In this episode, I talk with Steven Brahney, president of FixAsphalt, about his journey in the asphalt, concrete, and pavement maintenance industry, and how technology is revolutionizing parking lot sustainability.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Steven:
- How has technology impacted your daily operations, particularly in assessing parking lots?
- When you started in the industry, how did your tech-savvy approach help you compete and improve client experiences?
- How does technology improve the efficiency and accuracy of parking lot assessments?
- How do you use technology to optimize parking lot assessments?
- Are there any specific technologies or software platforms you find effective for parking lot assessments?
- How are the usage rates and client feedback for HubSpot’s self-service options?
- How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of your diverse range of clients, including quick service restaurants and REITs?
- What does CAM stand for?
- Can you describe how technology improved parking lot sustainability assessments?
- Do property managers often need help understanding detailed reports and maintaining assets after major construction jobs like mill and pave?
- What emerging technologies do you think will significantly impact the future of parking lot assessments?
- How important is timely delivery, facilitated by technology without sacrificing quality, in winning business deals?
- While remote tools can gather some details quickly, how can on-site visits be streamlined to minimize delays when aerial imagery is not enough?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Improving Parking Lot Sustainability and Safety Results With Technology:
- Technology has greatly improved Steven’s daily operations in assessing parking lots. From using digital tools like QuickBooks and digital proposals to adopting PalmPilots and Polaroid cameras, it has boosted efficiency and accuracy in his assessments.
- Steven emphasizes how his detailed proposals differentiate him, with property managers often joking about his thoroughness. His approach includes clear explanations and disclaimers, ensuring clients are well-informed and minimizing legal risks.
- Technology improves parking lot sustainability assessments by using tools like drones and advanced software for precise measurements and real-time data. This ensures accurate documentation and efficiency that traditional methods can’t match.
- Technology like drones and advanced software improves parking lot assessments by providing precise measurements and real-time data. This helps property managers quickly understand asphalt and concrete conditions, estimate repair costs, and plan for future maintenance effectively.
- Effective technologies for parking lot assessments include drones for data collection and AI-powered software for analysis. These tools offer precise measurements, real-time updates, and detailed reports, simplifying maintenance planning for property managers.
- HubSpot’s self-service options receive high usage and positive client feedback for their convenience and accessibility. Users appreciate features that track activity and set alerts, enhancing security and enabling proactive client communication based on engagement with reports and evaluations.
- Steven adapts his approach for different clients, like quick service restaurants and REITs, based on their specific needs. For shopping centers, he emphasizes cost-saving maintenance options like seal coating under CAM charges, focusing on long-term asset preservation and customized property management to fit lease agreements or operational demands.
- CAM stands for “common area maintenance.” It typically includes costs associated with maintaining shared areas in properties, such as landscaping, snow removal, parking lot upkeep, and other maintenance expenses shared among tenants.
- Through the use of drones and advanced software, parking lot assessments have been significantly improved. These tools provide precise measurements, detailed condition documentation, accurate cost estimates, and proactive maintenance recommendations, enhancing decision-making and extending the lifespan of parking lot assets.
- Property managers often require assistance with understanding detailed reports and maintaining assets after major construction projects like mill and pave. Clear explanations and ongoing support are crucial to help them effectively manage their property assets and ensure long-term maintenance needs are met.
- Drones with LIDAR technology are set to transform parking lot assessments by providing quick and precise scans of pavement conditions, helping property managers make informed decisions faster than ever before. This innovation promises to streamline maintenance planning and improve overall efficiency in property management practices.
- Delivering proposals quickly and accurately through technology, while maintaining high quality, is vital for winning business deals. Clients value prompt and precise responses, which showcase reliability and expertise, ultimately leading to securing contracts and building trust.
- Customers expect fast and responsive service. By leveraging technology for quick proposal turnaround and considering crowdsourced data collection, businesses can ensure they aren’t outpaced by competitors who prioritize a smooth customer experience.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Steven Brahney
Steven Brahney is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the asphalt, concrete, and pavement maintenance industry. His expertise spans a wide array of projects across every state on the East Coast, from Augusta, Maine, to Miami, Florida. Demonstrating an unwavering dedication to client satisfaction, Brahney has a notable history of responding to emergency situations with agility and precision, exemplified by an incident where he ensured the safety of a store’s parking lot en route to a family dinner.
His portfolio includes working with diverse clients such as small and big box retail, convenience stores, quick service restaurants, facility management companies, self-storage units, REITs, and shopping centers. Brahney distinguishes himself in the industry through his innovative approach and technological savviness, providing detailed quotes and project scopes directly from his iPad.
Despite the rugged appearance that he humorously describes as a cross between Pitbull and Stone Cold Steve Austin, Steven is approachable and deeply committed to helping people. He specializes in devising effective solutions tailored to client budgets, ensuring the best possible investment in repairs and maintenance until sufficient capital expenditure budgets are available.
Steven Brahney currently leads as the president and head of Business Development at Fix Asphalt, bringing forward-thinking and innovative solutions to the forefront of the industry. He holds a degree in Business Management, Business Law, Economics, and Marketing from Rowan University, alongside an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from Dean College. His foundational education was completed at the Marine Academy of Science & Technology, where he specialized in Navy/Marine ROTC, Naval Science, and Operations.
About the Host: Nick Heim, P.E.
Nick Heim, P.E., is a civil engineer with six years of experience in the repair and restoration of existing structures, and host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast (AECTECH), where he brings valuable insights and expertise to listeners worldwide.
Nick’s interests lie at the intersection between the built world and technology, and he can be found looking for the ever-changing answer to the question, “How can we do this better?” Nick can be found on LinkedIn, producing content about use of technologies in his civil engineering career and small business.
Sources/References:
FIXASPHALT
QuickBooks
PalmPilot
HubSpot
Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)
CAM (Common Area Maintenance)
Mill and Pave
Amazon
DJI Phantom 2
Nearmap
EagleView
Connect with Steven Brahney on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on improving parking lot sustainability and safety results with technology.
Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.
