“We like to look at it more as impact, potential impact. ROI is nice if we can get a return financially, but with innovative solutions, it usually takes quite a long time, sometimes a few years.”
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Tim Gaylord, Corporate Director of Innovation at DPR Construction, and gained fascinating insights into how one of the largest construction companies approaches innovation.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How DPR fosters a culture of innovation from the bottom up
✅ Why they’re building more solutions internally rather than solely relying on startups
✅ The unexpected collaboration trend between competing general contractors
✅ What startups get wrong when approaching large construction companies
Tim shares candid advice for construction tech startups – including the pricing models that work, the importance of clearly defining problems, and why patience is crucial when working with large contractors.
——-Chapters
00:00 Intro
04:25 The Role of a Corporate Director of Innovation
07:25 Fostering a Culture of Innovation
10:31 Identifying Key Challenges for Innovation
13:23 Internal vs. External Innovation Solutions
16:36 Implementation Framework for New Technologies
19:34 Trends in AI and Robotics in Construction
22:28 Vetting New Technologies and Startups
25:24 Evaluating the Impact of New Solutions
40:46 Startup Success Factors
45:04 Pricing Models and Their Impact
49:10 Point Solutions vs. Workflow Software
51:28 Lessons from Unsuccessful Implementations
55:43 Best Practices for Startup Engagement
57:57 Preparing for a Successful Pitch
01:00:47 Current Technology Evaluations
01:05:00 Future Trends in Construction Innovation
