Established as a thought leader in its field through a senior contact programme and strategic partnerships, enabling strong positioning for major infrastructure programmes.
The Challenge
To assist Laing O’Rourke in both raising its profile and industry leadership credentials, as well as enhancing its levels of familiarity and favourability with political and corporate stakeholders, in order to position the company better in terms of bidding for major public sector infrastructure programmes.
Our response
Building on calling card projects such as Heathrow Terminal 5, we formulated a thought-leadership programme around the twin themes of risk mitigation in major infrastructure projects and developing the UK skills base.
These themes would allow Laing O'Rourke to showcase its projects and highlight its direct employment and skills investment strategy, while at the same time addressing areas of genuine concern to the industry and to UK plc.
The plan developed the concept of thematic dinners for senior stakeholders hosted by the Chairman, and recommended building links with a suitable think tank partner to allow Laing O'Rourke to have greater visibility in a relatively controlled communications environment.
The results
Both aspects of the plan were successful.
The partnership with the think tank Centre for Cities enabled Laing O'Rourke share a platform with Ministers and Shadow Ministers during the party conferences, providing real world examples of skills transfer.
Setting up the thematic dinners demonstrated Laing O'Rourke's ability to gather a range of key opinion formers to discuss key areas of policy development for their industry, establishing them as a leader in their field.
