All articles by Richard Steer – Page 9
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NewsFrom 2008 to 2012: a legacy of goodwill
London must follow Beijing in making the most of the Olympic opportunity to shine in the world's gaze
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NewsThese Games are China's serious chance to shine
For Beijing, the 2008 Olympics are simply a colossal and consummate marketing exercise, unparalleled in scale, spectacle, cost - and control
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CommentIt’ s like deja vu all over again
The recent glut of bad news has made every headline going and sent the industry into blind panic. But we’ve been here many times before, says Richard Steer, so what did we expect …
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CommentTime to plot a new course?
If the UK economy continues to stutter, maybe you should consider taking your skills to Europe’s emerging economies
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CommentA brave face
We don’t have to pretend that things are better than they are, but if we want to boost people’s confidence in our industry, we should go easy on the handwringing
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CommentWhat a relief
It may look like fiddling while Rome burns but the tax measures in last month’s Budget may actually get our industry to become a bit more eco-conscious
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FeaturesRichard Steer on Mipim
Two years ago Richard Steer wrote in these pages that Mipim was a waste of time, energy and perfectly good booze. This year, he’s quite looking forward to it, thanks for asking. So, what changed?
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CommentDo the right thing
Pursuing the bottom line at any cost is a quick route to extinction in today’s business world. It’s time we all embraced the new era of corporate responsibility, says Richard Steer
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CommentCorporate bloat
Some companies’ merger strategies are little more than an attempt to puff themselves up and appease the egotism of senior management. So, if you get the urge, ask yourself whether your purchase is really necessary
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CommentOurTube: Inside Gleeds TV
So what happens when a bunch of construction consultants suddenly find themselves running a television station. And why would they ever want to?
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CommentPass the parcel
When partnering was introduced, contractors tended to get landed with most of a project’s risk. In these days of high demand, they’re trying to pass it back to clients. But is that a good strategy?
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CommentThe zero game
We need to reach an understanding of what we mean by a zero-carbon home. Until then, the debate will continue to be governed by politics and hot air
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CommentHere’s the pitch
Our industry will never have the skills or resources to communicate to a mass audience in the way of a great film director like Sydney Pollack, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a trick or two ...
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CommentYoung blood
Other professions may be more appealing to children, but they don’t all have their own GCSE or conduct multimillion-pound projects on school premises. It’s time construction made these factors count
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CommentGekko redux
Back in the eighties, Hollywood’s apotheosis of the cynical, sleazy financier had a real-life counterpart in the contractors who used new procurement systems to fleece hapless clients. And now they’re coming back …
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CommentActually, we can handle the truth
The government is still not prepared to admit the real cost of the Olympics, but treating us like children and hoping that nobody will notice when it creeps towards £12bn is asking for trouble
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CommentApocalypse cow
The only way we can save humanity from climate change is if we all pull together. But that’s not likely if bankers keep insisting on aircon, hedge funds keep looking for profit and cows keep … doing what cows do
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News
Isn’t it time for a little bit of discrimination?
Allowing overseas project managers and QSs to stay in the UK would be a surefire way of bridging Britain’s talent Gap
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CommentCultural revolution II
The eco-city being planned by Arup outside Shanghai sounds like a publicity stunt. But it’s not. It’s an audacious attempt to change the world
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CommentFun, frolics and self-immolation
Richard Steer offers season’s greetings to you all, and hopes your office party doesn’t finish up in the Sunday papers, A&E or, indeed, the High Court