Quality Positive

In the executive chair with: Martin Searson

October 2, 2021
Quality Positive is delighted to have our CEO Martin Searson on the Construction
Magazine’s June 2021 Issue, page 38, Business Matters section, talking about
construction trends and his journey.

As CEO of Quality Positive Ltd, Martin Searson supports engineering and construction firms in developing operational processes, digitalisation strategies and management systems. With over 20 years of M&E industry knowledge and a background in BioPharmaceuticals, Searson has been chair of the CIF’s Modern Methods of Construction – Working Group since May 202 CEO of quality positive Best advice you’ve been given?

 

I was told by my great mentor Noel that ‘everything is possible’. There’s a solution for everything, you need to go find it or come up with it yourself. When I was 15 or 16 on a construction site I was told ‘knowledge is power’ and that stuck with me. It’s more relevant now with the amount of data, information and analysis going on. Data is the new liquid gold when captured and fed back. My gran also said ‘life is one damn thing after another so enjoy each day as it comes’.

What project are you most excited by?

We are working with a well-known main contractor developing their Lean Construction journey. They have a great culture and people, which they are looking to develop to the next level of Lean Maturity as part of a four-year roadmap. We are also working with an M&E specialist to automate their operational processes, so they can also leverage ‘big data’ and streamline their operations and QA/QC management to deliver consistent outcomes.

 

 

What industry trends are you noticing?

Off-site manufacturing, increased digitalisation and sustainable construction against the short to medium term backdrop of market constraints such as labour and material shortages. Innovative approaches are needed to increase efficiencies and leverage competitive advantage as clients move more towards lean, green and digital solutions. This will be a disruptor in the near future, as companies innovate further, costs of building off-site reduce in controlled environments, coupled with the support of educational research. Sustainable construction and the circular economy is gaining momentum too. Mindset and thinking will flip more towards the value of construction waste in terms of its reuse, repair and repurposing. Ireland still has work to do to get there before other leading engineering and construction countries.

Who’s impressing you right now?
It’s all about staying true to core values and processes in the long-term. Companies bringing new ideas to the table are Sisk, Mercury Engineering, Jones Engineering, Walls Construction, Gaga Muller Group, CJK Engineering, Kirby Group, EIDA Solutions, Linesight, RKD Architects, DCT Group, Vision Built, Modular Homes Ireland to name a few.


What technology are you embracing?
We are currently working with Kianda Technologies software to digitalise a client’s Quality, HR and EHS processes, particularly around repetitive tasks like annual performance reviews, field quality control inspections, BCAR 2014 walkdowns and project QEHS audits. We are automating their payroll to link direc tly with the finance module. We are also developing our own digital solutions for periodic inspections and Lean Construction tools. All companies should be looking at their current data capturing and analysis to see where the value is and what’s driving key decisions.


How do you approach long-term planning & strategy?

Weekly task planning is key for all projects. Risk-based thinking helps realise strategic objectives at all levels. Jimmy Kirby and the Kirby Group Engineering directors taught me this. As Warren Buffett says ‘risk comes from not knowing what you are doing’. Planning is critical and allow yourself a 10 to 20 per cent buffer to cover the unknown.



Lessons from your biggest mistake?

I was on a building site one summer in the early 1990s as a general operative working on the Tallaght Hospital project. I leaned against a wall, which had only just been put up by the bricklayer. It toppled over. The electrician shouted at me to run – an angry builder was coming for me! How I escaped alive I don’t know, they were paid by the brick back then. I put it down to learning and being careful what you touch on site. To this day that story still stays with me as a lesson in the art of craftsmanship and respect.



Who’s your role model?
There are many industry leaders and trailblazers but my two original mentors, Noel and Jack, still stand out. At present, the work that Felipe Engineer-Manriquez and Jason Schroeder are doing in terms of Lean Construction and driving operational excellence. Clients that push the boundaries of possibility and the young savvy engineers coming through with their level of digital knowledge impresses me.


Book or podcast recommendations?
Johnny Sexton’s Becoming a Lion – it’s great to get an insight into how high-performance people perform in adversarial, pressurised environments. Also the work of Felipe Engineer-Manriquez, from his EBFC Show, about making building easier and better.


What’s your passion outside of work?
Rugby having played for years (not at any great level!) but I’ve made great friends. I was kit manager for the Leinster U20 and Ireland U19 teams from 2000-2008 while working full-time on site. It was a fantastic opportunity to work with stars like Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Keith Earls. I had a great tutor in the wonderful Paddy ‘Rala’ O’Reilly, current Lions kit manager, and in the Ireland U21 kit manager Colin Philips. Two great guys. I’m now coaching U9 Mini Rugby as my youngest son enjoys his rugby and has fun, which is what it’s all about.

As CEO of Quality Positive Ltd, Martin Searson supports engineering and construction firms in developing operational processes, digitalisation strategies and management systems. With over 20 years of M&E industry knowledge and a background in BioPharmaceuticals, Searson has been chair of the CIF’s Modern Methods of Construction – Working Group since May 202 CEO of quality positive Best advice you’ve been given?

 

I was told by my great mentor Noel that ‘everything is possible’. There’s a solution for everything, you need to go find it or come up with it yourself. When I was 15 or 16 on a construction site I was told ‘knowledge is power’ and that stuck with me. It’s more relevant now with the amount of data, information and analysis going on. Data is the new liquid gold when captured and fed back. My gran also said ‘life is one damn thing after another so enjoy each day as it comes’.

Who’s impressing you right now?
It’s all about staying true to core values and processes in the long-term. Companies bringing new ideas to the table are Sisk, Mercury Engineering, Jones Engineering, Walls Construction, Gaga Muller Group, CJK Engineering, Kirby Group, EIDA Solutions, Linesight, RKD Architects, DCT Group, Vision Built, Modular Homes Ireland to name a few.


What technology are you embracing?
We are currently working with Kianda Technologies software to digitalise a client’s Quality, HR and EHS processes, particularly around repetitive tasks like annual performance reviews, field quality control inspections, BCAR 2014 walkdowns and project QEHS audits. We are automating their payroll to link direc tly with the finance module. We are also developing our own digital solutions for periodic inspections and Lean Construction tools. All companies should be looking at their current data capturing and analysis to see where the value is and what’s driving key decisions.


How do you approach long-term planning & strategy?
Weekly task planning is key for all projects. Risk-based thinking helps realise strategic objectives at all levels. Jimmy Kirby and the Kirby Group Engineering directors taught me this. As Warren Buffett says ‘risk comes from not knowing what you are doing’. Planning is critical and allow yourself a 10 to 20 per cent buffer to cover the unknown.


Lessons from your biggest mistake?
I was on a building site one summer in the early 1990s as a general operative working on the Tallaght Hospital project. I leaned against a wall, which had only just been put up by the bricklayer. It toppled over. The electrician shouted at me to run – an angry builder was coming for me! How I escaped alive I don’t know, they were paid by the brick back then. I put it down to learning and being careful what you touch on site. To this day that story still stays with me as a lesson in the art of craftsmanship and respect.


Who’s your role model?
There are many industry leaders and trailblazers but my two original mentors, Noel and Jack, still stand out. At present, the work that Felipe Engineer-Manriquez and Jason Schroeder are doing in terms of Lean Construction and driving operational excellence. Clients that push the boundaries of possibility and the young savvy engineers coming through with their level of digital knowledge impresses me.


Book or podcast recommendations?
Johnny Sexton’s Becoming a Lion – it’s great to get an insight into how high-performance people perform in adversarial, pressurised environments. Also the work of Felipe Engineer-Manriquez, from his EBFC Show, about making building easier and better.


What’s your passion outside of work?
Rugby having played for years (not at any great level!) but I’ve made great friends. I was kit manager for the Leinster U20 and Ireland U19 teams from 2000-2008 while working full-time on site. It was a fantastic opportunity to work with stars like Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Keith Earls. I had a great tutor in the wonderful Paddy ‘Rala’ O’Reilly, current Lions kit manager, and in the Ireland U21 kit manager Colin Philips. Two great guys. I’m now coaching U9 Mini Rugby as my youngest son enjoys his rugby and has fun, which is what it’s all about.
What project are you most excited by?
We are working with a well-known main contractor developing their Lean Construction journey. They have a great culture and people, which they are looking to develop to the next level of Lean Maturity as part of a four-year roadmap. We are also working with an M&E specialist to automate their operational processes, so they can also leverage ‘big data’ and streamline their operations and QA/QC management to deliver consistent outcomes.


What industry trends are you noticing?
Off-site manufacturing, increased digitalisation and sustainable construction against the short to medium term backdrop of market constraints such as labour and material shortages. Innovative approaches are needed to increase efficiencies and leverage competitive advantage as clients move more towards lean, green and digital solutions. This will be a disruptor in the near future, as companies innovate further, costs of building off-site reduce in controlled environments, coupled with the support of educational research. Sustainable construction and the circular economy is gaining momentum too. Mindset and thinking will flip more towards the value of construction waste in terms of its reuse, repair and repurposing. Ireland still has work to do to get there before other leading engineering and construction countries.

4,002 thoughts on “In the executive chair with: Martin Searson”

  4. pharmacy online

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up?

    I’m assuming having a blog like yours would
    cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

  10. www.all-slots-casino.link/

    Todos os dias, milhares de pessoas ao redor do mundo apostam em cassinos https://all-slots-casino.link/ e lojas de apostas e tentam sua sorte na loteria. Os usuários da Internet buscam slots de vídeo seguros e sites de apostas esportivas, tentam entender as regras dos cassinos, fazem perguntas uns aos outros sobre bônus e compartilham dicas sobre como fazer uma grande pontuação. Até agora, não havia um único lugar na Internet para essas pessoas. Agora existe um. Um portal de informação e entretenimento criado para reunir os amantes do jogo

  14. online pharmacies

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering problems with your site.
    It appears like some of the written text in your posts are
    running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?

    This might be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this
    happen previously. Thanks

  16. https://melanieinbkk.com/regions/Discreet-apartments-in-Ashkelon.php

    סוג של עבודת גוף יפנית, עיסוי שיאצו כולל לחץ מקומי באמצעות אצבעות המטפל
    (או לפעמים הידיים והמרפקים), המופעל ברצף קצבי לאורך הגוף.
    עיסוי רקמות עמוק הוא עיסוי טיפולי
    ממוקד המכוון לקשרי שריר ואזורי בעיה ספציפיים בשכבות העמוקות יותר של רקמת השריר והחיבור.
    בעזרת קרם או שמן, המעסה
    מתחיל בדרך כלל בעיסוי
    כללי ואז עובר לעיסוי באזורים ספציפיים ובעייתיים כדי
    לטפל בהם. אמנם נכון שלחץ של רקמות
    עמוקות הוא בדרך כלל חזק יותר מזה של עיסוי שוודי, אבל זה לא חייב להיות כואב כדי
    להיות יעיל. אם יש לך מצבים רפואיים מסוימים כגון לחץ דם גבוה, סוכרת, מחלות לב או דליות, עליך לפנות לרופא אם אתה מתכוון לקבל עיסוי באבנים חמות.
    הוא יעיל לטיפול בפציעות לחץ חוזרות
    ונשנות, כגון “מרפק טניס” או תסמונת התעלה הקרפלית.
    אם אתם לא יכולים להגיע לטיפול בקליניקה,
    או שפשוט יותר נעים לכם בפרטיות של הבית,
    הבטיחו לעצמכם את העיסוי בפתח
    תקווה עד הבית שאתם רוצים, עם מיטב המטפלים בתחום.

    כמה מחקרים הראו כי שיאצו עשוי להיות יעיל לטיפול בכאב, בחילות ונדודי שינה.
    כמו כן, הוכח כי חום מרפה שרירים תפוסים, כך שהאבנים
    החמות מאפשרות למטפל להקל על
    אזורי מתח שרירים במהירות. שיאצו נעשה בדרך כלל על
    מחצלת על הרצפה או על שולחן עיסוי נמוך
    ומשמש לעתים קרובות להפחתת לחץ, ולהגנה מפני
    בעיות בריאות הקשורות למתח.

    my site … https://melanieinbkk.com/regions/Discreet-apartments-in-Ashkelon.php

  17. https://sailing-mates.com/categor/Discreet-apartments-in-Tel-Aviv.php

    באופן טבעי, עיסוי ארוטי, על אף היותם טיפולים מקצועיים שבהחלט מביאים להקלה
    על הגוף והנפש, הם כאלו שאנשים לא נוטים להתייעץ לגביהם עם חברים או בני משפחה וזה משהו שיכול להפוך את האיתור
    של עיסוי ארוטי בחדרה למעט מורכב יותר.
    באופן טבעי, עיסוי ארוטי, על אף היותם
    טיפולים מקצועיים שבהחלט מביאים להקלה על הגוף והנפש, הם כאלו שאנשים לא
    נוטים להתייעץ לגביהם עם חברים או בני משפחה וזה משהו שיכול להפוך את האיתור של עיסוי ארוטי בנתניה למעט מורכב יותר.
    העיסוי התאילנדי בחדרה – הינו עיסוי ביבש שמתבצע לרוב
    על המזרון (אפשר גם על מיטת טיפולים) .
    מסיבת רווקות לופטים בראשון לציון -מה מציעים לנו
    הסוויטות, הוילות, הפנטהאוז שמארחים למסיבת רווקות, לרוב נמצא ג’קוזי ענק או בריכה גדולה, פינות ישיבה מרווחות,
    קריוקי, חשפנים, הפעלות למיניהם.
    גם נערות ליווי חמות להפליא זמינות בחיפה או באילת,
    דירות דיסקרטיות בבת ים או ראשון לציון יכולות להיות הבחירה הנכונה עבורך.

    מי שמחפש עיסויים מפנקים בחדרה המשלבים
    פינוק וייחודיות ללא ספק צריך לבחור או לפחות לנסות פעם אחת עיסוי אבנים חמות.

    Here is my web site https://sailing-mates.com/categor/Discreet-apartments-in-Tel-Aviv.php

  18. https://pinkstardiamondclub.com/city/Discreet-apartments-in-the-north.php

    כמו כן, יש קורסי בחירה וסמינריונים,
    ובהתאם למכללה בה לומדים יש גם קליניקות משפטיות המאפשרות לסטודנטים להתנסות בעבודה המעשית של עורכי דין
    ולרכוש ניסיון, ידע וכלים חשובים.
    יש לי קליניקות בבאר שבע ובשדרות, ויש אפשרות לביקור בית בערים אלו לאנשים שמוגבלים בניידות.
    יש לבצע בין 2-3 טיפולים של דליפת
    שתן לאחר הריונות ללא ניתוח באר שבע או בערים
    השונות בארץ. על מנת שתוכלו ליהנות מתוצאות
    טובות של טיפולי דליפת שתן לאחר הריונות ללא ניתוח
    באר שבע, מומלץ לפנות לקליניקות
    מוכרות הנמצאות תחת פיקוח רופא.
    קיימים אינספור סוגים של עיסויים, למעלה
    מ- 70, לכן מומלץ להתייעץ עם מעסה או רופא לפני שבוחרים את סגנון עיסוי בת ים הנכון ביותר עבורנו.
    מגוון של טיפולים יאפשר לקבל את הטוב
    ביותר עבורכם: עיסוי שוודי בבת ים,
    עיסוי רקמות עמוק בבת ים, עיסוי משולב בבת ים, עיסוי
    רפואי בבת ים, עיסוי לנשים בהיריון בבת
    ים ועיסוי אחרי לידה בבת ים. 50 דקות של עיסוי שוודי ועיסוי
    ספורטיבי מפנק! עיסוי מפנק ברמת הגולן לגוף והנפש, משחרר מתח,
    רגשות שליליים וגירוי, שהם המלווים המחייבים כמעט של
    כל האנשים בעולם הנוכחי.

    עיסוי אירוטי בקריות נותן לגוף
    שלך את מה שכל כך נדרש. המטרה היא
    כמובן שכל אורח יחווה את חווית הפינוק במלואה, ולא
    יתפשר על דבר. אני רוצה שכל
    אחד ואחת יוכל ליהנות מפתרון הכי יעיל
    למצבו אישי.

    Look at my blog: https://pinkstardiamondclub.com/city/Discreet-apartments-in-the-north.php