“With so many people making the transition to working from home, there is a school of thought that the coronavirus pandemic might signal the end of office life as we know it. In reality, it’s likely to fast-forward its rebirth.”

I run marathons in my leisure time and understand the hard work and resilience I need to achieve my goal. This is nothing compared to the long and arduous journey from testing a process in a laboratory to bringing it to market.

As the construction industry begins its journey through the restart plan, we consider how lockdown has afforded us the opportunity to rebuild the future of this vital sector.

We are hearing all about a new normal with more meetings and communication being done virtually, but what does all of this mean for influencing politicians and key stakeholders?

Our latest webinar, run in conjunction with Homes for Scotland and Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), focused on communicating effectively as we emerge from lockdown. Our guest panellists, who shared their learnings on communications during lockdown and as we emerge from lockdown.

What should we be considering to ensure that customers, employees and suppliers are as safe as possible and feel reassured about their return?

“The more questions you get, the less clear your instructions are.”

Who could ever have imagined -  pre-lockdown -  that buyers would be - virtually - queuing up to buy a new property, without having set foot inside?

In our recent webinar we discussed how social media including LinkedIn can be used to communicate, network and build relationships productively in lockdown and beyond. Here’s a rundown of the top five takeaways.

Even before lockdown, we were deluged with online content. But between the torrent of tips on WFH (working from home) and a flood of jokes keeping spirits up, not to mention the tsunami of COVID-19 news, how do you ensure your brand message gets across in this new (ab)normal?

Amid all the anxiety and uncertainty that is currently going on in the world, we are all craving a brighter future ahead.

Moving more to offsite construction can also deliver financial and sustainable improvements that lead to longer term inclusive growth.

1. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Everyone is adapting to change and uncertainty at a different pace.

The Nordic countries demonstrate a strong model for sustainable growth in the integrated processing of renewable feedstocks into a range of marketable products such as food, feed, fuel or chemicals, for example. This is known as biorefining.

As a designer of workplaces, I’m fascinated by the adaptability of millions of people around the world as they embrace the transition from office to home working, and by the growing debate as to whether or not it can, or should, be reversed when the current crisis recedes.

I hope this edition of Political Insider finds you and your family well and you’re coping with everything going on in the world right now.

A few days ago I collected my happy-go-lucky daughter from primary school. As soon as we were alone she burst into tears. It quickly became clear that she was sad at the thought of missing her friends in this not-so-brave new world of self-isolation.

It has been quite a week. I hope that you, your family and friends are safe and you’re continuing to follow the daily Government briefings

A recent report from property services company, CBRE showed that Grade A office supply in Glasgow has reached a ‘critically low’ level and there is little evidence of space returning to the market.

The UK Government is expected to announce that it is stepping up its response to the coronavirus at any point but it anxious to keep as much ‘business as usual’ as possible.