WEBVTT 1 00:00:21.075 --> 00:00:23.325 Rick is a multidisciplinary firm. 2 00:00:23.895 --> 00:00:27.485 We've now been in business celebrating 70 years this year, 3 00:00:28.265 --> 00:00:30.445 and we started out as just an engineering firm 4 00:00:30.535 --> 00:00:31.605 local to San Diego. 5 00:00:31.945 --> 00:00:33.005 And now we have grown 6 00:00:33.025 --> 00:00:36.165 to have 11 offices across the Western United States 7 00:00:36.905 --> 00:00:38.965 and a wide range of disciplines wide. 8 00:00:38.985 --> 00:00:41.805 So everything from engineering to planning to design, 9 00:00:41.945 --> 00:00:44.045 to surveying, to reality capture. 10 00:00:45.315 --> 00:00:47.815 So we've had a a lot of 11 00:00:48.435 --> 00:00:51.175 growth over several years in the industry, 12 00:00:55.735 --> 00:00:57.795 having so many different disciplines, 13 00:00:57.895 --> 00:00:59.675 so many different groups across the company 14 00:00:59.815 --> 00:01:01.275 and so many different offices. 15 00:01:01.735 --> 00:01:03.355 One of the largest challenges 16 00:01:03.355 --> 00:01:06.275 that I noticed the company had when I first started here 17 00:01:06.895 --> 00:01:09.875 was a disconnect between all of those different groups. 18 00:01:09.975 --> 00:01:12.475 We had a lot of different groups doing a lot of great work, 19 00:01:12.895 --> 00:01:14.195 but they were doing it separately. 20 00:01:14.285 --> 00:01:17.395 There wasn't a streamlined process, there wasn't a good way 21 00:01:17.395 --> 00:01:20.275 to communicate across all of these different groups 22 00:01:20.335 --> 00:01:22.275 and across all of these different geographic 23 00:01:22.465 --> 00:01:23.635 regions as well. 24 00:01:24.175 --> 00:01:25.755 So we had a real disconnect there. 25 00:01:26.335 --> 00:01:29.155 We also didn't have a good means 26 00:01:29.175 --> 00:01:30.955 of good internal communication. 27 00:01:31.415 --> 00:01:35.315 Um, email was it, we had a PDF newsletter back in the day 28 00:01:35.315 --> 00:01:36.795 before we had an intranet. 29 00:01:37.415 --> 00:01:40.195 Um, there were real struggles with being able to get news 30 00:01:40.215 --> 00:01:42.075 and information out to folks. 31 00:01:42.855 --> 00:01:44.435 And then the other large challenge 32 00:01:44.435 --> 00:01:47.755 that we were facing was just a lack of technology 33 00:01:47.935 --> 00:01:49.435 and efficient processes. 34 00:01:49.965 --> 00:01:51.915 There were a lot of paper forms being used 35 00:01:51.935 --> 00:01:53.715 to collect information and data. 36 00:01:54.575 --> 00:01:57.095 We just had emails going out to people. 37 00:01:57.355 --> 00:02:00.415 All of our processes were very dated, very inefficient, 38 00:02:00.435 --> 00:02:02.215 and taking a lot of employee time, 39 00:02:02.665 --> 00:02:05.375 which took away from them being able to really do 40 00:02:05.375 --> 00:02:07.935 what they love doing and not serving our clients. 41 00:02:13.065 --> 00:02:15.965 So our vision for the internet was really to go out 42 00:02:16.225 --> 00:02:19.685 and solve some of those major challenges we had. 43 00:02:20.145 --> 00:02:21.965 We wanted to connect everyone. 44 00:02:22.025 --> 00:02:26.245 We wanted to have one central source of truth, one place 45 00:02:26.245 --> 00:02:29.405 where everyone can go to, everyone knows to go to, okay, 46 00:02:29.405 --> 00:02:31.205 this is where I go to for information. 47 00:02:31.435 --> 00:02:33.205 This is where I go to find resources. 48 00:02:33.435 --> 00:02:36.085 This is where I go to socialize with employees 49 00:02:36.145 --> 00:02:38.645 or share things that I have going on in my 50 00:02:38.645 --> 00:02:40.045 department or in my life. 51 00:02:40.915 --> 00:02:43.205 This is where I go to fill out a form 52 00:02:43.865 --> 00:02:48.125 and um, this is how I find the information I need 53 00:02:48.185 --> 00:02:50.125 and this is how I share resources with others. 54 00:02:50.785 --> 00:02:52.205 So all of those great things 55 00:02:52.355 --> 00:02:54.485 that really make us an efficient company 56 00:02:54.625 --> 00:02:58.725 and a company that empowers its employees in one place 57 00:02:59.465 --> 00:03:00.885 is was really ultimate goal. 58 00:03:00.955 --> 00:03:02.045 That was the biggest thing. 59 00:03:02.065 --> 00:03:04.565 And then we wanted to streamline our processes. 60 00:03:04.705 --> 00:03:08.245 We wanted to have a way to really be able to share resources 61 00:03:08.465 --> 00:03:11.485 and information and news efficiently. 62 00:03:12.185 --> 00:03:14.605 And, um, just having everything flow into one place 63 00:03:14.665 --> 00:03:15.845 was our biggest goal. 64 00:03:16.505 --> 00:03:19.085 And the hope in doing that was 65 00:03:19.085 --> 00:03:21.485 that we would have all these other benefits. 66 00:03:21.705 --> 00:03:24.205 We would be able to be more collaborative. 67 00:03:24.205 --> 00:03:26.405 We would be able to connect more as a company 68 00:03:26.405 --> 00:03:29.005 because everyone's coming together as opposed 69 00:03:29.025 --> 00:03:31.845 to being in their own silos and doing their own things. 70 00:03:32.825 --> 00:03:34.725 And then we'd have a means 71 00:03:34.745 --> 00:03:37.685 of internal communication other than sending emails 72 00:03:37.745 --> 00:03:40.245 to people which get lost as we all know. 73 00:03:41.185 --> 00:03:43.365 So just being able to come together as a company, 74 00:03:44.355 --> 00:03:47.785 share information and being able to collaborate 75 00:03:48.165 --> 00:03:52.065 and find everything, um, was huge for us. 76 00:03:57.415 --> 00:03:59.735 I actually started with the CEO 77 00:03:59.735 --> 00:04:02.135 of our company when I decided that we needed 78 00:04:02.135 --> 00:04:03.775 to have an intranet here at Rick. 79 00:04:04.555 --> 00:04:07.255 And that started way back when I interviewed 80 00:04:07.255 --> 00:04:10.255 for the job here at Rick to be the communications manager. 81 00:04:10.915 --> 00:04:13.735 Uh, I found out they did not have an intranet, 82 00:04:14.555 --> 00:04:18.775 and I found out all of the challenges that were happening 83 00:04:19.115 --> 00:04:20.815 and I knew instantly that we needed 84 00:04:20.815 --> 00:04:22.415 to find a solution to those things. 85 00:04:22.995 --> 00:04:24.815 So everything started with the CEO 86 00:04:25.725 --> 00:04:28.625 and the first reaction from my CEO is, well, 87 00:04:28.625 --> 00:04:29.625 what is an internet? 88 00:04:30.795 --> 00:04:33.535 So sometimes you have to start at the very beginning, right? 89 00:04:33.755 --> 00:04:35.455 Not everyone knows what it is 90 00:04:35.595 --> 00:04:38.495 or all of the massive benefits that come out of it. 91 00:04:39.075 --> 00:04:41.735 So it just started with a bit of informing 92 00:04:41.955 --> 00:04:45.775 and I was very, um, fortunate that the CEO 93 00:04:45.775 --> 00:04:49.015 of our company was very open and curious about what is this 94 00:04:49.035 --> 00:04:50.575 and how can this really help Rick? 95 00:04:51.235 --> 00:04:55.895 So once I explained everything to him, then he was ready 96 00:04:55.955 --> 00:04:58.695 to move forward and we put together a focus group 97 00:04:58.845 --> 00:04:59.975 from across the company. 98 00:05:00.155 --> 00:05:02.335 So we pulled leaders from different offices, 99 00:05:02.765 --> 00:05:04.055 different disciplines, 100 00:05:05.055 --> 00:05:08.035 and even different levels of seniority across the company. 101 00:05:08.655 --> 00:05:10.435 And it gave us a very good mix 102 00:05:11.055 --> 00:05:14.555 of folks from different perspectives, 103 00:05:14.555 --> 00:05:17.555 different needs coming from different regions. 104 00:05:17.935 --> 00:05:20.355 So we wanted to be as representative of the entire company 105 00:05:20.415 --> 00:05:22.595 as possible to have everyone take a look at this 106 00:05:22.615 --> 00:05:24.515 and see, Hey, is this something 107 00:05:24.515 --> 00:05:27.515 that we wanna look at moving forward with for Rick? 108 00:05:28.345 --> 00:05:30.685 The other great thing about our focus group is that 109 00:05:31.285 --> 00:05:34.525 I made sure because I was so confident this was a good idea, 110 00:05:35.165 --> 00:05:39.645 I made sure that we had people on that focus group committee 111 00:05:40.275 --> 00:05:43.685 that I was pretty sure would be excited about a new 112 00:05:43.685 --> 00:05:45.365 technology to move forward with, 113 00:05:45.665 --> 00:05:48.845 and some that I thought would be pretty hesitant about it 114 00:05:49.065 --> 00:05:50.645 or unsure about it 115 00:05:51.195 --> 00:05:53.805 because if we can win those people over, 116 00:05:54.305 --> 00:05:56.605 we know we can win everybody over eventually. 117 00:05:57.895 --> 00:06:01.915 So, uh, we took that focus group, then moved it forward, 118 00:06:02.775 --> 00:06:05.355 and the focus group, once they had a chance to see 119 00:06:05.355 --> 00:06:08.515 what thought farmer was all about, it was very eye-opening. 120 00:06:09.135 --> 00:06:12.635 The response was very positive from everyone, in fact. 121 00:06:13.135 --> 00:06:15.915 And they even had a chance to play in, uh, 122 00:06:15.915 --> 00:06:17.075 play a sandbox area. 123 00:06:17.335 --> 00:06:20.435 So basically a test area where they could actually go in 124 00:06:20.535 --> 00:06:21.955 and use the platform. 125 00:06:22.735 --> 00:06:24.355 And when I told them a hundred times 126 00:06:24.855 --> 00:06:26.515 and the sales rep told them a hundred times, 127 00:06:26.625 --> 00:06:28.395 this platform is very easy to use, 128 00:06:28.905 --> 00:06:31.235 they could actually experience that firsthand. 129 00:06:32.055 --> 00:06:35.475 And I think sometimes half of the hesitation is, you know, 130 00:06:35.545 --> 00:06:37.275 well, first of all, I don't know what this is, 131 00:06:37.705 --> 00:06:38.715 this is foreign to me. 132 00:06:38.895 --> 00:06:40.835 And change can be hard sometimes, 133 00:06:41.615 --> 00:06:42.995 but if you can get your hands in there 134 00:06:42.995 --> 00:06:45.355 and you can really try it and experience it 135 00:06:45.415 --> 00:06:47.435 and see the benefits, um, 136 00:06:47.505 --> 00:06:49.075 that really helped everyone turn the corner. 137 00:06:49.815 --> 00:06:50.035 So 138 00:06:54.885 --> 00:06:58.085 I took the challenges we had, I took the vision 139 00:06:58.225 --> 00:06:59.845 and the goals that we had, 140 00:07:00.465 --> 00:07:01.845 and I compared those 141 00:07:02.185 --> 00:07:04.645 to all the different intranets doing a lot 142 00:07:04.645 --> 00:07:05.685 of online research. 143 00:07:06.465 --> 00:07:10.085 Um, doing those comparisons, I had narrowed it down 144 00:07:10.105 --> 00:07:13.485 to about four that I thought might be a fit for our needs. 145 00:07:14.305 --> 00:07:15.485 And it was at that point 146 00:07:15.485 --> 00:07:19.085 that I started contacting sales reps to go more in depth, 147 00:07:19.785 --> 00:07:21.245 um, with the questions 148 00:07:21.505 --> 00:07:25.525 and to really find the best fit that would meet our needs. 149 00:07:27.145 --> 00:07:30.915 And, um, it became clear early on 150 00:07:30.985 --> 00:07:33.795 that thought pharma was the best fit for us. 151 00:07:34.855 --> 00:07:38.915 Uh, the ease of use of the platform was the number one 152 00:07:39.605 --> 00:07:42.635 thing for us, and that was something that I found 153 00:07:42.635 --> 00:07:44.635 with thought Pharmaer instantly as soon as I had 154 00:07:44.635 --> 00:07:45.835 to look at the platform. 155 00:07:46.535 --> 00:07:50.955 Um, I was also very impressed with the, um, the interface 156 00:07:51.095 --> 00:07:52.155 and how it looked. 157 00:07:52.495 --> 00:07:54.715 It had, it was very functional 158 00:07:55.215 --> 00:07:57.075 and there were so many features 159 00:07:57.145 --> 00:07:58.675 with the Thought Farmer intranet. 160 00:07:58.895 --> 00:08:00.915 So not only was it easy to use, there were 161 00:08:00.915 --> 00:08:03.235 so many different things that we could do with it 162 00:08:03.295 --> 00:08:04.875 and that we could take advantage of. 163 00:08:05.615 --> 00:08:10.395 So checking off all the boxes that we had was exactly, um, 164 00:08:10.465 --> 00:08:12.755 what was happening with Thought Farmer, 165 00:08:13.585 --> 00:08:14.685 and that's when we decided 166 00:08:14.705 --> 00:08:16.485 to move forward in that direction. 167 00:08:21.415 --> 00:08:24.415 Although it seems daunting, it was also an exciting process 168 00:08:24.795 --> 00:08:28.255 and thought Farmer had an incredibly organized plan 169 00:08:28.535 --> 00:08:30.895 to help walk us through all of the steps. 170 00:08:31.435 --> 00:08:34.735 So even though I was familiar with building an internet 171 00:08:34.955 --> 00:08:37.735 and using an intranet, this was a new platform 172 00:08:38.595 --> 00:08:41.615 and they had some really great tips and advice 173 00:08:41.715 --> 00:08:45.335 and information and they truly, there were steps 174 00:08:45.335 --> 00:08:47.815 that I didn't necessarily need because I had the experience, 175 00:08:47.875 --> 00:08:50.575 but I truly felt as I walked them, walk through everything. 176 00:08:51.155 --> 00:08:53.415 If I had never touched an intranet 177 00:08:53.535 --> 00:08:54.895 before, never seen an intranet 178 00:08:54.925 --> 00:08:56.365 before, I would've felt 179 00:08:56.505 --> 00:08:58.365 so confident putting my intranet together 180 00:08:58.685 --> 00:09:02.805 because they were walking us through everything so well, uh, 181 00:09:02.805 --> 00:09:04.765 we were, they helped us map things out 182 00:09:04.865 --> 00:09:06.285 and decide what we were gonna have. 183 00:09:06.305 --> 00:09:09.755 We were gonna have it, um, helped us prioritize things, 184 00:09:09.755 --> 00:09:11.275 showed us how to use everything. 185 00:09:11.695 --> 00:09:14.915 We were received, really useful training on how 186 00:09:14.915 --> 00:09:16.195 to build the intranet. 187 00:09:16.895 --> 00:09:20.075 Um, we, every step of the way we felt confident in 188 00:09:20.075 --> 00:09:22.115 what we were doing, even though it was brand new. 189 00:09:22.735 --> 00:09:26.315 And then it was a systematic work through of reaching out 190 00:09:26.495 --> 00:09:28.155 to many leaders across the company, 191 00:09:28.215 --> 00:09:30.035 all the different disciplines, all the different offices 192 00:09:30.855 --> 00:09:33.595 to get that starter content, to get things together, 193 00:09:33.775 --> 00:09:34.795 to find out their needs. 194 00:09:34.795 --> 00:09:36.915 What would you like to have in this office space 195 00:09:36.975 --> 00:09:38.475 or in this discipline space. 196 00:09:39.335 --> 00:09:42.795 Um, so a huge comprehensive project, 197 00:09:43.895 --> 00:09:45.675 but we felt it went very well 198 00:09:45.855 --> 00:09:48.275 and I would say much more smoothly than I anticipated. 199 00:09:48.375 --> 00:09:50.155 You always anticipate projects like that, 200 00:09:50.365 --> 00:09:51.555 brand new things like that 201 00:09:52.175 --> 00:09:54.115 to have definite bumps in the road. 202 00:09:54.695 --> 00:09:56.795 Um, I felt it went much more smoothly. 203 00:09:57.575 --> 00:10:00.315 And we, the other thing we did that we were really proud 204 00:10:00.315 --> 00:10:02.355 of is that we kept our company 205 00:10:02.935 --> 00:10:05.795 and all of the employees informed along the way about 206 00:10:05.815 --> 00:10:09.195 how it was coming because we wanted to build that excitement 207 00:10:09.255 --> 00:10:11.755 for when we did finally launch the platform. 208 00:10:11.855 --> 00:10:13.995 Yes, we need to take a few months to put this together 209 00:10:14.055 --> 00:10:15.835 for you, but this is what's coming. 210 00:10:16.055 --> 00:10:18.235 And we would send little previews of things 211 00:10:18.575 --> 00:10:20.035 and give them tips on 212 00:10:20.545 --> 00:10:22.555 what they would have to look forward to. 213 00:10:22.655 --> 00:10:25.515 So we had built an anticipation while we 214 00:10:25.515 --> 00:10:26.755 were building the intranet. 215 00:10:31.635 --> 00:10:34.495 So when we were finally ready to launch our intranet 216 00:10:34.495 --> 00:10:36.215 after all that work and all the excitement 217 00:10:36.275 --> 00:10:40.255 and build up with our team, we wanted it to be a big deal. 218 00:10:40.515 --> 00:10:42.375 We wanted everyone to be behind it. 219 00:10:42.435 --> 00:10:44.095 We wanted everyone to be excited. 220 00:10:44.315 --> 00:10:45.735 And building that excitement 221 00:10:45.875 --> 00:10:48.655 and really giving it that big 222 00:10:49.445 --> 00:10:53.375 celebration at launch time, we knew would really help build, 223 00:10:53.595 --> 00:10:55.015 get everyone's curiosity going 224 00:10:55.155 --> 00:10:58.215 and drive everyone to the intranet. 225 00:10:58.915 --> 00:11:03.175 So in about the month leading up to the actual launch date, 226 00:11:04.335 --> 00:11:05.955 we had a video contest 227 00:11:06.165 --> 00:11:08.955 where we encourage folks across the company 228 00:11:09.095 --> 00:11:10.795 to get together in groups 229 00:11:11.455 --> 00:11:14.555 and create essentially launch videos of 230 00:11:14.625 --> 00:11:16.755 what they were excited about for the Rick Hub, 231 00:11:16.905 --> 00:11:18.795 what they thought it was going to be like. 232 00:11:19.535 --> 00:11:22.955 And then we sold everyone that we would announce the winner 233 00:11:23.135 --> 00:11:24.875 and put them all up on the Rick Hub. 234 00:11:24.875 --> 00:11:27.035 We would announce the winner on Premier Day. 235 00:11:27.495 --> 00:11:29.795 So we had a lot of excitement building up to that, 236 00:11:29.975 --> 00:11:33.235 and we were so excited to receive several entries 237 00:11:33.375 --> 00:11:34.715 and they were really good people, 238 00:11:34.715 --> 00:11:36.475 really put a lot of time into them. 239 00:11:37.095 --> 00:11:39.875 It was great to see the excitement they had coming 240 00:11:40.575 --> 00:11:42.635 and uh, we always, everyone's always up 241 00:11:42.635 --> 00:11:43.955 for a little competition here at Rick. 242 00:11:43.955 --> 00:11:45.475 We have some very competitive people here. 243 00:11:45.655 --> 00:11:48.275 So it's always a contest is always a good thing around here. 244 00:11:48.775 --> 00:11:50.555 Um, it generates excitement not only 245 00:11:50.555 --> 00:11:53.445 for the people in the contest, but then we had everyone got 246 00:11:53.445 --> 00:11:54.885 to vote for their favorites. 247 00:11:55.995 --> 00:12:00.095 So the votes and the winners came from everyone's vote 248 00:12:00.155 --> 00:12:02.055 as opposed to like us choosing the winners. 249 00:12:02.395 --> 00:12:05.935 So we had a lot of anticipation up until that date 250 00:12:06.445 --> 00:12:07.735 with doing the video contest. 251 00:12:07.885 --> 00:12:10.095 That was one thing and we had the grand reveal. 252 00:12:10.795 --> 00:12:12.455 The other thing that we did, um, 253 00:12:12.555 --> 00:12:14.975 was we made it a true premier day. 254 00:12:15.155 --> 00:12:19.455 So we did a Hollywood, uh, Hollywood opening type 255 00:12:19.515 --> 00:12:22.615 of theme and we engaged all of our offices, 256 00:12:22.875 --> 00:12:24.335 so not just our corporate office. 257 00:12:24.355 --> 00:12:25.575 So across all of our offices, 258 00:12:25.795 --> 00:12:28.975 we sent them celebration packages, we encouraged them 259 00:12:28.995 --> 00:12:30.855 to do different things in their offices. 260 00:12:31.275 --> 00:12:33.855 On Premier Day we had champagne 261 00:12:33.955 --> 00:12:36.655 and sparkling cider toast all lined up. 262 00:12:36.755 --> 00:12:40.135 We had, um, here in the San Diego office, we had, um, 263 00:12:40.375 --> 00:12:42.495 a whole bunch of hors d'oeuvres and food 264 00:12:42.715 --> 00:12:44.615 and fun in our break room. 265 00:12:44.635 --> 00:12:46.215 And we had some computers set up 266 00:12:46.215 --> 00:12:47.535 where people could actually sit down 267 00:12:47.595 --> 00:12:51.095 during the opening event and play with the Rick hub. 268 00:12:51.355 --> 00:12:52.975 So even if they were there at the event, 269 00:12:52.975 --> 00:12:54.255 they could play with it there. 270 00:12:55.035 --> 00:12:59.615 And we of course did the big video contest reveals right in 271 00:12:59.615 --> 00:13:00.975 the room there with everyone 272 00:13:01.355 --> 00:13:04.135 and similar celebrations were going on across the other 273 00:13:04.135 --> 00:13:05.415 offices as well. 274 00:13:06.155 --> 00:13:08.725 So we had a big, um, 275 00:13:09.045 --> 00:13:12.565 company-wide celebration launching the internet. 276 00:13:13.475 --> 00:13:16.255 And then once we launched, we had trainings for everyone. 277 00:13:16.315 --> 00:13:19.735 We had multiple different user trainings at different times 278 00:13:19.875 --> 00:13:21.615 and then we also recorded those so 279 00:13:21.615 --> 00:13:24.375 that everyone would immediately feel comfortable diving in 280 00:13:24.795 --> 00:13:26.535 and using the new intranet 281 00:13:26.675 --> 00:13:29.415 and that we were accommodating everyone's schedules. 282 00:13:30.505 --> 00:13:34.005 So, um, all of that went really well. 283 00:13:34.345 --> 00:13:36.685 We were really excited, people were excited, 284 00:13:36.685 --> 00:13:37.925 people were having fun 285 00:13:38.825 --> 00:13:41.565 and um, everyone kind of diving into the internet 286 00:13:41.585 --> 00:13:42.605 and experiencing it 287 00:13:42.865 --> 00:13:46.725 and um, really being excited about it was, uh, 288 00:13:47.235 --> 00:13:48.645 very satisfying, gratifying. 289 00:13:53.435 --> 00:13:57.135 So our thought farmer intranet has really made a huge 290 00:13:57.135 --> 00:14:00.815 difference for us as an engineering planning a EC firm. 291 00:14:01.555 --> 00:14:03.855 And there are multiple reasons for that. 292 00:14:04.275 --> 00:14:07.255 The first one again goes back to the ease of use. 293 00:14:07.805 --> 00:14:10.255 Most of our engineers, planners, designers, 294 00:14:10.685 --> 00:14:13.895 surveyors have never used a platform like this before. 295 00:14:14.435 --> 00:14:16.215 And that's pretty typical in the industry. 296 00:14:16.405 --> 00:14:21.055 It's not a widespread thing yet, um, for 297 00:14:21.575 --> 00:14:24.215 companies in our industry to have a comprehensive intranet 298 00:14:24.215 --> 00:14:26.735 and to bring their staff together in that way. 299 00:14:27.755 --> 00:14:29.695 So having everyone, 300 00:14:29.715 --> 00:14:31.735 so even when we have new staff coming in, 301 00:14:31.885 --> 00:14:33.295 they've never had one before. 302 00:14:33.595 --> 00:14:35.055 And the number one thing 303 00:14:35.055 --> 00:14:39.335 that we hear from staff coming in is, wow, this is so cool. 304 00:14:39.805 --> 00:14:41.655 I've never had anything like this before. 305 00:14:41.885 --> 00:14:43.415 I've never seen anything like this. 306 00:14:44.235 --> 00:14:49.215 Um, we have had so many new employees specifically call out, 307 00:14:49.635 --> 00:14:50.975 um, how excited they are 308 00:14:51.105 --> 00:14:52.765 to have a platform like the Rick Hub 309 00:14:52.765 --> 00:14:55.085 where they can find everything that they need, 310 00:14:55.095 --> 00:14:56.965 especially when they're first starting, all 311 00:14:56.965 --> 00:14:58.485 of their onboarding staff is right there. 312 00:14:58.595 --> 00:14:59.805 They can look at it any time. 313 00:15:00.265 --> 00:15:02.125 Um, their resources are right there, 314 00:15:02.255 --> 00:15:04.205 their communication is right there. 315 00:15:05.795 --> 00:15:09.575 And I think as in our industry, there's a tendency 316 00:15:09.815 --> 00:15:12.695 because we are so focused on our clients and our projects 317 00:15:12.695 --> 00:15:17.095 and serving our communities, we put the investments 318 00:15:17.955 --> 00:15:22.375 and the focus on, um, the external technology 319 00:15:22.375 --> 00:15:24.015 that we're using to get the actual 320 00:15:24.015 --> 00:15:25.495 technical project work done. 321 00:15:25.955 --> 00:15:27.295 So that's where our focus is. 322 00:15:27.715 --> 00:15:32.135 So we aren't always investing in our employee's efficiency, 323 00:15:32.555 --> 00:15:35.495 our employee's ability to quickly find resources 324 00:15:35.675 --> 00:15:36.855 and to collaborate. 325 00:15:37.235 --> 00:15:39.015 So there isn't always a focus on that. 326 00:15:39.275 --> 00:15:43.015 But the thing to remember is that translates incredibly 327 00:15:43.195 --> 00:15:46.015 for staff being able to do their work, being able 328 00:15:46.015 --> 00:15:49.215 to be efficient, being able to find what they need 329 00:15:49.275 --> 00:15:52.335 and to be informed in collaborating with one another. 330 00:15:53.575 --> 00:15:57.475 So when we started with having these different silos, 331 00:15:57.475 --> 00:15:59.235 different offices doing their own things, 332 00:15:59.625 --> 00:16:02.275 different disciplines, doing their own things, you know, 333 00:16:02.815 --> 00:16:05.595 survey may have had an entirely different process for how 334 00:16:05.595 --> 00:16:06.835 to do something and how 335 00:16:06.835 --> 00:16:09.275 to share information than engineering did. 336 00:16:09.735 --> 00:16:11.595 But we're one company, we're one Rick. 337 00:16:11.695 --> 00:16:15.195 And that was a very important part of our vision is 338 00:16:15.195 --> 00:16:16.275 to really be one company 339 00:16:16.415 --> 00:16:19.115 and to truly work together across offices, 340 00:16:19.215 --> 00:16:21.715 across the disciplines to serve our clients. 341 00:16:22.855 --> 00:16:25.315 And before we had all of this disconnect, 342 00:16:25.455 --> 00:16:26.995 but now we have the Rick hub 343 00:16:27.015 --> 00:16:29.635 to really bring everything together in one place 344 00:16:30.295 --> 00:16:33.235 to keep everyone connected across those offices, 345 00:16:33.415 --> 00:16:35.995 across those disciplines, to share information, 346 00:16:36.495 --> 00:16:37.875 to share resources. 347 00:16:39.135 --> 00:16:41.875 The other thing that's great about this platform is it has a 348 00:16:41.875 --> 00:16:42.995 mobile version. 349 00:16:43.615 --> 00:16:46.835 So we have staff that commonly will go out in the field. 350 00:16:47.375 --> 00:16:49.875 We have surveyors who are out in the field all the time. 351 00:16:49.905 --> 00:16:52.035 They're very rarely even here in the office 352 00:16:52.895 --> 00:16:56.275 and most of them don't have a computer here in the office 353 00:16:56.615 --> 00:16:57.875 or they will stop in 354 00:16:57.875 --> 00:17:00.635 to use a shared computer if they need to use a computer. 355 00:17:01.595 --> 00:17:04.885 However, we set them up on their mobile devices. 356 00:17:05.145 --> 00:17:08.125 One of the first things we do when a new staff member starts 357 00:17:08.305 --> 00:17:10.005 is we make sure that they have the ER 358 00:17:10.005 --> 00:17:11.205 app on their mobile device. 359 00:17:11.265 --> 00:17:12.285 So whether it's a tablet 360 00:17:12.825 --> 00:17:16.155 or it's their phone, we get them set up with that so 361 00:17:16.155 --> 00:17:20.235 that they can use it in the field or anywhere they may be. 362 00:17:21.015 --> 00:17:23.235 Um, and there has been, um, 363 00:17:24.185 --> 00:17:27.825 a huge difference in being accessibility to communication 364 00:17:27.825 --> 00:17:29.905 because they're able to access that anywhere. 365 00:17:29.905 --> 00:17:31.225 If they don't have a desk computer, 366 00:17:31.495 --> 00:17:32.785 they can still access it. 367 00:17:33.165 --> 00:17:36.225 We have had staff that have been on interviews, uh, 368 00:17:36.325 --> 00:17:37.705 try when trying to win work 369 00:17:38.405 --> 00:17:40.345 and they've needed to pull something up off 370 00:17:40.345 --> 00:17:41.425 the Rick Hub to share it. 371 00:17:41.425 --> 00:17:42.785 They can pull it up on a tablet 372 00:17:42.925 --> 00:17:45.345 or on the in internet internet without having 373 00:17:45.345 --> 00:17:47.185 to access our internal file system, 374 00:17:47.235 --> 00:17:48.945 which can take a lot longer, 375 00:17:49.385 --> 00:17:51.965 but they can quickly pull something up and show it. 376 00:17:52.705 --> 00:17:57.045 Um, we're actually looking at really, uh, increasing our use 377 00:17:57.045 --> 00:17:58.525 of the mobile app in the future 378 00:17:58.875 --> 00:18:01.245 because it is such a great option 379 00:18:01.385 --> 00:18:02.685 to be able to be on the go. 380 00:18:03.065 --> 00:18:05.325 And we're currently working on being able 381 00:18:05.325 --> 00:18:08.965 to process change orders through our Rick hub. 382 00:18:09.425 --> 00:18:12.325 So right in the field, if we need to do a change order, 383 00:18:12.465 --> 00:18:14.765 we can have the client sign off on it right there, 384 00:18:14.895 --> 00:18:17.805 which saves us over a week and we can get right to work. 385 00:18:18.265 --> 00:18:20.805 And it's really made a difference in our connection 386 00:18:20.805 --> 00:18:22.805 and we feel so much more like one company 387 00:18:23.315 --> 00:18:24.605 than we ever did before. 388 00:18:25.225 --> 00:18:27.405 And that's kind of revolutionized the way 389 00:18:27.435 --> 00:18:28.485 that we've done things. 390 00:18:29.265 --> 00:18:32.445 So I would say for other firms who think, 391 00:18:32.445 --> 00:18:35.325 well maybe this isn't really a crucial part of it, it goes 392 00:18:35.425 --> 00:18:38.445 beyond just having a communication platform. 393 00:18:38.865 --> 00:18:42.005 It goes to increasing your collaboration, it goes 394 00:18:42.005 --> 00:18:44.285 to increasing your connection, it goes 395 00:18:44.545 --> 00:18:48.125 to a very high efficiency in getting information 396 00:18:48.125 --> 00:18:50.285 to your staff and your staff being able to find 397 00:18:50.355 --> 00:18:53.605 what they need to find in order to work on their projects 398 00:18:53.605 --> 00:18:55.885 and in order to fulfill the needs that you have. 399 00:18:56.425 --> 00:18:57.805 Um, as a company.