As a college student in the early ’90s, Erik Santiago thought his construction degree would lead him to work for a general contractor.

With ransomware attacks on high profile businesses like Colonial Pipeline and JBS Foods in the headlines, construction managers at organizations of all sizes are increasingly asking, “Are we vulnerable too?” or even “Are we next?”

Every business looks for opportunities to grow revenues, increase profitability, and boost market share.

As 2020 drew to a close, the U.S. Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, a massive $900 million coronavirus relief bill combined with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill.

As more Baby Boomers enter retirement, the need for skilled workers is increasing across the American economy. The construction industry is not immune. Add on the struggle with convincing young people that a college degree isn’t always the ticket to a good life and skilled trades are a viable career choice. How can the construction industry recruit good talent?

The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed more than 80 years ago, and since then, the United States Department of Labor has struggled to define the term “independent contractor.” 

The Coronavirus has caused many material shipments to be delayed or cancelled. As a result, the cost of ordering and supplying materials for many items has increased. 

If you’ve ever purchased ready-to-assemble furniture at IKEA or if you’ve put together toys on Christmas Eve you have been involved with prefabricated products. 

Perhaps there’s more money in saving our resources than there is to burn them up recklessly for profit as we have done throughout time.