DigiBuzz Magazine - Powered by Digicel Business - Edition 3 by DigicelBusiness

JULY 2022

How Digital Transformation is Modernizing Construction PROVEN

Digital Transformation in Jamaica’s Real Estate Sector

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WHAT’S INSIDE PG. 4 A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM

PG. 6

PROVEN

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN JAMAICA’S REAL ESTATE SECTOR

PG. 8 HOW DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS MODERNIZING CONSTRUCTION PG. 12 SPOTLIGHT TASHIMA WALKER - HEAD OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS #HOBO PG. 15 #TEAMDIGICELBUSINESS PG. 16 DB: OUT AND ABOUT

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A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM As a brand that’s Made in Jamaica we’re always proud to shine the spotlight on our homegrown innovators and innovations that are revolutionising the way we work, play and do business. This ethos drives our decision to focus on one of Jamaica’s newest and most innovative investors in the local real industry. Impressive in size, scope and design, the “iconic” residential and commercial building projects taken on by PROVEN REIT are splendidly reshaping and redefining our urban and rural landscape. Their tasteful touches of modernity, elegant design and digitally ready ‘smart’ features appeal to the most discerning buyers. Sustainability also lies at the heart of these projects that boast a desirable standard of inventive ‘green’ features that are environmentally friendly yet aesthetically pleasing. And as a company whose head office is one of the ‘greenest’ buildings in the Caribbean, we too are very encouraged by PROVEN REIT’s innovative architecture examples in more of our towns and cities. This is another example of what Made in Jamaica means to us: demonstrating that our innate creativity goes beyond our culture, the arts and athletics, by showcasing our forward-thinking in using digital technology to transform building design and create structures that are truly “iconic”. Have a Happy Independence.

Nasha-Monique Douglas Chief Marketing Officer Digicel Jamaica

nasha-monique.douglas@digicelgroup.com

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We are sharing this edition with you at a time when Jamaica’s gravity-defying construction boom is showing no signs of a slowdown. This is what piqued our interest in taking a closer look at how digital technology is transforming the real estate sector. It’s a hot topic right now for us, because we see this as an opportunity to get more of our customers to join the discussion about how they can learn from real-life examples and implement digital solutions across their enterprise. As a primary provider of services to businesses in the real estate and construction, we are encouraged by the massive infusion of technology in these sectors from concept to reality. As you turn the pages of this quarterly biz-tech digest, our hope is that you too will be inspired by the ways that digital technology is literally (and virtually) changing the way we do traditional forms of business. Above all, we hope you enjoy what we are talking about this month, and we look forward to your feedback. Finally, if all that was a bit too serious, we also have some interesting tidbits and happenings to share with you. Go ahead, turn the pages and get the latest with the DigiBuzz. Enjoy!

Darragh Fitzgerald Selby General Manager Digicel Business darragh.fitzgeraldselby@digicelgroup.com

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Getting to know our clients:

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN JAMAICA’S REAL ESTATE SECTOR

At the heart of reshaping and redefining Jamaica’s real estate sector, PROVEN REIT is leading a building boom like we have never seen before, but with an innovative twist that sets it apart from others and sets the tone for future developments. Spiraling usually more than six storeys high, PROVEN REIT’s “iconic” structures are marvels of modern, intuitive design, perceptive local knowledge and cutting-edge innovation. What’s behind this game-changing approach to the design, construction and marketing phases of residential and commercial real estate in Jamaica. DigiBuzz went up to the mezzanine floor for a conversation with PROVEN REIT Head of Business Development, Ruth-Ann Lacey to understand the extent to which PROVEN has embraced the digital transformation, and how the company is using technology and smart engineering to change the landscape of modern Jamaican real estate. DigiBuzz (DB): How are ‘smart buildings’ changing the real estate game? Ruth-Ann Lacey (RL): PROVEN is still a young company, but we have prided ourselves on being able to adapt to client needs and what we see in the marketplace. When people hear the phrase ‘smart buildings’, they automatically think of voice control or touchscreens. However, the concept of a smart building goes much deeper than that. For a building to be considered ‘smart’, you must start with the initial idea and follow through with the design and engineering. Yes, there will be tech-savvy concepts like touchless features that people immediately think of, but for us, we also consider the less obvious areas. These include the positioning and engineering of the building to allow a good flow of air and lighting, as well as other vital factors. PROVEN’s smart engineering process even extends to how we want our customers to feel when they step into one of our buildings, and that has to be a part of the design consideration. How customers feel when they step into our Via residential complex at Braemar Avenue in New Kingston, is different from the emotions evoked

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when enter Avista in Mandeville. Making a smart building is a very involved process. We spend a lot of time researching and reflecting on the aspects of previous projects and how to replicate the elements that worked and improve on the areas where we didn’t get it quite right. Smart building also means considering the lifestyles of the future residents, including more of those who are opting to work from home. Via focuses heavily on this type of functionality by creating comfortable spaces inside and outside the units to accommodate that. DB: Are buyers actively looking for properties with ‘smart’ features? RL: Jamaica’s culture is evolving. Most people are looking for smart features within the building, such as control access points and security features; those things are important for buyers. For residents and prospective buyers of multi-storey developments, having a wonderful amenity area on the roof with strict, controlled access is essential. To respond to how the market demand for in-unit smart features is evolving, we have included ‘smart-ready’

features within the units, giving residents ‘plug and play’ flexibility to install their preferred devices. Conduits are already in place for neat, seamless IoT installations to complement conveniently placed power outlets. DB: To what degree does the inclusion of ‘smart’ features influence your developments’ price or projected value? RL: The more discerning buyers become, the more they look out for intelligent features that enhance their lifestyle. In the recent past, smart features were considered a fringe benefit, however, these days more buyers are demanding or expecting them, and the industry is taking notice. For PROVEN REIT, this means providing accessibility options for owners to add their own smart devices, thereby mitigating the cost of acquisition. That said, this trend will continue to gain popularity, making it the norm for owners to use smart features as a key reselling point. DB: Are real estate developers investing in more ‘smart’ buildings in response to the changing needs and tastes of end-users? RL: Part of PROVEN’s value proposition is the deep consideration we place on the evolving needs of the marketplace. For us, ‘smart’ construction begins from the ground up. Therefore, from conception to design, the needs and tastes of our prospective residents are things we place great focus on. DB: What should DigiBuzz readers know how the pandemic affected PROVEN REIT marketing residential or commercial units to prospective buyers, especially those overseas? RL: The pandemic forced us to adapt and pivot. Virtual walkthroughs, FaceTime and WhatsApp video

calls replaced traditional on-site viewings. We’ve now enhanced our digital sales pitches with 360˚ video tours that deliver an immersive buyer experience. Our 360˚ video tours can work with virtual reality glasses, and include a measuring tool that gives precise dimensions to help with planning interior decor and furniture placement. This infusion of tech brings buyers the valuable information that they can use for decisionmaking. DB: Finally, should Jamaica revisit its spatial planning to develop an overarching innovation strategy that integrates ‘smart buildings’? RL: A major challenge we’re facing in Kingston right now is how to satisfy the housing demands of the growing population of persons who choose to live in the city. One response from the government to this challenge has been to allow the construction of more multistorey housing structures. I think that integrating smart buildings should be a part of that planning process. As a Small Island Developing State (SID) that is vulnerable to environmental changes, we cannot only consider aesthetics in our construction but must also focus on resilience and environmentally-friendly design. Therefore, our design engineering must address how our building resist extreme forces of nature. I believe that our planning agencies should take a step back and consider implementing some more policies in this regard. From building engineering to design, tech-based ‘smart’ construction methods are quickly becoming the gold standard in Jamaican real estate. With its keen attention to detail and a laser focus on the needs of modern homeowners, PROVEN REIT is leading the game.

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How digital transformation is modernising construction

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Almost every industry, in every sector, has embraced digital transformation. Most experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic made organisations begin digital adoption sooner than they had planned. The negative pressures which ‘forced’ digital business transformation have resulted in sizable positive changes and significant benefits. The construction industry has been one of the least digitised industries globally, relying heavily upon a decades-long business model. According to Deloitte, the construction sector has seen a negligible year-overyear rise in productivity compared to other sectors, like manufacturing. However, in Q1 2020, the construction industry infused a healthy US$900bn into the US economy – the highest since the 2008 recession. Then the pandemic hit and over 1mn jobs were lost between February and April 2020 from the construction industry alone.

The construction industry needs a major remodel The construction sector has always faced up and down cycles of expansion and contraction. It is an industry that faces many challenges surrounding project timelines and deadlines, safety concerns, permit and supply delays, and fluctuating availability of skilled labour. More recent stress factors are the increased price of steel and aluminium due to tariffs imposed in 2018, and supply chain woes caused by the pandemic. According to a National Association of Home Builders analysis of 2019 survey data, the median age of construction workers is 41 years, which underscores the urgency to recruit and replace a workforce that may largely retire by 2029. The advancement of technology has led many young people to migrate to less physically demanding industries, many of which are available without the requisite college degree. The construction sector needs to reinvest in the workforce through revitalized training initiatives and bolstering the talent pipeline by adopting digitalisation of business processes. Digital transformation can attract a younger workforce. Modernizing processes through the adoption of innovative digital technologies can create new jobs and future-proof the industry.

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Shifting from traditional methods to digital management solutions Historically, information on a construction site has been managed and communicated verbally and via a largely paper-based system. A lack of organized site management and miscommunications between field and office personnel often leads to delays, lost time and money, and decreased morale. The onset of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), supply chain integration, and mobile computing has set the stage for the construction sector to vastly modernize the industry. As more construction companies go digital, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and digitalized tools and business processes are becoming a fundamental part of the construction lifecycle. The use of innovative software has facilitated the identification, quantification, and streamlining of work tasks, thereby saving time, money, and effort. Digital tools support myriad functions, aiding in establishing the

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timeline and budget, and tracking work in real-time. They promote more accurate scheduling, with tighter margins for superior project planning. Contractors can use the power of data to improve communication, efficiencies, productivity, and safety. Digitalization within business processes promotes growth, improves profitability, and enables sustainability.

Technology is reshaping the industry Data is gold for any industry, and data management has become essential for efficiency and security. Cloud migration has enabled technology innovations that have reshaped the business model for most industries. With applications and processes moved to the cloud, all participants can have access to all aspects of a project at any time, from anywhere. ICT in the construction industry includes the application of decision support tools that can process, store, analyse, control, and transfer data throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. Providing a fast track for communication between all project participants and vendors provides enormous clarity, accuracy, flexibility, as well as savings in time and money.

BIM has become an industry standard, moving the construction sector from a blueprints process to digital representations of building projects in 3D form. Innovations in SaaS technologies are now enabling construction companies to access intuitive platforms that combine the data provided by light detection and ranging (LiDAR) survey methods with geographic information system (GIS) mapping and BIM, without downloading on-premises software. These technologies, when integrated into a unified platform, can allow contractors to assess the tools, materials, and machinery that may be needed to predict project costs. The combined data can determine site suitability and where to place utilities. Collaboration between engineers, project managers, and architects is achieved with all stored data accessible at all times for clarity and design flexibility.

The construction industry has come a long way through its adoption of advanced technologies like robotic automation processes, AI, digital mapping and 3D printing, data analytics, IoT devices, and fully integrated intuitive platforms. The 2022 projections for the engineering and construction industries are very optimistic, with accelerated growth expectancies. While almost every industry is still recovering from the 2020 pandemic impact, the accelerated adoption of transformational digital technologies is spurring economic growth and sustainability. Tom de Ridder is Co-Founder and Platform Architect, ValueBlue USA. He specialises in the IT landscape, combining BI, development skills, and analytical insights into cost-effective ways of managing IT environments and connecting IT and business. Article Source: https://constructiondigital.com/digital-construction/how-digitaltransformation-is-modernising-construction

The move to a holistic integrated delivery model, from one of separated disciplinary inputs and silos, is becoming essential in every industry. Business agility is supported through collaborative processes that link the infrastructure to the applications and map out the entire operational landscape. Construction managers can utilize these digital solutions to standardize approaches across a project or multiple projects, giving clear insight into all delegated responsibilities and project expectations. Digital transformation is revolutionizing the construction process from the design phase to project completion.

Adapting to digital transformation in the new construction era In order to take full advantage of the benefits of digital transformation, construction managers need to enable the workforce to ‘connect’ with new technology implementations. Clear communication, along with providing patient and ongoing training, will be key for success. The rollout and pace of digital adoption can be gradual to ensure that all participants can collaborate effectively and with ease. A first phase step should be discerning existing problems and then using standardized, digitized workflows to model solutions that can fill the identified needs.

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or or or or or or or or or or or or or

die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve die! Evolve

Spotlight

Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve Evolve

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or or or or or or or or or or or or or

die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die! die!

Often there are persons who are critical to us achieving seemingly impossible or complicated tasks. They help with a smile here, a joke there, no complaints and are reliable beyond compare. We’re taking some time to get to know - Tashima Walker, Head of Business Operations #HOBO. DigiBuzz (DB): The journey through Digicel. Tashima Walker (TW): I started Digicel in November 2008 as an On-Call Agent within Customer Care to support during the busy Christmas season. I was also completing my BSc in Management Studies – Marketing which required some flexibility but also gave me the opportunity for a full-time job in the future. Since then I have worked in three (3) departments (Customer Care, 4G Broadband, and Digicel Business Solutions), and just made my 8th position change.

DB: What would you like your next professional achievement to be? TW: Completing my MBA would further sharpen my leadership skills and capabilities as Head of Business Operations.

DB: What do you like most about yourself? TW: My ability to continuously evolve and adapt

to change. Evolve or die!

DB: Share one thing that none of your coworkers know about you? TW: I was a candidate for the Selection Board with the JDF in 2006 for the post of Officer. DB: What is the most challenging and the most

rewarding thing about your job?

TW: Leadership: learning each person’s unique

abilities, strengths, and areas of weakness. Then create the right environment to inspire them while supporting their growth.

DB: Who/What motivates you? TW: My son is my biggest inspiration and

motivator; I.A.M. The Greatest J

Evolve or die!

DB: What advice would you give your teenage self? TW: Don’t be afraid to take up space! You are not too

loud, too bold, or too strong.

DB: Complete the sentence: The most important thing I learned about myself so far is…. TW: that I excel under pressure. My anxiety actually drives my high performance. DB: What is your favorite part of being a member of the Digicel Business management team? TW: Our ability to be cohesive and strong even during uncertainty. We are like swans; graceful on the surface while paddling for dear life beneath the water.

“Evolve or die!” - TASHIMA WALKER

DB: How do you define success? TW: Success for me is delivering on my core brand:

walking my talk, having personal integrity, and adding value in every interaction. DB: What advice would you give to someone who wants to work within your team? TW: Know the value you bring to the team, do the work and earn the credibility of your allies and peers.

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OUT AND ABOUT

SCAN TO WATCH

REMEMBERING

COLM DELVES

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MICROSOFT x DBS

CLIENT WORKSHOP

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MADE IN JAMROC

THE GOLDEN EDITION

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“Our mind is probably the most powerful tool in our arsenal. It can be the difference between a solid, well structured, well successful life or not.” Chris Williams

Co-founder/CEO, PROVEN Digicel Business Masterclass Series

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