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The mobile phone was once for show-off yuppies whose Porsches could generate enough energy to charge those bricks with wires. Now everyone from schoolchildren to grandmothers carry them. The early internet was reserved for a few beardy-weirdy university academics exchanging views on the latest Star Trek episode. Now we're all at it – websites for our businesses; family sites for holiday pics. And, of course, e-mail.

It is difficult to think back to a time when new products, and ideas, were far from commonplace. Gradually, however, their value becomes clear to more people. Others catch on to their utility and desirability. The ideas develop and are improved – phones are smaller, web connections faster.

The same process applies to the idea of partnering in the construction industry. Five years ago, it was at best an impossible Holy Grail of an objective; at worst something dreamed up by a clueless industry outsider who didn't understand that conflict is an inherent part of how construction is done.

Gradually though, some far-sighted, brave and maybe even slightly mad individuals decided to give partnering a go. First attempts weren't always successful, and it's difficult to build a team if everyone else is giving you the cold shoulder. But eventually, like all good ideas, more people were drawn to partnering, could see its benefits and wanted to reap its rewards.

I don't think that we're at the stage yet where partnering is a mainstream activity. The tide is turning. Those who said that it could never be done are clearly wrong. They no longer hold sway over the mass of professionals in the construction industry who long for a new and better way of working. People are open to the idea, and want to learn. This is where a new idea becomes a good idea.