Author: Peggy Smedley
Construction companies take the leap into the internet, adopting software solutions one project at a time. Understanding that the construction industry exists as a triad is the first step in getting your arms around recognizing the key players in the development of a project. Owners hold one corner, engineers and architects another, and contractors are the third. All three play a critical role in tracking elements of a project differently and assessing data in the way they wish to receive it, and how they will assemble all the final information. View the full article here.
The construction industry is a wonderful industry to work in, offering a wide range of opportunities. The benefits can often be vast: a good salary with a path for advancement; a position where you can contribute to the greater good by constructing homes, buildings, or infrastructure; and the chance to be a part of a team that works together to make all of this happen. Of course, any industry comes with its challenges. For the construction industry, perhaps some of the biggest include addressing the safety and mental health aspects, as the AGC (Associated General Contractors of America) suggests a…
Peggy talks about the state of women at work and if participation is increasing. She says women are in a perfect storm in the workplace, citing several new reports that are out and explaining what she believes will come next for women in the workplace. She also discusses: If a shattered glass ceiling is enough or if we also need to be talking about the broken rung. If the gender pay gap is widening—and how much it will increase earnings if the gender pay gap was eradicated. The top reasons women have changed jobs in recent years, the top three…
Peggy Smedley and Yannis Paschalidis, director, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering and distinguished professor of engineering, Boston University, talk about gen AI (artificial intelligence). He says we live in fascinating times and generative AI has come to the forefront in the past few years and there are many uses, such as tutoring. They also discuss: How gen AI impacts the world—particularly research and development, education, and business. Three categories of generative AI systems that are out there. Some of the key concerns and negative impacts of gen AI and some of the potential benefits…
Peggy Smedley and Alberto Galasso, professor of strategic management, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, talk about the crucial role of patents in driving business success. He says patents have been used by businesses for a long time, but something changed in the past 20 years, and shares his book The Management of Innovation. They also discuss: If patents are important for small firms and entrepreneurs. How data can be a valuable tool for managerial decision making. How to protect and share technology, while creating value for a company. utorontopress.com/9781487553562/the-management-of-innovation/ (7/16/24 – 879) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley,…
The evolution of technology and what comes next with AI (artificial intelligence) and the cloud. In the 1990s there was a movement away from DOS to software tools to help companies better manage their buildings, roads, homes, and industrial plants, all built on Microsoft Windows platforms. And that was important. Now we are having the same types of discussions about AI (artificial intelligence) and the cloud. View the full article here.
The residential construction software market has seen its share of M&A (merger and acquisition) activity and perhaps one of the biggest this year took place quietly just before those of us here in the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, as ECI Software Solutions scooped up two residential home construction software business units from MiTek. Before we look at this one specific acquisition and what it means for the construction industry going forward, let’s back up for a minute and look at the residential construction market as a whole during the past two decades—because much has changed and perhaps…
Perhaps one of the best ways to improve a connected device or service would be through customer feedback. But what if customers weren’t telling the manufacturers about the issues with the devices? This is the reality for many, according to a new survey. The Memfault survey sought to understand consumer spending, use, and experiences with their connected devices such as fitness trackers, media devices, health monitors, GPS, and entertainment devices, just to name a few—not including smartphones. It surveyed 800 users aged 25-55 in the United States. Here is what it found. One of the more startling statistics is that…
Peggy shares five steps to consider to ensure you hire the right candidate for the job. She says industry is struggling to uncover the right talent mix for the job because leadership must adjust their thinking and hiring practices. She also discusses: Where you should use technology to help in the hiring process. What the worker of tomorrow is looking for from hiring professionals. How to fill the gap of the 8.5 million job openings in the United States. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/9/24 – 878) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G,…
Peggy Smedley and Laura Black talk to Craig Yu, associate professor, computer science, college of engineering and computing, George Mason, Brenda Bannan, professor, division of learning technologies, college of education and human development, George Mason University, and Liuchuan Yu, third-year computer science PHD student, George Mason University. They discuss a project they are doing that uses VR (virtual reality) simulations to study the work and collaboration patterns of people with ADHD in construction. They also discuss: Why there is a need for this today. Why target the construction industry. What value this will ultimately bring. craigyuyu.github.io/home cehd.gmu.edu/people/faculty/bbannan chuange.org (7/9/24 -…