Author: Laura Black
I have been thinking a lot lately about the smart home of the future, what is driving it, and what in the past has held back widespread adoption. Naturally, cost and lack of integration could easily be cited as two of the biggest hurdles to building the smart home of the future, but some of that is beginning to dissipate. So, then, what’s next? There are three big trends to watch in the home in the months ahead. Let’s explore them now. New Needs in the Home The COVID-19 has changed much in every walk of life, but especially in…
Let’s wrap up our series on New Year’s resolutions for construction. We have already discussed the importance of focusing on the worker and leveraging technology. Today let’s explore the topic of considering sustainability in construction. Here is the reality of the situation: All business stakeholders will benefit from stronger ESG policies—and this is certainly true in the construction industry, where the net zero energy movement has taken hold. Consider what McCarthy Building Companies is doing. The company recognizes net zero energy buildings produce as much renewable energy onsite as they use on an annual basis, meaning these buildings are able…
Did you set a New Year’s resolution? How is it going? We are currently embarking on a blog series of top goals for the construction industry in 2022 and beyond. Last week we focused on the worker. This week, let’s continue the conversation, focusing on how we can leverage technology to the fullest. In some cases, it means purchasing new solutions. In other cases, it means leveraging the tech tools that already exist within your “toolbox.” At the end of last year, Gartner identified the top trends impacting infrastructure and operations for 2022. Let’s take a closer look at what…
As we usher in the New Year, businesses are still stuck in looking back. Much of the discussion continues to be centered on how businesses are going to recover in the wake of the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, I explored which industries have been fairing well—and which are using technology to help. We have already explored manufacturing and construction. Today, let’s take an examination at what is happening in the energy and utilities sector. As global temperatures rise and natural disasters—like wildfires and hurricanes—intensify, the nation’s energy infrastructure is under greater stress than ever before. The amount…
Welcome to 2022. Despite inflation concerns and ongoing production bottlenecks, at the end of last year builder confidence edged higher for the fourth consecutive month on strong consumer demand and limited existing inventory, according to the NAHB (National Assn. of Home Builders). We ended 2021 on a strong note. Let’s take that energy and carry it through to the New Year. The month of January is typically one for resolutions and goal setting. In the next few weeks, we will highlight key areas—resolutions, if you will—specifically for the construction industry. Some of these resolutions include considering sustainability (in more than one…