Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

The State of Trust in Construction

What role does trust play in the everyday success of construction? Can you really measure the ROI and improve productivity with an intentional focus on trust? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Eric Thomas of Autodesk as they talk about the state and definition of trust in construction, how to face interpersonal challenges in the industry, creating a space where ideas can flourish, taking the stigma out of failing, and maintaining good work relationships. 
Eric Thomas is a Manager of Construction Thought Leadership at Autodesk and host of the Digital Builder podcast. In addition to developing Autodesk’s content strategy for construction, he is passionate about helping the AEC industry make impactful decisions when leveraging construction technology. Prior to joining Autodesk, he worked for Gilbane Building Co. and Truebeck Construction. Eric has nearly a decade of marketing experience and a bachelor’s degree in Scientific and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University.
 
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Other Relevant Links:
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Bridging the Marketing Gap in Construction

Are you telling your story or allowing others to fill in the gap with potentially inaccurate information? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Mike Merrill as they continue with the second part of their conversation and how to overcome the marketing problem in construction. Todd and Mike get into some ways to better share the innovations happening and some ways to get the message out. Make sure to listen to the first part of the conversation from the Mobile Workforce Podcast. 
With 10 years as a construction and real estate entrepreneur and 18 years as a technology executive, Mike Merrill, co-founder of WorkMax by AboutTime Technologies, brings strong leadership and expert knowledge. In addition, he’s the host of The Mobile Workforce Podcast where gathers industry experts to inspire change and finds out what it takes to profitability manage mobile workforces. With Mike’s depth of knowledge of the construction industry and mobile workforce technology, he’s a highly sought after author by leading industry trade publications and speaker at industry conferences. When he isn’t working, Mike is an athletic outdoorsman and is spending time with his wife and four kids.

Powering Efficiency in the Trades

What are the foundational building blocks of success with digital transformation? How do you know you’re moving in the right direction? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Jason Saunders as they discuss the different ways the MEP industry is handling operational efficiency, how to achieve long-term success, what it means to really leverage your data, and how to properly communicate your vision from the office to the field. 
Jason Saunders is a Solutions Engineer at eSub Construction Software. He grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland Ohio and went to college at Purdue University. After graduating from Purdue, Jason took a position managing a territory for a building materials manufacturer in the roofing industry. Working with contractors, distributors, architects, and owners, he gained pre-con and construction experience. After extensive work with hundreds of trade contractors, Jason decided to leave his current position to pursue starting his own trade contracting business.

The Race to Industrialized Construction

How relevant is your company moving into the next decade of construction? Are you prepared to make the innovations necessary to thrive? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Jim Tavernelli as they discuss the industry-wide adoption of industrialized construction, challenging your team to innovate, utilizing consistency to see what your company is capable of, creating an open and trusting work environment, sharing best practices, and much more. 
Jim Tavernelli serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of KLH Engineers, a traditional MEP Engineering Consulting Firm in the AEC Industry. KLH has transformed into a distinctively different engineering firm that leverages technology and software to provide more tangible value to the true consumer of its services – contractors. Jim has led KLH’s reinvention into an innovation-centric practice by executing its “technical strategy” which has fundamentally changed the way KLH views and completes its work. Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton and is a registered Professional Engineer in 17 states. He also holds a Master in Business Administration from Xavier University.

Combining Craftsmanship and Technology

Are you ensuring the wisdom of the field in your technology? How can you know? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Troy DeGroot as they talk about the need for consistent workflow standards across teams, foundational building blocks for technology adoption, how it’s possible to increase both efficiency and accuracy, and utilizing Bluebeam as a genuine game-changer. With over 20 years as a Detailer, Designer, and BIM Manager prior to teaching, Troy DeGroot has cultivated a deep understanding of the requirements of customers, the needs of end-users, common goals of management, and the capacities of Bluebeam® technology. As a Bluebeam Certified Consultant, Bluebeam Certified Instructor, and Implementation Specialist, Troy increases productivity for Project Managers, predictability for BIM/VDC Managers, and helps maximize software adoption for CEO/CIOs.

Attitudes Towards Technology

What is your instinctive reaction to technology? How does that impact your work in construction? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Peyton Kringlie as they discuss a recent article Peyton wrote around the different approaches to technology in construction, encouraging those who need a confidence boost in technology, staying humble while you’re trying out something new, and what innovation looks like real-time. 
Peyton Kringlie, Business Analyst from LS Black Constructors has experience in several domains. Peyton grew up in a family owned, Construction/Building Material Supply company located in the Dakotas. He then received degrees in Business and Construction Management from the University of Minnesota. After pursuing traditional Project Engineer route, he then transitioned to Business Analyst, where he leads his company, LS Black, in all its efforts with Technology and Innovation. He recently wrote an article, highlighting the difficulties of technology adoption, specifically in the Construction Industry, but provides takeaway insight from Psychology research to help.

Constructing Empathy and Leadership

What is the impact of an empathic leader in construction? How can vision-casting help improve operational efficiency? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Sean Reid as they discuss the remote workforce, the appeal and potential of the construction industry, new approaches towards leadership in the industry, the importance of empathy in the workplace, and the new generation of workers who want to see new and better things from their workplace and jobs. 
Sean Reid is Vice President of Strategy and Business Operations for Aedo, a leader in data-enablement solutions for construction. He is also a certified leadership coach, and a recognized expert in operational planning and execution, leadership communication, and team performance. In his work at Aedo, Sean and his team are developing software and consulting solutions that help contractors create high-performance, data-driven operating cultures, and leverage innovative analytic and AI capabilities to drive new levels of growth, profitability, and market opportunity.

Staying Curious

We are flipping the script and showing respect for perspective. It’s time to look at ConTech through an architect’s eyes. Join host Todd and guest Maya Leigh as they discuss common myths about architects, how to utilize self-reflection after you’re done with a project, what a project might look like in an ideal world, the need for curiosity, and asking others for help. 
Maya Leigh is a senior architect and team leader at Moshe Zur Architects and Town Planners, one of the leading architecture firms in Israel. Over the last 13 years she has gained extensive experience using Revit and BIM, planning projects ranging from high rise residences and hotels to office buildings. She is interested in the intersection of architecture and technology and is deeply curious and excited about what the future holds for the AEC industry.

Building Digital Resiliency: A Special Crosspod Recapping Digital Agility Summit

Join this special episode as Bridging the Gap joins forces with our sister podcast The AEC Disruptors hosted by Christopher Riddell to recap the biggest takeaways for the Digital Agility Summit. Todd and Christopher are joined by solutions engineer and cloud infrastructure strategist Jason Schmidt of Applied Software to unpack whether the intensity of work has changed over the past year, the potential future technology trends of the AEC industry, the ways in which we’ll need to adapt to technology, and what we can look forward to when it comes to digital transformation. 
Christopher Riddell is the Director of Innovation at Applied Software and host of the AEC Disruptors podcast. Over the last several years, he has placed an emphasis on utilizing technologies such as Dynamo to extend the power of Revit and other BIM technologies. He is passionate about the transfer of knowledge from one group to the next, which he believes is the key to overall success in the AEC industry. 
Jason Schmidt is an AEC industry specialist and Technology leader, with over 29 years of progressive IT & Design Technology experience, helping enhance AEC processes and workflows. He has the experience to interact and communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups, including all levels of management.

Securing Your Data with Agility

Cyber security is a massive part of being digitally agile. How secure is your data? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Phil Keeney as they discuss trends in cybersecurity, practical steps towards implementing cybersecurity, the importance of resiliency, important commitments to map out before obtaining CMMC, the definition of digital agility, and how to truly understand innovation. 
Phil Keeney leads the Stambaugh Ness TechSolutions team, providing technology consulting and implementation to over 800 clients including the architecture and engineering, not-for-profit, governmental, and health care industries. Working closely with clients, Phil develops innovative solutions designed to contribute to the company’s overall growth and profitability. Phil manages and deploys technology initiatives for clients via ERP, EDI, and CRM, as well as developing and managing all aspects of their technological infrastructure, technology inventory and staff. His years of experience also includes performing IT security audits, intrusion/penetration testing, and long-term strategic planning.