The Rocky Fight in Pursuit of Productivity Pay-off | Why the Adoption of Technology is Key
Project management sometimes feels like you’re Rocky Balboa in the ring. It’s gritty, demanding, and full of unexpected punches — but the real knockout threats are ones you can’t see - not on site.
“By doing hard things, we can do hard things.”
Project management sometimes feels like you’re Rocky Balboa in the ring. It’s gritty, demanding, and full of unexpected punches — but the real knockout threats are ones you can’t see, not on site.
A snippet of BPM’s Die Hard tribute… aka, “The Directors Cut” featuring Alex, Frank and Dan. We told you it was cursed.
You might be wondering, Team – why are we referencing Rocky Balboa? Well, it’s partly because he’s a great symbol of resilience and adaptability… but also because we love Rocky (except #5) - and, when picking metaphors, it was a toss-up between this or Die Hard (but after our cursed ‘directors cut’ email banner at Christmas… this seemed like a safer bet).
Rocky Balboa embodies resilience because he never quits, no matter how many times he gets knocked down. His grit, determination, and ability to keep pushing forward against overwhelming odds make him the ultimate underdog who refuses to surrender.
That’s sort of Dan’s thing. He’s always saying “by doing hard things, we can do hard things”.
Growth comes from willingness to adapt and change, trying to get comfortable with being uncomfortable… whether it’s Rocky adjusting his fighting style, training harder with new methods, or us, as an industry, learning from past mistakes.
This blend of toughness, perseverance, and openness to change makes Rocky an ideal metaphor for contractors and project teams who must stay resilient in the face of risk while embracing new tools and processes to succeed. Notice how we said, new tools…
You see where we’re headed with this one. Adoption of technology is the one thing that’s going to help us win the fight when it comes to productivity, and here’s how BPM is leading the charge.
"If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.”
More often than not, contractors get burnt from archaic, stale or non-existent systems… project risks running unchecked, unpaid variations, unclear scopes, late approvals, communication breakdowns and litigation - turning a straightforward job into a cashflow nightmare.
You’re halfway through framing, already ten RFIs behind, the client has added extras “as part of the original scope,” and your QS has gone silent - like your corner going missing in the 12th round. Your eye starts to twitch… some choice expletives make their way to the front of your mind as you try to figure out how to muscle against the backlog… yeah, it’s not good.
Remember Rocky IV? Apollo Creed steps into the ring, old-school and reluctant to adapt new techniques… he treated walking into a serious fight like it was just another show. His opponent? Ivan Drago: Serious, well prepared and backed by cutting-edge tech. Spoiler alert - Apollo didn’t make it out. That’s what happens when we treat digital adoption as a “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity.
It's not about how hard you get hit, but how well you manage the fight.
The New Zealand construction industry is lagging behind when it comes to digitising project delivery - especially around job management, contracts, and the mountain of admin that comes with them.
A recent study by Xero and NZIER reveals that small businesses in New Zealand are trailing their global peers when it comes to digital adoption - and it's hitting us where it hurts: productivity and profitability. While many SMEs have websites and email, few are making the leap to smarter tools like cloud platforms, AI, and data analytics.
The productivity payoff is real, with returns of $2.40 to $3.10 for every $1 invested in tech.
This isn’t just about flashy software - it’s about cutting down admin time, streamlining tenders and invoicing, reducing rework, improving cash flow - enabling teams to do more without growing overheads and avoiding legal bills when it goes wrong. In short, digitalisation means faster jobs, fewer errors, better margins, and a stronger, more competitive industry. The message is clear: digital tools aren’t a nice-to-have - they’re essential for staying in the game.
Dan isn’t surprised by the findings.
“It’s long been said that construction productivity hasn’t shifted since the 90s and whilst there are some valid reasons for that (we’re not having as many accidents on site), it has resulted in compounding pressure for many construction business owners. But as the saying goes, “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.“ … So it’s time to swing the productivity pendulum in the other direction and make digital tools a core part of how we work. If you’re not already thinking this way, you’re already being left behind.”
“…keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.”
From tenders and subcontractor agreements to timesheets, invoicing, and variation claims, too many contractors are still relying on spreadsheets, emails, and paper-based systems that leave room for error and slow everything down.
The result? Missed details, late payments, and strained relationships.
At BPM we’re advocating for moving forward with smarter systems that make projects run smoother, faster, and with less stress. You won’t find us gatekeeping our wins. It benefits us all - so we’re here sharing the outcomes and learnings as we go.
AI assisted tender analysis - quotes analysed in minutes.
Last year we introduced Projectworks for resource and people management – which was an absolute game-changer. But, in the spirit of moving forward and utilising innovation to our (and your) advantage, our most recent adoption has been C-Link.
C-Link is a digital procurement and contract management platform that helps contractors streamline tendering, manage contractor agreements, and keep control of project costs and timelines.
We’ve been seeing what C-Link is made of in the ring, putting it through its paces, and the feedback has been great. From EOIs, tender evaluation, issuing of contracts and streamlined communication, you name it, we’ve been putting it to the test - and we’re excited to see it integrated more. It’s a no brainer in our books.
Dan says of the choice to move towards the adoption of technology, and its potential impact for not just BPM, but our industry’s productivity as a whole:
”It’s very exciting seeing what C-Link & QSAI can do – how much time it reduces and the amount of risk it mitigates is game changing. I want to scream it from the hilltops”.
For us, there’s a clear path forward - one that simplifies procurement, automates compliance, and connects the dots from tender to final claim. It’s not just about going digital for the sake of it - it’s about getting back time, protecting margins, and let’s face it, protecting our sanity. Managing risk like a champ means protecting your margin, your reputation, and making sure you go the distance every time, getting (good) sh*t done.
What’s that other famous line? "Yo, nobody owes nobody nothin'. You owe yourself."
We’ve got to be the ones to make the change.
"Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up."
The contractors who come out on top aren’t necessarily the biggest - they’re the ones who adapt, stay sharp, and keep fighting for better systems. Embracing tech is about staying in the fight, round after round, with tighter controls, clearer communication, and fewer surprises. Champions don’t wing it, they start fighting long before the bell - with discipline, strategy, and a game plan.
In our industry, we often get burnt not because of the work on site, but because of what’s happening (or not happening) behind the scenes. Think verbal variations that never get written down, work done without formal approval, or relying on goodwill instead of clear contracts. Add in poor record-keeping, missing early warnings, and the pressure to overpromise, and it’s a perfect storm for cost blowouts, delays, and disputes.
That’s where smarter risk management comes in - and technology is your first line of defence. At BPM, we’re pushing for the use of platforms like C-Link to help us and our contractors stay ahead, on time, to budget and safeguard the industry - as well as reinforcing our mental health by reducing stress.
These tools help centralise tender documents and scopes, streamline subcontractor appointments, track approvals in real time, and create clear audit trails that stand up in disputes. It’s about making sure everything is streamlined, reducing admin - making everything documented, trackable, and transparent. By getting digitally acclimated early, you’re part of the positive change, reducing the risk of missed approvals, unrecorded changes, and blurred responsibilities. You’re not just protecting your margin - you’re protecting your relationships, reputation, and peace of mind.
Just like Rocky learned to adapt, evolve, and lean into new training techniques to come out on top, the industry must embrace technology to stay resilient and competitive.
The fight isn’t about avoiding the hits - it’s about managing them better with smarter tools that keep projects running smoothly, reduce costly errors, and protect margins.
Rocky says it best, “It’s not about how hard you get hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
At BPM, we believe in adopting digital solutions like C-Link… because that’s the corner man every contractor needs to stay in the fight and win round after round.
And speaking of fighting the good fight… Dan’s been named a finalist in the 2025 Building People Awards for Digital Innovation.
We reckon it’s a solid nod to the work he’s doing and working for better tools that don’t just improve productivity - but genuinely help reduce stress and admin across the board.
From bringing tech like C-Link into the fold with ConTech Solutions - to his mission of improving mental health outcomes across the industry, it’s all part of the bigger picture.
This kind of recognition helps raise the profile of what's possible when we stop doing things the hard way - and start fighting smarter. Don’t get left behind🥊