Word on RealStreet!
March 2019
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Feeling lucky? Participate in RealStreet's March Madness bracket contest for a chance to win 3 awesome prizes! The RealStreet March Madness Bracket:
- URL: http://realstreet.mayhem.cbssports.com
- Group password: realstreet
- The bracket will become available on Sunday, March 17, 2019
- Bracket Submission Deadline: 11:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 21, 2019
Prize specifics and additional contest details will be announced soon. Keep an eye on your inbox (or on our social media pages) to get in on the action! |
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4 PODCASTS EVERY PROFESSIONAL SHOULD SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO IN 2019 TO MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY
For any company to achieve success, productivity needs to be ramped up as high as possible. By increasing efficiency and effectiveness, any business can accomplish more during a year. Whether your goal is to increase the rate of output or decrease expenses, productivity is at the core of your objective. If you want to maximize productivity in 2019, here are four podcasts that can help. 4 PODCASTS EVERY PROFESSIONAL SHOULD SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN TO IN 2019 TO MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY 1. GETTING THINGS DONE David Allen, the author of Getting Things Done, is an expert when it comes to time management. During his podcast, he shares insights from his GTD system, including how to improve mental flow, deal with competing priorities, and boost creativity. At the end of 2018, there were 46 episodes available for free. The length of each episode varies, though most come in between 30 and 60 minutes. 2. THE 5 AM MIRACLE The 5 AM Miracle, a podcast by Jeff Sanders, focuses on dominating your day before breakfast. The content shares the benefits or developing a strong early-morning routine based on powerful rituals and health habits. Additionally, a range of interesting guests often join Jeff Sanders, including people like Deepak Chopra and Ted Ryce. In total, youll find over 270 episodes on the website, giving you plenty of material to enjoy. 3. PRODPOD If you dont have time to listen to a lengthy podcast straight through, then ProdPod by Ray Sidney-Smith might be ideal for you. Each episode focuses on productivity and only lasts two minutes, making them easy to squeeze into even the busiest days. There are 118 episodes available online, covering topics like minimalism, resilience and overcoming burnout. Consider kicking off your day with one of the episodes and experience the value of these two-minute podcasts yourself. 4. THE PRODUCTIVITYIST PODCAST Mike Vardy, a self-described productivity enthusiast, hosts a weekly podcast titled The Productivityist Podcast that focuses on time management techniques that can help boost productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. The show explores a variety of topics including everything from ADHD to mindfulness to the benefits of tracking productivity data and features a ton of engaging guests. Ultimately, all of the productivity podcasts above are incredibly beneficial for any professional, particularly professionals who want to make the most of 2019. Is there a particular podcast you listen to and enjoy on a weekly basis? Let us know! We'd love to update the article on the RealStreet blog to feature your productivity-boosting recommendations! Article Originally Published by RealStreet |
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THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE BEST CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS
Having an exceptional construction manager is essential. Without strong leadership, projects face significant risks, including sub-par quality, missed deadlines and budget concerns. Here are three critical aspects to consider when searching for an ideal construction manager. 1. MANAGEMENT SKILLS A core function of the role is to serve as a leader, overseeing construction activities and monitoring the team. Effective delegation, schedule management and communication skills are essential to ensuring project goals are met. When evaluating candidates, consider all their management skills, but pay particular attention to what is critical to the role. Look for prior experience leading similarly sized teams or overseeing projects with goals similar to yours. That way, you can effectively determine their potential for success before you extend an offer. 2. BUDGET EXPERIENCE Construction managers typically oversee sizeable budgets. If funds are mismanaged, there may not be enough money to successfully complete projects as planned. Look for candidates who have prior experience managing budgets of a relevant size. The precise nature of the experience required may vary and could also include various sub-skills, such as contract negotiation or vendor management. 3. TECHNICAL PROWESS Technology has become ingrained in nearly every industry, and construction is no exception. If your company embraces specific technology platforms and solutions, locating a construction manager with prior experience lessens the learning curve associated with taking on a new role. Additionally, this will enable them to derive more value from the available tools, increasing efficiencies as well as the quality of work. LOOKING FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGER? At RealStreet, we understand the importance of finding a high-quality construction manager when you need one. If you are seeking out the best candidates in the field, the industry specialists at RealStreet can connect you with some of the areas top-tier talent. Contact us to learn more about our services and see how you can benefit from our industry expertise. Article Originally Published by RealStreet |
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More evidence that drones could and should play major role in infrastructure inspections
Using drones to inspect infrastructure is something the Minnesota Department of Transportation has been testing for a few years. In 2015, the department started studying how drones could be used to inspect the states bridges, and, according to the state, drones and the associated technology have proven to be helpful and effective in improving the quality of those inspections, reducing costs and improving safety. In fact, the Minnesota DOT found that drone-assisted inspections saved an average of 40% off the cost of their traditional counterparts, mainly from savings on traffic control and equipment. However, the department said there is a place for all forms of inspection including those conducted by humans and noted that drones are just another tool to add to the list. A 2018 AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) survey found that 35 state DOTs were using drones, and not just for bridge inspections. Twenty agencies were using drones in their daily operations for such tasks as taking aerial photos of highway construction projects, surveying, public education and outreach, emergency response, pavement inspections, scientific research, traffic control and light-pole inspections. Of course, contractors have also incorporated drones into their operations. The use of drones on construction sites, according to DroneDeploy, increased 240% from 2017 to 2018, with the most common activities being job progress tracking and communications. Contractors are also using drones for preconstruction and site planning, quality control, information gathering for bids and risk mitigation. One high-profile undertaking that has taken advantage of drone technology is the Millennium Tower project in San Francisco. When there was concern that window cracks on the 36th floor of the building were a result of the leaning and settling that the building has experienced, drones were sent up to examine the windows and facade for evidence of additional cracks. This helped engineers determine that the cracks were a result of some exterior impact. Article Originally Published by Construction Dive |
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Upbeat Outlook: Americans Say Employment Looks Promising
The current political climate brought record numbers of voters to the polls for the midterm elections, and ASA took advantage of this prime opportunity to assess top-of-mind concerns. The most recent ASA Workforce Monitor explores Americans perspectives regarding the impact that election outcomes have on various issues, including employment. The survey among more than 2,000 U.S. adults was conducted online by The Harris Poll. Feeling Good About Jobs The survey found that Americans are generally upbeat about employment after the recent elections. More than half of U.S. adults agree that the results of the 2018 midterm elections will have a positive impact on employment during the next two years, according to the findings. That same majority also say that the job market has improved since the last presidential election in 2016. Tracking the Millennial Mindset An interesting finding is that there are differences in perspectives by age Millennials are more optimistic than older Americans about the effect that the midterm elections will have on employment. Only two in five Millennials (aged 18-34) say that the job market has improved since the 2016 presidential election much less than any other age group, according to the survey results. Conversely, three in five Millennials are optimistic about the effect of the midterm elections on employment a much higher proportion than older U.S. adults. Analysis could chalk this up to mere wishful thinking on the part of Millennials or it could point toward a strengthening job seeker market, as Millennials continue to populate the workplace. Analyzing Along Party Lines Taking a look at the political divide, its likely no surprise that Democratic and Republican voters are split on how they view the state of the job market since the 2016 presidential election. Nearly nine in ten Republican voters say the situation has improved over the past two years compared with only four in ten Democratic voters. Most intriguing is that there is bipartisan consensus about the future of work six in ten voters from each of the two most prominent political parties believe the 2018 midterm elections will have a positive effect on employment, according to the ASA Workforce Monitor. So not just Millennials but Americans in general are upbeat about the job market in coming years. Forecasting Staffing Success "A wave of positivity about employment is rippling across the nation following the historic midterm elections, as underscored by the ASA Workforce Monitor," says Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. "However, the skills gap remains a serious challenge, and the administration and new Congress must make narrowing the gap a priority to ensure that America has the qualified talent it needs to continue to support economic growth." While Americans are upbeat about employment prospects, the ever-tightening labor market and widening skills gap are serious concerns for businesses. In this increasingly competitive environment, it is more critical than ever for staffing and recruiting companies to enhance recruitment and retention strategies for candidates and internal staff alike. Companies focused on creative compensation and benefits packages as well as training options to reskill and upskill employees will fare best. PARTIES AGREE: The 2018 midterm elections will positively affect employment. About the ASA Workforce Monitor The Harris Poll conducted the survey online within the U.S. on behalf of ASA Nov. 79, 2018, among a total of 2,021 U.S. adults age 18 and older. Results were weighted on age, education, race/ethnicity, household income, and geographic region where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the U.S. population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents propensity to be online. Article Originally Published by ASA-Digital |
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