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[DPC] Trailblaze Your Way Out of the ConTech Dilemma
Driving Toward a Better Future
Aedo
October 29, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
The Data-Powered Construction Sprint is a 6-week journey to help you overcome construction technology frustrations and unlock your company’s potential.
In this article we look at the need of a visionary leader - a Trailblazer - to drive data-powered business improvement and growth.
Seeing the Need for Change
"It's about time we move into the 21st century..."
The president of a specialty trade contractor lamented on a call. He was contemplating how to improve the flow of data from the field through his finance and project management platform. Burned by past IT projects, he still knew this was a 'no brainer.'
Another construction leader exclaimed,
"You just showed me the first three metrics I wrote down!" - as he flipped the Post-it note over his shoulder.
"I'm sitting here wishing, and you can give it to me with the push of a button!"
We all have defining moments when we glimpse a better future beyond immediate challenges. Often, it's when we reach a point of exasperation and declare, 'There has to be a better way.'
And sometimes, when the universe answers, Trailblazers are born — visionaries who refuse to settle for the status quo, who see beyond today’s obstacles and envision something better.
Not because it’s easy. But rather once you see it, creating that future becomes necessary.
The Trailblazer: Seeing Potential in Challenges
Trailblazers see beyond today’s limitations and envision a better future. They know construction is full of challenges: razor-thin margins, complex projects, misaligned incentives, and more. But while others see obstacles, Trailblazers see potential.
Like the pioneers of the Old West, Trailblazers aren’t content with just imagining possibilities—they want to see them firsthand. Those pioneers didn’t wait for others to create a path; they forged west, despite the risks and unknowns.
Modern Trailblazers embody this spirit to improve their business. They envision a future where data empowers rather than restricts. To get there, they break new ground, challenge conventional wisdom, and inspire change through their ideas and leadership.
Do you see potential where others see obstacles?
Action – Forging West vs Remaining Stuck
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right."
The Power of Taking the First Step
Here is the punchline to the two stories above:
Even after seeing a better future, neither construction leader took action.
Neither one made the decision to move their company forward.
We see this all the time.
Most companies we meet on a potential business improvement opportunity don't take action. This used to really annoy us (it kinda still does). There are lots of reasons companies 'decide' not to take action.
And one common element to those that do take action: the Trailblazer.
Vision and good ideas only gets you so far. A Trailblazer is defined by their courage to act. It’s one thing to see a better way; it’s another to take the first step — to venture into the unknown and attempt to turn an idea into reality.
Action is messy. It means persuading stakeholders to take a chance, rethinking entrenched processes, and investing in solutions that might not paying off.
It’s like heading into uncharted lands — you know there will be obstacles, but you believe the rewards are worth it.
Taking action is the spark that ignites progress — it turns vision into momentum.
Trailblazers inspire the work we do. We love our Trailblazers!
The Mindset of the Trailblazer
What sets a Trailblazer apart isn’t just their vision or willingness to act — it’s their mindset. A Trailblazer sees challenges as opportunities, not roadblocks. This mindset drives every decision and action they take. They see failure as part of the journey and use setbacks to grow.
The mindset of a Trailblazer is defined by resilience and proactivity. They embrace discomfort because they know progress lies beyond the familiar.
Where others are discouraged by slow progress, a Trailblazer views every small win as proof that change is possible — fuelling their next step forward.
Trailblazing is a Team Sport
Trailblazers know that achieving a vision isn’t a solo mission — it’s a team effort. Just as the pioneers of the Old West didn’t travel alone, today’s Trailblazers galvanize their teams to take action together.
Success is built on a shared mission.
Trailblazers inspire those around them by helping their teams see possibilities beyond current frustrations and empowering them to become part of the solution. They’re not lone heroes but catalysts for a larger movement within their companies.
Think of caravans heading west — wagons moving together, each with a specific role contributing to collective progress. The power comes from the collective movement toward a common goal.
In the same way, a Trailblazer involves the entire team, aligning everyone for the journey ahead. It’s about collaboration, clear communication, and empowering each person to contribute.
What specific steps can you take to start aligning your team?
Taking the Next Step
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
In our Data-Powered Construction Sprint, we've explored the struggles, the urgency, and the clarity needed to tackle the ConTech dilemma.
Now, it's time to seize the opportunity — identifying key areas for improvement and taking focused action.
Are you the Trailblazer? Then in is your prerogative to take the next step.
Where is there an obvious opportunity to address a problem, and in doing so move your business forward?
Join us in the upcoming lessons to make the most of data-driven opportunities, craft a plan, and drive real change. The time to act is now—let's get moving!
Aedo
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