Who could have known for example that ‘what is twerking?’ would feature in Google’s list of most common ‘what is…’ searches in 2013.
‘How to write a CV’ was second only to ‘how to make pancakes’ – reflecting a gradually improving employment and economic market. That’s certainly been true in the property and lending markets – although the fact that the country still evidently prioritises tasty batter-based snacks above getting a job is somehow reassuringly British.
Many will now be turning thoughts towards what they hope Santa may bring in respect of 2014. For the surveying industry, the obvious item at the top of every MDs list is additional capacity. In recent years surveyors have been leaving the industry faster than pine needles falling from the Christmas tree – and we saw several bumpy months in terms of turnaround as a result.
The good news is that wise men and women are once again flocking to the industry as part of graduate recruitment, lured by promises of gold. There aren’t many industries right now where a year after leaving university it’s entirely feasible to be earning £100k.
The New Year will also see the launch of MMR – like the office Christmas party, we’ve all known this was coming around for some time and its hoped that lenders and suppliers alike have been working out to get in the best possible shape for when the dancing begins in April.
January will also see the release of the much heralded (although admittedly without a new star above) report by Dr Oonagh McDonald CBE, who, at the request of the RICS, has been chairing an independent commission into various aspects of the valuation industry.
The report will cover capacity versus demand, transparency of fees, PI arrangements and general long term sustainability of the industry in the interests of the public and other customers.
It’s likely the report will contain views on who’s been naughty and nice over the past five or so years and also set out how in future the little boys and girls in the industry should receive rewards which will be closely related to how they’ve behaved… hold on, this is all beginning to remind me of something. Best wishes to all for 2014.
Richard Sexton is director of business development at e.surv
