Bricks And Bytes

Why do construction (tech) companies fail?

On today's podcast, we have Stephen Poppe, ConTech Advisor and Customer Success Leader.

Stephen is currently the Manager for Research & Development at HITT Contracting and Executive Partner at Blue Collar Capital

In this episode, we discuss:

---------------------------------------

Stephen Poppe

R&D | Contech Advisor | Customer Success Leader | Construction Professional | Lean Practitioner(ish)

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Check www.the-beta.com

Timestamps:

(00:01:57-00:04:13) - Why did Stephen choose Contech? 

(00:04:13-00:06:02) - What are people not getting right with technology?

(00:06:02-00:07:55) - Should construction companies focus on the management process?

(00:07:55-00:10:34) - Why does a company fail in Contech?

(00:10:34-00:12:43) - What is the lean startup methodology?

(00:12:43-00:14:08) - What is important when investing in a company as a capital allocator?

(00:14:08-00:16:55) - What are the initial problems that a startup face? 

(00:16:55-00:18:23) - What is HITT? 

(00:18:23-00:21:28) - Labor shortage

(00:21:28-00:22:42) - Is there something else that we should focus on except technology? 

(00:22:42-00:24:23) - Future of tech

(00:24:23-00:27:38) - How can we get the basics right?

(00:27:38-00:31:17) - Trends in construction tech

(00:31:17-00:33:49) - VC doesn’t like 100-million-dollar ideas?

(00:33:49-00:35:48) - Book recommendations

(00:35:48-00:36:37) - Hobbies

(00:36:37-00:36:51) - More about Stephen

(00:36:51-00:37:09) - Outro

Our today's guest is Josh Graham - CEO of tech company EHAB, which uses advanced weather modelling and impact analysis to help construction companies de-risk critical infrastructure projects. 

In this episode we talk about:

- Josh's journey of setting up EHAB

- key lessons learnt when creating his startup 

- real use cases of blockchain and smart contracts in construction industry.

If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.

---------------------------------------

Josh Graham | CEO of EHAB and CVC (Climate Venture Collective)

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform

- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Chek: https://www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

00:00:00 --> 00:01:13 - Intro

00:01:13 --> 00:01:57 - Sponsor

00:01:57 --> 00:03:29 - Josh’s history of creating EHAB 

00:03:29 --> 00:05:08 - Problems in creating sustainable property development company

00:05:08 --> 00:07:13 - Opportunities in sustainable property development 

00:07:13 --> 00:07:38 - Does EHAB stand for something?

00:07:38 --> 00:10:10 - Process of identifying weather as a problem to tackle 

00:10:10 --> 00:16:00 - Changes that EHAB makes in weather forecasting 

00:16:00 --> 00:17:01 - Accuracy of forecast data 

00:17:01 --> 00:20:05 - Key lessons learned in Josh’s journey 

00:20:05 --> 00:22:06 - Future plans for EHAB

00:22:06 --> 00:23:02 - Project types that can benefit from EHAB

00:23:02 --> 00:24:44 - More about Climate Venture Collective 

00:24:44 --> 00:30:01- Blockchain technology and its impact on construction industry 

00:30:01 --> 00:33:54 - Smart contracts agreements 

00:33:54 --> 00:35:04 - Josh’s regular day 

00:35:04 --> 00:35:35 - What would you do with unlimited budget?

00:35:35 --> 00:36:18 - Book recommendation

00:36:18 --> 00:36:58 - More about Josh

00:36:58 --> 00:37:20 - Outro

How do you get your customers to fall in love with your brand?

On today's podcast we have Delia Visan, a master, influencer and advocate in the world of customer success.

Delia is currently the head of Customer Success at Bright Spaces and is one of the top 25 CS Leaders of 2023.

Getting existing customers to spend more is far easier than obtaining new customers. And in this episode we chat about how CS can result in improved customer retention and a higher customer lifetime value.

In this episode, we discuss:

---------------------------------------

Delia Visan

Head of Customer Success @Bright Spaces || 25 Most Creative CS Leaders of 2023 by EverAfter || 2022 Top Influencers in the CS Space by Custify

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Check www.the-beta.com

(00:02:01-00:04:06) - Tech world in Romania  

(00:04:06-00:04:56) - Is Romania exporting tech outside? 

(00:04:56-00:05:42) - Are tech teams based in Romania?

(00:05:42-00:07:18) - When did you discover customer success and what did you love about it?

(00:07:18-00:08:02) - Is customer success different in proptech then the other industry?

(00:08:02-00:08:54) - What is customer success?

(00:08:54-00:10:27) - What is the checklist for customer success?

(00:10:27-00:11:59) - From where the customer success starts?

(00:11:59-00:13:47) - Customer success implementations

(00:13:47-00:15:18) - When should companies implement customer success?

(00:15:18-00:17:21) - Customer obsession and customer is not always right

(00:17:21-00:20:07) - What is bright spaces?

(00:20:07-00:21:54) - Customer success with lease owner

(00:21:54-00:22:04) - Is bright spaces designed for Romanian market?

(00:22:04-00:23:42) - Future plans

(00:23:42-00:24:34) - Delia other passion

(00:24:34-00:26:18) - What are some future trends you see right now?

(00:26:18-00:27:51) - Segmentation of the customers

(00:27:51-00:29:12) - Should startup approach customer success differently then other businesses?

(00:29:12-00:30:13) - Customer satisfaction

(00:30:13-00:32:14) - How to deal with customer that you don't like?

(00:32:14-00:33:34) - Simple thing to do for customer success

(00:33:34-00:37:00) - Delia is multilingual

(00:37:00-00:37:42) - Books or resources

(00:37:42-00:38:28) - Course

(00:38:28-00:38:51) - More about Delia

(00:38:51-00:39:16) - Outro

On today's show we have Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.

In this episode we deep dive into:

If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.

---------------------------------------

Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Chek: www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

(00:00:00-00:01:12) - Intro

(00:01:12-00:01:54) - Sponsor

(00:01:54-00:03:21) - Jefferson’s journey to creating Revonate

(00:03:21-00:05:20) - Being a migrant and starting business

(00:05:20-00:09:13) - Key lessons learned from the failure of previous company

(00:09:13-00:10:29) - Introducing Revonate

(00:10:29-00:14:33) - AI powered construction contract

(00:14:33-00:17:13) - AI’s impact on construction in the future

(00:17:13-00:19:00) - Building trust layer in AI/ML technologies

(00:19:00-00:20:01) - Explaining Archidao

(00:20:01-00:24:04) - Use of blockchain in technology

(00:24:04-00:25:05) - Founding Revonate

(00:25:05-00:26:46) - Taking outside investments

(00:26:46-00:28:58) - Current economic situation and its impact on the future of construction tech world

(00:28:58-00:29:35) - Is Revonate designed only for the US market?

(00:29:33-00:31:16) - Jefferson’s marketing tactics

(00:31:16-00:34:46) - Work-life balance

(00:34:46-00:35:51) - Book recommendation

(00:35:51-00:36:20) - More about Jefferson

(00:36:20-00:36:38) - Outro

How do we gamify the construction industry?

On today's show we have someone who has interesting and incredible ideas for the future of the construction - Alex Walzer.

Alex is currently a Doctoral Researcher for Entrepreneurship for Digital Fabrication and Robotics in Construction

In this episode, we discuss:

---------------------------------------

Alex Walzer - Into Construction Tech

Doctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Check www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

(00:00:00-00:00:17) - Intro  

(00:00:17-00:01:43) - How Alex reached where he is now?

(00:01:43-00:02:32) - Research

(00:02:32-00:03:31) - How do you stay focused?

(00:03:31-00:04:34) - What is worth your time from internet?

(00:04:34-00:05:33) - Strategies that can help who is embarking into construction

(00:05:33-00:06:22) - Favorite subject in contech

(00:06:22-00:07:18) - Implementation of robotics

(00:07:18-00:07:44) - Transition into robots in construction 

(00:07:44-00:10:29) - Game

(00:10:29-00:12:00) - Energy

(00:12:00-00:15:04) - VC landscape in robotics

(00:15:04-00:18:12) - Contech in the moment

(00:18:12-00:19:04) - Digital  fabrication

(00:19:04-00:20:03) - How digital fabrication is different?

(00:20:03-00:22:59) - What excites you in contech

(00:22:59-00:23:30) - How do we get there?

(00:23:30-00:26:18) - Consulting business and how it provides values?

(00:26:18-00:30:50) - Role of education

(00:30:50-00:33:28) - Where did you take your inspiration from?

(00:33:28-00:34:25) - Books

(00:34:25-00:36:08) - If you have unlimited budget where you would spend it>

(00:36:08-00:37:19) - More about Alex

(00:37:19-00:37:36) - Outro

On today's show we have Brian Nickel, founder and CEO at Allied BIM.

Brian has vast experience in the design sector as an architect, MEP designer and as Montana State University teacher teaching BIM.

His company Allied BIM enhances MEP, modular, and prefabrication construction firms by connecting design, fabrication, and field teams with easy to use workflow and allows tracking of the overall fabrication process. 

In this episode, we talk about:

---------------------------------------

Brian Nickel - CEO & Founder of Allied BIM  

Adjunct Instruction of Montana State University

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Check www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

00:00:00 --> 00:01:30 - Intro

00:01:30 --> 00:02:13 - BETA sponsor

00:02:13 --> 00:05:01 - Brian’s history

00:05:01 --> 00:08:20 - Beginning of plumbing for the mechanical industry and the birth of Allied BIM

00:08:20 --> 00:10:25 - Introducing Allied BIM

00:10:25 --> 00:12:11 - Allied BIM’s target users

00:12:11 --> 00:14:55 - Brian’s advise for people embarking to the contech world

00:14:55 --> 00:16:33 - Understanding and partnering with competition within the industry

00:16:33 --> 00:18:20 - Brian’s thoughts on future of pre-fabrication in construction

00:18:20 --> 00:20:50 - Explaining LODs in the design process

00:20:50 --> 00:22:43 - Automation in the production process

00:22:43 --> 00:25:33 - Accessibility of the fabrication equipment

00:25:33 --> 00:27:04 - Teaching at Montana State University

00:27:04 --> 00:29:18 - Automation as a key to attract future students of the construction industry

00:29:18 --> 00:33:02 - Progress on digitalisation and automation

00:33:02 --> 00:34:26 - Is Allied BIM suited best for the US market only?

00:34:26 --> 00:37:47 - Brian’s view on how to run a business

00:37:47 --> 00:39:20 - Book recommendation

00:39:20 --> 00:44:49- Driving point in Brian’s start up journey

00:44:49 --> 00:45:32 - More about Brian

00:45:32--> 00:45:48 - Outro

Where and how do you focus when it comes to launching your construction tech to the market?

Today on Bricks & Bytes, alongside Nick Decker of Egnyte - we discuss go-to-market strategies, marketing and sales in construction technology

Tune in to learn:

---------------------------------------

Nick Decker Construction Industry - Egnyte.

Lead - Construction Market

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Check www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

(0:00:00-00:01:46) - Intro & sponsor

(00:01:46-00:04:35) - Key lessons

(00:04:35-00:06:29) - Why did Nick switch fields?

(00:06:29-00:10:57) - How would a startup determine their go to market strategy?

(00:10:57-00:13:59) - Founder's vision

(00:13:59-00:16:11) - Bad examples in construction and why we need new people?

(00:16:11-00:17:59) - Social platform for a startup

(00:17:59-00:20:45) - What is Egnyte?

(00:20:45-00:22:34) - Who are Egnyte's customers?

(00:22:34-00:23:36) - Expansion of Egynte

(00:23:36-00:24:36) - Views on customer success

(00:24:36-00:27:55) - KPI's and metrics

(00:27:55-00:29:20) - Customer acquisition

(00:29:20-00:32:41) - Risk management

(00:32:41-00:34:15) - Does Egnyte work for designers or contractors?

(00:34:15-00:36:10) - Best tip for implementing construction tech solutions

(00:36:10-00:36:54) - Hobbies

(00:36:54-00:38:39) - How many times have you visited UK?

(00:38:39-00:38:58) - More about Nick

(00:38:58-00:39:16) - Outro

---------------------------------------

On today's show we have James Major who is the CEO of HUBB.pro.

James is on a mission to build a platform for house builders, property developers, architects and contractors to build high quality, low carbon and net zero homes in the most efficient way possible.

In this episode, we talk about sustainability and creation of better quality homes.

If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.

---------------------------------------

James Major | Founder of HUBB.pro

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Chek: www.the-beta.com

00:00:00 --> 00:01:19 - Intro

00:01:19 --> 00:02:04 - Sponsor

00:02:04 --> 00:03:15 - History of James journey from consulting to Hubb Pro

00:03:15 --> 00:04:32 - Mindset of people in construction and technology industry

00:04:32 --> 00:05:54 - How was the process of transition for your?

00:05:54 --> 00:06:57 - How do you enforce keeping deadlines within your team?

00:06:57 --> 00:09:13 - Fractional roles in James’ business

00:09:13 --> 00:13:42 - The importance of having CPO role

00:13:42 --> 00:15:24 - Is having a CPO better than having a CTO?

00:15:24 --> 00:21:23 - Introducing Hubb Pro and explaining how it works

00:21:23 --> 00:21:52 - Is there any regulations that designers can follow to improve the sustainability of homes?

00:21:52 --> 00:25:38 - What do you think about market's stance on sustainability?

00:25:38 --> 00:28:58 - What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made whilst building Hubb Pro?

00:28:58 --> 00:32:09 - How much more expensive it is now to build something sustainable?

00:32:09 --> 00:33:12 - James’ productivity tip

00:33:12 --> 00:33:51 - What book could you recommend?

00:33:51 --> 00:35:10 - James' hobbies

00:35:10 --> 00:35:32 - More about James

00:35:32 --> 00:35:50 - Outro

"Sales is hard, Buying is harder... Implementation is hardest" ... from the great man Will Synnott himself.

Today on Bricks & Bytes, we discuss the implementation of construction technology. 

Tune in to learn:

---------------------------------------

Will Synnott

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Chek www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

(0:00:00-00:02:02) - Intro & sponsor

(00:02:02-00:05:27) - History of Will Synnott 

(00:05:27-00:08:44) - Transition into another industry

(00:08:44-00:11:08) - What is the importance of digital identity at this time?

(00:11:08-00:17:25) - The implementation of construction tech on site

(00:17:25-00:21:27) - What is Disperse?

(00:21:27-00:26:04) - Benefits of using Disperse

(00:26:04-00:28:48) - How Disperse data is useful?

(00:28:48-00:30:28) - What type of project Disperse is interested in?

(00:30:28-00:33:50) - Compliance

(00:33:50-00:37:16) - Progress tracking and lawsuits 

(00:37:16-00:38:16) - Books 

(00:38:16-00:39:57) - Hobbies

(00:39:57-00:40:24) - More about Will

(00:40:24-00:40:41) - Outro

---------------------------------------

How do you enjoy a fulfilling career in construction and the tech world?

Join us today in our discussion with Apil and Lynne of Digibuild.

In this episode we deep dive into:

If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.

---------------------------------------

April Moss - COO | Chief Customer Officer at DigiBuild: Y Combinator Backed (YC S21) l Blockchain Technology l Construction Management l Crypto & Bitcoin Investor l Business Development

Lynne Cooper - Management & Construction | cGMP * R&D * CGT | Founder | Strategy | Innovator | Woman Welder👩‍🏭 | Power in the trades! | Technology for Efficiency | Collaboration is 🔑 | Blue Collar Revolution! | Improve Quality

---------------------------------------

Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.

Chek www.the-beta.com

---------------------------------------

Timestamps:

(00:00:00-00:01:27) - Intro and Sponsor

(00:01:27-00:01:58) - Introduction of guest

(00:01:58-00:03:20) - April's background

(00:03:20-00:04:16) - Lynne's background

(00:04:16-00:04:58) - Digibuild history

(00:04:58-00:07:07) - What does digibuild do?

(00:07:07-00:08:27) - Meet the Drapers

(00:08:27-00:09:23) - Digibuild and Blockchain

(00:09:23-00:09:53) - Digibuild expanding globally?

(00:09:53-00:11:04) - Are US-based companies expanding to UK?

(00:11:04-00:13:29) - Do we have cutting-edge construction technology?

(00:13:29-00:14:36) - Procore

(00:14:36-00:16:48) - Lynne's relationship with Digibuild, April, and EL sea

(00:16:48-00:19:25) - Worldchain

(00:19:25-00:24:45) - Tips for attracting gen z to construction

(00:24:45-00:27:16) - Is the general trend of construction interesting for young people? 

(00:27:16-00:30:31) - Diversity in Construction

(00:30:31-00:32:24) - Experience from other industries that can be applied in construction 

(00:32:24-00:33:06) - Advice about switching industry to construction 

(00:33:06-00:36:09) - Charity (construction rocks dmv)

(00:36:09-00:37:19) - Mental health in construction

(00:37:19-00:42:54) - ESG sustainability

(00:42:54-00:45:34) - Advice for someone who is about to launch a construction tech startup

(00:45:34-00:47:34) - Cancel Culture

(00:47:34-00:51:14) - Books

(00:51:14-00:54:00) - How to maintain balance in life?

(00:54:00-00:57:28) - What do you want to do in construction or technology if you want unlimited resources

(00:57:28-00:58:16) - 3 pieces of advice for young people

(00:58:16-00:58:34) Outro

---------------------------------------