Contributed by Eric D. Lussier

Roald Dahl said, "somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world." Since construction is our world, let's presume that somewhere inside all of us is the power to change construction. 

Whether you just wrapped your first day or first month on the job, your first year or first decade, fifteenth or fiftieth year, you have something unique inside of you.

Perhaps it's your perspective. Or, it’s your perception. Your observations from the other side of the fence. Your adaptation from a different industry into ours.

No matter your background or your level of experience, your voice and knowledge is unique to you. Your knowledge is indeed power. And what good is your knowledge if it is not shared?

Well, once again, now is your chance to share that knowledge and voice by being a part of CONSTRUCT 2020, which will be held September 30 – October 2, 2020 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX, located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and just minutes from DFW airport. 

CONSTRUCT offers "a platform for exploring and refining innovative solutions to solve complex problems facing the AEC industry today.  During the three-day educational program and two-day expo, industry leaders converge with a common goal of educating and inspiring for the betterment of the industry."

Participants at CONSTRUCT are not just looking for the same old tired box lunch sessions. CONSTRUCT is seeking solutions to real-world problems, in diverse areas such as:

• Building Science and Performance
• Construction
• Materials and Methods
• Design
• Contract Documents/Construction Contract Administration
• Specifications
• Project Management
• Professional Development, Sales, Marketing, Etc.

In addition, unique delivery formats are desired. Instead of the standard lecture, consider utilizing a combination of learning formats, such as case studies, panel discussions with audience participation, small group discussions/peer-to-peer learning, and hands-on activities. 

You have one month to gather your thoughts and turn what you’ve learned into a unique session that will build your reputation and improve the construction community. The call for education session proposals closes at 11:59 pm PT on January 8, 2020. 

Be a part of CONSTRUCT 2020 and be a part of the solutions that the construction industry needs, learn how to submit your proposal and share your knowledge today!

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Disclaimer: As the author of this piece, I should let it be known that I have had the honor to be on the CONSTRUCT Education Advisory Council since 2017. The Council assists CONSTRUCT show management in developing the Education Program by reviewing and grading the call for presentations submitted for consideration, providing input and suggestions for improving current and future educational activities, including recommending new and diverse educational presenters, topics, and formats.

Contributed by Eric D. Lussier

It struck me last night while addressing the family’s fifty Christmas cards that the art of sending Holiday cards is much like creating content. And it all boils down to this:

You either make time, or you don’t.

And as a family, we’ve been good about it. Since introducing the youngest six years ago, we’ve only missed one season. When it comes down to it, it generally only takes an hour to find a few pictures, upload them to a photo website and then order them. Addressing, sealing and stamping takes another hour or so. The end result is usually delivered in two hours and off they go into the world, to live on the refrigerator or wall for a few weeks and then shuffled away into the great trashcan in the sky, or to live in a drawer with all of the other years accumulated like ours do.

So, why is it so difficult to find these two hours and get this deed done? I suppose for the same reason that it’s hard to sit down and create a piece of content: it’s about finding the time. Time is our most precious commodity, yet we cannot purchase more. No matter how many Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales we look though.  

There is always something else to get done. At home, you have the chores that never stop, especially with children. Cooking. Dishes. Laundry. Daily routines. Did I mention dishes? With a six-year-old and an eight-year-old, there are always dishes. If I’m not loading the dishwasher, I’m emptying the dishwasher. If I’m not hand-washing, I’m loading or emptying the dishwasher. It. Doesn’t. Ever. Stop.

For work, or the side hustle, it’s much the same. There’s always the need for billable time. For sending invoices or collecting money. Finalizing details. Meetings. Endless meetings. Phone calls. Emails.

It then circles back around to priorities in life. Is the world going to end if they don’t see pictures of the children? Certainly not. But it’s the thought, or message, that counts. That you took time out of your day to create the card (or content), addressed, stamped and licked the envelope (or posted the blog), and passed them off to the postal service (or posted to Facebook) to hopefully spread joy onto the recipient.

Mere days into December, we’re just three weeks from Christmas Eve. I scratch my head wondering where 2019 went. 2020 starts just four weeks from tomorrow. I usually can’t find an extra two hours in my week, but as I licked the fiftieth envelope at 7:30 last night, I’m glad those 120 minutes were discovered. 

Contributed by Rachel Burris

​In two years Gen Z is expected to make up one-fifth of the workforce. With 40% of workers estimated to retire by 2030, the construction industry knows that it needs this generation to choose construction.

Yet the estimated workforce shortages and skills gap that we’re facing indicate a distinct lack of new workers joining the industry. The research project, “Restoring the Dignity of Work,” points out that it takes anywhere from eight to 12 years for a craft professional to go from entry-level to fully trained. With the length of time it takes to gain experience, the industry must place an emphasis on recruitment and training.

What can the industry do to start making progress in workforce development?

Reach Parents

The first step is begin reaching parents. “Restoring the Dignity of Work” points out that parents are among the main influencers in the career-decision making process of young people. A recent survey of parents, sponsored by National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), found that while 71% respondents would show some sort of support if their child chose a career of construction, 70% would be unlikely to actually advise their child to choose the industry.

To begin changing the perceptions of a career in construction, industry needs to engage in image enhancement campaigns. This includes using dignity in our own language by replacing terms such as “blue collar” with “craft professional” and “middle skilled” with “highly skilled.”

Other areas of image enhancement include showing how safety is held in high regard by the industry, demonstrating the career advancement opportunities available, and showcasing the high salaries that can be earned with little-to-no debt. Build Your Future has free resources industry can use to reach parents, including fact blogs, social media graphics, success stories and more.

Contributed by Liz O'Sullivan

Contributed by Eric D. Lussier

"How are you?"
 
"What's new?"
 
"I hope you're doing well."
 
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
 
"Have a great day!"
 
From outside appearances, these types of questions and statements seem to show sensitivity and genuine interest by the inquiring party. But what are the chances that the asker is just going through the motions and doesn't really care what the answer is? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that nowadays, it is high. Very, very high.
 
Some will say that if you ask the right questions, you'll get the right answers. While this indeed may be true, what happens if you aren't listening?
 
I've thought many times about the statement from Stephen Covey that "most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply". So, what if we combined that phrase with the 2,000-year-old Epictetus quote that "we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak"?
 
What if we remove any self-interest and truly attempt to empathize with the individual that we are speaking to by being sincere and more so, by active listening? I get it, you're busy. We're all busy. But next time you ask someone "how are you?", ask it like you really, really mean it.
 
Perhaps you'll hear what the pain points are on a project. What the difficulties are in their day-to-day work. A common bond while outside of the office. Insight on where they believe the future of their profession is going.
 
That’s it. That’s the post.