Managing mental health at work

This one day workshop introduces key principles of technical writing. Delegates are provided with practical tools to help them write documents that communicate effectively.

Recently updated to reflect current practice, this course will provide an overview of the use of producer statements both for Building Consent and for other regulatory purposes. It will also cover other building consent related issues including responsibilities and liabilities.

This practical, hands-on, interactive workshop explores contract law and how it impacts on the work of engineering professionals. Case studies and everyday examples are referred to throughout the day. Recent case law, legislation and the role of standard contracts such as NZS 3910 will be discussed.

This practical half-day workshop provides a framework for the essential elements of mentoring, comprising tools that will ensure that positive relationships and rapport are built between the mentor and mentee. In addition, a practical structure is provided, so that mentoring meetings achieve the required communication and professional development goals. This workshop will benefit mentors, managers and project or team leaders with responsibility for developing and managing the performance of others.

The past few years have seen a number of changes to our Construction Law. The Construction Contracts Act and Building Act have been amended, a new version of NZS3910 has been produced, and there have been a number of important court cases. This one day course brings delegates up to date with recent developments.

This one-day workshop introduces key principles of technical writing. Attendees will be provided with practical tools to help them write documents that communicate effectively.

This course looks at factors attributing to the safe design, construction, use, maintenance and removal of temporary works. Useful to engineers and managers working in the construction sector, the course will cover New Zealand Law, industry good practice, procedural control, basic design theory, and awareness modules for each of the most common forms of temporary works. Please scroll down for more information.

If you can communicate assertively, you have a crucial tool in the box for building rewarding personal and professional relationships. Develop practical ways to say no and to handle criticism. Learn to use an “I’m ok, you’re ok” approach to problem-solving and conflict. Practice new skills within a group at this practical and enjoyable workshop.

As Engineer to the Contract, you’re expected to make decisions that can have legal or financial consequences for several parties involved in your project, which is why it’s crucial that you have a strong understanding of the law and your role within it.

Supported by case history examples, this course provides a general overview of the Resource Management Act and in-depth coverage of the areas Engineers are involved with. In addition it will demonstrate how these practical aspects can be applied throughout RMA processes and cover the Government’s current RMA reform process.

Much of the work done by engineers involves managing, reading and even drafting contracts. In this course we introduce the principles that regulate contractual relationships, with a focus on construction and engineering contracts.

In the course of your working day, you probably spend a few hours writing. Most of us write scores of emails a day. Many of us write longer reports. This live online course provides simple tips that can be immediately used to improve your writing.

This live online course covers the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and will provide a sound grounding in HSWA duties and responsibilities. The course covers both general duties on PCBUs and upstream duties on those carrying out design, manufacture or importing.

This live online course covers the structure of NZS 3910, procurement considerations, and explores the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract, Engineer’s Representative, Principal and Contractor.

This live online course follows our introductory course and explores the practical applications of the role and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative under NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works.

Risk is a universal phenomenon that affects all people in all activities that they may undertake. This course introduces a structured approach for the identification, planning, treatment and management of risk in an engineering context. Delegates will learn a structured approach to the risk management process.

This course is designed to provide emerging consulting engineers and project managers with tools and strategies to successfully deal with difficult and unexpected situations on site. (please note there are face to face and online options)

This two day course combines our hugely popular “Formulate and record expert opinion” workshop where you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to form your expert opinion and express it effectively in written format, with practical and interactive opportunities to successfully present expert opinion verbally in presentation and under examination.

Many engineers who are strong in the technical field find themselves in leadership roles that previous technical success hasn’t prepared them for. This course will introduce ‘coaching basics’ as a tool to support effective leadership growth and performance

This live online course covers the structure of NZS 3910, procurement considerations, and explores the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract, Engineer’s Representative, Principal and Contractor.

Co-facilitated by an engineer and a lawyer, this course focuses on an engineers’ potential liabilities, and how they can best manage these in an ever-increasing litigious world. The course will consider the legal framework within which engineers are required to operate, and at a practical and technical level what they need to do to manage their risk both financially and reputationally.

Many practitioners who have to manage projects have never been formally exposed to a structured “big picture” of project management. This course aims to present a structured and coherent way of accepted best practice principles used to define, plan and execute projects.

Risk is a universal phenomenon that affects all people in all activities that they may undertake. This course introduces a structured approach for the identification, planning, treatment and management of risk in an engineering context. Delegates will learn a structured approach to the risk management process.

Much of the work done by engineers involves managing, reading and even drafting contracts. In this online course we introduce the principles that regulate contractual relationships, with a focus on construction and engineering contracts.

Our new Producer Statements and supplementary documents will significantly improve quality assurance and administrative processes for engineers and BCAs. Online forms will allow for real-time updates, cross-population of fields and consistency across authorities – for better and faster consenting processes. Our documents are in draft and we want you feedback.

This course provides you with an introduction to NZS 3916:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works – Design and Construct (NZS3916). Useful for engineers, contractors and designers, this course will cover how you can use NZS-3916 to greatest effect. This is offered as a 4-hour live online course.

This course provides you with an introduction to NZS 3916:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works – Design and Construct (NZS3916). Useful for engineers, contractors and designers, this course will cover how you can use NZS-3916 to greatest effect. This is offered as a 4-hour live online course.

This online course covers the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and will provide a sound grounding in HSWA duties and responsibilities. The course covers both general duties on Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) and upstream duties on those carrying out design, manufacture or importing.

This course covers the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and will provide a sound grounding in HSWA duties and responsibilities. The course covers both general duties on Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) and upstream duties on those carrying out design, manufacture or importing.

Specifications are critical to the clear communication of technical requirements to contractors. This communication is specific to the stage in the design cycle, type of requirement and the particular industry sector. Delegates will learn the elements of a “good” specification that is universally applicable.

People new to team leadership often focus on tasks and end-goals – but how do they develop into leaders that motivate and inspire their team to deliver those end-goals? This course provides people with space to look at the team leader role, examining leadership styles and the characteristics that are needed to lead teams to success.

A team leader who shares their workload within a team is more likely to be achieve success than someone who can’t delegate effectively – so how does this critical managerial skill work, and what are the best ways to do it? This course provides people with a range of practical tools they need to successfully delegate tasks, and delegation approaches to use to realise a team’s full potential.

An expectation of engineers is that they can negotiate with stakeholders to coordinate efforts. But how can you convince people with diverse goals and backgrounds to secure willing collaboration and achieve a great outcome? In this course we will consider ethical and practical ways that will improve your ability to influence stakeholders’ perceptions and to persuade them to take goal-directed initiatives.

An introduction or refresher to NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works. This online course covers the structure of NZS 3910, procurement considerations, and explores the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract, Engineer’s Representative, Principal and Contractor.

Co-facilitated by an engineer and a lawyer, this online course focuses on an engineers’ potential liabilities, and how they can best manage these in an ever-increasing litigious world. The course will consider the legal framework within which engineers are required to operate, and at a practical and technical level what they need to do to manage their risk both financially and reputationally.

With increased construction activities in the past few years, the demand for more complex retaining walls and other ground retention systems has grown significantly. This course introduces the general concepts and principles of the design and the construction of gravity retaining walls such as cantilevered reinforced concrete walls, block walls and crib walls.

With increased construction activities in the past few years, the demand for more complex retaining walls and other ground retention systems has grown significantly. This course introduces the general concepts and principles of the design and the construction of gravity retaining walls such as reinforced concrete walls, block walls and crib walls.

With increased construction activities in the past few years, the demand for more complex retaining walls and other ground retention systems has grown significantly. This course introduces the general concepts and principles of the design and construction of embedded retaining walls such as sheet pile walls and king post walls.

This live online course explores the practical applications of the role and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative under NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works.

Risk is a universal phenomenon that affects all people in all activities that they may undertake. This course introduces a structured approach for the identification, planning, treatment and management of risk in an engineering context. Delegates will learn a structured approach to the risk management process.

An introduction or refresher to NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works. This online course covers the structure of NZS 3910, procurement considerations, and explores the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract, Engineer’s Representative, Principal and Contractor.

Co-presented by a Barrister and Building Surveyor, this course will develop your ability to express your expert opinion in a confident and competent manner, understanding the status, obligations, and legal and ethical requirements of an expert.

Co-presented by a Barrister and Building Surveyor, this course will develop your ability to express your expert opinion in a confident and competent manner, understanding the status, obligations, and legal and ethical requirements of an expert.

Co-presented by a Barrister and Building Surveyor, this course will develop your ability to express your expert opinion in a confident and competent manner, understanding the status, obligations, and legal and ethical requirements of an expert.

Co-presented by a Barrister and Building Surveyor, this course will develop your ability to express your expert opinion in a confident and competent manner, understanding the status, obligations, and legal and ethical requirements of an expert.

Progressing ideas or intentions into viable business opportunities is important to stay in the game. This webinar will give practical tips on how to assess and commercialise a business idea/product/service and crossing the marketing chasm to find out how to characterise an idea, validate its market and determine your ability to deliver against competitive forces.

A team leader who shares their workload within a team is more likely to achieve success than someone who can’t delegate effectively – so how does this critical managerial skill work, and what are the best ways to do it? This course provides people with a range of practical tools they need to successfully delegate tasks, and delegation approaches to use to realise a team’s full potential.

This course is designed to provide emerging consulting engineers and project managers with tools and strategies to successfully deal with difficult and unexpected situations on site (please note there are face to face and online options).

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

The Leader’s Guide to Performance Management is an online training course, teaching you everything you need to know to turn from technical expert to high-performing manager in 4 weeks.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

Engage and motivate staff from different generations. Manage the challenges and reap the benefits of working with millennials through to mature workers.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Speak with confidence to engage and persuade a variety of audiences. Engineering professionals must communicate with people in team meetings, client briefs, and seminars. This highly interactive course, followed by private 1:1 coaching sessions, will increase your self-confidence and influence your clients and colleagues.

This 2-part webinar series will help you improve your employees experience through better talent support, increase employee retention rates and improve the performance of your team. Each webinar provides you with useful checklists and frameworks. It helps you to integrate talent support into the day-to-day activities of the team which will ensure high performance.

This online course explores personal, professional and business ethics. It examines the difference between ethics and compliance and how ethical values can enhance business performance and overcome both conduct risk and ethical lapses.

This online course explores personal, professional and business ethics. It examines the difference between ethics and compliance and how ethical values can enhance business performance and overcome both conduct risk and ethical lapses.

This online workshop draws on aspects of ethical leadership and develops insights into how ethical behaviours and discretionary judgement based on values can underpin a high-performance ethical culture.

About 1 in 5 New Zealand adults experience a common mental illness each year. Understanding how to talk about mental health and help someone in need are important skills. This Mental Health First Aid course, will teach you the skills and knowledge to recognise and respond to someone experiencing mental health challenges.

This course introduces concepts that go beyond the usual operational planning and control of a project. Knowledge is needed about leadership and the “softer” albeit critical aspects of project management that emerge when the practitioner moves to a more senior or comprehensive project management role.

This is a test event

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

People new to team leadership often focus on tasks and end-goals – but how do they develop into leaders that motivate and inspire their team to deliver those end-goals? This course provides people with space to look at the team leader role, examining leadership styles and the characteristics that are needed to lead teams to success.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your guide to employment law compliance. Find out how to meet your employment law obligations from hiring staff through to termination, and everything in between.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

The Leader’s Guide to Performance Management is an online training course, teaching you everything you need to know to turn from technical expert to high-performing manager in 4 weeks.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

Explore how to select the right staff in this HR and manager’s guide to hiring interviewing skills, so you can select a staff to build the best and brightest team.

Do you need a comprehensive guide to managing poor performance and investigating misconduct? This course will give you practical tools to follow performance management processes and conduct disciplinary meetings.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your practical guide to Human Resources for managing your team – from hiring to termination, and everything in between.

The Leader’s Guide to Performance Management is an online training course, teaching you everything you need to know to turn from technical expert to high-performing manager in 4 weeks.

This KickStart to Leadership webinar series, brought to you by The Training Practice, is an interactive and highly practical leadership development programme for those who lead others. The programme delivered via Zoom runs on 14, 16, 21, and 23 September.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

This KickStart to Leadership webinar series, brought to you by The Training Practice, is an interactive and highly practical leadership development programme for those who lead others. The programme delivered via Zoom runs on 21, 23, 28 and 30 November.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

The Leader’s Guide to Performance Management is an online training course, teaching you everything you need to know to turn from technical expert to high-performing manager in 4 weeks.

Explore how to select the right staff in this HR and manager’s guide to hiring interviewing skills, so you can select a staff to build the best and brightest team.

Do you need a comprehensive guide to managing poor performance and investigating misconduct? This course will give you practical tools to follow performance management processes and conduct disciplinary meetings.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your practical guide to Human Resources for managing your team – from hiring to termination, and everything in between.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your practical guide to Human Resources for managing your team – from hiring to termination, and everything in between.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your guide to employment law compliance. Find out how to meet your employment law obligations from hiring staff through to termination, and everything in between.

This KickStart to Leadership webinar series, brought to you by The Training Practice, is an interactive and highly practical leadership development programme for those who lead others. The programme delivered via Zoom runs on 6, 9, 14 and 16 June.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

This workshop will review good practice and liability issues for both authors and reviewers/receivers of producer statements and other verification documentation. Establishing compliance with the Building Act and with other regulatory frameworks is covered.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Engage and motivate staff from different generations. Manage the challenges and reap the benefits of working with millennials through to mature workers.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your guide to employment law compliance. Find out how to meet your employment law obligations from hiring staff through to termination, and everything in between.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

The Leader’s Guide to Performance Management is an online training course, teaching you everything you need to know to turn from technical expert to high-performing manager in 4 weeks.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

In this project planning masterclass presented by Piet Beukman, you'll learn a structured and logical way to plan your next project. This course is aimed at those of you experienced with project management, through to seasoned practitioners.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

An introduction or refresher to NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works. This course covers the structure of NZS 3910, procurement considerations, and explores the roles and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract, Engineer’s Representative, Principal and Contractor.

This course explores the practical applications of the role and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative under NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works.

Writing in simple language is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner.

This KickStart to Leadership webinar series, brought to you by The Training Practice, is an interactive and highly practical leadership development programme for those who lead others.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Transform from a technical expert into a high-performing manager with the Leader’s Guide to Performance Management – Coaching Programme, an online course with 4 key modules. Don’t just manage; lead with impact!

This course explores the practical applications of the role and responsibilities of the Engineer to the Contract and the Engineer’s Representative under NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of Contract for building and civil engineering works.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your practical guide to Human Resources for managing your team – from hiring to termination, and everything in between.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your practical guide to Human Resources for managing your team – from hiring to termination, and everything in between.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Writing in simple language is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.

Effective time management is the key to success as an engineering professional. In this course, find out how to balance competing priorities so you can complete work on time. Discover proven time management tools and techniques to complete work with greater efficiency.

Effective writing is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats, including in your technical writing, tenders, reports, and correspondence.

Explore how to select the right staff in this HR and manager’s guide to hiring interviewing skills, so you can select a staff to build the best and brightest team.

Giving feedback is essential for developing top performers. This course focuses on how to give effective feedback and coach staff for success. Participants will explore how to conduct performance reviews and set goals for high-performing teams.

Do you need a comprehensive guide to managing poor performance and investigating misconduct? This course will give you practical tools to follow performance management processes and conduct disciplinary meetings.

Are you struggling to balance your professional goals with your personal wellbeing? Too many engineering professionals feel stressed, burned out, and overwhelmed. Discover how to work in a flow state and create resilience to cope with and adapt to new situations.

Writing in simple language is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner.

Writing in simple language is a powerful tool for engineers. Learn how to write in plain English for better results. This course covers how to write in a clear and concise manner.

If you have staff responsibilities, this is your guide to employment law compliance. Find out how to meet your employment law obligations from hiring staff through to termination, and everything in between.

Want to resolve disputes with confidence? This practical course equips you with the tools and techniques to identify, address, and resolve workplace conflicts before they escalate into bullying and harassment—key issues for New Zealand businesses.

Transform from a technical expert into a high-performing manager with the Leader’s Guide to Performance Management – Coaching Programme, an online course with 4 key modules. Don’t just manage, lead with impact!

This course will increase awareness and provide practical tools and knowledge on how to include safety, fairness and meaning in your working environment.

This course is designed to help engineers and technical professionals sharpen their skills to write clear and concise reports that serve their purpose.