Fluid workforces, such as construction teams, often face daily work stoppages.
Last-minute changes to parking, an unexpected shortage of supplies, or delayed
shipments seem like normal, insignificant distractions, but when this lost time
is added up, it could cost a jobsite up to
50 percent of its productive time each day.
Many of these distractions are easily avoidable, and eliminating just one
could save 5 minutes every day for each employee. This can increase profit
margins by up to 6 percent.
Streamlining communication can improve the frontline experience and the
organization's bottom line by eliminating distractions, which ultimately
increases productivity and maximizes resources. Seemingly small diversions take
an employee's attention away from the task at hand, reducing the valuable
time spent on the job and increasing the opportunity for error or risky
scenarios. It is critical for teams to utilize transparent and frequent two-way
communication to prevent and mitigate possible interruptions, and mobile
devices are the ideal tool to achieve this goal.
Frontline teams are likely accustomed to using mobile devices in their daily
lives. Tapping into this accessible device can be a cost-saving and beneficial
tool for organizations. A digital platform allows upper management to quickly
and clearly communicate emergency alerts and shipment delays and provide
in-the-moment safety training and jobsite-specific updates. By providing these
alerts to workers' fingertips, a disruption in work is eliminated (i.e.,
the need for employees to stop the task they're working on, move to a
central location where they can hear verbal updates, and then return to the
task, potentially misremembering where they left off and taking valuable time
out of their busy day).
Clear communication through mobile platforms can unite fluid workforces and
simplify their day-to-day activities, maximizing performance quality and
organization-wide efficiency. Below are examples and best practices of how
teams can increase productivity, reduce conditions that lead to errors, and
improve operational efficiency, all through mobile device communication.
Increasing Productivity
Improving communication with trade-level employees is the very first step
toward a more productive and more efficient work environment. There are many
moving parts on a jobsite, and conditions and projects change day after day, so
it's critical to equip your entire workforce with the knowledge, skills,
and information that will empower them to avoid workplace hazards and do great
work.
With a mobile communications platform, managers and safety teams are able to
share information with their team quickly, engaging the entire workforce at
once without calling for a physical meeting. With this process, all employees
will have the necessary information in their pocket that they can reference as
many times as they need. Compare this to the traditional communication practice
of leaving the task at hand, moving to a huddle to hear updates, and possibly
walking away without fully understanding the instructions. Mobile communication
is one way to significantly increase efficiencies and improve the culture of
your jobsite team as it allows workers to access the important information that
they need to do their job safely and to their highest quality.
Furthermore, teams can use mobile devices to send in-the-moment training
videos or step-by-step guides to teams taking on riskier tasks. This not only
simplifies the training information but also creates consistency and ensures
everyone on the job receives the same direction and guidance. In one example,
training on mobile devices in the field saved Pankow Builders 641 hours, more
than $12,000 of training time, on a single construction jobsite.
Avoiding Conditions That Lead to Errors
Not only will streamlined communication increase productivity throughout the
workplace and accelerate the pace of work, but it will also create a project
environment that has a significantly reduced amount of miscommunication, which
will, in turn, decrease operational errors or the need to redo work. With chat
features and message boards, a mobile communication platform makes it easier
than ever to establish a safe and strategic communication network throughout
the jobsite and team, helping employees mitigate errors before they happen and
address problems more quickly.
Additionally, the incoming workforce is especially prioritizing workplace
cultures that are aligned with their values, and having videos readily
available that demonstrate management's expectations on performance quality
will have the craft-level team eager to support that culture of quality. By
having a quick, efficient, and clear line of communication, important issues
can quickly be identified and resolved.
Technology plays a substantial role in achieving high-quality performance
excellence and is second nature for members of Generation Z that are entering
the jobsite. Gen Z'ers are digital natives: they have grown up in a world
where the Internet and mobile devices have almost always been at their
fingertips, and they are quick to learn and adopt new technology. Mobile
applications are an essential part of a Gen Z'ers day-to-day life. From
ordering lunch to catching a ride, technology is embedded in their daily
habits, making it no surprise that they're inclined to gravitate toward
this same convenience in their career to do their job to the best of their
ability and be successful.
Employees with fluid workforces can better communicate with this important
group and keep everyone on the jobsite on the same page. Research shows the
following.
-
75
percent of Gen Z'ers rate their mobile device as their primary
device of choice.
-
25
percent spend more than 5 hours on their mobile phones every day.
- 73 percent
cited texting and chatting as their primary mobile phone activities.
Mobile communication is a mainstream practice in today's workforce, and
implementing it into your daily operations will only strengthen the
productivity and efficiency of your team.
Improving Operational Efficiency Starts with Improving Communication
Maximizing resources starts with instilling confidence and trust among the
frontline team. Efficiencies on the jobsite inherently cannot happen if workers
are confused about the next steps, are not adequately prepared for the task at
hand, and do not feel empowered or educated enough to make the right call.
Communicating with your team through a mobile device helps managers clearly
and concisely provide direction, set expectations, and answer critical
questions. Once an update is shared, it can forever live on a worker's
mobile device, eliminating the need to repeatedly halt work and address an
entire team to share updates and answer questions. This increases productive
time throughout the day and improves your team's project efficiency.
Conclusion
Establishing direct, two-way communication streams among your workers is the
first step in creating a more productive and confident workforce. Communication
with mobile devices is second nature to today's workforce, making them an
easy-to-implement tool and effective platform for improving your team's
communication practices and, ultimately, your operational efficiency.
About MindForge
MindForge is a holistic communication hub designed to unite construction
organizations. The platform simplifies workforce communication and maximizes
quality with tools that keep jobsites safe, efficient, and connected,
ultimately driving increased performance excellence.
MindForge's research on systematic issues related to serious injuries
and fatalities on construction jobs confirms that critical information and
education often do not reach field workers with construction teams that use
inefficient or antiquated methods for communicating. This lack of
communication combined with a deficiency in practical continuing education on
safety and trade skills largely contributes to serious injuries and
fatalities (SIFs).
MindForge developed a technology platform to establish a jobsite
communication network that delivers timely information and education to
mobile devices in the field. This equips and empowers workers to avoid
hazards and do great work.
For more information, visit https://mindforge.live or follow along on LinkedIn and Facebook.