The Mobile Workforce Podcast

Data driven is a buzz word that has been thrown around for years but very few people understand the steps needed to build a culture that is truly data driven, or why to do so for that matter. Being a data focused company is more than just a buzzword, your success hangs on your companies cultural focus on data. Fortunately the experts are here to help take the right steps towards a data focused cul...

Digital Transformation is a hot topic today and for good reason. No one would argue that technology is needed to drive construction forward. But how can we ensure that we are not overwhelmed with unnecessary platforms and apps?  Cindy Whitner , Sr. Product Manager at Acumatica joins Mike Merrill At the 2022 CFMA National Conference to discuss digital transformation, the fact that transformation is...

Data is only as good as the information it is able to impart into your business and projects. So why is it so hard today to use the data we have been collecting to make better decisions? It's because there isn't an overarching strategy to drive our collection and retention practices. Steve Hathaway the Founder and Principal Consultant of Construction Software Solutions  joins Mike Merrill At the 2...

It can be a real challenge to best understand which projects are the most profitable and which are to be avoided. Sometimes projects can have special incentives that take them from the middle of the pile and can make them a strategic and financially wise decision. The problem is knowing what projects have hidden incentives, and why.  Brady Bryan CEO of Brayn Consulting joins Mike Merrill to discus...

What inspires your work? Your family? Hobbies? A job well done? We all have something that drives us but not everyone is able to take that drive and turn it into the lifestyle they dream about. Ask any experienced entrepreneur and they will tell you that finding the balance between sacrificing at your business for your dream and sacrificing your dream for your business is as challenging as walking...

The complexity of doing business in construction is at an all time high. On top of that the current market is simply going to require that contractors are more engaged, have a clear understanding of their business and fight to squeeze out as much productivity out of their jobs as possible. The good news is technology can drive your productivity and bring success to your business, if done appropria...

Today it isn't hard to see the effects of unsustainable practices and the fact that our resources are limited. Its this limitation that drives innovation and today's construction leaders have the ability to increase their productivity and at the same time increase their sustainability. In fact, there is a real opportunity to lead from a position of strength if taken now.  On this episode, our Host...

The adage "you can't improve what you don't measure," is especially true for productivity in construction. With so many job codes, people, materials and agendas happening on every job site it was historically impossible to measure productivity accurately until after the project was over. Sometimes productivity wasn't measurable until months after a project was wrapped up.  Today it is impossible t...

The entire construction industry has been going through a huge shift over the past few years driven by necessity and by technology. Fortunately adversity pushes innovation forward and today's contractors need to have the most productive job sites possible to remain competitive. Enters a new role to facilitate that drive, the director of production. On today's Episode we welcome back Damien Edwards...

No man is an island - an old but true saying by the poet John Donne . Its as true today as it was in 1624 when first written. Fortunately, we don't live under the same rules and with the same technology that our predecessors did in the 17th century. Unfortunately, in our modern world, it is much easier to get around working at the office, engaging with peer groups or even seeing another person fac...

The trades can be one of the most fulfilling careers for the right person but due to stereotypes and long-held beliefs about continuing education, these options are left on the cutting room floor. This misunderstanding leads to a number of perfect candidates for construction never entering the field. To explore the reasons why, our host, Mike Merrill, sits down with Mike Brewer - CEO and founder o...

Millennial culture can be confusing and frustrating for construction leaders, especially those from the boomer generation. Unfortunately, millennials make up over a third of the US workforce and that number is only going to continue to rise. Fortunately, millennials can be the most hard-working and loyal part of your team, if you know how to engage with them.    To help give us insight into the yo...

Most construction contractors go into business for themselves because they want to have control over their own business and success. That success usually comes on the foundation of hard work and ingeniousness of the owner. So why do so many construction companies accept industry standards and remove creativity from their business structure?  Mike welcomes Jen Silver , the President of Roofing Utah...

Industries across the board are feeling the effects of the Great Resignation and labor shortages, but construction has been one that has been hit the hardest. Add a lack of diversity seen throughout the construction industry, and employers are finding their once crowds of potential workers dwindling, especially when it comes to women. To explore the reasons why there aren't more women in construct...

Building diversity in construction will end the labor gap and create a safer, more successful industry for everyone. Increasing diversity in the office and on the job site should be at the forefront of everyone's mind; however, the reality is that the thought just isn't enough. The construction industry looks to leaders to step up and create opportunities for demographics that are underrepresented...

A change in processes a business uses can be a heavy lift even for the smallest of companies, but the need to change from paper-based to cloud-based is a necessary one. Updating and modernizing a contracting business is necessary to remain competitive. There are a million different ways to get on the cloud, and sometimes hearing how someone else did can ease the stress of transition.  Fortunately,...

There has been plenty of news surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) over the past couple of years, and the reality is that we aren't a free nation until everyone is invited to succeed. The question for individual companies and leaders is how can they make it happen? To answer this question Leon Harden , the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy Manager at Burns and McDonnell , a ful...

According to research done by realtor.com the US is short 5.24 million homes, an increase from the 3.84 million in 2019. Builders are just unable to keep up with demand which inturn is drastically increasing home prices and making the American dream harder and harder to achieve.  But the situation isn't hopeless and like most problems facing the world today, technology can be a big part of the sol...

In today's age of digital marketing and social media, it is crucial to contractors, construction businesses, and experts to not just build for their clients but also build for themselves. Sixth-generation builder, Tyler Campbell is the Founder and Chief Storyteller at StoryBuilder , a marketing firm that helps those in the construction industry build their brand and identify their stories with cre...

Every construction business owner has experienced a gap in their workforce either in the field or in the office. This gap, although prevalent, doesn't have to be permanent. These shortages have happened before in industries across the US economy, especially in construction's sister industries like utilities and energy.   Our host, Mike Merrill, sits down with workforce strategies expert Van Ton-Qu...

Every construction business owner goes into business for themselves dreaming of making their own schedule and taking control of their own lives. But the reality is that most construction owners end up running around putting out fires and managing every aspect of their business. In other words, they never take a break. How do the rare exceptions make it happen? And how can you take control of your...

Staying up-to-date with the latest tech developments in the construction industry could be a full-time job. There's so much happening – from innovative software solutions to new hiring trends – that it's hard to keep track. So how can busy professionals get a sense of where things stand and what might be coming up around the bend? For starters, you've come to the right place. On this episode of th...

Having the right people in the right roles can make the difference between a successful construction project and a disastrous one. The problem? Hiring qualified workers is a challenge, and right now there are open positions and high competition for people to fill these roles.    In the first episode of 2022, host Mike Merrill welcomes Jeffrey Nesbitt , the Senior Manager, global ERP alliances and...

For the final episode of 2021, host Mike Merrill invites you to reflect on the growth the construction industry has experienced over the past year. Tune in as he reviews his favorite moments and insights from our guests over the last year, as they covered everything from labor gaps and the female workforce to data collection and new technologies. These 10 clips were handpicked to inspire you and s...

Having the right people in the right roles can make the difference between a successful construction project and a disastrous one. The problem? Hiring qualified workers is a challenge, and right now there are open positions and high competition for people to fill these roles.  In the third episode of our end-of-year wrap-up, host Mike Merrill welcomes Karla Meador , the Managing Partner at NEAR Se...