In this week's episode, we are speaking with James Warren from UK Drainage Professionals!  

Across the three parts of this episode, we are discussing everything off-mains drainage, the basics, the legislation, and the key things to look out for.   

James is incredibly passionate about off-mains drainage, its impact on the environment, and helping people to really understand a quite complicated and less common topic. James has an enthusiasm that you can't help get energised by.   

James's experience has been gained in both the insurance and drainage industries. He started his career working in claims management for the UK’s largest insurer, before moving into the drainage industry in which he had the opportunity to combine both skills. James is our expert on anything from repair scopes to assessing insurance cover.   

In Part 1 of this episode, we start with an overview of off-mains drainage:   

🏘️ How many properties are off-mains drainage in the UK  

🪣 The differences and costs of septic tanks and sewerage treatment  

⚖️ Who is responsible for reporting on drainage in a property sale  

💦 Complexities of maintenance with shared off-mains drainage or drainage located on third party land  

🌍 The potential environmental impacts of off-mains drainage

In PART 3, of this week's episode with Jen Lemen, we're discussing how to prepare for the APC, passing professional exams and common mistakes in the process.  

Across the three parts of this episode, we are discussing routes into the surveying industry, the benefits of the different qualifications and understanding what types of work you can take on.   

Jen Lemen is a co-founder of Property Elite, Chartered Surveyor and RICS APC assessor. She is the author of 'How to Become a Chartered Surveyor', published by Routledge.   

Jen has extensive experience in providing training services to students, RICS AssocRICS, APC and FRICS candidates and corporate clients, together with academic experience as a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, External Examiner at the University of Westminster and Associate Tutor at the University College of Estate Management. Her RICS assessment experience includes sitting on final APC interview panels, APC appeal panels and being a lead APC preliminary review assessor.  

In part 3, we discuss:  

📗 Jen's new book on mandatory competencies, which will provide a comprehensive knowledge base for candidates.

📝 Importance of making notes during CPD activities to build your own knowledge base

📚 Jen's experience with distance learning while working full-time 💭 Common interview mistakes and how to improve

🥸 Improving your test preparations

In PART 2, of this week's episode with Jen Lemen, we're discussing how to support candidates, mentor new surveyors and prepare people for examinations.

Across the three parts of this episode, we are discussing routes into the surveying industry, the benefits of the different qualifications and understanding what types of work you can take on.

Jen Lemen is a co-founder of Property Elite, Chartered Surveyor and RICS APC assessor. She is the author of 'How to Become a Chartered Surveyor', published by Routledge.

Jen has extensive experience in providing training services to students, RICS AssocRICS, APC and FRICS candidates and corporate clients, together with academic experience as a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, External Examiner at the University of Westminster and Associate Tutor at the University College of Estate Management. Her RICS assessment experience includes sitting on final APC interview panels, APC appeal panels and being a lead APC preliminary review assessor.

In part 2, we discuss:

🧑‍🏫 The importance of education, communication, and support for candidates going through the APC process.

🫶 Resources from the RICS to help set up internal training schemes and provide necessary support to candidates.

🌱 How new surveyors can move from Level 2 to Level 3 work and ensure competency

👥 If firms can provide shadowing opportunities

In this week's episode, we are speaking with Jen Lemen from Property Elite.

Across the three parts of this episode, we are discussing routes into the surveying industry, the benefits of the different qualifications and understanding what types of work you can take on.

Jen Lemen is a co-founder of Property Elite, Chartered Surveyor and RICS APC assessor. She is the author of 'How to Become a Chartered Surveyor', published by Routledge.

Jen has extensive experience in providing training services to students, RICS AssocRICS, APC and FRICS candidates and corporate clients, together with academic experience as a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, External Examiner at the University of Westminster and Associate Tutor at the University College of Estate Management. Her RICS assessment experience includes sitting on final APC interview panels, APC appeal panels and being a lead APC preliminary review assessor.

In Part 1 of this episode, we're talking everything surveyor career paths and routes to entry.

We discuss:

📊 The changing landscape of surveying

🛣️ The importance of understanding the different routes into the surveying industry

🎓 RICS-accredited degree courses, apprenticeships, and experience-based routes

👷‍♀️ What types of work you can carry out as an AssocRICS

💼 Career progression in surveying

In PART 3 with Marion Ellis, we're discussing how to position your business for better success.

Across the three parts we discuss relatability and approachability and how these can be the keys to a successful surveying business.

Marion has over 20 years of experience in the residential property sector and has seen the profession from every side with a focus in much of her career on customer complaints and claims.

In Part 3 we discuss:

⚽ Business viability, cash flow management, and personal success goals for surveyors

📝 Auditing your time usage to identify inefficiencies

⭐ Reviews and social proof for businesses

📣 Understanding customer feedback to improve

📆 The importance of consistently taking time out for planning

🔨 Breaking tasks into manageable tasks and prioritising

In PART 2 with Marion Ellis, we're discussing how understanding your customers can help you provide much better reports.

Across the three parts we discuss relatability and approachability and how these can be the keys to a successful surveying business.

Marion has over 20 years of experience in the residential property sector and has seen the profession from every side with a focus in much of her career on customer complaints and claims.

In part 2, we're discussing how understanding your customers can help you provide much better reports. We cover:

🤝 The importance of communication and understanding between surveyor and client

🫶 Understanding client concerns and being supportive of them

👟 Being able to put yourself in your clients' shoes

🤲 Providing a consultative approach, not a sales pitch

🥳 The importance of enjoying your work

💶 Understanding how to price your services to deliver quality reports

In this week's episode we are speaking with Marion Ellis from Love Surveying.

Across the three parts we discuss relatability and approachability and how these can be the keys to a successful surveying business.

Marion has over 20 years of experience in the residential property sector and has seen the profession from every side with a focus in much of her career on customer complaints and claims.

In Part 1 of this episode we're looking at how being relatable and approachable can help you prevent claims. We discuss:

🏡 The importance of understanding  the home buying and selling process

👩‍🏫 Marion's experience of transitioning from corporate to coaching

☎️ How approachability and relatability result in better communication

😱 The challenges and fears of surveyors

🙋 The importance of asking questions and seeking help

😡 Understanding a complaint is usually due to a number of issues

👂 The importance of empathy and understanding when dealing with complaints

In this final part of the episode, we're discussing how to handle job offers and the onboarding process more effectively.

In Episode 21 we are speaking to Chris Litras, Director of Development and Construction and Deverell Smith recruitment.

Chris has over 12 years of experience in the recruitment industry across both transport, development and construction.

In part three, we discuss:

🤙 How to deliver your offer

📦 Creating an offer package

⏰ The impact of delays

💰 Handling salary negotiation effectively

🤝 Creating an effective candidate onboarding

In this second part of the episode, we're discussing how you can get the most out of your interview process.

In Episode 21 we are speaking to Chris Litras, Director of Development and Construction and Deverell Smith recruitment.

Chris has over 12 years of experience in the recruitment industry across both transport, development and construction.

In part two, we discuss:

😄 Prioritising your candidate experience to boost your interview process

👂 Setting expectations properly

📝 Planning your interview questions

🙋 Questions to ask in an interview

🥸 The importance of preparing as a candidate

In Episode 21 we are speaking to Chris Litras, Director of Development and Construction and Deverell Smith recruitment.

In this first part of the episode, we're looking at the recruitment process from planning when to start recruiting through to putting out job offers.

Chris has over 12 years of experience in the recruitment industry across both transport, development and construction.

In part one, we discuss:

🗓️ Recruitment process planning

📝 Creating a job description

📣 Job description vs job advert

🎯 Recruitment strategies and options

👀 Considering how candidates view your company

🚨 Recruitment challenges in the surveying industry