Author: Peggy Smedley
As I always say, the housing market is cyclical and very resilient. But which wave are we riding right now? A closer look at the State of the Nation’s Housing 2023 shows the biggest trends in construction, homebuying, and homeownership—and gives a peek into what technologies might be most needed today. The report, from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, dives into current market conditions and the outlook for the industry going forward. Of note, interest rates and overall affordability continue to impact the market. Actually, the changes in the housing market and AI (artificial intelligence) in general appear…
AVs (autonomous vehicles) and EVs (electric vehicles) are speeding on to the scene faster than ever before, powered by new technologies. Still, there are many looming questions to be considered before the majority of drivers are behind these computers on wheels. When will cars mostly drive themselves—and what technologies are still needed in order to make this come to fruition? What exactly will catapult electric vehicles to more mainstream adoption? Perhaps, most importantly, what does the consumer think about all of this and when will they be ready to adopt these high-tech vehicles? Let’s unpack some of the biggest trends…
Peggy Smedley talks all about semiconductors. She says this space is growing, investors are eyeing it, the government is taking steps to strengthen it, and the general public is taking notice—but are the hurdles discussed enough? She identifies opportunities and trends. She also discusses: The amount of growth that is expected for semiconductors. What the White House is doing for semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development. One company that hit the trillion-dollar mark. peggysmedleyshow.com (6/20/23 – 827) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work,…
Julie Shainock, managing director, travel, transport & logistics, Microsoft, joins Peggy Smedley to talk about what is driving the rental car industry. She says when you look at the rental car industry today, you are looking at a lot of different things that are happening in the marketplace: EVs (electric vehicles), AVs (autonomous vehicles), consolidation, digital transformation and a lot of legacy systems, and the new phenomenon around mobility-as-a-service. They also discuss: Strategic alliances, which company is using an EV fleet, and the trend around software-defined vehicles. Accelerating the commercialization of EVs and AVs. Mobility-as-as-service and hyper personalization. A new…
More than 400 wildfires have burned in Canada in the month of June, with more than half of them out of control at one point. Certainly, this is not the first time we have heard about fires. California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah have all had their fair share of wildfires. What’s more, when natural disasters happen on a scale of this magnitude, we are all impacted. In this case, the fires in Canada have impacted air quality in many parts of the United States. Everywhere from Chicago to most recently the eastern United States, have seen…
One of the biggest challenges the construction industry has today is inexperienced skilled labor, which impacts nearly every aspect of a construction project. The good news is with technology in hand construction professionals can bring experienced workers and inexperienced workers together, ultimately achieving the best from both. This is a conversation I was having recently with Corey Johnson, senior director, construction product management, Bentley Systems. He says COVID has accelerated the need to better plan work because the skilled labor force has been looking for alternative types of work or has retired. With that, construction has seen an increased reliance…
Labor hoarding, quiet quitting, the great resignation. We continue to put labels on trends in the job market—but do we really know what long-term impact this is having on business, and do we recognize what steps we need to take next to have a better workforce? To start, let’s define a few of these. Great resignation: Some call it the great resignation; others call it the great reshuffle; I like to say the great job hop. All in all, this was the great exodus of employees from their employment obligations. Picking up speed in the spring of 2021, the great…
Peggy Smedley talks all about some of the latest workforce trends, defining labor hoarding, quiet quitting, and the great resignation. She says we continue to put labels on the trends in the job market, but do we really know the long-term impact this is having on business, and do we recognize what steps we need to take next to have a better workforce? She also discusses: What trends have slowed, and which have picked up speed. The top reasons companies are actively labor hoarding and plan to continue to do so in 2023. The real problem that lies under the…
Peggy Smedley and Tina Green, VP business development and marketing, Mumford Industries Inc., talk about the history of the company. She says the company has been in industrial plastics recycling for about 28 years. They also discuss: Why circularity is important now. The definition of circular and if all companies that recycle are circular. That education for recycling needs to be consistent and continuous. mumfordindustries.com (6/13/23 – 826) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Tina Green, Mumford Industries Inc. This episode is available…
Peggy Smedley and Corey Johnson, senior director, construction product management, Bentley Systems, talk about how inexperienced skilled labor is impacting project performance and safety. He says COVID has accelerated the need to better plan your work because the skilled labor force has been looking for alternative types of work or has retired. They also discuss: The importance of showing the value of the construction projects workers are going to be working on. How tools and technology can enable collaboration for both field and office workers. If there are hard cost benefits to the technology, in addition to workforce benefits. bentley.com/synchro…