Let’s set the scene. You are approached by your supervisor, who says management feels you are doing very well. You have the respect of the rest of the crew and are ready for a leadership role. The question becomes, what does that look like? What do you look like
Construction employment rose in 34 states and the District of Columbia over the past year, while 20 states and D.C. added jobs between November and December, according to an analysisof new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. California lost the most construction jobs during the past 12
The Home Depot introduced Material List Builder AI, a new capability that helps professional renovators, remodelers, builders, and specialty tradespeople create actionable project material lists within minutes. Material List Builder AI leverages AI technology to interpret the project intent and generate an accurate, grouped list of materials needed for the entire
In late 2025, a system designed by engineers at Purdue University delivered 190kW to a battery in a truck traveling 65-mph on a quarter-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 52 in West Lafayette, Ind. A Cummins prototype Class 8 electric semi-tractor was outfitted with a single receiver coil that took the
Leviton, a leading manufacturer of electrical, lighting, data network and energy management solutions that light, power and connect everyday spaces, is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding this year. Established in 1906, Leviton began as a small tinsmithing business founded by Isidor Leviton, where he produced mantle tips used
TikTok is an American company now. Ownership of TikTok’s US operations has officially changed hands, but your experience on the app likely won’t change much…immediately. A group of American investors closed a $14 billion deal Thursday night to acquire the US version of the short-form video app and avoid a
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a significant shift in its energy policy, moving away from renewable energy sources like solar and wind and towards baseload power sources such as natural gas and nuclear power. This decision involves the reorganization of nearly $84 billion in loans and conditional
As the medical device industry heads into 2026, it finds itself at a pivotal moment shaped by rapid technological change, regulatory scrutiny, and ongoing economic uncertainty. Innovation remains the industry’s defining trait, but the path from concept to commercialization is becoming more complex and, in many cases, more fragile. Artificial
A marvel of engineering, this masterfully crafted 1.25″ surface mount fixture emits more than 1000 lumens, surpassing competitors with a single gentle beam of discreet quality illumination. With the implementation of Finch, a jewelry store— as well as many other applications—can enhance occupant comfort, improve the showcasing of merchandise and
Flying cars have been a sci-fi staple for almost a century. There is a type of small flying vehicle that is now very close to commercial production. An eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) is a new type of aircraft that uses electric power for vertical flight, allowing it to take
LEDVANCE has expanded its emergency lighting portfolio with a new solution designed to combine dependable performance with practical installation features. The Emergency Twin Spot luminaire is designed for applications where high visibility and directional emergency lighting are required. Suitable for use in both indoor and outdoor environments, its IP65-rated housing offers
The launch of Acuity Brands’s Gotham IVO was centered around a contractor-first approach to ensure that electricians, contractors, and field installers were well informed, engaged, and supported at each phase of adoption. This approach also extended to distribution channels, which ensured a smooth process from ordering to installation, with an
Modular International’s Tunable White LED modules allow independent control of both the intensity of the light and the color of the light separately. Featuring color tuning from 2700K to 6500K and intensity tuning from 100% to 0.1%, the modules also exceed industry averages for lumens per watt efficiencies across a
With rising demand from AI, cloud hosting, co-location facilities, and edge-network buildouts, these facilities operate 24/7 and draw significant power. While most of that energy feeds servers and HVAC systems, data center lighting still plays a crucial role in uptime, safety, and efficiency. Choosing the right fixtures isn’t just a
Alloy LED introduces VariTune RazorLine 6.1, an ultra-narrow tunable white LED tape light that delivers full-spectrum white light in a compact footprint. Offering a broad range of color temperatures from 2700K to 6500K with a 90+ Color Rendering Index (CRI) rating, the tape light is only 4 millimeters wide, making it
The plan for 2026 is to post a business case study every month for your pleasure and learning experience. I promise you that the analysis of these case studies is the best you will ever find. You will learn from decisions made by the most successful businesses we all know
1. Creative Opening – your first impression 2. Meaningful Content – sharing what you know 3. Compelling Close – your lasting impression You owe your audience a good performance and it’s directly related to your preparation. If you give a dynamic performance, you have nothing to worry about but if
How creative are you? Well, Marketing NOW demands it when you communicate with your customers. They do not have time for gibberish. One of the most creative is Guerrilla Marketing, an unconventional, low-cost communications strategy that relies on creativity, surprise, and high-impact interactions with your target customers. Connecting with your
As electrical firms ramp up their use of artificial intelligence, some trends are emerging in why, where, how, and for whom. In electrical, AI use cases run the gamut, from producing multiple iterations of a design to creating slide decks to present those design options to a client. A common
Companies mastering digital CX are redefining entire industries. They generate 30% more revenue, $1.4 billion on average, than customer-experience laggards. Business leaders are increasingly obsessed with AI’s impact on efficiency. However, new research shows that businesses are often forgetting about the most critical factor: the customer. AI offers the path to emotionally intelligent
Generative AI, agentic AI, and digital twins are enabling predictive and adaptive intelligence in smart buildings. Here’s how they can help optimize key functions—plus, security risks to watch out for. Key Highlights: GenAI enables smart buildings to analyze complex datasets, predict patterns, and optimize HVAC, lighting, and safety systems proactively.
As of January 1, 2026, bans on the sale of linear fluorescent lamps went into effect in Maine, Minnesota, and Hawaii, joining Canada and six other U.S. states that have already enacted similar restrictions. For facility managers, this regulatory shift represents more than a compliance challenge—it can be a catalyst
From clear communication to critical thinking and problem solving to adopting new technology, the essential skills of leadership require constant renewal. That’s why successful executives understand that lifelong learning isn’t just a mindset, it’s a strategic advantage. Our 90+ courses are here to help you stretch your thinking and hone
Telling Time – 12-hour time is a very ancient system that traces back to the Mesopotamian empires. They had a cultural fixation with the number 12, used a base-12 numerical system, and divided up most things into 12ths whenever possible – including day and night. The 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night system spread throughout Europe and the Middle East and has defied multiple attempts to change it over the centuries. Also, for anyone curious as to why there was such a love of the number 12, it was because that was how they counted on their hand. Look at your hand. Notice how each of your fingers minus your thumb has three easily identifiable parts to it. They used to count by using their thumb to count each part of the finger, much in the same way we count to 10 using our fingers today. So, 12 was the max you could count on one hand.
