Change Happens – Embrace It

The sandwich generation isn’t just a social problem; it’s an innovation problem, too. At some point in our lives, many of us become filling for the so-called sandwich—caring for our own children and our aging parents at the same time. Or we experience transition, in our jobs, relationships, or health, and need to live with family or friends to bridge the gap. This need for multigenerational housing is in direct opposition to our current priority building single-family, nuclear homes in the U.S. Here’s why one writer believes that needs to change, and why it’s an untapped opportunity for the construction and design industries.

Home ownership is a core part of The American Dream (if not *the* American dream). What does it mean for the construction building materials industry that so many potential buyers are squeezed out of the process? We explore the factors and how these players might best respond to the coming consequences for multifamily building and material costs.

When the city of Mason approached the Challenger Baseball League about building an adaptive field, Jen Christmas was all in. Not only did she co-lead a $2.5 million capital campaign—she discovered the game-changing power of having the right people ask the right questions. It leads to adaptive construction that does more than comply with laws; it brings together a community of people in ways that weren’t possible before.

This year has brought a tidal wave in the evolution of AI image generators. Chris Graver, our associate creative director, takes them on and learns how to make them work with (rather than against) him in his efforts to fearlessly take on the future.

In the race to comment on AI, senior copywriter Dan Tischler asks: what does the AI think? His discovery reaffirmed his belief that there isn’t yet a rival for the human imagination when it comes to copy.

In the world of advertising, endings can bring about better beginnings. The decline of cable in favor of streaming means the ability to target TV audiences at a more granular level than ever before. Learn how Connected TV (CTV) and Over The Top television (OTT) give you key advantages when trying to use your ad dollars as wisely as possible.

The International Builders’ Show landed in Las Vegas earlier this month for a three-day spectacle of all things innovative in our industry. We went, we saw, we logged it in the group chat: here are our top six takeaways (plus two bonus ideas to keep an eye on) for 2023 and beyond.

Bill Giacci, Interrupt account executive and former NYC straphanger, shares his insights on what it’s like to be a wannabe homeowner in post-Covid suburbia.

I used to pride myself on powering through a jam-packed 24-hour day with only four hours of sleep and a six-pack of Coke Zeros. Then my health crisis hit. Here’s what I’ve learned about the value of balance—and how I hope it can impact anyone reading who is feeling like they can’t squeeze in any me-time.

An online advertising strategy that’s focused solely on calls to action may be working against your marketing goals in ways you don’t realize. While results matter, you can’t produce them without the right approach. Just like you wouldn’t ask someone to purchase something right when they walk through the doors of a brick and mortar store, your online messaging should take customers on a journey that’s more than transactional.

Change is hard. As number one on Forbes’ “industries ripe to transform” list, the construction industry knows this all too well. But what is the ultimate cost of using centuries-old approaches and methods? Read on as we explore the opportunities for transformation.

How do you mitigate the damage of a downturn on your business, or better yet, turn it into an opportunity to grow? Learn five important things to keep in mind from our principal and founder, Bill Rossiter, as we enter the second half of 2022 and face the distinct possibility of an economic recession.

Many companies are increasingly enamored with their earning numbers, reflecting the cocktail of low supply and high demand that’s taken hold recently in the building materials industry. But what are the consequences to your business when you become too content with the status quo? Read on to understand why this thinking is ultimately dangerous to the bottom line.

Summer doesn’t just signal vacation season—it also means more remote work in more places. That “free” connection you’re latching on to during your work at coffee shops, hotels and more could be doing more with your data than you bargained for and can pose a major threat to your whole organization. Our IT expert Matt Wittman weighs in on why a VPN should be one of the main tools in your remote work arsenal.

Taking the lead in your category involves more than just creating a superior product. It also requires becoming your customer’s go-to authority on the subject, with content, tools or support that show you’re as invested in their project as they are. Learn how we helped MoistureShield composite decking build an outdoor planning resource that does more than deliver a simple sales pitch, earning customer trust and reinforcing their reputation.

Work From Home has become almost commonplace, but what happens when you set up your laptop from much further away than the kitchen table? Airbnb’s recent “work from anywhere” announcement reflects a trend toward embracing more varied and distant remote work locations. To pull it off, you'll need more than strong Wi-Fi—you’ll have to think differently (and proactively) about how fully remote workers participate in a hybrid workplace. Our resident digital nomad shares her strategies.

True innovation isn’t just about being new or different. Anyone can develop and introduce a new product. The bigger challenge is, is it relevant enough that someone will actually buy it? Discover Interrupt founder Bill Rossiter's definition of innovation and read his argument for why companies that aim to outperform the competition must dig deeper.

Is technology changing to meet consumers’ evolving needs or are consumers changing as a result of what technology enables? Like the chicken and the egg, it really doesn’t matter which came first. Consumer expectations and technology will keep changing, and if your brand is too chicken to keep up, you may be left with egg on your face (pun intended). Read on to learn why sharpening your digital CX is essential to your business survival.

What does it mean to “think big” in today’s environment of delayed product availability and labor shortages? We found out firsthand at the International Builders Show and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Get the key insights for the building materials industry from our long walks along the exhibitor aisles.

The job interview process, like every process where we present ourselves for selection, is vulnerable. And like any environment where we play the role of hopeful candidate—romance, for example, or academics—hearing “no” hurts. How employers deliver that no makes all the difference.

Your office space could become someone’s home; states like Arizona will experiment with modifying the weather; and the pandemic will continue its’ disruption. These are just some of the ideas and events that lie ahead according to our Director of Strategic Insights Sandy Embrescia-Hridel's 2022 predictions. Read ahead for the 10 trends he believes will impact the building materials industry in the coming months.

After decades of focusing on new and better products, today’s businesses face a new competitive frontier—shifting from a focus on product innovation to being truly innovative in their approach to finding, hiring and retaining talent. To understand what lies ahead, it’s worth taking a quick look back at the evolution of innovation.

In the wake of a pandemic that transformed our business interactions nearly overnight, many are asking, “What is the future of work?” From changing dress codes to reconfigured office spaces, companies and employees alike are trying to understand which aspects of the pandemic-driven changes will stick, and how to move forward.

Building materials brands need to pay attention to the unique needs and problems of millennial homeowners. It’s a key factor to understanding your target audience, or the end-enjoyer. Yes, Millennials are turning 40 and they own homes. Take a note from two brand new homeowners on the Interrupt team—Aly and Ernest. From power tools to apps, get two insights from people living the dream right now.

2020 felt a little bit like the plot of Groundhog’s Day – from dealing with the pandemic to being at home more often, it’s taken a toll on all of us. Here at Interrupt, we believe that if you stay true to your core values and create experiences that keep your customers coming back to you time and time again, the upcoming months should be smooth sailing. Read on to hear from our team about what they might’ve done differently last year if they had the knowledge and insights they do now.

Smart home products are everywhere. If your lights aren’t controlled by a simple Alexa request, are you even living? In reality, home automation is on a steep incline. By 2025, the industry is expected to grow by at least $25B. And with big players like Google, Amazon, and Facebook digging their heels in, it’s important to pay attention—especially if you build or sell materials for the home.

Sometimes it feels like we’re living the plot of Groundhog’s Day as we battle the ongoing pandemic and its innate instability. But, we believe that if you stay focused on your core values and create an experience that keeps your customers coming back for more, you should sail smoothly through the coming months. Read on to discover our predictions for what will impact us in 2021.

The shift away from trade shows has been happening for years, COVID just gave companies a rationalization to make that shift happen even faster.

In a rapidly changing digital landscape, businesses must be aware and compliant with new data protection regulations. As regulations evolve, companies need to rethink their marketing approaches to successfully reach key customers.

COVID-19 has impacted industries across the country. The digital space has now become the most important place to focus your efforts in order to bridge the gap and continue to connect with customers.

NeoCon, hosted annually in Chicago at theMART, provides a massive snapshot of the commercial design industry’s latest innovation. Team Interrupt was there this past June to take in the sights and offer their perspective on the current state and future of the show and the industry.

The Interrupt Team just returned from attending AIA 2019, the American Institute of Architects’ annual architecture conference, in Las Vegas and has some key takeaways to share.

An affordable housing crisis is facing millions of Americans and affecting every state across the U.S. Building materials companies have a responsibility to help.

Airports may be the next big center for commercial and industrial development. The birth of a new transportation-focused metropolitan sub-region, the aerotropolis, is on the horizon. How do your products and services fit into this new business model?

As online shopping continues to gain traction, the overall retail experience is becoming more critical to the success of big box retailers. Online product research now plays a huge role regardless of where the purchase ultimately occurs. Whether buying online or in-store, the consumer shopping journey often begins long before the final sale, challenging all retailers (especially big box) to more carefully craft the sales path from beginning to end.

Marketing partnerships can create exponential success for the brands involved. Value-added, expansive audience, corporate-startup, and long-term strategic partnerships all offer wider exposure and an increased customer base for companies of all sizes and backgrounds.

Like many antiquated processes, yesterday’s marketing approaches no longer fit today’s buyers. Modern consumers demand a more personalized, long-term approach, which is defined by the new term known as lifecycle management.

It was a record-setting year for IRE 2019. The show was bigger, better, and full of innovative roofing products and solutions. From the best materials to the best business practices, Music City did not disappoint.

NAHB partnered with MetroStudy during the 2019 International Builders’ Show (IBS) to present the 2019 National Housing Forecast. The forecast included key housing predictions based on current economic trends as well as recent United States government policy’s impact on the housing market.

The fastest-growing residential areas in the U.S. are where wildlife meets urban life. While beautiful, these exurban communities will require innovative building materials to combat the dangers of mountainous and coastal living, especially as our climate changes.