This conference focused on uniting architects and their built environment colleagues to identify the best retrofit and circular economy practices and discuss the transformational changes needed to see to an upgrade in the built environment in line with whole-life carbon principles.

Our UK team, including Business Development Manager Kalo Baychev, Sales Development Representative Anish Chand, and Customer Success Manager Paloma Alonso, proudly represented Total Synergy at the event. This year, The Architects’ Journal brought together two of its flagship events under one roof, creating an inspiring platform for retrofit and reuse professionals to champion positive change in the built environment. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with a diverse group of architects and industry professionals, all passionate about sustainable transformation. We were delighted that our valued clients, Pearce Bottomley Architects, also joined us for the event.

Kalo delivered an insightful presentation on how Synergy can provide architecture firms with a powerful business solution, helping them achieve greater visibility and control over their operations. He explained how Synergy supports architects in winning more of the work they want by streamlining project and business management.

In addition to our involvement, it was great to hear from other speakers in the Innovations and Solutions Showcase, who shared valuable insights and cutting-edge approaches to addressing challenges in the built environment. The variety of topics and fresh perspectives made the day truly inspiring.

As a special treat for attendees, Total Synergy ran a surprise giveaway, which was won by Sam Geoghegan from Blakeney Leigh Ltd. Congratulations to Sam, and we hope you enjoy your prize!

Thank you to The Architects’ Journal for organising such a fantastic event, and to everyone we connected with on the day.

Learn more about #AJRetrofitLive or Architects Journal

 

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Facing the Reality of Gender Equality

The lunch was framed by recent findings from IPSOS and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, which revealed some concerning perspectives in Australia:

• 30% of Australian men don’t believe that gender inequality really exists.
• 43% of Australians feel that when it comes to giving women equal rights with men, progress has gone far enough.
• 39% of Australians think that men are being expected to do too much to support equality.

These statistics highlight the ongoing challenges we face in achieving true gender equality. For us at Total Synergy, they underscore the importance of our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Insights from the Industry’s Leaders

At the event, Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International, introduced the ‘Gender Compass,’ a tool designed to help leaders identify where different groups stand on gender equality—from ‘Trailblazers’ and ‘Hopeful’ to the more resistant ‘Moderate, Conflicted, Indifferent, and Rejectors’. Understanding these perspectives is crucial for driving meaningful change.

Author David Leser also spoke at the event, emphasising the importance of engaging men in the conversation about gender equality. He reminded us that everyone has a role to play in ‘leading where we have a chance to lead,’ a sentiment that resonates deeply with the values we hold at Total Synergy.

To finish the event, Julian Connolly presented an award and spoke about how Total Synergy can assist engineering businesses with project management, highlighting our commitment to driving efficiency and innovation in the industry.

Our team at the event included Head of Sales, ANZ, Lisa Robertson, Global Head of Marketing, Lizzie Babarczy, Account Executive, Julian Connolly and Business Development Manager, Leonard Lynch, As the main sponsors, we were not just participants, but active supporters of the crucial discussions that took place.

 

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On 13th August 2024, Total Synergy participated in the Engineers Australia – Thought Leaders Series webinar, discussing how AE firms can utilise data-driven project management tools to optimise operations. Our speakers shared practical insights and real-world examples that highlight the transformative power of our platform.

How Total Synergy Empowers AE Firms:

During the webinar, Julian Connolly explained how our cutting-edge project management software empowers architecture and engineering consultants to elevate their operations by harnessing the power of data. He highlighted how the platform goes beyond just basic project reporting, enabling firms to tackle strategic initiatives and overcome challenges like incomplete data collection and ever-evolving client expectations. Julian emphasised that effective project management in the AE space isn’t just about managing individual projects; it’s about gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire business portfolio. He showcased how Total Synergy supports over 900 customers and 15,000 daily users in streamlining project management and billing processes. Our integration with Power BI and other essential tools empowers clients in the AEC sector to make smarter, data-driven decisions that enhance project profitability.

Client Success Story: BSE’s Experience with Total Synergy:

Jessica Chesser, National Operations Manager at BSE, also shared her firsthand experience with project management during the webinar. She stressed the indispensable role of data in guiding decisions at both the project and business levels. Jessica spoke candidly about the common challenges project managers face, such as navigating scope changes and ensuring that team capabilities are aligned with project requirements. She highlighted the significant impact that consistency in project management processes can have, explaining how BSE leverages Total Synergy to not only streamline operations but also to ensure that project outcomes are in sync with broader business strategies. Jessica also discussed how leveraging data can play a crucial role in mitigating risks and fostering stronger collaboration within teams.

Key Takeaways from the Q&A Session:

The Q&A session of the webinar covered a wide range of pertinent topics, including the importance of establishing a solid project baseline, best practices for managing risks, and the potential of AI to revolutionise project management. We also discussed the nuances of managing software versus non-software projects, the necessity of regularly updating risk management plans, and how Total Synergy’s integration with tools like SharePoint enhances document control and overall project efficiency.

Watch the webinar

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In this insightful on-demand webinar, Jonny Gray from ByltInsyte will guide you through the cutting-edge features of the Forecasting Dashboards within Synergy Analytics Plus, enabling you to make informed decisions and drive success.

Key Takeaways:

1. In-depth Analysis of Project Financials and Resource Planning: Learn how to harness comparative data between forecasted and actual figures to ensure accurate financial predictions and effective resource allocation.
2. Optimise Resource Allocation: Discover practical strategies to maximise resource utilisation, leading to enhanced project efficiency and overall success.
3. Proactive Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks before they impact your project’s timeline or budget, helping you maintain control throughout your project lifecycle.
4. Transforming Complex Data into Actionable Insights: Navigate through user-friendly, interactive dashboards to simplify your analytics experience and make informed strategic decisions.

Experience the transformative potential of Total Synergy’s Forecasting Dashboards. Access the on-demand webinar today and unlock the full potential of data-driven insights for your business.

 

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The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in Australia is rapidly evolving as advanced digital tools are integrated into workflows, transforming the way businesses operate and creating smarter work environments. Total Synergy, in partnership with Vectorworks, recently joined Architecture Today’s webinar to discuss the new methods and tools that streamline the design and delivery of complex projects. This collaboration showcased Total Synergy’s commitment to driving digital transformation and promoting smarter work practices within the AEC industry.

Total Synergy brought its expertise in practice management software to the table, demonstrating how its solutions enable businesses to optimise their operations, improve collaboration, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. In this webinar, Total Synergy shared valuable insights on the following topics:

1. Streamlining project workflows: By seamlessly integrating with various project management tools and design software, Total Synergy helps businesses optimise their workflows, reducing inefficiencies and improving overall productivity.
2. Enhancing collaboration and communication: With remote work becoming increasingly common, Total Synergy enables real-time collaboration among team members, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page throughout a project’s lifecycle.
3. Data-driven decision-making: Total Synergy’s advanced analytics capabilities empower businesses to make informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date project data.

The webinar provided an excellent platform for Total Synergy to demonstrate how its software solutions can help AEC firms navigate the rapidly changing industry landscape, encouraging smart working practices and fostering digital transformation. As Total Synergy continues to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions, the company remains at the forefront of revolutionising the way AEC businesses operate in Australia.

View the webinar.

 

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People Management through Data

During the webinar, Hadley emphasises  the significance of understanding employee utilisation rates, billing, and recovery. He pointed out, “A lot of time clients are struggling to get a good overview of utilisation rates with employees and how that flows onto billing. Even more crucial for business owners is [the aspect of] recovery.” This highlights the critical need for businesses to not just track but also analyse the efficiency of their workforce to enhance profitability.

The Role of Dashboards in Strategic Decision Making

Synergy People Dashboards are not merely about tracking metrics but are also pivotal in shaping strategic business decisions. As Hadley explains , “It’s understanding how jobs are set up, how non-billable times or non-utilised times are set up in a system, so staff are accurately reflecting what they’re doing on a day-to-day basis rather than just lumping it all against a job.” This precise data tracking aids in fine-tuning operational efficiencies and job profitability.

Utilisation and Recovery – The Core Metrics

Hadley points  out that utilisation and recovery are crucial metrics that must be accurately captured and analysed to ensure the financial health of a business. He noted, “There’s no point having your staff 100 per cent utilised billing 100 per cent of it if you’re not recovering any of it.” This insight stresses the importance of not just employee activity but also the effectiveness of that activity in terms of financial returns.

The Future of People Management

The People Dashboards offer a comprehensive overview of an organisation’s human resource utilisation, providing actionable insights that can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency. As Hadley sums up, “By utilising Power BI, you can straight away drill down further into those transactions to really understand what’s sitting behind, it rather than going ‘Oh, I’m going to have to go back and prepare another report.’”

In conclusion, the integration of Synergy People Dashboards into your strategic decision-making process can transform how you manage, utilise, and optimise your workforce. As demonstrated in the webinar, these tools are indispensable for businesses aiming to enhance their operational efficiency and profitability through better people management. Embracing these technologies will not only streamline processes but also support a culture of transparency and accountability within your organisation.

 

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