New Horizons
The New Horizons Foundation commissions critical investigations of business management issues and strategies that are important to every contractor’s growth and productivity. The Foundation develops workforce capabilities through leading-edge educational programs that combine well-researched best practices with fundamental skills, and provides a knowledge link among industry members, suppliers, contracting industry partners, colleges and universities, other national and international trade associations, and customers.
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This collaborative study focused on trade contractors’ adoption of continuous improvement principles, methods, and practices.
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In this paper, FMI and the New Horizons Foundation will share with you what best-in-class SMACNA member contractors have learned– and give you the tools to be more effective in managing supply chain disruption.
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This paper seeks to address some of the core risks that have been facing sheet metal contractors for decades.
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The task force responsible for writing the Guide worked with contractors and subject matter experts to learn more about the evolving trends in tool management.
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The New Horizons Foundation has published its fourth Futures Study, providing insights into what’s ahead for your business.
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This study investigates different project close-out processes used by various mechanical and sheet metal companies in the industry.
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The New Horizons Foundation published a report for SMACNA members covering the impact of President Biden’s Executive Order on ensuring adequate COVID safety protocols for federal contractors.
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This study from the New Horizons Foundation identified the human dimensions (personality, emotional intelligence, and behavioral traits) of key job roles within SMACNA contractors. The study uncovered a lot about the top 10% of performers among
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SMACNA members are eager to adopt new technologies, operational processes, and business strategies. Yet the implementation of organizational change – defined as an intentional, company-level adoption of new practices, technologies, or management
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Field Leader Succession is the process of developing and transitioning new leaders so they can replace their predecessors at the foreman, general foreman, or superintendent level. This white paper focuses on best practices in field leadership
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Before these findings were issued, no specific resource existed to help contractors quantify the cost impacts of lost productivity working under pandemic-driven protocols. The New Horizons Foundation and ELECTRI International, the National Electrical
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This white paper by the New Horizons Foundation seeks to increase awareness among sheet metal and HVAC contractors of how big data will change the ways that buildings and building systems are designed, constructed, and maintained.
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This short white paper outlines the steps necessary to create a highly engaged workforce that will sustain your organization and manage the transition from one generation to the next.
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There is significant research on laying the organizational groundwork for transition and identifying and preparing a successor. However, there is no formal set of guidelines for a successor transitioning into the CEO role.
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This white paper gives a full overview of the current practices and challenges of productivity tracking in the industry and serves as a road map for applying productivity tracking to each phase – detailing, fabrication, and installation
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The New Horizons Foundation partnered with lead researchers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Kansas to understand how personality and aptitude assessments are being used successfully in the construction industry.
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This 67-page publication provides detailed background on research completed for this project. It identifies the scope, sponsorship and funding by the New Horizons Foundation. The project was the product of discussions among contractors seeking to
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Are you ready to add a new line of work or a new market for your existing line of work? Market opportunities can present themselves in a variety of ways: a customer could ask your company to expand geographically; an employee might offer up
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Most company leaders make market entry decisions once or twice in their careers; not enough to build experience. This 19-page publication adds the real experiences of others to understand the pitfalls and risks associated with a new market decision.
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This white paper focuses on traditional and functional organizational structures. It offers a simple and easily understood contrast and comment on the appropriateness of each approach. In contrast to the traditional structure, the paper concludes
New Horizons Foundation Podcast
Eric Anderton talks to stakeholders about issues facing sheet metal and HVAC contractors as they look for ways to grow their business.