Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

With a younger generation coming into the workforce, what will change? And with the rise of security concerns, what parts of the industry do we need to ensure are secure? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Jennifer Byrne as they discuss embracing tech in the industry, the recent rise of “asymmetric warfare” and cyber attacks, what the future workspace will look like, and fostering a collaborative and problem-solving mentality and environment where we work.   Jennifer Byrne is currently an independent advisor, speaker, and author. A lot of her work is centered around digital transformation. Previously, Jennifer was Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft US. She infused innovation practices into Microsoft’s technical field teams which led to high-value and well-publicized digital transformation strategies with top global companies.

How does a passion for innovation tie into the construction industry? How about creativity and a desire to drive the future? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Adrian Hatch as they discuss the future of construction work, the rising power of AR and VR, how to allow workers to be more intentional with their time and resources, and much more. Co-founder and CEO of IMAJION, Adrian Hatch is a product developer and sales leader who is passionate about creating practical innovations and experienced in the conception and engineering of prototype software products and applications. Prior to co-founding IMAJION, Adrian worked at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies as a brand designer and co-founded and operated Lokil, an app and website development firm. Adrian holds a BS in Information Management and Technology and an MS in Management Information Systems from Syracuse University.

Are you willing to push past the failures and pain that’s others won’t? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Greg Santoro as they discuss digitization, the generation of new ideas in the workplace, how storytelling ties into innovation, how to focus on the continuation of learning and growth, how to adapt to the latest global trends, and much more.   Greg Santoro earned his B.A. in Economics at Yale University. After working in strategy consulting for two years, Greg started his career in the construction industry working in a technology incubator at Stanley Black & Decker. He then moved on to Co-Founding DADO, where he serves as Head of Product.

It’s no secret that the workforce is changing—and everyone needs to learn how to keep up. Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Bryce Batts as they discuss recruitment in the AEC industry, how to avoid losing your employees, the importance of getting to know the people who work for you, and what it means to take action in the right direction. My name is Bryce Batts and I’m an AEC Recruiter and Career Coach. I’m grateful to be able to help people in the industry find a job they love and make an income they can be proud of. I specialize in defining your strengths and identifying your weaknesses while setting goals for success. I love cheering on my clients and helping them feel empowered to take the steps needed to move into a fulfilling career. I've helped over 500 people land their dream job so if you're thinking about taking the leap or want some help in making that transition easier I'm your girl.

That's a wrap on MEP Force 2021! A truly global virtual/hybrid conference spanning 40 states and 6 continents. Being indestructible means booting up your device and getting the work done from half way across the world, and still having time to network with industry peers. For this episode, Jake Olsen and Amy Peck joined us once again to wrap up the final day of MEP Force. When taking a look back over Angie Simon's Keynote, breakout sessions, and roundtables, a few common threads shone through today. Supply chains are fragile, and it's going to take a lot of coordinated effort and ingenuity to keep them flowing. The key to hiring and appealing to the next digital native generation may end up being hands-on learning. Finally, we must learn from our past projects and seasoned individuals before this knowledge slips through our fingertips.   Amy Peck is the founder and CEO of EndeavorVR. From healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and entertainment to government and industrial use cases, her personal goal is to bridge the gap between the leading edge tech and clients ready to adopt the myriad solutions in the AR/VR stratosphere. Jake has worked in the industry as an engineer and entrepreneur for over 20 years both in the USA and abroad developing new products, software and businesses to transform the way we build. Jake holds a master’s degree in Structural Engineering and is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California.

Disruption is merely rethinking how we think about innovation. This theme shone through the keynotes, discussions, and breakout sessions on day 2 of MEP Force 2021. We heard from industry leaders across the world about how the past 18 months has been a source of major disruption. The common thread? We are all indestructible. We all turned major disruption into crucial innovation. Amy Peck is the founder and CEO of EndeavorVR. From healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and entertainment to government and industrial use cases, her personal goal is to bridge the gap between the leading edge tech and clients ready to adopt the myriad solutions in the AR/VR stratosphere. James Simpson is the Mechanical Product Manager at eVolve MEP. He has gained valuable experience in all sections of the industry. From within Field Installation, VDC, DFMA, and even application development, he has led teams in bettering workflows. His current passion is driving innovation utilizing ConTech applications. He also shares his expertise in his industry blog BIM² in an effort to promote growth in the field as a whole. Jake has worked in the industry as an engineer and entrepreneur for over 20 years both in the USA and abroad developing new products, software and businesses to transform the way we build. Jake holds a master’s degree in Structural Engineering and is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California.

What does it mean to be 'indestructible'? On day 1 of MEP Force 2021, panelists, participants, and keynote addresses alike set out to capture and define what it means to be indestructible. Themes emerged from the more than 80 breakout sessions and roundtable discussions: Company culture is at the heart of being indestructible. Attitudes of individuals directly contribute to company outcomes A solid strategy on collecting and analyze data is key. Buy-in when adopting a new tool or technology is just as important as understanding the technology itself. Amy Peck is the founder and CEO of EndeavorVR. From healthcare, education, retail, hospitality and entertainment to government and industrial use cases, her personal goal is to bridge the gap between the leading edge tech and clients ready to adopt the myriad solutions in the AR/VR stratosphere. James Simpson is the Mechanical Product Manager at eVolve MEP. He has gained valuable experience in all sections of the industry. From within Field Installation, VDC, DFMA, and even application development, he has led teams in bettering workflows. His current passion is driving innovation utilizing ConTech applications. He also shares his expertise in his industry blog BIM² in an effort to promote growth in the field as a whole. Jake has worked in the industry as an engineer and entrepreneur for over 20 years both in the USA and abroad developing new products, software and businesses to transform the way we build. Jake holds a master’s degree in Structural Engineering and is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California.

Recently, we’ve all learned quite a bit about being tough. But what about being adaptable? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Dan McCarthy of Dodge Data and Analytics as preview his keynote during MEP Force 2021, the right strategy when you’re gathering and governing data, and the cultural mindset required for successful digital transformation in construction. Dan McCarthy is the President and CEO at Dodge Data & Analytics. He has broad experience across consumer and business-to-business markets and multiple business models, including data, information, consumer payments and advertising. His focus is on transforming organizations and unlocking value through multiple strategies underpinned by the creation of strong leadership teams and highly engaged and creatively-motivated workforces.

Trust isn’t just important—it’s essential to getting things done efficiently, properly, and on time. So, what have we learned about trust and collaboration over the last twelve months? Join host Todd Weyandt and guest Jeff Sample as they discuss how the construction industry has held up over the past year, knowledge and lessons learned to take away from the pandemic, the new potential for a better work-life balance, what really needs to be changed in the industry, and much more. Jeff Sample is a technology evangelist, speaker, podcaster, and passionate advocate for construction. He has been working in the technology industry for the past 20+ years and is the Head of Communication at Join. He has taken specific care to work with and understand the diverse components of a successful business and how technology can enhance those workflows.

It is time to celebrate… Bridging the Gap is officially at 100 episodes and counting! Join host Todd Weyandt and editor/producer Eric Daniel as they look back to reflect on the lessons learned, moments that stand out and where the show is going for the next 100 episodes. During our first 100 episodes, we have had the great pleasure of learning from so many brilliant guests and thought leaders throughout the industry. To you the listeners, thank you for joining us on this adventure, taking the time to listen each week and sharing with your friends.