Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.
Janet Blake from Fasten Master graciously volunteered to talk about improvisation.
In a digital world that changes daily, how can you plan five years out? Our printers don’t even last that long.
Here are some of the chat’s highlights:
@RigginsConst @FastenMaster #constchat pic.twitter.com/vmjFrzYF5j
— Blue Book Network (@bluebooknetwork) June 18, 2015
Sometimes when Twubs stops working, you have to improvise! #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
And improvisation kills procrastination…wow, I just made that up. Seriously, I may use this as my new motto. https://t.co/AzhnNUvR42
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
This is an example of bad improvisation #constchat pic.twitter.com/raiy3YOXyV
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
Hmm, how about all the best laid plans go out the window after the first shot is fired 😉 #constchat https://t.co/mt9cjsb8fK
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
Jack Handy: #ConstChat pic.twitter.com/QXwblklVRh
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
The Questions & Answers:
Q1. How do you define improvisation?
A1. Performing an action, speaking and being in tune with the environment without pre-planning. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) June 18, 2015
A1. Coming up with something on the spot. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A1. Making-do when plans, resources, tools, materials don't #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A1: Creating a solution or “making do” with existing knowledge or the materials at hand. #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A1. On the fly! Zigging when the zag didn't work. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
A1. Saying or doing in real time, without planning. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
Thinking on your feet #constchat
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
Entertaining subcontractors w/o the heckling #constchat
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
A1. Making it up as you go. #ConstChat
— Utility One Source (@utility1source) June 18, 2015
A1: Being able to adapt to any situation, quickly. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) June 18, 2015
But seriously folks…improv is improvement…striving to get a little better every day! #constchat
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
Q2. By percentage, how much of the work you do involves planning and how much involves improvisation?
A2: If all goes well – 100% planed #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
Yes. RT @The_HTRC A2: If all goes well – 100% planed #constchat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A2. 50/50 #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
A2. Hard to say since IMO brainstorming is a type of improv and I do a ton of that #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A2. 75/25 #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) June 18, 2015
A2: 60% planning. 40% improvisation. #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A2. Probably 70/30. I plan blog posts, certain Twitter/Facebook posts. The rest is sharing/replying/engaging on the spot. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A2. 80% planning, 20% improv. #ConstChat
— Utility One Source (@utility1source) June 18, 2015
A2: whatever is most valuable to the audience at that moment. Not sure this is a split worthy of strict discipline. #constchat
— Michael Hass (@1footballguy) June 18, 2015
Not sure I look at preplanning that way @RigginsConst @cdcnews but I could see how it could be thought of #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
Q3. Do you get more satisfaction in planning or when devising a creative solution?
A3: I have to work hard to “plan” and need to get better. I’m inherently more of an “improviser”. #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A3. Love planning and brainstorming the plan – so incorporate creativity right from the beginning within the plan. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) June 18, 2015
A3. The OCD part of me gets more satisfaction from planning. Just doesn't always happen. 🙂 #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A3. Both. Like knowing things are in the works, greasing the wheels but then also being ready for whatever may pop up. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
@RigginsConst A3: Planning's necessary to an extent but can be misleading. Things usually don't happen exactly according to plans #constchat
— Blue Book Network (@bluebooknetwork) June 18, 2015
A3. More consistently good results with a plan. More grand slams with creative. #constchat
— Michael Hass (@1footballguy) June 18, 2015
A3. Love to be creative and when improv and planning cross paths? Perfection. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
A3 – can I say both 🙂 As the saying goes – I love it when a plan comes together but also like making impossible happen #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
A3a. But even with planning, I incorporate creativity (with blog posts, etc.)…so I guess they're sometimes intermixed with me. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
#ConstChat A3. I get satisfaction from planning but a THRILL from improvisation
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) June 18, 2015
A3: Both! The satisfaction really kicks in when the outsome is a positive one. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) June 18, 2015
@RigginsConst Hence, improv is super important. Need to be able to roll with how things change day to day (or even hour to hour). #constchat
— Blue Book Network (@bluebooknetwork) June 18, 2015
.@cdcnews A3 Love when a plan comes together, but flying by the seat of my pants is more fun + sometimes the results are better #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
Q4. Give an example of the last time you had to improvise a creative solution.
A4: Writing questions and co-hosting this TweetChat! #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A4. Today's blog post, something else was planned but didn't get finished in time http://t.co/YNeYgAJF1L #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A4. Finishing a blog post last night, finding more good material at the last minute, folding it in. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
A4. Helping a customer get the material they needed though it technically wasn't in stock. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
@RigginsConst Many projects include "design as you go" segments brought about by unforeseen discoveries.
— BYCON (@BYCON1) June 18, 2015
A4. Tying a trending topic/holiday in with what we sell. Sometimes it can be a stretch so you have to get creative. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A4. just launched an IG account – I planned to post photos. but got feedback/inquiries – responding took improvisation. #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) June 18, 2015
Q5. For growing your business, is it more important to develop a plan or to have flexibility?
A5 – a good solid business plan is necessary IMHO, so is knowing when to deviate & tweak it aka Titanic / iceberg not a good mix #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
A5. You need both to be successful. Not everything goes according to plan, but you need a plan/identify goals, etc. Be flexible. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) June 18, 2015
A5. You have to have a plan, but be flexible enough to adapt to changing environment, market, economy, etc. #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A5: I think there needs to be balance. Imp to think strategically but also need flexibility to respond quickly. #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A5. Again both. A solid plan is a must to be successful but you have to be able to adapt to change. Change is the one constant. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
A5. Important to have both. Have a solid plan in place, but also be flexible–things don't always turn out like you anticipate. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A5. Treat a plan as a living, breathing document. Change it to fit your needs. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
A5. Plans are worthless. Planning is everything. #constchat
— Michael Hass (@1footballguy) June 18, 2015
@RigginsConst A5: Both are important. Make a general plan first, then be flexible as it's executed. #constchat
— Blue Book Network (@bluebooknetwork) June 18, 2015
Q6. Do you approach social media with a daily/weekly plan or do you wing it?
A6: I have a goal to post daily content but mostly respond to what other people are sharing/saying/doing. #Authentic #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A6. Feeling repetitive but again both 🙂 Depends on product launch, trade shows, what is happening in the world. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
A6 – SM & blogging are probably the only things I completely just wing it #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
A6 blog schedule is usually laid out in advance, the rest is gotta be fresh, responding, replying, engaging so mostly winging it #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A6: Wing it most of the time, especially on Twitter. Which is why I think this is a great platform. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) June 18, 2015
A6. Mostly wing it. Plan certain posts around holidays/sales/special events, but other than that I just tweet as I go. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A6. I have an editorial calendar with content sched in adv. weekly: fill each day at least 1-2 posts. daily: RT/MT influencers #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) June 18, 2015
@RigginsConst A6: Planning is a must! Content calendars, tracking spending/analytics to inform future decisions, etc. #constchat
— Blue Book Network (@bluebooknetwork) June 18, 2015
A6. A combination of planned and improvised, especially on Twitter. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
A6. I use SproutSocial to manage posts, when scheduled I notify our PR and company when are going out so ppl know to RT/<3 #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) June 18, 2015
I'm a winger-dinger…improv of sorts…wait a minute, we just went full circle @RigginsConst #ConstChat https://t.co/BgzVyu4e6K
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
Q7. How much do you improvise in your personal life versus your professional life?
A7. More improv in my personal life. Tweets, blogs, posts, are all planned. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 18, 2015
A7. About the same. I use a calendar more in my personal life, though. Ha. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) June 18, 2015
A7. Much more improv in personal life. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 18, 2015
A7: Way more in my personal life. I think I’d get more done at home if I was a better planner! #ConstChat
— FastenMaster (@FastenMaster) June 18, 2015
A7 I don't plan, my wife is the planner/list maker in our house. I couldn't tell you what I'm cooking tonight for dinner #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) June 18, 2015
A7 – lots of planning in both though 6 month old requires a lot of improvisation #constchat
— Sean Lintow Sr. (@The_HTRC) June 18, 2015
A7. I plan equally as much in work and personal, but in personal, plans get thrown out the window more often LOL #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) June 18, 2015
Build stages during the day…on stage at night! https://t.co/4HnlkqW81K
— William S. (@billyc2020) June 18, 2015
Thanks for reading.