Author: Peggy Smedley
We are entering a very interesting era—one where we have data more readily at our fingertips than ever before, opening new worlds of opportunities for our businesses. And, yet we are also entering an era where we must be more diligent than ever before. We are already in the era of data breaches, and we are now also entering the era of deepfakes. Let’s look at some hard numbers before we go any further in the blog. The reality is 34% of companies saw an increase in evil doers attacking vulnerabilities to gain initial access and cause havoc and security…
Jobsites can be nearly seven times safer with health and safety best practices, according to a recent construction safety report from ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors). Welcome to Construction Safety Week—a week to pause and consider health and safety on the jobsite and the best practices and technologies that can enable a safer future for all. On a recent episode of The Peggy Smedley Show, I talk about the ways we can create a safer jobsite, and at the top of the list is leveraging technology. AI (artificial intelligence), more specifically, opens the door to new opportunities. Let’s consider the…
Prefab housing is on the rise, due to a variety of factors including labor and material shortages, and let’s face it, the need for more affordable housing. Mordor Intelligence suggests prefabricated housing will top at least $143.55 billion by the end of 2025 and it will soar to $198.25 billion by 2030, which is a 6.67% growth rate. I think even the Queen of Prefab would approve these numbers! The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are roughly 7 million prefabricated homes in the United States, which represents about 7.5% of all single-family homes. Also, more than 80% of contractors have…
The world has gone from 9.1% in circularity to 8.6% in 2020—meaning we are moving backwards. Going circular has the potential to open $4.5 trillion in value, according to the World Business Council’s Sustainable Development report. The European Union is taking steps to become more circular—and it could have an impact on manufacturing companies all around the globe. Launched in late 2019, the European Green Deal is changing the European Union, with a set of proposals to make climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels,…
Here at Connected World, we have been covering a number of medical breakthroughs and research happening in university and healthcare systems. At first glance, it is all very exciting, opening new opportunities for improved patient care at levels. But like all advancements, there are still mounting concerns about data security that have yet to be fully addressed. The biggest question of the day is: Are medical devices secure? Certainly, with all the bad actors in the world there is no way to confidently say our medical devices and our systems have the ability to fend off nefarious attacks. All data…
Welcome to National Work Zone Awareness Week, which takes place from April 21-25, 2025, with partnerships between state departments of transportation, national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies, and individuals. The objective is to encourage drivers to use extra caution in work zones, but it is also an opportunity for construction professionals to identify risks and come up with safety strategies. Let’s spend some time looking at the real risks in today’s work zones, and how to mitigate them. The Dangers on the Road According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, a project of the American Road…
Today’s workplace is an interesting place. We are in the middle of a workforce evolution that is transforming what we are all calling the future of work. And, yet there are still operational inefficiencies that exist at many levels of the organization. For the purpose of our discussion today, AI (artificial intelligence) can certainly step in and help, right? The Importance of People Eagle Hill Consulting recently conducted a survey and found 68% of employees say much of their time is spent on low-value inefficient tasks. Okay, let’s be honest, that is wasted time spent on things that could be…
By now we have all heard about the Trump Administration’s tariffs and other changing economic factors and how it will have an impact on the construction industry. Truthfully, it is a constantly changing, moving target, and in just a few short months, there have certainly been ups and downs. For today’s blog, let’s look at what all these market changes will mean to the construction industry and the industries that supply materials. The best way to understand how current economic factors will impact industries such as construction and supply materials is to start by looking backward. Robert Gulotty, an associate…
The IoT (Internet of Things) has been around for decades—and here at Connected World we have been covering the space since before Kevin Ashton uttered the three-word phrase. I am sure many of you are asking who? That is how fast things change, and we move to the next acronym(s). Now we are hearing all about gen AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is going to completely alter the way we work. The question now becomes: How do these two come together and what will this all ultimately mean for the future of work? What Is the IoT? First, let’s…
Construction injuries cost the industry roughly $11.5 billion per year, according to the National Institutes of Health. One type of concern and collision the industry must consider is car crashes. These collisions can cause harm to those working on road construction projects—and they can also cause serious dangers for those driving to and from sites. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so it’s a perfect time to reexamine the risks associated with driving distracted while working. https://youtu.be/Tnde7tQIxcA The Risks of Distracted Driving at Work The NSC (National Safety Council) suggests you are four times as likely to crash when using…