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The Power of Construction

The Power of Construction
Author: Procore Technologies
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© Copyright 2024
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Procore and Construction Dive have teamed up to bring you The Power of Construction. Throughout this podcast, you will hear stories from industry leaders who are evolving their businesses today to forge a better future tomorrow. From breaking down barriers and rewriting the rules to empowering their teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible, we will bring you the brightest minds in construction that are tasked with building the world where we all live, work and play.
Whether you’re in construction, tech or simply curious about the built environment, join us for a look into how the construction industry is shaping the world around us. Watch and listen to new episodes and follow Procore on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for all of the best moments from the show!
Whether you’re in construction, tech or simply curious about the built environment, join us for a look into how the construction industry is shaping the world around us. Watch and listen to new episodes and follow Procore on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for all of the best moments from the show!
20 Episodes
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Construction has poured billions into technology—but ask any owner, and you’ll hear the same thing: it still hasn’t solved their problems. In this episode, KP Reddy—CEO of Shadow Ventures and longtime tech leader in AEC—makes the case that BIM and automation have mostly failed the people who matter most: the owners footing the bill.We unpack why that happened, what went wrong in the handoff between design and delivery, and why optimizing for internal workflows instead of outcomes has created a massive credibility gap. KP shares how the next generation of tools—and companies—must be built around owner needs from day one. And amid all the disruption, KP reminds us why this still matters: buildings are permanent. They shape communities, economies, and lives. And when we finally build for that kind of impact, we don’t just boost an industry—we redefine it.
In the construction industry, your greatest asset is the talent you attract and retain. Building a future-ready workforce isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about driving real competitive advantages. Join Nancy Novak, CIO of Compass Datacenters, for an engaging conversation on what it takes to stay ahead of the industry—without leaving any talent or ideas on the sidelines.
This episode explores how construction does more than just build structures — it shapes the communities where we live, work, and learn. Advancing productivity in the industry isn’t just about improving efficiency and profitability; it’s about creating lasting, positive change. We sit down with Jennifer Downey, Director of Environmental Social Governance at Turner Construction, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in driving sustainable and equitable construction practices. Jennifer shares how Turner Construction is making an impact by prioritizing community engagement, environmental responsibility, and long-term industry transformation.
On paper, construction has never looked safer. In reality, mental health claims are rising, workers are disengaged and the compliance playbook is broken. Garry Mansfield, co-founder of Scratchie, argues the answer isn’t more rules—it’s rewiring incentives so teams want to work safely. In this episode, we unpack the concept of “zero harm”, explore the gamification of safety and reveal how recognition in microdoses creates positive psychological change on the jobsite.
Construction doesn’t need more tech for tech’s sake—it needs tech that helps people build. In this episode, Dustin Burns, SVP of Technology & Business Solutions at McCownGordon, shares how relying on best-in-class SaaS tools—not in-house development—helps his teams focus on what they do best: building.We discuss how this approach reduces burnout, attracts next-gen talent, and scales with the business. It’s a real-world look at a key trend from Procore’s Future State of Construction report: to win the future workforce, you need the right tools in the hands of the right people.
For decades, construction decisions have often been made based on gut instinct. But the industry is on the cusp of a significant shift. In this episode, we talk with Paul Hedgepath, Director of Virtual Construction at MJ Harris Construction, who has over 25 years of experience navigating the evolution of construction technology. Paul shares his journey, from handing out early iPads to superintendents, to leveraging BIM, laser scanning, and 360 photos to catch problems before they get covered up. Drawing on insights from Procore's Future State of Construction report, we explore how technologies like AI are enabling contractors to play a much larger role in informing constructability and democratizing the design process. We discuss the potential for wearables to provide real-time information to field workers and how capturing data and lessons learned creates accountability and transparency. Paul provides a candid view on the timeline for these changes and emphasizes that continuous learning and listening to the guys in the field are key to successful technology adoption
Construction has long been seen as a low-margin industry. But what if the real problem isn’t the margins—it’s how decisions get made? In this episode, we sit down with Indra Gutiérrez, President of Gutier, who’s reimagining what’s possible when data isn’t just collected—it’s actually used. Starting her company with zero outside capital, Indra has led a bold transformation from a specialty contractor to a self-performing general contractor focused on higher-margin, mission-aligned projects.We explore how data-driven decision-making is helping her unlock profitability, guide strategic pivots, and build a business that serves both purpose and performance. This is a conversation about reclaiming control through insights—and rewriting the rules of growth in construction.
How will construction look different in 2030? Could robots become as standard as hard hats and hammers? Might AI reshape your day-to-day tasks, making it possible to clock out on time—maybe even reclaim a bit more of your life outside work? In this episode, we talk with Hamzah Shanbari—Director of Innovation at Haskell and author of Paperless Builders: The Why, What, and How of Construction Technology, about what’s really at stake as technology reshapes the construction industry. It’s a conversation about how cutting-edge tech can elevate, rather than replace, human expertise, and how rethinking productivity might just lead to the kind of work-life balance that can keep us all energized for the challenges—and the buildings—yet to come.
Can an industry tasked with building our future truly meet the demand to double its growth by 2040? In this season, we explore insights from The Future State of Construction report—a global survey of industry leaders who employed “future-back” thinking to envision what lies ahead. You’ll hear how some of today’s most innovative leaders plan to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges, and why the path toward “twice as fast” is a reasonable target, not a pipe dream.
In season one of The Power of Construction, we asked a big question: What’s holding our industry back from boosting productivity? Across our conversations, we discovered that while the industry as a whole is fighting to overcome digital adoption, labor shortages, and other rapidly evolving challenges, there are leaders out there proving it can be done. In this special recap, we reflect on the insights they shared—and offer a preview of next season, where we’ll step into a future where the power of construction is limitless.
In this special kickoff episode recorded live at Groundbreak, Fred Mills—Founder of The B1M and Get Construction Talking—joins us to explore the projects and people reshaping the construction landscape in 2024. Hear firsthand stories from Fred’s travels that have influenced his vision, along with the real challenges he’s encountered that highlight the grit behind industry innovations. We’ll discuss how technology has transformed his approach to construction storytelling and the importance of prioritizing wellbeing on the job.
Construction is facing a decades-long productivity gap, yet the solutions are right in front of us—if we know how to use them. In this episode, we sit down with Jit Kee Chin, Chief Technology Officer at Suffolk, to explore how applying scientific rigor to data could unlock the mindset shift the industry needs to drive lasting change. What happens when you prioritize trust and transparency over tradition? How do you motivate an industry to embrace change by harnessing its competitive nature through actionable insights? From rethinking safety to leveraging AI for smarter decisions, we ask: can data, used the right way, not only change how we build but also how we work together?
Today, we’re spotlighting a leader who has reimagined what construction can be—not just by building a profitable business but building people who transform the communities where they live, work, and play. Cornelius Griggs, President and CEO of GMA Construction Group. So today, we’re asking some big questions:What is the missing link between solving the labor shortage and traditional recruitment practices in construction?What impact does earning a living wage have on the people and communities construction touches?What does building a profitable business with purpose look like for construction?Let’s rethink what it means to build—not just the physical infrastructure of our cities, but the social infrastructure of our communities that allows people to thrive.
Are construction financial systems equipped to handle the demands of next-generation technology? In this episode, we’re joined by Samantha Cook, a leader in financial transformation within the construction industry, to explore whether current systems are truly ready for advancements in AI, automation, and integrated platforms—or if they’re still playing catch-up. Together, we’ll examine the structural barriers that have hindered modernization and discuss how new financial tools could reshape not only how companies manage money but also how they plan, build, and grow. Samantha brings her firsthand experience leading financial overhauls to the conversation, offering insights into what real transformation looks like and how to measure its success.
Join us for a live episode with Mike Rowe as we explore workforce development and address the pressing question: Why won’t trade workers stick around? Are we doing enough to keep them engaged and satisfied?
In the construction industry, safety is the goal, but behind the scenes, a deeper crisis is unfolding—substance abuse, mental health struggles, safety incidents, and the pressure of overwork are pushing workers to the edge. What if the solution isn’t more safety rules or punitive measures, but a shift in how we care for our people? We'll explore how a culture of care—recovery-ready workplaces, empathetic leadership, and mental health support—could save lives and, at the same time, transform the industry from the ground up.
In this episode, we’ll dive into ways technology has the potential to not only transform the way we build but also help to rebuild the industry’s image—increasing trust among consumers; positioning construction as a modern, tech-forward industry; and attracting a new generation of tech-savvy workers. However, if construction is transforming but the public isn’t seeing it, where are there opportunities to improve our image? Can technology actually rebuild the image of construction? And if so, how?
Over the past 15 years, the construction industry has embraced technology at a rapid pace. Despite this wave of adoption, productivity still lags. Why hasn’t more technology translated into better results? And if adoption isn’t the barrier to operational excellence, what is? That’s what we’re digging into today: the data gap and data maturity. How do we go beyond just adopting technology to start truly leveraging the data we collect to drive operational excellence?
How can construction teams supercharge operational efficiency, worker engagement and business performance? The key is better workforce development. In this episode, guest Mel Renfrow, VP of Strategic Development and Marketing for PCI, presents a behind the scenes look at PCI, showing how “betting on talent” yields productivity surges that surprise and delight.
In this episode, we discuss the surprising truth about the labor and workflow constraints construction leaders face. Guests Peter Tateishi, CEO of AGC of California, and Josh Bone, Executive Director of ELECTRI International, dispel common workforce myths and suggest practical, fact-based ways to rethink current building practices and fashion a workforce designed for change and resilience.