Problem Statement: How can we reduce after-hours theft on homebuilding job sites?
Business Impact: Builders are losing $1,000's of dollars when theft occurs at job sites. Theft includes:
Wood and construction materials
Equipment and tools
Appliances, lights, and other fixtures
More about the problem:
Most theft occurs at night once all builders have left the site.
Theft increases even more if the new construction is in a remote area away from other neighborhoods.
Even when theft is caught on video tape, the ability to prosecute and recoup losses are slim. The problem needs to be focused on deterring theft and not recouping the lost materials.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
They use Go-Pros or hunting cameras. However, even if theft is caught on camera, the chances of prosecuting (and more importantly) recouping the stolen material is very low.
Companies have insurance to protect against theft; however, deductibles (per-event) are $5,000. So any theft below $5,000 isn't worth filing and will always be paid out of pocket by the the business.
Key Stakeholders:
Adam Visstski, Eaglewood Homes
Additional Resources:
Construction Jobsite Thefts Increasing During Pandemic: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/jobsite-thefts-increase-during-pandemic/
The Real Cost of Construction Jobsite Theft: https://mcsmag.com/real-cost-construction-jobsite-theft/
How Theft Happens on the Jobsite – and How to Stop it: https://www.truelook.com/resources/blog/how-theft-happens-on-the-jobsite-and-how-to-stop-it/
8 Steps to Prevent Construction Site Theft: https://www.forconstructionpros.com/blogs/construction-toolbox/blog/10811757/theft-prevention-on-the-construction-jobsite
5 High-Tech Ways To Control Construction Site Theft: https://www.constructconnect.com/blog/blog-five-high-tech-ways-to-control-construction-site-theft
Five Simple and Budget-Conscious Tips to Deter Construction Site Crime: https://www.forconstructionpros.com/business/article/21415413/provigil-five-simple-and-budgetconscious-tips-to-deter-construction-site-crime
Problem Statement: How can we reduce after-hours theft or vandalism of equipment trailers.
Business Impact: Similar to general job-site theft problem, contractors are losing $1,000's of dollars when their equipment trailers are targets of theft. However, this event can be even more impactful because the thieves target the contractor's tools - which stops all work until the tools are replaced. So while general theft can impact the bottom-line of a company, equipment trailer theft or vandalism tends to hurt individual contractors the most.
More about the problem:
Thieves either break-in to trailers and take equipment or sometimes they steal the entire trailer, equipment and all.
Nearly all trailer theft happens at night.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
They use traditional padlocks on the outside of the doors (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/XSYAAOSwLnBX8nTA/s-l400.jpg)
They use Hitch Locks to prevent thieves from hooking on to the hitch (https://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/best-boat-trailer-lock.jpg)
GPS trackers on the trailer (in case it gets completely stolen)
Key Stakeholders:
Levi Smith, President, Franklin Building Supply
Additional Resources:
Trailers An Easy Target For Thieves: Here are tips to keep yours from being stolen: https://katu.com/news/local/trailers-an-easy-target-for-thieves-here-are-tips-to-keep-yours-from-being-stolen
Trailer And Construction Equipment Theft; Statistics and Prevention: https://matrackinc.com/trailer-and-construction-equipment-theft-statistics-and-prevention/
Second theft from Cypress business delivers tough blow to owner: https://www.click2houston.com/news/2018/01/05/second-theft-from-cypress-business-delivers-tough-blow-to-owner/
Problem Statement: In store sales are delayed or lost because customers have a hard time visualizing cabinets/countertops/etc. in their own space - thus giving them reluctance to buy.
Business Impact: High end, they lose out on $1,000's per customer if they walk away without making a commitment or purchase in-store. If online competitors provide visualization tools, it increases the odds that the customer will be forever lost. On the lower-impact end, it minimally delays the sales cycle and requires more work-hours to close the customers (thus lowering the margins of sales).
More about the problem:
Carpet companies and storage sheds have utilized visualization tools, but there is nothing reliable for cabinets, fixtures, faucets, etc.
There are tools to help visualize the layout space, but that doesn't address the problem of "will X look good in our home?" or "will Y match our colors?"
Products change all of the time - so any visualization tools would need to quickly adapt constantly changing products.
When at the store, most customers do not have pictures of the space they are looking to remodel.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Companies give customers free samples to take home with the hopes they can come back.
It appears bigger online brands like Wayfair and Build.com have augmented tools for their products.
Key Stakeholders:
Levi Smith, President, Franklin Building Supply
Additional Resources:
Phone Apps That Assist With Home and Kitchen Remodeling: https://www.awakitchencabinets.com/phone-apps-that-assist-with-home-and-kitchen-remodeling/
8 Augmented Reality apps that let you visualize home improvements on your phone: https://techgadgetscanada.com/use-augmented-reality-iphone-redecorate-home/
Tando’s Visualization Tools Help Dealers and Contractors Design Exteriors, Close Sales: https://www.prweb.com/releases/tandos_visualization_tools_help_dealers_and_contractors_design_exteriors_close_sales/prweb17578523.htm
Problem Statement: There is not an effective process to pass along legacy/tribal knowledge without years of training and observation.
Definition of Tribal Knowledge: Tribal knowledge (sometimes referred to as hidden knowledge) is any undocumented information that only certain people at your company have. It refers specifically to knowledge that everyone (or most people) on your team needs to produce quality results.
Business Impact: While individual companies have a hard time measuring the specific economical impact (numbers wise), the following impacts can be felt:
More mistakes are made that cause refunds and customer frustrations
Makes businesses more reliant and vulnerable to veteran employees for their knowledge (not necessarily performance)
Slows the on-boarding process and requires additional supervision
More about the problem:
Most of these details are super small, nuanced things employees learn over time. For example, "when X company orders Y, we have a special way we pack it for them." There are hundreds of small, customer or product specific knowledge that's hard to document.
Even if the process is documented, how would it be effectively trained and retained?
Who in the organization would own the process of knowing the tribal knowledge that needs to be documented?
Specifically the younger generation does not like reading from manuals. They
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Most companies are not doing anything to resolve this issue. It's just considered as "the way," albeit ineffective.
There appears to be plenty of software aiming to solve this issue. If your team tackles this problem statement, it would be important to understand if there is a problem with the existing software and solutions, or is it not a prioritized problem in the organization?
Key Stakeholders:
Sky Eckert, Weyerhaeuser
Jessica Priest, Weyerhaeuser
Sarah Fulcher, Weyerhaeuser
Additional Resources:
How To Capture Tribal Knowledge Before It’s Too Late: https://trainual.com/how-to-capture-tribal-knowledge/
What is Tribal Knowledge and How Do You Capture It?: https://tallyfy.com/tribal-knowledge/
Problems Caused by Tribal Knowledge & How to Avoid Them: https://gonimbly.com/tribal-knowledge-problems/
Problem Statement: How do we more effectively onboard remote, customer facing jobs like customer service?
Business Impact: While specific economic numbers are hard to track, the pains of remote training include:
Additional managerial attention and requirements (resulting in increased on-boarding costs)
Harder to monitor performance and prevent mistakes - specifically remote work makes it hard to prevent mistakes that could have been prevented if someone could have over-heard the situation or would have been readily available for questions
New hires don't know what they don't know - which leads to more mistakes
All of these mistakes usually come back to the customer, leading to frustration, refunds, and other economical impacts
More about the problem:
With COVID still in play, more companies are being forced to hire for remote jobs. However, now that remote work is a "thing," these positions might still be remote moving forward.
It's important to note that these jobs have historically been in-office jobs; therefore organizations are not fully prepared to train for remote workers.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Zoom calls and frequent check-ins.
Preventable mistakes are usually caught after-the-fact. So while they sometimes cannot take back the mistake, they an use it as a training opportunity moving forward.
Key Stakeholders:
Sky Eckert, Weyerhaeuser
Jessica Priest, Weyerhaeuser
Sarah Fulcher, Weyerhaeuser
Additional Resources:
7 WAYS TO MANAGE A REMOTE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM: https://www.superoffice.com/blog/remote-customer-service/
What Happens When Customer Support Works From Home?: https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/what-happens-when-customer-support-works-from-home/
Why Remote Customer Service Jobs Are On the Rise: https://weworkremotely.com/why-remote-customer-service-jobs-are-on-the-rise
Problem Statement: How can we more effectively train and monitor 3rd party installers so they follow product procedures and do not cause costly mistakes?
Business Impact: When installers do not follow instructions, they often have to re-do the job, or even worse, have to demo the space and start from scratch. This causes significant increased costs to the business and also pushed the completion time out further for customers. Long term, if mistakes are not found at the time of the build, the installed product can become defective - which then looks bad on the manufacturer and not the installer.
More about the problem:
Most installers blow past reading instructions because they are veterans and already "know how it works."
Certain products have different requirements (drying time, temperatures, etc.) that will impact the integrity of the product.
Companies know it's unrealistic that installers read an entire instruction book. They are trying to find a way to call out "important to know" facts and track to make sure the installer knows and adheres to them.
Products change all the time - which has only increased because of supply chain issues with COVID. It increases the odds that installers will be dealing with new products all the time - increasing the odds of mistakes.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Not much. Best case, they mainly try to work with installers that they are already familiar with.
Key Stakeholders:
Sky Eckert, Weyerhaeuser
Jessica Priest, Weyerhaeuser
Sarah Fulcher, Weyerhaeuser
Levi Smith, Franklin Building Supply
Problem Statement: Because builders cannot track who is the last contractor to leave the property, there is never any accountability when things go wrong on the site.
Business Impact: At this point, most of the time, the problem has already occurred. But without any accountability, the cost of the problem falls back to the builder, not the contractor at fault.
More about the problem:
In general, the last contractor out should make sure the house is properly locked, windows are locked, and the house is secure.
They also want to make sure there is no running water or any other obvious problems that could cause damage.
If theft occurs because the house was not secured, builders currently have to pay because they cannot prove who was at fault.
If there was a process that provided more transparency and accountability, more problems might be deterred (because contractors will pay more attention) and contractors might start paying for costly mistakes.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Not much.
Key Stakeholders:
Levi Smith, Franklin Building Supply
Problem Statement: Every job site results in unused products that simply go to waste.
Business Impact: While it would be nice to limit the amount of unused materials, that's not really the problem. Builders feel bad that they are throwing away perfectly good materials that other people could use.
More about the problem:
Products could include wood and other raw building materials. It also includes lighting, fixtures, and other furnishing/decorating materials.
If businesses go out of their way to drop off these materials at a place like Habitat for Humanity, it costs them money (time to gather, transport and deliver the materials). So it's more financially viable for a business to throw away unused materials then it would be for them to donate or transfer to another job.
These businesses are looking for an on-demand type option where they could easily post what's available and let the public (or a business) pick up the materials. That said, they cannot spend any more time than posting ( i.e. they cannot have a Facebook marketplace scenario where they get an influx of messages, they are holding materials for a specific person, or answering questions).
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Habitat for Humanity
Key Stakeholders:
Adam Visstski, Eaglewood Homes
Problem Statement: How can we implement a recycling program that contractors and home builders will embrace?
Business Impact: Currently, it's not cost effective for a home builder to try to recycle. Although 90% of the materials that are thrown away could probably be recycled, current recycling services are too expensive (with no direct revenue benefits).
More about the problem:
Each home has 4 4x8 plywood sheets that create a trash can: https://www.junkremovalvancouverwashington.com/uploads/1/2/6/8/126823986/a-new-home-construction-site-built-a-trash-container-for-contruction-garbage-and-junk-to-be-placed-in-this-picture-was-taken-in-vanocuver-washington-compressor_1_orig.jpg
All trash is thrown in these bins and cleaned weekly by a 3rd party trash company.
Even if it was easier to recycle, there would still need to be a change of behavior for contractors - who are use to simply throwing things away.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Companies have tried to have special recycling bins - but it costs a lot of money and eats into the margins of the home. Currently, some companies will only try to recycle on large corporate real estate jobs - but it's still costly.
Key Stakeholders:
Scott Givens, President, Alturas Homes
Additional Resources:
What can be recycled from my home construction project? : https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/what-can-be-recycled-from-my-home-renovation-project
4 tips to reduce waste on construction sites: https://www.dumpsters.com/blog/how-to-reduce-waste-on-construction-site
Problem Statement: How can we help lower the costs of shipping dirt (removing and bringing it back) dug up by excavation.
Business Impact: For each house, home builders can pay anywhere from $3k-$10k for just moving dirt. For some companies, it can be the largest unknown price variable of their projects.
More about the problem:
When homes are excavated, there is always a big mound of dirt on the property.
Superintendents need to move the dirt (either for convenience or accessibility sake)
Home builders are charged when the dirt is removed (even if it's simply moved to another lot within the neighborhood).
Eventually, dirt is moved back because other contractors (i.e. landscapers) need more dirt back to complete their own job. So the home builder is charged again to move the very dirt they paid to move away from the property.
Superintendents are the stakeholders needing help. At any given time, they could be managing 12-18 homes. This means they are managing $36k-$180k of dirt hauling at any given time.
Homebuilders are looking for a way to estimate how much dirt show be removed from the property. By estimating correctly, it would significantly reduce their costs (minimally eliminating the need to ship dirt back to the property).
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
Not much. The costs are being tracked - but they are not aware of tools to help estimate the amount of dirt needing to be moved.
Key Stakeholders:
Scott Givens, President, Alturas Homes
Additional Resources:
How much does it cost to move dirt? : https://findanyanswer.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-move-a-cubic-yard-of-dirt
Problem Statement: Is there a new framing technique or wood / wood hybrid product solution that can help advance the energy performance of housing?
Business Impact:
Low Risk - if wood manufacturers do not innovate and make changes, they are likely to see sales volumes trends down as more people choose energy efficient options.
High Risk - If a competitor creates an industry-changing product, it could totally disrupt sales in the traditional wood industry.
More about the problem:
There are new housing mandates that are requiring houses to become more energy efficient - especially in the North East.
Consumers are also more aware and are looking for more energy efficient homes.
What companies are doing now to solve the issue:
New ways of framing to allow for better insulation:
T-Studs are a new method of framing - allows for better insulation.
Removes stud-framing. Uses structural panels. Allows better insulation and sealing.
New products being used in place of wood:
Exteriors are using a wood hybrid material.
Key Stakeholders:
Michael Rubin, Sr. Innovation Analyst , Boise Cascade
Additional Resources:
Energy efficiency and building with wood: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/energy-efficiency-and-building-with-wood/
Five most energy efficient building materials: https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/06/03/the-five-most-energy-efficient-building-materials/
What can replace wood for building materials?: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/can-replace-wood-building-materials-66526.html