By Brian Binke
Leaders are responsible for making sure the whole construction team has the confidence they need to do their job to the best of their ability. It is easy to underestimate how important autonomy is to retention and overall job satisfaction. If employees do not feel like they have the ability to set their own path, they frequently look for another job that gives them more freedom. By emphasizing job autonomy, leaders can build trust, improve innovation, eliminate confusion and increase job satisfaction.
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Being diagnosed with any type of cancer is a shock to patients and their families. Treatment, recovery and lifelong battles are now part of their daily lives. One ailment that's relatively common is mesothelioma. It's a type of lung disease that's often associated with asbestos. To understand this ailment and patients' risk levels, take a close look at mesothelioma and asbestos as their link becomes clear.
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By Roy Rasmussen
When it comes to technology adoption, the construction industry has traditionally lagged behind other major industries. Seven in 10 construction companies spend less than 1 percent of their sales revenue on technology, 60 to 70 percent below the average for other major industries, a 2016 JBKnowledge survey found. But as advancing technology has enabled new construction applications, more construction companies are increasing their tech budget. A 2017 Software Connect survey found that 82 percent of construction companies plan to maintain or increase their technology spending over the next 12 months. Here’s a look at some of the technology trends that cutting-edge construction companies are adopting to improve their efficiency, cut their costs and gain an edge on the competition.
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By Brian Binke
Since buildings place a significant strain on the nation’s power grid, the demand for more zero-energy buildings continues to grow. More construction firms are focusing on building structures that are resilient and also able to generate much of their own power through renewable sources like solar panels, efficient heat pumps, radiant cooling systems and techniques that improve building envelopes.
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By Eric Weisbrot
Construction project management can be a lucrative business for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to be successful. However, creating a thriving business is not often mastered in a training course or a during a stint at college. The experience that comes from winning – and losing – on the job lays the foundation for long-term accomplishments. But licensed and bonded construction project managers need to also embrace the following steps in order to be effective.
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By Brian Binke
Hiring the best construction talent for project management, superintendent and estimator jobs is just the first step in the process of driving success for your firm. The most reputable construction firms also focus on building leaders within their ranks. Creating strong leaders helps build a solid core in your organization, keeping it steady in the face of change or adversity. Here are some tips for fostering leadership skills in the workplace.
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By Kevin Hill
A growing number of construction companies are embracing sustainability by implementing lean practices that minimize waste, improve safety and maximize value for the customer even with tight timeframes and limited budget. Here are six lean principles that construction companies can implement to be more productive, reduce costs, save time and boost project management efficiency:
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By Roy Rasmussen
The construction market is booming in 2018. Construction spending reached a record $1.257 trillion last November, the industry added 30,000 jobs in December, and three-quarters of companies plan to hire more workers this year.
This optimistic outlook is great news for constructional professionals, but it also means construction firms will be facing more competition from rivals who want to capitalize on the current industry boom. Here are three tips to help you stay ahead in today’s competitive construction market.
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By Felix Vasquez
The (NAHB) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) project positive economic growth in 2018. The NAHB expects a 7.9 percent increase in single family housing starts this year. With tax reform in place promising to further historically low unemployment rates and higher wages, we see a great opportunity for builders to perform in 2018.
However, builders still wrestle with a list of critical issues – discerning homeowners, an on-going labor shortage, additional business management activities, an increase of products to track and manage – creating a productivity/profit dilemma. Builders need to keep their crews working at maximum productivity, while selling what they build at a maximum profits, especially as construction costs are predicted to remain high and even climb in many markets, potentially eroding hard-earned profits.
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By Lauren Topor-Reichert
The preconstruction process is essential. It involves the fundamental planning that not only defines a specific project, but also identifies potential problems and analyzes costs. The preconstruction process should be deployed as early as possible, as it defines the project scope, cost and schedule. Preconstruction efforts can have a significant impact on a project, as it can reduce the number of changes, schedule variations and unexpected costs of a project. While the preconstruction process will vary by project, adhering to these four considerations is crucial.
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