Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

The Communication Gaps in Construction

As the year wraps up, what have we learned about the industry? What needs to be fixed, and in what ways have we made great strides? Join host Todd and guest Cameron Page as they talk about the jobs that set us up for success in the long run, how to pull together different industry groups for the better, the best ways to convince the industry to adopt new tech and tools, and how a workflow would look in a perfect world.
Cameron Page is CEO of Extracker, the industry’s only change order communication platform. Leaning on his experience as a project manager, Cameron understands the risks involved in processing change orders and how detrimental mistakes can be to a project. Cameron is available to offer listeners the keys to processing change orders faster and how to mitigate risks when speeding up the process.
TODD-TAKES
Technology and collaboration have made the need for visibility all the more important. Leverage technology to help firm up your processes to give greater confidence that you aren’t missing important pieces of information.
Cameron used the example that at a previous company they ran decisions through a simple question of “does this make us a better builder?” I love that. Having a north star that you can measure new initiatives, workflows, software and more against is a handy tool. It will go a long way to set you up for success in the long term by understanding the value and business case behind the action.
Finally, document your processes to minimize disruption as things change and people leave the company. You want to make sure you don’t lose the intuitional data and information that has been learned.

Don‘t Limit the Way You Think About Construction Careers

Would you fit in if you were working in a construction industry job? A lot of people looking for work don’t think so. There is a long-standing perception in our society that construction industry jobs are dirty, difficult, back-breaking labor. And yes, there are certainly jobs like that. However, the added reality is that there are literally hundreds of jobs in or linked to the construction industry that do not require carrying bundles of fiberglass insulation on your shoulder, roofing a building, digging ditches, or muscling around sheets of drywall.
Coralee Beatty joins us this week on the podcast to talk about women in construction and the perceptions surrounding the industry. She urged everyone to look past only what they see or hear passing by a construction site, and research further into the vast sea of opportunity in this industry.
We need to spotlight different faces and voices around the industry to show leadership positions are attainable for all. There is tremendous value in embracing and leveraging a diversity of thought and backgrounds.
Teamwork, active listening and creating understanding are crucial to a healthy and productive work environment and jobsite. Give people permission to have these conversations and make those personal connections at work.
Finally, it is ok to ask for help. A lot of people can feel it is a weakness to not be able to do everything. In fact, it is a strength to admit that you in fact need someone else. Only once we tap into our collective strength can we truly accomplish great things.

The Complexity of Modern Construction

As the year comes to a close, what has changed? What have we learned about collaboration, data, and teamwork? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Eric Whobrey as they discuss the newest opportunities in the world of technology, the boldness of taking a good calculated risk, the education component of the AEC industry, “data for the sake of data,” and much more.
Eric Whobrey is fascinated by technology and how it continues to make businesses more successful, and he finds himself delving deeper the applications of smart design, data analysis, and application development with each new endeavor. He has managed web and data development teams, build technology, established a technology strategy for a billion-dollar business, and actively invests in technology startups. Previously, Eric managed the Operational Effectiveness program at Centro and now runs the technology department for ARCO/Murray, a Design-Build Construction company, and he co-leads a small investment fund.
TODD-TAKES
There is tremendous value in bringing in an outsider perspective to gain fresh eyes. By providing a blend between technology and industry experience you are expanding your scope of knowledge while increasing your chance of success.
Once you have a diverse array of perspectives, it is important to listen and learn from others when trying to implement new technology. Pull in and give ownership to the stakeholders that are experiencing the problem instead of just forcing new technology.
Finally, Eric said “we don’t necessarily have a technology problem. We have a communication, education and empathy problem.” I think that is a great framework to operate in when implementing technology. Develop a plan for all three areas – communication, education and empathy.

How Technology Informs Teamwork

Join host Todd and guest Mark Lamberson as they discuss construction trends that are here to stay, doing your “due diligence” in the industry, how to evolve alongside the constant changes in tech, how to represent your own interests as well as those of your team with technology, and remembering to apply empathy to every aspect of the industry.
Mark Lamberson began his construction career as a plumbing apprentice for his stepfather’s plumbing company in Detroit in 1992. He completed an apprenticeship program through the Plumber's Local 98 training center in 2000. He has worked in the roles of journeyman, welder, foreman, project manager and estimator. He began his role as a plumbing detailer in 2006 and advanced to leader, manager, and finally National VDC Manager for the Limbach Company. Mark’s accreditations include a Certificate in Plumbing Design, Certified Autodesk Professional, and a Certificate in Construction Supervision. In 2018, Michigan’s chapter of American Society of Sanitary Engineers awarded Mark the John E. Matthews Engineer of the Year Award. Mark is involved in technology implementation, fabrication, and standardization committees throughout Limbach.

How to Rock the Trades

Are you ready to turn the volume up and rock the trades loud? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Christopher Brenchley as they discuss the state of the trades today, the absolute importance of skilled tradesmen as essential workers, how Rock the Trades is helping to revitalize the workforce, and how there would be “no white-collar world without blue-collar workers.”
A digital evangelist for nearly three decades, Christopher Brenchley is co-founder and CEO of Surehand, Inc.—an industrial talent sourcing platform provider—and the driving force behind the Rock the Trades workforce development movement. He is deeply committed to expanding awareness of blue-collar career paths, reducing industrial labor shortages, and ending underemployment. Get involved at https://rockthetrades.com.
 
TODD-TAKES:
This conversation really gets at one of my soapbox topics around helping to change the perception problem that exists around the skilled trades. Loved that Chris is working to help, in his words, “elevate the perception of the skilled trades back to the industrial artists that they were decades ago.”
To help increase exposure to the trades and reach a younger audience, we need to humanize the trades while getting information out about the reality of this industry in current and creative ways.
The key to accomplishing this rests in our ability as an industry to lock arms with each other around a single message and rallying cry. I love the “Rock the Trades” mindset to bring people together to turn the cameras around and show the amazing things happening in the industry. So, let’s go rock the trades together!

Creatively Bringing People Together

Are you well equipped and empowered to thrive in the new normal? Join host Todd and guests Melissa Lopez and Ryan Shortill as they discuss what a healthy corporate culture looks like, the new opportunities that have arisen from the remote work environment, how to adjust to working from home in the face of burnout and different schedules, attracting top talent employees to your company, and the importance of empathy in every context.
Melissa Lopez currently serves as the CEO of Positive Adventures and CEO and Co-Founder of Onyx Offsites & Trainings, a new corporate concierge team building company designed to create meaningful culture, connection and change in corporations of all sizes. With more than 25 years of industry and leadership experience in marketing, advertising and entrepreneurship, Lopez successfully navigated Positive Adventures through the COVID-19 pandemic and launched Onyx in early 2021 to address the new needs of the corporate landscape. Lopez currently sits on the Board of Directors for Entrepreneur’s Organization San Diego Chapter as Integration Chair as well as serves on the Board of Directors for Pegasus Building Services, where her board role is centralized on marketing, operational and visionary guidance for the institution.
As the Founder of Onyx Offsites & Trainings and Positive Adventures, Ryan Shortill is the driving force behind the brand’s mission. Passionate about helping communities, organizations, teams, and individuals realize their productive power, for more than 15 years, Shortill has provided counsel for companies and communities through unique, purpose-driven techniques. Shortill has taught a variety of curriculum to every level of academia as well as large organizations and senior management teams and is accustomed to speaking to a variety of audiences.
TODD-TAKES
I loved the birds chirping in the background of Ryan. It was such a great example of embracing this new normal and allowing the flexibility and empowerment for people to work from where they can thrive the most.
Melissa and Ryan provided so many great examples of thinking outside the box in order to connect people across departments, for example the Run Club or serving together. I also loved the idea of switching things up in meetings and brainstorming to meet at a park. Recently, I was able to bring my entire team together for the first time in 2 years and we incorporated that advice into our meeting. It was fantastic to enjoy being outside together.
Construction workers are athletes that must take time to focus on Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual health. As part of this, it is incumbent on leaders to know the person behind the employee. Take the time to know what drives and fulfills your team members so you can as Ryan said, “relate as a human rather than an item that needs to be accomplished.” Ryan also provided some powerful examples of this in action with purchasing concert tickets and plane tickets for his employees.

Making Construction of the Future A Reality

It is an amazing time for construction but with the growth comes a lot of change. Are you harnessing the change required to launch you into a successful future? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Randee Herrin as they unpack change management, developing alignment throughout the organization, investing in a healthy culture, data strategy, diversity in the workplace and more.
Randee Herrin is the Senior Vice President of Construction Technologies & Manufacturing at TDIndustries, Inc. With 20+ years of experience as a leader in construction, she has been innovative and utilized technology to drive value creation through big-picture and futuristic thinking. She is well versed in technology-driven workflows to transform how building and construction is executed.

Bringing Iron Man to Construction

Does your company embrace innovation and new opportunities? Do you? Also, what is the future of robotics in construction? Join host Todd and guest Aarni Heiskanen as they discuss crossing the divide between labor and construction demand, the growing importance of robotics in the field, the people-centric aspect of the construction industry, and much more.
Aarni Heiskanen is a Finnish construction innovation agent helping construction sector companies innovate and communicate. He has worked as an architect, consultant, and software developer. Aarni is the co-founder of AE Partners, a business development firm, and heads AEC Business, a construction communication agency. He has been hailed as a Top 100 construction tech influencer. His award-winning blog is at AEC-Business.com.

The Catalyst Behind a Growth Mindset

What does it mean to grow? Will you have to move beyond your comfort zone to keep up? Join host Todd and guest Doug Howard as they discuss navigating growth with your company, nurturing long-range plans over time, the absolute necessity of skill training, and how to both embrace and understand the downsides of technology. 
Doug Howard is the Director of Consulting Services at Remodelers Advantage, Inc. He has extensive experience in business consulting, facilitating and training on profit improvement, growth strategies, financing, succession planning and business enhancement in the home remodeling industry

Embracing Tech in the Field and Office

Are you ready for what’s ahead? Is your company And how can you know? Join host Todd and guest Jason Gregg as they discuss the continuing hesitancy around the adoption of technology, pursuing and achieving goals even though the path may be unsure, and how ensure that your company survives—and grows stronger through—every obstacle placed in its way.
Jason Gregg is the VDC Manager at RK Mechanical. He has 30 years of construction experience bringing innovation, technology and prefabrication to the construction industry by utilizing field experience and project management to help propel employees to the next level.