Commercial Construction Gets a Radio Network

A Web-based radio network dubbed the New Construction Strategies Radio Network was launched in June 2007 to bring together thought-leaders in the construction industry and in business to discuss the critical issues the industry is currently facing, such as the skilled worker shortage, declining profit margins, increased competition, and litigation, among others. The network offers weekly interviews with a variety of leaders across every construction segment, including general contractors, architects, engineers, subcontractors, union leaders, trade associations, vendors, and building owners. Formed in a joint venture between consulting firm Garrison Associates and new media developer Jackstreet Media, the New Construction Strategies Radio Network is hosted by industry veteran Ted Garrison, president of Garrison Associates, and is an attempt to create dialogue between stakeholders in the construction industry.

Garrison, who believes the construction industry is "broken", seeks out contractors, building owners, authors, consultants, association leadership, and others to interview who have something interesting and valuable to say about the state of the industry. "We're all in the same boat. If the boat sinks, everyone goes down with it," Garrison says. "The industry isn't going to disappear, but do we want to end up like the airline industry? I think that's where we're headed if we don't make fundamental changes." His goal is to provide a 360-degree perspective on the industry's issues and potential solutions by allowing as many viewpoints as possible to be heard on the network. "Both sides usually have something valuable to contribute, and unless we can get these things on the table, we can't solve the problems," Garrison says.

Visitors to the Web site, www.newconstructionstrategies.com, can listen to interviews and debates between industry leaders in streaming audio or by downloading interviews as Podcasts. Garrison also posts an occasional blog entry, and the network also offers a reader forum.