By Lauren White, RCS Editor. 

Tesla solar tile systems, model-based estimating and VR headsets had these industry professionals and thought leaders oohing and aahing. 

While in New Orleans for the 2022 International Roofing Expo (IRE), members of the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) gathered to learn how members are utilizing technology to advance the industry and help their companies innovate.  Discussions included Tesla solar tile systems and model-based estimating, and ended with these industry professionals experimenting with VR headsets to what the future of roofing holds. 

Tesla solar roof tiles 

Ken Kelly, CEO and owner of Kelly Roofing, shared the inside scoop of his work with the Tesla solar tile system.  While version 3 of the tiles is out now, Kelly Roofing is working directly with Tesla to create version 4.  After extensive training, Kelly’s crews are installing Tesla solar systems on residential roofs.  These systems are unique in that they’re not a solar system that’s installed over a pre-existing tile or asphalt roof, but instead they’re individual solar shingles.  Some panels are power generating, but not all, and you can’t tell the difference between the two.  Their sleek design and appearance are enough to enhance the curb appeal of anyone’s home.  

These tiles are designed to pick up any wavelength of light whether that’s moonlight, fluorescent light or sunlight. Another unique feature is that snow melts quickly off of Tesla roofs because of the amount of heat it generates, which means there’s less likelihood of ice dams.  Further, these tiles are self-cleaning.  It’s important that leaves, pollen and sea spray from coastal areas don’t cover the panels and inhibit power generation, so all it takes is a little rain to clean the roof.  

What really makes Tesla tiles different is the use of peel and stick direct to the deck underlayment.  Tesla tiles go through more rigid testing due to the electric components sitting directly on the roof deck as opposed to lifted on a stanchion.  They also have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest rating.  

While walking on any roof is dangerous, Tesla roofs are especially slippery.  Ken provided us with an insider tip, sharing that Skechers are the best shoes for contractors to wear when walking on the roof due to their gripping abilities! 

Model-based estimating 

Adam Oaks, CEO, and James Lee, business analyst, of Estimating Edge shared about their recent acquisition by Foundation Software and what it means for the advancement of technology in the industry.  Both companies have been around for 30 years and share similar company cultures, which made the integration seamless.  

Their newest program, Vector, hadn’t launched yet when they provided us with a demonstration, but contractors were already purchasing it!  This model-based estimating automates the takeoff process, allowing roofing contractors to spend more time estimating and less time measuring.  Some of the special features include adding notes to communicate directly with the team, and being able to log any activity throughout the process to keep everyone in the loop.  The diagrams and shapes provided in the program are the same ones that roofing contractors currently use, meaning there’s less of a learning curve for new users.   

Virtual reality headsets 

Prior to the meetup, John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing and Imagine Technologies, sent four RT3 members Oculus VR headsets.  They also designed individual rooms for these members – RT3, RoofersCoffeeShop®, Imagine Technologies and Rackley Roofing.  These rooms demonstrated the ways virtual reality can be utilized by companies with various specialties, such as safety, service and sales and marketing.  

Members were encouraged to try the Oculus headsets and experience the VR rooms for themselves, exploring small building models, playing videos and “flying” on top of the building’s roof to check for cracks, flashings and other issues.  The room was filled with members excitedly saying “Woah!” “Look at that!” and “This is so cool!”  We discussed the value of this technology for training purposes, presentations when working remotely and inspecting the condition of the building and roof. 

These RT3 meetups provide thought leaders a platform to not only test out the latest and greatest technologies, but to also share how resources like these can be embraced in the industry and provide contractors with practical solutions. 

Learn more about RT3 in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory or visit rt3thinktank.com. 

RCS Influencers celebrates its sixth year of giving back to the roofing industry.

RoofersCoffeeShop®, celebrating 20 years as the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2022 RCS Roofing Influencers.    

RCS Influencers contribute thoughts and wisdom monthly through interviews, videos and articles on RoofersCoffeeShop concerning pertinent industry and roofing topics. The Influencers represent all facets of the industry including contractors, associations and industry service providers. Their insights are recognized in a special category on the site called RCS Influencers.   

“We have been committed to sharing the thought leadership of our RCS Influencers since 2017,” states Heidi J. Ellsworth, president of RoofersCoffeeShop. “Each influencer brings a unique perspective to issues that are of importance to roofing contractors and the overall roofing industry. We are thankful and appreciative of their willingness to share their insights.”

We are proud to announce the following 2022 RCS Influencers: 

1. Anna Anderson – Art Unlimited 

2. Charles Antis - Antis Roofing & Waterproofing 

3. Julissa Chavez – SRS Distribution, Inc. 

4. Trent Cotney - Cotney Construction Law 

5. Kendall & Chris Ekerson – SA Roofing 

6. Heidi Ellsworth – RoofersCoffeeShop® 

7. John Esbenshade, Jr. – National Roofing Contractors Association 

8. Rudy Gutierrez - Shell Roofing Solutions 

9. Tammy Hall – CFS Roofing Services 

10. Mike Hicks – Hicks Industrial Roofing 

11. Joe Hoffman – Hoffman Weber 

12. Rae July – Chinook Roofing

13. Danny Kerr – Breakthrough Academy 

14. John Kiesel – Imagine Technologies/Division 7 Roofing 

15. Wendy Marvin - Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions 

16. Mandy McIntyre - 1st Choice Roofing 

17. Arty Molinari – Tremco Roofing & Waterproofing 

18. Mike Pickel - Texas Traditions Roofing 

19. Ashley and Seth Pietsch - Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc 

20. Camila Santander – ASA Roofing 

21. Greg Serevetas – USA General Contractors  

22. Marty Stout - Go Roof Tune Up 

23. Curtis Sutton - Rackley Roofing

For more information on the 2022 RCS Influencers, meet them here. Download the Top 20 insights from our 2021 influencers eBook here.

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com.

Activities include a tour of housing tech startup Boxabl and a contractor technology educational panel.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2021.

Boxabl, a housing technology startup based in Las Vegas, Nevada will host RT3 members to tour their new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Company executives will share their vision behind their Boxabl Casita, a 375-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit that is delivered with a full-size bathroom, kitchen, appliances and tall ceilings with big windows for under $50,000.

RT3 will also host an educational panel on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:45 a.m. The session is titled: Roadmapto end the paper trail and make your business 100% digital. It features four contractors sharing their successes and challenges with implementing technology to take their businesses to the cloud.

The panel will be moderated by RT3 member Heidi Ellsworth, Partner at RoofersCoffeeShop® and attendees will be able to:

• Understand the first steps to taking a business digital

• Learn from the mistakes made by others to ensure a smoother process

• Hear tips on how to get the rest of the team on board

• See what different solutions work for residential and commercial companies

The panel participants include RT3 contractor members Steve Little, President of KPOST Roofing and Waterproofing; Ken Kelly, President of Kelly Roofing; Curtis Sutton, CEO of Rackley Roofing; and Wendy Marvin, owner of Matrix Roofing.  

“The contractors on the panel are committed to helping their peers find success taking their businesses to an all-digital operation,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 Director. “They share how they got started, pitfalls to watch out for, budget and tips for team success.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com. 

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

In an industry interview with John Kenney, Michelle gives a contractor's perspective on the importance of training, diversity and technology to bring the industry into the future. 

Rackley Roofing was started in 1974 by gentleman named Bill Rackley. He sold his company in the mid 80s to a gentleman named David Frost and then they sold his company to Curtis Sutton in 2010. So, it's a third-generation company but no family ties whatsoever. Michelle Boykin joined Rackley in 2010 as well, and when at that point, they were a very small company with one service crew generating small revenues. Now Rackley Roofing is on the top 100 contractors list of roofing contractors and has about 25 service trucks.  

“We've grown quite a bit and we've done that through our service department and through technology,” Michelle tells John Kenney in an industry interview with  Cotney.  

Michelle is passionate about diversity in roofing, doing a lot of work with National Women in Roofing and promoting women within the industry. She contributes the growth of Rackley to supporting women. “We've really seen tremendous growth because of our support of women in the industry. We have women on the roof, we have women in the office.” 

“What it does when you introduce women, or really any sort of minority group, you get different perspectives, you get different ideas,” says Michelle. “It's important to us we try to do everything that we can to promote diversity and get women and anybody with a diverse background in wherever they fit.” 

Michelle speaks to how this mission is supported in her work with National Women in Roofing, "We empower women within the industry and we're trying to recruit more women into the industry because we see the need; we see the need to diversify.” 

Michelle also speaks to how training has contributed to the success of Rackley. “We have a facility that we call Rackley university and it's half classroom setup and then the other half is hands-on set up,” says Michelle. “With an NRCA ProCertification™ becoming more prevalent we actually redesigned it to make it available for NRCA ProCertification™, so we felt that it was important to bring the industry as a whole in as well but we do a lot of trainings.” 

Michelle also explains that company training is heavily aided by technology. As the RT3 Innovator of the Year in 2019, Rackley has incorporated technology that allows their teams to keep working without losing time, productivity or customers. 

“We love EOS, which stands for entrepreneurial operating system, and for the most part it's a way to run meetings, but really it's a way to run your company,” says Michelle. “You go through some training [where] you create a leadership team [and] from that you create systems and processes that you put into place.” 

She talks about how her business has been better now that leadership team meetings are dedicated to bigger picture conversations rather than day-to-day operations. “We're talking about ways to make the business better, and we're able to make quick decisions on things that typically would take contractors months or years to figure out,” says Michelle.  

“We're able to just really drill down and solve problems as they arise. With that comes culture and core values and who you are as a company, and you implement that throughout the company.” 

Especially during the pandemic and throughout 2020, Rackley’s comfortability with technology was a benefit to them. “We were already prepared for remote work, so it was very easy for us to kind of flip the switch and everybody was working from wherever they needed to work from.” 

Michelle continues, “I think that what we've seen is more contractors having the necessity to move into a paperless system. I think that what we've seen as an industry is more of those contractors moving towards remote dispatching paperless systems and I think that's really helped elevate our industry to where it needed to be.” 

In Michelle’s closing sentiments in the interview, she recommends contractors look into Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), “That's a great place to look for solutions to things. We've got a lot of great thought leaders in the industry and they're all part of RT3 and what we do with RT3 is share ideas.” 

Learn more about Cotney Consulting Group in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.cotneyconsulting.com.

Several changes have been made to the association's leadership.

National Women in Roofing (NWiR) is pleased to announce several changes to the association’s leadership on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of NWiR’s mission, strategy and goals.  

Anna Anderson of Art Unlimited (Minnesota) will be joining the Executive Committee, with several other members completing their terms on the Board of Directors and some new members coming onto the Board into new leadership positions. Other officers of the association and current members of the Executive Committee include:  

• Renae Bales, KPost Roofing & Waterproofing (Texas)  
• Michelle Boykin, Rackley Roofing (Tennessee)  
• Jennifer Keegan, GAF Materials Corporation (New Jersey)  
• Jennifer Stone, Johns Manville (California); immediate past chair  

Past chairs Shari Carlozzi and Heidi Ellsworth remain engaged in the association, chairing special committees and providing advice and counsel regularly to the association and to women throughout the industry.

“We normally make these transitions in February at NWiR Day,” said Ellen Thorp, Executive Director. “Everything is a little bit different living through the pandemic and pivoting to virtual meetings, but NWiR has continued to grow and even flourish during this time.”

A sincere note of gratitude to the following members of the Board who have completed their terms:

•  Melissa Mulligan Chapman, The GLO Group
•  Melissa Walker, Johns Manville
•  Chelsea Steinbock, BlueRidge Roofing & Construction

A warm welcome to the members who have been nominated to serve a term on the Board of Directors:

•  Brittany Wimbish, Fields Roof Service (Washington State)
•  Kelley Caron, OMG Roofing Products (Massachusetts)
•  Kyrah Coker, National Roofing Partners (Texas)

Renae Bales, on behalf of the Executive Committee also has a special commendation. “A special thank you to Jennifer Stone our immediate past chair. Your leadership and mentorship at NWIR have been truly amazing. Thank you to our board members who have completed their term and those joining us. We have an amazing group of volunteers that continue to grow and promote NWIR within our industry to provide networking, mentoring, education and recruitment for all members.”

A full listing of new Board of Directors can be found at https://nationalwomeninroofing.org/board-of-directors/. 

About National Women in Roofing

National Women in Roofing is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and advancing women roofing professionals. NWiR provides opportunities for mentoring, learning, and networking for professionals at all stages of their careers. They share the vision of elevating the roofing industry to a new level of professionalism and diversity by supporting female professionals. Learn more at www.nationalwomeninroofing.org

RCS Influencers celebrates its fifth year of giving back to the roofing industry. 

RoofersCoffeeShop®, the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business announces the 2021 RCS Roofing Influencers.    

RCS Influencers contribute thoughts and wisdom monthly through interviews,videos and articles on RoofersCoffeeShop concerning pertinent industry and roofing topics. The Influencers represent all facets of the industry including contractors, associations and industry service providers. Their insights are recognized in a special category on the site called RCS Influencers.   

“We have been asking important questions to diverse groups of RCS Influencers for the last four years and have found that they all have expertise in completely different areas of a roofing contractor’s business.  We have been committed to sharing that thought leadership since 2017,” states Heidi J. Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop. “With our RCS Influencers’ opinions, tips or advice, our readers get a feeling for all sides of a topic. Our Influencers are true thought leaders in the roofing industry and bring diverse and informative perspectives based on their interactions and relationships.” 

We are proud to announce the following 2021 RCS Influencers: 

1. Rae July – Chinook Roofing 

2. Tammy Hall – CFS Roofing Services 

3. Pete Harding – Go Green Roofing 

4. Greta Bajrami – Golden Group Roofing 

5. Michelle and Christian Kettering – LTD Exteriors 

6. Danny Kerr – Breakthrough Academy 

7. Julissa Chavez – SRS Distribution, Inc. 

8. Rod Petrick – Ridgeworth Roofing Co Inc 

9. Charles Antis - Antis Roofing & Waterproofing 

10. Michelle Boykin and Curtis Sutton - Rackley Roofing 

11. Trent Cotney - Cotney Construction Law 

12. Thea Dudley – Pocket Protectors, LLC  

13. Heidi Ellsworth – RoofersCoffeeShop® 

14. Rudy Gutierrez - Shell Roofing Solutions 

15. Wendy Marvin - Matrix Roofing and Home Solutions 

16. Mandy McIntyre - 1st Choice Roofing 

17. Mike Pickel - Texas Traditions Roofing 

18. Marty Stout - Go Roof Tune Up 

19. Ashley and Seth Pietsch - Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc 

For more information on the 2021 RCS Influencers, meet them here.  

About RoofersCoffeeShop 

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com.

By Lauren White, RCS Assistant Editor. 

Log in March 2-4, 2021 for educational sessions, a virtual tradeshow, whiskey and cigar pairings and more! 

No matter where you are in the world, make sure you’re near your computer March 2-4, 2021 for the virtual portion of the International Roofing Expo (IRE).  This virtual three-day event will take place in addition to the physical trade show that is scheduled for August 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  There’s something for everyone, so don’t miss out! 

What should you expect from the 2021 Virtual Conference and Expo?  More than 20 live and on-demand educational sessions, an exhibit and product directory and a networking platform.  Attendees and exhibitors will be able to chat, video call and more to engage with one another. 

“We are thrilled about the addition of a complementary virtual event and being able to provide the industry with more of the education and content they look forward to every year,” said Ray Giovine, group director for the International Roofing Expo / Informa Markets. 

Industry experts will share their knowledge with attendees through various educational sessions.  There are six different tracks of sessions so you can conveniently find the education you need.  The tracks include: Business, Legal/HR, Technical, Workplace safety, Windows and siding, Exhibitor seminars.  Take a look at the schedule to see what you have to look forward to. 

Tuesday, March 2 

Each day will start with a Ask the Experts Live session.  On Tuesday, Reid Ribble, CEO of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), is the opening keynote speaker and will discuss “The Industry in a Post-Pandemic World,” taking viewers through what happened during an unprecedented 2020, in addition to discussing what will come next. 

Our very own RCS partner, Heidi J. Ellsworth, will present “How the Industry is Dealing with the Labor Shortage by Embracing Diversity, Technology and the Next Generation” with Alison LaValley, vice president of strategic projects and development for NRCA, in addition to Roscoe Green, Cotney Construction Law partner.  During the session, the team will share current roofing initiatives from the NRCA Diversity and Inclusion committee, Roofing Alliance, National Women in Roofing (NWIR) and Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3). 

“NRCA Technical Operation Committee: Steep-Slope Roofing Development and Issues” will be presented by Mark Graham and Maciek Rupar.  The two will share an overview of what NRCA’s Technical Operations Committee has identified as issues in steep-slope roofing. 

Ryan Groth, founder of Sales Transformation Group, will share how companies can confidently forecast revenue in his session, “How to Create Sales Predictability by Transforming Your Team.” 

There will also be two on-demand sessions presented by NRCA that will be available starting on March 2.  Reid Ribble will present “Training and Sustaining Your Workforce,” and Bill Good and Dhaval Gajjar will present “A College-Level Course on Roofing! Who Knew?” 

Wednesday, March 3 

Join a panel of experts to answer roofing industry technical issues in the Technical Q&A live session.  During this hour, you’ll have an opportunity to share your experiences and have your questions answered.  

Viewers will learn ways to train staff who are working remotely from Anna Chapman Anderson, Owens Corning Business Accelerator, during her session, “Jumpstarting a Virtual Training System."   

During “Empowerment in the Face of Uncertainty: Empowerment Through Belief of Self,” presented by NWIR, Jill Keuth will discuss how women are rising and leading in the industry, in businesses and in their communities and homes. 

Thursday, March 4 

Start your day with the Ask the Experts Live session, “Current COVID-19 Legal Issues.”  Join Trent Cotney and John Kenney from Cotney Construction Law, Michelle Boykin, the COO and integrator of Rackley Roofing Company and Ken Kelly, president of Kelly Roofing.  This panel will discuss legal issues that impact roofing professionals. 

Learn how to protect profit margins and use a higher price to increase sales from John DeRosa of SRS Distribution, during “Advanced Pricing Strategies.” 

During “NRCA Technical Operations Committee: Low-Slope Roofing Development and Issues,” Mark Graham, NRCA vice president of technical services, will share low-slope roofing issues that have been identified by NRCA’s Technical Operations Committee. 

“Ways to Maximize Communication and Collaboration Tools,” presented by NWIR, will provide attendees with tips on how to improve communication in the field and increase efficiency by utilizing technology. 

When you’re not attending educational sessions, check out the virtual trade show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST each day.  Make sure you stop by our RoofersCoffeeShop® booth, and visit our RCS partners too: 

• ABC Supply 

• AccuLynx 

• ATAS International Inc. 

• Beacon Building Products 

• BITEC, Inc.  

• DaVinci Roofscapes 

• Duro-Last, Inc.  

• Equipter 

• GAF 

• Georgia-Pacific Building Products 

• International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) 

• Johns Manville 

• KARNAK Corporation 

• Malarkey Roofing Products® 

• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) 

• Nearmap 

• Owens Corning 

• Polyglass U.S.A. Inc. 

• S-5! 

• SRS Distribution, Inc. 

• TAMKO Building Products LLC 

• The SOPREMA Group – SOPREMA, Chem Link, DERBIGUM 

See the full list of exhibitors here.   

Even though IRE is virtual, there will still be opportunities for networking and fun!  Tuesday evening, join in for a whiskey and cigar bar tasting, hosted by SRS Distribution and Versico.  Leslie Sbrocco, the wine/spirits expert for NBC’s Today Show and the Emmy-Award winning host of 100 DAYS, DRINKS, DISHES & DESTINATIONS, will present a whiskey and cigar pairing.  Leslie will share tips for pairing a variety of whiskeys and bourbons to the perfect cigar.  Log in early because the first 200 people to attend will receive a special gift!  You’ll need to practice your poker face for Wednesday’s Virtual Poker Night sponsored by NWIR.  Socialize and network with your fellow roofing professionals all while having some fun!  And on the last day of the conference, enjoy a special presentation of Cirque du Soleil.  They will perform two of their must-see shows, Mystère and “O”! 

Get your free pass to the virtual expo compliments of RCS. 

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.

The combination of the two can provide powerful insight into your business.

Many people think that the Smartsheet platform is just Microsoft Excel on steroids, which is partially true in that it has grid tables and some similar functionality; but it turns out that it’s much more than that according to John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group (CCG).

How Smartsheet can benefit your business

John shared that there are multiple reasons contractors should consider using the platform. “It’s a great collaboration software, it works with Slack and Teams, and it has alerts and communication tools to ensure workflows are happening,” explained John.

It’s not meant to be a standalone product, but it serves as a place to collect your business data in one platform. “If you have a favorite estimating program, or accounting program or CRM, Smartsheet allows you to collect the data from multiple sources and populate the fields in Smartsheet. Then we build the formulas based on what you want to see in your operations, or your estimating or sales data, or any other data that you want to look at.” 

Contractors can use the program across multiple departments. “If someone doesn’t have HR software, we can use the platform to build out and HR suite processes to manage the application process, turnover ratios, vacation requests and more,” said John.

The program can handle inventory management and tracking and features a smartphone app which allows that field workers to easily access the data and information.

Combine it with the power of AI for solid decision making

2019 Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Innovator of the Year winner Rackley Roofing has embraced the power of Smartsheet in their business but are taking it one step further by working with Cotney Consulting Group to implement their artificial intelligence (AI) platform called PreCog Analytics™. “PreCog Analytics™ performs predictive analytics designed specifically for roofing contractors,” said John.

He explained that CCG is able to look at a company’s data and by running it through the AI platform a contractor can easily determine their most profitable estimator. That can then be compared to the sales team data. A contractor can extend that to their superintendent or foreman on the job and the AI will predict for them who will be the most profitable team to assemble when going after particular types of projects.

John shared that he has one of the largest overall databases for the roofing industry that he has collected over the last 40 years, all of which is loaded into the AI system. A contractor’s data can be compared to that to make sure it is not outside the norm. It’s also where machine learning comes into play. The program gets smarter every time it looks at new data and compares it to the historical data.

“This helps you efficiently make decisions for all of your departments,” shared John. “It gives you an understanding of the type of work to pursue and you no longer make decisions on gut feelings, you make them based on the data.”

Learn more about Cotney Consulting Group in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.  

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

How the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated technological advancement in business and what roofing contractors need to do to keep up.

History has shown us that those who do not adapt to their evolving environment become extinct. Technology, and the constant change it promotes, is the evolutionary factor in business. Year 2020 and COVID-19 have changed technology, the world and our industry. Shockingly, a large amount of roofing businesses do not implement technology into their organizations. This concerning conclusion was found after conducting a survey across the construction industry. To contractors, the word technology may have negative connotations, however, these technological systems have become a commodity and are so cost-effective that the return on investment is seen quickly. So, the main opponent the roofing industry faces is a resistance to change. Taking up technology as the force behind the advancement in business is the path we must take if we want to continue growing and not fall through the cracks of time.

Contractors should be looking at the advantages of using technology, and the list is endless. One of the more apparent benefits is efficiency. Technology helps a business understand its market, determine their most profitable projects, predict future sales and learn how to match the best estimator/sales/operations or service tech team for maximum profit and customer satisfaction.

Productivity changes how you do business. Using technology, you will be able to track where time is spent and streamline your work processes. Utilizing new technology will make your team more efficient, allowing them to focus on tasks that matter and can bring sales in the door. For example, think about how much time your team needs to input data like timecards, bids, business contacts and draft reports. These are all items that can be automated with the use of technology. Utilizing simple technology tools will show a vast increase in your teams' productivity.

Stay ahead of the competition! The construction industry seems to have new competitors at every turn. It is vital for your organization to stay in front of your customers, and also stay current with the latest trends in roofing. You are utilizing technology to find new leads before your competitors do.

2020 has brought new challenges to our industry, and working remotely has been an unavoidable way of the world since COVID-19 was thrust upon us. Many businesses in construction were not prepared to have remote employees. Companies are now forced to enhance their technology to allow your team to work remotely and to do it in a manner to keep your information secure. Overall, having a technological system where your team can work from anywhere is essential.

Social media and marketing will, without a doubt, change your business and how consumers see you. Facebook is the perfect place to represent your business. It is entirely free to make a business page! By giving your company a social media presence, you will generate more business. Posting pictures and videos of projects will provide clients with a portfolio of your company's performance; this will enhance your company's credibility. By having a Facebook, you can always stay connected with your clients and have a line of 24-hour communication.

To get an idea of how technology is being implemented in the roofing industry, we interviewed with the 2019 Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Innovator of the Year award-winning company, Rackley Roofing. We spoke to Michelle Boykin, COO, who has been with the company for ten years.

We asked Michelle why she thinks there are so many roofing companies that still don't use any technology. Boykin: "It's easy to get stuck in the ‘we've always done it this way’ mentality. Roofing is already behind the game in technology, so many companies are still old school. The problem with this is that these companies will get left behind, while those who have adopted and adapted to new technologies will have a better chance of succeeding."

Rackley Roofing is one of the most technologically advanced roofing companies in the industry. Rackley Roofing uses CRM, field data capture and invoicing to ensure prompt billing for its customers. They also utilize an ASSP Virtual Reality Fall Protection for their employees; this is to educate their team in a creative, hands-on way. Their company vehicles are all equipped with GPS and fleet video systems. They use a messaging platform for internal communications, and they also use Zoom for meetings, which was a great asset when working remotely throughout the past few months.

The Rackley Roofing team is always thinking of new innovative ways to use technology to help their employees learn and grow! They recently introduced Microsoft Holollens with Remote Assist (Virtual Reality) into their business, which has allowed them to educate their office staff on roof inspection, something that once was only available by going on each roof with their employees.

At the end of the day, no matter how technologically advanced your company is, Cotney Consulting Group wants your company to save time and make money by running efficiently. With our services, we can show you how you can utilize technology with the right tools and allow your business to have access to a broader audience in a short time period. This means that a company can grow its client network faster and service more clients all at one time.

To learn more about how to implement technology into your business, contact John Kenney at Cotney Consulting Group.

Learn more about Cotney Consulting Group in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.

Original article source: Cotney Consulting Group

RCS Influencers celebrates its fourth year of giving back to the roofing industry.

RoofersCoffeeShop®, the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business announces the 2020 RCS Influencers.   

RCS Influencers contribute thoughts and wisdom monthly through interviews, videos and blogs on RoofersCoffeeShop concerning pertinent industry and roofing topics. They represent all facets of the industry including contractors, associations and industry service providers. The blog posts are recognized in a special category on the site called RCS Influencers. 

 “We have been asking important questions to diverse groups of RCS Influencers for the last three years and have found that they all have expertise in completely different areas of a roofing contractor’s business. Oftentimes, we see articles written on a subject with one person’s opinion or suggestions, but there are many sides to the coin, and we have been committed to sharing that thought leadership since 2017,” states Vickie Sharples of RoofersCoffeeShop. “With our RCS Influencers opinions, tips or advice, our readers get a feeling for all sides of a topic. Each of them has an interesting perspective based on their interactions with the roofing industry.”

“We believe in empowering the industry and especially contractors to communicate with each other.  We are hearing confirmation every day that RoofersCoffeeShop is where the industry meets. We want it to be the voice of contractors and roofing professionals that continue to build the professionalism and amazing reputation of our industry,” concluded Sharples.

We are proud to announce the following 2019 RCS Influencers:

1. Charles Antis - Antis Roofing & Waterproofing

2. Michelle Boykin and Curtis Sutton - Rackley Roofing

3. Trent Cotney - Cotney Construction Law

4. McKay Daniels – National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

5. Thea Dudley – Pocket Protectors, LLC          

6. Heidi Ellsworth – RoofersCoffeeShop®

7. Rudy Gutierrez - Shell Roofing Solutions

8. Mike Hicks - Hicks Industrial Roofing, Inc.

9. Jordi Lopez - Sage Roofing

10. Christian Madsen – Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing

11. Wendy Marvin - Matrix Roofing

12. Mandy McIntyre - 1st Choice Roofing

13. Chelsea Oesch – Beacon Roofing Supply

14. Mike Pickel - Texas Traditions

15. Ashley and Seth Pietsch - Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc.

16. Jennifer Stone – National Women in Roofing (NWIR)

17. Marty Stout - Go Roof Tune Up

For more information or to read recent RCS Influencer blogs please visit our RCS Influencers page.

About RoofersCoffeeShop

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com.