I had a job interview on the weekend passed with Zirnhelt Timber Frames. This company specializes exclusively in timber frame projects, a very niche, competitive industry. Yet Zirnhelt has not had to sway away from their passion and still remain exclusive to timber frame projects. We met on their new site in 150 mile house right on the main highway with multiple shops already on the site with plans to build more over the next year.
"Everything we do is up for debate, I am not right all
the time and neither would I want to be. I don't see
this as my company but rather a growing organism that
I am lucky enough to be a part of."
"Damon Zirnhelt"
Throughout the interview they blew me away with talk of a building made from 100% wood products with minimal carbon footprint, prefabricated houses they have built being helicoptered into remote sites, energy modeling on numerous projects maximizing on not only efficiency but also budget and I could not help but think if I was working with them I could write an interesting research paper on any of the topics above. However nearing the end of the interview Damon (One of the two Brother-partners) said to me "Everything we do is up for debate, I am not right all the time and neither would I want to be. I don't see this as my company but rather a growing organism that I am lucky enough to be a part of."
Damon models an attitude towards his company similar to that of Steve Jobs, everyone has ideas and in collaboration, he understands the final product will come out better with multiple people looking at similar problems and combining different solutions.
This comment brought me right back to the reason I want to do my research report on teamwork, there could be other companies that want to exclusively do timber frame design, fly prefab cabins into remote sites, energy model their buildings. But there are only so many companies that can and the one in this case that in my opinion the one that implements teamwork and collaboration with passion is the company that produces the best product and reputation.
The issue at hand is removing the "opinion " in that sentence.
I am passionate about teamwork, and am enjoying writing this blog. But is it feasible to base a research report around teamwork? Secondly is it an important enough topic? What is the key ingredient to teamwork? the formula for success....
If I can collect information and data to lead us to the conclusion of the effectiveness of teamwork, it not only applies to a small industry but potentially to the effectiveness of individuals in many aspects of their lives. You work in collaboration with people all the time, people rely on your punctuality, efficiency, attitude, and so much more. How often do you look at your effectiveness as a team player, and the positive results the people around you may have which in turn will results from positive gains for yourself.
My goal upon the completion is to create a undeniable recognition in the reader's mind that the application of teamwork can not only provide efficiency and better results but also the happiness of individuals.
Comment with ideas and opinions on how to prove teamwork is an important aspect of efficiency in the industry, and vote on the poll on the top right corner of blog.
Thanks!
Mey man
ReplyDelete100% wood that is an interesting idea. Whats the benifits to a 100% wood building? I really like this idea! I was wondering how you were going to apply it to your research proposal? Maybe through a mock Construction management schedule comparing to different job sites. Perhaps even a single person vs a team working the same amount of hours.
You won't like this Darren as I know how you love concrete and steel, and also the environment but when you build a house from wood the carbon footprint is a fraction of what it would be if made from concrete or steel. When you consider how much fossil fuels is required to manufacture, transport and install concrete or steel in comparison to a wood building built from materials within close vicinity of building. That is one of the many benefits of sustainable wood design.
ReplyDeleteSorry good sir.
You really want to see a carbon footprint? You still haven't researched Hempcrete have yah ;)
DeleteNo, I have not been able to research hempcrete, unfortunately. Although like I discussed in my post, there are so many great ways to reduce our carbon footprint however I feel teamwork, goals, communication are large attributions to the success of their company and can apply to any company and people in their individual lives to create not only success but happiness. It is an important part of everyone's life and therefore personally I am focusing my energy on teamwork.
DeleteFor example my position on the argument whether money can make you happy is, that yes it can make you happy if you are using it to help and make other people happy whether it is family, coworkers, charities. Helping others feels good, it is engraved into us as a species and instills a powerful and emotional feeling, that provokes positive results in all aspects of life.
The topic of teamwork for your research project is interesting but I do see how you may be concerned if it is a feasible topic for this project. Maybe focusing on how you apply your teamwork research could add the importance element you are striving to achieve. I think it could be interesting to pick a specific construction company, for example maybe use Zirnhelt Timber Frames, and monitor the teamwork structure used by this company to see how efficienlyt the employees and employers work together. Then you could even compare the teamwork structure of this construction company to that of another company in order to develop a formula for what makes the best overall team. I hope this suggestion helps and keep up the good research!
ReplyDelete