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CONNECTION June 2020
VIRTUAL SUMMER Safer Summer Vacations through VIRTUAL Options
With warm weather on the doorstep, attention is turning toward that time-honored tradition of the summer vacation. We plan, save money, look forward to new scenery and time with our family, and just plain relaxing. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted the entire globe, many are opting not to travel this summer.
P1 Group Senior Project Manager Zach Kittle said his boys, Liam and Grayson, have gone on a number of virtual field trips during the last quarter of school, and as a family they are definitely planning some virtual vacations this summer, especially since they had to cancel a trip to Ireland.
When physical travel isn’t desirable, our age of technology puts that vacation “virtually” at your fingertips.
“The nice thing about a virtual vacation is that there’s no traveling required. You can travel in your robe from your couch with a cocktail in hand,” Zach said.
Even before COVID-19 travel restrictions, travel companies were experimenting with Virtual Reality Vacations as a way to market real life travel. A recent article by Forbes magazine notes “New Jersey-based marketing firm Travel World VR launched its new app in December. Through the app, users will be able to view 360-degree VR videos of destinations, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, and tour operators. This is all aimed at encouraging potential customers to book real holidays.”
So exactly what kind of adventures are out there? Many of the top tier museums have gone digital and offer ways to view their most famous offerings from the comfort of your home.
MUSEUMS
With whole-country lock downs and travel bans, the transportive nature of Virtual Reality offer a solution for those with wanderlust. Google has partnered with over 60 museums and galleries worldwide and offers virtual tours with their Google Art Project. The Guggenheim in New York City has made some of their collections and exhibits available to view online, and The Louvre in Paris offers a 360-degree online tour experience of some of their most popular exhibits.
Zach Kittle and family enjoy virtual experiences from home.
Kansas City’s own Nelson-Atkins gallery has a virtual tour that can be found at NelsonAtkins.org and they recently partnered with the Kansas City Zoo to produce this entertaining moment with some art-loving birds.
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P1 Connection Newsletter
EDITOR: Victoria Hoffman WRITERS: Beth Martens, Victoria Hoffman DESIGN: Tiffany Oldham
ZOOS
Speaking of zoos, a whole host of zoos offer live cams and feeds to various habitats of their animals online. You can check out the Houston Zoo’s Elephant Yard Cam, or the pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam.
NATIONAL PARKS
The train just pulled into the station so jump out get ready to explore a National Park. Google Arts & Culture has teamed up with five national parks in the U.S. that feature different climates and environments from across the country, including famous desert vistas and snowy terrains. The National Parks website also gives you information and stunning visuals on all the national parks so you can note which ones you may want to visit in the future.
THEME PARKS
Even our local Kansas City Zoo has joined in with their “Zoo To You” site, with animal cams to watch the residents daily (like penguins), hands-on educational activities the kids can easily do at home, and even “ZOO’m” backgrounds to spice up your next virtual meeting with creative animal-themed landscapes.
Many families look forward to a vacation at a big theme park and if that destination was on your summer “to do” list, you can still bring the thrill of the theme park rides to your living room. Rides like Tron at Shanghai Disneyland and Jurassic World the Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood and many others can be experienced through your computer or TV screen.
TRAINS
Ready to move on to your next destination? How about going by train through the Swiss Alps or 12 other trips from around the world? Virtual train rides offer the chance to see new and amazing landscapes without having to worry about train fare, so make a beverage to fit the destination and hop aboard.
Virtual Tron Ride at Shanghai Disneyland
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El Captain, Yosemite National Park, USA
P1 Group Digital Media Specialist Tiffany Oldham and her eight-yearold daughter Lily recently spent an afternoon “riding” some of the roller coasters on YouTube and she said they loved all of them.
ARTS & CULTURE
“Lily really loved Jurassic World and it was funny how we wanted to move along with the rides. We kept leaning into the turns,” Tiffany said. From Harry Potter to Star Wars, check out this article from The Jakarta Post on virtual theme park rides
Don’t forget to inject a little culture into your virtual travel extravaganza. After a whirlwind day of “traveling”, top the evening off with a Broadway show or a concert from the Metropolitan Opera or the Berlin Philharmonic, without the formal suit or dress and heels. BroadwayHD offers a seven-day free trial so you can choose from a huge catalog of theater productions. There is also a wide array of symphonies and concerts available for every listening taste. There you have it: Just a few of the virtual travel experiences available within a couple clicks. So why not give the Netflix binges a rest and “get outta town”! Sources: Forbes.com, The Age of Virtual Reality Tourism is Fast Approaching Forbes.com, Ranked: The World’s 15 Best Virtual Tours To Take During Coronavirus Insider.com, 40 Fun, Free Things to do Online While You’re Stuck at Home
Tiffany Oldham and her daughter Lily
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GLORIA KEATING CFO
SONJA RAYE Corporate Controller
SUSAN GIBLER Acct. Special Projects
SALLY HELPINSTILL Payroll Supervisor
GLAISLE ALLEN Payroll Union Supervisor
Department Spotlight: Accounting How many accountants does it take…? If you’re in the business of construction and service accounting, it could take quite a few. The P1 Group Accounting department is home to three departments, accounts payable, payroll, and accounts receivable, with about 20+ associates. Chief Financial Officer Gloria Keating says the reason for that number is meeting the demands of diversity. Between the diversity of P1 Group’s single-source offerings and the fact that the accounting for each different job and customer can be as unique as a fingerprint, the department requires extra person power and agility. “Construction accounting is all about our cost and everything is an estimate,” Gloria said. “We don’t always work with the same level of customer, even on what seem like similar jobs. It may be a GC one time, the owner (end customer) another, or a subcontractor yet another time.
For this reason, among others, the accounting department trains associates a little differently. Cross-training new associates to understand all aspects of accounting is one way the department maintains efficiency. “Accounting associates are cross-trained so they can jump in and work on a variety of needs not only within their accounting discipline but across the others as well,” Gloria said. Gloria says that due to so many deadlines, such as the demands of Monday/Tuesday payroll, all hands are needed on deck, but it’s important that when heavy deadline periods like this have passed for the week, all of the associates are still capable of moving on to work on other projects.
“Depending on who the customer is, and the different formats of jobs, the accounting for each and every job is completely different.”
“When associates are cross-trained, they understand the ‘why’ behind the things they’re being asked for, and that makes them more efficient at their jobs,” Gloria said.
Gloria says the unwieldy nature of decision making also depends on what “tier” we fall in with each job.
It also keeps things more interesting, since no one has to work on the same thing over and over.
“We don’t just submit an invoice, we submit an invoice based on all the special requirements, and then based on everyone upstream”, she said. “The lower the tier we’re in, the harder it is to make decisions because of the approval levels required above.”
Corporate Controller Sonja Raye notes that technology has also played a role in the department’s efficiency. Sonja says a point of pride for the department is nimble attention to detail and high levels of coordination.
Just because we did a job before doesn’t mean the accounting aspect will remain the same the next time around, so accounting is always
“Technology has changed so dramatically that it has certainly caused accounting to improve our technology so we can provide more
JULIE METZLER Accounting Clerk
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faced with a great deal of coordination.
SETH POLLOCK Accounting Clerk
JESSICA SCHEMPP Accounting Clerk
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KATIE EVANS Accounting Clerk
TARA SHEAFER Accounting Clerk
LINDA NIELSEN Payroll Clerk
MELISSA WILSON Asst. Controller/Accounting Mgr
TAMMI KENT Accounting Specialist
CHERIE NICHOLS Accounting Clerk
KAYLA FOSTER Accounting Clerk
information, and provide it faster,” Sonja said. “People expect things at the push of a button, and that’s another reason we need more person power.” P1 Group has implemented technology to accommodate demands. Some of the technology P1 uses to expedite responses includes: SERVICE MOBILE TECH: 130+ technicians can receive calls electronically, enter work performed and resolutions - not just per site, but per piece of equipment. Input and exchange of information is faster, increasing process acumen. This allows the Service Coordinator, Service Manager, and customer to process and receive information quickly. THE LINK: Everything job-related is in one spot. The Job Board search capability benefits many departments who need information about a job, customer, or associate connected with a particular job. The Procurement Wizard generates formal POs, service agreements, and subcontracts easily. The Subcontract Log tracks subcontractors’ open compliance items per contract. The Link is also used to store service work order backup and documentation.
ACCOUNTING DIVISION FUNCTIONS AT A GLANCE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE • Process lien waivers and sales tax to vendors and subcontractors • Vendors paid with 45-day payment terms upon PM’s approval • Subcontracts are paid when paid • Employee-approved reimbursements are paid weekly PAYROLL • Processes more than 750 weekly and 375 bi-weekly timecards • Maintains associate pay checks through the Paperless Pay online system
MIMECAST: This cyber-resilient program not only greatly increases security, but allows associates across the company to search all emails ever sent or received. For accounting, having the ability to search Mimecast by invoice or job number leads to much faster results than trying to track down an elusive source document. “The level of detail and coordination we are able to achieve is definitely something our department excels at,” Gloria said.
• Maintains union scale for associate pay and for estimating purposes • Submits reports for unions, certified payroll, CIP, target, garnishments, and state payroll taxes ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (BILLINGS)
“To a customer, it is just one job, but due to P1’s diversity, that one job may be divided among five different trades and five different PMs. That’s a lot to keep track of, and we do it well with our agile staff.”
• Set up jobs in the system and maintain job coding and budgets
Cheers to our accountants and the work they do to keep us successful! For a better understanding of the types of items each division handles, check out the Accounting Functions Sidebar.
• Calculate and report sales tax on all jobs and work orders
CINDY HERKENHOFF Asst.Controller/Billing Mgr.
AMY JESKE Billing Clerk
• Submit billings to P1 customers and coordinate related required job documentation for collection • Work on customer collection effort
MORGAN LASSISE Service Accounting Mgr
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DONNA BELCHER Service Accounting
AMANDA COX Collections
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Returning to the P1 Offices: What to Expect
As P1 Group puts the safety of associates above all else, department and individual returns to the office will be staggered throughout the summer and rotating work schedules will be utilized to increase social distancing. Any questions you may have about scheduling should be directed to your supervisor. “For those who can successfully work remotely, we are pushing those return dates back from the official reopen date of June 1,” P1 Group President Kollin Knox explained. “The ultimate goal is to keep the daily number of people in the office to a minimum and keep those associates working in the office properly distanced.” When you or your department do return, here are some guidelines you can expect to follow:
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P1 OFFICE GUIDELINES: • SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: With prior approval, office staff may be allowed to continue to work from home temporarily. You may request to work from home due to lack of childcare/eldercare or due to high-risk for health complications related to COVID-19. Please contact HR for information on how to apply. • WORK LOCATION LOG: When your office reopens, you are required to log your work location (Home all day, P1 office, Jobsite, Other) each day in the location spreadsheet. If you are in the office or on a jobsite for even a few minutes then this needs to be recorded. You may combine the letters if you were at multiple locations; example JP (Jobsite and P1 office). The spreadsheet
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must be 100% up-to-date every Friday afternoon. It can be found here: P:\COVID19 Daily Status
• SICK? STAY HOME! No coming to work in an office or jobsite when ill.
• DOOR ACCESS: In all P1 locations, only the office and warehouse main entrance doors will be open for entry. Secondary doors will be locked and inaccessible to entry even with security door cards. This does not apply to the Lawrence exterior shop door access.
• COMMON AREAS AND MEALS: Break rooms, kitchens, and gathering areas will be closed. This includes all kitchen-related equipment such as refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee pots. Kitchen sinks or water fountains will be available to obtain water and will be frequently cleaned. We recommend a simple sack lunch and cold pack. Eat at your desk.
• VISITORS: No visitors to P1 offices, warehouses or shops are allowed at this time unless “critical.” Visitors* must log in upon entry to the building at either the front desk or the warehouse office. When writing in the log they must use their own pen or a P1 pen that is either not reused or is cleaned between uses. Masks are required; if visitors don’t have one, P1 will provide a disposable mask. Some office locations may designate one conference room to use for visitors only, not to be used for internal meetings. Visitors requiring a desk must use a designated hotel desk and may not use a desk assigned to another person. • MASKS: Masks are required in all hallways, public areas, and when in close proximity to others such as in conference rooms or multiple people in cubicles/offices. P1 is providing one re-useable mask to all office staff. • SOCIAL DISTANCING: Staff must try to maintain social distancing guidelines of at least six feet apart. • KEEP IT CLEAN! Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use 60% plus alcohol content hand sanitizer. Cleaning products and hand sanitizer will be available and located strategically throughout the offices. If you are comfortable doing so, please assist with cleaning common areas periodically. • PROFESSIONAL CLEANING: Offices are scheduled to be cleaned more often and/or cleaned using specialized decontamination equipment.
• CONFERENCE ROOM occupancy is limited by six feet social distancing guidelines and must be wiped down after each use. Please minimize in-person meetings. In-person meetings may not exceed 10 people, even if social distancing is achievable. Please limit passing paper between people by use scanning or other electronic options instead. • EQUIPMENT AND COPIERS: No sharing equipment unless cleaned between use. For copiers, use provided stylus. P1 is providing one stylus each to all office staff. If lost or broken, employee is responsible for replacing their own stylus. • HOURLY STAFF will be paid for their actual work hours upon reopening date, even if working from home. There is no guarantee of full-time work. Notify your supervisor if you need more work to do as other departments may have additional work needs. * Visitors = anyone without a desk or without a shop/warehouse position in the building; anyone who does not have an assigned desk at the location is a visitor to the office area. If you have special circumstances or are unsure what to do in any situation, please contact your supervisor or HR for clarification. P1 Group’s ultimate goal with these changes is to minimize exposure risks, audit attendance (if needed), and keep all associates safe, so let’s all do our part to make a safe and productive return to the office!
Keep clean and look for your P1 Group-issued mask.
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N E W FAC E S AND AWAR D ED W O R K
PROMOTION Matt Phillips Service Manager Lenexa
PROMOTION Adam Collier Service Manager Lenexa
PROMOTION Shawn Ross Senior Safety Specialist Lenexa
Wel co m e S um m e r Inte r ns RYAN HEATON, PROJECT INTERN
NINA ZEPEDA, PROJECT INTERN
Location: Las Vegas Office
Location: Las Vegas Office
AWA R D ED W O R K Saint Luke’s East/2020 Revised Cabling
BNSF Install New Feed
Lee’s Summit, MO | $99,920 | ELEC
Topeka, KS | $68,528 | ELEC
Hill’s Pet Nutrition/Feline Feeding Project
Douglas County Correctional Facility Expansion
Topeka, KS | $53,007 | ELEC
Lawrence, KS | $6,087,700 | ELEC, PIPE, PLBG, SM
Mars M&M
Merck Process Chilled Water
Orlando, FL | $331,000 | ARCH METAL
DeSoto, KS | $1,272,063 | PIPE
Biltmore Arizona Phoenix, AZ | $1,000,000 | ARCH METAL
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B I RT HDAYS + A N N I V E R S A R I E S Office and field associate birthdays and work anniversaries
JUNE BIRTHDAYS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RORY BRAMMELL CHAD MOSLEY JAKE SCHNEIDER HUNTER DRAGER SAMUEL KLEIN TRAVIS TONGUE MICHAEL GRIFFITH DARREN OUSDAHL WILLIAM WALL SETH EYERLY DAVID BECERRA CHRISTIANNA DANCER MYLES GROSS-DISON DERRICK BLATT ZENDY MORAN CRUZ DARRELL RUNDLE BRADLEY BUTELL ROBERTO MAGALLANES TODD HOSLER STEVE KLAMM MARK RODRIGUEZ STACY SEIBERT ERIC DETERS JOSHUA HARRALD CHARLES CLIBON JONATHAN ENLOE JESSICA SCHEMPP
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
MIKE HUTCHISON BRANDEN OUSDAHL RICKEY COOK JOSHUA HEFTON RAY MOORE LEROY REYES ELIAS VILLALOBOS CLARENCE BLEDSOE JR TONY GROCE DANIEL MCCLELLAND SHAWN ROSS MIKE THOME GAGE PEAK RONALD BARRY BRANDT EMMANUEL GOMEZ JAMES MARTEL BRYAN ADAMS BEN GANNAWAY VICTORIA HOFFMAN LONNIE PAULSEN WESLEY TRAMMELL JODY TYRONE PHILIP VAN HOECKE GEORGE WARD
19 21 22 23 25 27 28
WORK ANNIVERSARIES
BRIAN HEFTON KEITH EVERHART TRAVIS PYLES JAMES CARR BRADLEY DANIEL MORGAN LASSISE JOHN RUPNICKI JR JOSE BARAJAS MATTHEW SELLERS JAMES THATCHER KENT WINGERT DEREK HAVERKAMP MERCEDES KINNEY TRAVIS STEWART JASON THOMPSON RENEE BOGGS CHANTILAN CHRISTENSEN JOSEPH GAERTNER EDDIE KAHN LUCAS QUICK
5 YEARS: AARON DUNBAR MATTHEW BRACKNEY MICHAEL CATES HAROLD GREEN THERON HAMLEN DAVID MASSEY CHRISTOPHER PATTERSON JASON SHIPP TED SUPPLEE MARCUS WEBB
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TRENTON FERGUSON VICKY FOWLER JASON MCCARTNEY STEPHANIE MCDANIEL REBECCA NASH BROCK RYAN DANIEL BARTOW ROBERT BLOSSER TYLER RANES
15 YEARS: SCOTT BOND JR. JULIUS BROWN DAVID JELINEK MICHAEL WESSEL 20 YEARS: CINDY HERKENHOFF SALVATORE MORMINO NATHAN PIERCE JASON QUATTLEBAUM
10 YEARS: NICHOLAS HEENE CHRIS WHEELER
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Efficiency in Fabrication: P1 Group was recently featured in The Fabricator magazine for our streamlined processes and innovations in fabrication, particularly our new WM-36 3D pipe cutting system. The machine eliminates multiple processes and extra material handling, greatly increasing production. “Any time you can remove human movement from the equation and turn it into an automated process, you’re going to gain a lot of production,” Pipe Fabrication Shop Manager Jeremy Price said. “I knew once we went to automated cutting that our production was going to go through the roof.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE
HAPPENINGS
Making History: Mechanical and electrical construction teams led by Glenn Shain and Steve Smith held their first ever Zoom interview with a General Contractor and Customer. The teams even branded themselves with custom P1 Group backdrops.
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Greetings from Stericycle: Brandon Jones (son of Lenexa Service Supervisor Gary Jones) is P1 Group’s newest apprentice! He’s pictured here piping in fan coils at Stericycle’s Kansas City, KS, location. Service Technician Geoffrey Conatser says Brandon has made a great impression on customers and coworkers alike.