Innovation Overload

“I look at so much of this and think we've institutionalized so much. We've got to get used to faster rates of change, be more open, and keep our eyes open to what's next.”In this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, guest host Mike Oakes, President of First Choice Electrical Solutions, sits down with Ian Andrews, Executive Director of Field and Industrial Labor Relations, and Josh Bone, Executive Director of ELECTRI.Together, they explore how labor and the union are adapting to the evolving jobsite. From smarter tools and emerging technologies to workforce shifts and changing expectations, they unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry—and share how leaders can stay ahead in a fast-moving, competitive landscape.

“You can't go open a magazine article, you can't go to a conference without being slammed with 'AI', but no one understands what's going on under the hood.”  Join Contractor Takeover hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO as they break down the buzz around artificial intelligence, explore its real-world applications in electrical construction, and uncover how contractors can make the most of this evolving technology.

"If you're not innovating and thinking ahead, you're going to be behind the eight ball—and left behind."  On this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, we're joined by Jef Fagan, Senior Vice President of Risk Management and Labor Relations at NECA National. Jef shares key tools and strategies for managing risk, navigating labor relations, and addressing workforce challenges in a rapidly evolving industry. Don't miss this essential conversation for leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Join us on this episode of Innovation Overload as we dive into the world of policy, advocacy, and the future of the electrical contracting industry with Marco Giamberardino. As a key voice in government affairs, Marco shares insights into his role in shaping policies that impact contractors nationwide. Hear how he works "to bridge the gap between those decision makers and our industry, ensuring the decisions they make reflect the real-world business needs of our contractors." Don't miss this essential conversation on the intersection of legislation, innovation, and the electrical industry's evolving landscape!

 "Here we are an industry where the majority of our contractors, who own their companies have never opened the door of a college." Join Contractor Takeover hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO as they discuss outreach, and recruitment with Director of Chapter Development at Atlanta NECA, Liz Campbell.

In the VDC world, you're not always working with electricians – you're working with people who have learned electrical work from the 3D side of things.  So I try to be clear and bring whatever I've learned in the field into the office and try to teach everyone.  It just makes everyone's job easier.  What happens when a degreed electrical engineer with no initial industry background and a third generation IBEW electrician come together to reflect on their years of leadership and experience in electrical construction?  Join us for this incredible conversation between Todd Grossweiler from the Allison-Smith Company and Tim Viau from Miller Electric as they talk about the value of leadership, technology, and innovation to bridge the gap between field and office.

"Partnering is the strategic nature of making sure we are working together for the best outcome for all of us, not just for one of us." In this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, guest hosts Joe Barnard, President of National Installation for Archkey Solutions, and Dorin Nicorici, President & CEO of Dynalectric Oregon and Arizona, sit down with Eaton Strategic Account Manager Jeff Lewis to discuss industry changes, challenges, product innovations, and lead times. They also share best practices and strategies for collaborating with manufacturing partners to drive efficiency and ensure successful project outcomes.

"We are putting the right light in the right direction that drives wellness components because it's different."  In this episode of the Contractor Takeover edition of the Innovation Overload podcast, hosts Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO spoke with Robert Soler, co-founder of Skyview. Robert shares his journey from working at NASA to uncovering the science behind light and its impact on your sleep.

"We're trying to accelerate their learning process with the tools and technology that we use in our industry, and trying to facilitate and encourage their interaction with local contractors."  Discover how NECA Student Chapters are shaping the future of the electrical contracting by attracting and developing top talent. Guest hosts Adam Davis, Director of Fabrication and Modular Solutions at Miller Electric, and Adam Rude, Vice President of Construction Support Operations at ERMCO, explore the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) and share insights and resources to inspire interest and engagement in the industry. 

"We want to be a platform to bring together the shared pains where we are struggling to share data that we should be sharing.  Understand the root causes of people processing technology and why it's not happening, try to overcome them." Nathan Wood, Construction Progress Coalition Executive Director joins the Contractor Takeover hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO.  Listen as they discuss about the need for open interoperability standards between project delivery stakeholders.

“Learning has to come from within. It's gotta be a certain amount of drive that's in each person and that person has to figure out what that drive is.”  Phil Matthews, Director of Construction Services, talks about looking at innovation from multiple angles, culture, overcoming burnout, and being intentional in career development. Listen in for more on Phil's journey and to pick up tools to sharpen your own professional resiliency.

"When looking at new technology, you need to be realistic about what your use case is because you are going to be spending a good amount of money to have access to that product and if you are not going to use it to its full capability, it may not fit into your workflow and what you really need.”  On this weeks episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, Contractor Takeover edition, Justin Kohlman Executive Vice President of Schaffer Electric discusses the leadership transition to the second generation or new owner of an electrical contractor.  They also dive into and best practices and strategies for the exploration and sucessful implementation of new technology.

“Don't hesitate, just jump, …there's never a right time.  Go after the things you want, don't look at all the obstacles in your way, look at what you want and when that comes into view and focus, you'll find a way and you'll be able to do it.”  Join Mike Oakes, Founder and CEO of First Choice Electrical Solutions to discuss turning his dream of starting a contracting business into a reality, lessons learned along the way, and how he sees innovation as paramount to his success and the success of his company. 

“I like to make sure I have my finger on the pulse of what's going on in the industry and share the lessons learned and the best of the best that we can all come up with.” Join Rosendin Electric CIO as he delves into insightful discussions, sharing strategies and best practices. This episode focuses on vital aspects such as recruiting IT talent, negotiating software contracts, navigating the legal process, and avoiding potential challenges along the way. Stay ahead of industry trends and gain valuable insights from this engaging conversation.

"Innovation is really just constantly re-evaluating all the different things around you and re-imagining what it could be, or why it should be different." Anna Jochim, MODL, Director, Future Workforce Development from Electri shares the challenges faced for our growing skilled labor gap and the use of innovative solutions to try to solve them.

"AI is not just a tool; it's becoming the foundation for smarter, more efficient construction practices." In this second part of the Contractor Takeover edition of the Innovation Overload podcast, hosts Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, continue their in-depth exploration of the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the construction industry.

“Ultimately we all need to make money.  Being efficient and trying to innovate and find new ways to do things is at the top of our list.”  Join Lance Beck, VP of Contract Operations for an insightful discussion on the dynamic shifts occurring within the electrical construction industry. In this episode, we explore how self-improvement initiatives can serve as a catalyst for fostering innovation at both the team and organizational levels.

We see the amount of work going up and the number of electricians going down, so we have to focus on process improvement and automation. We need to shift the mentality from "technology is taking our jobs" to "we are filling holes that cannot be filled fast enough." Join the Contractor Takeover with hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO, as they discuss solutions for the skilled labor shortage with AEC Inspire co-founders Adam Ketter and Lonnie Compton.

Innovation is how you make something better for somebody.  Whether it's a very simple solution or a very complex solution, how can you make it faster, simpler, and easier to implement. Chris Lamb, Hilti North American Trade Marketing Manager, embodies this ethos, championing solutions tailored to the nuances of the electrical and mechanical trades. This episode of Innovation Overload explores the importance of understanding your customers and embracing how technology has reshaped the construction landscape.  Chris discusses the value of a customer-centric approach that transcends simply providing a service to instead foster genuine partnerships aimed at catalyzing growth and elevating safety, speed, productivity, and profitability across all organizations.  He shares transformative innovations spanning products, processes, and technology, empowering contractors to curb theft, eradicate downtime, overdrive ergonomic safety, and optimize resource allocation to scale their businesses.

“Innovation can be defined in a number of different ways. I think it can be tangible in terms of a product that you are actually using that is very different than anything you've seen before.  I think for me, I work for a company that is very innovative and we breathe the culture of that but for my day-to-day, it's really innovation in the way you approach things, your thought process.  Be ok with trying different things." Sarah Bardot, Director of Electrical Trades, Milwaukee Tool joins the Innovation Overload  Podcast and discusses networking, mentorship,  collaboration, and taking note of those who have paved the way in our industry.

One aspect often overlooked is the importance of relying on your peers. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone and reach out to someone. We're here to uplift the entire industry, and if we can offer assistance, we're more than willing to do so."  Join Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, as they share valuable insights and learnings from their experiences at the inaugural NECA EMERGE Conference.

"Don't be afraid to fail.  Let's throw things out on the table, let's brainstorm.  I really try to empower everyone within our organization to think outside the box.  To not just do what we always have done.  We need to move the needle a bit every single day," Adam Rude, ERMCO.  In this episode of NECA's Innovation Overload learn how beneficial student chapters are and where they can take you.

“You have to be open minded and look at problems as opportunities if you want to have a culture of innovation.” Curtis Harbour, Senior Vice President at The Brandt Companies joins the Innovation Overload Podcast to offer invaluable insights into strategies and techniques for cultivating a culture of innovation within a company. His discussion extends into the intricacies of team dynamics, highlighting the importance of recognizing and utilizing their strengths and explores how behaviors and relationships within the team can contribute to elevating creativity and productivity to unprecedented levels.

We're looking at an estimated 1.5 million skilled tradesman shortage over the next 10 years.  We really have to leverage all of the advanced technologies that are becoming available to fill that gap.  As a contractor you need to be nimble and you have to be able to identify the opportunities within this marketplace and adapt. Collin Weiner, President of CalEnergy Corporation, teams up with Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, on this Contractor Takeover episode of Innovation Overload.  Together they offer a contractor's perspective on the pivotal technologies fueling America's drive towards electrification and the imminent era of intelligent, interconnected structures. Check out their insights on highlights from the NECA 2023 Convention, the paradigm shift towards automation tools to streamline workflows, the mainstream integration of AI solutions to amplify productivity, and the transformation of futuristic concepts such as microgrids into tangible market opportunities for contractors to expand their capabilities and evolve their businesses.

“I think the younger generation is definitely where you want to start, you want to start in middle school and high school.  I was a sophomore in college before I got into Construction Engineering.”  Join the contractor Takeover as Jared Chrisman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO interview the student chapter finalists of the Electrical Contractor Innovation Challenge to discuss their individual journeys and explore what motivates them and younger generations to get involved in the construction industry. 

“Coming here really opens up your knowledge to a lot of product that you didn't know about, which is huge for us!” Mike Oakes, President of First Choice Electrical Solutions and Andy Sellers, Management Executive at Quality Electric join Sean Lazarian to discuss valuable tips, strategies, and experiences they've had attending the NECA Annual Convention.

Definitely plan your schedule out for conventions, look for what's going to make you happiest and get you the most productive.  Join Innovation Overload as we hit the road to the 2023 NECA National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.  Gain insights from Todd Reed, the host of Graybar's Keepin' The Lights On podcast and a corporate innovation expert, as he shares his expert tactics for conference readiness and time optimization at meetings and events.  Discover his invaluable approaches to absorbing knowledge, fostering post-event discussions, and capitalizing on the in-person experience. In this episode, two introverts share their best tips for enhancing engagement and fortifying connections to elevate your personal and professional innovation journey.

"Innovation to me is the opportunity to think, to explore, and to take risks in an effort to solve a challenge, remove an obstacle or optimize a process." Dr. Pauline Mosley, Full Professor, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems for Pace University discusses part of being an innovator is to be a mental gladiator, having fortitude and resilience.  Listen to Dr. Mosley discuss closing the Stem gap.

“We're going to see AI affect us in ways that we didn't even anticipate in the next year.”  Check out Adam Davis, VDC Project Manager at Miller Electric, as he discusses project coordination, EV charging, AI, robotics, and future opportunities for electrical construction.

Innovation is just improvement. You can be innovative in any sector of your operation, it doesn't have to be just technology focused.”  Sean McGuire joins the Innovation Overload podcast to talk about mental health, process improvement, fabrication and practical ways to get started in applying innovation across your business.

“It's about constantly changing and critiquing the process and making sure that what you're doing is the correct path and learning from successes and failures and constantly moving , ...you have to avoid complacency at all costs.”   On this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast Sam Rokowski, Director of Training & Construction Technology at Maddox Electrical Company dives into the challenges of keeping pace with the rapidly changing electrical industry and discusses innovative strategies for success  today and what will be required in the future. 

"I never try to seem like I'm the expert because I'm definitely not when it comes to the actual construction side.  If I can keep that mindset right and keep the five 'why's, I can get to the root of the problem and hopefully find the right solution."  Travis Voss, a practicing construction technologist, discusses the value of being a 'professional novice' and going in without presumptions to tackle problems and apply innovation to an organization.  Join Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, as they host Travis Voss on Contractor Takeover.  Stay tuned to hear an exciting announcement within the episode.

"The world is big enough for collaboration." Cindy Sanderfur, Communications-DEI&B Manager at Electrical Training Alliance dives into the journey of the apprenticeship from how they started to where they are now.  Listen to her perspective of the evolving culture of the electrical industry.

"When we were on paper, it could take 30, 45 minutes, to even an hour to complete an invoice. Now, we're probably down to under 5 minutes,"  Toby Mitchell, President of Classic Electric Consulting joins Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, on the Contractor Takeover to delve into the vital but often overlooked field of construction accounting. This episode provides insights into accounting fundamentals and highlights game-changing tools and software that they utilize to save time and streamline processes.

“It's easy to identify or see problems, potential pitfalls, or risks. Use your community of professionals to form perspective. Then start working down the innovation cycle to implement a plan.” Jarret Bergkamp, the Executive Director of Preconstruction at Decker Electric shares his views of innovation from a technology, culture, and efficiency standpoint.  Listen in to this discussion on finding the better, quicker, more resilient way to problem solve at all levels of an organization.

“One of the most simple tools that everybody has, it's free, we choose how much or how little we use it. And that tool is communication.”  Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO dive into the nuances and opportunities in office to field communication.  From cloud sharing to security, Bluebeam to Navisworks, QR codes to communication principles, join the experts for this episode of the “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

“Change takes time.  It's like everything else in life, you're going to be a little apprehensive until you start seeing the fruits of whatever you're trying to do and realize that it's a timesaver and beneficial to you and the company.”  Join us as Joe Aikens, Vice President of Technology at Cannon & Wendt shares his views on innovation to foster creativity, diversify revenue streams, and ‘build a better mousetrap.'  In this episode we tackle how the power of innovation influences culture, the importance of caring for your team, the value of peer groups, and the evolution of technology to drive better customer-focused services.  

“It's all about taking meaningful steps in the right direction and embracing failure along the way.” Alex Bunda, Director of Innovation of Southwire Spark, shares the importance of staying up to date on future innovations and the need for adoption to stay competitive. Tune in to learn about Southwire's Spark Lab and how NECA contractors can benefit from this amazing resource. Listen to future disruptions that are on the horizon and how they will impact the electrical contracting industry. 

“Innovation is pairing technology with a customer problem and making someone's life better.”  In this episode Landon Boyer, Vice President of Engineering at Schneider Electric explains the agile process they use to create and innovate products.  Landon also provides insights around supply chain challenges and worker shortages and how the solutions Schnieder is developing will help the industry triumph over the challenges of today and beyond.  

“Innovation is an idea that was divorced from a purpose.” Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting, shares the importance of purpose driven innovation and matching key players to the correct roles in your business. Tune in to learn about process mapping and how curating workflows can help improve your business. Listen to how innovation and technology create a synergy that will improve the health of the electrical contracting industry.  

“We need to be better at selling our industry as something other than construction; we need to be better at showing what our industry really is, what it can be, what roads come out of an apprenticeship or a four-year degree, and how diverse that can look and be.” Shane Snyder, President of Cannon and Wendt joins us in the Innovation booth to discuss the extraordinary career opportunities electrical contracting offers how we can all do a better job evangelizing for the electrical contracting.  Shane also shares strategies his company uses to recruit and retain talent and tells his own story about how he was introduced to the industry.  These topics and more on this edition of the Innovation Overload Podcast!  

“Reality capture will revolutionize the way we do business.” Jacinda Matherne, Senior Manager of Industry Alliances and Josh Berger, Sales Manager of Trades at OpenSpace discuss the importance of tracking the process of a job with reality capture and how beneficial it is to visualize the job site. Listen to the barriers of adoption with new technology and how to combat them with Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another. 

“As long as you're innovating and changing, you're going to do well; if you're not moving and changing and trying to do better, you're not going to survive.”  Dennis Harter joins the NECA Innovation Booth to discuss the challenges and triumphs he's experienced on his journey from soldier and apprentice to Vice President of Operations at Kaiser Electric.  Dennis digs into strategies he and his company have deployed to recruit, develop, and retain an all-star roster of talent at Kaiser Electric.  Additionally, Dennis explains how Kaiser fosters a culture that empowers their employees to take action on their own to implement new ideas and processes to keep fresh and stay on top of a rapidly changing industry and world. 

“You need to understand the problem and the potential benefits of a solution.” Hala Nassereddine, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky discusses the importance of construction 4.0 and how vital the integration of technology is during the lifecycle of a construction project. Listen to the key role material management takes on with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.   

“If you're not stretching, you're not growing, it's good to sometimes step outside your comfort zone and embrace what's somewhat uncomfortable.”  NECA's own Pete Mastrorocco, Vice President of Education, Events, and Partnerships steps inside the Innovation Booth and pulls back the curtain on some of the inner machinations and statistics of the NECA Convention and what goes into successfully pulling off an event of such magnitude. Pete discusses how innovation is largely driven by educating oneself and people in your organization, which can be accelerated through the many avenues of literature and networking available through NECA membership.   

“Nothing starts innovation like a force of change.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the NECA Convention trade show floor and how to maximize your experience. Listen to highlighted technology that can help improve material management and trends that are on the horizon that will affect the electrical contacting industry on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.   

“Innovation involves a lot of technology, but I look at innovation as change and being not afraid to change. How can we change the industry to make it better?” Angie Simon, past President of SMACNA and Advisor to the Board at Western Allied Mechanical, shares her take on innovation after 35 years in the specialty trades.  As a trailblazer who became President of her contracting company in 2008 just as the recession hit and who became the first female President of SMACNA in 2019 just before the pandemic, Angie is no stranger to championing innovation during uncertainty.  Hear her story and her exciting efforts to bring more young talent into the industry through the Heavy Metal Summer Experience.  Check out more at hmse.org 

“Construction technology is a career that is out there for you regardless of where you start your career path.” Liz Campbell, Director of Chapter Development at The Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association discusses different pathways for students to enter the electrical industry and the importance of engagement with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.     

“Innovation as a whole requires a team effort, and everyone needs to be treated with respect.” Brian Swiatek, Director of Field Operations at Continental Electrical Construction Company, shares how to foster a growth mindset and instill innovative practices within a company. Listen to the importance of information exchange from field to office, and discover how technology has evolved to improve daily productivity.  

“The more tasks that you can complete with one tool, the more valuable that one tool becomes.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the practical applications of 360 cameras, augmented reality, laser scanning and more. Listen to the importance of these digital tools on the job site on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.