Innovation Overload

“Innovation means embracing change, exploring your creativeness and striving for improvement.” Phil Santoro, Electrical Contractor Segment Manager for Schneider Electric, Nashville, Tennessee, shares his perspective on IoT trends and the importance of training to monitor facility systems. Listen to how Schnieder Electric supports our contractors through their online contractor portal, which has dedicated information for training, case studies and industry updates. 

“As technical as our business can get it’s all about dealing with people, leading people and engaging with people.” Ed Witt Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Construction Officer for Miller Electric, Jacksonville, Fla., shares his experience as a safety coordinator and the importance of standardization around documentation in the industry. Listen to his perspective on how important the roles of awareness and tools are for creating a sustainable recruitment pipeline. 

" You should really think about how you can leverage technology in your business.” Kris Lengieza, Senior Director of Global Partnerships & Alliances at Procore in Carpinteria, Calif., shares his perspective on the importance of key performance indicators and how data can inform contractors on the health of projects. The discussion  also touches on dashboard analytics and the value for cross-platform integrations. Learn more about the resources and free educational opportunities that Procore has to offer. 

“Transparency, be willing to collaborate, and work together with your partners up and down the chain earlier in the process.” Todd Reed, National Construction Market Manager at Graybar in Clayton, Missouri, shares his perspective on supply chain optimization and some key steps you can take to improve your operations. Listen to how Graybar uses data to help improve catered contractor experiences and determine where the needs are to help streamline processes within the industry.

“We are constantly emulating and reiterating our core values, which generates our culture.” Angie Hart, VP of Operations of Rosendin, San Jose, Calif., shares her experiences with recruitment and training programs in the trades with a focus on company culture and catered intern experiences. Listen to her journey from start to present and her passion for this industry, as well as how she stays involved by volunteering and giving back.

“Innovation is more of an aspiration and a compass that you set out there to guide your actions.” Corey Dickert, Senior VP of Product Management and Construction Technology at Milwaukee Tool, shares his perspectives on the role that data mining, IoT, and predictive analytics play in the construction industry, especially in terms of asset management. Listen to the benefits of Milwaukee’s ONE-KEY system and the effectiveness of a strategic research and development group.

“You’ve got to innovate through your people and find the right champions at all levels.” Todd Grossweiler, Executive Vice President of Allison Smith Company in Smyrna, Georgia, shares how buy-in from your team and incorporating prefabrication processes go hand in hand. Listen to his experience on evolving and scaling offsite construction while overcoming hurdles. 

“You have got to be able to change within this industry because change will happen, and it’s fast.” Nick Rol, Project Manager, Electrical Construction, at Thompson Electrical Construction, Sioux City, Iowa, shares how important transparency is from top to bottom when it comes to communication. Listen to his perspective on innovating through technology solutions to help combat the overload that all contractors face.  

“Every VDC professional out there experiences the crunch behind the design deliverable and the field needing the VDC output.” Adam Davis, Virtual Design Construction Manager of Lighthouse Electric, Canonsburg, PA speaks about the importance of proactive project coordination, establishing strong VDC goals, and the concept of evaluating a project through Labor by Volume. 

“Peer groups allow us to work together as a team to solve bigger issues and improve the overall industry.” Sonja Rheaume, President of Christenson Electric, Portland, Oregon shares her perspective on peer groups and how impactful they have proven to be while being an industry leader. Listen to her experience with ELECTRI International and how the research has been an important resource for her and her company.