Innovation Strategy

Innovation Strategy

Innovation StrategyWhat Is an Innovation Strategy?

Every company needs to innovate if they want to remain relevant in a quickly changing landscape. While many companies claim to have innovation at their core, their results show that this is not always the case. Despite the massive amounts of resources allocated to innovation, failure is the norm for many of them. For such companies, they need to focus on innovation strategy. Execution of innovation isn’t enough if there is no strategy towards a company’s selected long-term goals.

A good strategy makes every department or unit in the company committed to a clearly defined set of policies. This will include desired behaviors that ultimately lead to the realization of a specified business goal. Our experienced Sacramento Tilt-Up Construction professionals explain that your innovation strategy should address the following questions:

How Will We Create Value for Existing and Potential Customers?

An innovative product or solution can provide value in many ways. These include increased durability, compactness, lower cost, ease of use, better reliability, and so many other ways. For example, Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, a residential ac company in Placerville, is constantly staying ahead of the curve by providing customers with better devices and services.  Your innovation strategy will be lacking if it doesn’t specify your plan to offer value to potential customers. For example, different teams may try to find ways of offering value in different ways, and this lack of coherence will ultimately result in the failure of the innovation strategy.

How Will We Corner a Segment of the Value Created?

The reality of the world today is that not many companies or people are willing to invest in coming up with novel innovations, so they just pounce on any new innovation with their imitations.

Trying to keep such pirates at bay with patents and intellectual property rights is useless. You are better off deciding how you plan to capture a segment of the market that is attracted to your innovation. For example, Apple secured a corner of the market it created by bringing the iPad. This is called a proprietary operating system. That system ensures that someone who owns an iPad will more easily buy an iPhone since they use the same platform.

What Type of Innovation Strategy Should We Focus On?

Innovation can take many forms. A company may be kidding themselves if they think that they will pursue all types of innovation with the same degree of commitment. For example, some companies may be built on business model innovation. Uber and Netflix are a good example of such companies. Other companies may focus on routine innovation. This is a version in which you make improvements to an existing product. Microsoft has excelled at this with its different Windows OS versions. Disruptive innovation is yet another form of innovation, where companies seek to upset the status quo. For example, Google came up with the free Android OS as a disruption to the operating systems of Apple and Windows that one has to pay for.

In short, the innovation strategy of your company needs to outline how much attention will be given to the different kinds of innovation so that all efforts gel across the company.

The Power of Prevailing Winds in Innovation Strategy

Implementing an innovation strategy in a company is no walk in the park. This is because the operational needs of the company will keep pulling personnel and other resources towards fixing immediate needs. For example, your company may be interested in pursuing innovation, but the finance department may push the R&D department to come up with less costly components. They could want this to remain profitable, while the marketing team demands better packaging to reach new customers with existing products.

Those pressures are illustrations of how prevailing winds can throw your plans of innovation off track. Without clear leadership to stay on course, the innovation strategy can just remain on paper.

The Role of Management

Top management has many roles to play if the innovation strategy consists of two things: to see the light of day and bear the desired fruit in the long term.

First, top management is responsible for formulating the innovation strategy of the company. Commercial Renovation Contractors explain that this is important because only they can set the priorities of the company. This innovation strategy should then be articulated to all in the company so there is clarity on what matters most.

Secondly, top management is responsible for ensuring that the way resources are allocated supports the innovation strategy. What happens on the ground in terms of resource allocation determines what the strategy of your company is.

Third and most importantly, top management has the duty to keep refining the strategy. This is to ensure that it remains in tune with the changing times. For example, when a truly disruptive innovation is brought to market, it may be wiser to switch to routine innovation.  This occurs to get as much value from that one innovation as is possible. Modest resources can then be used to search for the next big innovation.

As you can see, coming up with and eventually implementing an innovation strategy isn’t something you can do overnight. A lot of careful thought has to go into the process. However, the results are worth every bead of sweat! The construction industry did it with tilt-up construction and other innovations. You too can position yourself to be innovative. 

For any innovative construction needs, please contact us at Headwater Construction Inc. We’d love to assist you!

Tilt-Up Construction Must Knows

Tilt-Up Construction Must-Knows

Tilt-Up Construction Must-KnowsEverything You Need to Know About Tilt-Up Construction

Tilt-up concrete has been here for about a hundred years, though it came to the head of construction in the 1980s. This occurred when the American Concrete Institute (ACI) formed a committee dedicated to tilt-up concrete. If you are considering tilt-up construction, please read the following must knows on tilt-up concrete to ensure it’s the right technology for your construction needs! 

Tilt-Up Concrete Panel Sizes

Headwaters Construction, Inc., the best tilt-up construction company in California, explains that there is almost no limit as to how large or wide tilt-up panels can be. For example, when a site has limited space, the tilt-up panels can be stacked as they are being manufactured on-site. Lifting cranes of different carrying capacities are available. This is so the weight of the panel may not impose limitations on how large the panels can get.

Tilt-up panels vary depending on whether they are insulated or not, in terms of thickness. Those that aren’t insulated usually range between seven and 12 inches in thickness. 

If the design specifies that insulated panels be used, those panels will take on a sandwich-style appearance. In such a case, tilt-up construction professionals at Headwaters Construction, Inc. explain tilt-up construction must-knows about the sizing of the panels. The outer face of the panel will be 2-3 inches thick. The insulation layer will be 2-6 inches thick. The inner face of the panel will then be 7-12 inches thick. 

Manufacturing and Physical Properties

Tilt-up contractors start by digging the foundation and pouring a slab that forms the floor of the tilt-up building. This same slab also serves as the casting slab for the tilt-up panels.

Formwork is placed on the foundation slab so that panels that meet the specifications (in terms of shape and size) can be cast. The formwork is often made from lumber, but some commercial construction companies use reusable metal or plastic for this task.

Just like in other forms of concrete, tilt-up panels have steel reinforcement inside them. Tilt-up contractors place “embeds,” such as weld plates, lifting inserts and others in the formwork before the concrete is poured.

As mentioned earlier, tilt-up panels can be stacked. The bond breakers applied between the different panels make it easy for individual panels to be lifted off the panels beneath them in the stack.

Many times, tilt-up contractors find that space limitations can be tricky. They will require that a lifting crane sits on a section of the foundation or floor slab during the lifting of the wall panels. In such a situation, the commercial builder will make the floor slab to be thicker than it would ordinarily be. That added thickness is intended to cater to the weight of the crane as it is doing its work.

The concrete is supplied by a ready-mix concrete supplier that uses the material to make tilt-up panels. This is a person who designs the mix to meet the specifications provided by the tilt-up construction company. For example, high-strength concrete may be required, or the mix may be designed to reach full strength sooner. This would help facilitate the quick completion of other phases of the construction process.

Tilt-Up Construction Panel Installation

Tilt-up panels are usually cast face-down. When they are ready to be hoisted, a crane lifts them off the floor slab. The crane then positions them vertically around the foundation slab. Each panel is braced to hold it in position until all the panels have been lifted and the work of welding the panels together can begin.

Connections are cast into the panels during the casting phase. These connections make it possible for adjacent panels to be welded together so the entire envelope can have structural integrity.

Headwaters Construction, Inc. then uses special seals to fill the vertical joints between different tilt-up panels. This forms a tight envelop that doesn’t allow energy leakage to occur.

Tilt-Up Concrete Finishes

Commercial construction companies like Headwaters Construction, Inc. use a variety of architectural treatments to make the tilt-up panels have rich details in their appearance. For example, reveals and rustications make it possible for the walls to appear to have been made from more panels than they are. 

Exposed aggregate, colored concrete, and other surface finishes provide different ways that tilt-up panels can be made to be esthetically pleasing. Small brick inserts can also be placed on the outer surfaces of the tilt-up panels for a maintenance-free finish. 

Building Codes

Tureks Plumbing, a home-remodeling company in Appleton, WI, points out the importance of building codes. Both commercial and residential services must follow certain guidelines. Tilt-up construction is covered in the reinforced concrete section of the International Building Code (IBC). Commercial builders explain that this code requires that only a licensed structural engineer can design a tilt-up concrete building.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) publishes design guides for tilt-up concrete panels. These guides expand on the information contained in the institute’s general guidelines on tilt-up concrete.

Tilt-Up Construction Comparative Cost

Headwaters Construction, Inc. recalls that in the past, tilt-up construction was only economical for large commercial construction projects. This means that only projects, like warehousing and retail construction projects, were able to utilize tilt-up construction. However, there have been advances in design and material flexibility, along with a huge selection of cranes available. This has made it possible for smaller structures to be competitively built using this technology. 

The popularity of tilt-up construction is growing because of the benefits that come with this approach to construction. These include the time and cost savings that result from casting panels onsite at-grade. This is unlike vertical casting, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Tilt-up panels form a tighter envelope due to having fewer joints than the walls made using other forms of construction. Contact Headwaters Construction, Inc. if you would like to learn more about this technology with your next commercial project. We hope that these tilt-up construction must knows answered any questions you may have in the meantime. Our experienced Sacramento construction contractors would love to deliver your completed project in record time, cost-effectively!

What Are the Duties of a Site Manager?

what are the duties of a site manager - Headwaters Construction Inc

what are the duties of a site manager - Headwaters Construction IncWhat Are the Duties of a Site Manager for Commercial Construction Project?

At Headwaters Construction Inc., we are dedicated to providing the best commercial construction services possible. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed thanks to the help of our site managers. In this article, we explore the duties of a site manager at Headwaters Construction Inc.

Directing Contractors

Commercial builders heavily rely on construction site managers. These individuals play a crucial role in overseeing and directing the different contractors and subcontractors at the job site.

For example, the site manager will oversee the crew responsible for excavation and site preparation before the tilt-up construction contractors hoist panels into position once the foundation has been completed.

This task of directing contractors and subcontractors lasts from the onset of the commercial construction project until the completed project is handed over to a client.

Managing Timelines

A commercial construction project requires a series of project activities to be well-coordinated so that the commercial renovation project or new commercial construction project can be completed on time.

For this reason, the construction site manager sets timelines and goals for the project. For example, a delay in completing the foundation in time will delay the start of lifting tilt-up construction panels into place. In turn, this affects other trades, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical works.

The site manager prevents scheduling mess by setting timelines and ensuring that all the contractors and subcontractors can complete their work on time. Our friends at Gilmore Heating and Air, a Sacramento HVAC company, adds that managing timelines and communicating properly goes hand and hand in any commercial or residential project.

Liaising with Clients

A construction site manager will also act as the link between the contractors and subcontractors on one hand and the client on the other. If a client wants to visit the tilt-up construction site, it is the site manager who will accompany the client during that visit.

The construction site manager also answers any questions that the client may have about the project. He or she keeps the client informed about the progress of the commercial construction project. 

If the client desires any changes to be made, the site manager will communicate those changes to the contractors. Similarly, the site manager will convey any queries that the contractors may have for the client so that the issues are presented clearly to both parties. This avoids miscommunication and keeps the project on track.

Keeping an Eye on the Project Budget

Commercial construction companies rely heavily on on-site managers to ensure that the project stays within budget. To do this, the construction site manager may make decisions on various issues.

Furthermore, site managers are always on the lookout for opportunities to reduce costs by increasing efficiency or minimizing waste. This is one of the keys used by Headwaters Construction Inc. to deliver projects within budget every single time. Clients have come to trust that once Headwaters Construction is in charge, no budgetary shocks will occur.

Overseeing Construction Site Safety

Many hazards exist at construction sites. It is partly due to the role of construction site managers that they oversee construction safety.

The site manager sets and enforces the safety standards at the construction site. He or she also conducts regular visits to ensure that crews are following the safety protocols.

In the unfortunate event that an accident occurs, the construction site manager must file an incident report.

Preparing Site Reports

Most of the documentation relating to a construction project is the responsibility of the site manager. For example, a tilt-up construction site manager may write a progress report after a phase of the work has been completed. He or she will also formulate the drawings that different tradespeople base upon when doing their work. Site managers often take charge of submitting different documents for regulatory approval and permitting. 

In order to perform all those roles and responsibilities, commercial retail renovation or commercial construction site managers rely on a diverse set of skills. These include project management, problem-solving skills, budgeting, paying attention to detail, communication, and team leadership.

Headwaters Construction Inc. takes a construction site manager seriously and will only select the best when putting together a crew to start your commercial project. Our Headwaters team is happy to help in any way possible. 

Renovating a Historic Building

Best Practices for Renovating a Historic Building

Best Practices for Renovating a Historic Building4 Best Practices for Renovating Your Historic Building

As you plan and execute the renovation of your historic building, there are several guiding principles that you need to keep in mind during every step of that renovation process. The experts at Headwaters Construction, Inc., the best commercial builder in California, explain those key preservation principles.

Retain the Original Architectural Style

One of the overriding goals that you should have in mind is that your historic house or building needs to retain its original architectural style.

Many times, historic buildings will exhibit a mixture of architectural styles, especially if those buildings were constructed at a time when the community was transitioning from one style to another. 

Commercial construction companies recommend that you do some research about your particular building before starting your commercial renovation project. Knowing the background of your historical building can help you determine which aspects you want to keep.

Remain Faithful to the Original Design of the Building

It is one thing to retain the architectural style of a building, and it is a totally different thing to retain the original design of that particular building as you renovate it. It is important to recognize that there are variations within architectural styles that dominated different periods in history. So, you may want to consider keeping some of its original charm. We asked home-remodeling experts in Appleton WI, Tureks Plumbing Services, for their professional design opinion. They said that most people who buy historic buildings to renovate go into the project wanting to preserve a lot of the character and charm. As a result, the building looks timeless. 

Headwaters Construction, Inc. recommends that you look for an original picture of that building and then use that picture as your guide while you make different decisions during the historic building renovation project.

Keep Preservation in Mind While Repairing or Maintaining the Building

Regular maintenance is usually the first and easiest way to preserve a historic building since the chance that it will deteriorate is minimized. Some of the basic maintenance that commercial builders recommend include the following:

  • Caulking
  • Removing rust
  • Regular cleaning of the gutter system
  • Repainting the building

At some point, it will become inevitable for you to have to repair or replace some features of the historic building. As much as possible, find ways to repair the original features and only replace them if necessary. 

Some repair options may include patching, reinforcing, consolidating, splicing, and upgrading the original material so that it remains on the building. 

If you are unsure about expanding the historic building to create more usable space, Headwaters Construction, Inc. is happy to help. Contact us today, and we’ll help you with your commercial renovation project.

Opt for Matching Materials When Replacement is Unavoidable

If you get to that point where replacement is your only option, commercial construction companies recommend that you select material that is similar to the original building. Try to choose material that is longlasting. That way, you won’t have to replace it a few years down the road. Remember, the building should remain true to its original design and architectural style. 

Many commercial construction companies shy away from renovating a historic building because of the amount of time and effort that takes to achieve the overall goal. Headwaters Construction, Inc. isn’t one of those commercial builders. In fact, we have taken on a number of historical building restoration or preservation projects. Contact us, and we will gladly share our portfolio of projects similar to yours. We share your passion for preserving historic buildings, so let us partner and make your dream of preserving your historic building a reality!