What industry issues will have the most effect on your 2019 planning?

Construction industry experts weigh in on industry issues that will have the most effect on their 2019 planning.

Workforce Development

It seems that every board meeting I attend these days has “workforce development” as a topic on the agenda. In most areas, the economy is humming in high gear, and record low unemployment is a driver for sure. Beyond this, to “lift all boats” is just the right thing to do. Training usually includes learning the basics of an industry or craft, and I would also add personal finance be taught at the high school level. Many coming out of high school do not understand the relationship between “save first, spend later” and living within your means.

In the past, we have tried teaching young people the industry, and I’ll be the first to admit that for several reason, we have not always had success. Next week, we try again with a new intern, but this time with The Birmingham Education Foundation as our coach. “Ed,” as it’s called for short, has matched us with a city high school student, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for success. Our intern will be with us through June, and our intent will be to start another one in the fall. Hopefully our experience will be mutually beneficial. There is potential for lots of wins.

As a side note, “Ed” is led by my friend JW Carpenter, and if you do not have an “Ed” equivalent in your city or town, you might reach out to him for advice, as he is a seasoned pro in this arena. Who knows–You may find yourself with an outstanding long-term employee.

 

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5 Ways to Eliminate Waste with a Constructible Process

Waste is all too common on construction projects today. That waste is not only bad for the environment, it also cuts into budgets and diminishes a project’s overall return.

5 Business Books You Need to Read

You may have a handle on how to run the jobsite, but advice and resources to handling all the other aspects of running a construction business can often be difficult to find. The CBO team is always on the hunt for business articles and books that provide answers to the questions that plague business owners like you every day. We asked our editorial advisory board to tell us their go-to books for business knowledge. See their answers below.  

The Drivers Behind Adaptive Reuse

Our hometown is one of those cities that came of age during an industrial boom. Because of this, there is plenty of historical space in the CBD that is full of architectural details and prime for adaptive reuse. We’ve been a part of several of these projects. So the question I asked myself is, “Why has this initiative become a driver in the redevelopment of our core cities?”  A few thoughts:

Obviously, federal, state and local tax incentives have helped tremendously.

Another thought might be that these places remind occupants of the origins of their cities, a connect with the past?

Every existing building is unique and the design has to adapt to this existing shape, so maybe it’s the uniqueness appealing to our individuality that also might be a draw.

Or maybe people are drawn to the raw and exposed elements of the interiors in many of these buildings.

The answer is probably a mix of these elements. At any rate, it’s becoming clear that exposed brick, tall ceilings, polished concrete floors and large windows aren’t just for adaptive reuse anymore. The new multifamily units we are involved with incorporate many of these features. And while ground up construction may lack the tax incentives, it does bypass existing conditions, giving designers complete control over the finished product.

Designers are saying “Industrial Chic” style has the staying power of many of the classic building styles we see re-imagined time and time again. Via traditional adaptive reuse or new design, it seems that the trend of uniting industrial components with warmer design elements will stand the test of time.

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Improve Projects & Productivity with Collaborative, Customizable Technologies

How to create beter communicatinon, efficiency and productivity with construction softwares by expert Jason Barner from Assignar. 

Improve Equipment Maintenance & Life Span With Telematics

3 Ways to Improve Equipment Maintenance & Life Span With Telematics.

How to Win Construction Bid Proposals

3 simple steps to winning construction bid proposals from expert Dan Taylor.

Why Continuing Education is the Lifeblood of Electrical Contractors

More than ever, continuous education is the lifeblood of electrical contractors—it is necessary not only for doing business but also for staying on top of industry trends. Technologies—such as LED lighting, lighting controls and whole home automation, as well as advances in generators and transformers—increasingly require ongoing education from electricians to win bids, meet demand and stay competitive. As such, filling any gaps in knowledge is essential to successfully take on jobs, meet code and get referrals.

What Have You Agreed To?

Use these tips to help you understand the details of the contracts you're signing. The responsibility and liability is yours.

The 20% Deduction Your Company Could Use in 2019

Details of the 20% tax deduction your company could use in 2019, as set forth by the TCJA, here. 

A Little Bit Ikea, A Little Bit Apple

The leadership sweet spot sits between giving too much instruction and not enough. Read what business management expert Gregg Schoppman has to say about it here. 

The First Impression

Never underestimate the value of a solid first impression, as there is never a second chance. While perception may change over time, to me, that first impression seems to be what we all remember the most.

Thursday evening, I was out of town, checking into the hotel rather late, and used valet parking. While the valet unloaded my car, he asked my name for the retrieval ticket. As I was walking toward the lobby he said, “I hope you have good stay, Mr. Stewart. We will take care of your car.”

In that moment, I was once again reminded how much a good first impression can mean. That valet was my first contact with the hotel, and set the tone for my time there.

The little things matter. The first impression, the second, and so forth. All other things being equal, our experiences in “purchase” often boil down to one or two elements–a greeting, a word, a sentence or something that creates a memory.

I saw this fellow again as I was checking in and he spoke to me, remembering my name and creating a lasting positive memory for this hotel. I know where I will be staying next time I’m in this city.

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Why You Should Consider Redefining Your Involvement in the BIM Process

How to and why you should harness BIM’s ability to offer a full understanding of the construction project

How to Choose the Ideal Track & Tread for Your Compact Track Loader

The growing demand for compact tracks loaders can primarily be attributed to the increased maneuverability and productivity that tracks can now provide. Compact track loaders are ideal for operating on soft soils, such as clay, mud or sand, and outfitting a compact track loader with the proper tracks for your worksite can improve machine performance, minimize ground disturbance and extend your working season in wet months.

Determining Your Must-Do Role

What is the No. 1 function that could help you generate the highest revenue, increase equity and/or produce the best project results? As a business owner, you must identify your companywide must-do roles (MDRs) and delegate them to the right employees. Most importantly, you must determine your own MDR, and it’s probably not the role you think it is.

February 2019 Construction Industry Stats

American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the United States Census Bureau construction stats.

App Spotlight: SimplySend

With mobile technology becoming an ever-present and necessary addition to the construction industry, there is a seemingly endless array of app and software choices. CBO is here to help with a regular information download on different apps to help you run your business.

Self-Employment, Scale & Success

Founder Michael Kaufman on Kaufman Lynn Construction's Path to Becoming One of South Florida's Largest Contractors.

Green & For All

An in-depth Q&A with the Ramboland project team, winners of the USGBC Malcom Lewis IMPACT! Award.

The Ask: Timing. Communication.

Each year, I send notes to a fair amount of folks I have never met but have read about, and many times I am asked, “Why would you send a letter to someone you do not even know?” The simple reason is because I care. I care about meeting new people who have been successful, or have accomplished something positive for their communities or those around them.

You would be surprised at the number of responses I get and friendships I’ve made this way. While I do not necessarily do this to gain opportunities for the company, as I believe one should not expect something in return from a simple note, the reality is we’ve earned some business this way.

Should an opportunity arise, then one of the more difficult hurdles is “the ask.” Always try to be clear and transparent. Try to figure out the best medium, and email is the answer probably less than 50% of the time. If it is email, think about the day and the time.

As someone said, one misses 100% of the pitches when you don’t take a swing. It’s about timing, communications, and of course, having confidence to just do it.

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