SiteMax is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with The Net Effect, a digital business consulting firm for construction companies.

This partnership brings together SiteMax’s innovative construction management platform with The Net Effect’s expertise in digital business consulting for the construction industry. By joining forces, the two companies aim to offer comprehensive solutions to construction businesses, empowering them to streamline their processes, enhance efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.

We had the privilege of interviewing Tim O’Brien, CEO of The Net Effect, on the most recent episode of the Site Visit Podcast. During this insightful conversation, we delved into The Net Effect’s mission and the driving force behind its creation. You can listen to the full episode here.

Keep reading as we offer a glimpse of this engaging discussion and the valuable insights shared by Tim in this article. 

The Story Behind The Net Effect

Tim’s journey into entrepreneurship began when he worked with Corona Excavations, a civil excavation company based in Whistler. The company was grappling with the inefficiencies of manual time tracking for its 50 employees. They were using carbon copy booklets which led to a cumbersome process of entering data into spreadsheets. This antiquated system not only caused delays in invoicing but also created significant cash flow gaps. Eventually, they hired an in-house developer to build an app that Corona Excavations is still using today.

Realizing the dire need for a more suitable solution tailored to the needs of contractors, Tim embarked on a quest to find the right software for construction companies. His experience with Corona Excavations shed light on the glaring lack of adequate software for the construction industry. Faced with this challenge, Tim was inspired to launch his own business, driven by the determination to fill the void in the market for construction-specific software.

What Types of Construction Companies Does The Net Effect Help?

The Net Effect works with a wide range of industry players. A significant portion of their clients are subcontractors, comprising well over 50% of their clientele. However, TNE is all about versatility and adaptability willing to collaborate with a wide array of professionals from sub-trades to general contractors, architecture, engineering firms, and architects, etc.

Main Reasons Why Technical Adoptions in the Construction Industry Take a Long Time

Pipes need plumbers. Wires need electricians. Digital transformation needs consultants. And that’s where most of the construction companies face challenges in their journey of technical adoption according to Tim O’Brien.

While many SaaS construction products offer support, help centers, and training, they fall short in preparing the staff for deployment, identifying the best use cases and setup, establishing standard operating procedures, and data mapping between different software systems. 

The researches reveal that only 30% of attempts to integrate new software were successful. And it became increasingly clear that the missing piece of the puzzle was a well-thought-out plan. Just like a house can not be built without blueprints and a construction schedule, software adoption can not be successful without a meticulous strategy. There is a need for professionals who can design and enact a comprehensive plan for digital transformation. The technical adoption in the construction industry requires careful planning, strategic guidance, and the expertise of consultants to navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation.

How The Net Effect Facilitates the Technology Rollout for the Companies They Work With

The Net Effect strives to understand standard operating procedures and map the workflows of every construction company they work with. A clear understanding of every company’s needs is crucial before finding software that would be the right solution for a specific business.

Tim O’Brien also highlights the importance of not just having a great product but also building plans for adoption. Without proper adoption, the effectiveness of the technology diminishes, regardless of the company’s size. Tim focuses on the crucial role of a champion and the strategic approach to ensuring the successful adoption of new technology.  The choice of the champions varies. Usually, they are high-ranking officials often taking the lead in advocating for the adoption of new technology. They set the mandate and then delegate the responsibility to operations managers or controllers.

In larger organizations, the process involves identifying a champion and selecting key individuals within different teams or departments to promote the adoption.

Tim discussed the concept of “micro champions” – typically younger individuals who are tech-savvy and can effectively train and support their peers. These micro champions play a vital role in assisting their colleagues with using the new technology, thereby ensuring its successful integration into daily operations.

The Mission of The Net Effect

Canada has about 150,000 contractors and 130,000 of them are SMEs.

The potential for software to revolutionize the construction industry in Canada is undeniable. Thus, the mission of the Net Effect is to elevate the construction industry by ushering in technology and enhancing the efficiency of the Canadian construction industry. The Net Effect aims to empower contractors and small builders with the tools they need to thrive in a new era of construction, where technology is the cornerstone of progress. 

About SiteMax

SiteMax is the complete jobsite management platform for construction that enables the digital transformation from antiquated analog and paper-reliance to digital. Simple, streamlined, and purpose-built for construction, SiteMax is powering tens of thousands of job sites daily.

About The Net Effect

The Net Effect is a digital business consulting firm that assesses small to medium-sized construction and service businesses to help them restructure their process and implement system solutions with the goal of being more efficient, profitable, and prepared for growth.