"If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said faster horses"
The above statement came from the one and only Henry Ford. Political views aside this man did help revolutionize not just auomobiles or an industry but the world. With the creation of the 40 hour work week and the assembly line, Ford obvioulsy had the ability to see around corners one could argue.
Looking toward the future is not something just century defining entrepreneurs must do but we at CRx feel like something each and every one of us should be able to practice and navigate. Whether we want to admit it or not, our future is heavily dependant on this very thing and our ability to execute this. Case in point, AI, robotics, AR and CRMs are making more and more people in contracting well, redundant. 3D printing of homes and small commercial structures will give way to larger and more complex executions as we develop processes and machinery to extract more for less. This applies especially and largely to middle management. If you are younger project manager in your 20s or 30s and possibly early 40s we have some bad news for you. You are currently or likely will be replaced by technology in the immediate future. Your company may not know about the some of the tech that is out here right now. It is a matter of time before more adapt and bring in house the support needed along with the investment required. Those who think the skilled trades are exempt, Google the latest construction news. There are self painting robots for commercial building already. Albeit crudely constructed Frankenstein looking machines but they are primitive yet. By the end of the decade contracting businesses will look very different.
Those who avoid the innovation or continue to stick their head in the sand will be pushed out of business. Our industry has a habit of late adoption behavior. The computer billing in the 90s and early 2000s, the internet for th older folks in contracting too. These innovations were not required when they were implemented and so many simply didnt adjust. Perhaps the biggest problem is so many remember this and think these current advancements will be integrated at the same slow speed. That and that alone is where a company or worker's death knell is. Inability or not submitting to technological efficiencies and unparalleled improvements will be the undoing of so many in our industry.
There are companies that can assist with this transition. With focusing on both the companies needs as well as individual tradesmen and women. Think of companies like Contract Rx like life insurance, hiring us when you need it is already too late.
Imagine being the largest horse trader in the world and then Henry Ford opens Ford motor company. Being obtuse and or stubborn will hurt the ones that choose to be. There is help available, we are here for everyone in the trades. Owners and workers alike.
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