Wise Up Wednesday: Paying Into A Trade Body? – You Should Be Fuming Right Now!
If you are paying into a Trade Association you might want to ask yourself/them what the benefits are, and my guess is that one of those stated benefits will be “representation at government level” or “we work to improve the commercial environment for our members”.
Personally I think that’s a load of rubbish!
Firstly, what use is Trade Association “representation at government level” if it isn’t getting anywhere. Can you see the government intervening in any way to stop the scandal of late and non-payment or the insolvencies costing Specialist Contractors like you £millions? No, you can’t!
Secondly as regards the current commercial environment Contractors are dropping like flies and taking the supply chain for £millions. Former staff at failed £2.2bn turnover Contractor ISG have told Construction Enquirer that the firm “gamed” the government’s payment reporting system by paying all invoiices under £25,000 immediately.
But cash flow was so tight that ISG’s own staff were telling subcontractors to issue a 7 day notice of suspension and even then the subcontractors were not getting paid!
So What Are The Trade Associations Doing About It?
It is fairly apparent that Trade Associations generally and specifically Build UK and its Trade Association members are quite simply failing to protect Specialist Contractors.
Trade Association members should be outraged, because it’s once again clear evidence that your Trade Body is making no progress whatsoever.
In August 2018 (yes over 6 years ago!) Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE said: “… the leaders within the sector are serious about changing the way they do business.”
Clearly they aren’t and despite Trade Bodies trotting out this “things are changing” BS for years, nothing has changed!
Trade Associations should be absolutely incandescent with rage at the lack of progress because it is destroying Specialist Contractors by the day, and dismantling the industry one firm at a time.
But they aren’t. So why not?
If you are a Trade Association member I suggest you ask them!
I have asked them to engage with Streetwisesubbie.com and barring the odd one and it is literally one, they are not interested.
The offer to talk remains open, but in the meantime we are getting on with the job of protecting specialist Contractors.
We Previously Asked “Do You Need To Up The Ante?”
If you “up the ante”, you increase your demands or take a different course of action in a situation in order to achieve a better result.
So why not up the ante with your Trade Association too and demand that they make change happen, otherwise what’s the point of paying your membership fee?
Perhaps you might want to consider an alternative.
We Take Action And Deliver Results
As the old saying goes: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” So, why pay into an organisation that is doing just that?
Why not take a different course of action that provides so many other better alternatives?
Whether it’s getting paid, agreeing terms, or finding better opportunities and people to work for, or helping you with other aspects of your business, please feel free to give us a call on 01773 712116 or email info@streetwisesubbie.com
Finally, please remember that we are here to help solve your problems, so if you’re not sure what to do or just want a second opinion, please call our friendly team on 01773 712116, or email info@streetwisesubbie.com (please do not click reply to this email).
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