Construction State of the Union
A discovery
Tyler shares about the blueprints he and Eddie’s dad found in their grandfather’s house. It was a relatively simple house, but still Tyler was overwhelmed by the artistry of the prints. Eddie recalls the values and the social dynamics of work crews in that generation.
Core values
Tyler shares about an exercise that Chat GPT gave him when he asked for help clarifying the core principles of his business. It suggested that he ask himself “five whys”--five layers of examining purpose.
This process led him to an appreciation for the breadth and depth of the construction industry’s reach. Every part of our world is touched by commercial construction in numerous ways. He recalls the generational pride that was revealed on family trips as they passed projects that their dad and granddad had worked on.
Eddie discusses how storylines are developed and framed as part of the TV coverage of the Master’s. He connects that to Tyler’s marketing work helping construction companies tell their story. Tyler shares about an impressive recent project. A single module that was being moved across the tarmac for an airport project weighed more than an entire hospital he’d worked with a short time before.
Tech-talk flak and robot checkers
Tyler shares about some responses he’s gotten to recent posts in which he implied that tech might be used too extensively. He and Eddie discuss recent industry shifts in regard to tech, BIM, and now forms of coordination between parties.
They discuss the importance of basic human consideration and communication. Eddie revisits and explains his strong disdain for unnecessary meetings. Then he engages in a recap of the shifts in building design over the last couple decades.
Tyler reviews what he’s seen recently about cutting-edge automation regarding welding and other aspects of steel work. Eddie discusses some arguably redundant checks on some of the pieces ABSI designs.
Tyler lists some unnecessary verification steps that are being eliminated with automation. Eddie outlines the ways that the quality control process has changed. Eddie gives a shout-out to Tesfit software and lists other sub-sectors of the industry that are doing impressive things with automation.
Airing of grievances
Eddie shifts the conversation in the direction of a few beefs he has with the industry.
One thing he reiterates is the classic adage: Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. In his later years, he has learned that internalizing this principle brings benefits no matter how small or large the project might be. He sees diminishing returns resulting from the push to go more quickly.
This leads to Eddie’s message to the industry: Rushing is not going to solve our problems. He’s concerned that this can lead to the industry collapsing on itself in some ways.
A curmudgeonly bunch and the wrap-up
Eddie shares about an arrogance that he sometimes sees among his own crew. He explains why that is. People in his role are positioned to see a good number of inefficiencies.
“Invest in the ounce rather than the pound,” Eddie says.
Tyler closes with the thought that it’s important to avoid the temptation to replace your people skills with shiny-object obsession.
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