Three questions for Pascal Bardot, CERFRANCE Haute-Savoie Consulting Director

The economic climate is challenging for the construction sector. There's no shortage of renovation work, but tradespeople are facing increasing constraints, both economic and regulatory, particularly related to the Grenelle Environment Forum.

For Pascal Bardot, Consulting Director at CERFRANCE Haute-Savoie, "Building professionals are looking for advice to optimize their production methods and management. As a consulting and accounting network specializing in VSEs, CERFRANCE must support them in the development of their profession, not only from a management perspective but also, above all, from a strategic perspective. We offer our members the opportunity to conduct a preliminary economic performance assessment together and then implement appropriate tools."

Why do you advise building tradespeople to carry out a preliminary economic performance diagnosis?

Pascal Bardot : "We are currently experiencing a real revolution in the construction sector. The economic crisis has forced tradespeople to rationalize their expenses as much as possible. New environmental regulations (Grenelle de l'Environnement, etc.) impose restrictive standards on them, requiring them to adapt their tools and processes and demonstrate increased rigor in both structural and finishing work.

Today, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Entrepreneurs are faced with increasing demands at all levels: execution performance, energy performance, and economic performance. They must therefore quickly identify the improvement actions they can implement.

What tools are used with entrepreneurs?

Pascal Bardot : "In the first phase of the interview, the CERFRANCE "building craftsman" advisor will establish, with the contractor, a preliminary diagnosis of economic performance through several questions: what is the productivity of the hours? Is the company committed to an ecological approach? Does it want environmental qualifications or labels (Qualibat, ECO Artisan, etc.)? How does it manage construction sites?…

Depending on the results of this pre-diagnosis, tools will be recommended to optimize the activity, including: the implementation of management dashboards, site monitoring (preparation of tools, choice of materials, site logistics, etc.), calculation of production costs, etc.

But the first guarantee of success remains the entrepreneur's will. He must be convinced of the value of rigorous management, from procurement to completion of work, which goes beyond technical concerns. It is easier to get the craftsman on board when he is already aware that he must make a difference to still be here tomorrow."

And what are the performance tools of the future?

Pascal Bardot : "As in many sectors and in our daily lives, "embedded technology" has established itself as a performance tool and has revolutionized management methods. Smartphones, touch tablets, Internet connection via 3G key... allow professionals to save time and gain mobility by bringing their office to the construction site (live and on-site production of quotes, invoices, measurement readings, colorimeter, remote troubleshooting, etc.).

In summary: today, artisans must become aware of the importance of a global business strategy that will allow them to achieve better results by including the notion of sustainable development (ecology, economy and social). These numerous changes are an opportunity, they contribute to a renewed attractiveness of the sector for young people, both through the advancing technology and the new materials used."

Learn more about the site www.conseils-batiment.fr;  

The National Council of the CERFRANCE network has created two focus groups to strengthen the expertise of its "artisan" business advisors. The first focuses on forward-looking thinking about the future of the craft industry. The second develops support tools to improve advisory services. Its members have also designed a "sustainable development self-assessment," which can be downloaded free of charge from the website. https://conseils-batiment.fr/It allows artisans to quickly position themselves in terms of economic and social development, environmental protection and partnership.

About CERFRANCE

1st associative network for consulting and accounting expertise.

With its 700 agencies located throughout the country, CERFRANCE offers the multidisciplinary skills of 11 employees (advisors, lawyers, consultants, accountants, etc.) to ensure the success of its 200 clients, from all sectors of activity: agriculture, crafts, commerce, services, liberal professions. The National Council of the CERFRANCE network is chaired by Christophe Lambert and directed by Éric Vassail.

2010 turnover: 636 million euros

Websites : www.reseau-cerfrance.fr https://conseils-batiment.fr/