Month: September 2020

Happy International Podcast Day! Podcasts are a great way to stay informed while respecting your time. Throw one on while you’re getting ready for work in the morning or during your morning commute.

To make things easy for you, we have compiled the top four construction podcasts to help you keep up with the latest industry news.

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

Hosted by Todd Dawalt, this podcast is a “one-stop-shop” for construction professionals looking to improve their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Each episode ranges from 30 minutes to an hour and covers topics such as effective hiring, punch list problems, and job site productivity.

ConTech Crew

Hosted by a variety of people including James Benham and Rob McKinney, this podcast hones in on all things Construction Tech. Listen to the latest trends, breakdown different software, and learn how to effectively integrate construction technology into your business.

The Art of Construction

Learn the best ways to grow your business with entrepreneur, Devon Tilly. This podcast hosts some of the best names in the industry and breaks down everything that is going on in the world of construction.

The Lien Zone Podcast

For those that are interested in construction law, dive into this podcast hosted by Alex Barthet; a construction lawyer out of Miami. Barthet covers a wide variety of construction law topics in each episode. 

 

Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know what you’re listening to!

Also, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with the latest StratusVue news.

One of our goals here at StratusVue is to make our clients feel like part of the family. While you can’t choose your family, you can choose which business partnership works best for you. The goal here is to give you a better understanding of our company and the relationship you’ll have with us. To make it easy, here are three words that best describe StratusVue.

Dedicated
We know that you are dedicated to your craft and you can expect nothing less from us.  Our team sees everything through to resolve.  That is within our development, support, and operations. Therefore, we do whatever it takes to keep you successful.

Caring
When you have a question or concern, we see to addressing it quickly and thoughtfully.  We understand that using new software can be a shift from your norm. Tasks that were second nature might now require more thought.  We empathize with what you are experiencing and will support you until it becomes second nature.

Personal
It’s not unusual that someone will call support just to talk. We know it’s important to feel heard and we appreciate you taking the time to call us.  We pride ourselves on knowing our customers and making sure that you know we are available.  We’ve woven customer service into our fabric.  We are here for you and because of you; that’s not lost on us.  

When you combine our culture, company values, and the program, we are one strong ally.  You have our word, that when you trust us with your project, you will get the best in return.

Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest company news.

We are working during a time where things are different.  Your kids walk into your meetings and your desk is steps away from your bed.  I know how you feel because I’m writing this from home in the same situation.

Today, I want to focus on things that I have found to be effective in working with and managing your team from home.

We’re In This Together

Don’t stress about the dog barking in the background or your child’s movie playing behind you while you are on the phone.  There’s no need to explain it; just move forward. You and your coworkers are all navigating this time together. If anything, this will humanize your team and foster stronger connections.

Get Personal

Make a point to touch base with your team on a personal level. We don’t see each other as often right now and a lot of office culture and team fluidity has been built on face-to-face interactions.  Since that doesn’t exist, we email, message, call, or video conference. While that helps keep the work on track, it’s not the same as reaching out by phone to check in on a personal level.

Trust Your Team

The temptation to schedule more meetings or check-ups is normal. But remember this: Nothing has changed in what your requirements, expectations or structure is other than the fact that now it’s remote. There’s no need to manage any differently than how you did before March 2020.  Your team might indeed need to adjust because work-life balance looks different now. But in the end, your expectations of them are the same. If the output is the same the management should be too.

Find Ways to Bring the Team Together Virtually

Set up virtual happy hours, internal contests, or simply take some time in your meetings to check in with your team to see if their needs have changed.  There are a lot of ways to keep your employees pointed in the right direction and make sure that they feel that they are an integral part of the machine.

Set Your Company Apart

This is a great opportunity to think about what makes your company, culture, and team different from the rest. It’s important to highlight those things to remind your employees of the company’s ultimate goal. This will refresh everyone’s focus and sense of pride to be working with an effective and goal-oriented team.

I hope these tips have eased some of your worries.  Even though you might hear about how bad things are and how difficult it is to be remote; you can take this opportunity to strengthen your team.  When the day comes that we get to shake hands again, your team will be smiling, excited, and more motivated than ever.

-Brian Anson, COO

Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn for company news and updates!

As contractors are met with new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s crucial to find ways to minimize risk. Here are a few tips to help navigate these complex times.

Document EVERYTHING
Let’s talk about the biggest buzz phrase in construction – finishing projects “on time and under budget.”The reality is you’re going to face delays and unexpected costs. It’s imperative that you are documenting at every stage of projects. It is the single most important thing any general contractor or subcontractor can do to ensure full payment and, in worst cases, avoid litigation.

Communication
As deadlines loom and the work piles up, it’s natural for team members to put their heads down in an effort to get everything done. Working remotely can create an opportunity for communication to slip through the cracks. If you’re not following these two seemingly minor steps – communication and documentation – the owner of the project can turn around and say, “we don’t owe you anything because you didn’t follow contractual obligations,” and the finger-pointing begins.

Leverage Technology
One major step that’s going to help you with the previous points is having a single source of truth. Picture this: You receive a spreadsheet, make an edit, share it via email and suddenly there are numerous versions being emailed back and forth. By using software like StratusVue, you ensure version control and take a step towards the future of paperless job sites. It may seem daunting implementing technology, but doing so will have a massive effect on time savings. It’s not a matter of if, but when we will no longer see papers scattered around job sites.

Owners, now more than ever, are nervous about their projects. They not only want but need up-to-date documentation to feel at ease. Companies that provide accurate and timely data prove their reliability. This will appease owners on current projects and ensure future jobs. With all of your documents and communication in one location, you can focus on providing quality service.

Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for all of the latest StratusVue updates!