WOMEN IN INDUSTRY: VISQUEEN “
There is a significant gap in the number of men in technical roles vs. women but I do also feel that we are in a time of change.
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“Merchants are an extended sales partner and play an important role in helping us secure our specifications in the market.” Says Rehman “The biggest challenge for me so far has been developing the new CRM system and putting in place business processes to support how we log specifications and track our projects on the market but we’ve also achieved sales of £9.9m in the southern region in the last financial year, 26% above budget for the region. So it was worth it.”
They all agree that the merchant and construction industry is the best they have known: “I genuinely love it.” Beveridge says, “The diversity of the industry makes it the best. You don’t know from one day to the next what projects you will be asked to be involved with or what challenges you may face on that day.” “You could be in a branch dealing with a pricing inquiry one day and then at an exhibition dinner the next, networking over a glass of wine or two,” adds Guy.
Stainton says, “I would miss the sector if I were to ever move away from it. The connections and relationships that you develop with people last the test of time and can be transferred to any role and any employer. People within construction and merchants are loyal if you give them 100% and this makes the sector a real joy.”
Gender gap
Thoughts of the four on the gender gap within the industry are interestingly different. Rehman says “I don’t believe I’ve experienced any issues in the industry. However I think there is probably a pay gap between men and women.”
“There is still a significant gap in the number of men in technical roles and high-up vs. women but I do also feel that we are in a time of change.” Beveridge points out. “The perception is the construction industry is a ‘male-dominated’ industry and I think this puts a lot of women off. With that attitude it always will be. I would like to see our young women encouraged to take technical roles, through education in schools and colleges, this would encourage them to join the industry without it being promoted at an early age as a ‘male’ industry.”
Guy concurs, “Whilst I haven’t experienced issues personally, I’ve heard that sometimes a woman turning up on site to show the builder, who’s been doing it his way for 20 years, how to do something correctly, can be slightly challenging. That said, I think as long as you know your stuff, you’ll be respected regardless of whether you’re male or female. We need to eradicate this preconception that construction
= hard-hat-wearing builders. There is so much diversity in job roles in the industry and I have noticed more women within it in just 4 years.” “I’m passionate about equality and don’t ever want anyone to not be themselves with me just because I’m female.” says Stainton. “The issues only occur when people in the industry think that I want to be treated differently. I’m not delicate. I’m happy to be treated in the same way as any male in the industry. I feel that women would have to really want to work in construction for them to truly enjoy the sector. But stories such as ours, where we have all come from different backgrounds, should help to spread the word that this is a viable and exciting career.” BMJ
People management has been the biggest challenge so far. Purely because everyone is so different and you have to find the most effective way of managing everyone to the best of their and your ability.
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Advice to someone looking to start a similar role in the industry:
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Manage your time effectively and prioritise relationship building.
Get to know your customer base and understand their differences.
Take your role seriously, enjoy your fantastic customers, be brave and never stop pushing for success!
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Always aim high and always believe in yourself.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2018
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