Peggy Smedley Show

Peggy and Thorsten Wuest, professor, University of South Carolina, talk about the future of industry. He says the university that he is working at today consciously decided it wanted to be strong in manufacturing. They also discuss: · How he ended up working in South Carolina—and the new opportunities that exist in South Carolina. · The smart manufacturing program at the University of South Caroli...

Peggy talks about distracted driving, why the problem hasn't gone away, and what we can do about it. She says we need a multi-layered approach that starts and ends with each and every one of us. She also discusses: · The number of lives lost and the number of people injured in 2024. · The history of distracted driving and why it persists. · The evolution of technology and where we are headed. http...

Peggy and Dave Moelker, CEO, Twisthink, talk about the societal factors impacting OEMs (original-equipment manufacturers) today including shifting customer expectations and accelerating technology cycles. He says there are a couple of different dimensions, especially in the B2B context. They also discuss: · The need to bring in muti-disciplinary groups. · The importance of contextual data. · Two n...

Peggy and Matt Hatton, founding partner, Transforma Insights, talk about how the IoT (Internet of Things) has changed in the past decade. He shares a few interesting points, such as the fact that it is an operational issue, rather than just a technological issue. They also discuss: · What has happened in more recent years. · Challenges, current realities, and where the best IoT use cases come from...

Peggy explores how AI (artificial intelligence) is reshaping senior leadership and what it ultimately means for the future of work. She says AI is a force that is redefining what it means to lead at the highest level. She also discusses: · The role of the senior leader—past, present, and future. · How many leaders identified human factors as the primary barrier to adoption. · Next steps to take to...

Peggy Smedley and David Levinson, professor, University of Sydney, talk about how transportation is evolving as cities grow and technologies accelerate. He says 30 years ago, there was an assumption technology wouldn't change, but there have been technology shifts. They also discuss: · How the field of transportation has changed throughout his career. · Challenges cities are going to face and less...

Peggy and Wyatt Jenkins, senior vice president of product management, midmarket, Intuit, talk about how AI (artificial intelligence) is reshaping the future of construction operations. He says labor is still the number one consideration for construction companies today. They also discuss: · The biggest priorities for construction companies today. · The importance of job cost accuracy and cash flow...

On Aiglatson, Peggy Smedley and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about big signals that are realigning how talent moves and leadership sits. He says the trend with AI (artificial intelligence) cuts both ways in the hiring process. They also discuss: · City states vs nation states and the impact on the workforce. · Hybrid vs return-to-office mandates and the impact...

Peggy Smedley and Steve Yates, CEO, Buildxact, talk about how the construction industry is evolving quickly and the next wave of meaningful innovation. He says small business builders are trying to determine how to grow with the resources they have. They also discuss: · How technology can help solve some of the challenges for small business builders. · Labor shortages and the importance of recogni...

Peggy answers one big question: What happens to middle management in the age of AI (artificial intelligence)? She says the conversation around middle managers needs to shift from whether we need them to what kind of managers we need. She also discusses: · The role of middle management historically and today. · Research that suggests organizations are using AI to flatten structures. · The real risk...

Peggy Smedley and Surya Ramkumar, strategist, author, and speaker, talk about why progress feels stuck and human agency in a machine-accelerated world. She says we are taking the fastest path forward, cutting costs in the easiest parts to cut. They also discuss: · The future of industry and the leader of the future. · Key questions good leaders should be asking today. · Shorter hiring and firing c...

Peggy Smedley and Amy Clark, author, talk about how leadership is changing—and what modern leadership should really look like. She says relevance is a choice, explaining that it happens when we default to what is familiar rather than what is needed. They also discuss: · What it looks like to unlearn—and three key things to consider. · Replacing reacting with reflection. · Practicing and experiment...

Peggy talks about how AI (artificial intelligence) is reshaping organizations, particularly the role of entry-level workers. She says every major technological shift—the Industrial Revolution, the computer revolution, and now AI—has changed how work is done. She also discusses: · The profile of the entry level role yesterday and today. · Early data that suggests entry level work is changing. · Thr...

Peggy Smedley and John Reed, general manager, manufacturing and mobility, Asia, Microsoft, talk about what is pushing manufacturing to look from digital tools to intelligent AI (artificial intelligence) systems. He says we are seeing a movement from pilots to deep implementation, which involves process reengineering and the orchestration of technology, process, and change across the enterprise. Th...

Peggy Smedley and Matt Hatton, founding partner, Transforma Insights, talk about what is coming in the IoT (Internet of Things) in 2026. He shares IoT transition topics and what is likely to be the most impactful during the next 12 months, pointing to the role of AI (artificial intelligence), video analytics, 5G, eSIM, and more. They also discuss: · GSMA standards—what has come before and what we...

Peggy Smedley talks about the state of the construction infrastructure market, sharing numbers and research from one new report. She says the companies that will win in the next decade will be the most adaptable. She also discusses: · What markets are thriving and what markets are stalling. · How we can build the cities and infrastructure of tomorrow. · Five steps organizations will need to take i...

Peggy Smedley and Paul Brussow, president, RLB North America, talk about the forces reshaping construction and the built environment, diving into a new report looking at cost, risks, and markets. He says we saw a federal rate cut in December 2025, and while we didn't see the surge of groundbreakers we hoped, developers are cautiously optimistic. They also discuss: · If construction companies are r...

  Peggy Smedley and Patrick Scarpati, director of construction technology and innovation, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), talk about the pressures contractors are facing and how technology is becoming central to that shift. He says technology is accelerating at varying levels throughout the industry. They also discuss: · How we can use technology to keep up with the speed of change. · T...

Peggy talks about why trusted brands matter more than ever in the construction and manufacturing industries. She says align yourself with brands that have earned it and support voices that prioritize clarity over clicks. She also discusses: · How many executives believe their companies are highly trusted by customers—and the percentage of consumers that agree. · What trust looks like in 2026—and h...

Peggy Smedley and Atif Ansar, cofounder, executive chairman, Foresight Works, and professor, University of Oxford, talk about data center delivery and demand and how AI (artificial intelligence) can give the power to build institutional knowledge. He says there is a great degree of fear around AI and what it might do in replacing human jobs, but they should not worry. They also discuss: · Human-ce...

Why can't the construction industry find the talent it needs? Peggy Smedley talks with Tasha Jones, Espire Collective, about resilient talent ecosystems, the rise of fractional expertise, what top tier talent really looks like, and how to reshape operations. She says what is happening in construction is a preview of a broader workforce design issue across complex industries as a whole. They also d...

Peggy looks back on Black History Month and looks forward to Women's History Month, citing why it is important for a diverse workplace. She says complex workplaces require diverse thinkers to problem solve, innovate, and lead the next era of work. She also discusses: · How to translate awareness into hiring practices, leadership development, and culture. · The data shows how inclusive workplaces a...

On Aiglatson, Peggy Smedley and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about obsolescence in this era of AI (artificial intelligence), narrowing in on human vs machine obsolescence. He says the technology industry has always considered humans second and favoring progress over human dignity. They also discuss: · Things that were made obsolete during the Industrial Revolut...

Peggy digs into a new report that looks at ransomware, business email compromise, and data incidents. She says for all businesses this represents an operational risk, a financial risk, a brand risk, and a leadership risk. She also discusses: · Which industry was the most heavily targeted for ransomware. · Five key predictions for 2026. · Three next steps businesses should take to protect their bus...

Peggy Smedley and Sabari Raja, managing partner, JFFVentures, and Molly Blankenship, associate vice president, Jobs for the Future, talk about new research from the Jobs for the Future, which reveals only 40% of U.S. workers hold jobs that meet basic standards for financial stability, mobility, agency, and safe, respective working conditions. They also discuss: · How much it costs employers when w...