Building Sustainably
Join host Tim O’Brien to discuss Green Building Practices, Innovative Designs, & Renewable Technologies. Plus learn more about sustainability in the building industry and communities through the eyes of a homebuilder. We look at Sustainability from four different perspectives and will provide insights you can take back to your life and business: The Homebuilding Industry, Our Community, Our Homes, Our Employees.
Episodes
48 episodes
Breaking Barriers with Charis Homes
In this episode, host Tim O'Brien is joined by founder and president of Charis Homes, Glenna Wilson, to discuss High Performance Homes and breaking barriers to entry for women in the home building and construction industries. For more i...
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36:23
Smart Home Technology with Digitek Digital
In this episode, Tim O’Brien is joined by owner of Digitek Digital, Dave Mihalovic, to discuss home automation and how new homeowners can optimize their smart home technology. Dave provides insights...
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23:31
Using Avid Ratings to Improve the Customer Experience
In this episode, Tim O’Brien talks about our process for surveying customers throughout their new home journey, including design, construction, and customer care. Through the use of third-party surveys from Avid Ratings, which is a comprehensiv...
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14:23
Moving Toward a Positive Impact on Energy Use and Climate Change
In this episode, Tim O'Brien speaks with the Director of the Dane County of Energy and Climate Change, Kathy Kuntz, about their mission to design and implement collaborate initiatives that accelerate change and yield substantive results for ene...
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29:08
AeroBarrier's Innovative Home Sealing Technology
In this episode of the Building Sustainably Podcast, Tim O’Brien meets with the National Director of AeroBarrier, Paul Springer, to discuss the innovative way in which AeroSeal's innovative home sealing product aims to benefit both new and exis...
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22:37
What Is Geothermal Energy & How Can We Use It?
In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Tim O'Brien talks about the importance and benefits of using geothermal energy in homes. Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that is naturally produced in the earth’s core. By ...
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21:29
A Community-Driven Approach to Housing
In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Tim O'Brien is joined by Melissa Songco, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity, to discuss their story and efforts to help the Waukesha community. Habitat for Humanity has been b...
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27:30
Leadership and Core Values Within a Growing Organization
In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Tim O’Brien is joined by Ryan Hanna, Executive Vice President of Dave Jones, Inc, to discuss the advantages of building strong relationships with your coworkers, business partners, custome...
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35:40
Homebuilder Collaboration Through Builder 20 Clubs
In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Tim O'Brien is joined by Rachel Flint, Vice President of Hubbell Homes in Des Moines, Iowa, to discuss the advantages of participating in the Builder 20 Group through the National Ho...
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36:08
Total Quality Management in Construction: A Review of the Journey (Part 3)
In the final part of this three-part episode, Tim finishes his conversation with president of TrueNorth Development, Scott Sedam, as they break down principles of lean construction as it relates to total quality within the homebuilding industry...
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27:25
Total Quality Management in Construction: A Review of the Journey (Part 2)
In part two of this three-part episode, Tim O’Brien continues his conversation with president of TrueNorth Development, Scott Sedam, as they discuss how the Total Quality Management (TQM) model has had an effect on the homebuilding industry thr...
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24:38
Total Quality Management in Construction: A Review of the Journey (Part 1)
In this part one of this three part episode, Tim O’Brien is joined by president of TrueNorth Development, Scott Sedam, to discuss the history of the Total Quality Management (TQM) model, and how companies were able to improve products, process,...
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30:39
The McKenzie Regional Workforce Center
In this episode, Tim O'Brien is joined by our very own, Danny Lowery, President of our Madison division, to discuss the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Danny explains how the project was conceived, how he first got involved, and the commitm...
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31:28
A Work-From-Home Space That Won’t Break Your Budget
It should be no surprise that this trend is elevating the home office from an amenity to a must-have. A new home is a chance to create an office that's functional and useful—a space you will look forward to stepping into each morning. In this e...
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16:40
Which Home Building Process Is Right For You?
In this episode, Tim explores the three different home building processes, which include Production, Semi-Custom, and Custom. Tim explains that although one is not necessarily better than the other, it’s important to think about the pros ...
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27:02
Designing A New Home Plan
In this episode, Tim is joined by our Lead Home Designer, Andrew Elder, to discuss the process of creating new home plans. Andrew details how a plan goes from a prototype to a finished home plan and explains his thoughts on several elements tha...
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31:43
Housing Market 2021 Recap & 2022 Outlook
In this episode, Tim O’Brien details the challenges faced by the home building industry in 2021 such as supply chain issues, building material costs, and labor shortages and how those challenges will potentially continue through 2022. Tim also ...
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14:20
The National Housing Quality Award - A Symbol of Excellence
In this episode, Tim O’Brien is joined by Tom Gillespie to discuss the National Housing Quality Award and its impact on homebuilders across the country. Tim and Tom go through how the award was created, as well as delve into the rigorous applic...
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31:45
Consumer Insights Customer Satisfaction
In this episode, Tim is joined by Vice President of Customer Success and Sales at Avid Ratings, Zach Buehl, to discuss the importance of third-party surveys for homebuilders. Zach explains how the data collected from Avid Surveys is used by com...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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34:54
Total Quality Management
In this episode, Tim O’Brien explains the TQM (total quality management) approach as a management system for a customer-focused organization that involves all employees in continual improvement. It uses strategy, data, and effective communicati...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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40:54
HGTV & Pinterest from a Homebuilder's Point of View
In this episode, Tim O'Brien is joined by our Director of Sales, Pete Lange, to discuss the impact of platforms like HGTV and Pinterest on homebuyer expectations. Tim and Pete explore the benefits and challenges that these present when homebuye...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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32:10
Sustainability Through The Consumer's Eyes with Suzanne Shelton (Part 2)
In the second part of this two-part episode, Tim O'Brien continues his conversation with President and CEO of Shelton Group, Suzanne Shelton, to discuss how consumers view sustainability within the homebuilding industry and beyond.
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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30:23
Sustainability Through The Consumer's Eyes with Suzanne Shelton (Part 1)
In this two part episode, Tim O'Brien is joined by President and CEO of Shelton Group, Suzanne Shelton, to discuss how consumers view sustainability within the homebuilding industry and beyond. Suzanne highlights data her team has collected thr...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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19:29
Weather Resistant Barriers & Sustainable New Home Products
In this episode, Hallmark Building Supplies Business Development Manager, Linda Heipp, joins Tim O'Brien to discuss the benefits of Tyvek Homewrap, and what makes this particular product one of the most important things that goes into building ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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31:43
The Core Values of Tim O'Brien Homes
In this episode, Tim talks through the importance of defining core values within an organization and how those values can contribute to a positive company culture. Tim delves into each one of 7 core values of Tim O'Brien Homes, and explains how...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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36:59