People leave when they don’t feel appreciated. That’s why we’ve made recognition a really high value. Our business is people-capability first; then you satisfy customers; then you make money.”

David Novak - former CEO of YUM! Brands

Do you realize that the pool of talented individuals we have access to is exclusive to the companies we serve? It's not just about finding good labor for our lower-level positions; we should be concerned about every level of personnel in our businesses. I constantly hear about the challenges of recruiting labor, but what truly bothers me is when important individuals are lost to other companies. It's perplexing when both companies are held in high regard, leaving me to wonder what went wrong. We're not talking about those who would jump ship for a small pay increase, nor those who leave due to salary disparities. We're talking about those who depart simply because they don't feel valued or appreciated. These are the low-maintenance individuals who consistently deliver exceptional work without seeking recognition. Every day, I make it a point to express my sincere appreciation to my colleagues. It's not a strategic move to prevent them from leaving; it's because they are outstanding individuals who deserve recognition for their contributions to our business world. This cannot be faked. It requires understanding their personal lives and showing genuine concern for their well-being. If you're considering fostering a family-like environment at work, you're starting to grasp the critical dynamics of successful businesses. Creating a sense of family is all about authentic communication and caring. When your teams have this level of bonding, it strengthens the organization because everyone looks out for each other's best interests. While this approach undoubtedly helps retain talent, it's ultimately about being good people in business without any ulterior motives.

— Wayne Jensen

Presented by:

Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Currently In The News

President Biden Advances Vision for World-Class Passenger Rail by Delivering Billions in New Funding

$16.4 Billion from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Repair and Replace Critical Rail Infrastructure Along Northeast Corridor to Provide Faster and More Reliable Passenger Rail Experience, Create More than One Hundred Thousand Construction Jobs

Bidenomics and President Biden’s Investing in America agenda are addressing infrastructure needs, supporting communities, and improving passenger rail. The President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a $66 billion investment in rail, with $16.4 billion allocated to 25 passenger rail projects on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. These investments will upgrade infrastructure, reduce travel times, and create over 100,000 union jobs. The Northeast Corridor is the busiest rail corridor in the US, carrying more passengers than flights between Washington and New York. The investments will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost the economy. Major projects include the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel, Frederick Douglass Tunnel, Susquehanna River Bridge, Penn Station Access, and Connecticut River Bridge. These projects will improve travel times and address infrastructure delays. The investments will also prioritize union jobs and promote workforce development.

All the news about EV charging in the US

The state of electric vehicle charging in North America is way too much like smartphone charging wars — but focused on much more expensive hardware.

USB-C and CCS (Type 1) plugs are widely used by manufacturers and charging networks. Tesla, on the other hand, uses its own plug but with wider availability through its Supercharger network. However, Tesla is now opening up its connector, renaming it to NACS, and aiming to make it the USB-C of electric vehicles in North America. Ford and GM are the first automakers to adopt the NACS port, which is now recognized by SAE International. In Europe, all companies are required to use CCS2, including Tesla. In the US, EV owners have dealt with fragmented charging networks, requiring different accounts, apps, and access cards. The Biden administration is allocating $7.5 billion to fast-charging networks to improve EV infrastructure. Subaru will adopt the NACS for certain electric vehicles starting in 2025 and will provide NACS charging adapters to customers with CCS standard. BP is purchasing $100 million of Supercharger hardware from Tesla for its BP Pulse charging network. The equipment can charge at up to 250kW and supports both NACS and CCS Combo attachments. The deal does not specify if it includes Tesla's updated V4 Superchargers.

US launches “Shields Ready” campaign to secure critical infrastructure

Shields Ready initiative outlines strategies for preparing critical infrastructure organizations for potential disruption and building more resilience into systems, facilities, and processes.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CISA, and FEMA have launched the "Shields Ready" campaign to promote CNI security and resilience. It complements the "Shields Up" campaign by CISA and focuses on preparing critical infrastructure organizations for potential disruption. Research shows a surge in insider threats in US CNI, while nation-state actors and ransomware attacks pose risks. The Shields Ready initiative advises CNI providers to identify critical systems, evaluate threats, develop risk management and incident response plans, and regularly update them. US critical infrastructure entities need tools and resources to respond to and recover from disruption.

DIG INTO THIS ONE

In Ice Cold Leader, special forces combat veteran, FBI agent, and business founder Errol Doebler reveals his unknown and silent battle with a traumatic brain injury incurred as a Navy SEAL in the late 1990s, and how he overcame emotional distress, self-doubt, depression, and anxiety to create a successful and happy personal and professional life until the day he discovered his pain was due to an injury he didn’t even know he had.

Marketplace

Construction association sues to block major changes to US construction labour regulations

The Association of General Contractors (AGC) has launched a legal action to block the US government from making a major update to construction labour regulations.

The US Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Final Rules updating requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act for workers' wages on federally funded projects. The AGC has filed a lawsuit to block the expansion of the Act, arguing that the Biden administration lacks the legal authority to extend it to manufacturing facilities and retroactively impose it on existing contracts. The association is seeking to roll back the expansion and prevent retroactive imposition. However, it is not challenging the administration's efforts to determine prevailing wage rates for construction projects.

Direction Of The Business

LivSYT, a SaaS Startup, Secures $2.5 Million for On-Site Construction Digitization

A total of 21 projects valued at $100 million or more entered the planning stages in October, including a $215 million Google data center, according to Dodge.

LivSYT, a construction management software company, has secured seed round investment from SV Quad and Inventus Capital in the USA. This investment will support LivSYT's expansion into the US market and the exploration of new AI/ML applications in construction management. With this funding, LivSYT is well-positioned to tap into the significant growth potential in the global construction industry. LivSYT's software solutions have already generated an impressive annual recurring revenue of $1 million and are being utilized by infrastructure projects valued at $6 billion. CEO Karthik Thumu expressed enthusiasm about the funding, stating that it validates the value their software brings to the industry. The funds will primarily support LivSYT's expansion in the US market and the enhancement of their product infrastructure. The company aims to achieve $5 million in annual recurring revenue within the next 24 months. LivSYT has identified a unique opportunity in the heavy infrastructure sector, where technology solutions have been limited. The construction industry is embracing technology and innovation to improve performance, and LivSYT is well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of the sector. The construction industry in India is experiencing remarkable growth, and the US construction industry is set to witness a significant increase in construction deliveries. LivSYT's impressive client portfolio includes leading consulting and engineering firms. With its expansion into the US market and focus on AI/ML advancements, LivSYT is poised to contribute to the digital transformation of the construction industry.

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