The construction industry is entering an age when you have to innovate to collaborate. Construction is changing rapidly and drastically. If your company doesn’t change with it, you’ll get left behind.
Nearly every company is embracing some form of innovation and technology today. The wise way to do that is by bringing in some level of innovation and then building upon it. Taking it one step at a time, it’s best to spend time up front to decide what you’re trying to accomplish and then be deliberate in choosing the tech to get you there. Take time to research tools, make sure they make sense for your business, and adopt them slowly. Tech tools cost money, but the ones that are right for your business will bring a return on investment.
In keeping with a culture of innovation, involve all departments and teams when deciding on tech. It’s ok to fail. Failing is not the end of the world. Not trying because of fear is the real failure.
As companies look to fill positions that are vacated because of retirements, it’s beneficial to embrace technology, because tech attracts the new generations of workers. They’re accustomed to using apps for everything from ordering food to browsing jobs directly from their phones. Tech is one way to make construction cool again. In that respect, construction definitely has a marketing problem.
There are two perspectives in construction: the contractor’s and the employees’. Of course, the situation that’s most beneficial to both sides is finding the best worker for the job. To attract the best talent, companies nowadays need to be working on improving not only their tech but also their culture – in essence bridging the gap to a better employee experience.
For more than a century, the construction industry has been known for being fast paced and “rough around the edges.” In order to attract new workers, that image needs to tone down, so the culture attracts and retains skilled workers. A more human-focused culture is important, and it can result in a more satisfied and productive workforce. While some may look at this culture shift as simply an added cost, there can be a huge return on investment. Companies who have invested in culture have productive employees with an innovative mindset and willing to offer up ideas for making the business better. This is a lesson learned from the technology sector, which is more known for transparency.
Granted, transparency is easier in an office environment than on the jobsite. Still, employees want to feel they’re working for and contributing to something bigger and better. Listening to your workforce can make your company more innovative and competitive.
If you’re looking to your competition for cues, you’re falling behind. Innovation is a mindset. It requires the courage to try something new and distinguishes the thriving company from the also-ran.
Listen to my conversation with John Reid, co-founder of Faber Technologies, on episode 49 of the Bridging the Gap podcast. We unpack all this and more to brainstorm how to make construction cool again.
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