Futuristic technologies, like drones and augmented reality, are currently an exciting source of innovation in the construction industry as they radically reshape the way projects are built and delivered to clients. And yet, in other ways, the industry is stuck in the stone age. One such dinosaur is the existing template for the general contractor/trade partner dynamic, which too often can be adversarial, not... read more
The Lean Builder: A Builder’s Guide to Applying Lean Tools in the Field Receives Shingo Publication Award
We're proud to share that The Shingo Institute has given their prestigious Publication Award to our COO, Keyan Zandy and his co-author Joe Donarumo for their book, The Lean Builder: A Builder’s Guide to Applying Lean Tools in the Field. The Lean Builder presents Lean processes and principles in a character-driven and easy to read novel format with practical scenarios that any construction project team can relate... read more
D Magazine: 10 Easy Ways To Run An Efficient Virtual Meeting
I think it is fair to say that many of us have probably attended more virtual meetings over the past few months than we have in the past few years. In addition to having to learn about the different platforms of virtual meetings such as Zoom, GoTo Meeting, Teams, Webex, StarLeaf, and such, we have also had to learn proper etiquette. Some examples include turning your camera on, having a professional backdrop,... read more
Construction Executive Magazine: “Flipping the Script: Strong Partnerships Between Trades and General Contractors”
The current condition of the construction industry is broken, by many accounts. Work is heavily commoditized and contractors are pushing themselves and their teams to do more with less—working faster, for less money, on increasingly complex projects. Skilled craftsmen are rarer, and the labor shortage is severely impacting productivity across the country. If contractors want to attract new talent and bring more... read more
The Zweig Letter: Tell a Story, Build a Better Project
The next time you have a critical project or important concept to communicate, forget the jargon and consider telling a story. Since biblical times, when parables communicated religious philosophy, stories have been used to engage audiences and help them comprehend even the most difficult or esoteric of concepts. More recently, fables have been used to communicate management principles. For example, The Goal by... read more
Skiles Group Wins 2020 Distinguished Building Award
Skiles Group is honored to have won first place in this year’s TEXO’s Distinguished Building Awards competition in the General Contractor- Health Care 3 (Over $30 M) category for the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Vertical Expansion & Parking Garage project. Congratulations to all of the winning teams and projects, which can be viewed on TEXO's Facebook... read more
Medical Construction & Design: Vertical Expansion Unveiled at Methodist Richardson Hospital
Vertical Expansion Unveiled at Methodist Richardson Hospital Methodist Richardson Medical Center in Texas unveiled its vertical expansion with a grand opening ceremony in December 2019. During the project, two new floors were added to the already existing hospital, which stayed open and operational throughout. The addition totaled 104,000 square feet. The $85-million expansion adds 150 all-private, acute... read more
Construction Best Practices Magazine: How To Implement Lean on Your Projects
As a field-focused lean practitioner, I’m often asked for my thoughts around the most effective way to implement lean methodologies on a construction project. Here’s a quick “how-to,” outlining the benefits of lean construction tools and processes, with an emphasis on their practical application to improve communication and workflow. Step One: Move to a Daily Huddle Are your subcontractor/field... read more
Dara Davulcu Joins Zweig Group’s Inaugural 2020 ElevateHer™ Cohort
Dara Davulcu, our Director of Marketing, has been accepted as a member of Zweig Group's 2020 ElevateHer™ cohort—"a special task force comprised of individuals with a commitment to promote diversity as a means to combat recruiting and retention challenges in AEC." Skiles Group shares and supports Zweig Group's mission to elevate the industry, and we're proud to have a staff member join this groundbreaking... read more
Construction Executive Magazine: Evolving the Trade Partner Relationship
Construction’s current evolution sees the introduction of futuristic technologies, such as drones and augmented reality, that are radically shaping the way projects are built and delivered to clients. And yet, in other ways, the industry is stuck in the stone age. One such dinosaur is the existing template for the general contractor/trade partner dynamic, which is one of adversaries, not allies. There are... read more