Maintaining High Morale and Productivity Among Construction Teams

March 13, 2024

Construction is a high-stress environment. With so much to do and so many competing pressures, it’s easy for construction teams to get burned out. But those are the people you rely on, and the work can’t get done without everyone performing at their best. Here are a few tips to keep morale up and boost productivity among all your construction employees.

Recognition Programs

Everyone likes to feel valued. An easy and cost-effective way to show your construction teams that they matter is to implement some type of recognition program. This could be as simple as an Employee of the Month certificate or taking everyone to lunch when your company hits a major milestone. The point is simply to reward your hard-working team members for a job well done.

Team-Building Exercises

The ability to function as a single unit is essential for all construction crews. But you can’t just throw a bunch of people together and expect them to act like a team. Take a little bit of time to focus on team-building exercises that are targeted to the unique construction environment. Examples include:

Safety trivia. Working in pairs or small groups, team members must answer several safety-related questions.
The name game. Put everyone in a circle and give one person a small, soft ball. They must name someone else in the circle and toss the ball to them. Anyone who names the wrong person is out.
Team relays. Set a goal that is common for construction teams, such as prepping a room for painting. Assign each team a different room and leave it to them to decide how to divide up the labor. The first team to have the entire room properly prepped wins.

Managing Workloads

No one can perform at their best if they simply have too much to do. Sit down and assess everyone’s workload. Are your laborers filling in for open skilled trades positions? Do your cabinetry experts need an extra set of hands? To improve morale, find a balance that allows everyone the necessary breathing room to do their best work.

Need a Skilled Trade Professional?

At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!

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A group of construction workers wearing hard hats and safety vests are smiling.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!