Construction Chat is a new chat hosted by us on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. We’d love you to join if you’re free next week.
(I put a reminder in my calendar. Otherwise, even I would forget.)
This week’s topic:
Today we discussed communication methods from the field to the office and field to client.
Below are the questions, as asked, and some highlighted answers. Some weeks there are so many great answers, it’s hard not to include them. We apologize for the length in advance. The purpose of the recap is to give you, our reader, some insight.
The questions came from Kevin at Hard Hat Hub. Thanks for co-hosting, Kevin.
Q1. What is the most effective way your company communicates between the field and the office?
A1. Telephone and texting or a plain old-fashion phone call. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
#ConstChat – Texting is the best for us
— Burgin Construction (@BurginCo) May 29, 2014
A1: Also w/texting they can get to when available & all important info is written down for them already #constchat
— NorthCountyScaffold (@ncscaffold) May 29, 2014
A1. For #safety communications, we have started to use some YouTube videos that are available to field staff via a private link. #ConstChat
— Amy Collins, CPSM (@amy_collins) May 29, 2014
I like the phone. I like to hear the tone in voice and also know they understand. #ConstChat
— WarehouseFlow Advisr (@witzshared) May 29, 2014
Q1b. I see a lot of you (us) use texting to communicate with the field. Does that ever pose a problem?
No one has had any problems. That’s a good thing.
Q2. How was this changed over the last 5-10 years?
A2: Love that everyone has phones w/cameras now so quick access to photos #constchat
— NorthCountyScaffold (@ncscaffold) May 29, 2014
A2. We are so much more reliant on technology over the past 5-10 years. Less paper for sure. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
A2-Photos are great to let the engineers know of issues and ready when they come out. #ConstChat
— WarehouseFlow Advisr (@witzshared) May 29, 2014
Q2b. Do any of your field guys email photos to clients?
A2b. Not to customers but to vendors. A picture is 1000 words. #ConstChat
— WarehouseFlow Advisr (@witzshared) May 29, 2014
#ConstChat Q2b – Most goes through the office or a project manager
— Burgin Construction (@BurginCo) May 29, 2014
A2b. Most of the field guys are handy with their smartphones. So yes, they send photos. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
Q2b Field guys email to office and project designer if there is an issue…never the client directly-keep chain of command #ConstChat
— Amy Good (@Splintergirl) May 29, 2014
Q3. In what ways would you like to see field-to-office communications improve?
A3: Just trying to keep everyone up with new technology that's always improving #constchat
— NorthCountyScaffold (@ncscaffold) May 29, 2014
A3. Would love more photos, videos, stories to use across social media. #WahWahWah #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
A3: We'd like to use more 360 deg photos. So helpful for critical staff who cant get to the site #ConstChat
— Mussachio Architects (@MussachioArch) May 29, 2014
A3 – One point person on site with phone on them ALWAYS and volume turned up. They would be only person comm. w/ office #ConstChat
— Amy Good (@Splintergirl) May 29, 2014
Q3b. Lots of photo taking in the field. Do you guys take before (aka CYA) photos, during, and after?
#ConstChat – We used to carry many photo albums to showcase our work, now it is all online or presented to customer via ipad
— Burgin Construction (@BurginCo) May 29, 2014
@RigginsConst @bxboy52 We send the quality pics to owners once reviewed – if they request them! #ConstChat #FieldReport
— Mussachio Architects (@MussachioArch) May 29, 2014
A3b: Photos are a live diary of the happenings of any project. They should be taken often and reviewed religiously. #ConstChat
— Mussachio Architects (@MussachioArch) May 29, 2014
I just learned about this chat, and as a member of CSI, I think communication is very important. #constchat
— Cliff Marvin (@cliffordmarvin) May 29, 2014
Q4. How has field-to-office communications benefitted you or a co-worker on site?
#ConstChat – A4 They have access to more info than ever. If they need specs they can get right online
— Burgin Construction (@BurginCo) May 29, 2014
A4. Ensures that things don't fall through the cracks. We can catch last-minute changes easier. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
A4-communication is better and less mistakes. #ConstChat
— WarehouseFlow Advisr (@witzshared) May 29, 2014
A4: Its easy to just pull out your phone/tablet and flip through the e-reader spec book or drawing/model. #ConstChat
— Mussachio Architects (@MussachioArch) May 29, 2014
A4 I'd also say that increased communications eliminated need for designer to be on site (can sometimes be states away) #constchat
— Amy Good (@Splintergirl) May 29, 2014
Q5. Does your company use any social networks to communicate between field and office?
Mine uses web app, but not openly "social" RT @RigginsConst: Q5. use any social networks to communicate between field and office #ConstChat
— Tim Schrock (@dbsllc) May 29, 2014
I should clarify…I use Twitter when I attend programs my co-workers are not attending #constchat
— Cliff Marvin (@cliffordmarvin) May 29, 2014
@RigginsConst A5a. But DMs could be used, or some other private messaging. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) May 29, 2014
no, but interesting idea RT @RigginsConst: Q5. Does your company use any social networks to communicate between field and office #ConstChat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) May 29, 2014
Agreed! #SoMe is an important and dangerous tool RT @RigginsConst: A5. not a fan of using public forums 4 interoffice things. #ConstChat
— Tim Schrock (@dbsllc) May 29, 2014
Bonus Tweet:
Talk about hitting the nail on its proverbial head!
I really think it boils down to needing to find a way to communicate that everyone feels comfortable w so they'll use it. #ConstChat
— Amy Good (@Splintergirl) May 29, 2014
Do you have an answer you want to contribute? Feel free to add it in the comments.
Some stats from TweetBinder:
