Innovation Overload

Definitely plan your schedule out for conventions, look for what's going to make you happiest and get you the most productive.  Join Innovation Overload as we hit the road to the 2023 NECA National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  Gain insights from Todd Reed, the host of Graybar's Keepin' The Lights On podcast and a corporate innovation expert, as he shares his expert tactics for c...

"Innovation to me is the opportunity to think, to explore, and to take risks in an effort to solve a challenge, remove an obstacle or optimize a process." Dr. Pauline Mosley, Full Professor, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems for Pace University discusses part of being an innovator is to be a mental gladiator, having fortitude and resilience.  Listen to Dr. Mos...

“We’re going to see AI affect us in ways that we didn’t even anticipate in the next year.”  Check out Adam Davis, VDC Project Manager at Miller Electric, as he discusses project coordination, EV charging, AI, robotics, and future opportunities for electrical construction.

Innovation is just improvement. You can be innovative in any sector of your operation, it doesn’t have to be just technology focused.”  Sean McGuire joins the Innovation Overload podcast to talk about mental health, process improvement, fabrication and practical ways to get started in applying innovation across your business.

“It’s about constantly changing and critiquing the process and making sure that what you’re doing is the correct path and learning from successes and failures and constantly moving , ...you have to avoid complacency at all costs.”   On this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast Sam Rokowski, Director of Training & Construction Technology at Maddox Electrical Company dives into the challen...

"I never try to seem like I'm the expert because I'm definitely not when it comes to the actual construction side.  If I can keep that mindset right and keep the five 'why's, I can get to the root of the problem and hopefully find the right solution."  Travis Voss, a practicing construction technologist, discusses the value of being a 'professional novice' a...

"The world is big enough for collaboration." Cindy Sanderfur, Communications-DEI&B Manager at Electrical Training Alliance dives into the journey of the apprenticeship from how they started to where they are now.  Listen to her perspective of the evolving culture of the electrical industry.

"When we were on paper, it could take 30, 45 minutes, to even an hour to complete an invoice. Now, we're probably down to under 5 minutes,"  Toby Mitchell, President of Classic Electric Consulting joins Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, on the Contractor Takeover to delve into the vital but often overlooked field of con...

“It’s easy to identify or see problems, potential pitfalls, or risks. Use your community of professionals to form perspective. Then start working down the innovation cycle to implement a plan.” Jarret Bergkamp, the Executive Director of Preconstruction at Decker Electric shares his views of innovation from a technology, culture, and efficiency standpoint.  Listen in to this discussion on finding t...

“One of the most simple tools that everybody has, it’s free, we choose how much or how little we use it. And that tool is communication.”  Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO dive into the nuances and opportunities in office to field communication.  From cloud sharing to security, Bluebeam to Navisworks, QR codes to communication principl...

“Change takes time.  It’s like everything else in life, you’re going to be a little apprehensive until you start seeing the fruits of whatever you’re trying to do and realize that it’s a timesaver and beneficial to you and the company.”  Join us as Joe Aikens, Vice President of Technology at Cannon & Wendt shares his views on innovation to foster creativity, diversify revenue streams, and ‘bui...

“It’s all about taking meaningful steps in the right direction and embracing failure along the way.” Alex Bunda, Director of Innovation of Southwire Spark, shares the importance of staying up to date on future innovations and the need for adoption to stay competitive. Tune in to learn about Southwire’s Spark Lab and how NECA contractors can benefit from this amazing resource. Listen to future disr...

“Innovation is pairing technology with a customer problem and making someone's life better.”  In this episode Landon Boyer, Vice President of Engineering at Schneider Electric explains the agile process they use to create and innovate products.  Landon also provides insights around supply chain challenges and worker shortages and how the solutions Schnieder is developing will help the industr...

“Innovation is an idea that was divorced from a purpose.” Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting, shares the importance of purpose driven innovation and matching key players to the correct roles in your business. Tune in to learn about process mapping and how curating workflows can help improve your business. Listen to how innovation and technology create a synergy that will improve the healt...

“We need to be better at selling our industry as something other than construction; we need to be better at showing what our industry really is, what it can be, what roads come out of an apprenticeship or a four-year degree, and how diverse that can look and be.” Shane Snyder, President of Cannon and Wendt joins us in the Innovation booth to discuss the extraordinary career opportunities electrica...

“Reality capture will revolutionize the way we do business.” Jacinda Matherne, Senior Manager of Industry Alliances and Josh Berger, Sales Manager of Trades at OpenSpace discuss the importance of tracking the process of a job with reality capture and how beneficial it is to visualize the job site. Listen to the barriers of adoption with new technology and how to combat them with Jared Christman, D...

“As long as you're innovating and changing, you're going to do well; if you're not moving and changing and trying to do better, you're not going to survive.”  Dennis Harter joins the NECA Innovation Booth to discuss the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced on his journey from soldier and apprentice to Vice President of Operations at Kaiser Electric.  Dennis digs into strate...

“You need to understand the problem and the potential benefits of a solution.” Hala Nassereddine, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky discusses the importance of construction 4.0 and how vital the integration of technology is during the lifecycle of a construction project. Listen to the key role material management takes on with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Direc...

“If you're not stretching, you’re not growing, it’s good to sometimes step outside your comfort zone and embrace what’s somewhat uncomfortable.”  NECA’s own Pete Mastrorocco, Vice President of Education, Events, and Partnerships steps inside the Innovation Booth and pulls back the curtain on some of the inner machinations and statistics of the NECA Convention and what goes into successfully p...

“Nothing starts innovation like a force of change.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the NECA Convention trade show floor and how to maximize your experience. Listen to highlighted technology that can help improve material management and trends that are on the horizon that will affect the electrical contacting industry on the...

“Innovation involves a lot of technology, but I look at innovation as change and being not afraid to change. How can we change the industry to make it better?” Angie Simon, past President of SMACNA and Advisor to the Board at Western Allied Mechanical, shares her take on innovation after 35 years in the specialty trades.  As a trailblazer who became President of her contracting company in 2008 jus...

“Construction technology is a career that is out there for you regardless of where you start your career path.” Liz Campbell, Director of Chapter Development at The Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association discusses different pathways for students to enter the electrical industry and the importance of engagement with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Tech...

“Innovation as a whole requires a team effort, and everyone needs to be treated with respect.” Brian Swiatek, Director of Field Operations at Continental Electrical Construction Company, shares how to foster a growth mindset and instill innovative practices within a company. Listen to the importance of information exchange from field to office, and discover how technology has evolved to improve da...

“The more tasks that you can complete with one tool, the more valuable that one tool becomes.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the practical applications of 360 cameras, augmented reality, laser scanning and more. Listen to the importance of these digital tools on the job site on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover p...

“We must continue to evolve; we must continue to change our strategy.” David Peterson, Executive Vice President and COO of ERMCO, shares the importance of company culture and business development. Tune in to learn the importance of mentoring, continually striving to improve, and being employee-owned. You’ll see how these qualities, among many more , have sharpened the power of ERMCO's corpora...