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Starting strong: Inside our 2025 Strategic Planning Masterclass with Gerard McGann
The beginning of a new year is a powerful moment in any business—it’s a time to regroup, refocus, and re-energise. At MKM Building Group, we kicked off 2025 with intention, gathering our leadership team for a Strategic Planning Masterclass led by Gerard McGann.
Held in January, this intensive workshop was designed to align our goals, sharpen our focus, and reinforce our collective commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering excellence for our clients.
Why strategic planning matters
Strategic planning is more than just a meeting or a document—it’s a vital process that defines the roadmap for the months ahead. For MKM, it’s a chance to pause and look critically at our performance, understand the challenges in front of us, and make informed decisions about where we’re headed.
With projects increasing in scale and complexity, industries evolving rapidly, and client expectations growing, clarity and direction are more important than ever. This masterclass gave us the space to think deeply about our trajectory and make decisions that will strengthen our business, people, and partnerships.
Enter Gerard McGann
Bringing in Gerard McGann to facilitate the session was no coincidence. With years of experience helping businesses refine their vision, build leadership capability, and implement lasting strategies, Gerard brought an outside perspective that helped us challenge assumptions, stretch our thinking, and spark meaningful conversation.
Gerard’s approach is grounded in realism—he doesn’t deal in vague goals or overused buzzwords. Instead, he focuses on practical, actionable steps that lead to measurable outcomes. His ability to cut through noise and get to the heart of a business challenge made this session both productive and energising.
Reflecting on the year that was
The session began with a candid review of 2024—our projects, people, progress, and performance. This wasn’t about celebrating wins for the sake of it. It was about identifying what worked, what didn’t, and why.
From delivering complex builds like the Seabrook Rugby Pavilion and Westlink Industrial Projects, to enhancing internal systems and welcoming new talent to the team, 2024 was a year of momentum. But it also brought its share of challenges: navigating tight timelines, shifting client demands, and a competitive labour market. These real-world experiences formed the basis for honest discussion and reflection.
We also revisited the goals we set last year. Which ones did we meet? Which ones were left behind—and what lessons did they teach us? This part of the process allowed us to measure how far we’ve come and helped create a grounded starting point for planning what’s next.
Getting clear on our direction
With the past in perspective, the focus shifted forward. What do we want to achieve in 2025—not just as individuals, but as a company?
Gerard challenged us to be specific. It’s one thing to say we want to “grow the business” or “improve processes.” But what does that look like in practice? What does success actually mean for MKM Building Group in 12 months’ time?
Through targeted exercises and open discussion, we broke down key areas of our business—project delivery, client engagement, team development, systems, and innovation—and mapped out clear objectives for each. By the end of the session, we had a well-defined set of goals, not just at the organisational level but also at the department and team level.
Culture, accountability & leadership
One of the strongest themes that emerged during the workshop was the importance of culture and leadership.
MKM’s values—Innovation, Commitment, Trust, and Care—aren’t just words on a wall. They underpin the way we build, communicate, and collaborate. But strong values need strong leadership to bring them to life daily. Gerard facilitated several group exercises focused on how we lead: not just at the top, but across every level of the company.
We spoke openly about how accountability is maintained, how expectations are communicated, and how decisions are made. These conversations helped surface opportunities to improve how we support one another, share feedback, and stay aligned when the pressure is on.
A recurring question Gerard posed was: “How do you show up for your team and clients when things don’t go to plan?” This led to some valuable self-reflection and collective problem-solving—ultimately reinforcing our belief that leadership is everyone’s responsibility.
Taking action — not just talking
What made this masterclass so effective was its emphasis on action. Rather than leaving with a list of ideas that sit on a shelf, we walked away with a practical framework to guide us through 2025.
Each leader left the session with a clear set of actions—some immediate, some longer-term—but all aligned to the bigger picture. These actions are now part of our broader business plan, ensuring that the momentum from this session continues throughout the year.
From improving internal project handovers and enhancing our onboarding experience, to exploring new technologies for site efficiency and strengthening subcontractor partnerships—every area of the business has a clear path forward.
A shared commitment
Perhaps the most valuable outcome from the session wasn’t a strategy document or a new initiative—it was a shared sense of ownership and direction. Strategic planning can sometimes feel disconnected from day-to-day work, but this masterclass brought our vision into focus and helped every leader understand the role they play in achieving it.
We also made time for the human side of leadership—checking in with each other, hearing different perspectives, and acknowledging how far we’ve come as a team. These moments matter. They strengthen trust, build cohesion, and remind us that while construction is what we do, it’s people who drive our success.
Looking ahead
As we move into the second half of 2025, the energy from this session is still present in our work. Whether it’s a site manager leading a toolbox talk, a project coordinator improving a workflow, or our leadership team making a tough call—we’re aligned in our purpose.
We know there will be challenges ahead. That’s the nature of the industry. But with clear goals, strong systems, and a united team, we’re confident in our ability to deliver value, create impact, and grow sustainably.
This year is about intentional progress—building not just structures, but a company that continues to evolve, adapt, and lead.
Thank you to Gerard McGann
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Gerard for facilitating such a valuable session. His insights, approach, and ability to bring the best out of our team helped set a strong tone for the year ahead.
If you’re a business leader looking for clarity, practical tools, and honest conversation, we highly recommend connecting with Gerard.
In summary
Strategic planning isn’t a one-time event—it’s a mindset. The masterclass with Gerard McGann gave MKM the time and space to align, reset, and refocus. And as we continue into 2025, we do so with clear direction, real accountability, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results—for our clients, our people, and our communities.
We’re ready for what’s next.