A Contractor’s Guide to Tech Adoption
Toby Mitchell, President of Classic Electric & Consulting and Construction Technology Committee Chair for ELECTRI International, recently shared his framework for assessing technology with us. He explains why prioritizing tech adoption is imperative to success for contractors.
Read the full article here: https://www.rivet.work/portfolio/tech-adoption-mentality/
“Through my childhood I recall my father, a general contractor, had a dedicated phone number for his single fax machine,” Toby said. “That clunky machine was the hub of communication in his office. Suppliers and subcontractors would send faxes, someone in the office would snatch the paper and hand it to the right person. A simple, functional and innovative solution for the time – but a limited one.”
Technology and software have fundamentally transformed various industries, and construction is no different. Given the overwhelming array of options contractors often find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of what technology to adopt and how to implement it seamlessly.
“Our diverse types of work, ever-changing conditions, sporadic control and fragmented information makes the notion of a one-size-fits-all tech solution impractical, if not nearly impossible,” Toby said. “Our approach to technology adoption has to be as dynamic and multifaceted as the work we tackle. We’ll all need to learn assessment, implementation and ownership of our tech solutions.”
For contractors considering tech adoption, Toby created a simple 5-step framework:
- Technology Adoption Mindset. “We’re all capable of change,” said Toby. “Every process and workflow can (and eventually must) be adapted and scaled to the times.”
- Navigating Technology & Software. Our approach to technology adoption has to be dynamic and as multifaceted as the work we tackle. We all need to learn assessment, implementation and ownership of our own tech solutions.
- Culture (Pre-Evaluation) If you lack a technology-friendly culture, make fixing that your first step.
- Perception (Evaluation) Perspective and partnerships are paramount. Whether it’s your ERP or other tech, two oft-overlooked critical concerns need attention: Perception and assembling the right team.
- Process (Post-Evaluation) When considering new technology, be prepared to change processes – even if it means extra work.
Listen to Toby discuss the article with RIVET’s Brian Witt and Gary Fuchs here and here. They dive into how software companies are perceived and how important it is to ensure contractors are the right fit for adopting a tool — otherwise it results in a “failed marriage.”