Beyond the Build - Page 25 of 64

Navigating at Altitude

This week I attended our annual ULI Chapter meeting here, where Anita Kramer of ULI’s Washington headquarters presented ULI’s “Emerging Trends in Real estate 2018,” a real estate lookahead produced jointly with PWC. They interview several thousand in the industry, gathering thoughts and opinions combined with data from the field. A few summary takeaways: The “What inning are we …

Management

When to Sleep On It.

When I am faced with a problem to solve and there is not a clear path at the time, it has been my experience that consciously filing it in my mind for further processing is the best temporary solution. It is amazing the way this works. Over the next few days, it will surface from …

Tips from the Field

Winter Grading

A couple of weeks ago, I was on one of our projects in Tennessee which, fortunately for us, is a rock job. As luck would have it for us as well, the cut material is below optimum moisture content. We have the best of both worlds for a winter grading project. This, combined with our …

Management

Staying Connected

Over time, we all move through life cycles. Friends and customer relationships may change jobs, and their personal circumstances are in flux as well. It is always easier to reach out to those who have something we need, but what about other times, when there is a rough patch or someone is out of work? …

Management

Range Anxiety

For the last 25 years or so, I have taken some time each fall to head out to Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, to chase those multicolored birds around the prairie, the swamps and the millet. In reality, hunting is just the excuse. The real trip is to visit with my long time rancher friends, enjoy some good wine and …

Management

Lightening the Load

Several years ago we started using PlanGrid (a cloud-based system) and we now use it on every job. Our project managers upload plans/specs, reports and schedules on their particular projects, and the mobile app syncs with online document management software, allowing us to access all our files from anywhere that has WiFi. Prior to …

Management

Thoughts Shared

On Thursday evening, I was invited to a dinner with Raphael Bostic at the Birmingham Branch of the Atlanta Federal Reserve. In June, Raphael took over the reins as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, after a professorship at USC and distinguished career. As Raphael began his remarks, he offered an anecdotal story about teaching a class at USC. A …

Construction Trends

Building Community

A couple of weeks ago, I had dinner with David Baker, one of the leading Bay Area architects. Over the years, his firm has designed a number of award-winning projects, but after my visit with David, it seems his passion is multifamily urban projects. He has designed everything from lofts, to market rate and affordable housing, to micro units and senior housing. …

Management

Ending Up Where You Are Headed

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu Have you ever seen a picture that sticks in your mind? One that does not make much sense when you first see it, but when you “get it,” you cannot erase it from your thoughts? This happened to …

Customer Relationships

Just Ask.

About a year ago, a senior project manager of ours was having lunch in a local BBQ joint and happened to be sitting next to someone he had not seen in many years. As he was leaving, he reintroduced himself. They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Three months later, the almost forgotten friend came into …

Beyond the Build

Re-Writing a Motto

“Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds…” I would argue that postmen don’t have anything on construction superintendents. This week, I received an email from one of our project superintendents building a job with us in Kemah, TX, about 40 miles …

Projects

What Lies Beneath

If you drive near the east end Birmingham’s CBD, it’s hard to miss Sloss Furnaces, a designated National Historic Landmark. For almost 100 years, the site operated its blast furnaces. Today, the site is still in operation, but now as a historic park. The grounds are home to various artists in residence and to Slossfest, a …

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Navigating at Altitude

When to Sleep On It.

Winter Grading

Staying Connected

Range Anxiety

Lightening the Load

Thoughts Shared

Building Community

Ending Up Where You Are Headed

Just Ask.

Re-Writing a Motto

What Lies Beneath