#056 - Kyle Nitchen - The Influential Project Manager - How Construction Project Managers Adopt Technology
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Kyle Nitchen, the Influential Project Manager.
In this episode, we learn about what makes a great project manager and why/how construction project managers like Kyle adopt technology on their sites.
Tune in to find out about:
What make a great project manager
Pain points on site that technology can solve
The importance of soft skills
What makes great leaders
Ways to improve content and writing skills
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Kyle Nitchen | The Influential Project Manager | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
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Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(0:00-3:17) - Intro
(3:17-5:03) - Kyle's Exceptional Project Management Process
(5:03-7:00) - Qualities for Becoming an Influential Product Manager like Kyle
(7:00-17:30) - The Vital Role of Soft Skills
(17:30-21:00) - Unaddressed Challenges in the Construction Industry
(21:00-24:30) - Trends Shaping Offsite Construction
(24:30-31:18) - The Shrinking Workforce in Construction
(31:18-34:30) - Leading with Purpose and Vision
(34:30-38:20) - Enhancing Your Writing Abilities
(38:20) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#022 - Will Synnott - Solving one of the key construction tech issues... IMPLEMENTATION!
"Sales is hard, Buying is harder... Implementation is hardest" ... from the great man Will Synnott himself.
Today on Bricks & Bytes, we discuss the implementation of construction technology.
Tune in to learn:
Implementation best techniques
The importance of one's digital persona in today's age
Progress tracking and legal issues using Disperse's software
The importance of being on site and in front of your customers
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Will Synnott
Engineer Turned Construction Technology Consultant 🏗 📊 | Director of Strategic Accounts at Disperse | Chartered Geologist | ConTech
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Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(0:00:00-00:02:02) - Intro & sponsor
(00:02:02-00:05:27) - History of Will Synnott
(00:05:27-00:08:44) - Transition into another industry
(00:08:44-00:11:08) - What is the importance of digital identity at this time?
(00:11:08-00:17:25) - The implementation of construction tech on site
(00:17:25-00:21:27) - What is Disperse?
(00:21:27-00:26:04) - Benefits of using Disperse
(00:26:04-00:28:48) - How Disperse data is useful?
(00:28:48-00:30:28) - What type of project Disperse is interested in?
(00:30:28-00:33:50) - Compliance
(00:33:50-00:37:16) - Progress tracking and lawsuits
(00:37:16-00:38:16) - Books
(00:38:16-00:39:57) - Hobbies
(00:39:57-00:40:24) - More about Will
(00:40:24-00:40:41) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#040 - Ken Semler - Building Better, Faster, and Smarter: The Power of Modular Construction
Discover the exciting world of modular construction with Ken Semler, CEO of Impresa Modular. Ken highlights the benefits of factory finishing, time savings, cost advantages, and the versatility of modular construction. This Episode sheds light on the potential for modular construction to revolutionize the industry and provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs and construction professionals alike.
In this episode, we delve into:
Ken Semler's journey from finance to modular construction expert
The current & future state of modular
Training labour to execute modular construction processes
Benefits of franchising
Adoption of innovation in construction
The importance of persistence
If you're finding value in our podcast, we kindly request you to share your feedback by leaving a review. Your support enables us to attract incredible guests and deliver the finest and most enlightening content on technology in the built world.
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Ken Semler President & CEO Impresa Modular
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
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Bricks & Bytes
#021 - April Moss & Lynne Cooper - Blockchain, Leadership and Female Success In Construction Tech
How do you enjoy a fulfilling career in construction and the tech world?
Join us today in our discussion with Apil and Lynne of Digibuild.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Blockchain uses in Construction and Digibuild's software
Attracting gen z talent to blue collar jobs
Diversity and female success in construction
Maintaining balance in life
Lynne's top 3 pieces of advice for young people
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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April Moss - COO | Chief Customer Officer at DigiBuild: Y Combinator Backed (YC S21) l Blockchain Technology l Construction Management l Crypto & Bitcoin Investor l Business Development
Lynne Cooper - Management & Construction | cGMP * R&D * CGT | Founder | Strategy | Innovator | Woman Welder👩🏭 | Power in the trades! | Technology for Efficiency | Collaboration is 🔑 | Blue Collar Revolution! | Improve Quality
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Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:01:27) - Intro and Sponsor
(00:01:27-00:01:58) - Introduction of guest
(00:01:58-00:03:20) - April's background
(00:03:20-00:04:16) - Lynne's background
(00:04:16-00:04:58) - Digibuild history
(00:04:58-00:07:07) - What does digibuild do?
(00:07:07-00:08:27) - Meet the Drapers
(00:08:27-00:09:23) - Digibuild and Blockchain
(00:09:23-00:09:53) - Digibuild expanding globally?
(00:09:53-00:11:04) - Are US-based companies expanding to UK?
(00:11:04-00:13:29) - Do we have cutting-edge construction technology?
(00:13:29-00:14:36) - Procore
(00:14:36-00:16:48) - Lynne's relationship with Digibuild, April, and EL sea
(00:16:48-00:19:25) - Worldchain
(00:19:25-00:24:45) - Tips for attracting gen z to construction
(00:24:45-00:27:16) - Is the general trend of construction interesting for young people?
(00:27:16-00:30:31) - Diversity in Construction
(00:30:31-00:32:24) - Experience from other industries that can be applied in construction
(00:32:24-00:33:06) - Advice about switching industry to construction
(00:33:06-00:36:09) - Charity (construction rocks dmv)
(00:36:09-00:37:19) - Mental health in construction
(00:37:19-00:42:54) - ESG sustainability
(00:42:54-00:45:34) - Advice for someone who is about to launch a construction tech startup
(00:45:34-00:47:34) - Cancel Culture
(00:47:34-00:51:14) - Books
(00:51:14-00:54:00) - How to maintain balance in life?
(00:54:00-00:57:28) - What do you want to do in construction or technology if you want unlimited resources
(00:57:28-00:58:16) - 3 pieces of advice for young people
(00:58:16-00:58:34) Outro
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First Principles & Founder Success: Lessons from Scott Wolf's Levelset Journey
"20 years of experience or 1 year repeated 20 times?" - This profound question from Scott Wolfe (Levelset) captures why some founders achieve extraordinary success while others stay stagnant.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how compound experience and non-linear career paths shape successful founders in construction tech.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ How Scott Wolfe's diverse background (software, retail, law) led to Levelset's success
✅ Why non-linear experiences often lead to breakthrough innovations
✅ The truth about choosing the right capital structure for your business
✅ Why your customer should be your best source of capital
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:08 Scott Wolf's Impactful Insights
02:15 The Concept of Compound Experience
04:17 Nonlinear vs. Linear Experiences
10:38 The Importance of Curiosity
12:20 Applying Compounded Knowledge
16:33 The Role of Blogging in Business Growth
25:50 Choosing the Right Capitalization Method
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$32M Series B: How Stratus is Revolutionizing MEP Workflows
"300 billion dollars for AI infrastructure in the next few years - but who will design and build it all?" - A thought-provoking insight from our latest conversation about the massive construction needs for AI's future.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Stratus raising $32M Series B to revolutionize MEP contractors' digital workflows.
We explored how tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are planning to spend $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space.
Through Patric Hellermann's investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication
✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure
✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features
✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stratus and AI in Construction
05:44 Understanding Stratus: MEP Workflows and Digital Solutions
11:21 The Role of AI in Design and Construction
17:00 The Future of Engineering: Human Touch vs. AI
24:01 Emerging Companies and Innovations in Construction Tech
24:35 Automation in Engineering Workflows
25:50 Massive Investments in AI Infrastructure
27:52 Emerging Startups in AI Data Centers
31:40 The Role of AI in Construction
35:00 Navigating the AI Gold Rush
37:33 The Inefficiency of Venture Capital Allocation
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Truth About 3D Printed Homes: A Deep Dive Into ICON's $450M Technology
Is 3D printing concrete homes worth the $450M investment?
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn that despite being a $2B company, ICON's 3D printed homes only show a tiny 0.5% carbon advantage over regular timber construction.
We also explored why Q4 2024 was special for construction tech - it grabbed nearly 1% of all VC funding, the second-highest share ever. Even more impressive given that 2024 saw the lowest overall VC funding since 2014.
The most striking insight came from questioning the basics - why use concrete, a material best for large-scale projects, to print single-family homes?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ What's driving Asia-Pacific's growing lead in construction tech funding
✅ Why 3D printed concrete homes struggle in wet climates
✅ Which parts of construction tech are actually getting funded
✅ How early-stage funding stayed strong while growth rounds dropped
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches
01:03 Recent News: ICON's Layoffs and Valuation
02:49 Exploring 3D Concrete Printing Technology
05:49 Sustainability Concerns in Concrete Printing
08:59 Comparative Analysis: Concrete vs. Timber Homes
12:04 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
14:56 Automation and Efficiency in Home Construction
18:09 Future of 3D Concrete Printing Technology
21:54 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
22:56 Market Fit for 3D Concrete Homes
24:04 Impact of Staff Reductions on Valuation
25:47 Understanding Company Valuations and Experiments
27:07 Applications of 3D Printing in Housing
29:02 First Principles of Cost in Construction
30:58 Trends in AEC Tech Funding
39:10 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a €450M Construction Tech Giant: How Philip Schröder's Marketing Built Germany's Latest Energy Tech Giant
"Your margin is my opportunity... unless you're selling outcomes in construction tech!"
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored 1KOMMA5°'s impressive €150M pre-IPO round and their unique approach of acquiring 30+ companies since 2021 to scale their energy tech business.
We also learned about an intriguing debate around whether companies can call themselves "market leaders" in Germany, sparked by a court case between 1KOMMA5° and their competitor.
The most fascinating insight came from Patric's take on fixed vs. variable costs in construction tech: Companies that produce with fixed costs but sell outcomes (variable costs) have a unique opportunity to build generational businesses in construction - but this window might only last 10 years.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ Why 1KOMMA5°'s founder Philip Schröder's marketing genius is their secret sauce
✅ How selling outcomes beats traditional SaaS pricing in construction
✅ Why converting variable costs to fixed costs through automation is game-changing
✅ An innovative structural engineering firm reducing design time by 90%
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:56 Diving into One Comma Five
06:01 Understanding the Solar PV Market
11:59 Investment Insights and Market Valuation
18:03 The Role of Technology in Energy Solutions
24:02 Marketing Strategies and Competitive Landscape
30:12 Future Challenges and Business Models
31:07 The Evolution of Energy Training
32:29 Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Costs
37:38 The Impact of SaaS on Construction
43:34 Exploring IPOs and Market Trends
49:45 Emerging Trends in Construction Technology Sales
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