Navigating the challenges of the building automation industry while fostering growth and maintaining a cohesive company culture is no small feat. In our latest episode of SBA, we sat down with Derek Wright, a seasoned expert from D&L Controls, to discuss just that.

Episode Highlights:

• Journey of D&L Controls: From its inception to its current state and future ambitions, Derek offers a candid look into the company's evolution over the years.

• The Hiring Lens: What does D&L Controls look for when bringing new talent on board? Derek reveals the attributes that stand out for them.

• Preserving Culture: As companies expand, maintaining the original spirit and ethos becomes a challenge. Derek discusses the strategies D&L employs to ensure their core values remain intact.

• Overcoming Challenges: Every company faces its set of hurdles. Derek sheds light on the biggest challenges D&L Controls has encountered and the innovative solutions they've implemented.

• Spotting Opportunities: The building automation sector is ripe with potential. Derek shares his perspective on the most promising growth avenues for contractors in the industry.

• Technology's Dual Role: Has technology been a boon or bane for D&L over the past 18 months? A deep dive into the pros and cons they've experienced.

• Power of Partnerships: The impact of strategic alliances on D&L's business trajectory and how such collaborations shape the industry landscape.

• Balancing Act: Growth is essential, but so is caution. Derek talks about striking the right balance between expansion and risk in the contracting world.

The building automation landscape is constantly evolving, and so are the challenges associated with managing and retaining top talent in this sector. In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the intricacies of talent management, examining the pivotal role of organizational culture, navigating corporate-imposed pay constraints, and implementing innovative strategies to reengage disengaged staff.

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Culture: Discover how a strong organizational culture not only boosts employee morale but also significantly impacts company performance.
• Monetary Constraints: Learn about the challenges posed by limited raise allowances and explore creative compensatory measures to motivate and retain employees.
• Engaging the Disengaged: Uncover proven methods to rejuvenate disengaged staff, ensuring optimal productivity and alignment with company goals.

Plus, don't miss our interactive Q&A segment where we address some pressing queries and engage in a dynamic discussion with our listeners.

Whether you're a professional in the building automation industry, a manager seeking effective talent management strategies, or just someone intrigued by the intersection of technology, culture, and employee engagement, this episode promises a wealth of insights.

Step into the enlightening world of UHAT with our latest SBA 439 Podcast episode, dedicated to unveiling the strategic maneuvers of Nathan Miller, UHAT's renowned Energy Manager.

About This Episode:
In this special segment, Nathan Miller grants us an exclusive insight into his dynamic career journey, the challenges and learning from his transition into the owner space, and UHAT's approach to the fusion of IT with Building Automation Systems (BAS).

Key Takeaways:

• 🚀 The origin and evolution of Nathan's role at UHAT.
• 🌟 UHAT's formula for setting and implementing facility standards.
• 💡 The collaborative approach between IT and BAS under Nathan's leadership.
• 🔧 The ideation and realization of UHAT's preventative maintenance program.
• 🌐 Nathan's forecast on pressing facility concerns for the next 18 months.

Why Tune In?

• 🎧 Deep Dive: Get up close and personal with one of the industry's leading energy managers.
• 🛠 Practical Insights: Nathan sheds light on actionable strategies for facility management.
• 🌟 Expert Opinions: Understand the balance between current challenges and future concerns in facility management.

Engage with Us:
As you immerse yourself in this episode, we invite you to be more than just a listener. Share your thoughts, ask Nathan questions in our comment section, or suggest what other topics you'd love us to cover in future episodes.

Ready to embark on a journey into the heart of UHAT's energy initiatives? Press play.

Are you frustrated with the revolving door of talent in the building automation sector? Ever trained an employee only to watch them be lured away by a competitor? If these scenarios sound familiar, our latest podcast episode is for you.

Why Employee Retention Matters

In the rapidly advancing world of building automation, maintaining a skilled and dedicated workforce isn't just an HR concern—it's a core business imperative. The cost of replacing a trained technician can range from 50% to 200% of their salary. Given these numbers, the significance of retention becomes crystal clear.

In This Episode

We dive deep into:

1. The Reasons People Quit: Beyond just the lure of higher pay, what are the factors pushing trained professionals to jump ship?
2. Strategies Tailored for Contractors and Building Owners: While contractors battle in a competitive market, building owners, especially those bound by governmental pay structures, face a different set of challenges.
3. The Data Behind Retention: We'll provide statistics that every business leader needs to be aware of, showcasing the undeniable ROI of investing in employee growth and job satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

• Compensation isn't the Sole Factor: As many as 87% of millennials prioritize professional development in a job. This offers a hint for organizations: upskilling might be the key to locking in your talent.
• The Power of Non-Monetary Benefits: For governmental building owners, emphasizing benefits like job security and long-term pension plans can offset salary limitations.
• Investing in Training Pays Off: Organizations with strong training programs boast an impressive 218% higher income per employee.

Employee and leadership challenges are some of the most difficult issues business owners and managers face. Often times you advance in your career because of your skills in a specific area.

Your team or business grows and now you have people. People are awesome, they bring life to a team and business. But they are also complicated.

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, our co-owner Rachel Zito and I discuss her efforts in leading our talent and culture initiatives at SBA.

There's an exhilarating wave of change sweeping over our podcast, and we’re absolutely stoked to bring you along for the ride. If you've ever found yourself caught in the complex web of the building automation world, yearning for clarity, fresh insights, and actionable strategies, our latest episode promises to be a refreshing splash of insights.

SBA’s Grand Transformation

One of the most exciting segments of this episode is our 'New Horizons'. We've broadened our vision and are pumped to introduce our dynamic new crew members and the revolutionary Workforce Development Cohort. It’s more than a new chapter; it's a reinvention, emphasizing our relentless drive towards innovation and excellence in the building automation sphere.

Sales Strategy: Up Your Game

Ever felt that your BAS business strategies needed a tad more oomph? We've got you. This episode features a 'Sales Strategy Snapshot', ensuring you're equipped with powerful insights that promise not just results, but robust, impactful outcomes.

Operational Excellence

For those at the helm of building automation teams, our 'Operational Expertise' segment is a treasure trove. We delve into the nitty-gritty, presenting tools and strategies designed to optimize, streamline, and fortify your operational structures.

Tech Talk: Solutions at Your Fingertips

In 'Techno-Bytes', we’re breaking down some of the most pressing challenges in the industry and, more importantly, equipping you with pragmatic solutions. It’s real, it's relevant, and it’s designed to give you an edge.

Listener’s Voice: Spotlighting You

And, of course, where would we be without our loyal listeners? In our 'Listener’s Spotlight', we address a riveting question from one of you. Remember, each voice in our community is essential, and we're ever-eager to hear from you.

A Glimpse Into the Future

We couldn't sign off without teasing some of the sensational content lined up. Stay tuned, because what’s on the horizon is nothing short of legendary!

Prepare for an adventure as we roll out the 435th episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, imaginatively titled "SBA 435: Highway Heroes - Untold Stories from a Traveling Building Automation Repairman."

In this episode, we have our Corporate Trainer, David Perkins, as your travel guide. David has spent countless hours on the road, moving from site to site, unraveling and fixing complex building automation and mechanical issues that have left others in the field scratching their heads.

Now, he's ready to share his wealth of experience and the wisdom he's gained during these troubleshooting treks. Not only will you hear engrossing stories, but you'll also gain a fresh perspective on building systems and how to troubleshoot them.

Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to learn from a seasoned veteran of the industry. Join us, and let's hit the road together in this fascinating episode!

Get ready for a thrilling ride as we present the 434th episode of our popular Smart Buildings Academy podcast, titled "SBA 434: In the Maintenance Zone - Exploring Best Practices for BAS Upkeep."

Leading the discussion will be our corporate instructor, David Perkins. Drawing from his extensive experience on the maintenance frontlines, David will share a captivating mix of success stories and horror tales that illustrate the stark realities of Building Automation Systems (BAS) maintenance.

But it's not all about storytelling. David will also equip you with effective maintenance strategies, practical tips and tricks, and comprehensive frameworks that you can apply directly to your work. Whether you're an experienced professional or new to the field, this knowledge will empower you to keep your BAS running smoothly and efficiently.

Join us and delve into the best practices of BAS maintenance. This episode is an opportunity to learn from the past and arm yourself with the knowledge to prevent common pitfalls. We promise you an educational and enlightening experience that you certainly won't want to miss!

Clear your schedules for the 433rd episode of our Smart Buildings Academy Podcast! This time, we're bringing in the big guns with our distinguished corporate instructor, Michael Roper, taking the lead.

The episode is masterfully titled, "The Art and Science of Valve Sizing - Decoding the Mystery." Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating universe of valve types, their sizing, and the critical decision-making that goes into selecting the right valve. This episode is all about breaking down the complexities and dispelling the confusion surrounding valve selection.

Ever wondered how to avoid choosing the wrong valve for your next Building Automation System (BAS) installs and retrofits? Then this episode is tailor-made for you.

So, whether you're a seasoned professional or a newbie to the field, here's your chance to level up your knowledge and skills in this crucial area. Can't wait to see you there!

At last, the wait is over! Episode 432 of the Smart Buildings Academy's Podcast is finally here! We sat down for an incredible roundtable discussion on Wednesday, June 7th, in an episode we've titled, "Growth and Grit: Our Workforce Development Endeavors Revealed".

In this discussion, we peeled back the layers on our trailblazing, fully online, 11-week workforce development program. Yes, we've been busy transforming ordinary postal workers and hotel lobby clerks into proficient building automation service technicians in less than three months! Even we couldn't believe it initially, but by the fourth week of the program, an astounding 80% of the technical labor is already billable.

We haven't kept our journey a secret either. This episode features frank discussions about the obstacles we faced, the lessons we learned, and the successes we've achieved. And, as a bonus, we're giving you a sneak peek into our exciting enhanced Version 2.0 curriculum, which is set to roll out in Fall 2023.

If you're curious about remote talent development, or you're wondering about the ideal students for our program, we've got you covered. This episode is jam-packed with invaluable insights and information.

If your interests lie in building automation, HVAC, or revolutionizing workforce development in these sectors, this episode is an absolute must-listen. It's here that the future of our industry begins.

We invite everyone to tune in, share, and engage with us during this enlightening episode. Let's grow together, folks!