Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

A New Way to Enter the Trades

In academic settings, why are the trades considered “less than?” What can we do to change that social stamp of disapproval? Join host Todd and guest Clay Abernathy as they discuss how to make the trades a viable option for the younger generation, when to start talking about trades education, and tackling the subject of traditional college versus trade school educations.  
Clay Abernathy is a veteran entrepreneur with 28 years of experience in a wide variety of sales and management positions. In 2006, he founded Idea’l Trade Institute to provide alternative educational opportunities for students wanting accelerated or hands-on training.

35% of Your Day is Wasted

Do you feel “heard” on the jobsite? In your experience, have efforts at collaboration been effective? Join host Todd and guest Ron Nussbaum as they discuss what communication in the construction industry should look like, the value that clarity brings to an overall ROI, best practices for stakeholders and contractors, and more.
Ron Nussbaum is the Founder and CEO of Nuttnest. After serving in the Marine Corps., he went on to add over a decade of experience in the construction industry. He has cemented himself as a visionary and a leader in construction by working in field, sales, leadership, and management.
TODD-TAKES
When we think about communicating better in construction, we first need to ask ourselves a basic question. What does that even mean? It isn’t as easy and straightforward as it seems at first glance. In fact, better communication means something different to everyone. In these situations, taking the time to understand where the other side is aiming for is very helpful.
Ron brought up a stunning stat in that 35% of time on a jobsite is related to miscommunication. That is crazy! How much could you do if you got 35% of time back in your day? This is definitely not a minor issue.
We need to focus on the customer experience. The better and more simplistic we can make the experience, the more likely we are to have a lifelong customer.

Team Equals Tenure

Is it possible to guarantee success? If so, what building blocks do you need to implement? Join host Todd and guest Bryson Reaume as they discuss building the best team for your project, how to stay connected when you might be working remote, what the world should know about the contractor’s point of view, and the shifting goals and mindsets of project teams.
Bryson Reaume is the Founder and CEO of Reaume Richardson, a Los Angeles-based contracting company with 20 years of experience revitalizing cityscapes throughout California. His knowledge was built from the ground up, as he worked in the trades for half a decade before moving into executive management.

The Marketing Problem in Construction Continues

As someone in the construction industry, how do you begin to tell your story? Join host Todd and guest Katlyn Slocum as they discuss best strategies for getting “the word” out about your company, the difference between “old school” and “new school” marketing tactics, and how to know you’re being effective at communicating with your target audience.
Katlyn Slocum is the owner of Katlyn Slocum Design, a website design agency based out of Vancouver, WA. Growing up in Minnesota with a family of tradesmen, she learned the value of hard work, keeping your word, and entrepreneurship. After finishing her Bachelor's in Business, Katlyn started her own business from the ground up, with a passion for helping blue-collar professionals like the ones she grew up with. She believes website design is most effective when it is strategy-driven and tailored to every business' unique needs to increase conversions. Katlyn brings together a unique combination of strategic web design, development, SEO, and training all in one to get her clients' businesses to the next level.

The Old Trades are Gone

We all have a story to tell—what’s yours? Join host Todd and guest Jessica Bannister as they discuss the growing audience that comes with globalization, the difficulties we face in reaching and maintaining the attention of the younger generation, the essential nature of collaboration in modern times, and much more.
Jessica Bannister is a Level 3 HVAC Apprentice in BC. She is a brand ambassador for ERRECOM. She shares her everyday adventures and journey towards becoming a licensed journeyman on her website and her Instagram (@HVACjess).

Our Modular Future

When you think of modular and preconstruction, what comes to mind? Are there some misconceptions around the implications of these building styles, and how do we challenge those misconceptions? Join host Todd and guest Audree Grubesic as they discuss the parts of modular construction that go unseen, how the “seismic shift” in the industry will impact this form of construction, and how innovation plays a huge part in getting the word out about sustainable building.
Audree M Grubesic is the owner of Modular Sure Site, an Off-Site Construction Management Service company. She has first-hand experience of project management on site using offsite solutions. Over the past 25+ years, she has excelled in marketing, sales, new business development, and homebuilding. This experience has led her to create a niche in the modular construction industry. Our specialty is modular residential and commercial consulting, along with management services including full team development.

Lean Construction: The Roadblocks and Shortcuts

Join host Todd and guest Tammy McConaughy as they discuss lean manufacturing vs. lean construction, some of the best and easiest ways to reduce waste on the construction field, how to move away from being “risk averse” in the industry, and the end goals that we can look forward to when it comes to lean construction.
Tammy McConaughy is a Six Sigma black belt and certified national trainer with the Lean Construction Institute. As the Global Director of Lean Delivery, she develops, facilitates and supports CRB Group’s international Lean design and construction programs. She is also a contributing author to the LCI published book, “Target Value Delivery: Practitioner Guidebook to Implementation.”

Can Sustainability Make it Past the Boardroom?

Is sustainability leaving the boardroom? Are you effectively communicating throughout your organization the implications of sustainability or are you keeping those conversations in a small group? We as a construction industry need to work together more to reimagine how we do things that reduce waste, make construction more efficient and make it better for the environment. Advance Workshop director Ismail Makda joined the show to talk about sustainability and the expectations that arise from innovation.
 
Ismail is a construction industry professional with over 20 years experience serving the AEC industry. His background is in construction industry materials with a particular focus on digital tools and innovative transformation to make the world of construction meet the challenges of climate change and in harnessing new technologies in the interests of efficiency.

Lessons We Learn from Change

How do you lead successfully? And more importantly, how do you lead in a way that benefits yourself and everyone around you? Join host Todd and guest Jason Feifer as they discuss how change can spur growth, the rewards that come with pushing away your comfort zone, the concept of “comfortability,” and more.
Jason Feifer is the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, author of the book Build For Tomorrow (out September 2022), a startup advisor, and host of two podcasts: Build For Tomorrow (yes, same name as the book) a show about the smartest solutions to our most misunderstood problems; and Problem Solvers, about entrepreneurs overcoming the odds in their business. Prior to Entrepreneur, Jason has worked as an editor at Men’s Health, Fast Company, Maxim, and Boston magazine, and has written about business and technology for the Washington Post, Slate, New York, and others. Jason’s previous book, a romantic comedy that he wrote with his wife called Mr. Nice Guy, is currently being developed for television.

The Latest Research and Trends with Josh Bone

Are we in a recession? Would that even matter for construction? How can we avoid getting boxed in by our next contract? What is the biggest impact to our bottom line? Join host Todd and guest Josh Bone as they discuss recent economic impacts on the electrical and construction industries, how to stay informed while moving into a modular framework, and what to expect from the next five years.
Josh Bone is the Executive Director of Electri International and is a long time friend of the show, helping to launch one of our first episodes in 2019. For more than two decades, he has been implementing, training, and presenting construction technology solutions to AEC&O professionals.