5 useful resources for SMEs
Date published

22 September 2021

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5 useful resources for SMEs

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Date published

22 September 2021

We have a variety of resources, guides and live-events designed to support structural engineers working as sole practitioners and those in SMEs

The Business Practice Note series

Developed by the Institution’s Business Practice and Regulatory Control Committee to provide guidance on aspects of running a practice and project management. The series covers almost every question you could think of when getting started in an SME. 

Browse the series

Introduction to digital design tools

Ashley Kacha gives an overview of future trends in structural engineering. The video presentation covers computational design tools and how they are being used across the industry, the importance of digital workflows, and what other relevant resources are available from the Institution. The presentation was recorded during the Small Practitioners Conference 2019.

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Dealing with domestic clients

This half-day course assists engineers working in the domestic sector for householders or small businesses.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Agree and record clear, enforceable agreements with non-professional clients with no technical background and limited experience
  • Recognise the ‘consumer protection’ background
  • Recognise and avoid misunderstandings around fees and variations, delays, and your own and the contractor’s responsibility
  • Respond to complaints correctly
  • Communicate effectively and get paid more easily

Book your place

The importance of making numbers based decisions

In this video Parag Prasad discusses the metrics to use for measuring the success of your business. He goes beyond financial outcomes and looks at multiple aspects of growth areas. Do you know the score in your business?

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Staff development: the value to you and your SME

Jenny King highlights how your business can thrive when you focus on improving your employees' skill sets. A presentation from the Small Practitioners Conference 2019. Jenny covers a range of topics on staff development including: the importance of upskilling, the impact of a skills gap and what employees are looking for.

Watch now

Related Resources & Events

Course
steel roof

Eurocode 3: structural steelwork design

This one-day, online course examines changes between BS 5950 and Eurocode 3. The emphasis is on buildings and the provision of general rules for buildings of EN 1993-1-1 and design of joints to EN 1993-1-8.

Date – 27 September 2023
Location – Online
Price – £275 - £425 + VAT
Webinar
Concrete structure

Analysis and strengthening of concrete buildings series: common construction types 1950 - 1985

The first webinar of a 6-part series on the analysis and strengthening of concrete buildings built from 1950 – 1985

Date – 4 July 2023
Location – Online
Price – £45 - £70 + VAT
Course
Presenting work at the 2018 Young Researchers Conference

Moving into engineering management

This two-day in-person course gives first time managers a toolbox of techniques to use for managing engineers and other technical staff.

Date – 4 October 2023
Location – The Institution of Structural Engineers
Price – £565 - £845 + VAT