Construction Brothers

Today we start out with a little chat about the way that our generational media tastes have influenced us. We touch on Seinfeld (who had a thing or two to say about construction) and radio-recorded cassettes of Frogstomp. Tyler shares what song smashes him emotionally when it interrupts his Hank.   In our 149 episodes, we’ve talked to specialists from just about every step in the commercial construction process. One specialty we haven’t addressed yet is steel detailing.    “Wait,” you say, “Isn’t Eddie a steel detailer.” Well, as a matter of fact he is. How convenient. (If you’re not familiar with Eddie’s company, check it out.)   When someone asks a steel detailer what they do for a living, the answer can be a tricky one. To a layperson–and even to some construction-industry people–the work of a steel detailer sounds like the work of an architect or engineer.    When did the term BIM come into use? Make your guess before listening for the answer.    Eddie shares about his entry into this line of work and learning that steel detailers are not supposed to make the smallest step in a direction other than what they’ve been told to do. An entire project can be brought to a standstill if a single detailer is working on an RFI.    We discuss the actual job description that guides steel detailers: They take the drawings from the structural engineers and turn it into a highly specific deliverable that tells the boot-wearing. They count out the shear plates, the nuts, the bolts. They build a detailed model of the steel structure that is used by an erector team.   This work is incredibly important. A single, tiny error by a detailer on a $20,000 beam can have a terrible financial domino effect. Yes, software does a great deal of the math, but even the best detailing software is useless unless it’s in the hands of a skilled detailer.    Detailers need to work in a hurry. Surprisingly a set of Lego instructions are likely more detailed than some of the shop drawings being produced today despite the amazing computing power we have at our fingertips. Unfortunately, as we discussed in last week’s episode, communication is often lacking. An average 40-ton job (a 10,000 square foot structure) has the potential for about 45,000 errors in the steel assembly alone.    Eddie mentions these industry organizations:  SEI: Steel Engineering InstituteAISC: American Institute of Steel Construction   Aspiring steel detailers need to learn several things: SoftwareAn industryCustomer relationsPatience: You’ll deal with big-time information fatigue. Adaptability: The industry is always evolving. Problem solvingWriting: If you don’t write an RFI thoughtfully, you won’t get the information you need.   Eddie shares about the anxiety that can come with detailing work. (See this related Five-minute Friday episode.) The pressure is substantial because small errors can create huge, expensive problems. This means that you’re double-checking everything multiple times: pre-approval, after modeling, before sending, after plotting, after team review, before fabrication, after change orders… In other words, you’re double-checking all the time.   At the risk of jinxing himself, Eddie says he feels that he has a good team with a good bunch of guys. We discuss the paradox of encouragement and affirmation that is always craved but often brings a cynical response.    What are the joys of detailing? You get to work on large projects and see a wide variety of structures–everything from single-family homes to entertainment venues and high-rises. When you drive past a building that was built with your drawings, you feel a deep sense of pride.    We discuss the confidentiality requirements but also mention at least a couple that we can mention specifically: The National Infantry Museum and Wawa convenience stores in Florida.   We share a couple technical tips for those of you who are detailers. Then Eddie reflects on a few memorable detailing experiences–some good and some bad. Then we wrap up with some overall-construction-industry insights and some personal reflections from the perspective of a detailer.   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It sounds so abstract. It is.    Yet it’s so important.   Atmosphere is one of the things that employees look for in a place of employment…   It’s not just about having bean bags and ping-pong tables in the office.    It’s about a sense of comradery and trust. It’s about a healthy workplace culture. Does it feel good to be at this workplace?    It’s not about whether the employer says their company has those things; it’s about whether those things actually define the workplace.    Today we just scratch the surface of the elements that create atmosphere: the architecture of the office, the decor, the way people speak to each other.     In short, it’s about being intentional. A little bit of thought and action can make a difference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have finally cleaned out our podcast studio, which had been converted into a company-Christmas-party venue. We start out today with some post-Christmas chit-chat about the challenges of Lego (or Legos if you’re an amateur), dog fur, and brotherly Christmas-gift arms race. Then we get down to business.    As we kick off our conversation about construction docs, we start with some thoughts about history. It’s currently easier than ever for us to access any and all information… This creates some amusing pronunciation problems: Rivet? Revit?   We’ve come so far from the day of slide rules.    We tend to romanticize the old days, but they were certainly more simple in some respects. This conciseness often led to a greater clarity.    The new tools have made some parts of the process so easy, but so much is still missed.    We find ourselves having to fill in the gaps with safe inferences, estimating upward to cover our butts. This leads to raised costs. Increased time spent in RFI just adds to the problems. (We make a reference to this RFI-related episode.)   We discuss the contributing forces: The owner has a why and a when. They also have financing concerns, insurers, and more. The architects have concerns about the how. They have risk-exposure concerns and legitimate needs for control over the process. Of course the list continues from there through several more stakeholders, each of whom has a legitimate set of priorities.   We discuss early release. Eddie shares about projects that have broken ground with only 30% documentation. He also explains how scope gap can develop in those situations. Details are missed. This sets a troubling precedent and establishes the tone for the rest of the project.    Eddie suggests that most of the industry is currently operating on the border of the minimum standard of care. That’s where bids are set. We talk through the various considerations surrounding some past projects and bids.    When we’re given incomplete plans, we submit RFIs. When the pile of RFIs overloads the responsible parties, the responses they give are insufficient. And the downward spiral of quality continues.    Better planning = a better outcome. Think about how much more productive you would be if you didn’t have to spend any time on RFIs. Surveys suggest most people think they’d be 2.5x more productive. If we can recognize this, our outcomes will be better. When you crunch the numbers, it makes pretty clear sense to invest more time on design.    Communication is easier than ever, but this means good communication is harder than ever. So many notifications! So many messages! It’s up to each person to set aside those distractions and focus on doing the job well.    We’d like to hear your thoughts on these things. Shoot us a message if you have some insights.     Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn   If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we chatted with Bob Goff for a recent episode, he mentioned in passing that he had never lost a case in his work as a construction lawyer. Although he acknowledged that he was a good lawyer, he said the real key to his winning record was that he knew which cases to take.  So often, the key is choosing the right project to pursue. The money is made on the job pick, just as profit in real estate is made on the buy.  Choosing projects poorly can lead to a number of problems. Your employees will be displeased. You’ll be unavailable when a good opportunity comes along.  When you pick your jobs wisely, everything else will go more smoothly. Take the time to think through things. The questions are not necessarily difficult, but it can be easy to forget them when you see dollar signs.  Don’t forget that it’s about profit, not revenue.  Even if you’re not in a position to choose projects, having this kind of mindset can make you a more valuable member of the team.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re looking to hire military veterans, you’ll come away from this episode with some solid action items.   Today we talk to Jay Snyder. Jay is a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force Reserve and has served six years of active duty. He is also the president of Big Blue Innovations, a construction consulting firm. Jay has been in the private construction industry for more than 20 years, and he joins us today to talk about increasing the recruitment of military veterans into the construction industry.    Military vets are exceptionally well-qualified for employment in the construction industry. Jay runs down a list of reasons this: They’re used to rigor and structure. They’re accustomed to establishing a sense of comradery. They understand the value of training and careful execution. They know how to trust their teammates.They have experience adapting to always-changing circumstances.   Jay shares a bit about his experience returning from active duty. He’d been doing project management while deployed. He expected to have a smooth transition from that role into construction. He was surprised to find that the private sector didn’t really understand what he’d done or know how to fit him into their structures. Jay realized that he needed to use different words.    Jay talks through a list of organizations that work with veterans to get them set up on post-active-duty employment. Here are a couple that he mentions: ESGR (Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve): Facilitates communication between veterans and companies who are seeking to employee TAP (Transition Assistance Program): Seeks to prepare service members for their transition back to civilian life. Jay encourages employers to connect with TAP and discuss how they can work together   We discuss how military draw-downs lead to large pools of potential employees. Not all of the people in this pool are looking for immediate employment, but a great many of them are. We discuss the benefits of actively targeting these people for recruitment.    Eddie discusses specific candidate pipelines that companies establish from colleges or training facilities. Jay explains that these pipelines can function like flywheels, requiring very little effort once they’ve been established.   As an industry, we need to communicate as clearly as we can with service members and transition-assistance programs in order to ensure that veterans feel welcome into our field.   Jay's Megaphone Message: The construction industry is in the midst of a huge transformation toward increased sophistication. Much of this transformation is occurring in response to a lack of people to fill positions. Companies that want to take the simpler route should make a concerted effort to recruit veterans.      Find Jay online: LinkedIn - Big Blue Innovations   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are re-airing a 5 Minute Friday from this past April. Even if you’re not a particularly religious person, you’ve probably heard the Bible verse that inspires today’s episode: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." The best leaders are those who give themselves up for the good of others. People respond to that sort of leadership.  If your primary motivation in the workplace is to promote and protect yourself, people will not line up behind your vision. Leadership requires respect for others. It requires you to empathize with those you’re trying to lead and putting their interests before your own.  Eddie shares a metaphor of a full-to-the-brim cup. If you fill your mind with positivity and thoughtfulness, that’s what will splash out when you’re bumped by challenging circumstances.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest this week is someone we've wanted to interview for a really long time.    Bob Goff is the author of two New York Times best-sellers- Love Does and Everybody Always - He's also a recovering construction lawyer after practicing for 25 years. He is now a writer, speaker and founder of the non-profit "Love Does" dedicated to helping kids in conflict areas.    Bob has been a massive inspiration to both brothers, and we were absolutely honored to chat with him.    Related Links Love DoesEverybody AlwaysDream Big   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's five minute Friday, Tyler and Eddie have the 4th annual reading of the Christmas Story.  We hope that everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!     Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re re-sharing an episode we did earlier this year with Jordan McRae. Jordan is the CEO of Mobilus Labs and one of the inventors of MobiWAN, a communication device that enables users to hear and speak through skull vibrations. MobiWAN was one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Significant Inventions of 2021.   As construction people know, communication on the job site is immeasurably important. It’s also often a serious challenge. Simple, concise communication can be the difference between life and death.    Jordan talks us through the basic physics principles that enable bone-conducted vibrations to register in your inner ear. He explains that MobiWAN has found a place on drilling rigs, in refineries, and in manufacturing. He also discusses new applications they’re exploring within the medical industry, particularly in surgery, where monitors and masks create communication barriers.    We pose some questions about bone-conduction communication, and Jordan patiently answers, drawing a parallel between this technology and MR (mixed reality). These headphones don’t totally bypass the ear, they just deliver the vibrations to the eardrum via bone rather than air.    As you can imagine, noise-canceling capabilities are crucial to effective implementation of this technology in an environment filled with jack hammers, saws, and generators. Amazingly, the flesh and muscle that surround the human skull work as a surprisingly effective filter to exclude noise outside of the body.    Eddie discusses the fact that this technology offers benefits in office workspaces too, where individuals might otherwise wear in-ear audio equipment and therefore have a hard time engaging in conversation with others.   We hear the scary how and why of Jordan’s choice to explore this technology. After studying AI and ocean and space robotics at MIT and at Stanford, Jordan had a scuba-equipment failure that resulted in temporary lung damage. Reflecting on the situation, he found it unacceptable that he was unable to communicate with his fellow diver to ask for help.    This gave him an excuse to innovate. Although he and Mobilus didn’t invent bone conduction for audio, they took the basic concepts and began to explore a new range of applications. For the first few years of Mobilus, Jordan actually had the title of inventor. He would observe, experiment, interview, and explore.    Jordan walks us through the history of audio equipment and how little change there really has been. He also discusses the pride and satisfaction that comes with inventing something and seeing people embrace and build upon that.   Our discussion wraps up with the questions Mobilus had to answer and how they settled on having both flexible systems that simply use Bluetooth 5.0 and more robust systems with a greater number of proprietary solutions. They work with clients to integrate existing platforms and systems, always looking for ways to improve the user experience.   Megaphone Moment:  Jordan wants collaborators. Mobilus wants to hear from people with boots on the ground and discuss how this technology can help them be both safer and more effective in their work.    Here are a few resources in case you’re interested in learning more about MobiWAN’s bone-conduction communication: A video of Jordan discussing MobiWAN at the MIT Start-up ExchangeMobiWAN in TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions ListA 2020 article about Jordan’s company Find Jordan Online:  LinkedIn - Twitter - Mobilus Labs Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not what you’d expect. Despite all of his work in physics, Einstein is said to have said that the most powerful force in the universe is compound interest.  This certainly makes sense in the world of finance, but it goes far beyond that.  It’s about slow-burn, long-process growth on top of growth on top of growth. Its power reaches into personal lives, business lives, creative pursuits–it reaches everything.  We discuss how we’ve seen this with the podcast–and how satisfying it was to see audience growth that came as we plugged away week after week. If you get caught looking around rather than looking forward, you might feel like you’re missing out on something.  We all want to see results quickly. Once you’ve experienced the long-term return on investment, however, you realize the world-changing power of this universal principle. You, too, might begin to feel like you’re less of an idiot than you were five years ago.  Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.