Pick Talent’s Post

In a hole? Today’s hat, SHIT (Sub House Installation Technician). Basically, I am digging below a house to repair a damaged sewer line that is causing a backup of sewer water into a house. This is not the first time I have found myself in such a predicament: in a hole, knee deep in sh*t, over my head, etc. The fist step in getting out of a hole is to stop digging. I crashed and burned my first venture, furniture manufacturing. I kept pouring money into an idea that was not going to work, but while pouring money into it, I was convinced, just a little more. It has been a few years since that adventure, I have done a lot of growing since then, I have learned learned to trust my instincts not my passion. This decision to shut down a business also strengthened my relationship with my spouse and businesses partner, it made us of one mind. Here are 3 rules that help me navigate the complexity of the self employed/ construction world. 1. Get it in writing - whether dealing with a client or subcontractor, I want to see on paper/email what exactly are they/we going to do. 2. Finish what you start - sometimes finishing something is either firing the client / subcontractor, or losing money in the short term, either way, make a decision. 3. One day at a time - at times I get caught in the planning/forecasting race. I want to predict with certainty the amount of money I will bring home. Those days died 7 years ago along with my salary and benefits package. Self employed is tough yet fair, it rewards those that continually show up, and humbles the proud. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep grinding. #ibuildthings

What is a Magicman Hard Surface Technician? As technology continues to advance, so does the demand for skilled workers in various industries. One such skilled worker is the hard surface technician. But what exactly is a hard surface technician, and how can they help in other industries?

Furtado is rapidly growing, and it's been awesome to see so many new faces around the office this past month after our recent round of new hires. Connor Stephens is our newest Construction Inspector! We asked some questions to learn more about him: Q: What’s your favorite thing about your profession? A: My favorite thing about my profession is that I get to improve and maintain the infrastructure of the city that I grew up in. Q: What excites you most about your new position? A: I am excited at the prospect of saying, "Oh I did inspection in that area for a little while" basically anywhere I go in Seattle. Q: What drew you to Furtado? A: I was drawn to Furtado because everyone I have talked to about this company has had very good things to say about working and dealing with Furtado. Q: If you weren’t a Construction Inspector for a living, what would you be doing? A: If I were not a Construction Inspector, I would probably be a history teacher or an HVAC technician. Q: What are your hobbies outside of work? A: My hobbies are playing basketball, hanging out with friends, working out, studying history, cooking, and being with my girlfriend and family. Q: Do you have any hidden talents? A: My hidden talent is that I know the states and most countries of the world that aren't small islands. Q: Last book you read? A: The last book I read was The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon. Q: Go-to karaoke song? A: Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye. Welcome, Connor! #welcometotheteam #newhirespotlight #constructioninspector

Now Hiring Foreman, apply here: https://lnkd.in/eyeffKDX

Join #teamgreen and watch how the #greengang can change your view on what work looks when you jump into the best team!

And last, but by no means least, we have one of our most experienced rope access technicians, Gavin Whitlock. Gav has a wealth of experience that he brings to the table, allowing us to deliver beyond expectations every time for our clients. Why/how did you become involved in rope access? I became involved in rope access because I was always fascinated by heights and the thrill of working in challenging environments. I started in BMU (building maintenance units). I also did work in rope cable and 'old school' Bosun's chair and moved on to use MEWP (mobile elevated work platforms) and scaffold towers. As I developed and progressed over time I managed a team of rope access technicians who introduced me to rope access work. The blend of technical skill and adventure was the perfect fit for me, and I have never looked back. What do you love about it? I love the sense of freedom and perspective you get from working high above the ground. Every day is different, and the views are incredible. There's also a strong sense of camaraderie among the team, and solving unique challenges together is immensely satisfying. What do you dislike about it? What I dislike most is probably the weather. Working in harsh conditions can be tough, whether it's extreme heat, cold, or rain. Also, carrying heavy gear up and down can be physically demanding. Do you ever experience fear? If so, how do you deal with it? I would be lying if i said no, we all have faced a situation or have an off day where you think i just can't do this today. So yes, I do experience fear from time to time, especially in new or particularly challenging situations. For example, on buildings over 50 storeys high your body tells you not to step off that edge. I deal with it by relying on my training and my team around me. Knowing we are focused on safety procedures and each other's back helps keep me calm and focused. Then once you are in position on the rope you free a strong sense of freedom and calmness which is unmatched by anything else. What is/was your favourite project? My favourite project (pre-Building Transformation) was a rope we did for Windsor Castle, working on the external of the Queens Tower (which is the Royal residence when they stay at Windsor). It was an iconic structure with incredible views, and the technical challenges of navigating and rigging such a complex structure were really rewarding. Plus, knowing we were helping to preserve a piece of history made it extra special. #ropeaccess #teamwork #workingatheight

Update on Steve! (Journeyman Electrician) ⚡️⚡️⚡️ Steve has now had his BACK UP for about a month. He’s finding the tool even more intuitive after using it on multiple jobs. When asked to gauge his productivity increase 📊 per project while wearing the BACK UP, Steve said “10-20% easy per box. But it could be as high as 50% for some jobs, because I no longer need long recovery breaks in between boxes. This really adds up quickly on commercial jobs” If your an electrician, plumber, flooring contractor, tradesperson etc. this tool may pay for itself on its first job. Think about that for a moment…. A tool you may have 10-20 years depending on use, which pays for itself within the first day of use. Wow!! WE WONT EVEN GET INTO WHAT AVERTING INJURIES ALTOGETHER IS WORTH💰💲🩼… we are only talking immediate productivity gains! ROI ✅ ✅ Note to SELF…..this tool should be $6000 not $600….. just saying!! You do the math on what it worth!!! Astonishing ✅ #ergonomicsolutions #productivityboost #postureperfection #backup

Whether you’re looking for a contractor, maintenance technician, or handyman, it’s important to learn the warning signs of a bad egg before you endure financial or property harm.  #DueDiligence #Contractors #HomeRepair #ATLDisasterRecovery

Getting trustworthy home service technicians and service providers has always proved to be a difficult task. And yet the demand for these services continues to rise, considering that at some point, every household needs a plumber, an electrician or a painter... #career #opportunities #jobhunting