Author: Peggy Smedley
Today’s construction industry faces several challenges. Too often information is still siloed, creating inefficiencies in projects, and yet construction companies are tasked with rebuilding failing infrastructure. If we look at the stats, they are downright scary. Nearly, half of national bridges in the United States were rated structurally deficient in 2017—and I am afraid we aren’t making progress fast enough. Consider the example of Andrew Anagnost, CEO, president, Autodesk He takes the BART to work most days and goes through a tunnel that was designed in the 1960s in an earthquake zone. Every day a part of him thinks about…
For years, I have been sounding the horn about good cybersecurity practices because a breach can cause businesses to come to a halt, costing companies millions or even billions of dollars. But the reality is there are a lot of things that can cause tech systems to go down: system failure, human error, power and internet outages, or an update, as was the case on July 19, 2024, when airlines, banks, hospitals, and other businesses around the globe slowed. This brings up an interesting question: What would you do if your tech systems went offline? But perhaps the bigger question…
Peggy talks about how we must prepare for what the next generation of work will look like. She says the worker is key to ensuring successful digital transformation in the future and highly engaged individuals enjoy excelling at their roles and helping companies achieve their objectives. She also discusses: Who Gen Z is and their role in the workforce. What Gen Z wants and how Gen Z will impact the future of work. How companies can engage workers and step up collaboration in order to create new opportunities for the future of work. peggysmedleyshow.com (7/23/24 – 880) IoT, Internet of…
Peggy Smedley and Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor professor of management and director of the center for human resources, The Wharton School, talk about how we are shifting away from practices that seem to produce good results and instead are focusing on optimizing cost reduction. He says something that is not happening—but we think is—is fundamental attribution error, which is the assumption that when you see people behaving a certain way, it is because of who they are and what their heads are like. They also discuss: Generative AI (artificial intelligence) and if it is truly replacing jobs and changing…
Peggy Smedley and Martin Moore-Ede, director, Circadian Light Research Center, talk about how we spend 90% of our time indoors and the impact this has on our health. He says for generations our ancestors lived under bright daylight and now we live indoors, and we live in the virtual twilight. Our internal clocks have drifted apart and that has huge health consequences. They also discuss: The impact of the type of lights in our rooms. Some of the reasons to consider different types of light bulbs. The challenge with LED lights. circadianlight.org (7/23/24 – 880) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy…
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,…