What makes an Intelligent Client?

Performing as an Intelligent Customer is not about finding smarter ways to extract value from contractors and the supply chain. In a world that is wasting over $3 trillion per annum due to failing projects this must be regarded as a failed philosophy.

Being an Intelligent Customer is about wisdom and leadership, a compelling vision, a clear strategy and the ability to galvanise human energy and organisations to make it happen. It also requires understanding, sharing, learning and teaching all of which are essential for true major project success. True success also requires behaviours which bring people together for a common cause, diplomacy, statesmanship and attitudes which breed trust and co-operation. In the end, it’s all about people, the ‘softer’ leadership skills which bring real results and best serve our communities. Yet, this is an area which often gets least attention.

We will understand from academia how the neuropsychology of leadership and its implications on governance for the Intelligent Client will lay the pathway forward to effective organisational development and control. From the private sector, we will hear how a major client BAA have developed their ‘Ten Commandments for the Intelligent Client’ and how one of their major service providers has developed a successful working method and attitude within that environment to delight the client. From the public sector, we will share in the understanding of how an Intelligent Client adhoc Group is developing delivering strategies that will meet the expectations of government departments and the implications that brings and how financial structuring of guarantees and bonds on mega projects such as the Panama Canal have been aligned in an intelligent way.

This event will allow members to take away how the ‘Intelligent Client’ can build an organisation, a culture and a positive environment where, the customer, stakeholder and supplier relationships thrive and generate value through major projects. Discussions and interaction during the day will also seek to bring this vital concept to the agenda of senior leaders and executives within both public and private sectors and work towards developing and solving some of the key issues.