Author: Peggy Smedley
Where are we in the race toward net zero? I am a big believer that we can gain insights from previously unavailable data. When we can look at strategic projects differently because we have that data, then we can make a difference in our world. This is precisely the conversation I had recently with Dawn James, director, global IoT industry strategy – energy & environmental science, Microsoft, as it relates to energy. During our conversation on The Peggy Smedley Show, she compared smart metal versus dumb metal, saying at this stage in the game there is no reason for us…
Here on this blog, we have been giving you tips on how to make your home more energy efficient. Today, let’s put a microscope on how we can make our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems more energy efficient—with some small and perhaps a few big changes. Before we talk energy, I always like to dive into the numbers for any of those analytical (left brain) by-the-number readers. In the Annual Energy Outlook 2022, the U.S. EIA (Energy Information Admin.) notes that in 2021, electricity use for cooling the interior of buildings (space cooling) by the U.S. residential and…
Are we in the middle of the Great Resignation or the Great Reshuffle? From my perspective, employees are no longer looking to leave the workforce, but are looking to find an opportunity that is more fulfilling. Today’s workers are changing their standards for the types of benefits, cultures, and perks that are desirable. They are looking for appealing jobs with the right amount of responsibility and flexibility. The bigger question now is are you prepared to offer it? Construction companies, then, need to consider what employees are looking for; why finding a fulfilling opportunity is so critical; and how to…
With all that we have witnessed in the world in the past few years, the internet is proving to be the source of power for social change. As we speed into Distracted Driving Awareness Month, there is perhaps no greater place for this than in our vehicles. Let’s zoom into what’s happening behind the wheel. Consider the statement recently given by Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW, at the company’s annual conference. Naturally, he addressed the worldwide suffering happening now and the need for peaceful coexistence of all cultures and global free trade. He also emphasized…
Spring is here. As construction work picks up, it’s easy to forget about good cyber hygiene practices. With geopolitical conflicts and everything happening in the world today, it is more important than ever to pay attention to cybersecurity and best practices. And turning on the news or reading an article it seems breaches are coming faster than ever before. In 2021, there was a whopping 50% increase in overall attacks per week on corporate networks compared to 2020. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2021 alone, there was an all-time peak in weekly cyber-attacks per organization, counting more than 900…
Did you know our homes use 37% more energy today than they did in 1980? Those numbers come directly from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. The solution to bring the rapid surge in energy down just might come in the form of technology. By incorporating technologies that help make homes more efficient, ENERGY STAR estimates homeowners can save between $200 and $400 annually on their energy bills—something many homeowners need today as energy costs continue to skyrocket upwards. Today, let’s look at three tech tips to consume less energy in our homes—some of these you might know about and some…
The supply chain is fragile—this is something the world has been talking about for the past two years and those of us in the industry have been talking about longer than that. Now, the conflict with Ukraine and Russia could have a greater impact on global agricultural markets. The Russian Federation and Ukraine are among some of the most important producers of agricultural commodities in the world, playing a leading role in global markets of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and fertilizers. This could expose markets to increased vulnerabilities, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the…
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid global geopolitical conflict, supply-chain disruptions are impacting nearly every industry—and construction is no exception. The result for contractors is higher material prices—think 20% higher year-over-year—and supply delays, just to name a few, but technology can help in more ways than one. On the commercial side of the business, the AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) says prices of construction materials used in new nonresidential construction jumped more than 21% from February 2021 to February 2022 and noted price announcements made after the February data was collected suggest contractors are experiencing even…
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). This matches the rise in prices in other areas of our lives—gas, food, rent, medical care, you name it. Interestingly, the only other major component index to decline in the past year was airline fares. So, what’s the solution to rising home utility prices? Lowering our bills by lowering our energy consumption. The good news is as homeowners we can save on our home-energy bills by making home-energy upgrades. In fact, in a report released at…
Naturally, AI (artificial intelligence) benefits nearly everything it touches. Still, it is very important to take a close look at the impact it is having on a particular task—and it is perhaps even more important to ask critical questions, as the use of AI unfolds in different vertical markets. Take for instance one very specific area today: recruitment and hiring. Roughly 95% of HR (human resources) professionals believe AI could help with the application process for candidates, according to a recent study from Tidio. With companies receiving roughly 250 resumes for each corporate job opening, AI offers the opportunity to…