Infrastructure Up or Down?

Peggy Smedley talks about the state of the construction infrastructure market, sharing numbers and research from one new report. She says the companies that will win in the next decade will be the most adaptable. She also discusses: · What markets are thriving and what markets are stalling. · How we can build the cities and infrastructure of tomorrow. · Five steps organizations will need to take in the year ahead. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Paul Brussow, president, RLB North America, talk about the forces reshaping construction and the built environment, diving into a new report looking at cost, risks, and markets. He says we saw a federal rate cut in December 2025, and while we didn't see the surge of groundbreakers we hoped, developers are cautiously optimistic. They also discuss: · If construction companies are repositioning for a different kind of economy. · Investment in training and the challenge of the retiring workforce. · Adjustments that are needed in certain sectors moving forward.  https://www.rlb.com/

  Peggy Smedley and Patrick Scarpati, director of construction technology and innovation, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), talk about the pressures contractors are facing and how technology is becoming central to that shift. He says technology is accelerating at varying levels throughout the industry. They also discuss: · How we can use technology to keep up with the speed of change. · The state of integration and APIs (application programming interfaces). · If technology will play a part in upskilling and reskilling. https://www.abc.org

Peggy talks about why trusted brands matter more than ever in the construction and manufacturing industries. She says align yourself with brands that have earned it and support voices that prioritize clarity over clicks. She also discusses: · How many executives believe their companies are highly trusted by customers—and the percentage of consumers that agree. · What trust looks like in 2026—and how companies can achieve it. · The importance of people throughout this conversation. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Atif Ansar, cofounder, executive chairman, Foresight Works, and professor, University of Oxford, talk about data center delivery and demand and how AI (artificial intelligence) can give the power to build institutional knowledge. He says there is a great degree of fear around AI and what it might do in replacing human jobs, but they should not worry. They also discuss: · Human-centered AI and what a healthy human-AI partnership looks like in complex project environments. · Human barriers such as the failure myopia and the recency bias. · What leaders should start thinking about in terms of data long term. https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/people/atif-ansar

Why can't the construction industry find the talent it needs? Peggy Smedley talks with Tasha Jones, Espire Collective, about resilient talent ecosystems, the rise of fractional expertise, what top tier talent really looks like, and how to reshape operations. She says what is happening in construction is a preview of a broader workforce design issue across complex industries as a whole. They also discuss: · If the labor shortage is a pipeline problem or is it a workforce design issue. · How to attract and educate the construction workforce. · How to equip businesses in the construction industry. https://theespirecollective.com/

Peggy looks back on Black History Month and looks forward to Women's History Month, citing why it is important for a diverse workplace. She says complex workplaces require diverse thinkers to problem solve, innovate, and lead the next era of work. She also discusses: · How to translate awareness into hiring practices, leadership development, and culture. · The data shows how inclusive workplaces are more successful. · Three practical steps for building collaborative workplaces. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

On Aiglatson, Peggy Smedley and cohost Dennis Draeger, foresight director, Shaping Tomorrow, talk about obsolescence in this era of AI (artificial intelligence), narrowing in on human vs machine obsolescence. He says the technology industry has always considered humans second and favoring progress over human dignity. They also discuss: · Things that were made obsolete during the Industrial Revolution—and what will happen next in the era of AI. · The Horizon scandal in the United Kingdom—and how it demonstrates how technology can make mistakes. · How cultural narratives spread faster than institutional reforms.  https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy digs into a new report that looks at ransomware, business email compromise, and data incidents. She says for all businesses this represents an operational risk, a financial risk, a brand risk, and a leadership risk. She also discusses: · Which industry was the most heavily targeted for ransomware. · Five key predictions for 2026. · Three next steps businesses should take to protect their businesses. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Sabari Raja, managing partner, JFFVentures, and Molly Blankenship, associate vice president, Jobs for the Future, talk about new research from the Jobs for the Future, which reveals only 40% of U.S. workers hold jobs that meet basic standards for financial stability, mobility, agency, and safe, respective working conditions. They also discuss: · How much it costs employers when workers are disengaged. · How learning has happened in the past—and how AI will change upskilling and reskilling. · How to make sure jobs are providing what they need to for workers and the economy.  https://www.jff.org/