The ConTechCrew

Jeff Sample
  • 4.6 (69)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The ConTechCrew Podcast

The Future is Built! Learn more at: https://thecontechcrew.com/ Welcome to The ConTechCrew, hosted by Jeff Sample! Here, we discuss innovation and all things construction tech, including hardware, software, devices, apps, and the strategies for applying them to construction projects. Tune in each week to get your latest construction tech news update. Follow us on social media and join the conversation: @TheConTechCrew

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Can Technology Solve Construction’s Communication & Collaboration Crisis? (A Live Episode)

    EPISODE 426: Research shows that 13% of a construction professional’s workday is spent looking for information that they need to do their jobs. Let that sink in. But is technology alone the answer to this crisis? In this week’s special episode, live from The ECC Future Leaders Conference, I’m joined by industry experts Tannis Liviniuk and Nathan Wood to discuss the ongoing challenges in construction communication and collaboration. We’ll dive into how construction teams are often bogged down by using too many platforms, leading to inefficiencies and data loss. We also tackle the importance of culture and process alignment, why owners need to understand their tech stack, the most impactful technologies to date, and more. Don’t miss out–tune in now! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Project collaboration and communication defined (02:09) Challenges of using multiple communication systems (07:10) Most impactful and widely-adopted tech to date (14:39) How to fix communication and collaboration issues (17:47) Addressing labor shortages in construction (19:43) Why owners and leaders need to understand their tech stack (27:40) The future of contracts (33:38)  Importance of flexible tech ecosystems (39:55) Standardization in construction tech (44:29) Episode wrap-up (50:12) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Tannis Liviniuk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannisliviniuk/ Follow Nathan Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanaec/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    51 min

  2. SEP 10

    Why Craft Workers are Ditching Manila Folders for THIS App | Christi Pilutik, CEO of BuilderFax

    EPISODE 425: Whether it’s misplaced cards or redundant training, managing construction credentials can feel like a full-time job–but not anymore with BuilderFax. In this week’s episode, my co-host Nathan Wood and I sit down with Christi Pilutik, CEO of BuilderFax, to talk about her mission to change how craft workers manage their credentials and career growth. With a solid background in HR and construction consulting, Christi shares her insights on the current state of the industry’s workforce and how BuilderFax, an all-in-one credential management platform, provides career growth solutions to the industry. If you’re looking to learn how to improve craft workers’ experience and help them take control of their careers, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get started! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Christi Pilutik’s construction journey (01:30) How BuilderFax is transforming construction (05:36)  Career development made easier (11:40) How BuilderFax verifies user profiles and credentials (14:59) Standardizing credentialing across the industry (22:08) Professionalizing construction careers (25:08) Improving construction safety using BuilderFax (33:59) Keep up with Christi and BuilderFax (37:52) Construction technology news of the week (39:28) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Christi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christipilutik/ Visit BuilderFax for more information: https://builderfax.com/ —  See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️Integrated Data Ecosystems Could Transform the Construction Industry https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2024/08/16/integrated-data-ecosystems-could-transform-the-construction-industry/ ➡️National Public Data Admits Hackers Stole Social Security Numbers in Massive Breach Reportedly Affecting Nearly All Americans https://nypost.com/2024/08/19/business/national-public-data-admits-hackers-stole-social-security-numbers/ ➡️Why the Construction Industry Must Climb Out of Its Productivity Rut—and Why it Hasn’t Yet. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/delivering-on-construction-productivity-is-no-longer-optional —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    1h 8m

  3. SEP 3

    How a Two-Time Cancer Survivor is Redefining Well-Being in Construction | Paul Lawson of Mid-City Electric/Technologies

    EPISODE 424: Mental health in construction isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. But how do we empower the industry, especially its leaders, to talk about it openly? In this week’s Pause for the Cause episode with co-host Rob McKinney, we interview Paul Lawson, Risk Management Coordinator and Lead Mental Health Advocate at Mid-City Electric/Technologies, to explore his unique path from ministry to construction. Paul shares how his background as a pastor and two-time cancer survivor motivated him to address the growing need for mental health advocacy in the industry. Today, you’ll learn about the Blueprints for Well-Being initiative, the importance of proactive mental health programs, and how vulnerability can transform a challenging workplace culture like construction. Ready to bring this life-saving approach to your workplace? Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Meet Paul Lawson (02:42) From pastor and cancer survivor to well-being advocate (06:29) Building an army of well-being advocates in construction (18:23) Launching Builders Exchange’s Blueprints for Well-Being program (25:13) Importance of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (33:07) Start with a why and lead with vulnerability (39:07) Advice for companies looking to start mental health programs (44:12) Keep up with Paul and his works (46:08) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Reach out to Paul by emailing him at: plawson@midcityelectric.com Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paullawsonhelps/ Visit Mid-City Electric/technologies for more information: https://www.midcityelectric.com/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    48 min

  4. AUG 27

    How Contractors Can Stay Ahead in the Ever-Changing Construction Industry

    EPISODE 423: How ready is your construction business for the future? If you haven’t thought about AI and automation yet, you could be missing out on something big! In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Travis Voss and I sit down with Aaron Hilger, CEO of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and Carol Duncan, President of General Sheet Metal and SMACNA, to discuss the evolving landscape of the construction industry. This conversation dives into the importance of adopting new technologies like AI and automation in construction to stay competitive, manage labor shortages, and improve efficiency.  We explore how industry associations like SMACNA can play a pivotal role in mentoring and collaboration, the significance of peer learning, and more. Curious how you can future-proof your business? Tune in now! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) What is SMACNA and its impact on the industry (03:17) AI’s potential to revolutionize construction operations (10:01) Leveraging technology to address labor shortage issue (19:30) How SMACNA supports small to mid-sized businesses (26:21) What it’s like planning the SMACNA convention (29:14) Why contractors learn best from their peers (32:01) What sets SMACNA events apart (36:30) SMACNA’s impact on contractor members (38:15) Succession planning and employee ownership (ESOP) (46:10) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Aaron Hilger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhilger/ Follow Carol Duncan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-duncan-31630710/ Follow Travis Voss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-voss/ Visit SMACNA for more information: https://www.smacna.org/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    53 min

  5. AUG 20

    Can Digital Tools Really Make Construction Safer? | Gabe Guetta, CEO at SALUS

    EPISODE 422: How reliant are digital technologies in improving construction safety?  In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host Rob McKinney and I sit down with Gabe Guetta, CEO and co-founder of SALUS, a young SaaS company specializing in construction safety. Gabe spent 15 years in construction, dealing with the challenges and stigmas that come with it. But when a near-miss job site incident occured, he realized there was a critical gap in how safety was managed in the industry. Today, he’s here to share what that critical gap is, the evolution of safety practices in the industry, how to gain buy-in, especially from field workers, and why adapting technology that matches real-world construction workflows is key to success.  Listen now to see how technology is driving a safer, smarter construction job site. Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Gabe’s construction journey (03:44) How a near-miss incident led to a safety solution (06:50) The complexity of safety in construction (09:02) Getting field-level workers to adopt safety technologies (11:16) Adapting tech to real-world construction workflows (23:13) Companies using SALUS safety solutions (32:34) Breaking barriers and anchoring safety with why (37:34) Overcoming stigma in construction safety (48:13) Construction technology news of the week (50:15) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Gabe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabeguetta/ Check out SALUS Safety for more information: https://salussafety.io/ —  See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ 3D-printing firm achieves world's first with next-gen construction technology https://www.yahoo.com/tech/3d-printing-firm-achieves-worlds-010000501.html ➡️ Inflation, rising costs, difficulties accessing finance. How construction SME’s can overcome challenges https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/digital-construction-news/construction-technology-news/inflation-rising-costs-difficulties-accessing-finance-construction-smes-overcome-challenges/141701/ ➡️ RockYou2024 leak of 10 billion passwords could present major threats https://www.itbrew.com/stories/2024/07/12/password-leak-exposes-10-billion-passwords ➡️ New initiative seeks innovations to streamline NYC’s building process https://www.constructiondive.com/news/new-york-city-building-construction-lab/720900/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    1h 14m

  6. AUG 13

    Why Construction Should Stop Using Generic Accounting Software with Chris Lee, Founder & CEO at CrewCost

    EPISODE 421: Do you ever wonder why construction accounting is so challenging? I did, too, and so did this week’s guest, who has not only lived through these challenges but also developed innovative solutions to tackle construction’s accounting and profitability issues. Meet Chris Lee. Chris is an entrepreneur who transitioned from IT to construction and then to tech innovation–solving some of the most challenging problems in this industry.  He’s the mind behind Esticom, a cloud-based estimating and project management software, and now CrewCost, an easy-to-use accounting software built for construction. Today, Chris is here to share the unique challenges of construction accounting and why the industry should use specialized accounting software instead of a standard one. We also explore Chris’s unique entrepreneurial journey, the development and eventual acquisition of his software Esticom by Procore, and the role of cloud technology in transforming construction management. Tune in now and learn how specialized software can transform the construction industry. Let’s get started! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) How Chris Lee got into construction (02:11)  From contracting business to construction tech (05:49)  How Chris’s Esticom got acquired by Procore (12:02) What it’s like working with Procore (15:14) Why construction should stop using generic accounting software (23:16) Difference between standard accounting and construction accounting (26:25) Profitability, cash flow, and billing challenges in construction (30:00) Keep up with Chris (39:43) Construction technology news of the week (40:16) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clee512/ Check out CrewCost for more information: https://crewcost.com/ —  See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Quanta Services Climbs 7% on $1.5 Billion Cupertino Electric Acquisition https://www.marketwatch.com/story/quanta-services-climbs-7-on-1-5-billion-cupertino-electric-acquisition-50407bbc?mod=mergers-and-acquisitions ➡️ A tech ethicist on how AI worsens ills caused by social media https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2024/05/29/a-tech-ethicist-on-how-ai-worsens-ills-caused-by-social-media ➡️ New Registration Bomb Email Attack Distracts Victims of Financial Fraud (Just personally experienced with a client) https://blackcloak.io/new-registration-bomb-email-attack-distracts-victims-of-financial-fraud/ ➡️ Microsoft-CrowdStrike Outage Hits Airports, Banks and Hospitals, Causing IT Nightmare https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/microsoft-global-outage-explained-911-lines-down-flights-grounded-and-more/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    1h 1m

  7. AUG 6

    Can AI Be the Brain of Your Construction Project? | Dr. Sarah Buchner, CEO & Founder at Trunk Tools

    EPISODE 420: How do general contractors (GCs) spend most of their time? A recent study conducted on job sites reveals that GCs spend only 8% of their time in the field. The rest is consumed by tasks such as documenting discrepancies (16%), searching for the right information (15%), and meeting preparation (13%). Why are we wasting so much of these skilled professional’s time doing paperwork? Enter Trunk Tools–a platform designed to optimize workflows, enhance collaboration, and achieve a high level of efficiency. In this week’s episode of The ConTech Crew, my co-host, Rob McKinney, and I are thrilled to speak with the incredible Dr. Sarah Buchner, CEO and founder of Trunk Tools. Sarah’s journey is truly inspiring, from her beginnings as a young carpenter in Austria to becoming a leading figure in construction technology. With a PhD in AI from Stanford and over a decade of experience in AI, she brings deep expertise in AI and data management, demonstrating how AI (or, as she calls it, IA–Intelligence Augmentation) can transform the construction industry by structuring unstructured data. Curious how AI can simplify your next project? Tune in now! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) From carpentry to construction tech (01:32) The real role of education (05:52) PhD in AI and its impact (10:19) The mindset shift needed in construction (14:36) AI’s role in structuring data (18:52) Biggest problems facing contractors (20:19) Reducing rework with AI (22:35) Trusting technology in construction (24:23) Creating data visuals (34:27) What the future looks like for Trunk Tools (39:22) Construction technology news of the week (43:19) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Follow Dr. Sarah Buchner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-buchner/ Visit Trunk Tools for more information: https://trunktools.com/ —  See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️ Technologies That Rapidly Transform Construction Will Change Jobsites https://www.enr.com/articles/58192-technologies-that-rapidly-transform-construction-will-change-jobsites ➡️ Technology That Can Prevent Worker Injuries: NSC https://www.ehstoday.com/safety-technology/article/55094140/technology-that-can-prevent-worker-injuries-nsc ➡️ Meet the AI-powered robots that Big Tech thinks can solve a global labor shortage https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/08/why-amazon-tesla-and-microsoft-are-investing-in-ai-powered-robots.html ➡️Contech backer launches second, $100M fund https://www.constructiondive.com/news/ironspring-ventures-contech-fund-investment/720583/ —  The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    1h 12m

  8. JUL 30

    How AI Can Prevent Risks Early On in Construction | Shir Abecasis, CEO at FIRMUS

    EPISODE 419: Have you ever faced costly errors in your construction projects? Imagine if you could prevent them before they even happen. In this week’s episode, Nathan Wood and I sit down with Shir Abecasis, an Israeli military intelligence and cybersecurity expert turned CEO of FIRMUS. FIRMUS is an AI-driven pre-construction tool that analyzes PDF construction drawings and identifies potential design-related risks and errors at various project development stages. Today, Shir discusses how FIRMUS is transforming construction risk management with its AI technology, the challenges her team has overcome in developing an innovative AI solution, and the future of AI in construction. Curious to know more? Tune in now! Key Takeaways:  Introduction (00:00) Shir’s transition from cybersecurity to construction (02:11) What is FIRMUS and how it works (06:14) Importance of pre-construction (09:00) Building trust in AI technology (13:13) The Leapfrog Effect of AI in construction (19:20) What the future looks like for FIRMUS (23:19) The reality of using data and AI technology (26:49) Construction technology news of the week (37:07) Additional Resources: Listen to the show at: https://thecontechcrew.com  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecontechcrew  —  Connect with Shir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shir-a-303088138/ Visit FIRMUS for more information: https://firmus.ai/ —  See this week’s news articles! 🗞️⬇️ ➡️‘Carbon-Free’ Cement Is Now A Step Closer https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewinkless/2024/05/31/carbon-free-cement-is-now-a-step-closer/ ➡️America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2024 https://www.brimstone.com/ ➡️Construction Technology: Imagine It Just Worked… Seriously! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/construction-technology-imagine-just-worked-seriously-chris-ovens-baqvc/ ➡️Corning shares pop 12% as AI boom drives stronger-than-expected demand for equipment https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/08/corning-stock-up-12percent-as-ai-boom-drives-stronger-than-expected-demand.html — The ConTech Crew is a construction news podcast dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest in construction technology.  Give us a follow so you never miss an episode!

    1h 3m
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4.6
out of 5
69 Ratings

About

The Future is Built! Learn more at: https://thecontechcrew.com/ Welcome to The ConTechCrew, hosted by Jeff Sample! Here, we discuss innovation and all things construction tech, including hardware, software, devices, apps, and the strategies for applying them to construction projects. Tune in each week to get your latest construction tech news update. Follow us on social media and join the conversation: @TheConTechCrew

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Sample
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    562
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2016 The ConTech Crew
  • Show Website
    The ConTechCrew

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