Thirty-three years ago, when I first entered technology sales (selling RAM chips, floppy disks and 10 MB hard drives), “networking” was all the rage. I remember attending networking “happy hours” in the Denver-metro area where people in business attire were crammed shoulder to shoulder trying to accumulate as many business cards as possible to help grow their contact databases. As uncomfortable as those packed, noisy events made me feel at times, the rationale worked. I discovered that interacting with people inevitably leads to a network of others who can either buy from you or help you find people to buy from you.
What surprised me most was that there were strangers who gladly offered to help me become more successful at my job, and they were motivated simply by generosity. It didn’t cost me anything.
Since I was raised in a highly competitive family, the thought of a stranger assisting me to do my job better was foreign to me. Weren’t we, in some ways, competing in the same space? But what I discovered then – and have seen reinforced many times over the years – the vast majority of people we encounter in our chosen industry truly want to help others. Just as we’ve all found that the “gift is in the giving,” likewise building up someone else builds us up at the same time.
The MEP trades are full of those “giving” types of people. The electrician who taught me to wire a house was a colorful fellow, in both personality and language, but his heart was generous. The mechanical contractor who showed my dad and me how to build a plenum was a compassionate soul. Our plumber, who reminds me of Groucho Marx, is a great humanitarian.
I believe these are not exceptions to the rule. Trades contractors are by and large a friendly, helpful crowd. Here are three reasons why a networking and learning event like the upcoming virtual MEP Force 2020 especially benefits the MEP trades:
The best thing I ever did for my career was to take advantage of the offers of help from generous peers who simply wanted to share their experience with me. While I had the option to take it or leave it, I chose to build a better future with the help of others’ advice. Over the decades, networking has benefitted me in ways that I never could have foreseen. Likewise, the upcoming virtual MEP Force networking and learning event will empower hundreds of trades professionals in ways they can’t even imagine.
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We are an industry where machine and computer power enhance the work of the person, in many cases, making the very jobs we undertake possible. Modeling wouldn’t be feasible if not for the computing power of today’s equipment, from Robotic Total Stations (RTS) units to laptops and cranes.
Making the investment in Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems can transform construction operations from the start of any project, leading to more efficient use of time and materials in all phases of the build, including long after the active construction project is completed. Through BIM, savings can be realized for the stakeholders in the project–from the building owner to subcontractors–and the operator of the structure benefits far into the future.
While economic situation brings focus on improving ways to increase efficiency in the workplace, these money-saving ideas should be in place during all times. They are best practices that not only save money, but they also save time and cut down on waste, which critical in these eco-aware times.