2016: The Year of the Manufacturer in the Built Environment
Mid-way through 2015, we realized something. When it comes to industry conversations, we still have a long way to go.
We had just left a room full of architects, designers and facility managers who were discussing the evolution of higher-education design. Though several manufacturers had sponsored the conversation, none of them were included in the conversation, or at least they didn’t feel comfortable participating.
As advocates for building product manufacturers, we left the event with some gnawing questions:
- Why aren’t manufacturers included in more of these conversations?
- How can manufacturers move from the sidelines to the center of the conversation?
- How can manufacturers be better recognized for their innovations, solutions and ideas?
Building products and materials play a more important role than ever in the evolution of the built environment, yet manufacturers still struggle to be perceived as more than a supplier and for their products to be perceived as more than a commodity.
How can we change this? How can manufacturers become the go-to partners for architects, designers, builders, contractors, facility managers, owners and engineers?
Network marketing expert, Mark Yarnell, said, “A leader is someone who demonstrates what’s possible.”
That definition gives us hope. Surely, we can bring together building product manufacturers to help demonstrate what’s possible in commercial and residential buildings.
In 2015, Function launched Building Thought Leaders, a council designed for building product marketers who are interested in advancing the industry and enhancing their position within it. The goal of the council is to build and nurture opportunities and relationships between building product manufacturers, and to drive industry advancement through knowledge sharing, insights, discussions and peer-to-peer learning.
This year, we are looking to enhance the council, and to help advance the manufacturers’ role in the evolution of the built environment. We want to create a forum that empowers manufacturers to demonstrate their leadership, and inspires collaboration across all industry sectors.
Let’s make the rest of 2016 “The Year of the Manufacturer in the Built Environment.” Let’s talk about innovation, possibility and success in a more meaningful way. Let’s get personal and emotional. Let’s connect with our peers and our customers. Let’s come together to tackle challenges in every segment: multifamily, residential, senior living, healthcare, retail, higher education, government, K-12, hospitality, and corporate. Collectively, we have the power to inspire the entire building and design team with ideas and solutions that improve every space and every human being. We just have to commit to leading with our best ideas, our best products and our best solutions.
Do you have a nagging question or challenge? You probably aren’t the only one experiencing it. If you’d like us to put together a conversation around a specific segment or topic, let us know. Join the council to take part in the conversations, and email your topic ideas or segment concerns to us at [email protected].