Constructor Magazine: Working Through Conflict on the Jobsite

Effective, respectful conflict management is an art—especially in an industry as stressful as ours. Conflict is often uncomfortable, so actively avoiding it can be an appealing solution. While this tactic may be more comfortable in the heat of the moment, it only leads to unexpressed frustrations, unmet needs, and superficial harmony. In contrast, going too far in the opposite direction can create a damaging and... read more

International Construction: “Construction rewards last-minute firefighting – there is a better way”

Our CEO Keyan Zandy was recently interviewed on the value of Lean Construction by Neil Gerrard with International Construction. We invite you to read Neil's intro and the full article: There was a point earlier in Keyan Zandy’s career when he asked himself if he was cut out for a construction career. It was shortly after he and his colleagues had spent 70 straight days trying to wrestle the first phase of a... read more

The Zweig Letter: Lessons We Can Learn from Gen Z

Generation Z can teach older generations valuable lessons about how they think and view their work. Meet the freshest faces in the American workforce: Generation Z, or simply “Gen Z.” Born in the window between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z – alongside their millennial compadres – has quietly but steadily become the majority, making up a whopping 50 percent of the entire U.S. population. Gen Z are our first... read more

Skiles Group Celebrates “Pioneer Spirit” at LCI Congress

We had an incredible time in Detroit — connecting with others and learning alongside so many Lean enthusiasts and practitioners from across the globe at the 25th Lean Congress! The cherry on top was cheering on our CEO, Keyan Zandy, as he accepted LCI’s 2023 Pioneer Award, which honors individuals “who have moved the Lean Construction Institute (US) forward by embracing and implementing Lean culture,... read more

Construction Dive: Interview with Keyan Zandy on Construction Lost Productivity

Construction lost as much as $40B on poor productivity in 2022 About half of contractors see labor inefficiencies worsening, according to a new report, but firms see relief through Lean practices. This Construction Dive article, by Zachary Phillips, explores the problem and possible solutions. Our CEO, Keyan Zandy, and other industry experts discuss ways to enhance productivity with Lean tools and... read more

Lean Construction Institute to Honor Keyan Zandy with the 2023 LCI Pioneer Award

The Lean Construction Institute (LCI) has named Keyan Zandy as its 2023 LCI Pioneer Award winner. The annual award recognizes individuals who have moved the design and construction industry forward in embracing and implementing Lean tools and techniques. “Keyan has been an active advocate and champion for Lean construction practices since 2005. He’s used Lean culture, practices, and tools to propel Skiles... read more

The Zweig Letter: Communication Builds Stronger Teams

Traditional construction practices pit trade partners against each other; adopting a collaborative team approach can enhance outcomes. For years general contractors have (unintentionally) made it incredibly challenging for our trade partners to succeed on projects. Our contracts silo them, we set arbitrary deadlines, and we pit them against each other for territory and work. It’s like a battle royale where... read more

Family Fun | Skiles Group Holds Annual Company Picnic

We had beautiful weather for some outdoor fun at our annual company picnic! It's always such a joy to see familiar faces and meet the wonderful families behind our talented team members. The Hamburger Man, Tongue in Cheek Ice Cream, bounce houses from Bounce Universe, axe throwing by Fort Worth Axe Factory, Bubble Head Caricatures, balloons by Daisy Iris Designs, corn hole games, and Cathy’s Critters Petting... read more

Constructor Magazine: The Labor Shortage Crisis – Understanding and Reversing the Trend

The construction industry is making great strides by evolving the delivery of work and incorporating new technologies, but there is still much room for improvement. It’s no secret that one of our biggest challenges is the labor shortage. Our entire industry needs more people—and we especially need more craftspeople in the trades. The impact of this one issue has a ripple effect across all projects. It means... read more

Skiles Group Office Staff Visits Job Site at Methodist Richardson

Methodist Health System Richardson Medical Center’s newly expanded emergency department is on schedule, with completion expected in spring 2024. Some of our staff recently took advantage of an opportunity to walk this job and see the progress first-hand—and a visit from the Kona Ice truck was the cherry on top. We can't wait to share more details about this exciting project, but for now you'll have to... read more