YBuilder Network - What is it?

I’ve heard my colleagues mention the YBUILDER Network – What is it?

Y YBUILDER Over the past three years, dozens of young AEC professionals have connected through the YBUILDER Network – Young Builders Unite In Linking, Developing, & Enhancing Relationships. The program was developed by MBI to fill the gap in Iowa’s professional networks by providing young employees in the commercial construction industry with a way to connect with one another. This network is exclusive to 22-35-year-old contractors, service providers, suppliers, architects, engineers, developers… anyone active in the commercial construction industry! By joining the network, participants have access to a number of exclusive events and perks. New for 2023, we’re introducing educational, networking, and community-focused events in addition to the social activities the network has typically held! YBUILDERS will also have the opportunity to join two new committees, allowing them to lead the network while building their professional experience. The Membership Committee members will serve as ambassadors for the YBUILDER Network, engage new members, and identify growth opportunities. The Programming Committee will lead on-site at events, foster member attendance, and help identify social, community, and professional development opportunities. For the past couple of years, over 80 young professionals representing a variety of firms have joined, and we’re looking forward to the roster continuing to grow! We encourage our younger members to join this growing network – sign up by visiting www.MBI.Build/ybuilder. If you have any questions regarding the YBUILDER Network and events, please contact Aly Murphy at AMurphy@MBI.Build / (515) 657-4380.

MBI Board Develops New Year Strategic Plan3

BY CHAD KLEPPE PRESIDENT/CEO

Every three years, the MBI Board will take time out to participate in a two-day retreat with the intention of developing a road map for the next three years. This strategic planning process identifies key objectives that are of the utmost importance to the industry. This past summer, the Board concluded that MBI should target four specific areas that are outlined on the following four objectives:

- Invest in new, more effective programs for attracting people for craft, professional and executive careers.

- Provide leadership on the development and implementation of the new Construction Manager @ Risk statute.

- Become the most influential force among those involved in and impacted by Iowa’s building industry. - Become the most trusted source in Iowa of construction-related knowledge, best practices, innovations and trends.

All of these strategic objectives were developed with a Core Focus of advancing the commercial building industry, along with Core Values of being engaged professionals, in service to others. With four key objectives identified, the Board then moved forward with developing multiple goals related to each objective. Winnowing down even further, the Board next goes through a process of approving respective action items tied to each goal. This is where the proverbial rubber hits the road and staff implements a broad array of tasks and projects. This round of strategic planning was the first time the three-year strategic plan was aligned with goals and measurements outlined through the EOS® process. You may recall EOS® (which is short for Entreprenurial Operating System) is MBI’s guiding process that tracks progress and holds staff accountable to measurements related to quarterly, annual, three-year and ten-year targets. MBI started its EOS® journey in April of 2020, which was in the middle of the previous three-year strategic plan. With a fresh slate of objectives, goals and action items this time around - all of which now align with our EOS® targets – members should expect to see great results as part of this most recent plan.