I have organized ZOOM networking sessions for a year now and they have attracted people from across the country. I hope you can make it to this month’s event as we welcome Juan Coronel with Free Agent PDX based in Portland, Oregon. Juan’s presentation, Business Development for you and your company, will tell the story of why he chose sales as a career and how that choice leads to his success. Joan has more than 12 years of experience working in sales and business development. In his free time, he volunteers with multiple associations around the construction industry.
In this session, you will hear about some of the challenges he has had to face and how he persevered through them. This presentation will also explain how his unorthodox approach to business has allowed him to grow his career as well as the companies he has worked for. Construction is incredibly complex and it takes a team to build a building. He says mistakes are only mistakes if you don’t learn from them, so stay humble, growth is the essence of life.
Juan has two children, a 19-year-old daughter, and a 16-year-old son. He has two dogs and owns multiple house plants. Trail running and producing videos are a couple of hobbies. Here is a link to his YouTube if you are interested.
I have heard from some of you and I know you agree, 2016 was not the best of years…. There seemed to be a cloud of negative over much of the year. Certainly this happens each Presidential election cycle, but this year seemed somehow more sticky. In addition, I faced some of the most challenging times of my adult life this year resulting in some burn-out through the year. There seemed to be more death this year or perhaps I am just coming to an age where more people who have had influence over my life are passing. In any case, it was sad to see so many go including my Aunt Debbie and my favorite musician of all time, Prince. Violence around the world somehow seemed louder and closer to home this year more than I ever remember – especially through the hate filled comments on social media. Let’s face it, 2016 had a lot of wrong going on.
However, there was good that came out of all the rubble over the last 12 months. There is a silver lining. In face, so much was GOOD that happened in 2016, here are some of our stories.
I started my year off right with these beautiful souls and a trip to see my mom, dad, brother, and nephews – our New Year Day tradition. Each day I get to spend with them is truly a treasure. I need to make sure I focus on that as I do love to give my time to all sorts of efforts around the community – this is the one that is most important.
Our Rotary Club continues to change the world by putting service above self.We have so much in this community and together as a group of Rotarians, we can share our gifts with the world. This year we raised money for many good local organizations, packed food for the hungry around the world, hosted a Soapbox Derby, and so much more.
We moved into our new office at the DEPOT!!!!also HERE. I have literally fallen in love with this building. I am so thankful to Jim Monger for allowing us to be part of the project and to have our office here. It is such a joy to work in a building like this one.
I got to bowl for Kid’s Sake on the SVBA team! I do love events that help kids, this one especially benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. Want to be part of my team this year?
I was able to go on a field trip with Sophia to Washington D.C. Each day I get to spend with my girls is such a treat.
I got to see George Clinton lay down the funk in Roanoke. This was the third time I have seen him play live and probably the last time. He remains a great performer, but has lost some his gusto.
We broke ground on our Net-Zero house.This one is being built by Mark Bergman. Our clients make everything else we do possible, I am very thankful for those allowing us to design “green” homes in the community.
I attended City Works Expo and got to hang out with some cool people, learn some new stuff, and see this incredible art. Thanks to Brad for getting me to attend. This conference was inspirational. The oddest part was at this particular conference, I was one of the old guys. I guess it is a sign of the times, but also uplifting to see so many younger than me looking for innovative ways to build community.
I ran a few races, each time improving my time a little over the previous. One of the biggest lessons I have learned this year, I need to take care of me so I can better take care of others. The time has come to stop putting it off.
We marched in Harrisonburg to raise awareness of climate change. Really, anytime I get to hang out with Charlie is a great time, but walking in this parade and showing my girls how much our future depends on them was powerful. We have a problem. We can, I hope, solve the problem. We just need to adjust our priorities.
We broke ground on our Carbon Neutral House.This is another Beck Builders project and another client I am thankful for giving me a chance. I look forward to sharing more with you about this project.
I had a chance to do a BUNCH of energy audit to help folks in the community reduce their energy bills. There is so much work that can be done to reduce your monthly energy bills and our community impact on the environment. I have knowledge about the solutions and I am happy to share it with you. Just call for an energy audit.
I got to spend some special time with this beautiful lady. I need to do this more – I love my family and I need to spend more time with them!
We attended Red Wing Roots! The Steel Wheels have quickly become my favorite musical group. We were in a position this year to be able to sponsor this event that it turns out a LOT of our clients attend. What a fun-filled three days of music and community!
The girls and I went to see this bush cut out in my likeness and to ride some rides .
I got to see this guy wearing this shirt on facebook! I think he may be a UVA Fan now!
This project in downtown Harrisonburg is almost done. We love saving old buildings through design. This new apartment building on South Main street is being renovated by Nesselrodt Construction.
I hope you have a chance to remember all the GOOD that happened for you in 2016. Going through this list certainly lifted my spirits. I think I am ready for 2017.
Take the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam to better serve your clients.
I have written about the importance of the Construction Documents Technology exam many times in the past. I cannot stress enough the importance of knowing how a project should happen if the project goes perfect. I say this because I have never had a perfect project, something always happens, but knowing how to get it back to where it should be is critical for success (happy clients). The Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam study process teaches you how the construction process should happen and helps you avoid problems.
When asked why she wanted to sit for the Construction Documents Technology (CDT) exam, Meg Carpenter in our Charlottesville office said “I want to become a Construction Document Technologist (CDT) because it will not only strengthen my knowledge and abilities as a career professional in my own field, but it will also help strengthen my relationship amongst all other parties involved in the project delivery process. I will be a more efficient architect for my clients and a clearer communicative partner for contractors and engineers, which will result in smoother project delivery and better professional relationships. I believe that becoming a CDT certificate holder will not only benefit me personally, but positively impact my field, related parties and all future facilities. “
In the construction industry it is easy to put your head down and try to avoid problems by showing up on time, doing what is expected, and performing to the best of your ability. The problem is, as I have heard it so many times – “CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS!” What do you do when just doing what you ‘thought’ was expected is not what was actually expected? What do you do when your interpretation of the documents is not the owner’s interpretation? How do you show potential clients that you understand how the process works and that you are a leader in the industry that deserves the opportunity? One good way is earning a CDT Certificate through the Construction Specifications Institute.
I am a “Construction Document Technologist.” This is the first step in the CSI certification ladder. In the competitive economy that we face, I find that you have to prove yourself time and again that you understand the construction process. CSI’s professional qualifications do just that for you. CDT is the “foundation you need to gain the competitive advantage” you need in today’s economy.
I encourage you to take the step and register for the CDT exam today. I can tell you it has benefited my career growth, allowed me to solve problems before they became big problems, and has saved my clients money repeatedly.
I am atjust another boring industry conference this week. You get up early to go to class. You stay out late networking. People email and call from your office wondering why you have not responded faster. You meet the industry leading experts in everything from building science, specifications, concrete, historic preservation… You probably don’t want to attend – nothing to do really.
Construction Specifications are the cornerstone of the project design. In most cases they override the project drawings in the event of conflicting information. The purpose of the construction specifications is to define the requirements regarding materials, products, installation and quality aspects pertaining to the execution of the work and contract. There are multiple types of specifications – performance, prescriptive, and proprietary. None of these are a simple list of product selections as many in the industry claim as their specifications.
A performance specification is a document that tells the contractor what the final installed product must be capable of doing. The concept behind this type of specification is for the architect to tell the contractor what they need and the contractor to determine the best way to get there.
A prescriptive specification explains the project through detailed materials that the contractor must use and the means to installing those materials. This approach gives the architect more control over the execution of the project.
A proprietary specification is used when you want a specific product type for a particular installation. This approach should be used when there is a specific piece of equipment or material needed to meet a particular requirement.
When you are building in commercial construction, specifications are very common. However, in green residential it should also be a mandatory part of the design process!
As I wrote last week, the biggest challenge we face in our industry is “no design.” Buildings that do not address climate, culture, or context will tear apart of community if allowed to proliferate a geographic region. Your community could become a nondescript wasteland with no identity.
We need the built environment to reflect our values and beliefs. So how do we take on this huge burden of designing a future with which our society will be shaped? We can only do it if we know the best practices and information available. We can only do it acting as a cohesive community of designers, builders, engineers, and product suppliers. We can only do it together as a profession.
