Documentation
Discussions by the team get published onto TDC’s blog. The blog is split up into sections for each project to enable quick and easy access. The blog is also accessible by the client so they are able to keep informed about decisions made. As the team involves different specialists working on the same projects at the same time, information is stored in the same location within the office studio. The IT Manager Charles has a system in place for digitally backing up information, in the case of damaging or loosing information.
After project completion the material is then presented in the gallery, the gallery in turn gives future clients the chance to get a feel for the company to see if the service we provide is a good investment for them.
Relation to Community
A main benefit TDC offer is its flexibility to move location, however the company can be rooted to Nottingham. All 6 directors began their architectural career at Nottingham Trent University. We still have a close relationship with the University as we give seminars and tutorials to the students. TDC strongly believe investing in youth as that brings creativity and imagination. A benefit with this connection with the University enables TDC to take on graduates.
TDC’s gallery is integrated into Nottingham city centre. The gallery holds many events inviting in members of the public to come and see our work. Every project TDC take on responds sensitively to that specific environment. We understand that projects can have an impact on communities, so we hold public consultations to get the community on board with TDC.
Expansion
We are often challenged with briefs based out side of the built environment industry. As TDC has a set of skills that can be applied to different briefs, these unique and challenging briefs can be resolved with spectacular end results. We are constantly broadening our design field services and will continue to do so in the future. As our team involves a variety of specialty areas, each individual has many connections through thier career path. However we are constantly looking for expanding our connections all over the UK and over seas. At the moment TDC works mainly in Europe, but we have plans for our service within the next few years to travel overseas. In the near future we aim to have an office set up in China as we are receiving interest in our work.
Contracts and Regulations
A duty of the administrator is to respond to the current and anticipated future legislation and adjust the strategic approach accordingly. To keep the team up to date with legislations, there will be regular arranged CPD meetings. Currently TDC mainly operate in the UK. However when our work is taken over seas, TDC understand that in order to trade in other countries there are rules and regulations we have to abide by.
A contract of agreement will have to be agreed on and signed by both parties. The contract is a legal agreement between the client and TDC, it will clearly communicate the projects terms and conditions, determine responsibility of each party and a set expectations for schedule of payment of services. We believe that most successful projects are those where open lines of communication are established, and trust and respect are mutually granted. We believe that a written agreement is the first step towards a successful project.
CDM & Health and Safety
Jenny the Technological Manager at TDC enforces the Health and Safety for the company. She is one of the designated first aiders within the team who will be first on hand to handle any incidents that may occur. All incidents within the working environment are recorded for future reference. Over all Jenny will be ensuring the safety for colleagues and clients.
Anna the Marketing manager at TDC is the Construction Design Manager (CDM).The main duties for her are to:
- Advise and assist the client with their duties,
- Notify details of the project to HSE,
- Co-ordinate health and safety aspects of design work and co-operate with others involved with the project,
- Facilitate good communication between the client, designers and contractors,
- Liaise with the principal contractor regarding on going design work
- Identify, collect and pass on pre-construction information
- Prepare/update the health and safety file
Employment
There is a strategy in place when employing new team members, as our new employees will have to fit in with TDC studio environment. This in turn will create a friendly working environment with high employer satisfaction. There will also be a system of mentoring which senior staff are paired with junior staff to give support for new employees and help create the studio family.
TDC has a strong relationship with Nottingham Trent University; this in turn enables TDC to take on graduates form the University. As we believe investing in youth as their imagination and creativity can be nurtured through our experience to release their potential. We also believe in keeping on top of the market with software skills. There are funds set aside to put colleagues through courses to enable the company to provide the best service possible to our clients and remain a initiative and sate of the are organisation.
SWOT Analysis
Administrative Management
Clients
Customer satisfaction is at the heart of The Design Collective; we strive towards our client’s trusting and believing in us as a company. The initial stages involve inviting the clients to come and see the firms gallery that displays TDC’s on going and previous work carried out. This will enable clients to get a feel and understanding of TDC’s image and ethos. The gallery in turn will demonstrate that TDC has an in depth understanding and knowledge about the industry.
Understanding the client’s needs and wants is an essential part for both TDC and the client. We aim to build up a personal relationship with the client, as the company operates in a transparent way by inviting the clients to come into the firm, to see and be apart of the project. The clients will be able to see what progress TDC has made along with what we are working on. This level of communication will let the client see ideas develop, and in turn create happy customers by sustaining relations through communication throughout the project.
Just like many of our clients we believe products should be sourced ethically from sustainable sources. Over the years we have been able to build up relationships with consultants who also believe in using sustainable sources, from recycled paper in the office to sustainable building materials used in construction.
Services
The service TDC provides is one you will not find any were else. Within the team we have a collection of multidiscipline design talent, as members have a variety of skills and knowledge. This creates a unique workforce as we have members of the team in all fields of design that allows us to use our national experience at a local scale.
We have the ability to recognise change and provide a professional service that relates to the predicted market. By having a comprehensive design talent service that can be applied to any need. We also pride on being a flexible organisation as our base is not fixed and free to travel around. Fundamentally bringing together a range of multidiscipline design talent enables our service to be effective and efficient.
Quality Assurance
TDC complies with professional obligations to ensure consistency and quality in the service the company provides. We have certification in Quality Management System - (BS EN ISO 9001:2008) and Environmental Management Systems – (BS EN ISO 2004). The standards highlight that TDC has procedures and resources to ensure consistent provision of design service. TDC also corresponds with guidelines and legislations from:
- British Standard Codes of Construction
- Designing strictly in accordance with building regulations
- Government Legislation
- Euro Construction Standards
- Using products certified with British Board of Agreement
This in turn gives evidence to our clients to reassure them in the quality of the service they will receive.
Along with complying with the relevant regulations, we will evaluate the task in hand to see if we have the set of skills to complete the job, by understanding the brief and evaluating costs. This in turn will ensure the client is satisfied before contracts are signed and a mutual understanding is between both parties. We are able to offer this service as our team includes a variety of mixed specialist, who will efficiently work together to collaborate information from the start.
Office Structure
Members of the team have a variety of skills and knowledge that combine to create a unique workforce. Along with these unique skills we share out responsibilities within the team. Theses include;
- Investors in people (IIP) - Daniel, Financial Manger
- Business in the Community (BITC) - Anna, Marketing Manager
- Quality Assurance (BS EN ISO 9001) – Jenny, Technological Manager
- Environmental management (BS EN ISO 14001) – Miles, Image Manager
- Health and Safety policy – Jenny, Technological Manager
- Construct Design and Management (CDM) – Anna, Marketing Manager
- Equal Opportunities policy - Scott, Administrative Manager
- Training Policy - Scott, Administrative Manager
- Information Security policy (BS EN ISO 27000) - Charles, IT Manager
Company ethos - All managers at the TDC
The studio environment allows for all team members to work along side one another to create a friendly and flexible workspace. Members of the team have duties that encourage this atmosphere, as there are different representative to talk to with concerns and problems. Due to TDCs broad background we already have positive relationships with specialists, giving evidence to our clients that we are a company they can trust in.
The company’s studio environment will involve a variety of specialist, information will be easy to find, as information from each project produced by different specialists is stored in the same location. The information will also be digitalised, not only for allowing the clients to be involved and updated but also for storing information so work is not lost. The IT Manager Charles will be at the forefront with creating the online digitalised copy of work, along with a logical way for quick reference.
A benefit of having different specialists working under the same roof, on the same project, enables TDC to;
- Prioritise tasks within the team
- Work efficiently and productively, as specialists will be on hand
- Consider the brief fully form all angles-Manage time well by specialist helping one another
- Sticking to the Programme of Work, as problems can be resolved faster with different specialists present.
We strive towards creating a coherent work force of varied specialists that is flexible and adaptable to different situations. We value our employees, as success within a team requires perseverance and motivation.
