All articles by Richard Steer – Page 7
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CommentHold your nerve
When appearance is everything, taking work at any price becomes a tempting but risky solution. But signs of recovery suggest there’s no need to panic, says Richard Steer
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CommentGuess who came for dinner?
Richard Steer was tired of shouting at the business secretary every time he appeared on his TV screen, so instead he invited him over for a bit of a chat …
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CommentWhat’s going on?
The ’resurgence in construction activity’ is proving difficult to detect in the real world. And even if growth does take off, it’ll be a long time before we feel the benefit
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CommentNot with a bang but a whimper
We’re fighting our corner with all the eloquence and ferocity of a strangled budgie, and as yet more thousands are laid off, no one is there to so much as protest at our fate, says Richard Steer
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CommentBSF collapse: Acrimony, angst and anger
The collapse of Building Schools for the Future has left a lot of bad feeling, but in some ways the programme deserved to die - and we now have the chance to do it better
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CommentRichard Steer on Aecom's takeover of Davis Langdon
What does the takeover mean for the UK cost consultants who value their independence?
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CommentBudget could have been worse
At least there are people within the coalition who realise how vital our industry is to the UK economy
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CommentWe don’t want a wossy
The RICS’ new chief executive will take home £33,000 a month, thanks in part to the institution’s QS members. Here, Richard Steer spells out what he needs to do to earn it
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CommentWonders & blunders
Richard Steer is staggered by an extraordinary structure built for the last Olympics, but is worried that London’s efforts will be blighted by its industrial past
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CommentRichard Steer: Where in the world are consultants going?
Spare a thought for Britain’s poor consultants as they fall victim to rich Americans. And spare a thought for the Americans as they tremble at the rise of Chinese power …
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CommentA wiser course for busy fools
When times are desperate, there’s a temptation to grab anything that might boost our turnover. The game now should be to prepare for the upturn and increase margins
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CommentEnd this crisis by Christmas: Richard Steer on the RICS
The RICS has to sort out the mess it’s made, or rumours of a breakaway group are bound to resurface
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CommentBuyer beware: Richard Steer on low bidding by QSs
The trend of low bidding by quantity surveyors is unsustainable for those who do it, will harm the profession in the long run and offers a poor service to the client
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CommentThe fall guys: Richard Steer on the challenges ahead
So we tumbled off the cliff. But, to look on the bright side, we survived. The task now is to identify what challenges we are likely to face on the long climb back up
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CommentWhen is a duck an albatross?
Davis Langdon’s recent purchase of architect DEGW may mark another mutation in the DNA of cost managers. But there are reasons to think it will be a problematic one
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CommentBoyle's law
A certain Scottish singer is not the only thing that has captivated the Americans in recent times – mid-sized UK quantity surveying firms are also finding favour
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CommentDiminishing returns
Most of the major consultants have now announced pay cuts of between 7% and 20%. Richard Steer explains why this option is the best of a bad bunch
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CommentAbout time, too
It may not float everyone’s boat, but the arrival (finally) of fresh QS Rules of Measurement is pretty exciting for cost managers. And they’re looking good, says Richard Steer
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CommentDefeats, green shoots and fees
It’s tough out there and firms are holding their cards close to their chests and their cash even closer. But the important thing is not to panic and take it one day at a time
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CommentBrace yourselves
2008 was horrible and all the indications are that 2009 will be even worse. Richard Steer tries to muster a little optimism for the year ahead