I buy houses, apartments and buildings from 20.000km distance. In Spain, Panama, New Zealand… and I can stay anywhere. Of course, I don’t recommend that for you. Some people want to push globalization too much. Having assets in London, NY, Madrid, Singapore, Sydney, etc. at the same time is not good for your health, nor your pocket. You miss specialization. You miss learning and knowing well a market. When bidding PPP projects, I have seen successful bidders doing so from the distance....
1 day ago • 1 min read
It happens a few weeks ago. “Tell me about Madrid and Spain, how do you do it? I heard a business case that Madrid has been able to deliver the cheapest tunnels in the world…” I did not know about that case, but my answer was simple: “Do you know how many TMBs had Madrid at the time?” Look. If you want cheap infrastructure, create a pipeline. Madrid had during more than 10 years between 7 and 8 TBMs (the machines to make tunnels in engineering slang). They are extremely costly. So, they...
3 days ago • 1 min read
A great friend of mine tells his team: “Work hard, play harder”. I can’t agree more with him. Infrastructure is a difficult business. Lots of hours of discussing, negotiating, working, arguing with people. Yes, people. Not companies, not systems. People. Along the journey you’ll have all sorts of moments. Creating all sorts of emotions. Engraving in you, amazing memories. So enjoy the journey. Don’t be a gilipollas and play harder. No matter what the contract says, if you get along well with...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Southeast Asia. Early 2020s. You’re advising on a major transport PPP. Billions on the line. A metro line so politically visible that even the Prime Minister’s dog has an opinion on it. Your consortium is ready. Equity committed. Contractors lined up. Designers caffeinated beyond medical guidelines. The agency launches the RFQ. Everyone smiles. “Finally, a flagship project done properly.” (What a beautiful illusion.) Then… the unexpected happens. A new Minister arrives. (You can already feel...
5 days ago • 2 min read
My wife has sentenced. My little son and I are condemned to not wearing anything white clothes in the next 10 to 15 years. No matter what you do, no matter how much precaution you have, it all ends the same. Wine, oil, or tomato come to the party. And that polo or shirt ended like a Kleenex. One use only. No matter what you do, it’s time you look for a second use or prepare to send it to a charity. One use only, as I said. Like great RFPs. Millions spent. Dozens of consultants mobilized....
6 days ago • 1 min read
Just in a rush as I’m taking a plane. You’ve been reading my emails for weeks. Learning, nodding, agreeing… But nothing changes just by knowing. You can blame the market. You can blame your company. You can blame your boss or the government or the crisis. Or you can accept a fact: Winners move when others freeze. You want better projects? Better money? Recognition? A pat in the back? Then you must become the person who gets those things. You know what I’m offering. Not soft coaching, but...
7 days ago • 1 min read
A client of mine was angry. Very angry. An obstinate and incompetent operator. A client that did not understand what a PPP was or how risks work. Claims. Lots of letters. Even more frustration. It’s hard to work in that environment. But it’s almost the day to day of many projects. People not understanding each other. Not because some are incompetent and have nothing to do but heating and protecting their chairs… that happens sometimes… but because nobody is trying to understand the other...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Yesterday a subscriber told me that writing every day was too much. Too much pressure. I answered back as Grant Cardone would do. “Sir, you’re confusing my belief and passion in knowing this is the right product for you and your company with pressure. Please don’t misinterpret my enthusiasm for pressure. Now, let’s do this”. To all people with passion. To all people that love to deliver better infrastructure. This is for you. The top 15 Lessons of a successful project The top 15 lessons of a...
9 days ago • 1 min read
These days, still in Spain, I had the opportunity to talk to many infrastructure professionals. Things are slow. Bad. Nothing new. Construction companies are risk averse. They prefer private clients now… aka, data centers and batteries. Projects are small. Lenders are worried. Etc. Look. Every guru out there is writing, talking, showing "projections for 2026"... It's as typical as the new year eve. It arrives every year. Together with their mistakes. And my friends, gurus included, forget...
10 days ago • 1 min read
