DAILY DOSE OF LEADERSHIP

"Every time you have to speak, you are auditioning for leadership."

— James Humes

Here are a few thoughts to consider:

🎙️ Mindful Communication: Recognize that every word carries weight. Approach each interaction with mindfulness, ensuring that your communication reflects the values and vision of a leader.

👂 Active Listening: Leadership is not just about speaking; it's also about listening. Actively listen to the perspectives of others, fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued.

🤝 Build Trust: Effective communication builds trust. Be transparent, honest, and authentic in your words. A leader's credibility is often measured by the consistency between words and actions.

💡 Inspire and Motivate: Use your words to inspire and motivate. Share the vision, articulate goals, and uplift the team with a positive and forward-looking attitude. Great leaders use their words to ignite passion and commitment.

Remember, whether in a team meeting, a presentation, or a casual conversation, each time you speak is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities.

Wishing you a day of impactful communication and shared understanding!

— Wayne Jensen

Presented by:

Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

NEWS TODAY

Emergency responders risk their lives to save yours!

Let's Protect Those Who Protect You!

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has actively endorsed Crash Responder Safety Week.

This nationwide initiative aims to enhance safety for emergency responders, including law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, towing and recovery, and transportation and public works personnel. The theme for CRSW 2023 is "Protect Those Who Protect You."

Key Points:

1. Safety Awareness: FHWA emphasizes the critical role played by crash responders, who risk their lives to save others at highway crash scenes. The goal is to raise public awareness about the safety challenges faced by responders and remind the public to exercise caution near roadside incidents involving emergency personnel.

2. Theme – "Protect Those Who Protect You": The theme underscores the need for increased protection for responders who often arrive first at a crash scene, taking swift actions to save lives while putting their own lives at risk.

3. Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training: FHWA launched TIM training in 2012, tailored for and by responders. This training equips police, firefighters, highway workers, emergency medical services, and towing personnel with effective practices for safe and coordinated responses at crash scenes. Over 700,000 responders have undergone this training to date.

4. National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS): The Department's comprehensive safety approach includes the NRSS, which adopts the Safe System Approach to achieve the ambitious goal of zero roadway fatalities. Post-crash care is one of five elements of the Safe System Approach, focusing on ensuring prompt and effective medical care for crash survivors.

5. Call to Action Campaign: As part of the next phase of the NRSS, the Call to Action campaign has been launched, along with a one-year progress report. The campaign seeks to address the rise in roadway fatalities and emphasizes the commitment to eventually achieving zero deaths on U.S. roads.

Conclusion:

FHWA's active support for Crash Responder Safety Week aligns with its commitment to improving safety for all road users. By acknowledging and addressing the challenges faced by emergency responders, the Department aims to create a safer working environment, prevent secondary crashes, and ultimately reduce roadway fatalities. The comprehensive approach, including training initiatives and national strategies, reflects a dedication to achieving zero deaths on U.S. roads.

Graphyte, backed by Bill Gates, pioneers low-cost carbon sequestration at under $100/ton with the 'carbon casting' method.

In the quest to combat climate change, Graphyte, a startup backed by Bill Gates, claims to have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in carbon sequestration costs.

The company asserts that its innovative "carbon casting" technique has surpassed the crucial $100 per ton benchmark, making significant strides in the affordability of carbon removal.

Carbon Casting Process: Graphyte's carbon casting involves the compression of carbon-rich biomass into substantial blocks, sealed with a specially designed polymer. These blocks are then stacked and buried, with the company asserting that the carbon remains securely stored for an impressive 1,000 years or longer.

Low-Cost Advantage: The key to Graphyte's low-cost success lies in its process, which doesn't demand extensive energy input and generates minimal waste compared to other carbon capture methods. This breakthrough could be a game-changer, potentially making large-scale carbon capture economically feasible.

Pilot Plant and Scaling Up: While Graphyte is yet to complete its pilot plant, named Loblolly, the company is optimistic about its prospects. The plant, expected to be operational in 2024, will initially process and store carbon at a rate of around 5,000 tons per year, with plans to scale up to an impressive 50,000 tons per year. This scaling-up ambition reflects the urgency and ambition required to address climate challenges.

Tackling Climate Change Head-On: Graphyte's achievement could pave the way for more scalable and economically viable carbon capture solutions, addressing one of the significant challenges in the fight against climate change. As the world seeks innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, startups like Graphyte play a crucial role in driving technological advancements.

The Path Ahead: As Graphyte prepares to take its carbon removal service to market, it aims to prove that its approach is not only economically competitive but also environmentally impactful. The success of such ventures is crucial for meeting global climate targets and creating a sustainable future.

In the broader context of climate action, breakthroughs like Graphyte's highlight the importance of continued investment and innovation in the field of carbon capture and sequestration. While challenges remain, such developments offer hope that scalable and cost-effective solutions are within reach.

Utility Strikes Surge in 2022!

Urgent Call for Action to Safeguard Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure!

Introduction: The 2022 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) report, recently released by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), has brought to light a concerning increase in utility strikes, posing risks to public safety and disrupting critical infrastructure. The report sheds light on damages to underground utility infrastructure, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to address the underlying challenges.

Key Findings: The DIRT report indicates a notable upward trend in damages over the past three years. Damages per construction spending increased by 12.35%, while damages per 1,000 transmissions rose by 9.34% between 2021 and 2022. This trend underscores the urgency of addressing the root causes of damages to ensure public safety and the integrity of essential services.

Root Causes: The analysis of the 2022 data reveals that several persistent challenges contribute to nearly 76% of damages. These challenges include instances where there is no notification to the 811 centers, failure to pothole or maintain sufficient clearance, inaccurate or unmarked facilities due to locator errors, and other improper excavation practices.

No-Notification Damages: A significant concern highlighted in the report is damages resulting from no notification, accounting for over 25% of all damages. Importantly, 77% of these damages are attributed to professional excavators. The report emphasizes the need for targeted efforts and outreach to address this issue, focusing on behavioral changes, such as consistent and effective use of the 811 system.

Recommendations: The report provides key recommendations to reduce utility strikes, including:

1. No-Notification Damages: Prioritize excavator outreach for behavioral change and restore confidence in the 811 system through improved locating processes.

2. Excavation Challenges: Enhance tolerance zone safety, address contracts to ensure adequate compensation for potholing, and provide excavators with access to map visualizations.

3. Locator Errors: Improve facility maps to GIS-grade, address contract structures to emphasize timeliness and accuracy, and enhance efficiency through the effective use of the 811 system.

Moving Forward: CGA President and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle emphasizes the importance of adopting the report's recommendations to target the most persistent challenges. The findings of the DIRT report are crucial for focusing industry efforts on key areas contributing to the majority of damages. The goal is to achieve a significant reduction in damages and enhance overall safety and performance within the industry.

Conclusion: As the underground utility industry faces increasing excavation activities, the 2022 DIRT report underscores the need for collaborative efforts to overcome persistent challenges. By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing the recommended solutions, stakeholders can work towards a future where damages are significantly reduced, ensuring the safety of communities and the reliability of essential infrastructure.

ECONOMY IN THE INDUSTRY

Hurricane Ian Alters South Florida's Insurance Landscape!

Property Owners Face Surging Insurance Costs Post-$120 Billion Disaster. Navigating the Shift with Expert Insights.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida's West Coast, the property insurance landscape in South Florida has undergone a seismic shift.

As a result, property owners and businesses are grappling with the aftermath of the costliest hurricane in the state's history, leading to a significant surge in property insurance prices.

Hurricane Ian's Impact:

Hurricane Ian, making landfall near Fort Myers on September 28, 2022, left a trail of destruction and a staggering estimated cost of $115-$120 billion. The aftermath saw insurers facing unprecedented losses, forcing many to reevaluate their presence and operations in Florida. The realization that the storm's impact surpassed initial estimates led to a wave of insolvencies and withdrawals from the market by insurers, intensifying the challenges in the property insurance landscape.

Market Dynamics:

As insurers and reinsurers grappled with the fallout, the renewal of reinsurance treaties on January 1, 2023, reflected the stark reality of the situation. Insurers, now wary of the heightened risk in Florida, opted to reduce their capacity within the market. This reduction in capacity, coupled with the continuous influx of individuals and businesses to the state, created a significant mismatch between supply and demand. The result: a sharp escalation in property insurance pricing across South Florida.

Current Scenario:

The property insurance market in South Florida is now characterized by extreme selectivity among insurers and underwriters. The risks they are willing to assume and the locations where they deploy capacity have become highly scrutinized. This cautious approach is expected to persist until the full repercussions of Hurricane Ian subside, potentially extending over the next 12-24 months.

Navigating the Challenges:

For property owners and businesses, understanding the dynamics of this transformed marketplace is crucial. Seeking guidance from a construction-focused broker, such as American Global, can provide valuable insights. With a profound understanding of construction risk and strong relationships across the market, brokers like American Global can assist in navigating these challenging times.

Key Considerations:

• Risk Awareness: Insured parties need to be acutely aware of the evolving risk landscape and the selective nature of insurers and underwriters.

• Strategic Broker Partnership: Collaborating with a construction-focused broker ensures a deep understanding of the intricacies of the market, resulting in informed decision-making.

• Accurate Budgeting: Whether as an owner or contractor, ensuring that budgets and pro formas accurately reflect the cost of property/builders risk insurance is paramount for sound coverage.

As South Florida continues to rebuild and adapt to the evolving insurance landscape, strategic decision-making and proactive risk management will be instrumental. Seeking professional advice and staying informed are imperative steps in securing the best possible outcomes in this transformed property insurance environment.

DIG INTO THIS ONE

Hilary DeCesare's RELAUNCH! guides us in deconstructing and mastering the calibration of this finely-tuned trio, the 3HQ™, removing us from the autopilot rut to create a powerhouse of transformation and possibility.

PROFITABLE TECHNOLOGY

From Tree Forts to High-Tech Timber: How Mass Timber Innovator Justin Brown is Revolutionizing Sustainable Construction

From childhood tree forts in Trail, British Columbia, to overseeing the automated production of mass timber panels, Justin Brown's passion for building with wood has come full circle.

As a project structural engineer at StructureCraft's headquarters in Abbotsford, B.C., Brown reflects on the evolution of mass timber and its growing significance in the construction industry.

Childhood Inspiration:

Growing up near a scrap yard, Brown and his friends had the unique opportunity to explore and collect materials freely. Their forays into the scrap yard involved hauling plywood and two-by-fours to construct imaginative tree forts in the nearby forest. Little did Brown know that this childhood joy would evolve into a career at the forefront of mass timber engineering.

Automation Revolution:

Today, StructureCraft's fully automated production line stands as a testament to the technological revolution in mass timber construction. The 60,000-square-foot facility in Abbotsford houses a workshop where robots tirelessly assemble individual lumber into large, laminated panels. This advanced process enables the construction of large structures with remarkable efficiency.

Brown emphasizes the ease of on-site construction, likening it to assembling an Ikea project. The mass timber panels are designed to fit together seamlessly, providing a swift and precise building process. The company's facility, constructed in 2017, serves as a tangible example of the speed and efficiency facilitated by mass timber construction.

Mass Timber Advancements in B.C.:

The term "mass timber" encompasses a range of engineered wood products held together by materials like glue, nails, or dowels. British Columbia, with its abundant forests, has become a hotbed for mass timber innovation. The region's seismic vulnerability adds a layer of complexity to construction, demanding rigorous safety standards.

The transformative potential of mass timber was showcased on the world stage during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics with the Richmond Olympic Oval. The use of mass timber in this project, particularly in the arching wooden roof, garnered international attention. Local firms like StructureCraft and Fast + Epp played pivotal roles in bringing this architectural marvel to life.

Sustainable Solutions:

As mass timber gains prominence, proponents highlight its sustainability. Wood, a renewable resource, stores carbon, offering a greener alternative to traditional construction materials. However, environmental groups caution that claims of sustainability depend on responsibly sourced wood.

Brown points to the T3 tower in Minneapolis, emphasizing the carbon sequestration potential of mass timber. The building, designed by Michael Green Architecture, used wood from trees killed by the mountain pine beetle, showcasing the adaptability and eco-friendly nature of mass timber.

Safety and Resilience:

Addressing concerns about fire safety, Brown explains that mass timber's solid and compressed structure prevents the rapid spread of fire. The outer charring creates insulation, delaying the heating of the wood beneath. In seismic-prone regions like the West Coast, the flexibility of mass timber proves advantageous, as it can absorb and withstand earthquake forces.

Looking Ahead:

As B.C. continues to foster mass timber innovation, StructureCraft stands among the key players. Brown envisions a future where mass timber becomes integral to sustainable construction practices. With a Ph.D. in timber and earthquake engineering, he emphasizes the flexibility and resilience of mass timber, positioning it as a viable solution for seismic regions.

From childhood dreams of tree forts to contributing to the evolution of construction technology, Justin Brown's journey reflects the transformative impact of mass timber in shaping the future of sustainable and resilient building practices.

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