On the 3^rd February we were kindly invited by CECA to join a large community of potential Supply Chain Specialists to meet the Bidders for HS2 Enabling Works. The event was hosted at the NEC in Birmingham and was carefully planned to give each Supply Chain Specialist eight minutes with each of the Bidders. There were 7 Bidders with 4 tables in each designated area for each Bidder and we were allowed to make our pitch “speed dating style” – I am reliably told!

Each Bidder gave an open introduction and then it was over to each Specialist to promote their business and how they could add value to each Bidder. It was my first time at such an event and I did not know of the format until arriving, but instructions gave you an outline of the proceedings. Time was of great essence and my allocated times were between 1600- 1730 hrs – the graveyard shift I think it’s usually called. You can image how the ladies and gentlemen must have been feeling after such a long day listening to the Specialists all day on behalf of the Bidders. However, we were very encouraged by the warm welcome after such a long day and tried to add humour with our positive approach.

We had less than eight minutes to promote our business and I am not a big believer in Elevator Pitches – a challenge for even the most experienced. We were well prepared and knew the points we wanted to promote with respect to our services – Collaboration and Supply Chain Integration in particular. Our other services would also compliment the two main services of interest and we left each Bidder with some info on our business – light reading!

We have been tracking HS2 for many years and believe we can offer a bespoke support service to any of the Bidders with our proven track record. Collaboration is not about the NEC form of contract or BS11000, it is so much more. NEC & BS11000 help but are not the answer alone. Alleviate Consulting Limited prides itself on being able to bring Collaboration and Supply Chain Integration alive, to add real value at every level.

We have since formally registered our interest with each Bidder as requested and received responses from a few already. Alleviate Consulting Limited did not attend this event as a last minute thought, we have proactively engaged with HS2 Ltd and CECA over a long period of time. We have attended workshops hosted by HS2, attended a dinner hosted by CECA, exhibited at conferences and held meetings with key people at HS2.

This is a major opportunity for the industry in which we work to operate significantly differently on an iconic project. We will never have a better opportunity to change the way the Construction Industry delivers a project than on HS2. It will take everyone to stand up and be counted and to put self interest to one side and deliver a First Class project that we can all be proud to say “We did that”. HS2 provides us with a unique opportunity to deliver real value through genuine collaboration at all levels – that will be the real Legacy.