5 / 12
Contractors Driving Change
BY: CHAD MCLEOD, DIRECTOR , BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BALFOUR BEATTY CONSTRUCTION
With the demands
of today’s consumers
and the pace at which
technology drives response,
most businesses have
had tomake continual
adjustments to stay
relevant. Innovation
helped businesses produce
faster, with an eye on
quality, while enhancing
the “user” experience.
Traditionally, that drive
towards innovation was thrust upon
the construction industry, not driven
by contractors. It trickled down through ideas
sparked by the architecture community and
requirements outlined by our clients’ desires
tomeet sustainability and financial goals.
Today, the nature of the construction
industry is changing, and a major driving
force behind this change is the ever increasing
demand for real solutions. We ask ourselves:
How can we eliminate waste and drive out
inefficiencies to get it done
faster and better? How can
we enhance the quality and
experience without increasing
the cost?
These conversations
are resulting in a new
approach to thinking and
behaving that begins well in
advance of the delivery phase
of a project.
Let’s face it;
the average general
contractor can build a
building. However, the
way we align with our
clients’ needs and goals, leverage processes,
tools, team experience, and state-of-the-art
technology is what differentiates a ‘typical
builder’ from a ‘trusted advisor.’ Developing
those solutions begins analyzing project
well in advance of actually putting a shovel
in the ground. As an industry, we are getting
involved early to help owners and design
teams better incorporate efficiencies and
design/construction alternatives into the
planning process. We are constantly looking
at our industry’s best practices and analyzing
proper application of new techniques such as
pull planning, lean construction techniques,
safety, technology, off-site fabrication, green
energy retrofit, and sustainability. In addition,
we understand that our clients sometimes
have project needs that require funding
solutions such as Public Private Partnerships
(PPP) as alternate financing options that
allow for project execution without the
upfront investment.
Deciding to step out of the “business
as usual” mentality, which often plagues
the construction industry, is certainly not
revolutionary, but I’d like to think of it as
evolutionary
. Regardless of your business,
recognizing the needs of your clients and
developing solutions that are creative,
efficient, and innovative will set you apart as
a valued partner—not just a provider—in
the ever-changing and competitive services
industry.
Community
Presented by
WEDNESDAY, MAY
13
@ Gwinnett Center
Register to attend!
Join us as we celebrate premier
organizations in top industries
that are driving job creation and
economic development, while
enhancing our quality of life.
ImpactBusinessAwards.com
Hosted by
THE EXECUTIVE – Q2 2015
PAGE 5