Strategies 4 Impact! Inc.

strategy

[strat-i-jee]

What's New?

February 17, 2021

OPPORTUNITY – Government Stimulus 

The federal budget is scheduled in March.  Will include promised stimulus investment.  No doubt will include lots of bricks and mortar and civil infrastructure as is traditionally included. 

But, will there be more than the usual?

Writing in the Toronto Star, Heather Scoffield gives some examples of sectors of the economy that need more support than the construction sector.

And can provide a significant ROI to the Canadian economy.

If these are included in stimulus, what opportunities does that create for YOUR business?

Even if your business is not directly involved in one of these other sectors, consider how you might still benefit from stimulus investment in those sectors.  

February 15, 2021

CLIMATE POLICY – Biden’s U.S. & Canada

Smart Prosperity Institute hosted a webinar to discuss potential policy relationship between Canada and Biden’s U.S.  Key talking points included:

•US is Canada’s main trading partner, hopefully no longer the biggest impediment to Canadian policy-making

•Integrated economic, industrial markets

•Biggest challenge going forward – carbon pricing – political reluctance in U.S.

•'Border carbon adjustment' impact on trade

•Capturing economic opportunities in stimulus re climate change in both countries

February 11, 2021

THE BEST TEAM LEADERSHIP

Recent article in Inc. centred on Amazon teams.  Bezos used to push ‘2-pizza teams’ – keeping them small enough to be fed by two large pizzas. 

Amazon has now shifted to ‘STL’ teams – single-threaded leader. Recognizing the importance of having a single person with the right knowledge, skills and leadership ability charged with leading the team to success.

Brian has always emphasized this, including when coaching the collaboration that is at the heart of teams in Integrated Project Delivery.  

Optimize the benefits of multiple perspectives and collective energy, knowledge and skills by making certain ONE person, the RIGHT person, is responsible for leading that team.

February 10, 2021

OPPORTUNITY - ESG

An emerging demand in the market for ESG expertise/experience/strategy  offers potential opportunities.

Background - ESG is a relatively new concept – “Environmental Social Corporate Governance” as business strategy. Increasingly being assessed in the marketplace just like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) has been for decades.

Consider how your enterprise ESG will affect your competitiveness as a business. How to build that into the core of your business strategy.

Perhaps more importantly, imagine how YOUR BUSINESS can provide added value to your customers and clients supporting them in formulating their successful ESG strategy. No matter the raison d’etre of their business. 

We’re building that value-add into our offerings at Strategies 4 Impact!

btw, you may want to consider as an individual how you can add ESG expertise to your CV

February 4, 2021

Big Cities cf Smaller Communities 

A recent paper at CIBC prepared by bank economists offers a different perspective on the trend to move from Big Cities to Smaller Communities. 

Assumes the pandemic being a principal driver – will that hold post-pandemic?

Focuses on real estate prices and options and on the ability to work remotely. 

While it’s always important to fully explore trends, this paper doesn’t put much weight on the many other factors that may be behind a personal decision to favour smaller locales – factors that might be broadly grouped under ‘quality of life’.  

This trend, short or longer term, is still something to consider in your personal and professional decisions.

February 2, 2021

OPPORTUNITY - Finance and Net-Zero

Mark Carney (remember him?) writes in Corporate Knights how “finance can play a decisive role” in our societal and economic transition to sustainability, to net-zero. 

“Sustainable investing can shift from the fringes to the mainstream, driving the transformation.”

First, society needs to be clear that sustainability is a shared core value.  Including politically.  

To maximize returns, investment will then align with that core value.  “… addressing climate change is ultimately about delivering what society values."

"This means that the transition to a green economy can be the greatest commercial opportunity of our time.”

Consider the impact on YOU and YOUR business strategy. Financing is key to any successful venture.

January 31, 2021

OPPORTUNITY – Healthcare System Reforms

Healthcare systems worldwide will reform reflecting COVID experience.  (Yes, including Canada’s!)

Can/should YOU and YOUR BUSINESS be part of that process?

Expect governments to continue to set up panels, committees, etc. to study potential reforms.  Keep an eye on their progress.  Better yet, particularly if you have expertise and ideas to contribute, consider getting involved on or with them directly or indirectly.  That not only gives you opportunities to influence the outcomes, but also an ‘inside edge’ from a business perspective.

Keep in mind that there is almost always opportunity for public input. Never hesitate to put your ideas forward directly to government departments, politicians and the media (‘traditional’ and social).  Consider writing a ‘white paper’ and submitting/distributing it. Publish it. Bonus: You can use all of your input for business development and marketing.

Once the ideas and recommendations for reform start to gel, refine your business strategies to reflect them BEFORE they hit the market.

For example, Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission has already released two interim reports. 

Here is the First. 

And here is the Second. 

Consider how these may affect YOUR business opportunities and strategies, both directly and indirectly. 

Respond to the Commission, the government. Keep watching for further recommendations and the final report.

And, of course, also be considering how these may affect ‘YOU and YOURS’ on a personal level.

January 30, 2021

OUTSIDE THE GTHA

Interesting report/recommendations under the auspices of the Ontario Real Estate Association responds to an incubating trend of Ontarians moving out of large centres especially GTHA to rural and Northern Ontario. (See What's New? January 26 - Rethinking ... )

Authored by StrategyCorp Institute of Public Policy and the Economy, it discusses government policy related to business and residential land use.

Its conclusions are of interest to individuals and businesses who may be contemplating locating in, or relocating to, locations outside of the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.

Includes focus on residential and other supports for seniors.

It will also contribute to YOUR business strategies that can benefit from this emerging trend.  Manufacturing, commerce, development, construction and more!

January 29, 2021

RE-KINDLE YOUR NETWORK

We sit in on virtual lectures at Rotman.  Recently Author Marissa King (Prof of Organizational Behaviour at Yale) on Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection. 

One focus was on ‘networking’, especially in- and post-pandemic. 

Personal and business benefits.

Stressed that it is easier to rekindle a relationship that has lagged (or BEEN LAGGED by COVID) than to build new. 

One of the things Brian is working on right now!

January 29, 2021

PREFAB – BIG TIME!

Prefabrication and modularization are often seen as limited to small scale construction. 

This B1M segment shows how prefab has been successfully migrated to very large structures. 

Major infrastructure projects like bridges, aqueducts are delivered economically, quickly, safely and at higher quality. Stadia, very tall buildings designed for and constructed through prefabrication. 

And, as Brian has been saying for years, prefab is a key strategy for LEAN Design and Construction.

January 28, 2021

15 AND COUNTING

Just over 15 years ago Brian left the OAA to launch Strategies 4 Impact!, the professional service firm that provides highly-valued strategic advice and support to businesses in the design and construction sector, their associations and their clients.

Of course, s4i has also supported an extensive list of clients well outside that sector – clients who frequently cite the ‘wisdom’ Brian imparts from his extensive, varied range of life and professional experiences.

January 26, 2021

OPPORTUNITY – Rethinking our Cities and Communities

Article in the Toronto Star prompted a thought. COVID has led to – been a catalyst driving - an exodus of some ‘big-city’ dwellers to the burbs and beyond. Rationale includes things like affordability, space, killing the commute, work/life balance … in general, ‘quality of life’ (and that’s a big, broad one!)

What does this mean for those big cities?

For the communities that are the new homes for former city-dwellers?

Quotes urbanist Richard Florida at UofT School of Cities: “ … people who live in cities but really wanted to live in smaller places – they’ll leave. … Cities are going to become more for city-dwellers. This reset in rents, this movement of certain people to remote work – if we take advantage of it and are strategic, convert some of the commercial buildings to affordable housing and put our nose to the grindstone, we could make cities better and more affordable.”

Meantime smaller communities are seeing an influx of former city-dwellers.

First, and very importantly, what’s the impact on ‘YOU and YOURS’?

Second, what opportunities can you uncover in all of this for YOUR BUSINESS?

And then as Florida says, “put YOUR nose to the grindstone.”

January 25, 2021

OPPORTUNITY - Is Green the Colour of Recovery?

A recent McKinsey & Company piece on trends forecasts that recovery and stimulus will focus on sustainability and carbon reduction. 

Cites specific examples around the world including China, Biden’s US, the EU, South Korea, Columbia, etc.

Sounds like an OPPORTUNITY that will help you focus YOUR business strategies (not to mention your personal objectives, decisions and activities).

How can your business plan to benefit from the anticipated federal and provincial stimulus funding, while greening our world and delivering greatest value to customers?

This is just one of the many trends that Brian is tracking to best advise and support clients developing business strategies that will lead to post-COVID success (and profit!).

Keep watching here for more tips and trends!

January 24, 2021

OPPORTUNITY – Stimulus (with a ‘Best-Before Date’)

We are all pretty certain that federal and provincial governments will continue to rev up stimulus investment. 

And, hopefully, we’re all focusing on uncovering the opportunities that presents and the profit potential it offers.

BUT, every indication is that stimulus will be limited.  We are accumulating a lot of government debt. 

Unprecedented.

To this point we might characterize it as ‘consensus’ debt. And some take comfort that a growing, healthy economy will mitigate, even eliminate that concern over the longer term. 

Others are increasingly anxious to avoid increasing our collective debt load. 

Elections will happen.

Start planning NOW to find and seize opportunities that stimulus investment will bring. Research the potential investment targets. 

Develop YOUR unique strategies to tap into them.

We’re here to help you succeed and profit.

January 17, 2021

Neurodiversity and the Environment

Neurodiversity recognizes that conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurocognitive variables are just that – variables – not disabilities. 

Every person has a unique nervous system with a unique combination of abilities and needs. While the majority of the population lives within a range that is often called “neurotypical”, some, estimated at between 10 and 30% of us, experience exceptional strengths and challenges through “neurodivergence”. Strengths associated with “neurodivergence” can include high intelligence, creativity, leadership and focus. Challenges may relate to things like organization, distractibility, social interaction.

We can incorporate features in the creation of our built environment and the experience of the natural that reflect attention to neurodiversity – sensory factors like visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile, including such things as:

•Clarity of wayfinding through spatial organization, signage, colour, texture and the use of landmarks

•Variance in characteristics of indoor and outdoor spaces - things like scale, volume, acoustics, lighting, landscaping, pathways, art – ‘composition’

•Enriching views from indoor spaces to the outside environment 

•Inviting the outside in, facilitating daylighting, ventilation, sounds and smells

•Optimizing the experience of outdoor spaces through programming or augmentation

All intended to provide a wide range of sensory environments that reflect varying sensitivity to the built and natural environments.

How can a focus on neurodiversity improve your personal life and relationships? Your business, what you do and how you do it?

January 12, 2021

John Cleese on Creativity

(3rd in a series of thoughts on Creativity - see What's New? below)

Recently read and re-read his book called “Creativity – A short and cheerful guide”. (Yes, THAT John Cleese!)

His definition “By creativity, I simply mean new ways of thinking about things.” 

He makes the point that creativity applies beyond the traditional ‘arts’ – “Wherever you can find a way of doing things that is better than what has been done before, you are being creative.”

Illuminated by examples from his life as a writer, Cleese says that is what he calls an ‘unconscious’ activity.  (we might say ‘subconscious’). We need to be able to ‘play’ to be creative, without fear of failing.  But we must always do a rational analysis of our creative ideas before implementing them.

Prolific creatives delay decisions until the last responsible moment to allow that play … that iteration between play and rational analysis to continue as long as possible. (That’s also a LEAN concept that Brian has been teaching.)  

When you’re ‘playing’ creatively, avoid interruptions.

Closes with some specific ‘hints and suggestions’ shared from his own experience.Make creativity part of your every day in business and personal activities.

More on Creativity

(2nd in a series of thoughts on Creativity - see What's New? below)

The TED talk called “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” (see What's New below) got us thinking.  

Creativity is so often thought of in terms of ‘the arts’- like painting, photography, sculpture, music, dance, architecture and design …How can creativity enlighten every human endeavor? In science, mathematics, physics, engineering, in sports, travel, in our communities and our personal relationships … ?

In every business? 

Consider a few definitions of creativity …“… a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible or a physical object.” Wikipedia

“Original ideas that have value.” – Sir Ken Robinson, creativity expert who gave that TED talk

“Giving the world something it didn’t know it was missing.” – Daniel Pink

We’re supercharging our focus on creativity at Strategies 4 Impact!Think about how creativity can drive success in YOUR business as we move into 2021.

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

(1st in a series of thoughts on Creativity)

Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson led the British government's 1998 advisory committee on creative and cultural education, a massive inquiry into the significance of creativity in the educational system and the economy, and was knighted in 2003 for his achievements. 

This is a brilliant TED talk from 2006, now the most-viewed TED of all times. 

Very powerful messages, with a lot of humour.

“Creativity is as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.”

“Kids will take a chance [and be creative] – they are not afraid of being wrong. If you’re not afraid of being wrong you’ll never be creative.”

“We are educating people out of their creative capacity.”

He discusses how the public education system was created by the universities with the goal that everyone should be a professor. (He was one!) Meaning that the system is a “protracted process of university entrance”, focused on the technical to the detriment of creativity, which he defines as “original ideas that have value”.


January 11, 2021

The Manchester Miracle

The B1M presents a case study of a major industrial centre in the UK successfully overcoming de-industrialization by adapting to attract the tech and creative sectors.  Leveraging its heritage, it is revitalizing around Enterprise City to regain its recognition as ‘capital of the North’. It is the fastest growing tech hub in Europe and its expanding population reflects that.  

January 7, 2021

A Head Start with IPD

Article in Canadian Architect tells how HDR and its collaborators got a head start on an urgent, COVID-driven demand for health care surge facilities because of an established IPD team relationship.  Using IPD, the team created 26 fully outfitted surge facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin through that long-established and successful team connection.

Brian has been leading the evolution of LEAN IPD in Canada and has often cited the advantages of having established, collaborative team relationships in order to quickly provide innovative solutions. 

January 6, 2021

Gig Economy and Independent Workers

A hot topic these days, the trend toward ‘independent workers’ is accelerating, spreading into more sectors of our economy, all exacerbated by COVID-19. 

The Conference Board of Canada presents a podcast in its Future Skills series featuring Armine Yalnizyan, a well-known Canadian economist who is the Atkinson Foundation Fellow on the Future of Workers.

She outlines how her extensive research on income equality establishes a clear link with the gig economy.  She discusses the many definitions of ‘gig economy’, pointing out that many ‘independent contractors’ are not truly ‘independent’.  Talks about how we can respond to the challenges this introduces for Canada, and links all of this to increasing labour shortages in part because gig workers see no pathway to a sustainable life.  Even touches on immigration vs. temporary foreign workers. And More ...

How will this affect YOUR industry, YOUR own business … YOU?

Listen HERE to Episode 6.

January 4, 2021

Sounds A Bit Like IPD, Doesn’t It?

Article in The Voice from the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) in the US.  Written by Barry LePatner, a US attorney recognized as a leading advisor to owners and design professionals, the piece suggests ways to eliminate cost overruns and project delays FOREVER.  How?  Strategies like:

•Greater emphasis on upfront planning and design

•Shared risk and reward

•Transparency among parties and more sharing of information

•A built in profit for contractors when projects complete on time and on schedule

Not quite there, but starting to sound a bit like Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), the ‘team’ approach to designing and constructing projects.  That team includes owners, designers, contractors and subs and key suppliers that commit to complete and open collaboration and risk/reward sharing.

Brian has been in the vanguard of bringing IPD to Canada, educating, training, coaching and facilitating project teams.

January 1, 2021

HAPPY 2021 ... AT LAST!!

It feels so great to  type "2021"!!

A lot of us have never been so happy to say ‘g-bye’ to the past year!  At Strategies 4 Impact! we are optimistic and confident that 2021 while continuing, no doubt, to present some challenges, will also offer us huge opportunities!

In both our professional and personal lives.

Are you watching for them?

Brian certainly is … and he’d be happy to help you find the perfect opportunities for you and then work with you to develop your unique strategies to benefit from them!


December 22, 2020

HOW Can We Re-launch LEAN Post-COVID?

(This follows on earlier articles on a webinar "Did COVID Kill LEAN?" - see below)

Focus on re-building or creating a LEAN culture in your organization. 

COVID has halted a lot of the momentum toward LEAN in design and construction. 

So let’s rethink. Seize the opportunity.

COVID continues to mean that few can afford the time or $$ for the half-day, full-day and multi-day workshop sessions we were used to.  Let alone that physical distancing to counter epidemic spread makes large scale in--person workshops difficult if not impossible.

Instead develop practical ‘micro-burst’ education and training and deliver while projects are underway.  “Learn by doing” is a long-established LEAN principle.

Make them virtual or video where you can.

And this focused, practical, efficient approach to restarting LEAN is, in itself, very LEAN.

Above all ‘Respect People’, a key LEAN fundamental, as we ‘pull’ LEAN through organizations and teams.

December 21, 2020

WHY Is This the Time to Rethink and Relaunch LEAN?

(This follows on an earlier article on a webinar "Did COVID Kill LEAN?" - see below)

Lots of projects that were paused are already coming back.  More work.  The industry has been resetting and COVID accelerated that.  Vaccinations.  There is hiring and onboarding starting to happen. Momentum toward LEAN has paused (or been dialed back due to resource limitations).  Great opportunity to kick-start.  

December 20, 2020

Did COVID Kill LEAN?  

Interesting webinar featuring Dan Fauchier, a lead LEAN consultant in the U.S. (Dan was a partner in The ReAlignment Group when Brian was an associate there)

Short answer according to Dan, and Brian fully agrees, is “Yes!”  It killed LEAN as we knew it.  Dan, with Construction Accelerator® and others, surveyed and found that 60% of stakeholders felt LEAN was negatively affected by COVID.

So, now what?  Dan responds as Brian has: “Time to re-launch LEAN”.  It’s a huge opportunity for LEAN practitioners like consultants, designers, contractors. And to advance LEAN more broadly in the design and construction sector.

Watch for follow up articles in What's New?

Here’s the link to the webinar.

The link also lists a number of related resources to help you launch/re-launch your LEAN journey.

December 15, 2020

Future of Remote Work

S+B concludes that the ability to work remotely depends on the actual tasks expected to be completed. 

Analysed 2,000 tasks, 800 jobs in 9 countries, ranking them based on ability to complete a range of tasks remotely, including examples of work that can be done remotely as well as work that cannot be done remotely.

Points to a hybrid model. 

38% of employers now predict employees working at least two days outside of the workplace in future compared to 22% pre-COVID.

Also some useful insights into experience with remote work including comments on productivity.

Read it HERE

December 13, 2020

Post-COVID Design/Construction Sector

Great piece in S+B about a large design and construction firm in the US, their response to the pandemic and their vision Post-COVID.

In brief, a hybrid approach blending work-at-home with schedule collaboration time in office.

The CEO plans to downsize the offices which they just built.And, btw, this firm is extremely busy!

December 8, 2020

LEAN Design-Build

For many years, Brian has been reminding that LEAN principles, processes and tools can be applied to any model for delivering building design and construction projects – Integrated Project Delivery, Construction Management, Design-Build, Stip Sum.

Consensus Docs in the US just announced a contract template that incorporates many of these LEAN attributes into Design-Build. 

A good start for collaboratively developing a project-specific contract for your next Design-Build project.Consensus Docs are produced by a coalition comprising owners, designers, contractors and subs. 

There is a full range of contracts available through Consensus Docs though it is important to note that these are US documents and must be modified to reflect the law in Canada.

November 25, 2020

Info on federal support programs re COVID-19

Melissa Aveiro is a Partner with MNP and was part of the panel Brian moderated that was exploring the “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”. Brian asked her during the panel where designers and constructors can get the latest details on federal programs to support businesses responding to COVID-19.  Her answer was to tap into the CRA website. 

November 10, 2020 

Survey: State of the Design and Construction Industry

Brian supported Buildings Canada/informaconnect when they designed and then analyzed a survey of the Design and Construction Sector earlier this year to help determine the impact of COVID-19. 

Panelists for both of the panels he has moderated for Buildings Canada reviewed this data as background for their participation in the sessions.You can access the results for a ‘snapshot’ of the industry in early summer.

October 28, 2020

Did You Miss the Webinar?

Brian moderated a great virtual panel on October 27 – “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”

Over 600 in the audience.  Some terrific practical advice from the panelists that you can put to work right now to deal with the Second Wave of COVID.And some really solid information that you can use in your strategic and business planning as we envision a ‘reset’ in the design and construction sector.

A ‘reset’ or ‘pivot’ that many of us say is long overdue. 

Innovation.  Entrepreneurial spirit. Greater value for clients and owners and our communities. 

Not to mention increased profitability for businesses in the sector.

If you missed it, you can access on the Buildings Canada site.

October 26, 2020

Don’t Miss It!

Brian is moderating a panel on Tuesday, October 27 at 3pm that you and colleagues may be interested in, “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update:  Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”

Panelists will include a developer, a designer, a constructor and a business advisor. 

They will provide a ‘snapshot’ of the current state now that we’ve been dealing with COVID-19 for about 8 months, but more importantly discuss challenges and opportunities in the future – short- and longer-term.

We’re seeing ‘spikes’ or ‘upticks’ in COVID infections across Canada to varying degrees.  Experts are suggesting we are heading into (or already in?) a second wave which some worry may be worse than we faced last Spring.

What challenges will this bring?

What strategies can businesses in the sector create to mitigate and manage this resurgence? 

Can we build on some of the approaches we have used to date?And what does all of this mean for design and construction in the longer term?

Can we leverage our experiences to generate a much-needed ‘reset’ in the sector?

Buildings Canada/informa connect is producing the session.  Given my focus on strategy, I’ve been working with them to develop it.

I encourage you to invest an hour in your future while accessing some great information to support your own strategic planning.

Registration is FREE

October 22, 2020

COVID-19 – A Second Wave?

We are experiencing ‘upticks’ and ‘spikes’ in COVID-19 in Canada.  Is it a ‘second wave’? 

We have learned a lot in the first 8 months of the pandemic.  And it has had a huge impact on the design and construction sector. How can we build on that knowledge to mitigate the impacts while minimizing the damage to our sector?

The panel in “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?” will be discussing strategies.October 27 3pm ET

Brian is moderating.  See previous under What's New? below.

Registration is FREE


October 21, 2020

Replace Plastic with Air Carbon?

Canada has announced plans to reduce quantities of single-use plastics like straws, utensils, grocery bags and more by 2021. 

Newlight Technologies has developed an innovative, biodegradable plastic alternative that can capture greenhouse gases and won't pollute our oceans.  “Air Carbon” can substitute for plastic in many more consumer and commercial products than those single-use plastics on Canada’s list.

Here It Is

October 20, 2020

Did you Miss ““State of the Design & Construction Industry: What Are We Seeing?”

Brian moderated this virtual panel in June in which almost 1000 participated. 

The Oct 27th panel “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”, also moderated by Brian, builds on the base established in the June session.

If you missed it or want to refesh here's the link

October 19, 2020

MORE on “State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?”

The panel for this virtual session includes a developer, designer, builder and a business advisor with extensive experience in the sector. They will offer a broad range of perspectives on the present state of the sector and the incredible possibilities for the future.Invest an hour to let thought leaders help you imagine the future opportunities.October 27 3pm ET

Registration is FREE

October 18, 2020

State of the Design & Construction Industry Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?

Brian is moderating a virtual panel on the future of the design and construction sector on October 27th at 3pm ET. 

This session builds on the one he moderated in June, “State of the Design & Construction Industry: What Are We Seeing?”, that received rave reviews from nearly 1000 participants.

Panelists will describe the current state of their organizations, reflecting impacts of COVID-19. 

Brian will then direct a series of questions to them about the ongoing influences of COVID-19 and the potential to build on the changes the industry has implemented to  mitigate COVID and the possibilities of all of this leading to a much-needed reset in the sector.  Productivity, innovation, collaboration, technology, process, and more!

Invest an hour in your future on October 27 at 3pm ET.

Registration is FREE.

August 20, 2020

More on COVID and Mental Health

A careful read of the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario’s new resource “Psychological Toolkit for Heading Back to Work” demonstrates that it contains valuable guidance for those who are not in a strict employer-employee relationship.

In particular, the advice for employees is also germane to gig workers and the self-employed who have been isolating and are now contemplating a return to something that looks at least a bit like their ‘old normal’ work environment.

“The Cognitive Triad” explains how your thoughts impact your feelings, behaviours and actions. Thoughts can thus create a vicious cycle which causes resistance to change.

We all have “thinking styles” that can lead to negative emotions and feelings, in turn resulting in unhelpful behaviours.  And so much of this thinking is too often based on misperceptions.

The good news is that these can be unlearned.

Take an hour and read through this resource, and consider the advice through your personal lens.


August 19, 2020

Return to the Office and Mental Health

“ALMOST 70% of Ontarians believe the province is headed for a “serious mental health crisis” as it emerges from this pandemic.”

As the employer you’ve begun re-opening the office (or are considering it).  You’ve focused on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of phasing staff in, allowing choices to continue to work from home, at least temporarily.

As the employee, how do you feel about that?  Many employees – and employers – are feeling stressed for a long list of reasons.

How do employers and employees work together to mitigate the potentially dangerous effects of this stress?

The Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario has just released an excellent, detailed resource called “A Psychological Toolkit for Heading Back to Work” that provides valued ‘step by step’ support to employers and their employees.  Explains the stresses, the symptoms and strategies to avoid and mitigate.

August 12, 2020

A Nimble Industry

Brian talks regularly to many in the design and construction sector. (among others in business, non-profits and government)

He has heard so many stories about how businesses in the design and cosntruction sector – designers, builders, subcontractors, suppliers and more – turned on a dime to adapt to COVID and mitigate risk.

Big international firms that transitioned to Working From Home practically seamlessly. 

And smaller companies that didn’t have a lot of the necessary infrastructure in place and readily available. But they quickly learned from the experience of others, from online research, and managed the big shift.

This sector is often seen as slow to embrace change and opportunity.

COVID has proven otherwise for so many. 

The word that comes to mind is “nimble”.

Now, the big question is will some of these innovations and adaptations stick beyond COVID? (whenever that may ultimately be)

Brian is working with a few potential clients who are looking for strategic advice and support in exploring the options, making and executing decisions that will lead to greater satisfaction, deliver improved value and increase profitability.

August 10, 2020

LEAN Design-Build

For many years, Brian has been reminding that LEAN principles, processes and tools can be applied to any model for delivering building design and construction projects – Integrated Project Delivery, Construction Management, Design-Build, Stip Sum.

Consensus Docs in the US just announced a contract template that incorporates many of these LEAN attributes into Design-Build. 

A good start for collaboratively developing a project-specific contract for your next Design-Build project.

Consensus Docs are produced by a coalition comprising owners, designers, contractors and subs.  There is a full range of contracts available though it is important to note that these are US documents and must be modified to reflect the law in Canada.


August 7, 2020


Taming Email

Among the many books Brian’s reading is “Indistractable” by Nir Eyal about, you guessed it, managing the distractions that keep us from achieving our key objectives in work, play, family … in life!

And near the top of the list is technology, social media and email in particular.

Many of us are finding we are more susceptible to distraction as we work through COVID.

Here’s a short piece by Eyal on some straightforward and proven techniques to manage email.  (It’s not ‘rocket science’, but Brian is also reading an actual rocket scientist right now … Ozan Farol, “Think Like a Rocket Scientist”)


 

July 30, 2020

Continue Work From Home?

Many employers, including in design and construction, have implemented Work From Home (WFH) policies to help mitigate the risk of the coronavirus spreading.  Many of those have reported that with proper policies in place, production is as good – even better – than having everyone in the office.

As a result, many employers are continuing those WFH policies for an extended term, in some cases, permanently.  (As we are frequently reminded, COVID-19 is not over – many experts suggest it will linger long after we (hopefully) have a safe and effective vaccination)

Are you exploring extending WFH or perhaps initiating a universal or optional WFH policy?

Lots to consider, of course, and we’ll touch back with some of those important issues over the next several months.

Meantime, here’s a primer from strategy+business to start your thinking process.

June 23, 2020

StatsCan – Investment in Building Construction Down 45.9% Due to COVID

Not surprising – it bears out anecdotal analysis. Residential suffered a larger drop than ICI.  Important to note, though, that these numbers only run until April right when governments forced most construction sites to close down.  Activity has opened up to some degree across Canada in May and June

Read More HERE

June 11, 2020

Did you miss “State of the Design & Construction Industry: What Are We Seeing?”?.

Or would you like to review it again?  Or share it with colleagues?

Virtual Panel Now Available ON DEMAND - Free

Brian moderated an expert panel on June 9 under the auspices of Buildings Canada that explored the impact of COVID-19 on the design, development and construction sector.

1.            How were we affected over the last two quarters?

2.            Where are we now?

3.            Where do we go from here? Is this an opportunity for a reset in the construction industry?

As a strategist, Brian is most interested in the third topic.  Time for a ‘pivot’ … reinventing businesses in the sector.  Echoed by panelists.

Almost 1,000 people logged in to hear the perspectives of:

• Derek Goring, Executive Vice President, Development, Northcrest Developments
• Marcus Gillam, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gillam Group Inc.
• Craig Applegath, Founding Principal, Toronto Studio of DIALOG
• Melissa Aveiro, Regional Leader of Real Estate & Construction and Tax Services in Southwestern Ontario, MNP LLP (who noted in the discussion that her husband owns a construction company)

The kudos continue to come in … it was a great session!

Access it HERE at no charge!

Results of the survey mentioned in the discussion will be available at the end of June (Brian helped develop the survey and is assisting with the analysis of responses)



June 1, 2020

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Design, Development and Construction Sector - Virtual Panel to Discuss

Informa has coordinated a virtual panel discussion to discuss the Impact of COVID-9 up until now, currently, and in the future.

“State of the Design & Construction Industry: What Are We Seeing?”

Brian assisted in developing the outline for this session and will moderate it.

Panelists will be responding to three topics/questions:

1.            How were we affected over the last two quarters?

2.            Where are we now?

3.            Where do we go from here? Is this an opportunity for a reset in the construction industry?

As a strategist, Brian is most interested in the third topic.  

We are looking forward to insights from the panelists:

• Melissa Aveiro, Regional Leader of Real Estate & Construction and Tax Services in Southwestern Ontario, MNP LLP
• Derek Goring, Executive Vice President, Development, Northcrest Developments
• Marcus Gillam, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gillam Group Inc.
• Craig Applegath, Founding Principal, Toronto Studio of DIALOG

The Virtual Panel will take place Tuesday, June 9 from 3pm to 4pm  EDT.

Registration is Free.  Go to:



May 14, 2020

Business Strategy - Fair and Equitable Contracts

Brian just viewed a virtual panel discussion of design and construction industry experts.  Lots of thoughts about what is happening now with COVID, and things that owners, designers and builders can do moving forward.

Including a strong message about making certain you have fair and equitable contracts that deal in a balanced way with:

• shared risk
• increased costs related to managing/mitigating COVID - yes bid prices will be higher
• protecting worker health and safety

Brian advises all to carefully review contracts from these perspectives.  A big example, clear and fair definition of 'force majeure'.

May 11, 2020 

Managing Remote Workers

More and more companies are having employees work from home to deal with the challenges of the coronavirus.  Here’s some advice from the Harvard Business Review including:

• How to supervise remote workers, I part by daily ‘check-ins’
• Accessing necessary information
• Managing social isolation, loneliness and distractions
• Establishing the rules of engagement for employer and worker

Read the article HERE



May 9, 2020

Business Development Strategy

Prepare for Stimulus Funding 

Stimulus is coming, focused a lot on infrastructure.  Brian launched and built his architectural practice by creating a strategy to use government stimulus funding coming out of the 1982 recession.  Here’s an outline: 

Research funding potential – know more than your clients/customers  - AND COMPETITORS – be the expert advisor

Identify projects and business activities that will fit those potential funding sources

Support clients/customers in developing their strategy to tap in to the funding

Facilitate the application process

Then, when you’re successful, Project Manage the funding – monitoring budget and scope; reporting; refining scope and budget

April 23, 2020 

Virtual Teaming in the Age of COVID-19

So, lots of remote work happening.  But we are used to working in teams.  Yes, there are some great tech tools, but how do we build a true team culture?

This article is framed around conference calling, but the same approach can be applied when using those tech tools.

Create empathy.   Employ spontaneity.  Be agile. 

Here’s the article in Strategy+Business.



April 22, 2020

Industry Survey on COVID-19

Brian is supporting the development of a survey of the design and construction sector, including owners, designers, constructors, developers and others that will explore the impact of COVID-19 and highlight some of the efforts put in place to mitigate those impacts.  The sponsor intends to distribute the survey mid-April to its extensive email list.  Results will be tabulated and analysed and provide some of the content for a virtual panel discussion in June.

Watch here for more details. 

April 20, 2020

Work From Home Policy

Brian recently sat in on a webinar presented by one of Canada’s biggest law firms.  One lawyer specializes in employment and workplace law.  With so many employees working remotely during the COVD lockdown, she reported she is receiving multiple requests every week for assistance in drafting Work From Home policies (WFH).

This is something that Brian suggests is imperative when an employer has staff working remotely, as is often the case under our current COVID-19 restrictions. 

It is critical that employer and employee establish the framework and expectations for work outside of the workplace.

The employer and those who will be WFH should discuss, negotiate and confirm.  The WFH policy may be a standard one, or customized for each employee. It should be developed in consultation with legal counsel.

Here are a few ideas for content of the WFH policy:

•               Performance expectations – defining deliverables is preferable to prescribing hours of work. This establishes expectations clearly and gives the employee the flexibility to adapt to, for example, demands from children who are online learning at home

•               Overtime – in Ontario, for example, the Employment Standards Act applies to WFH.  Are there weekly limits to hours worked?  Can they be averaged per the ESA?  What rate of pay is applicable to overtime hours? Is prior approval needed before those WFH perform overtime work and, if so, who approves and how? Employers should require employees to track their time.

•               Cybersecurity is a major issue that IT processes must address.

•               Privacy requirements, especially if using the Cloud

•               Accommodation for employees working remotely, e.g. re. family status

•               Confidentiality requirements, especially if using the Cloud

•               When does the employee need to be accessible to team members, owners/clients, management, etc.  And v.v. – when will team members, management, etc. be available to the person WFH? How best to access the employee and v.v?  (phone, email, video, etc.)

•               Ideally the WFH policy should set expectations around work/life balance and outline how those WFH can protect that balance

•               Hardware and software requirements and who provides it?  Who maintains it?  How do those WFH deal with an emergency re. hardware or software?

April 15, 2020

Brian at UW re Post-COVID

Brian recently dellivered a virtual lecture to master's students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. Brian took the opportunity as he was wrapping up to engage in some ‘blue-skying’ about where the profession and industry may be going post-COVID.  He had talked about the poor productivity and resulting low profitability that has plagued this sector of the economy. While all other sectors have seen significant improvements in productivity, this sector has been flat for over 50 years.  On the designer side of the equation, for example, he noted that most firms are making use of remote working, i.e. working from home.  While it is new on this wide a scale, and is not perfect, most firms are finding ways to make it work.  So, if it is working well, and can benefit from continuous improvement … why would we go back to the ‘old normal’?  COVID could be a catalyst that leads us to adapt and innovate – at last!

This simple notion resonated with those in the ZOOM meeting! 

February 16, 2020

Brian and LEAN IPD at U of Waterloo

Brian has accepted an invitation to present a session on LEAN and Integrated Project Delivery in the Introduction to Professional Practice stream at the School of Architecture, University of Waterloo. He’ll offer an updated version of the sessions he has offered at the Daniels School at U of T.  Includes discussion of the drivers behind a shift to LEAN and IPD, the basic principles of LEAN and IPD and the substantial benefits of combining the two are for owners, designers and constructors.  He’ll introduce the M.Arch. students to some of the key processes and tools that support LEAN and IPD teams, including the role he often plays in facilitating these projects.

February 4, 2020

Fourteen Years …

Just over fourteen years ago Brian gave notice he was leaving his long-held role of executive director at the Ontario Association of Architects.

We launched Strategies 4 Impact! and have been ‘having a ball’ enjoying the huge variety of opportunities that come with running a professional services firm.  Strategic and business planning with lots of individual clients – for-profit and not-for-profit; facilitating constructive discussions and negotiations between Infrastructure Ontario and the design and construction sector for 7 ½ years; advising Capital Planning and Strategies Branch at Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; leading the introduction of Lean and Integrated Project Delivery across Canada, just to name a few!

And the very best of it all is working with a lot of intelligent, creative, successful and fun people!

If you noticed, we finished the title with an ellipsis - three dots.  We’re enjoying Neal Pasricha’s latest book “You Are Awesome”.  He’s talking about resilience and his Rule 1 is never finish with a period because it implies ‘end of the line’.  Instead, finish with an ellipsis … and keep moving, living and celebrating!

Onward and Upward!!



John Cleese on Creativity

(3rd in a series of thoughts on Creativity)

Recently read and re-read his book called “Creativity – A short and cheerful guide”. (Yes, THAT John Cleese!)

His definition “By creativity, I simply mean new ways of thinking about things.”  He makes the point that creativity applies beyond the traditional ‘arts’ – “Wherever you can find a way of doing things that is better than what has been done before, you are being creative.”

Illuminated by examples from his life as a writer, Cleese says that is what he calls an ‘unconscious’ activity.  (we might say ‘subconscious’). We need to be able to ‘play’ to be creative, without fear of ‘failing’.  But we must always do a rational analysis of our creative ideas before implementing them. Prolific creatives delay decisions until the last responsible moment to allow that play … that iteration between play and rational analysis to continue as long as possible. (That’s also a LEAN concept that Brian has been teaching.) 

When you’re ‘playing’ creatively, avoid interruptions.

Closes with some specific ‘hints and suggestions’ shared from his own experience.

Make creativity part of your every day in business and personal activities.

Creativity

(2nd in a series of thoughts on Creativity)

The TED talk called “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” got us thinking. 

Creativity is so often thought of in terms of ‘the arts’- like painting, photography, sculpture, music, dance, architecture and design …

How can creativity enlighten every human endeavor? In science, mathematics, physics, engineering, in sports, travel, in our communities and our personal relationships … ?

In every business?

Consider a few definitions of creativity …

“… a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible or a physical object.” Wikipedia

“Original ideas that have value.” – Sir Ken Robinson, creativity expert who gave that TED talk

“Giving the world something it didn’t know it was missing.” – Daniel Pink

We’re supercharging our focus on creativity at Strategies 4 Impact!

Think about how creativity can drive success in YOUR business as we move into 2021.

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

(1^st in a series of thoughts on Creativity)

Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson led the British government's 1998 advisory committee on creative and cultural education, a massive inquiry into the significance of creativity in the educational system and the economy, and was knighted in 2003 for his achievements.

This is a brilliant TED talk from 2006, now the most-viewed TED of all times.  Very powerful messages, with a lot of humour. “Creativity is as important in education as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.” “Kids will take a chance [and be creative] – they are not afraid of being wrong. If you’re not afraid of being wrong you’ll never be creative.” “We are educating people out of their creative capacity.” He discusses how the public education system was created by the universities with the goal that everyone should be a professor. (He was one!) Meaning that the system is a “protracted process of university entrance”, focused on the technical to the detriment of creativity, which he defines as “original ideas that have value”.

https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?rid=ePeMfAzmigPo&utm_source=recommendation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=explore&utm_term=watchNow#t-1224824

what's brian reading?

Create Your Own Opportunities!

For many years Brian has encouraged everyone to, yes, manage the challenges we all face BUT to SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES!

In both our professional and personal lives.

This book outlines the science of luck. 

We need to practice being attentive to opportunities, open to change, be willing to take risks, be able to think differently than others.  

We need to be optimistic. 

And we need not just to watch for opportunities, we can do a lot to create them! 

This book gives you some great strategies and practical advice to do exactly that.

Don’t settle for ‘I wish I were as lucky as her’. Instead, realize that we can work – yes work – to put everything in place to create opportunities and prepare ourselves to take advantage of them.

Wayne Gretzky’s Dad, Walter, taught him to “Skate to where the puck will be."

In other words, ”Position yourself where opportunities will be around you.“

"Real luck occurs at the intersection of chance, talent and hard work.”

Seneca said “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

As we emerge, hopefully soon, from a pandemic we need more than ever to create our own opportunities … and luck!

What Brian is Reading to His Grandchildren

Great little story about an ‘older’ architect and a younger one, Old Frank’s grandson Frank.

They talk about architecture and cities.  Visit the MOMA together and Old Frank sees things he hadn’t imagined architects do … twisty buildings, for example.  Young Frank saw some of the classics.

Old Frank felt younger and wiser … Young Frank felt older, in a good way.

Helps the 6 grandkids understand what architect Brian (Papa) is all about.

Mark Kushner is a practicing architect in the U.S. who also curates an online exhibit of world architecture on Architizer.com. 

In this TED book, he has collected images of 100 buildings that he feels represent future potential of architecture, categorized:

·         Extreme Locations, like Antarctica

·         Reinvention - adaptive reuse and innovative use of materials

·         Get Better - buildings can have a truly positive impact on people

·         Pop-Up - as it suggests, examples of ‘pop-up’ architecture happening unexpectedly

·         Shape Shifter - how new tech, digital modeling are leading to unique spaces

·         Drive, architecture to accommodate cars and transits

·         Nature Building, incorporating nature landscapes in, onto and around buildings

·         Shelter from the Storm, resilient design

·         Shrink - thinking and designing smaller (Tiny Houses?)

·         Social Catalysts - architecture encouraging the act of community

·         Fast Forward - new materials and systems, new ways of constructing - buildings that eat smog?

Generally there's a single image of each building, with commentary by Kushner.

A very interesting, thought-provoking read for anyone who has an interest in building!



In other words "Differentiate Yourself".

Very quick, easy, entertaining read.

Cole is owner of two college level summer league baseball teams.  Both perennial losers.  He turned them around spectacularly.

By being different than all of the competitors. 

He turned a college football game into "a circus" by framing it as entertainment.  A circus with Cole as the ringmaster ... wearing a yellow tux and top hat.  

Both teams started attracting bigger crowds, making (not losing) money ... winning.

How can you apply this kind of thinking to YOUR situation ... you and your entrprise?

"... finding your yellow tux is about standing out and sharing the best version of yourself."

"It's about you, your business, your legacy."

"That's why I say if it's normal, do the exact opposite."

BUT "... yellow tuxing isn't about being different for the sake of being different."

Cole lays out his three-pronged approach:

1. Yellow Tuxing Yourself

2. Yellow Tuxing Your Business

3. Yellow Tuxing Your Legacy

The latest from Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, Drive and more.

This time his focus starts with our internal clocks, circadian rhythms.

When to make or NOT make fateful decisions.

Don't go 'under the knife' in July, research shows ... young interns flood into hospitals as full-fledged docs and are more prone to making mistakes.  It's known as 'killing season' in England.

Are you a 'lark' that excels in the morning?  An 'owl' that excels in the wee, small hours?  Or what Pink calls 'third birds' that are somewhere in between?

He says we often ask "Who? What? Where? Why?" but too often forget to consider "When?".

Hence this book.  He focuses on beginnings, midpoints and endings ... and more.

Fascinating read that brings 'scientific secrets of perfect timing' into play.  psychology, biology, neuroscience and economics.

This will get you thinking about your past, present and future.

And when you should make those fateful decisions!

Pivot YOU ... Pivot Your Enterprise!

Jenny Blake created the Pivot Method to guide those 'impacters' among us who are planning career changes.

Impacters are individuals who optimize high net growth and impact, not just high net worth.  They love learning, taking action, tackling new projects, and solving problems.  They are generous and cooperative and imbued with a strong desire to make a difference.

And candidates for career change.

Her step-by-step method to guide career trajectory decisions:

Plant - your strengths as your foundation

Scan - what are the opportunities?

Pilot - Try a few low-risk test runs before you make the big decision.

Launch - Go For It!

She adds another step for organizational leaders - LEAD.

Lots of examples and details.

And take heart. Don't worry that someone else has already grabbed your vision.  "Your biggest vision is worth pursuing.  Just as no two people have the same fingerprint, your ideas have not yet been tackled with your unique upbringing, worldview, and life experiences at this moment in time, in the framework of our current economy and technology, for your intended community."

And, she only hints at this, but you can take the same approach to Pivoting your business!!

Brian is helping businesses apply LEAN principles, tools and processes to deliver greater value to customers, eliminate waste and introduce continuous improvement across their enterprise.

He has focused in particular on LEAN in Design, speaking at a number of design/construction conferences and advising/coaching private sector companies.

The Lean Turnaround is a great reference!