
I understand and acknowledge that this does not apply to everyone but I hear much more frequently, on an international basis, that our colleagues are experiencing difficult times in some of our market sectors.
Akin to this, I also hear internationally, that our Allied Members have experienced difficulties in being able to meet with us, the consultants, and I believe that this is another symptom associated with low fees. Some others simply cannot afford to give up time and so a loop is created.
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What I am suggesting is that we have a responsibility to meet with the manufacturer representatives and listen and learn on behalf of our clients.
I am also suggesting that we have a responsibility to our clients and in turn, our Allied members, to provide the best solutions. Companies that are specialist in engineering systems such as ventilation, ware washing and refrigeration to name but a few, bring a whealth of experience and knowledge that benefit our client and, in the process, ourselves. We should not deny our clients this expertise.
This does not prevent competitive tender, providing the alternative companies are involved in the same way on other projects, and also that they understand that they will be required to bid when they are introduced to the project. Thus, they can decide whether to be involved. If they choose not to be, this should not prejudice their involvement in future projects.
Other discussions have taken place over specification substitutions and about the exclusion or non-preferential treatment given to Allied Members, all of whom support us and many of whom generously and regularly sponsor our conference events.
What is important, and another associated responsibility, is our Allied Members are provided with face-to-face meetings and they are treated fairly, with respect and integrity. This is no more than we expect in return from them or indeed in the relationship that we enjoy from our clients.
I am not suggesting that we now only specify our Allied Members' products at the expense of incorporating nonmember products that might be best suites to a project and which might be dictated by the client. It is important for consultancy to always be independent of the supply element of our industry and I would endorse the engraving of this strongly held principle of independence on my headstone.
Our Society has grown enormously and we have our own hard work and the support of our Allied Members to thank for having come this far in such a relatively short time. Our growth, development and importance in our industry will depend on our constant application and the continued support of our Allied Members.
I will look forward to this and my next gathering with friends who are a constant source of inspiration and enjoyment. I also hope that you will be able to share that friendship.
Ken Winch, FCSI
President
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