Executive Interview

Executive Interview

MICHAEL MARTIN DAKHOUL

Managing Director | Construction Consultants

In 2010, Michael Martin Dakhoul had one employee, a small rented office in Parramatta, and a vision to revolutionise his profession. Eight years later, Construction Consultants has offices in three states, employs 42 people, and has overseen projects in excess of $50 billion. ANCR spoke to Michael about his road to success.

How has your experience shaped the direction Construction Consultants has taken?

I’ve worked in construction and development for 35 years, and in 2010, I could see an opportunity to create a new kind of quantity surveying business that focused on client service and relationship building.

My vision was to offer the most personalised service in our industry by employing the right people, offering the right services, and valuing relationship-building. I believed that with this approach, everything would fall into place and the business would grow organically. And it did.

Has your personal history impacted your approach to business?

Very much. I didn’t have it easy in my early years in Lebanon or Australia, but along the way, I learned some invaluable life lessons that I’ve carried me.

I was the oldest son of a single mother in a war-torn country, so I was responsible for myself from a young age. As a teenager, I built a new life in Australia after arriving with practically nothing. My early life taught me how to turn setbacks into opportunities.

You value relationship building. Why is this important?

When I was a new immigrant, I met a lawyer, George Shad, who presented the perfect example of a humble, honest approach to building relationships. He’s an amazing role model.

I now believe that creating a successful business is 80% relationships and 20% knowledge. I treat clients like part of my wider family, make the effort to meet them often and demonstrate I have their interests at heart. Clients work with us because they trust me and, by extension, my team.

Since the early days of Construction Consultants, how has the industry changed?

In 2010, construction was recovering from the GFC, and it was becoming obvious the dynamics of our industry had changed. It was a wake up call that highlighted the importance of credibility, reputation and proven experience.

Nowadays, builders, developers and banks only want to partner with quantity surveyors and project managers like Construction Consultants, companies that are known to be stable, honest and experienced.

Another event that changed our industry was the property boom that began in 2012. It was good for the industry and for us. Today, we employ five times more people than we did in 2014.

How are you helping your clients in the current market?

With so much development underway, builders who are used to building 10 or 15 units are now building 100 plus. They’re great builders, but their management capacity is nowhere near what is required to run a professional business, especially as compliance becomes more complex.

Construction Consultants is creating a virtual construction industry hub. We are well positioned to provide the full suite of construction management services, affording the builder all the mechanisms to run a successful project while they focus on their core skills.

You believe that ‘The more you give, the more you make’. Tell me more.

That was my grandfather’s belief and it’s been a motto for my life and my business. I was also lucky enough to meet a young businessman, Norman Sarraf, who taught me the true value of abundant giving and its effect on relationships.

I was supported by many people when establishing myself, and now I’m in a position to pay it forward. Generosity of all kinds is an important part of what I stand for personally and professionally.

I’ve been associated with Western Sydney for more than 35 years and we are involved in local fundraising events and support community institutions like Westmead Medical Research Foundation. We also contribute to national and international causes.

In the day-to-day workplace, generosity is a core value that manifests in how we treat each other. We have an employee profit sharing scheme, support staff development and more.

You recently won the Small Business Category at the 2018 Ethnic Business Awards. What does the Award mean to you?

I’m humbled to have been in the company of such an inspirational group of finalists.

I’m lucky enough to have family, friends and mentors who have always believed in me, but without belief in yourself, you cannot succeed. I want to prove that you can succeed while staying true to yourself, and winning the Award was a great way to do that.

For more information contact Construction Consultants, Level 7/79 George Street, Parramatta NSW, phone 02 9633 9233, email info@constructionconsultants.net.au, website constructionconsultants.net.au