“Don’t count the days, Make the days count.”

— Muhammad Ali, Professional Boxer

Attention business owners and managers: Listen up! Your employees who are constantly counting down the days until some future event are stuck in a holding pattern, and let me tell you, they are never as productive as you need them to be in their current roles. Many of these individuals mentally check out the moment they start their countdown. Now, I'm not talking about physically leaving their jobs, although that is a problem worth discussing. Let's take retirement as an example. Your top performers who have retirement on their minds often lose their passion for their work and begin marking Xs on their calendars as they inch closer to their golden years. Their focus is certainly not on producing their best work ever during their final years of employment. It's rare to find individuals nearing retirement who are actively creating a legacy. So, let's talk about legacy. How do you think your employees will feel about the life they've lived once they retire? Will they believe they made a real difference in the world? Will they feel that their life was meaningful and important? Will they believe that the people they left behind are better off because of their contributions? These are important questions to consider. Remember, your employees spend more time with you than they do with their own families. Yes, you pay them to perform a business function, but that is not the be-all and end-all of their existence, nor should it be for you. Hiring employees is necessary to produce and sell your products, but your involvement in their lives should not end there. Imagine if your employees felt that they wasted their lives making money for you after retirement or after leaving your company for another job. Would that not make a difference to you? Let me share a story I once heard about a person who worked in a public park, collecting garbage and performing general maintenance. This individual found immense joy and fulfillment in their work. They viewed the world they created each day for park visitors as the most important thing they could ever do in life. They took pride in creating positive experiences for everyone who came to "their park." At the end of each day, they went home counting their blessings for the good they had accomplished. This person's pride in their work left a lasting impression on me, and it should be on all of us. Now, is this person an exception, or did they have an exceptional employer who understood the importance of instilling pride in every employee, regardless of their job? Make every day count for your employees, just as Muhammad Ali did for himself, and watch as everything else falls into place.

— Wayne Jensen

Presented by:

Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

Currently In The News

GSA to Invest $2B in Low-carbon Building Materials

‘Buy Clean’ Initiative to Upgrade, Cut Emissions at More than 150 Federal Buildings

The US General Services Administration (GSA) announced that the federal government will allocate over $2 billion to more than 150 construction projects. These projects will prioritize the use of low-embodied carbon (LEC) materials and support the purchase of domestic low-carbon asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel. The GSA estimates that a significant portion of the funds will go towards LEC concrete, glass, steel, and asphalt. This initiative aligns with President Joe Biden's Buy Clean Initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing, use, and disposal of materials. The GSA highlighted specific projects that will receive funding, including the Robert V. Denney Federal Building and Courthouse, the Denver Federal Center, the Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse, the Howard Metzenbaum Courthouse, and the Minton Capehart Federal Building. These projects will not only reduce the carbon footprint of federal buildings but also create high-quality work environments for federal employees.

Senate passes bill allowing small nuclear reactor construction in 2026

Illinois senators approved a plan Wednesday to lift the 1987 moratorium on nuclear construction months after Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed a similar plan that gained bipartisan support in both chambers.

Lawmakers want to remove the moratorium on building carbon-free technology in Illinois. They aim to construct 300 Megawatt reactors and believe they will be available in the commercial market within 5 to 10 years. The legislation, House Bill 2473, requires the establishment of rules for decommissioning, environmental monitoring, and emergency preparedness. It also calls for a study on the state's role in developing small nuclear reactors. The proposal has bipartisan support and does not conflict with federal laws. However, some environmental groups are concerned about the lack of regulatory protections and believe the focus should be on wind, solar, and storage projects. The bill passed the Senate and now awaits consideration in the House.

How to finance a garage or detached structure and protect your home’s value

Key takeaways:

Detached structures can increase home value and can be financed through various options. Costs vary based on size and features. The "Shields Ready" campaign promotes CNI security and resilience. Insider threats, nation-state actors, and ransomware attacks pose risks. The initiative advises CNI providers to identify critical systems, evaluate threats, and develop response plans. US critical infrastructure entities need tools and resources for recovery.

DIG INTO THIS ONE

Too many contractors are working WAY too hard for WAY too little. Plain and simple, if you take on the risk of a home improvement business owner and deliver quality service to the homeowners in your local community - you deserve to create and build wealth for yourself and your family.

Marketplace

Exploring the 4 different types of concrete finishes

If you’re considering installing new concrete in your home then you’re making a wise choice. After all, concrete floors are durable, long-lasting, and easier to keep clean than tile or other options.

1. Stamped Concrete

First up on our list is stamped concrete. This type of finish involves stamping patterns or textures onto freshly poured concrete to create a unique design.

Some common designs include brick, stone, slate, and wood patterns. Stamped concrete is an excellent option for those looking to mimic the look of more expensive materials without breaking the bank.

Thanks to its versatility, stamped concrete can be used in various areas like patios, driveways, and interior floors.

2. Textured Finishes

Like stamped concrete, textured finishes also involve creating a unique pattern or texture on the surface of freshly poured concrete. However, instead of using stamps, various tools are used to create a textured effect.

This type of finish is perfect for outdoor areas as it provides better traction and prevents slips and falls. This finish also comes in various patterns like swirls, circles, and even custom designs.

3. Stained Concrete

If you’re looking for a more colorful and vibrant concrete finish, then stained concrete may be just what you need. This type of finish involves applying an acid-based stain to the surface of the concrete, which reacts with the minerals in the concrete to create unique colors and patterns.

Stained concrete is great for those who want to add personality and character to their floors. It can also be used with other finishes, such as stamping or polishing, to create a truly one-of-a-kind look.

4. Polished Concrete

Last but certainly not least on our list is polished concrete. This type of finish involves grinding down the surface of the concrete to create a smooth and glossy surface. It’s a popular choice for commercial spaces but has also gained popularity in residential settings.

Polished concrete is not only visually appealing, but it also has practical benefits, such as being low-maintenance and durable. You can customize it with different levels of sheen, from matte to high-gloss. This makes it suitable for any style preference.

Direction Of The Business

AI, Autonomy, and Small Contractor Solutions at Trimble Dimensions 2023

Trimble partners with Microsoft by harnessing Azure AI, plus announcements regarding autonomy, integrations within the Trimble Construction One platform, and a focus on small contractors.

AI in construction management, partnerships, and autonomous construction equipment were highlighted at Trimble Dimensions 2023, the annual user group conference for the construction industry. The conference saw 4,000 attendees from 50 countries. Trimble announced that its Viewpoint Spectrum® and Viewpoint Vista™ construction ERP software now integrates with Microsoft Azure AI Document Intelligence, allowing for automatic invoicing. This new capability streamlines the validation and approval process for invoices in construction ERP products. Trimble customers expressed the need for automation due to labor shortages and increased data processing demands. Trimble is also exploring the use of AI in its Trimble Construction Cloud offering and is working closely with Microsoft to identify integration options and drive AI further into its construction solutions. Additionally, Trimble announced the successful deployment of its first autonomous compactor on a construction site. The compactor operated autonomously for 37 hours on the Site C Clean Energy project in British Columbia. The conference also focused on ongoing developments within Trimble's construction portfolio.

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