Author: Peggy Smedley
Peggy Smedley talks about our workforce and how all the generations need to come together to build and manufacture our future. She digs into how we need to communicate in a way that works for everyone. She also: Sets the stage with some big trends and how that will impact companies in the year ahead. A breakdown of the five generations that have an active role in the marketplace and in the workforce today. How the different generations communicate through technology—and why it matters. peggysmedleyshow.com (12/20/22 – 802) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data,…
Peggy Smedley and Smith Codio, director of customer experience, automotive, mobility, and transportation industry, Microsoft, talk about the metaverse in automotive and his time leading multiple engineering teams. He says the process of buying a car is not the most user friendly or customer centric—and Microsoft wants to help change that process. They also discuss: An example of an automotive company that has launched a virtual showroom. How this technology can reduce the carbon footprint. Other applications in transportation, travel, rail, and manufacturing. aka.ms/peggysmedley (12/20/22 – 802) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital…
As technology proliferates and the amount of data surges, are contractors faced with too much “digital clutter?” One new survey points to new digital habits and how to manage the digital clutter that exists in both life and at work. The 2022 Cyber Hoarding Report from HighSpeedInternet.com suggests Americans are spending an average of eight hours online each day in 2022. A survey of 1,000 Americans shows 62% feel stress or anxiety due to the sheer number of digital files they have, which can manifest in slower internet speeds and increased cybersecurity risks. When it comes to the construction industry,…
If we know lighting can reduce crashes up to 42% for nighttime injury pedestrian crashes at intersections, then why do some states still have poor lighting at nighttime? According to the U.S. DOT (Dept. of Transportation) FHWA (Federal Highway Admin.), the number of fatal crashes occurring in daylight is about the same as those that occur in darkness. However, the nighttime fatality rate is three times the daytime rate because only 25% of vehicle miles traveled occur at night. Therefore, at nighttime, vehicles traveling at higher speeds may not have the ability to stop once a hazard or change in…
Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3—and sometimes even Scope 4—are a greater focus for businesses all around the world. Many businesses recognize that CO2 emissions are harmful to the environment and want to do the right thing. In recent years, we have seen the movement toward reducing emissions pick up speed dramatically. In some cases, we are seeing companies almost take an about turn when it comes to focusing on reducing emissions and being more sustainable. “If you look at science-based targets initiatives, or just the number of organizations in the world—which is companies and governments in the world—that…
For many, it is the middle of gift buying and giving season. Peggy asks the question: When we venture into stores, will we soon be met with avatars? She points to examples of how the metaverse is impacting retail today. She also discusses: How the metaverse and avatars have evolved in retail and fashion in the past few years. Examples of how avatars can be used to shop and sell. A case study of a convenience store in Japan staffed by avatars. peggysmedleyshow.com (12/13/22 – 801) IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation,…
Peggy Smedley and Tim Ryder, general manager, U.S. Manufacturing Sector, Microsoft, talk about the state of the semiconductor sector. He says the industry is always evolving and it is always working to power the continuous connectivity that we demand to make our lives more productive and to achieve our goals. They also discuss: Trends in the supply chain such as production moving closer to the customer. A history of computing over the years and where we are at today. The need to leverage a common data model that allows for a secure sharing of data across the ecosystem. microsoft.com/manufacturing Azure…
Peggy Smedley and Lori Ziolkowski, associate professor, University of South Carolina, talk about how American cities are doing right now as it relates to climate change. She says we have made lots of pledges throughout the decades and the amount of carbon keeps on going up, regardless of all of our pledges. They also discuss: How cities have tried to step up to the task and try being part of the solution. That transportation and buildings are 80% of climate emissions. How cohorts can bring organizations together to negotiate with the electricity company to get renewable power generation. sc.edu (12/13/22…
Where have homes gained the most value in the past year? The answers, trends, and reasons might be a bit surprising, as we look at the cost and price of homes across the country and where we are seeing the highest increases. When we look a bit closer, some interesting trends begin to emerge. To dig in a bit deeper, a study by real estate site TNRealEstate.com used data from Zillow to compare the average home value of 2021 and 2022 in every state to see where the most significant percentage increases in value were across the county. It found…
As we head into a New Year, builders need to keep a close eye on market conditions and trends, as the economy is fluctuating constantly. Will the New Year bring an uptick in residential building? What demographic will be most likely to buy and sell in 2023? Some new research points to interesting trends for the year ahead. HomeLight recently published its Top Agent Insights Report for New Year 2023, which surveyed more than 1,000 real estate agents. The consensus is that there is an affordability crunch amid economic uncertainty in today’s market conditions, which is requiring buyers and sellers…