Straight Outta Crumpton

Field Service Growth Depends on Leading With People, Not Just Technology

AI adoption strategy

Skilled trades are facing accelerating retirements, rising customer expectations, and rapid advances in AI—putting the field service industry at a critical inflection point. Industry estimates suggest millions of frontline roles could go unfilled over the next decade, even as technology promises to automate more tasks than ever before. The stakes are high: decisions made now…

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Latest

Building Management
HVAC Thrives on People-First Leadership, Not Just Technical Know-How

The skilled trades are undergoing a shift as experienced workers retire faster than new talent enters the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for HVAC technicians is projected to grow 8% by 2034. That’s much faster than average — and shows the urgency of attracting and keeping new talent.  While…

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Articles Building Management
From Hands-On to High-Tech: How Innovation Is Transforming the Next Generation of Trades Talent

The skilled trades are facing a turning point. With a rapidly retiring workforce and an ever-growing demand for infrastructure, HVAC, and electrical expertise, the U.S. is experiencing a talent gap that’s becoming impossible to ignore. Looking ahead to 2026, industry analysts anticipate the construction sector will need to recruit nearly half a million new workers,…

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Building Management
AI Is Forcing a Rethink of Data Center Infrastructure at Every Level

The data center industry is being redefined by AI’s demand for faster, denser, and more scalable infrastructure. According to McKinsey, average rack power densities have more than doubled in just two years. It went from approximately 8 kW to 17 kW, and is expected to hit 30 kW by 2027. Global data center power demand is projected…

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Business Services
Rob Paylor’s Mindset Masterclass After a Life-Changing Rugby Injury: Rise, Recover, and Redefine What’s Possible

Every year, an estimated 17,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries, many of which permanently alter the course of their lives.. For former collegiate rugby player Rob Paylor, a devastating injury left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Doctors told him he would never walk or move his hands again. But instead of accepting that fate,…

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Articles Building Management
HVAC Safety Reform with Fallon Dyle: Rethinking Chemical Practices and Tackling Hidden Health Hazards in the Field

As HVAC systems evolve and health concerns take center stage, the industry is being forced to reckon with more than just performance specs. A growing threat from resilient biofilms, coupled with widespread misinformation about chemical cleaners like bleach, is pushing technicians and manufacturers to reexamine how they approach safety and maintenance. Reports have emerged…

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Articles Building Management
Soft Skills, Real Impact: Rethinking What Makes Talent Stand Out with Client Success Executive Ben Brandon

Work feels different today. Conversations about AI, hybrid schedules, shifting career paths, and talent shortages aren’t just industry headlines—they’re shaping everyday decisions for workers and employers alike. As people rethink what they want from their careers and companies rethink what they need from their teams, one theme keeps rising to the surface: the skills that…

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career coaching
Work-Based Learning & Career Coaching with Strada Education: Closing the Gap Between Education and Opportunity
February 2, 2026

As higher education faces mounting pressure to demonstrate clear career outcomes, institutions are rethinking how learning connects to work and the role of career coaching in that process. Employers continue to report skills gaps, students are questioning the return on investment of a degree, and states are demanding stronger alignment between postsecondary education and…

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cities
Craftsmanship and the Soul of Cities with Top Real Estate Developer Mike Ablon
February 2, 2026

More than half the world already lives in cities—and the UN projects that share will rise to 68% by 2050, adding roughly 2.5 billion more people to urban areas. At the same time, the “experience economy” has reshaped what people value in places: not just what a city has, but how it feels to…

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client engagement
When Client Engagement Becomes True Partnership
February 1, 2026

CG Infinity’s Salesforce Practice is built on deep, day-to-day engagement with the organizations it serves. Rather than operating as an external vendor, the team embeds itself with clients—working closely, consistently, and collaboratively—so decisions are informed by real context, trust, and shared accountability. This approach ensures Salesforce solutions are shaped not just by requirements, but…

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cross-functional teams
How CG Infinity Brings Cross-Functional Teams Together to Deliver High-Impact Outcomes
February 1, 2026

CG Infinity’s Salesforce Practice is built around helping organizations move forward together, especially when initiatives span cross-functional teams with different priorities. The focus is on alignment—bringing the right stakeholders into the conversation early and ensuring decisions are made collaboratively so solutions serve the whole organization, not just one function. That capability is reflected in a…

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Other Straight Outta Crumpton
Heating Up the HVAC Industry: Closing the Gaps in Mentorship, Training, and Trust with Joshua Griffin
November 11, 2025

A rapidly changing HVAC industry is being shaped by refrigerant shortages, a deepening labor gap, and shifting expectations from homeowners. With refrigerant regulations evolving and long-trusted standards like R410A being phased out, contractors and technicians are navigating not only technical complexity, but also a growing need to rebuild trust and transparency with customers. The…

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Redefining Talent Solutions in the AI Era: Soft Skills, Purpose, and Flexibility at the Center of Career Growth
November 11, 2025

As careers become less linear and more purpose-driven, workers are increasingly drawn to environments that value adaptability, culture fit, and soft skills for career growth. These capabilities are proving just as critical as technical expertise, especially as AI, remote work, and flexible paths reshape the labor market. According to McKinsey, 70 percent of workers…

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Great Leaders Share Knowledge, Build Trust, and Empower Future Talent
November 3, 2025

The conversation around skilled trades is shifting fast. After decades of “college for all” messaging, trade school enrollment is climbing steadily, signaling a renewed respect for hands-on, high-skill careers that literally keep the world running. In commercial HVAC and mechanical service, this change is not just academic — it’s shaping the next generation of leaders…

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Building Success from the Ground Up: How GreenTeam Found Its Niche in Commercial Infrastructure
October 14, 2025

Aging infrastructure and growing urban demands are straining America’s commercial facilities. But specialized service providers like GreenTeam are stepping up to fill these gaps. With over 5.9 million commercial buildings in the U.S., many facing deteriorating plumbing and utility systems, the need for reliable, professional contractors has never been greater. This latest episode explores…

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Grit, Growth, and Gaining Ground in a Male-Dominated Field: What It Means to Be a Young Female Tech in HVAC
September 30, 2025

As America ramps up its focus on rebuilding infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, the skilled trades are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. With a national labor shortage in HVAC and related fields, companies are hungry for the next generation of technicians—and women are stepping into the space like never before. Only 2 percent…

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AI in HVAC Speeds Up Troubleshooting, Automates Training, and Connects Techs to the Right Data Instantly
September 16, 2025

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming field service operations across skilled trades, and HVAC is no exception. AI in HVAC is reshaping how technicians access information, troubleshoot systems, and stay productive on the job. As the industry faces an ongoing labor shortage and rising equipment complexity, the need for smarter tools is urgent, especially as…

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Passing the Torch: Why the Skilled Trades Must Build a Culture That Protects Technician Wisdom
September 8, 2025

The skilled trades are facing a demographic cliff. The reality is that far fewer people are entering the trades than leaving, creating a widening gap that threatens the stability of critical infrastructure across the U.S. At the same time, younger generations are bringing different expectations around work-life balance, culture, and purpose. As a result, service…

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Built from the Dirt Up: Dillan Dumont’s Journey from Bricklayer to Industry Disruptor
September 4, 2025

With all types of infrastructure across America aging, there has never been more of a need for smarter, less disruptive solutions than now. From trenchless pipe repair to utility innovation, the construction world is shifting and young leaders like Dillan Dumont are stepping into the spotlight. Cities like New York and Chicago are facing…

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Field Engineer to Industry Leader: Coty Fournier’s 35-Year Journey in Construction
August 26, 2025

Construction is an industry where experience is currency. For many in the field, career paths become case studies in adaptability, strategic growth, and cross-functional expertise. With the U.S. construction market experiencing both highs and lows, the demand for leaders who understand field realities as well as business strategies remains critical to the industry’s success…

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