Scaling is a challenge that many companies face, and today's digitally-driven environment makes business growth even more complex. When you're navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape, keeping up with innovations while maintaining efficiency becomes crucial.
So, how can firms scale their operations and teams alongside technology? What steps should they take to ensure sustainable growth and seamless tech integration?
On this episode of the Digital Builder podcast, Tomislav Zigo, VP and CTO at Clayco, shares his thoughts on strategic growth and digital transformation.
You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
We discuss:
When scaling operations alongside tech adoption, it helps to think about the journey as a continuous process of growth and learning.
Clayco's tech journey over the last 15 years has been marked by deliberate and strategic advancements in digital tools and methodologies.
According to Tomislav, "This was not a process, this was not a whim. This was a deliberate journey that we embarked on, and the journey was not just revolving around technology. This journey was more about introspection, understanding who we are as an organization, and how our technological aspirations stack against our tacit knowledge, which is embedded in our DNA."
He also emphasizes that at the end of the day, tech should empower teams to focus on what they do best: designing buildings, delivering projects, and ultimately improving our built environment.
Tech adoption is vital to any growth journey, especially in today's digital-centric landscape. So, how should you evaluate technology to ensure you adopt the best solutions for your business?
One thing that's worked for Clayco is identifying and prioritizing their challenges before seeking tech solutions.
"It's about recognizing where the problems are," remarks Tomislav. "Knowing what you are trying to do is the first step to understanding the technology you should bring in. Which technology addresses any of the specific issues you have? And then what is the transformative potential of the technology?"
Tomislav believes in the concept of "less is more," especially when investing in construction technology.
"The key component is getting that return on investment. It's not just money, it's our effort. It's our ability to align new tech with processes."
He cautions firms against chasing shiny objects or adopting tech just for the sake of it. When your tech adoption lacks real purpose, you risk wasting resources.
"Let's say you embark on the adoption process for that new shiny object. Halfway through the process, there's a new shiny object dangling out there," Tomislav remarks.
Keeping up with technology is critical, but don't move too hastily that you leave team members behind. Remember, technology should empower folks and enable everyone to contribute effectively.
"Whatever we do needs to be geared toward empowering people, adding inclusivity, expecting diversity, and bringing everybody that can contribute in the same fold," says Tomislav.
He continues, "You can't leave folks behind. We as a company would fail if we suddenly introduced a new paradigm that is not just disruptive but also creates a second—or third-class citizen within the company. Technology is an enabler for everybody to feel appreciated and empowered."
Speaking of empowering folks, investing in human capital is crucial for sustainable scaling. That's why Clayco invests a great deal in its teams and equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the future (which naturally involves new technology).
Tomislav states, "I'm a firm believer that we will not succeed unless we invest tenfold more in the workforce. The workforce of the future will know how to navigate the parallels of AI, quantum computing, and the changing society."
In line with Clayco's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, Tomislav recognizes that the effort to enhance human capital starts at the top.
He says leaders must be proactive in their development and be open to learning from diverse sources.
"These leaders need to be empowered through engagement. They need to be empowered through cross-disciplinary, cross-industry conversations because we only know a few tricks, but I don't mind stealing from those who know better. So dialogue, conversation, communication, being engaged in society—all of these will enable folks to tap into untapped potential."
It's not just technology that's evolving. The workforce is changing just as quickly. We've seen massive changes in how people work after the pandemic. From remote work to hybrid models and flexible scheduling, new expectations are reshaping the workplace.
While on-site work has started to return, the dynamics and expectations of employees have shifted.
As Tomislav points out, "The workforce is coming back in a different environment and infrastructure. Companies need to keep up with advancements. It's not just technological advancements; it's the philosophy of work that needs to inform myself, leaders, and everybody working in our environment."
Communication practices and expectations have evolved alongside working dynamics and technology. Tomislav says effective communication is more critical than ever in today's fast-paced environment. "The way we communicate today is more pointed, maybe more direct."
He adds, "I think there's a new synergy in the workplace that brings people together for a specific purpose to solve a specific problem at a given time. Time is a commodity that has become very valuable in this fast-paced, changing industry. We are dealing with resource shortages, challenges in procurement chains, and shorter project schedules."
One of the best ways to navigate these changes is to adopt solutions that streamline collaboration. Take, for example, the common data environment (CDE), which serves as a centralized platform for all project information.
"[CDE] is real empowerment," says Tomislav. "It's a foundation for communication to be clear and concise so teams can avoid redundancy."
He also points out that getting folks in the same platform helps eliminate data waste because it ensures everyone is accessing and updating the same information, which then reduces errors and inefficiencies.
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week.
