The BIG IDEAS Conference

You are invited to the BIG IDEAS Conference taking place on 26 February at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester City Centre. The event is aimed at decision makers in design and construction organisations and will highlight the key findings and practical outcomes of a government sponsored project which sought to bring a fresh perspective to competitiveness in the UK construction industry. The project was predicated on a feeling that the industry improvement agenda was becoming increasingly disconnected from the day-to-day challenges faced by firms in the construction sector. The research was aimed at bridging this gap and is based on extensive collaboration with industry. As a result of the research, we think we have new and challenging things to say about the way firms establish and maintain their competitive position. There will be a rich array of challenging ideas coupled with some evidence-based recommendations. Above all else, the day will challenge existing thinking, offer new approaches and stimulate debate. The onset of the current recession makes the underlying messages even more important than they were when the market was buoyant. Agenda: 09:30 Registration and Coffee 10:00 Chairman’s welcome and opening address. John Lorimer, Capital Programme Director, Manchester City Council 10:10 Understanding competitiveness and strategy: an overview. Stuart Green, University of Reading & Peter McDermott, University of Salford 10:35 Industry challenges: competitiveness in practice. Stephen Underwood, Director of Strategy Development, Kier Group plc 11:00 Enacting competitiveness: embeddedness and localised learning. Stuart Green & Graeme Larsen, University of Reading 11:30 Coffee 11:55 Competitive futures in construction. Andy Dainty & Chris Goodier, Loughborough University 12:15 Panel Discussion 12:55 Lunch 14:00 Tools for thinking: strategic support Simon Austin, Loughborough University 14:25 Modelling for decision support Brian Dangerfield, University of Salford 14:50 Reflections on application in practice. Stephen Underwood, Kier Group & Stuart Green, University of Reading 15:05 Panel discussion 15:30 Chairman’s closing remarks 15:45 Close Registration: To reserve a place at this event please contact Emma Looskin at emma.looskin@ccinw.com. There is no charge to attend, but please note that due to popularity, places are limited to 2 per company/organisation.