Many companies say they want innovation, but their structure says otherwise. If decisions only flow from the top down, the best ideas never make it to the surface. As Steve Jobs put it: “You have to be run by ideas, not hierarchy. The best ideas have to win.” Watch this clip where Steve Jobs explains why great companies prioritize ideas…
thoughts
BIM sits at an interesting crossroads. It demands accuracy, structure, and process, but it also thrives on innovation and problem-solving. The industry leans heavily on outcome-driven people—those who can follow workflows, meet deadlines, and deliver predictable results. But here’s the problem, without creative minds, BIM stagnates. Watch this discussion on how businesses need creative minds but often push them aside…
Think success at work is about experience, resources, or raw talent? Think again. The biggest predictor of team success is psychological safety—the ability to speak up, admit mistakes, and share ideas without fear of embarrassment, punishment, or exclusion. Watch this Instagram reel on why psychological safety matters more than anything else for high-performing teams. Why Psychological Safety Matters Better Performance,…
Big data sounds great—more data should mean better decisions, right? But in BIM and construction, just like in business, volume doesn’t guarantee value. Nokia had endless market data saying consumers wouldn’t pay more for a phone. But they got blindsided by the smartphone revolution. Anthropologist Amy Chen warned them that people in low-income areas saw smartphones differently, but her insights—based…
Stepping into 2025, I’ve been reflecting on the content from last year here on digitalbbq. It’s been a year of exploration, learning, and sharing insights, but admittedly, I also hit the pause button for a bit. I decided to take time off for the “silly season” — a term I used to cringe at whenever I heard it. I had…
I’ve watched the engineering industry glorify speed over sense for years. We praise people who respond to emails at midnight. We celebrate those who jump from meeting to meeting without breaks. We reward constant availability over actual output. Let’s call this what it is. Broken. I recently came across an article on Nature.com that introduced me to slow productivity. This…
Recent articles claim people are less productive when working from home. From my experience, this is far from true. But it’s not just my observations. Stanford University found a 5% productivity increase during remote work, and the University of Sydney reported similar findings. Another benefit of working from home is that the average worker saves four hours weekly by not…
Welcome to the first installment of our series based on my presentation at BiLT in Melbourne, titled “Top 10 Practical AI Workflows to Elevate Your Practice Today.” In this series, I plan to explore each topic covered in more detail, starting with a fundamental understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether you’re a beginner, an expert, or just curious, this series…
BiLT ANZ has come and gone for another year, and as I sit down to reflect on the event, I’m struck by the transformative power of digital innovation in our industry. The conference provided plenty of insights, connections, and forward-thinking discussions that left me energized about the future of AEC. One of the highlights of my time at BILT was…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, bringing with it both excitement and apprehension. While AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we work, fears and misconceptions about its capabilities and limitations can hinder its adoption. In this blog post, we’ll explore common concerns surrounding AI adoption in the AEC industry and discuss strategies…