Talent vs. Tools - Talented People Creating Value

Contractors are faced with more choices in tools than ever thanks to technology.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share
Leadership Tools: It is only talented people that can create value. Tools, Equipment, and Technology can only enhance what talented people do.

With so many choices it is easy to fall into one of three traps:

  1. Analysis paralysis - too many choices; too many variables and unclear differentiators of value.    
  2. Jumping around constantly going after the next new tool that promises more (or different) value.
  3. Allowing too many people to make individual choices will leave you with a hodgepodge of tools making consistent training or integration impossible.  

It is important to remember that it is people who create value; tools only enhance what people can do.  Ensure that you are making investments in process, training and coaching at both the individual and team levels to get the best return on your investment in tools. 

“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.”

Bill Gates

ENR - Making Construction Innovation Stick


An experienced 3rd party can bring valuable perspective and specialized skills to help you choose, implement and integrate your tools more effectively. 

Schedule a call to learn more about our approach with construction technology. 




Complexity of Thought and Planning Time Span
There are multiple dimensions of talent including personality traits, IQ, EQ, desire, knowledge and experience. One of the critical dimensions is what Elliott Jaques called “Time Span of Discretion” which is essentially a combination of:
Can't Learn to Swim Without Getting Wet
Most everything we learn to do in the field for construction comes down to hands-on practice. When we move people into supervision and management roles we often forget the need to truly practice hands-on to get great at doing something.
Net Profits - Four Major Levers
Increasing net profits for contractors comes down to four major levers that can be pulled.