Building PA Podcast

2021 proved to be an unconventional year – we battled a pandemic, did our best to manage an erratic supply chain, and watched many businesses grow at an exponential rate. With 2021 behind us, Chris and Jon wanted to take a moment and reflect on several highlights from some inspiring guests they interviewed throughout the year.

During this episode, Chris and Jon discuss their favorite podcasts and topics that continue to impact the industry. The two co-hosts discussed:

·      The Business Leadership Series

·      A site visit to the Steamfitters Local 449

·      The Better Project Outcome Series

·      A day in the life of a Union Political Director

·      Workforce development and its ongoing impact on the industry

·      Lean construction 

The conversation included the mission of the Building PA Podcast and its sister publication, The Keystone Contractor Magazine. Chris and Jon shared their pride in bringing the podcast to the Pennsylvania construction industry and the growth that occurred in 2021 - 57 episodes produced and over 7,500 downloads.

Listen to past episodes and more at BuildingPAPodcast.com and follow the podcast on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Are you a professional in the field of architecture, construction or engineering and feel like you have experience and knowledge to share?  

Do you have a desire to provide insight into your profession and help mentor students? The ACE Mentor program may be the right fit for you. Diana Eidenshink, national president of ACE Mentor program talks with Chris and Jon about all aspects of the ACE program and how industry professionals can become volunteer mentors for future generations. 

There are benefits to being a mentor and a mentee. The ACE Mentor program is a free, award-winning after school program unified across 37 states. Experienced industry leaders share their insight and time with students who are considering a profession in the construction industry related to contractors, architects and engineers. In addition to insight and experience, mentors discuss best practices and how to excel in the industry. “We utilize technology to address mentees' needs. In addition, we focus on green projects because that is a big ask of the students,” said Eidenshink. She shares examples of projects that students work on and how to become a mentee. Learn more at acementor.org.

Listen as Jamey Bednez, vice president of Stalwart Insurance Group talks with us as we discuss the impact of wellness on insurance premiums. Bednez shares that wellness initiatives help employers identify inefficiencies. For example, he states that 61 percent of employees surveyed say that their workplace causes stress, which leads to over $300 billion in healthcare costs.

To improve your costs, Bednez encourages you to ask:
• What is the driving factor for a premium increase?
• Are the benchmarks driving your insurance costs tied into your specific industry?
• Are the reports being used to review your premium focused on your specific industry?

Most important, Bednez says, ‘75 percent of a company’s insurance spend is based on life choices of employees.’ This requires construction companies to encourage employees to lead healthy lifestyles. The costs are not based on challenges facing the industry, but more focused on lifestyle. Additionally, Bednez provides tips that industry startups can adopt to help keep insurance costs down.

The HR and Safety Director of Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal, Seth Abraham, stopped by the Building PA Podcast to discuss labor relations and safety.  Listen in as Seth discusses his thoughts on workforce development and the value relationships bring to creating a safety culture across five offices and seven states. 

Seth shared that at Kalkreuth, the company sees HR and safety as a combination that ties labor together.  His challenge is to encourage his team to focus on zero tolerance and incidents while balancing relationships.  Seth discussed why relationships are so important in this industry because “you quickly learn who to rely on internally and that is not only in the field but in the office as well.”

Michael Klein joins us from the law offices of Blumling & Gusky, LLP to share his expertise on building materials and the impact they have on contracts.  With the pandemic slowing down (or picking up, depending on where you live) the supply chain has impacted the construction industry around the globe.  Today, we talk about this growing trend and how contractors can protect themselves legally.

Klein shared with Jon and Chris several tips for contractors, including understanding the current risk factors, identifying problems as soon as possible, communicating those issues effectively, and calming expectations during this time. Klein was very straightforward when he said, “it is the responsibility of the contractor to discuss any cost escalations or time delays with the owner to partner in solving these challenges.”

David McGlennen, culture coach and leadership expert, stopped by the Building PA Podcast to share his wisdom related to culture and its impact on the industry.  David understands the construction industry, so much so that in the first segment of the show, he suggests utilizing toolbox talk time to discuss and expand on the rituals that make up your culture.  He was quick to caution that creating a strong culture takes leadership.  According to David, “the behavior of the leader establishes the rituals that will help your company grow and run safely.”

To achieve a strong culture, several steps should be taken, such as:

·      Teach your team accepted behaviors

·      Identify behaviors for desired outcomes

·      Hold conversations to build rituals

·      Develop rituals that lead to success

Within the conversation, David also shared various resources (podcasts, websites, books, etc.) necessary to build the strong culture that you desire.

David’s podcast – In the Growth Space

Simon Sinek – The Infinite Game

Joel Manby – Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders

Daniel Coyle – The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Effective Groups

Matthew Kelly – The Culture Solution: A Practical Guide to Building A Dynamic Culture

Patrick Lencioni – The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business

When discussing the impact of virtual meetings on sales efforts, Sandler Sales Training expert Steve Kelly told the Building PA Podcast co-hosts a simple truth, “the things that were done previously changed very quickly and most people didn’t adapt.”

Listen as Steve Kelly shares best practices for improving your sales efforts in a virtual world.  Steve discusses methods for changing your technique and volume related to outreach, which has been forced to adapt to virtual meetings.  A key takeaway from Steve’s conversation includes an emphasis on intention in your message.  This, he says, is vital to connect and communicate professionally.

Additionally, Steve shared with our listeners access to his website that provides information on improving your sales efforts in our virtual world.  Visit http://exsellyst.sandler.com/sell to learn more.

Jessica Meyers, owner and president of JEM Group, based in Harrisburg, joins co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien on the latest episode to discuss her leadership style, the future of JEM Group, and how the company is focusing on professional development among her team. During the episode, Meyers tells how she came to work in the construction industry and some of the obstacles she overcame to become an industry leader. Meyers says, “I don’t try to be a perfect leader. I think it is important to come across as humble and this makes a leader more relatable.”

A topic that is very high on her priorities is, recruitment and talent acquisition. She shares the focus of the JEM Group’s recruitment efforts, which includes an individual development plan for both professional and personal aspects, use of the Gallup Strength Finder, Q12, and ongoing training offered to meet the individual’s development plan. Learn more about the future of JEM Group at https://www.jemgroup.net/ This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company.

Have you ever asked yourself what it takes to work with legislators?  Have no fear, John Wanner is here to share his dos and don’ts for government relations.  Wanner, the founder of Wanner Associates and a registered lobbyist stops by to speak with Chris and Jon.  During the conversation we learned the dos of lobbying:
• Be professional
• Create leave-behinds or briefs
• Make an appointment
• Prepare

Wanner also discussed the challenges facing this important segment of the industry.  Those challenges include advances in issues management, continually involving association members, and the need to keep messages simple when speaking with elected officials.  His don’t list is simple – don’t fight and storm out, relationships matter.

Tori Shriver, political director for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters) joins Chris and Jon to discuss a day in the life of a union political director.

Shriver discusses her role in promoting and educating legislators and the public on policies that affect the EAS Carpenter membership, her team of ‘political nerds’, and the challenges she faces as the youngest female in a leadership role.  During the discussion Shriver acknowledges two mentors who have guided her on her successful path – Bill Waterkotte and Bill Sproule – both, she says, have encouraged her to stand up and take action.

Shriver shares the challenges and issues facing the EAS Carpenters, which include misclassification of workers, right-to-work laws, and prevailing wage legislation.  These issues are being addressed across the six states and two territories that the EAS Carpenters represent.