Oct 28, 2019
Hear how blockchain, IoT and big data are transforming our world!
This spring, I was a guest on
Peggy Smedley’s ConstructechTV, a highly
influential TV show about technology, blockchain and the
construction industry. It was such an enjoyable interview that I
asked Peggy to share her ideas about technology and construction
with our On The Brink listeners. In this podcast, we talk about the
challenges she sees in an industry that is well-established,
resistant to change, heavily dependent on human labor, and not able
to see “what is all around them.”
Not hard to see why we connected. Lots to learn here; be sure to
listen in.
Problem: not many young workers
going into the construction trades
As Peggy shares with us, with so many opportunities for work, construction is just not top on the list for younger men, or women, for that matter. The second problem is that once construction companies hire an employee, it's tough to hold on to them. Retention is as big an issue as recruiting, says Peggy, because it's not just about money.
So, who is the future worker who is going to build our homes, our roads, our offices and our communities? What can construction companies do today to change their workspaces to better align with the interests and needs of the Gen Ys, Gen Zs and even Gen As of tomorrow? More blockchain? More robots? More conversations about how “we” are going to succeed together?
Clearly, some major culture change needs to happen, because we need construction workers. But do up-and-coming workers need construction?
About Peggy Smedley
As the founder of the Peggy
Smedley Institute, a top-ranked professional education
organization focused on providing comprehensive assessments of its
clients' roles within IoT (Internet of Things), Peggy is a
recognized pioneer in the M2M and IoT spaces and an outspoken
advocate and supporter of security and connected devices. As well
as an entrepreneur, executive, strategist and highly regarded
editor, she is also an author, whose book, "Mending Manufacturing: How America
Can Manufacture its Survival," provides an in-depth
analysis of the American manufacturing crisis.
A frequent guest on business and news TV programs, a leading voice on nationally syndicated radio shows, and an expert in wireless technologies affecting construction, mobile and business strategies, Peggy has helped thousands of companies develop M2M/IoT solutions, products and devices. In addition, her podcast, The Peggy Smedley Show, has been called America's most influential IoT podcast.
You can connect with Peggy at @ConnectedWMag.
Need to get up to speed on blockchain, IoT and the digital revolution? These blogs and podcast can help:
- Blog: Unbelievable Blockchain Changes Coming to the Construction Industry
- Blog: Your Data Is Talking To You. Are You Listening?
- Podcast: Michael Gale—The Digital Transformation Coming to You
Additional resources
- Peggy's website: Peggy Smedley Institute
- Peggy's book: "Mending Manufacturing: How America Can Manufacture its Survival"
- My book: "On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights"
- Our website: Simon Associates Management Consultants