Customer service is a part of our everyday lives, said DJ Craven of The Gildea Group. During this episode on the impact customer service has on project outcomes, Craven shares his approach and explains a new approach to relationships now known as the Craven V . In addition, you will hear how customer service as a core value has helped The Gildea Group grow and remain in business for over 60 years. Within this episode, you will learn several tips necessary to avoid customer service mistakes inclu...
Sep 20, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 44
The Laborers may be one of the largest building trades unions in the country and we had the pleasure of speaking with Eric Remetta, Training Director, Laborers District Council of Eastern PA to learn more. In our conversation, Eric shares the requirements of becoming a Laborer including the time needed to become a journeyman. It’s 4000 hours and you can achieve that by balancing work on sites and in facilities throughout Pennsylvania with eight weeks of classes. Additionally, Eric lets Chris and...
Sep 13, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Listen as Nick Vuono, a Steamfitter apprentice shares his personal insight into what it means to be a Steamfitter.
Sep 06, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Listen in as Jon O'Brien and Chris Martin share insight on the upcoming issue of the Keystone Contractor Magazine . The latest issue will focus on the importance of culture and how a structured program to establish improved morale, focus, and vision will benefit your company. Additionally, the magazine staff has created supporting articles that detail the connection between lean construction and culture, steps to improve morale and awards. Each of these elements strengthens your company's cultur...
Sep 03, 2021•6 min
According to Bob Dresser of Strategic Executive Consulting, workface planning creates opportunities for work schedules for a one-week period. This includes preparing all tools, materials, and drawings for that timeframe. In our conversation, you can hear Bob share how this element of project planning improves work retention and decreases talent loss. Bob mentions that the best time to embrace workface planning is in the design phase as the key to best practices. In support of best practices, you...
Aug 30, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Do you know what it takes to be an apprentice Steamfitter? Listen in as Tom Doran, apprenticeship coordinator for Steamfitters Local 449 joins Chris and Jon to discuss the program and the requirements. Tom shares that each apprentice comes out of the program with certifications that ensure each person is ready for work in the field. The skills learned are focused on welding, Hydronics, drawing, qualified course instruments, rigging, and more related to the mechanical aspect of the industry. Thos...
Aug 23, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Have you considered what is needed to develop a strong on-site project culture? Listen as Eric Pascucci, Director of Estimating and Pre-Construction for PJ Dick, and Tom Price, Principal with Strada Architecture share lessons learned and practical recommendations for building a strong relationship between contractor and architect. Both agree that collaboration is key, along with a heavy reliance on comfort and trust. Admittedly, each of those characteristics requires time to build. In this episo...
Aug 09, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Link Business’s Chris Caldwell joins the podcast to discuss business valuation and the steps necessary to sell your business. Caldwell mentions that to determine what a business is worth owners must set realistic goals, plan accordingly and communicate with those they are considering selling to. He also highlights the value of defining what you plan to sell as part of this process. Listen to a very useful discussion for any component of the construction industry.
Jul 26, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Learn about BIM and its impact on 3D scanning and drafting along with the variety of projects that are impacted by this technology from John Brown and Tim Libman of DJM. Not only does BIM improve accuracy within the design process, but ongoing building records, assessments, and renovation work can be enhanced or improved. Additionally, Brown and Libman share the positive impact on pre-construction with the adoption of BIM. Our guests share the benefits of the technology, such as strengthened eng...
Jul 19, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Listen as Bob Dresser shares guidelines for improving morale through job site culture, productivity expectations, site-wide purpose, and need of a project team. Dresser emphasizes the need to communicate the purpose for the project team to improve productivity. Learn how Dresser’s approach showcases the benefits of improved morale such as: · Staff retention, · Quality improvements such as reject rates, and · Project-wide efficiencies This episode is part of the Better Project Outcome Series brou...
Jul 12, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Listen to George Stark and William DesRosiers of Cabot Oil and Gas talk of the trends within the oil and gas industry and the looming investments that will aid the construction industry in the coming years. These investments include job and economic opportunities, increased diversification, and a Pennsylvania workforce that comes from within the state and not other states or regions. The dynamic duo also discusses the impact Act 66 will have on both industries in an energetic conversation....
Jul 05, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 35
This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company. Listen as Brandon Mendoza of NAIOP Pittsburgh joins the Building PA Podcast to discuss his leadership style. As the voice of the 400 + leaders in the commercial building community, Mendoza balances old-school approaches with young mindsets to achieve solid returns. Among the discussion, he also discusses trends impacting the industry, how he sees the development and construction industry working to...
Jun 28, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Joel Berg of BizNewsPA joined our co-hosts to share insight from a journalistic perspective to grow the industry. During the discussion, Berg talked about the benefits of interacting with the media, how contractors can use perceived bad situations as opportunities, and the impact the media can play on community interaction and company success.
Jun 21, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 33
In this episode, we go on location to the Steamfitters Technology Center in Harmony, PA, where we meet Steamfitters Local No. 449 Business Manager Ken Broadbent. During our visit, Ken discusses training, expanded certifications, and his vision for the future of the trade. He specifically shares his personal approach to success, which lies in self-determination and motivation to accomplish goals. The passion that Broadbent brings to the job after 20 plus years in various leadership roles with the...
Jun 14, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Gordon Denlinger of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) stops by to discuss the various resources available to the countless small businesses within our industry. During the discussion, Denlinger shares the biggest challenges facing small business owners including state and federal budget issues, regulatory relief, and taxes. More importantly, he provides tips on how the NFIB is helping small businesses to succeed and grow.
Jun 07, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Occupop is an HR platform that has been designed for in-house HR managers specifically for the construction industry. The Dublin, Ireland-based company is planning to enter the US market and has created a platform that accesses candidates while helping managers oversee the application process more efficiently. Listen as Ted Campbell shares more detail of the technology and the company’s plans to support the Pennsylvania construction industry. Reach out to Ted at Ted@occupop.com.
May 31, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Join us as Desmone Architects President Eric Booth joins co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien to discuss the growing trend of WELL design. Booth tells our co-hosts that the goal of WELL design is to design buildings and spaces that positively impact our health. As the world returns to some post-pandemic normalcy, WELL design has tremendous interest and impacts on the education, health and multi-family communities. In addition, this design trend could present real benefits to HR operations as we...
May 24, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Case Technologies’ own Mark Deitrich joins the podcast to talk about how BIM represents a digital repository of project information that extends the life cycle of the project and ultimately the building. He shares his thoughts regarding planning and integration of the technology on various construction projects as well.
May 17, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Brad Kriel and Dan Obriot of SB Monitoring join co-host Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien to discuss technological operations improvements on job sites throughout Pennsylvania. Operational improvements include security cameras that help enforce safety policies along with equipment tracing on project sites that require security or remote supervision.
May 11, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Join us as we kick off the Better Project Outcomes Series sponsored by Strategic Executive Consulting (SEC). In our inaugural series episode, listen as Bob Dresser, president of Strategic Executive Consulting discusses mobilization readiness. In this episode we learn about project success based on preparedness as Dresser shares the SEC mobilization process, discusses the impact contracts have on mobilization readiness and the various steps within the SEC process. A key takeaway from the conversa...
May 03, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Listen in as Casey Schlaegle talks about owning a small business in the construction industry. Schlaegle has a diverse background within the industry and has worked as an architect, carpenter and now owns and leads his own architectural woodworking firm. He discusses the need to find a reliable team that has the right mindset and skills to complement each other. He also shares how vital it is to have a sound legal and accounting team to help grow a business within the construction industry....
Apr 27, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Odie Parkins of the Eastern Atlantic States Council of Regional Carpenters joins the podcast to talk about the Carpenters training program. Parkins talks of the tools and technical support each apprentice receives along with the emphasis on behavior and attitude. He also shed light on the Carpenters 300 Hitters program and how the international union utilizes its Las Vegas training center.
Apr 26, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 24
As president of Alexander Building Company, Seitz oversaw the growth of the general contractor’s Central Pennsylvania region. Who better to learn from? Listen as Seitz shares how he addresses growth for a general contractor and the importance of establishing a vision. In our conversation, he also discusses the importance of communication, its impact on your company’s vision, and future trends anticipated within the industry. This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you b...
Apr 19, 2021•31 min•Season 2Ep. 23
The PA Chamber's Allen Norton visits the Quandel Studio to discuss career awareness with Jon and Chris. Norton is leading the charge to help job seekers and students learn of opportunities throughout the state. Via multiple websites - starttheconversationhere.com and BringingPABack.com - those interested can learn more of the multitude of opportunities available.
Apr 05, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Listen as Jennifer Berrier, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry department meets with co-hosts Chris Martin and Jon O’Brien. Berrier discusses the challenges her department overcame during the COVID pandemic, mentors she has relied on throughout her career, the impact communication has on effectively governing, and the challenges she anticipates among her team at L and I. This episode is part of the Business Leadership Series brought to you by McQueen Building Company....
Apr 05, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 20
85% of military veterans have no experience in construction, yet the industry is a perfect fit for those who have dutifully served their country. Dan Breslin of Helmets to Hardhats talks about the program, the impact it has on veterans and the construction industry, and how to gain entry to construction through the national program.
Mar 29, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Don Eldridge, training coordinator for Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 520 shares his insight for becoming an apprentice plumber or pipefitter. During the discussion with Jon and Chris, Don explains the requirements for becoming an apprentice, expectations of the program, and the ongoing future training this Building Trades union provides.
Mar 22, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Listen as Bryan Cutler (R), Speaker of the PA House of Representatives, shares his thoughts and learnings from years in the legislation and healthcare industries. Specifically, Cutler shares the guidance his father imparted on him; the mentors who steered him; the morale building skills that shaped him; and the importance relationships are as a leader. Most important to Cutler, as a leader, is to have a clearly defined vision and the need to articulate that vision to ensure work is completed eff...
Mar 15, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 17
The Building PA podcast celebrates women in construction. In this episode, listen in as Roxanne Harpster, Sheet Metal Workers Local 19, and Meghan White, Plumbers Local 520, share the best aspects of their jobs, what it takes be successful, and what the future holds within the construction industry. Harpster and White, who recently worked for McClure Company on the Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center project, also discuss the need for more women in construction and how they have come to emb...
Mar 08, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Listen as Andrew Conley, project superintendent with Alexander Building discusses the impact prefabrication has on project success. Although the trend is not new, implementing the approach created efficiencies along with improved productivity that went beyond project expectations. Conley shares the process and impact of off-site fabrication of bathroom pods on a new construction project. Positive impacts on the project included labor hour reduction and improved fabrication staff management. Conl...
Mar 02, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 15
