{"id":1217,"date":"2019-06-14T11:14:11","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T11:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ucem.ac.uk\/onlineeducation\/?p=1217"},"modified":"2019-07-30T08:34:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T08:34:04","slug":"reflections-on-amanda-clacks-inspire-session-bethechange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ucem.ac.uk\/onlineeducation\/posts\/1217","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on Amanda Clack’s Inspire Session #BeTheChange"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Edited 30th July to add the video]<\/sub><\/p>\n

We were so lucky to hear from Amanda Clack, UCEM Trustee,\u00a0Head of Strategic Advisory at\u00a0CBRE<\/a> and ex-President of RICS, on Thursday 13th June about her inspiring work in promoting inclusion and diversity in Real Estate Sector.\u00a0 She\u00a0has just published her second book on the subject\u00a0Managing Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate Sector .<\/a>\u00a0The book is a great read with fabulous illustrations by Farley Katz (of the New Yorker).<\/p>\n

In Amanda’s session she talked about measuring the work done rather than the time workers sit in front of their bosses in the office – what she essentially said is that organisations and managers can let people work flexibly making the workers much more productive.\u00a0 She also mentioned that flexibility is something so important to achieve a diverse workforce. At certain points\u00a0 in your life you may have caring responsibilities; for example caring for children or caring for elderly.\u00a0 You may get health issues that needs addressing. It takes such a big weight off if you allow your workers to work flexibly around their caring duties etc. The workers will be grateful for this and they are likely to be more loyal to the organisation.\u00a0 Amanda mentioned that Surveying profession loses many young female professionals in 30s and 40s as they start families. But allowing flexible working the profession may be able to retain at least some of these females and possibly attract returners.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/a>
Amanda Clack Presenting at UCEM Inspire session<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Being a mum of twins, I have been really lucky to have had supportive managers at work. I remember in early 2013\u00a0 one of my twins had chickenpox\u00a0 and then exactly after two weeks the other one got it.\u00a0 I would have had to take extended time off had my manager not allowing me to work flexibly.\u00a0 At the time I was the lead facilitator for the Begin Programming MOOC and I was able to do my work remotely without any problem . Technology can help you work from\u00a0 almost anywhere as long as you have good connectivity.<\/p>\n

Recently BBC reported that Met Police recruits are now going to be allowed to get part time work option<\/a>.\u00a0 It is important to acknowledge that not everyone can be full time workers throughout their lives. The more flexibility you allow there is more chance of attracting a diverse workforce to your organisation.<\/p>\n

\"Amanda<\/a>
Amanda and Tharindu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another point Amanda highlighted was having various entry points to attract different groups into a profession. Not everyone wants to go to university and apprenticeships at various levels are a good route into the profession. So together having different entry points and flexibility should help the Built environment sector to\u00a0 attract a more diverse workforce. But what about role models and knowledge about the sector? This is another area that needs more work.\u00a0\u00a0Farley Katz\u00a0 illustrates this with twin babies one wearing a hard hat\u00a0 and saying “There is no such thing as starting too early”. We need to get the message out there into schools so that the Built Environment Sector can attract the best talent.<\/p>\n

Amanda is a brilliant speaker and an inspiration to all of us. I am really glad to have organised this event and given the opportunity to UCEM colleagues to be inspired by her amazing work.<\/p>\n

The video here is an interview hosted by Kate Lindsay<\/a>\u00a0 with Amanda after her talk at UCEM.<\/p>\n