When you walk through the doors of Wanzek Construction headquarters, the first thing you see is a large sign that reads, “Be the Best… Deliver Excellence.” But it’s more than a slogan. It’s a guiding principle for every Wanzek employee, from the office to the field.
The construction industry has generally been slower to adopt new technology yet it has so much to gain from it. On average, construction projects come in 80% over budget and take 20% longer than scheduled. Workers are dispersed, collaboration is difficult, and information is not readily available. According to McKinsey, companies can boost productivity by 15% simply by adopting digital solutions.
Wanzek has been an outlier in the industry when it comes to digital transformation. The company uses cutting-edge technology and smart job sites to keep projects on time and on budget. While most companies were still relying on bulletin boards to communicate with workers, Wanzek used email, text messaging, digital displays, and even a custom-designed company app. But when the workforce tripled in size, from 800 to 2,500, this piecemeal approach was limited in its functionality, didn’t offer two-way communication, and was not able to scale with the company. Wanzek needed a better way to connect with everyone to continue to “deliver excellence.”
Beekeeper’s mobile platform can act as a single point of contact for your team. With all communications and systems in one place, teams can improve productivity, reduce safety incidents, and encourage a rich, unified company culture.Beekeeper
A Mobile-First Solution to Reach Every Worker
In construction, communicating with field teams is often left up to frontline managers. But despite best efforts, tracking down each worker is time consuming and will inevitably miss people. With most of its workforce in the field and without email, Wanzek needed a singular communication channel that was capable of reaching everyone at the same time no matter where they are. The company decided to partner with Beekeeper, a mobile collaboration and productivity platform designed for frontline industries.
Introducing new technology that a workforce needs to learn can be an uphill battle. But with the app’s easy interface and a well-planned rollout strategy, Wanzek secured employee buy-in from the get-go. The company activated Beekeeper from one jobsite to the next, which created a buzz and built momentum.
Consolidating communication through a digital hub that reaches every employee on their mobile devices allows Wanzek to maintain its dedication to efficient project management. It also supports the company’s commitment to its diverse workforce. 24.7% of construction industry personnel are from outside of the United States. With a real-time inline translation feature, Beekeeper enables Wanzek employees to send and receive communication in their preferred language. It fosters a more inclusive workplace and ensures every worker receives information that allows them to optimize their performance and increase safety and productivity.
Creating a Sense of Community for Higher Engagement
Building an inclusive, connected workplace has operational benefits, like reducing turnover and improving productivity. But for Wanzek, having a direct line of communication with every worker has also created the same sense of community the company had when it was a small operation fifty years ago, even as the company has expanded operations with offices in four states and job sites across the country.
In general, frontline workers have long been on the periphery of company communication. This lack of connection is a reason why they’re often less engaged than their desk-based colleagues. At Wanzek, there’s now a direct line of communication between field workers and company leaders, something that was not possible before. Workers feel more connected to the company and are more engaged.
With two-way communication instead of the company’s former top-down strategy, frontline employees can initiate dialogues with their colleagues, share safety information with others on the job site, and provide valuable feedback. This direct access has empowered Wanzek’s workers at every level and boosted morale by recognizing everyone as valued members of the Wanzek team.
Wanzek Construction employees on a jobsite. Beekeeper offers an intuitive employee experience with enterprise scale and security. Integrate seamlessly with your existing systems to create the future, now.Beekeeper
Building a Stronger Safety Culture
While the rate of injuries in construction has been steadily declining, it’s still 29% higher than any other industry. On top of typical safety hazards in industrial settings, like heights and heavy machinery, Wanzek employees have other hazards to monitor. With its large infrastructure projects, many field teams work outside in the elements and endure extreme weather conditions. In these rural, midwestern job sites workers also need to be aware of wildlife encounters.
Switching to a mobile-first communication strategy with real-time messaging has created a more proactive approach to job safety. On the Beekeeper app, Wanzek created a communication stream just for safety notices where workers can alert others of potential hazards, post videos of wildlife in and around jobsites, and read the company’s safety newsletter. Having a dedicated space for this communication allows the company to prioritize the health and wellbeing of every worker and maintain safety as the cornerstone of Wanzek’s culture.
Higher Productivity with Onsite Access to Information
Workers spend an average of three hours a week just searching for information they need to perform their jobs. This slows down workflows and eats away at productivity, adding to the time and budget overages. On top of that, 48% of construction rework is caused by miscommunication and poor information management.
By creating a centralized digital hub, Wanzek employees have real-time access to documents and information right on their mobile devices. Having information onsite can limit disruptions and reduce rework by having all of the information needed to complete a project in one place, available in over 100 languages, and accessible to every worker on a project.
This access to information also empowers workers by building a team of problem solvers. With information at their fingertips, workers can troubleshoot a situation on their own and keep a project running. According to the Harvard Business Review, 72% of companies report that empowering frontline workers results in greater productivity.
With a mobile-first strategy, Wanzek has created an inclusive, connected community with its workers even as the company continues to expand operations. Communication is smoother and faster for better business outcomes. But more importantly, Wanzek’s investment into a mobile productivity platform supports its commitment to a culture dedicated to good communication and an empowered workforce.
