Sep 29, 2020
Every day construction companies
produce a treasure trove of information: Bidding benchmarks,
production metrics, accounting data. There is a vast amount of
value to that data if it is managed and utilized
effectively.
This requires the efficient
implementation of technology and an understanding of the strengths
and limitations of various technology solutions.
Unfortunately, this is where
many companies fall short and as EOS Group CEO, Nick Papadopoulos
says “Contractors produce gold and throw it away.”
In today’s episode Nick and I
discuss:
- The
challenges of historical data management
- A 4
step strategic process for flawless technology
implementation
- 5
benefits of effective technology implementation and
usage
If you want to learn how to
implement and leverage technology in your business, this episode is
for you.
What’s Discussed in This
Episode:
- Historical Data Management: Contractors produce
gold and throw it away [00:06]
- Data
is stored in tools but where do you go with that? [02:58]
- “Socialize” data for other people’s
decision-making [03:26]
- Lack
of facts and relying on memory invites errors [07:14]
- Contractors struggle with data because they
don’t apply a holistic approach [07:47]
- Solving an isolated problem [08:25]
- The
effort of preparing information is valuable [08:31]
- Good
data management makes you credible [11:30]
- Opinion is good, but business needs data
[11:58]
- Your
response rate is crucial [14:18]
- Resistance comes with the presumption that
estimating is about secrets [15:00]
- Managing differences of expectations towards
technology [15:45]
- The
younger generation want employers that allow them to use technology
to their advantage [16:05]
- Your
value is tied to the amount of information you can remember
[18:27]
- Companies that use technology to support
decision-making processes have higher workforce retention
[22:16]
- The transient nature of work makes
technology necessary [23:50]
- Overcoming struggle with data management
[24:20]
- Where
should contractors focus? [26:11]
- Manage your financials, then manage your
projects [26:43]
- Let
your data dictate your patterns [27:48]
- Lack
of planning sidetracks contractors [29:01]
- Prioritize [31:08]
- Go
slow to go fast [32:17]
- Construction is complex; deal with the reality
[34:27]
- Rock
climbing; you can’t move too much [36:47]
- Don’t
buy every license available [38:29]
- Technology is efficient but not fail-safe
[39:58]
- Technology requires discipline and standards
[41:21]
- The
misconception of technology in terms of value [42:47]
- Data
helps make an organization transparent [44:27]
- Knowledge made accessible produces tangible
value [44:58]
- Solving problems with an agile approach
[47:05]
- How
EOS Group help companies become operationally efficient with
technology [48:43]
- If
you don’t get the facts right, your execution wouldn’t matter
[48:50]
- The
one restaurant you shouldn’t miss in Santa Barbara
[50:06]
About the
Guest:
For the past 25 + years, Nick’s
drive and passion stems from being able to help companies in the
AEC/O industry implement cost estimating technologies so they can
work more efficiently. Nick strives to continue to create better
solutions for process optimization along with developing software
for benchmarking and predictive analytics.
As technology has changed, so
has Nick. The lens that he views upstream and downstream solutions
for the AEC/O industry taking into account data architecture,
metrics, analysis, and process design. Even with the digital
disruption of the AEC/O industry, Nick has stayed true to his
focus, which has resulted in over 2,000 successful integrations by
developing award-winning and industry-leading commercial software
applications and knowledge bases.
Nick has become a trusted
advisor to many of the largest AEC/O firms in the world and he has
worked with many of ENR’s top 400 firms, Fortune 1000 companies,
and US Federal Agencies. He is very proud of the long-term and
multi-year, multi-platform relationships he built. Nick is also
actively involved in AACEI, ASPE, and ASTM.
Resources:
Connect with me on
LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit
my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction
Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and
Stitcher.
Thank you for tuning
in!