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White Paper | Workforce | Published 08.18.2021
Human Dimensions Assessment of Top-Performing Personnel Within Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors
Understanding the human dimensions of our construction workforce helps us build the best construction teams and hire the best workers, both now and in the future. This study identifies key personality and behavioral traits of top performers in key job roles within the sheet metal and air conditioning industry as well as construction project managers …

White Paper | Organizational Development | Published 06.28.2021
Organizational Adoption of New Technologies: Best Practices for SMACNA Contractors
SMACNA members are eager to adopt new technologies, operational processes, and business strategies. Yet the implementation of organizational change – defined as an intentional, company-level adoption of new practices, technologies, or management approaches – can be extremely difficult. Through a national survey and interviews of SMACNA contractors, the top 8 most effective technology implementation management …

White Paper | Leadership, Workforce | Published 12.08.2020
Succession planning for construction leaders: Best Practices and Examples
Succession planning is important and most construction companies have a succession plan and process for the executive team. However, field leader succession planning has not been given the same level of focus. This is an urgent topic, as the leadership in the field are the closest touchpoint to customers and are a driver of the …
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White Paper | Workforce | Published 12.30.2019
How to create an engaged construction workforce and cut down on voluntary turnover
With voluntary turnover at an all-time high, construction-related firms need to be prepared for the generational transitions occurring in the construction workforce. The best way to retain talent on your construction teams and prepare for the transition ahead is effective employee engagement. Highly engaged employees are loyal employees and less likely to leave. The New …

White Paper | Leadership | Published 07.15.2019
Succession Planning and Executive Exit: Factors for successful transitions for contractors, construction and engineering companies.
The engineering and construction industry is facing an extraordinary number of executive departures as 50% of executive leaders in this industry are transitioning out in the next 10 years – making succession planning an imperative for these construction and engineering companies. And executives in many SMACNA member firms are part of this universe. As executive …

White Paper | Leadership, Workforce | Published 02.01.2019
White Paper: Tools for the Hiring, Promotion, and Talent Development of Sheet Metal and Mechanical Contractor Personnel
Research shows that using personality and aptitude assessments can markedly reduce the variability (and uncertainty) in hiring and promotion decisions compared with relying on resumes and interviews alone. The New Horizons Foundation partnered with lead researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Kansas to understand how personality and aptitude …

White Paper | Organizational Development | Published 05.01.2017
White Paper: Enhancing Your Organizational Structure: An Approach to Profitable Operations
This white paper focuses on traditional and functional organizational structures. It offers a simple and easily understood contrast and comment on the appropriateness of each approach. In contrast to the traditional structure, the paper concludes that a functional analysis of a firm’s operations can be “a tool for designing their organization going forward. It views …

White Paper | Organizational Development | Published 01.01.2017
White Paper: Using a Board of Directors, Peer Groups and Other Resources to Challenge and Enhance Performance: For HVAC and Sheet Metal Contractors
An area of increasing adoption throughout the construction industry is the use of high-functioning boards of directors, peer groups, and other external resources to provide objective input to enhance performance. Companies are seeking solutions to the many challenges they face in today’s competitive business environment. Leaders are confronted with talent pressures, changing technologies, increased competition, …

Report | Workforce | Published 09.01.2014
The Use of Just-in-Time Training in Construction
The Just-in-Time Training (JITT) report examines in detail the concept and application of Just-in-Time Training. The report: Defines just-in-time training and when to use it; Identifies the need for JITT in the construction industry; Looks at who is using JITT now using current examples; Examines current and future training needs for HVAC/sheet metal contractors; Presents …
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Report | Organizational Development | Published 12.01.2013
Strategic Thinking
Strategic Thinking is a blueprint for contractors seeking to use the Futures Study to improve their position as the industry recovers and stabilizes. Strategic thinking should not be confused with strategic planning, but the two are related. Strategic thinking involves the generation and application of unique business insights and opportunities intended to create competitive advantage …