How the Chinese farmer can inspire the UK construction industry

The story of the Chinese farmer is an incredible way of looking at life. Let’s see how it relates to construction.

I am writing this because the UK construction industry is in the middle of a wild rollercoaster ride. We’re talking about a serious wave of insolvencies that’s got everyone from big to small-time contractors feeling the heat. Let’s dive into the reasons behind this mess, and a curious tale about a Chinese farmer that’s more relevant than you’d think.

First and foremost. I don’t want to go over the tough figures, they’ve been publicised enough on here and many other publications. And I want to keep this article as positive. But, in short sky rocketing material prices, labour shortages, pre-covid and war contracts, and a tough global environment have all played their part.

A Chinese Farmer’s Tale

Amidst all this chaos, let me hit you with a story about a Chinese farmer that might just change your perspective. The tale goes something like this:

A farmer’s horse runs away, and the neighbors say, “Oh no, that’s terrible!” The farmer shrugs and says, “Maybe.”

The next day, the horse comes back with two wild horses. The neighbors cheer, “That’s great!” The farmer replies, “Maybe.”

The day after, the farmer’s son tries to ride one of the wild horses, gets thrown off, and breaks his leg.The neighbors wail, “That’s awful!” The farmer says, “Maybe.”

A week later, the army comes through the village to draft young men, but they skip the farmer’s son because of his injury. The neighbors exclaim, “That’s fantastic!” The farmer said, “Maybe.”

The lesson? Life’s a mixed bag. What seems like a disaster today might turn into tomorrow’s lucky break. I come from a family that went through a construction insolvency. Many family friends were left without jobs. This is rough when living in a small town. But, it was 2008 and people understood the situation. A few years later, my Dad was happier than ever. His friends got good steady jobs elsewhere and they all still meet-up regularly today.

The Road Ahead

The road ahead looks bumpy, no doubt. But if the UK construction industry can take a page from the Chinese farmer’s book, it might just find the silver lining in these stormy clouds. By staying adaptable, embracing innovation, and forging strong alliances, the industry can come out of this stronger than ever.

So, while it’s tempting to throw in the towel, remember: today’s bad luck might just be setting up tomorrow’s good fortune. Keep building, keep innovating, and keep pushing forward.