ShopTalk

By Heath Betts, Nexstar Network Leadership & Culture Coach

The hardest expectations to manage are the ones we don’t know about

As a Nexstar coach, I have the enormous privilege of traveling across the United States to visit our members’ shops. Most companies, I’ve noticed, have a lot in common – especially when it comes to success and struggles! The largest challenges I see most often are those surrounding clear communication.

If you lead a team, you might feel that you’ve done a great job of communicating your expectations to everyone. But now, your people aren’t performing, or they aren’t accomplishing the things that you think they should. However, I’d be willing to bet your team thinks they’ve accomplished a lot. In fact, right now, they’re saying, “I went above and beyond; I did more than what I was supposed to do.”

So, now what we have is this enormous expectation gap. An expectation gap is the space that lies between what we expect to happen and what actually happens. And in the middle of that gap, there’s anger, disappointment, and a lack of trust from both sides. We need to do everything we can to get rid of that gap! And the only way to do it is to attempt to reset expectations in a clearer way.

Everyone on your team should know exactly what’s expected of them in the role that they perform. They need to know what their goals are, and the clearer we can be about those goals, the more effective your team is going to be. That way, when things start getting crazy and ideas start flying in and people want to go in all different directions, you can bring them back to what’s expected, what the defined goals are, and what things need to be accomplished for those goals to be met. Then your team gets to focus on the work that they know they need to be focused on, instead of going all over the place and getting into other people’s lanes.

Sounds easy, right? It can be, if we’re intentional about how we go about this. A great exercise to help you clear up your expectation gap is to sit down with your team members and conduct an Expectations Exchange. Ask them, “What do you believe is expected of you?” Then, you can share what you expect of them. Compare notes and get clarity – this will go a long way towards eliminating that gap.

Another thing that you can do is have your team write down answers to the question, “What do you expect from me as a leader?” You, as the leader, can write down what you believe they expect from you. Now, compare notes. Read all the answers out loud. I guarantee it will be an eye-opening experience; you’re going to discover a lot of things. And the things you’ll discover will help you get rid of that expectation gap. Imagine that: Getting rid of that anger, frustration, disappointment, and lack of trust. Moving forward with your team to work more effectively. With that expectation gap removed, you’re going to have lots more fun coming to work and accomplishing great things together, too!

Heath Betts has owned and operated successful businesses in five different states. During his career, he has taught HVAC technical classes for a local community college and for manufacturing companies. Heath has coached more than 300 HVAC companies and provided mainstage presentations to thousands. He loves to see organizations succeed, and helps Nexstar members understand how culture and leadership affects the health of their companies.

How Efficient Freight Forwarding Can Save Time and Money

Efficiency and reliability are crucial in the fast-paced HVAC world (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). From small-scale residential projects to large commercial installations, HVAC businesses must navigate a complex web of supply chains, manage tight schedules, and ensure the timely delivery of equipment and materials. One critical aspect that can significantly impact these operations is logistics. Efficient freight forwarding, mainly through global freight forwarding solutions by Foresmart, can play a pivotal role in saving time and money for HVAC businesses.

The Role of Freight Forwarding in HVAC Logistics

Freight is the commercial transport of cargo from one region to another utilizing various modes, including water, air, road, and rail. This method involves a lot of planning, coordination, and control to facilitate product delivery in the required location and quality. To HVAC businesses—where large, massive, and at times delicate equipment is transported—the role of freight forwarding cannot be overstated.

HVAC projects usually contain several items produced by different manufacturers. Builders also purchase materials in bulk to save on costs. These components may include air conditioners, heaters, vents, and many other parts that can be tiny in size. Moreover, it is imperative to have a proper plan for obtaining all these items from various suppliers at the project site. That is where efficient freight forwarding comes in handy. Therefore, HVAC companies can coordinate with a credible freight forwarding firm to ensure that all needed parts are shipped simultaneously so that delays due to late or missing shipment parts can be avoided.

Cost Savings through Consolidation and Optimization

Another notable method through which efficient freight forwarding lowers costs for HVAC companies is combination and improvement. Ad hoc logisticians have less experience coordinating various small shipments into a single large shipment than freight forwarders do. This process, called consolidation, makes economic sense to the shipping company because it is cheaper to handle consolidated shipments than handle many small shipments that are likely to come in. Besides, freight forwarders can choose the correct route and carriers, which would help reduce transportation costs.

Typically, these cost savings are considerable for HVAC businesses. When purchasing HVAC equipment or parts, transporting them separately can easily add up, especially if you are importing from another country. Freight forwarders can also significantly reduce the extreme cost of shipping by combining shipments and reviewing all the possible routes that HVAC companies can use, thus increasing company revenue.

Last, effective freight forwarding brings the added benefit of dealing with customs procedures and paperwork complexities. HVAC businesses require importing parts from international manufacturers, meaning the companies must deal with many formalities and documentation. These regulations are also known to freight forwarders, and they can also check that all paperwork is done correctly and on time. Such expertise also reduces the possibility of costly and time-consuming customs holdups, which can prove expensive to any company.

Enhancing Project Management and Scheduling

The most valuable commodity in the HVAC industry is time; hence, the companies in this industry must ensure that they manage their projects accordingly. For instance, the absence of some critical parts for the project can result in time extension and additional charges that will be anathema to clients. Effective freight management prevents HVAC companies from suffering from such problems due to the ability to maintain consistent and reliable delivery schedules.

Freight forwarders have satellite tracking and communication with the shipment to track it in real time. This transparency means that HVAC companies can keep their clients informed about the progress of their orders and adjust project timelines accordingly. Freight forwarders are in a position to come up with workarounds should any sudden occurrences happen; for instance, they can easily change the route or search for another mode of transportation to ensure that the cargo gets to the intended destination.

In addition, increased use of freight forwarders can also help HVAC businesses manage their inventory more efficiently. By procuring sub-components within a few days or weeks before they are needed, firms minimize the need for large inventories and the likelihood of having excess or inadequate inventory. This just-in-time inventory approach impacts cash flows positively and decreases the costs that are incurred when holding stocks.

Leveraging Expertise for Improved Supply Chain Efficiency

Freight forwarders encompass more than just shipping companies whose primary function is transporting goods from one location to another; they also provide additional services that could benefit HVAC companies regarding supply chain management. These services may involve packaging and labeling services, warehousing and distribution, and supply chain consulting services. By utilizing these services, HVAC companies can eliminate every stage in the procurement and delivery process.

Freight forwarders can also offer other important information about market trends and shipping activities. They ensure that they have updates on the existing trends in trade relations, the cost of shipping, and the performance of the carrier companies. This knowledge ensures that HVAC businesses have the proper understanding of their logistics strategies for their operations, as they are able to change with market situations.

For instance, if the specific shipping lane is congested, the particular carrier is slow, or the carrier is out of a freight forwarder’s preferred list, the forwarder can suggest a better lane or carrier for delivery purposes. This helps to manage HVAC projects effectively and achieve the desired outcomes within the set timeline and cost constraints.

Conclusion

This is especially true because the HVAC industry is one of the most competitive, and it is crucial to meet the market’s demands to provide efficient logistics services. Outsourcing to an experienced and capable freight forwarding company can help HVAC businesses gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies to optimize procurement and transportation functions for better efficiency, costs, and schedules. 

Another aspect of the supply chain management process in HVAC companies is that freight forwarders assist them in downsizing redundancies in the supply chain, increasing efficiency, and implementing superior supply chain solutions to meet their clients’ needs. By opting for the global freight forwarding solutions by Foresmart, HVAC businesses can attain improved operational efficiency, cost control, and enhanced customer satisfaction that sets them up for sustainable business growth in the long run.

Fashions and fads come and go, but buildings and architecture leave a legacy. Architecture both reflects and shapes the society it serves.

As a discipline, it provides a functional framework for fashionable structures that convey contemporary building trends and materials. As an art, architecture speaks to the prevailing preferences, problems and cultural norms and values of society at the time.

Nowadays, the most pressing problem of today’s society – the need to address climate change and protect the natural environment – has become the dominant factor driving decisions in the art and science of modern architecture and building.

This mega-trend is dictating choices in structural design, material manufacturing and building performance through 2024 and beyond. Eva-Last, leaders in advanced composite building materials, unpacks how this legacy will impact current building trends and architecture:

Green Building & Sustainability as a Mega-Trend

Without a doubt, green building and sustainability is the dominant force influencing international urban development.

Green building is now the most prevalent movement happening in the built environment. The entire construction industry is looking to service an increasingly urbanized population, while reducing its enormous environmental impact. And never has the call for sustainable development been more urgent!

Statistics show that the construction sector contributes a whopping 7-8% towards global carbon emissions. And as government policies and building regulations force compliance to achieve ambitious carbon reduction targets, every segment of the construction sector – from materials manufacturers, design professionals to developers, property owners and project managers – are seeking ways to enhance their built environment without harming the natural one.

Progressive architects, designers and builders are favoring more sustainable green building designs over previously popular styles or traditional building materials.

Savvy building materials manufacturers, such as Eva-Last, are engineering new resource-efficient, eco-friendly and enhanced building components that can contribute towards a net zero carbon site, while energy-efficiency ratings and certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are set to become the norm.

Energy-efficiency

The need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to power our everyday activities (and reduce pollution that causes climate change) has seen an emphasis on energy-efficiency and passive design principles across structures, and our appliances.

This encompasses everything that affects the energy required for lighting, heating and cooling, ventilation and indoor air quality.

Careful consideration of the aspect or orientation of the building on site and its natural environment improves its performance parameters around energy-efficiency, facilitating heating and cooling using natural light and airflow. This in turn, reduces the need for insulation, ventilation, shading or added lighting.

In addition, the use of materials with natural thermal regulation properties such as bamboo which outperforms concrete, or steel, further improves the energy-efficiency of the build. Materials like Eva-Last’s VistaClad cladding profiles provide both an insulation barrier but also allow for building ventilation through design, simply by cladding the building’s façade, while decorative shading or protection from glaring sunlight can be achieved using Lifespan’s lightweight architectural beams for pergolas or screening to further enhance energy-efficiency.

Eco-friendly materials

Responsibly sourced renewable and eco-friendly building materials are being specified with their carbon footprint in mind.

Everything from solar systems to rainwater harvesting, low-flow taps and drought-resistant landscaping, energy-efficient lighting to technically advanced products that conserve scarce natural resources are finding their way into modern buildings.

Resource-efficient, easily replenishable raw material inputs are replacing limited natural resources like wood with advanced composite products.

Eva-Last’s beautiful bamboo composites combine fast-growing bamboo with recycled plastic. Their range of composite decking, cladding, balusters and beams look like timber without contributing to deforestation. In addition, their recycled plastic content introduces superior wear characteristics and durability while simultaneously eliminating the mountains of plastic waste polluting our oceans and landfills.

Biophilic Design

This integrates nature into architecture to enhance wellbeing and sustainability. By incorporating natural elements such as greenery and natural light, biophilic design fosters a sense of calm and connection to the environment that improves productivity and health. It’s evident in our preference for natural tones, textures and organic materials such as wood or stone, as well as our penchant for patterns of plantscapes and flora and the inclusion of landscaping and water features in our surroundings.

Eva-Last’s latest composite decking range Pioneer connects people to plants by recreating the natural tones and textures of endangered wood species using photorealistic digital print technology. The embossed, patterned surface texture provides the most natural-looking finish in composite products yet.

Lightweight materials

Buildings are going up and getting taller due to limited space. This has spurred demand for new strong, durable but lightweight materials other than steel or concrete.

Eva-Last consistently introduces enhanced performance properties into their building products – the hollow aluminum core of Lifespan’s lightweight architectural beams, or the glass-fiber reinforced (GFR) core of Pioneer and Apex Plus decking, allowing for increased spans, are examples of ingenious innovations specifically developed for these types of applications.

Remodel or Renew

High interest rates, labor costs and excessive material requirements, coupled with limited space and urban decay is driving the need to remodel or renew rather than build from scratch. Existing buildings such as abandoned factories, vacant offices or old outdoor structures are being given a facelift with attractive cladding, outdoor decks and patios and shady pergolas or rooftop lounges. These existing spaces are being repurposed into stylish accessory-dwelling units (ADU’s) suitable for guesthouses, multi-generational living (such as garden flats) or extended living areas.

Conclusion

Since architecture and building leave a legacy for future generations, be sure to select a product that is built to last.

Eva-Last’s extensive range of bamboo composite products are specifically designed to enhance the environment while minimizing any negative impacts. Engineered to outperform traditional building materials, the collection boasts attractive low maintenance benefits combined with sterling sustainability credentials.

To delve deeper into the latest trends in building and architecture and explore the intricacies of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, join Eva-Last at the AIA24 Conference of Architecture and Design taking place in Washington D.C. from June 5-8.

By Paula Glover

Rain showers can add an extra layer of complexity to outdoor work, especially for those in the skilled trades. During the spring and fall, when the weather becomes more unpredictable, it’s crucial for workers, managers, and small business owners in construction, grading, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and related fields to prioritize safety in wet conditions. From choosing the right raingear to staying weather-aware, here are five essential tips to keep your team safe and productive on rainy workdays.

1. Choose Durable Raingear Designed for Work

When it comes to working in the rain, having the right gear can make all the difference. Waterproof workwear goes a long way toward keeping you dry and comfortable on a soggy jobsite.

Look for rain jackets and pants made from durable materials with sealed seams and waterproof layers to prevent water penetration. Ideally, raingear should not only repel rain but also provide breathability to prevent overheating and moisture buildup inside the garment when you’re working up a sweat. 

For added safety in dim, rainy conditions, consider investing in high-visibility rainwear to enhance your visibility in low-light conditions and reduce the risk of accidents on the job site.

In spring and fall, when temperatures and conditions vary widely throughout the workday, it’s important to look for rain gear that offers the added flexibility of removable layers and built-in features like roll-out hoods. For example, RefrigiWear offers a 3-in-1 Rainwear Jacket in black or high-visibility yellow that delivers comfortable protection for working outside on rainy days. The lightweight, 100% waterproof outer jacket features a roll-in hood for versatility. Meanwhile, the inner puffer-style jacket provides warmth and insulation and can stand alone. 

Whether it’s a light drizzle or a heavy downpour, having the right raingear can make the difference between a productive workday and a complete washout.

2. Protect Your Feet

Don’t skimp on protecting your feet in wet work conditions. Wet surfaces increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls, so it’s essential to invest in comfortable and supportive waterproof work boots or safety shoes. 

Look for waterproof work shoes and boots with non-slip soles that provide traction on slippery surfaces. These shoes should also offer adequate support and cushioning to reduce fatigue and prevent foot-related injuries during long hours on the job.

When you’re trying to outwork wet weather, you can’t ignore the risk of trench foot, a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. Waterproof footwear not only keeps your feet dry but also helps regulate temperature, minimizing the risk of trench foot, cold stress, frostbite or worse weather-related injuries. Prioritizing foot protection means prioritizing stability, comfort, and safety while working in rainy weather.

3. Protect Your Hands

When it comes to handling tools and equipment in rainy weather, a secure grip is everything. Wet conditions can compromise your grip strength and increase the risk of accidents. To mitigate these risks, invest in waterproof gloves designed specifically for working in wet conditions.

Waterproof gloves are made with specialized materials and grip patterns that help you hold equipment and tools securely, even in the rain. Whether you’re handling power tools, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require extreme attention to detail, waterproof work gloves provide the dexterity and protection you need to get the job done.

Waterproof gloves enhance safety and productivity on the job site by keeping your hands dry and enhancing your grip. Proper hand protection is vital to maintaining workplace safety in rainy weather – when you’ve got a grip on the right gear, working in the rain becomes a breeze.

4. Always Stay Weather-Aware

Just because you’ve got the gear to stay dry while working in a downpour doesn’t mean you should. Being weather-aware is key to staying safe when working outdoors, especially during popup thundershowers. 

Monitor your local weather forecasts regularly and be prepared to adjust your work schedule accordingly. Rain showers can intensify quickly, bringing the risk of lightning strikes, flash floods, and strong winds. By keeping an eye on weather reports and conditions in your area, you can make informed decisions to protect yourself and your team from severe weather.

In addition to monitoring forecasts, pay attention to environmental cues that indicate changes in weather patterns. Darkening skies, distant thunder, and gusty winds are all signs of impending rain showers. If lightning is detected or flash flood warnings are issued for your area, it’s important to seek shelter immediately and suspend outdoor activities until conditions improve. 

By staying vigilant and proactive, you can minimize the risk of weather-related accidents and ensure the safety of everyone on the job site. After all, while OSHA may not have specific standards for workplace safety in the rain, they do require employers to provide an overall safe workplace. 

5. Keep Your Raingear & Supplies Handy

For workers who are constantly on the move, remember that packable rain gear is a practical solution for staying dry and comfortable in a variety of wet conditions. These lightweight and compact garments can be easily zipped into a pouch and tucked into a toolbox or backpack so you’re always prepared for sudden changes in weather. 

Whether you’re caught in a passing shower or facing prolonged rainfall, packable rain gear provides instant protection without weighing you down. Look for options like the RefrigiWear Midweight Rainwear Set, a packable rain suit designed for convenience and functionality. With features such as an adjustable hood, elastic cuffs and reinforced seams, this rain suit offers reliable protection against the elements while allowing breathability and freedom of movement.

It’s also a good idea to keep a couple of waterproof tarps or plastic sheets stowed with your raingear. When showers spring up, you’ll be able to quickly cover any vulnerable supplies or equipment and minimize any damage to valuable materials. 

When Rain Pours Down, It’s Time to Gear Up

Working safely in the rain requires careful preparation, awareness of changing conditions, and the proper protective gear. By investing in quality waterproof workwear, prioritizing foot protection and grip, staying weather-aware, and embracing packable rain gear, workers, managers, and business owners can mitigate risks and ensure a safe and productive work environment. 

About Paula Glover

Paula Glover is the Marketing Communications Director for RefrigiWear, the leading manufacturer of insulated workwear, safety apparel and personal protective equipment (PPE) for extreme cold work environments. Learn more at pro.refrigiwear.com.