Bill Gates+Cold Patch

TL;DR: 

Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates recently visited Modern Hydrogen, where they have pioneered a new asphalt mix using solid carbon from natural gas. The final product is a low-embodied carbon asphalt that requires less binder.

thisisbillgates

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ESS + Edgevanta

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership 🤝 with Emery Sapp & Sons. Based out of Springfield, MO and with 1600+ employee-owners, ESS is one the nation's largest and best in class infrastructure contractors with an intense focus on innovation.

We are grateful to Emery Sapp leadership led by Tim Paulson and Brandon Finn and their expert teams for their trust in Edgevanta! 🚀

A Note on Cultural Fit and Hiring

(credit to Dave Grey)

“If we hire someone who fundamentally is not aligned with and open to our culture, he or she will eventually fail…. A team reacts to a bad cultural fit the way the body’s immune system reacts to what it perceives as harmful bacteria or viruses — it creates an immune response to repel the foreign invader. Of the sixteen senior executives Whole Foods Market has hired from outside the company, only 50 percent were ultimately successful. Each, without exception, had a high IQ, an excellent resume, strong references, and great work experience. The reason for the failure, in every instance, was poor cultural fit.”

from Conscious Leadership by John Mackey (co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods)

WSJ: Gen Z Grabs a Lunchbox

TL;DR: More young people are going into trades as college becomes less appealing. While encouraging, the massive US labor gap remains a challenge.

Stoic Wisdom Quote:

“Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work” - Chuck Close

Reflect on this as we embark on another week of bidding and building!

We value your feedback. Tell us what you think about this week’s newsletter below.

Warmly,

Tristan

About the Author

Tristan Wilson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Edgevanta. We make software that helps contractors win more work at the right price. He is a 4th Generation Contractor, construction enthusiast, bidding nerd, ultramarathoner, and paving nut. He worked his way up the ladder at Allan Myers in the Mid-Atlantic and his family’s former business Barriere Construction before starting Edgevanta with his Co-Founder Matt in Nashville, where the company is based. Reach out to him at [email protected]