Planning the Implementation of ConTech

How can companies get work done right? Two ways are to focus on attracting new talent and strategically adopt the technology that solves issues they currently have.

Tech adoption/implementation in a company brings value, but only if the company has been diligent in first identifying a problem that needs to be solved. Once that is established, research should reveal the options available to solve that problem. You can refine your search by figuring out what is the best fit with the way the company operates. The benefits from technology can be optimized by focusing on the main problems you have now and solving them first. When they are under control, you can extend your focus to other things that need to be improved.?

There is so much technology available right now, it’s hard to know what to focus on. Be aware that some of the innovations on the horizon can be distractions from what you need. If something is truly needed and you decide to implement it, then delve into it deeper.

A plan makes every implementation easier. Figure out how all aspects of the company will be affected. Will it mesh with existing software you’re using, or does it conflict with other parts of your tech stack? Be sure to think it through.

Beware of home-grown technology solutions. They tend to be inefficient. It takes labor to create them as well as maintain them. A company can expend significant resources on a home-grown tech solution instead of finding and procuring something that has already been created and tested. Sometimes the issue is a simple knowledge gap – you may not know what solutions are available. A thorough check of the market or getting help from a technology partner can help. You can also gather information about what your industry peers are using.

That information gathering might include success stories shared by companies so others with similar problems can find solutions. Everyone in the industry is working through similar challenges and dealing with similar pains. Everyone is working toward similar goals. There are different perspectives and ways to go about it, but the end goal of successful projects remains the same.

When companies need to add to their labor force, they’ll be looking to the next generation of workers. The number of people interested in construction careers is on the uptick, but it’s been slow. The uphill battle is against the negative perception of “blue collar” trades. Many don’t realize the investment of time and work experience for becoming a licensed master electrician or master plumber are equivalent to that of a PhD. Skilled trades also require strong interpersonal skills.

Members of the new labor force need exposure to what construction companies do and the range of careers available.

The best time to entice new talent into the industry was two decades ago, when they were just kids. Today, companies can still tell a story that members of the incoming workforce can relate to. Every person in the construction industry has a story, and each one is a brand ambassador. With the proliferation of cell phones, every construction worker can tell their own individual story, and that could change the course of a young person’s career. Construction companies are doing amazing things, and those stories can move the industry forward.

Tune in to Bridging the Gap Podcast episode 201 with Wes Edmiston for a podcast mashup about important trends and topics in construction.?