He goes by “Chief Dirt Nerd” and he’s taking the construction world by storm with his unique ability to tell stories about the hard-working men and women mining for our materials and building our communities. While Aaron Witt hasn’t taken a traditional path into the industry, it’s one he loves, and one he thinks others should love too.

His goal as President of BuildWitt Media Group is to inspire others to think about construction and mining as a way of life through his photography, videos and lighthearted approach.

Aaron and Host Missy Scherber discuss using social media to educate and inspire your current and future workforce.

They also cover:

• Taking responsibility for the changes happening in the industry
• The biggest mistakes construction companies make when it comes to marketing
• The importance of being authentic and vulnerable
• Considering the safety implications of your employee’s mental wellbeing
• Aaron’s first trip to CONEXPO-CON/AGG and how it helped launch BuildWitt

• The "Gray Tsunami" and the impending skills gap
• When to say "no" to work
• Coaching and facilitating conversations to strengthen your team
• Providing authentic care, trust and help to your employees
• Reflections on 20+ years of attending CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Armed with a Blackberry and mad operating skills, Scott Colclough started PushySix® in 2012 as a YouTube channel affectionately named after his Caterpillar D6. Scott has grown PushySix® into a globally recognized brand with a mission of inspiring the next generation of heavy equipment operators. Scott joins host Missy Scherber to talk about his passion for equipment and technology, as well as his vision for workforce development.

They also dig into:

• The most critical factor for successful technology implementation
• The technologies that will bring the most dramatic change to the industry in the next five years
• The untapped talent pool you’re overlooking
• How your managers and corporate culture are driving away good employees
• Tips for your trip to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020

Are your legacy operators hesitant to use machine control? Are you worried the barrier to entry is too high? Ryan Goodfellow, owner of Rock Structures Utility & Excavating, joins Host Missy Scherber to talk about what technology to take advantage of now to increase productivity for your business.  

They also cover:

• Mastering the groundwork to move from laborer to operator
• Building your clientele and repeat customers
• Persevering through times of economic turmoil
• Investing in your staff for improved performance and morale
• Planning your trip to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020
• And six things you didn’t know about Ryan from his first job to his gas station guilty pleasure!

• Taking the leap into starting your own business
• Where the mining industry is headed in the next 24 months
• Estimating, bidding and dealing with losses
• What technology and equipment is changing the game for Turner
• Using social media to tell your story and recruit your workforce

With the emergence of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics, wireless connectivity is the foundation that is needed to make all these connected strategies successful. Host Peggy Smedley and Marc Eisenberg, CEO, ORBCOMM, discuss how the industry is continuing to evolve, the different types of wireless connectivity available today and still emerging for the future, and trends that will continue to drive automation and digitization forward in construction.

Fred Fakkema, vice president, compliance, Zonar, joins CONEXPO-CON/AGG Radio to dive into the topic of telematics—and how it can help improve safety and compliance on construction projects, answering if digital records do in fact help with audits. Fakkema and Host Peggy Smedley dig into the top areas that telematics can help a construction fleet become safer, as well as the barriers to adoption. They also identify what a construction company should look for when investing in a telematics solution.

No matter the size of your aerial fleet, managing equipment is a priority. This podcast digs into how telematics can help monitor how equipment is performing, how often a piece is being used, where each unit is located, and if it is ready for maintenance. Host Peggy Smedley and Christine Zeznick, Genie Senior Product and Business Development Manager, Terex AWP, talk about telematics and the company’s new Genie Lift Connect. They also discuss how we are moving from a world where information is currently descriptive to one that is more predictive and prescriptive.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are here and they are changing the way businesses operate. Host Peggy Smedley and Ganesh Bell, president, Uptake, talk about what exactly they will look like for construction—and the drivers and big opportunities that exist. They also provide key advice for executives who are considering emerging technology, while also addressing the results AI can provide and the main risks at play.

This episode identifies some of the biggest obstacles for contractors when it comes to supply-chain management—and how it has evolved in the past few years. Peggy Smedley and Alexander Schuessler, founder of SmartEquip and president of its International Group, talk about how technology can help increase efficiency from parts ordering to building materials delivery to equipment rentals —both today and in the future. They also offer tangible advice and strategies for contractors who are looking to get started using technology such as this—and the best steps to implementation. 

Learn practical strategies for how to choose the right machine control on equipment such as bulldozers. Host Peggy Smedley and guests Richie Snyder, solutions marketing manager, CASE Construction Equipment, and Max Winemiller, director of CASE’s Road & Site Prep Division, talk about if it is best for contractors to invest immediately in more advanced systems and go all in—or if there are ways to take a more entry level approach and build from there. They also discuss what dozer owners and operators can do to improve their experience and enhance the machine’s value.