Estimating Conference? For Software? But we’re a construction company?
Estimating Conference? For Software? But we’re a construction company?
Starring at the US Airways website and the Budget rental car pages earlier this week I wondered that myself. I will be in Tunica, MS the first week of August for the annual MC2-ICE users’ conference. Sometimes as we are caught up in the minutiae, all be it, important minutiae of running a successful company, office or department. It comes back to the age-old saying, “you can’t see the forest through the trees”. In estimating or pre construction we get caught up on getting bids done and have the pressures of if we don’t get them done we won’t have any work. In today’s economies, it is even more apparent this is true. However, we must stop and evaluate from time to time the process and how can we be better? Sometimes it is hard to spend those days to evaluate and change because we don’t allow for the foresight to guide us to the possibilities.
Well that is a conference. It is a time for foresight and vision. As a pre construction leader, you need to stop and have a vision. You are the project manager of the front end of the business, thus we need to treat it the same way and plan.
I thought of this after I finished my notes of what I will be talking about at the conference. At just this, one-conference new topics of coverage include a mix of How To’s and Specific Best Practices. Think of the time saved and process streamlining a best practices seminar could improve your company? By taking a few days and let us see how to do it better. Yes Better.
I personally will be talking about Introduction to Digital Takeoff, a quick look at how to get started using PDF and TIF on prints to see the project and save time and money. Others include in depth discussions of how PlanSwift and OST are integrated into ICE, streamlining the takeoff and estimating processes. BIM and Innovaya will be discussed and best practices will be shown, examples from actual customers given, this is the future of estimating. This is why a simple conference can be so much more.
Lastly looking at the attendees is a who’s who of the ENR top 100 contractors list. Where else can you learn and network? So make a note to yourself to try to make it out to one of these events. They will make a measureable difference in your business if you provide the foresight to lead.
Click the contact page and message me if you’d like any more info about other conferences or to chat about Pre Construction technology.
Estimating Technologist? Estimating Software Optimizer
Estimating Technologist
My new term is Estimating Technologist. I heard it from a consultant friend of mine and I’m officially stealing it here. Working with customers all around the world we’ve both noted the lake of respect for the estimating process by estimators no less! As you think of making an investment for advancing your company let us not neglect the process. Modern estimating and takeoff software deserves that respect. The know-how that has made you successful and a leader in your market is not available out of the box. We can try and try but we need to get your expertise into the machine. The quicker we come to that conclusion the faster you’re going to rule the world.
A+B=C
Technology + Technologist = Success. The secret to implementing a new technology first is the technology. Make sure when you pick an estimating software that it can meet your needs. Saving a buck here will cost you in frustrations in the long run. The worse feeling in the world is I could have. Remember raging bull? “I coulda been a contenda!” That is what will happen if you buy just any software you come across online or for a cold call. Make sure you look at the possibilities. Start to finish how can it be tweaked and polished and massaged into the dynamic stallion you need to ride to the front of the pack. Great examples of these capable components are MC2- ICE especially when paired with PlanSwift or OnCenters On Screen Takeoff (OST).
The Technologist is the trainer of that stallion. Think about the Kentucky Derby, who gets so much of the credit? Yes the jockey, that’s you, but who got the horse ready to run? The trainer does or in this case the estimating technologist. Estimating technology needs someone to teach it how to canter and trot and the run like nobody’s business.
This business then will be your success. Don’t neglect the parts of your success formula. As I’ve trained and helped people around the world, they always want to run with it when we need to ramp up the canter first. Estimating success and accuracy leads to profitable jobs and success.
I know this is over the top but someone needed to give it the hype estimating needs! Let’s talk about how to get the complete package. Contact me for tips and ideas. Leave a comment whatever you’d like.
Estimating Technology – software for estimating, takeoff, and more
Estimating Technology
What’s the big deal? We’ve made money for years using Excel. Yes you have and that’s why you can afford new technology now and why you can’t afford not to. Technology for the construction estimator is rolling forward and it’s not braking for you and the family business that has been building great buildings for the greater (insert your town) area for 50 years. Well in the past 50 years things have changed. Fifty years ago did you print our own plans that didn’t smell like ammonia? Thirty years ago did have cell phones or the ability to submit bids via email? Twenty years ago did have DWFs? That’s right we’re at another turning point. Now can you imagine a project manager without a cell phone or being able to download plans from an FTP site or bid room? No? Me neither. So why are you working on a product that has advanced some but is minimally better than a 123 file from 20 years ago? Where’s the Audit trail? Where’s the dynamic takeoff quantifying? Exactly, you need new technology, estimating software, digital takeoff programs, project management software all are necessary investments you need to make right now.
Technology is out there to help you not confuse you. That’s what the problem is, comfort. My wife put a quote on the mirror of my car that says “successful people do what unsuccessful people won’t”. Doesn’t that say it? As you were coming up you worked the extra hours, tried harder, and worked smarter? That hustle and drive put you were you are now. Let’s renew that spirit with new technology. How can you take your company, your division to the next level, leave a legacy? By being the revolutionary leader. Technology will be the “shot heard ‘round the world” in your company.
Making the move to the latest technology will make manifest gains in many areas. First and foremost it will enable you to put out more bids, and more bids mean more jobs and more jobs means more money. Even in a down economy. In this economy maybe you need to put out or 25 bids to get one job? Well then even at that closing rate, if I can show you the technology that will help you put out 2,3,4 times the bids in the same amount of time, without adding to your overhead. Then that’s just by simple math, 2,3,4 times the revenues! That’s making money, versus breaking even, versus losing money, versus eventually closing your doors.
That’s what technology can do. Remember this, if you look in an old phone book, from 40 years ago, you will see that only about 15% of the businesses in that phone book are in business today. Why is that? I say its technology and leadership. So let’s lead.