Author: Peggy Smedley

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Have you decided what you are going to get for your mom, grandma, aunt, or sister? Consider giving that special loved one in your life a connected gift for the home or health this Mother’s Day. I had all the intention of writing a complete list, but to be very candid—after wearing and testing this health watch that Withings sent me—which has been surprisingly, very enjoyable—I wanted to share my views with you. At the end of this blog, we have put together some unique ideas for connected Mother’s Day gifts for 2022…

The COVID-19 pandemic shook up the workplace in more ways than one. Perhaps most notable is the rise of the Great Resignation—although candidly I think this would have happened with or without the pandemic. The good news is there is growing consensus about what needs to be done to address this. Last September, McKinsey reported more than 19 million U.S. workers had quit their job since April 2021, and that companies are struggling to address the problem. At the time, it suggested that many companies don’t really understand why their employees are leaving in the first place. Much work has…

Ensuring delivery is on time for construction projects can be a difficult promise. Project planning and technology solutions can certainly help, and this is where VDC (virtual design and construction) enters the equation. While VDC certainly isn’t a new concept, have we made any strides with leveraging it in the past two decades? What are we still doing wrong? Why didn’t it work on your last project? Let’s explore in more detail now. While seeds of this idea date back to the 1970s, it really began to take root in 2002, when Dr. Martin Fischer and Dr. John Kunz of…

With temperatures and energy bills rising, lowering energy costs just might be the ticket to seeing green—in your pocket when it comes to saving money on your next utility bill—all while providing some energy-efficient benefits to you and the environment. As we all know, in 2021, Americans paid 25.1% and 6.5% more for gas utilities and electricity, according to data from the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The good news is even small changes can make a big difference. Consider these three ways to save some “green” with your appliances this year. Wait to Wash Your Clothes If you…

With Earth Day, just a few days away, on April 22, let’s explore how different vertical markets can make a lasting impact on Earth Day and every day, specifically as it relates to ESG (environmental, social, and governance), which is becoming more critical for businesses every day. History of Earth Day First, if you have been following along with us all week, then you know we are doing a little Earth Day quiz. If you know me, then you know I love a good history lesson. So, let’s answer a few key questions about Earth Day before we look at…

We all know inflation, supply-chain struggles, the worker shortage, project delays, and the geopolitical conflict is hampering growth in all vertical markets, but what specifically is on the horizon for the construction industry? Will the residential segment remain strong? Are we headed for a recession before the year is up? When will infrastructure work truly take off? And make no mistake there are a host of predictions on each of these topics. Perhaps now is the perfect time to explore one of them. At the beginning of this month, FMI released its 2022 North American Engineering and Construction Outlook Second…

This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. To celebrate, we want to challenge you during this time of climate change to do something a little bit different. Take our quiz and then take our challenge. Let me explain. This week, consider taking the Living Lab Pledge. First, we are not saying sign your name to a list of something publicly. Rather, we are asking you to do something personal for you to make the planet better. You are doing something small that will have a BIG impact. Simply do something unique each day that will be beneficial for our environment.…

Creating a sustainability mission and framework can help the environment—and ultimately the bottomline. Businesses all around the globe are beginning to realize this. Perhaps the best way to better business and sustainability is to learn from others. Today, let’s look at three case studies for sustainability in three very different areas—cities, food, and technology—in order to find the common thread that extends to all businesses. Cities Go Plastic Free In March, The Miami Beach City Commission voted to approve a 10-year nonalcoholic pouring rights agreement with PepsiCo Beverages North America—and the agreement stipulates the company must provide packaged water and…

Many of the headlines appear to be notably echoing the same sentiment these days: residential construction is still booming, but a recession is looming. This doesn’t tell the entire story when it comes to technology; however. If you dig deeper, it’s obvious that much has changed during the past two years alone in the residential construction sector. In fact, while the industry has not experienced a complete facelift, it has effectively given itself a handsome tuck, which has pretty much energized it enough to take the next step forward, regardless of the labor shortage, some might even say for the…

Roughly 91% of Americans and 96% of Millennials engage in spring cleaning, with 76% of the population participating each year. With residential homes using roughly a quarter of the country’s energy, have you considered how spring cleaning might improve your energy consumption? Now I must confess, before we go any further, I am a bit of a neat freak at home. I like things in their place. And yes, I like my home to be tidy. Just ask my three grown children. Although they might have a different word for what they have called their mother over the years, but…