It Takes A Village...

Collage: It Takes a Village!

2012 @ wobuilt.com + peapodlife.com

It Takes A Village...: Part 1

It Takes A Village To Build A Building

Everyone knows the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". In other words a community is required to raise a child well. A joint effort to instill knowledge, skills and values.

But how about a village to build a building? Or even a village to build a village?

Out of interest I looked up the history of forming villages. It has been suggested that the first villages were formed about 12,000 years ago in the Near East by people who started agriculture rather than relying on hunting and gathering. People who had a common interest settled down, likely for a combination of efficient farming, security, and shared social factors. These early settlements over time became communities with social and cultural structures and professional specializations.

A community is defined by sharing of common values and the help the members give each other rather than just acting out of self interest. A community also has an identity that forms the "glue" that keeps it together. German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies called it the presence of a "unity of will". He also argued that there is a collective sense of loyalty and strong personal relationships between members.

Ok, fast forward to today's world. We have achieved the ultimate in specialization through technology, but technology has also insulated us from each other. In our ability to converse with people throughout the globe, we have less personal contact with each other, we may even be less aware of our neighbours. We may be in a global village (the metaphor of how technology has increased our ability of receiving communication and information from everywhere, increasing our ability to interact with people throughout the world who have similar interests, ideas and concerns), but the backbone of society — the local village — is suffering.

Back to the question: How about a village to build a building? The principle is the same as for raising a child. A community is required to build a building well, a collection of people who have a common goal in mind that is higher than self interest. Bringing together the different trades, experts and economic factors who have shared values and interests in the building that go beyond a financial gain is key to ensure a successful project. With a vested interest in shared social and environmental values (in addition to economic value), everyone will be well motivated to give do their best; give it their all.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Stay tuned for part two It Takes A Village...

Building a Company around a Social Mission

Collage: Clarifying Our Social Mission
Credit: MS Office ClipArt MP900407401

Building a company around a social mission – does it make sense? Our new way forward.

Over the last four years we have written extensively about the need for mentoring and helping women succeed in the Construction Industry and our commitment to play a significant part, but we never really talked about the impact that adopting this particular social mission as our core had on our business.

When we started the company we believed unfailingly that companies need to have a social mission at their cores to make a difference in their communities. However, most companies that follow that model are not-for-profit entities, and so eligible for third party funding. In contrast, we are a for-profit company, mainly to keep self determination, so we are ineligible for almost all grants available to not-for-profits.

Some for-profit organizations have aligned their social mission with their primary product or service. A solar panel company that wants to provide green energy to everyone for example has aligned the green mission with their product. In contrast, our social mission to help women succeed in the building industry is only tangentially connected to our bread and butter activity: designing and building home renovations, additions and custom houses. Hence publishing our social message often distracted from our building message making a coherent marketing effort difficult.

Our business model is to finance our social mission through building revenue, meaning if we dilute our message for getting work we are less successful in obtaining new projects, therefore our women’s site mentoring will suffer. Also, since we are a start-up company, staff time is scarce and we could not do as many workshops, introduction to students, training initiatives etc as we had wanted. We are very proud of our anime WoBinna who is helping to increase awareness about the mission.

On the benefit side we had a lot of interests, publicity in our social mission and it certainly was a talking point. It also showed our sincerity and community spirit. And over the last 4 years we have encouraged a few women to make the trades their career. It was a great feeling seeing that our efforts were successful.

So, why are we continuing to be committed to the cause of helping women in construction? Why haven’t we abandoned it to concentrate on our bread and butter message? After all, a for-profit organization’s goal and only goal is to make money for its shareholders. Otherwise we are talking about a hobby.

Well, we have made a decision. We are 100% committed to helping women succeed in the building trades, but we cannot do this under the Wo-Built Inc, the contractor, umbrella any more. We have other community and green initiatives which are more in line with our building message and which will continue the social missions within the company and making a stronger brand for the design and build construction.

Our core social mission has gained a lot of recognition, and hence we are going to bring more prominence to it and establish a Wo-Built owned not-for-profit foundation specifically established to help women in construction. This will bring more attention and resource optimization to the table and help push the mission to its next level.

Martina Ernst
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
The EDGE Group: Turning "For-Profit" to Focus on Mission
Posted by Shannon D. Barnes, Sep 16, 2010

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Does Nonprofit Status Offer the Best Way to Achieve Your Mission?
By Kristin Giantris, Sept 14, 2010

wobuilt: Wo-Built Inc's Commitment to the Community

That's Women's Work: Social values a basis for our company
by Martina Ernst, August 12, 2010

New Features: Flash Video & Social Media Buttons in Our Website

Collage: Wo-Built Website Updates: General Contractors
Specializing in Boutique, Green, Commercial Projects
2011 @ wobuilt.com

We are busy now to put more information and updates on our website.

There are a couple of things need to be fixed. Well, it's a work in progress and the website will continually be updated with information on our new projects.

General Contractors Specializing in Boutique, Green, Commercial Projects

At Wo-Built we have developed unique assessment processes to realize the vision of your home or commercial space. In both cases our assessment will determine your needs and wants and the best way to achieve them.

As boutique home builders we are experts at designing and building additions, extensions and large renovations. For commercial projects our team of business, financial and construction professionals will be able to determine the viability of any project and bring it to a successful conclusion.

Our designs are all about the space, the light and the environmental comfort using green design where possible. We look for innovative ways to create interesting spaces for comfortable living and in the case of commercial buildings increased brand value for companies.

Based in Toronto, we have completed design and built projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area. We offer a complimentary "Dream House" Assessment or our Assessment for Business Premises in this area.

Our company is based on social missions, one is helping and mentoring women succeed in the construction industry.

Click here for our complimentary "Dream House" Assessment or our Assessment for Business Premises or contact us on (416) 402-2679.

Please take a look at how you can browse our website in a new way.

Wo-Built Inc. - Who We Are

Wo-Built's New Flash Video
Who We Are: Residential, Commercial,
Community & Affordable Housing, WoBinna,
Our Social Mission, Women in Trades,
Training & Mentoring for Women, Green Solutions

Please follow us on:

• Blogger
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
  

link:
Wo-Built: Welcome to Our Newly Designed Website!

Renovation Tips: Perfect Finishes

Screenshot: CTV >> NEWS >>Do-It-Yourself >> Getting the Perfect Backsplash
Bryan Baeumler, the host of HGTV's Disaster DIY, invites Canada AM to his home
and shows what every novice handyman can do - tiling a backsplash.
Credit: ctv.ca

This morning I watched CTV and Bryan Baeumler, Disaster DIY, gave some good tips about backsplash installation. This got me thinking. Visual effects are important in any room. There are always focal points in a room. If your finishes are not perfect around the focal points the effect can be disappointing.

Here are some points to look out for and some tips:

Tip #1: Windows and doors: If you tile around doors and windows, or have any other decorative finishes make sure the patterns are symmetrical on either side.

Tip # 2: Focal point around shelves: It is not only the shelves which become the focal point, but also the surrounding walls, baseboards etc. Make sure all the finishes in the immediate vicinity are well executed.

Tip # 3: Outside corners: Corners on the outside of shower basins, cabinets or walls will become focal points. Special care is required for these areas.

Tip # 4: Colour schemes: Before you start, have all the colours and materials chosen so you can see the full impact.

Tip # 5: Wood grain patterns: When using woods be cautious about grain patterns and how the finished product will look either raw or stained. Make samples.

Happy home renovation!

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built - Innovative Design and Build

links:
Apartment Therapy
Apartment Therapy Marketplace >> Canada >> Toronto
Wo-Built Inc: Design + Build Construction Company: Professional Versus Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Renovations
by Lonya Miller

A Reflection: Making a Difference

Collage: Making a Difference - What Makes Us Tick!
2010 © wobuilt.com

We sometimes get caught up in the tedious day to day running of a company or projects and have to remind us of the greater picture, to be the best builder while doing good (or the long version of our vision: "To be the leading quality building company that is sought after for its innovative design and construction and is recognized for using the projects as a means to helping women, the community and the environment.")

Some key points of what we DO to achieve the vision:

• Design and build with the emphasis on good and innovative designs. We consider us a boutique firm, which can achieve the wow-factor in the design and the finished product.
• Renovations and construction of homes that make dreams come true and are green orientated, and of commercial spaces that help the branding of the business.
• Help women, by providing mentoring and, if we can, employment in the office and our sites.
• We encourage donations of gently used items from the project sites.
• We fight against preconceived ideas that discourage women to enter in the skilled building trades.

All of the above derives from our CORE believes of:

• Being socially minded – Wo-Built was founded on a social idea.
• Believing in fairness and fair treatment to all parties in all of our personal and business dealings.
• Our desire to create and provide the means to make dreams come true for our clients and the women we mentor.
• Teamwork and building positive relationships with our clients, trades and suppliers which are based on trust, understanding, patience and tolerance.
• Our desire to design and built beautiful spaces.

The biggest joy we have is when we see the wonder, pride and joy of our clients for their new home or business. Or when we can help a woman to fulfill her dreams of having a career in the trades.

We want to make a difference in peoples lives. This is why we continue to look for great projects, like-minded people and social opportunities to help – this is what makes us tick.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built - Innovative Design and Build

link:
Wo-Built Inc: A Reflection: Making a Difference
http://tinyurl.com/wobuilt18

Affirmation of a Vision

Collage: Affirmation of a Vision:
"To be the leading quality building company that is sought after for its innovative design and construction and is recognized for using the projects as a means to helping women, the community and the environment"
or in short
"To be the best (builder) while doing good"
2010 @ wobuilt.com

After three years in business it was time to look at what the company now stands for since Wo-Built evolved since we first founded it and especially its social mission was diversified. It was time to revisit the vision statement again and to see if the company’s vision had indeed changed and what its heart and soul had become.

The heart of the company always was helping women and it started with training and mentoring them to succeed in the building trades and by using our construction services as a means to achieve this. We always aspired to be an excellent design and building company and we loved being innovative, thinking outside the box and producing quality work. Over the years the wish to help the community and be environmentally responsible was added to the mix.

In short: we want to be the best in what we do and we want to achieve this while doing good.

"To be the best (builder) while doing good"

Or for anyone who likes a longer statement

"To be the leading quality building company that is sought after for its innovative design and construction and is recognized for using the projects as a means to helping women, the community and the environment"

For us it was nice to see that the vision never changed, it has just been rephrased.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

link:
Wo-Built: A Renovation Company‘s Rites of Passage – Our Evolving Missions and Commitments

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What is our ecological footprint?

Collage: What is our ecological footprint?
Credit: MS Office ClipArt - keyword: footprints

We all talk about our ecological footprint and how much our lifestyles impact on the environment. But what does it all mean? Well, this website calculator: Zerofootprint: Footprint Calculator which is designed for kids shows our impact really nicely. And it is great for adults too (just pretend you are the parent).

Taking the test was quite an eye opener. In my household, even though we recycle, switch off lights and computers, limit our garbage, don't own a swimming pool etc we still are using way too much carbon, water and land to sustain our lifestyle.

Everyone in the Wo-Built office had to take the test as well. Needless to say we all swore to use fewer resources. Try it out for yourselves.

The link was provided by Styrohome who I am following on Twitter.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
wikipedia.org: Green building is an outcome of a design which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.
Canada has implemented the "R-2000" in 1982 to promote better than building code construction to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability. An optional feature of the R-2000 home program is the EnerGuide rating service. This service is available across Canada, allows home builders and home buyers to measure and rate the performance of their homes, and confirm that those specifications have been met.

rprogress.org: Redefining Progress: Shifting public policy to achieve a sustainable economy, a healthy environment and a just society.

wobuilt.com: Celebrating Earth Day - Striving to Be Green All Year Round!

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Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits

Collage: Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits
Credit: MS Office: keywords: electronics, LEDs, light-emitting diodes, technology

Light emitting diodes (LED) seem to be the way of the future and the benefits are endless!

Unlike incandescent bulbs which produce heat driven light emissions by way of a filament, LEDs are light emitting diodes made of semiconductor materials. Their unique construction means an LED system can provide 50,000 to 100,000 hours of light compared to the 1,000 hours offered by ordinary incandescent bulbs. One compact fluorescent bulb has only 8,000 hours of light. They also run cooler so they are much safer to use.

LED light bulbs are so energy efficient that, depending on how often you have them turned on, they can actually pay for themselves in just one year’s time.

LED Benefits:

• LED fixtures will last 30 years or even longer so the need to replace them is minimal.
• Low voltage wiring – regular conventional halogen bulbs require 10 volts of household power. LEDs operate on 12 volts.
• LED bulbs do not need to be replaced, so that means waste reduction. They are environmentally friendly, and therefore don’t have harmful materials. They can be disposed of in a normal manner. Incandescent light bulbs put carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and nuclear waste into landfills.
• LEDs do not have a filament. They are 100% solid state material encapsulated in epoxy resin. LEDs are resistant to shock vibration, and extreme temperature.
• No UVs – LEDs do not radiate UVs, therefore this makes them very safe for museums and galleries.
• LEDs have a pure white color. Traditional halogen bulbs are yellow with typical colour temperatures around 3200 Kelvin. Manufacturers have attempted to correct this yellowness by using expensive coatings and filters to remove some of the yellow light. LEDs can be engineered to produce white light at the preferred colour temperature of 4400K so no filters are needed. Basically, the quality of light is much better with LEDs.
• LEDs have yet another environmental benefit. It is the directionality of the light combating light pollution that has become a mission for organizations. LEDs emit patterns directly toward the illuminator target & not in the sky.

All in all LEDs are economical and environmentally friendly. More and more people are embracing LEDs in an effort to be green all year round.

Deborah McKenna
Senior Construction Project Management / Interior Designer
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Natural Resources Canada: Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE)
Interesting Reading: Government Help for Going Green in Homes

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A Reflection: Inspiration - Using the Building Trades for a New Start in Life

Giving a helping hand.

Image No: 0722800 from Canstockphoto.com

All rights reserved

I was invited to write an article for the Wo-Built website. At first I didn’t know what to write about but after some thought I figured I should write about what I have recently been inspired to do.

I met with someone with whom I got into a conversation about women in construction. This conversation went on for a while so I won’t bore you with the details but towards the end of it, my friend came up with an excellent idea. His mother has donated food to a local women’s shelter for every holiday of the year and last Christmas he went to help her carry some of the trays of food in. He was stopped at the door & not allowed to enter, instead only his little daughter, who could barely hold the tray was allowed in. Why? Well, because he is a man. They did not allow a strange man into their shelter because there are battered women living there who are being protected against their male abusers and would feel intimidated by a man’s presence that was un-announced. Although my friend did not get to go inside he did see in through the entrance & said it could use a lot of work; so why not get together an all women’s crew to go in & fix it up for them? If they didn’t want men in their shelter then it would make perfectly logical sense to do this with other women.

I thought more about this after immediately accepting the challenge. Why not even show these women by example what we do everyday for a living? Have a meeting with the residents and see if they would be willing to shadow the professionals for that time? This is what Oprah calls the A-ha moment. If a battered woman has enough strength left to leave her situation behind & start all over again, why not empower her even further by educating her to learn a trade which would support not only her but her children too! Most women in these situations have very little left when they enter the shelter. Some of them may take on a "regular" job but often it’s hard to make ends meet and live a quality life at the same time. Regardless of pay, it may not be fulfilling and they could feel frustrated by where they have ended up.

I would like to open up the field of expectations and let them see by example how their professional lives could be so much more. Women have innate skills that are important to the construction field; such as, colour co-ordination, eye for detail and dedication to do a thorough job (not that men don’t care but you know what I mean). There is a real need for skilled and properly trained labour in our various fields and this is the time make a new opportunity for other women to feel they can freely enter into this work environment.

I will cap off this page of inspiration by asking for your input. How can you help inspire or help one other woman’s life? It may not be with a job but with listening ear to a friend or colleague, or talking to your local school or donating your time to a charity like Habitat for Humanity. Whatever you do, it will make you feel great and trust me it will definitely brighten someone else’s day too!

For more information about helping renovate this woman’s shelter, please contact me at sabrina@sabrinaliving.com. I am currently looking to pull together a group of women to help this shelter & its residents. The plans are still in their fledgling stages, so anyone is welcome to share their input or their time.

Sabrina Erneman
S.E. Design
______________________________________________________
This article was submitted by Sabrina Erneman, Cabinetmaker & Interior Designer and Owner of S.E. Design, a Toronto based High End Outdoor Furniture Company. She also designs and/or fabricates custom furniture & millwork for clientelle in both residential & commercial interiors.
Website: http://www.sabrinaliving.com/
Contact: sabrina@sabrinaliving.com
Bus. Telephone # 416-300-3339


links:
Design Corner: Outdoor and Spa Furniture Worth Mentioning
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
http://wobuilt.blogspot.com

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Why do so few women choose the skilled trades as a career?

Image: MS Office
Keywords: construction, industry, occupations, tools, women

Why do so few women choose the skilled trades as a career?

We really would like to have your feedback for the above question. Wo-Built Inc is committed to help women enter and succeed in the trades and we would like to know what is holding women back in choosing the career. We have our own ideas on the reasons why, but we want to know what you think.

Comments please. It would be great to have a discussion on the subject.

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