In a leadership role, it is very easy to say, “Here’s the job and let’s get it done.” Today’s worker may not react to that in a positive way because they may seek more involvement and input as well as some autonomy in...
I was listening to an interview with Green bay packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in which he was asked, “Do you think about what the future holds for you after this season?” His response was, “While I don’t want to get stuck...
As the face of safety at your company, a key to your success is getting everyone on the same page. By everyone, I mean the workers and management in this quest for achieving a positive safety culture. Sometimes, top...
In the increasingly competitive process of hiring good employees, we need to use every tool available. In many cases, people rely on their instinct. I, too, have used this mindset in some hiring decisions. While some were...
Maintaining COVID-19-free employees, construction projects and job sites is critical. Companies are implementing safety protocols such as requiring masks, prescreening questionnaires and physical distancing on-site and in...
Employees are no longer satisfied with having a job that pays well and provides benefits. Gone are the days of the command-and-control management style. Workers want to be appreciated, challenged and feel included in the...
Every electrical contractor agrees good project managers are hard to find. The first place contractors usually search for high-promise candidates is among the ranks of their best foremen. In part 1 of this series, we covered...
Staffing shortages have plagued the construction industry in recent years and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Part of this larger issue is a constant shortage of project managers (PMs). In boom times or...
Forget about total quality management, re-engineering, best of breed, best practices, and all those other pop management buzzword battle cries that sound pretty hollow compared to some of today's realities of the workplace...
Teams are made up of individuals with different skill sets, expertise and years of experience, not to mention different personalities. Someone needs to be in charge and direct the diversified team to accomplish the objectives...
It hasn’t been the easiest few years for the electrical construction industry, and its recovery from the economic downturn has been comparatively slow given the productivity gains of other industry sectors in the United...
Often, people in our industry have more than one job title. Smaller shop owners often wear many hats. As businesses grow, one of the most frequent pairings is estimating and project management. As an employee, from truck...
Constant advances in software and the pressing need to save money and improve operational efficiencies mean electrical contractors must frequently revisit the question of whether to upgrade their fleet, service and time...
We have heard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the industry that, for a safety program to be effective, management must be involved. What does that mean? Do they only fund the program? Does...
Some customers come with their own special circumstances and nuances. Contractors must acknowledge and work with these if they intend to make the relationship long-lasting. With the intimate nature of the healthcare industry...
