Bravo: Gates Foundation donates $ 250 million to fight #Covid19

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, is a magnificent example of solidarity to study in Business Schools around the world. After creating one of the technology giants along with others like Google, Apple, IBM or Samsung, Bill Gates, along with his wife, have dedicated their lives to solidarity causes (climate change, gender equality, prioritizing talent over titles) academics, etc.) to make a better world. And surely they have succeeded. And you and I have benefited. This solidarity work led him to deliver a premonitory speech in 2015. Incredibly, Bill Gates advanced in this TED talk, the current pandemic Continue reading Bravo: Gates Foundation donates $ 250 million to fight #Covid19

“Everyone is a socialist in a pandemic”

This week a significant number of economic indicators and corporate earnings will be release in the US. In the meantime the number of paralyzed businesses and people filing unemployment in the US continue to grow, the House of Representatives has just approved the fourth bailout of 484 billion USD aimed to support small businesses and hospitals. Thousands of entrepreneurs in the United States, as in 185 other countries are paralyzed by Covid-19. Everyone expects the worst reports in decades. Continue reading “Everyone is a socialist in a pandemic”

Fight against Coronavirus: Health or Economy?

The health of citizens comes first, but just as important is the health of companies that will later hire them. That is, at the same time that all public administrations are focused on ending the Coronavirus, we should be thinking about designing the company tomorrow. Analyzing how to revive each economic sector, subsidies, training and innovation programs, how to implement the latest technological advances with greater speed, etc. In short, not to return to yesterday’s normality, but to return to a new world with a new economy and competitive companies, prepared to face any uncertainty. Continue reading Fight against Coronavirus: Health or Economy?

The organizers confirm the celebration of Conexpo: Guide of recommendations to make the most of this Fair

The Coronavirus will not prevent the celebration of Conexpo in Las Vegas, from March 10 to 14. This has been confirmed by the organizers of the largest construction event in the United States. This possibility existed because fairs, sports competitions, concerts and international meetings around the world have been canceled. However, Conexpo 2020 we can enjoy it, especially with all the news that Doka will present at its stand and that we explain in this Blog.
Conexpo is such a big fair that it requires a guide to get the best possible benefit. I have selected the one published by Construction Executive magazine and I hope you find it very useful. Continue reading The organizers confirm the celebration of Conexpo: Guide of recommendations to make the most of this Fair

CIOs: The keys they need to implement in companies to increase their competitiveness

NY, February 7, 2020.- First of all I will remember what a CIO is. Chief information officer (CIO), chief digital information officer (CDIO) or information technology (ITdirector, is a job title commonly given to the most senior executive in an enterprise who works with information technology and computer systems, in order to support enterprise goals.

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Technology, data and digital solutions, main keys for the construction sector

Construtech magazine has published detailed information on the trends that will star in the construction sector over the coming months. It will be difficult to get it right, but they point out that technology, data analysis and digital solutions, together with the aging of the workforce, will be decisive in construction. I highlight below a summary of the short-term future. And then I invite you to watch a video about the most ambitious projects that will be culminated in this exercise. Continue reading Technology, data and digital solutions, main keys for the construction sector

Doka leads the way with a variety of new solutions for ConExpo 2020

“We are excited to again be a part of ConExpo, a show that gives us a face-to-face opportunity to demonstrate #MoreThanFormwork solutions that are proven to speed productivity and increase safety on concrete jobsites across North America, “ says Michael Schaeffer, vice-president, Doka USA. “We have many new innovations this year that are changing the way concrete is formed to stay ahead of demanding construction schedules and we are thrilled to showcase them this March at the largest construction tradeshow, ConExpo.” Continue reading Doka leads the way with a variety of new solutions for ConExpo 2020

American infrastructure upgrade involves an investment of $ 2 trillion, or $ 4.5 trillion according to engineers?

US, November 6, 2019.- The office of the President of the United States has published an interesting report on the health of the infrastructure of the United States and its improvements. Thanks to this White House initiative, we know a detailed diagnosis of our infrastructure deficits and the necessary investment to correct them. I reproduce below for your interest.Before, I remember the disagreement between the investment figures. According to CNBC, President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have even agreed on a price tag of $ 2 trillion – although the American Society of Civil Engineers puts it closer to $ 4.5 trillion. However, talks have stalled. Continue reading American infrastructure upgrade involves an investment of $ 2 trillion, or $ 4.5 trillion according to engineers?

SuperDek: Fast, safe and simple handset drop head slab system

US, October 9, 2019.- Behind an innovation in the construction sector there is always a lot of talent, many engineers, architects, computer developers, many professionals. Today I want to talk about an innovation that Doka USA has launched in Maryland with great success. I refer to SuperDek, which is synonymous with greater productivity, with less labor and greater security. I have to sincerely congratulate all the Doka professionals who have made the launch of SuperDek possible. And the first tribute to a great innovation is that it is known throughout the world.

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Central Park Tower: Above the rooftops of Manhattan Doka forms the world’s tallest residential building

NY, September 1, 2019.- I have a tremendous illusion with the completion of this project, The Central Park Tower, next year 2020. The figures, photos and videos speak for themselves. Therefore, I invite you to enjoy them with me. The world’s tallest residential building, the Central Park Tower will top out at 472 metres. It is currently under construction in New York City. The method of construction is special and Doka’s automatic climbing platforms are the ideal solution, both fast and safe. The building is due for completion in 2020. 

Continue reading “Central Park Tower: Above the rooftops of Manhattan Doka forms the world’s tallest residential building”

Proposals, keys and solutions to improve the infrastructures of the United States

The infrastructures of the United States is an issue that interests us all, the construction companies and professionals, the public and private developers, and of course, each of the taxpayers. For this reason, I have selected the approaches (opinion) of three media outlets to check what is the salute of the infrastructures of the United States: Bloomberg, CNBC and Cincinnati. Continue reading Proposals, keys and solutions to improve the infrastructures of the United States

New services of the American Concrete Institute: ACI 562-19 and new APP ACI Certification Verify

The technical information about the Concrete has always interested me. Knowing its origin, its foundation in day-to-day work and its objectives. That’s why today I bring two advances from the American Concrete Institute. ACI 562-19 and new APP ACI Certification Verify. I hope your reading is useful. Continue reading New services of the American Concrete Institute: ACI 562-19 and new APP ACI Certification Verify

What are the best answers that the CEO has to give to face the digital revolution in his company?

NY, 06/10/2019.- The PWC Consultant has published its “22nd Annual Global CEO Survey”. An already traditional study that helps to understand the context and the ways of acting of each CEO in each multinational. A reading to look at the macro and micro figures. Its main conclusions are this year.

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If a chef feeds millions of people after hurricanes and officials after the closure of the Government is an act of corporate social responsibility?

José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti with the belief that food can be an agent of change. We have expanded globally and have developed into a group of chefs creating smart solutions to hunger and poverty.

Today, World Central Kitchen uses the expertise of its Chef Network to empower people to be part of the solution, with a focus on health, education, jobs, and social enterprise.

Continue reading If a chef feeds millions of people after hurricanes and officials after the closure of the Government is an act of corporate social responsibility?

Doka. We’re forming America’s Infrastructure

NY, April 5, 2019.– Much has been reported about the state of infrastructure in the United States. With 40 percent of our bridges boasting more than 50 years in service, a recent report noted that almost 10% of bridges are labelled as structural deficient.

Continue reading “Doka. We’re forming America’s Infrastructure”

US Construction Spending Up Strong 1 Percent in January

NY, April 4, 2019.- U.S. construction spending rose a solid 1 percent in February, led by a strong gain in spending on government projects, which hit an all-time high. The February increase followed an even larger 2.5 percent gain in January and a slight.0.2 percent rise in December, the Commerce Department reported Monday. The gains pushed total construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.32 trillion, the highest level since May.

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Job Opportunities in Construction: Is Doka USA the right fit for you?

The construction sector is one of the most rewarding fields one can possibly imagine to work in and with Doka a solid option for career development. When adding to the Doka family, we look for talented, hardworking individuals who want more than a job, but who are passionate about what they do and who aim to contribute their best to a dedicated team that creates results.Don’t see a position listed for you, but are interested in joining our team? Simply send us an email & your resume to employment@doka.com Continue reading Job Opportunities in Construction: Is Doka USA the right fit for you?

HR: The keys to adapt to changes in the workplace during the coming years

NY, February 11, 2019. – The human capital of companies must also prepare for the next changes in communication, leadership, technological adaptation, culture of improvement. In the following report from Fast Company magazine we can find some answers and reflections.

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The heart of Malta: How to resurrect a beauty of Nature?

Nature is impossible to imitate by human beings. We can only honor it. Create and build reflections. The Architect Svetozar Andreev, in collaboration with Elena Britanishskaya, has resurrected a beauty of Nature. It is best to read and observe the whole story with your own words, photographs and video: Continue reading The heart of Malta: How to resurrect a beauty of Nature?

Bridge reengineering in Los Angeles: New design, anti-seismic measures, and new solutions for citizens

NY, December 4, 2018.-  Large civil engineering works are one of my passions within the construction industry. A great country like the United States requires the most modern solutions for every need of the population. Communicating regions, crossing natural accidents, … Continue reading Bridge reengineering in Los Angeles: New design, anti-seismic measures, and new solutions for citizens

Case study high-rise event 2018: Understanding how to Build Higher, Faster & Safer

Client to client and listen carefully. Organizing a specialized seminar requires competent professionals, many hours of work, enthusiasm and the collaboration of the entire company. This is what happened with an event we held at Doka UK: “Case study high-rise event 2018: Understanding how to Build Higher, Faster & Safer”. Continue reading Case study high-rise event 2018: Understanding how to Build Higher, Faster & Safer

Architects / Engineers: The “Coastal Highway Route 39” Mega-project in Norway creates bridges and tunnels with innovative technological solutions

The route runs from Kristiansand in the south to Trondheim in the north, and is approximately 1100 km long. The route runs through six counties, and the cities of Stavanger, Bergen, Ålesund and Molde. Travel time today is around 21 hours, and road users need to use seven different ferry connections. The aim is to create an improved E39 without ferries, which will reduce travel time by half. The route will be almost 50 kilometres shorter. Continue reading Architects / Engineers: The “Coastal Highway Route 39” Mega-project in Norway creates bridges and tunnels with innovative technological solutions

The keys to the transformation of construction programs and heroes of innovation

UK, August 8, 2018.- Digital reading is synonymous with texts linked or enriched to other documentation. Thanks to this marvel I had the opportunity to know the great work done by the public initiative: Innovate UK. The first click landed on this video:

Continue reading “The keys to the transformation of construction programs and heroes of innovation”

Is the protection of our personal data a lost battle?

UK, July 10, 2018.- The data is the new oil of the 21st century. And the personal data of each human being is the object of desire of private companies, public administrations and other interest groups.

The protection of our personal data is endangered, above all, by the technological giants and the social networks we carry on smartphones. That magical device, connected to the Internet, where we carry our whole life and that we can not despise.

Computer security experts say that a Smartphone is only safe when it is turned off. That is, a Smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC will never protect our personal data if they are connected to the Internet.

Continue reading “Is the protection of our personal data a lost battle?”

1,100-tonne segment of a 300-metre-long platform was hoisted 250-metres high to be fixed between two towers in Raffles City Chongqing

UK, June 14, 2018.- The big dreams, the impossible ideas, the utopia in the construction sector at the end are possible facts, realizable ideas. The big cities struggle to grow orderly in their buildings, in their mobility and for the benefit of citizens. For this reason, the autonomous and electric car industry will be a driver of big changes. But, engineers, architects, construction professionals always advance more than computer programs. I just read in The Guardian this curious architectural project in China and it seems to come from the future:

Continue reading “1,100-tonne segment of a 300-metre-long platform was hoisted 250-metres high to be fixed between two towers in Raffles City Chongqing”

The economy of each consumer threatened by the dynamics of the large economic blocks

The dynamics of the large economic blocs in the world are very sensitive to political decisions and the initiatives of corporate corporations, among other factors. Any modification affects our pocket, we pay more for some products, we raise direct taxes and indirect taxes, higher uncertainties in pension systems, etc. For example, if the United States moves towards the protectionism of its economy and raises tariffs on imports of products from different economic areas, it will affect our particular economy. If there is a trade war between the West and the East, it will affect our particular economy Continue reading The economy of each consumer threatened by the dynamics of the large economic blocks

UK Construction: the slump may be short lived, business expectations and hiring both picked up

Last month, an unusual Siberian weather system that British meteorologists dubbed “the Beast from the East” brought snow, strong winds and the coldest temperatures in several years to much of Britain and elsewhere in Europe. House building was little affected, but the storm clobbered other sectors, the survey showed Continue reading UK Construction: the slump may be short lived, business expectations and hiring both picked up

Keys to Management under the prism of reinvention at the minute

UK, March 14, 2018.- All knowledge of the world of human beings, we have to click away. Every second, every minute, every day we have the freedom to read, listen, see, share, comment on any historical event, any current event, any strategy, any business key. We have the immense fortune of having the key of knowledge in our pocket. We just have to worry about having Wi-Fi and enough battery. This historical stage is resolved in the talent of each human being, each woman and each man. An added value built from familiar knowledge, and the circles of people that surround us in student life, or in an early working life.

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“It is in the interest of the world including Asia that an open Europe be upheld”  

UK, March 7, 2018.-  “It is in the interest of the world including Asia that an open Europe be upheld” commences the second paragraph of this letter to the UK and the EU published on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage (mofa.go.com) and published in September 2016,  this letter is still relevant today as all the stated uncertainties remain.  

Continue reading ““It is in the interest of the world including Asia that an open Europe be upheld”  “

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: One of the longest bridges in the world will open on October 24, 2018

UK, February 23, 2018.- China, a country with 1,000 million citizens, is already synonymous with colossal construction and engineering projects. Some works that we do not see in the United States or in Europe. Today, I highlight the construction of the largest bridge in the world with an extension of 55 kilometers between the towns of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao. It is truly extraordinary to see videos about his birth over the past decade. Especially the video of the construction company Bouygues explaining the different construction technologies for bridges. For lovers of civil engineering great works this video is a delight:

Continue reading “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: One of the longest bridges in the world will open on October 24, 2018”

Looking for reliable data for the UK construction sector in 2018

UK, February 14, 2018.- I have the great fortune of being Managing Director of Doka UK and Doka Ireland. Doka is a multinational company specializing in formwork solutions for large infrastructures, for decades. For this reason, I need reliable information on trends and forecasts on the construction sector in the UK. And sometimes it’s not easy, because there are unforeseen variables, there are unexpected news that can change business prospects. Below I summarize the information that I was able to read in generic media, and specialized in construction. Perhaps the present has already passed, but perhaps we can find some light for the horizon of the coming months.

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What´s the real influence of the World Economic Forum in Davos?

My conclusion is that the big meetings with political and business leaders, the great regional or world summits, are important and can point to trucks of solutions for complex problems. However, the big conclusions need to be built in each country, in each company and in each household. Continue reading What´s the real influence of the World Economic Forum in Davos?

The full 4D build animation of “22 Bishopsgate”: One of London’s tallest new skyscrapers

UK, January 13, 2018.- Crazy ideas, no, technological revolution in the construction industry. We can foresee for real a new era in construction, design and planning put together in 4d virtual reality for massive efficiency improvements.

Continue reading “The full 4D build animation of “22 Bishopsgate”: One of London’s tallest new skyscrapers”

Has the Welfare State died in the Blockchain era and the cryptocurrencies/ digital currencies?

UK, December 11, 2017.- Climate change can be denied, but it is clear that the climate has changed in the last 50 years. The death of the Welfare State can be denied, but the population pyramid has changed drastically. And technology, added to finances, looks for new ways to guarantee our level of purchase and the future of pensions.

Continue reading “Has the Welfare State died in the Blockchain era and the cryptocurrencies/ digital currencies?”

New River Dee Crossing: Can a bridge generate £ 6 billion and 14,000 jobs for the local economy over the next 30 years?

Large engineering works, public infrastructure projects, civil constructions with great economic impact, are one of my passions since I joined DOKA (2011). On this occasion, I highlight a very important bridge, both for the data of its construction, and for the benefits it will bring to the municipalities of both shores in the next thirty years. To remember all the details well, I turn to the information that Daily Record has published. By the way, the time-lapse recorded in the video is a great demonstration of the great work of construction professionals. In short, bridges are the best communication channels, complementing the digital channels.  Next, the news of the Daily Record Continue reading New River Dee Crossing: Can a bridge generate £ 6 billion and 14,000 jobs for the local economy over the next 30 years?

UK: March 29, 2019, 13.00h GMT

UK, November 14, 2017.-  You will agree with me on this assessment: “The British exit of the European Union is the most significant economic demerger between major economies since the Second World War and much about the forthcoming process of transitioning out of the EU has no precedent. But we know already that both the UK and the EU will be significantly changed by what is about to unfold”.  

On March 29, 2019, at 13:00 GMT, UK will de facto leave the European Union, as announced by the Prime Minister, Theresa May. We will record the real effects of Brexit as of this date. For the time being, it is necessary to be informed and to the extent possible to anticipate the consequences.”.

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The fourth industrial revolution should end the wage gap between men and women

UK, October 9, 2017. In the 21st century, in the fourth industrial revolution, the internet of things, there are still old problems that require modern solutions. For example. The wage gap between men and women has a very current reference to the report published on the subject on the BBC. I mention here an information published by The Guardian:

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Should CEOs be actively involved in big business today?

UK, September 10, 2017.- In the face of major events in major cities and western countries, citizens are seeking arguments. Public authorities, experts, politicians, and ultimately, people to rely on. Within these groups, business leaders are a voice to take into account, because they are involved only in the big issues of today. CEOs can influence opinion trends and must analyze their role. I have had the opportunity to read the following analysis on CEO activism written by Sebastian Reiche at IESE Business School:

Continue reading “Should CEOs be actively involved in big business today?”