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How sustainable is the construction industry?

Bambi Majumdar Construction & Building Materials

As we see a focus on new technology and innovation, sustainability is changing the construction industry globally. Construction, energy and technology industries have become intricately connected in an era of transformation on a scale never seen before. As they realize that sustainable choices are good for business, more engineering and construction companies will adopt sustainable practices and set sustainability commitments for their business.

Is woodworking becoming more accessible for women?

Sheilamary Koch and Ayla Reguero Koch Education

Woodworking, like many other trades, has stereotypically been practiced by men while women have historically been discouraged from the field by society. Statistics on the construction trades show that in 2020 only 3.2% of carpenters in the United States were women. What happens in schools is part of the problem. Industrial arts teacher Tim Zavacki says students have shared stories of guidance counselors pushing female students towards art classes versus shop, trade or engineering classes.

8 questions every aspiring business owner must ask

Patrick Burke Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Do you have what it takes to own a business? Your first answer might be that it depends on the market, but that's only part of the story. So is thinking it depends on your product. The bottom line is it depends on you. If you don’t focus on your own drive, abilities, and tolerance for stress and uncertainty, you’re missing a key part of the equation. And if you start a business without really finding out if you should, you’re making a grave mistake. Say you've got a great idea. You've got a niche service. You've done the research and there’s space for you to grow a company. Before you start looking for a storefront, look in the mirror — by asking these eight simple but vital questions of yourself.

4 steps to empower yourself to accomplish your goals

Rob and Steve Shallenberger Business Management, Services & Risk Management

People who have a sense of direction and purpose feel empowered. Yet only 10% of people have written professional and personal goals. Imagine how great it would feel to take all your good intentions and make them a reality. In other words, to get laser-focused on the things that matter most — and have the motivation to actually do them! To set your own roles and goals, follow these four steps.

Balancing compassion and performance in a pandemic world

Courtney Lynch Business Management, Services & Risk Management

When I served in the Marines, we had a saying: Mission first, people always. Everything about leading Marines came down to achieving results in times of challenge, chaos, and uncertainty while taking care of your people. Now, as an executive coach, as I’ve helped my clients navigate pandemic times, often I’ve been guiding them in demonstrating service-based leadership. Leading with service is about acting selflessly on behalf of others to ensure their success. It’s about the simple actions you take to support others so they can thrive. The great news for leaders is that service can be demonstrated in the simplest ways.

6 ways construction companies can lower carbon emissions

Construction & Building Materials

Recent reports from the United Nations Environment Programme found that the construction industry accounts for 38% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Under the Paris Agreement, the building sector must operate at “net-zero carbon” by 2050. For this target to be possible, cosntruction carbon emissions need to halve by 2030. All construction firms need to do their part by following environmentally friendly practices. Here are six methods to implement for lowering your company's carbon footprint.

Infographic: How to set work boundaries to avoid burnout

Pia De Los Reyes Mental Healthcare

With remote work being the new professional normal, it can be especially challenging to stay productive and separate job stress from our personal lives. When stress is high and maintained over a period of time, it can lead to burnout or a type of work-related stress that can have a myriad of negative effects on your health and productivity. Those experiencing burnout can suffer from fatigue and mental exhaustion, and it can also lower work performance and cause job dissatisfaction. Over time, burnout can increase your vulnerability to disease and even potentially cost you lost income because of unpaid sick leave or a missed promotion.

With succession planning, avoid the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ syndrome

Donald F. White Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Do you remember Alice, the little girl who fell down a rabbit hole and ended up in Wonderland? As Alice wandered about Wonderland, she came upon a Cheshire Cat with a distinctive, mischievous grin. Too many people are on their way to somewhere, with little to no idea what or where somewhere is. They assure themselves that someday they’ll know what and where somewhere is because, well, aren’t they on their way there? Sadly, when it comes to business continuity and succession planning, most business owners are like Alice — on their way to somewhere, yet with little to no idea what or where somewhere is.

5 ways to increase productivity in manufacturing

Stephanie Armstrong Manufacturing

Productivity in the manufacturing process is critical as low work levels equate to money lost. If your company's production output isn't aligning with the business hours, examine how to improve efficiency. Not only does quickening and organizing the workflow save time, but it also allows you to produce more goods to increase profits. It's important not to cut corners as this will likely diminish the quality and lead to complaints or even recalls. Examining the current practices will help you discover what's slowing down the process. If you aren't sure what changes will enhance productivity, here are five factors to consider.

What’s the difference between 2D drawing, 3D modeling and BIM?

Anna Liza Montenegro Construction & Building Materials

From cave paintings to complex live 3D models, humans have come a long way when it comes to drawing and visual representation of objects. Architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) professionals can now do everything on a single computer; T-squares and rulers are not as popular as before. Computer-aided 2D design, 3D modeling, and BIM may all seem similar to a layman, but their differences are far more prevalent in reality. This article aims to explore the use of these three techniques, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

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