Category: Coaching & Consulting
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‘I’m Not Done Yet’ – Ally Jencson on Constructing a Rebel
Ally Jencson didn’t have a traditional path to construction. She wasn’t born into it. She didn’t follow her family’s footsteps. Instead, she worked up — from window washing to floor finishing — as a mom of four. It’s a path that would light the way not just for her family, but for thousands of people as her employees and…
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Rethinking Pricing as Tariffs Hit
Trump’s election will likely improve demand conditions for construction spending but also include risks based on tariffs, project timing, and completion due to labor and supply implications from policies. Early themes from builders, remodelers, and contractors indicate optimism from the election outcome partly due to clarity and certainty of administration tone for the next four…
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Mental Health and Substance Misuse Support in Apprenticeship Programs
John Burcaw, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Academic Education at the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest (FTIUM), has been a driving force in integrating mental health and substance misuse education into apprenticeship programs. FTIUM is affiliated with District Council #82 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). His approach…
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Why Cloud-Based Communication is Revolutionizing Construction
In today’s fast-paced construction environment, staying connected isn’t just a necessity, it’s the key to remaining on schedule and under budget. Yet, many construction companies still rely on outdated communication systems that hinder productivity, create confusion, and ultimately impact project timelines. Forward-thinking construction professionals in 2025 are moving beyond these limitations, ditching outdated systems and…
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5 Things You Should Know About Women in Construction
Ever since the industry began, jobs in the construction industry were notoriously seen as men’s jobs. While more women have started joining the industry, there is still a major discrepancy between the two genders. Women in construction (WIC) have come a long way but there is still a lot of work to be done before…
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Improve Construction Project Performance by Implementing a Success System
It would be great to complete every construction project exactly as you planned. With so many activities and things that can go wrong and out of your control, this would be nearly impossible. Building a perfect project would deliver the following performance: On-budget completion including crew field production. On-schedule completion with timely close-out. All contract…
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NCCCO and NSC Release New Online Safety Tool for the Crane Industry
The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) Foundation and the National Safety Council (NSC) partnered to develop a free online tool that offers a list to assist companies and individuals using cranes and other load-handling equipment to improve jobsite safety. The list of controls, tailored to address the most significant hazardous situations that contribute to serious incidents and…
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Gordian Reveals Construction Industry Cost Insights for Q1 2025
As a provider of data-driven solutions for the building lifecycle, Gordian released its 2025 RSMeans Data. The RSMeans Data is updated quarterly to reflect the state of cost lines in the industry. Gordian reported that construction costs continued to increase slightly faster than inflation heading into 2025, with labor wages rising by an average of…
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![[SERIES] International Pavement Maintenance Part 2: Controlling Your Costs](https://www.craftyourcastle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SERIES-International-Pavement-Maintenance-Part-2-Controlling-Your-Costs.png)
[SERIES] International Pavement Maintenance Part 2: Controlling Your Costs
Meeting with more than one hundred contractors personally, it was quite refreshing to hear of their willingness and desire to tight their “money belts” when it came to running their business. In fact, as more than one contractor told me, “Hey Mate, when you live on an island, you tend to be a bit more…
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AGC Chief Economist on Construction Challenges in 2025
Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)Associated General Contractors of AmericaTo assess emerging trends and both current and future concerns of the construction industry, the Equipment Today (ET) team team spoke with experts throughout the industry. In our conversation below, Ken Simonson, chief economist, Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), offers insights…