Barbra BatShalom
Username
Barbra Batshalom
Proposer First Name
Barbra
Proposer Email
bb@sustainable-performance.org
Proposer Last Name
Batshalom

Boston 2021 Areas of Focus

Proposer Company/Organization
Sustainable Performance Institute
Proposer Job Title
Executive Director
Proposed Session Description
Why are we still struggling with many of the same challenges as we did 20 years ago? Why is it so hard to get project teams to set goals on every project and learn from their work? Why is the relationship between architects and engineers still so dysfunctional? Why are specifications still the “red headed step child”? Why are we still over-using glass? Why do owners feel like their design teams are reactive and not proactive when it comes to high performance? …and the “why”s go on… Before you start throwing rotten tomatoes in outrage, it’s true that some firms have really risen to the challenge. There are many exemplary projects that prove what IS possible, that we can achieve really audacious goals! But we are nowhere near the capability that we need to secure the future of humanity on this planet. Owners are demanding increasingly high performance and firms won’t be competitive if they can’t pivot and transform. This session is a “clinic” to help participants understand their biggest issues and what strategies and actions they can take immediately to raise the bar in their practice. Lessons learned from 100s of firms and startups inform break out group exercises.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
This session is very process focused. The content will be looking at HOW to achieve different goals and consistently institutionalize these things. That will apply to increasing diversity, reducing carbon and increasing health of materials and IEQ. (I will be intentionally using those three different topics as the themes to focus on in the exercises).
Learning Objectives
Understand how to conduct a baseline assessment of their companies "sustainability IQ" related to culture, systems, processes and project delivery using established industry metrics to identify and prioritize where to focus for improvement.
Learn how to use Change Management strategies to create a sense of urgency and overcome barriers such as buy-in and resistance to new behaviors or actions, so that you can truly institutionalize sustainability in your practice.
Develop proven strategies to seamlessly learn from your work (without a lot of "wasted" time) and create feedback loops so that you are on a path of continuous improvement and capable of achieving higher goals consistently over time.
Incorporate ‘startup’ behaviors and norms into your practice so that innovation becomes part of your culture and corporate DNA to help differentiate your firm and be more competitive.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
Elements of this have been presented here in previous years, and elsewhere, but this is a new take and it also introduces new content.
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format Details
This session would be a combo of Problem and lightening round. One presenter, but the session will pose problems for breakout groups and use the debriefs as the opportunity to do "lightening" presentations (less than 10 min) to share lessons learned, strategies and frameworks. I typically do 50% exercise and 50% presentation/discussion.
Recommended Length
90-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2021

Comments about your speaker roster
I know that there is often a preference for multiple panelists, but it is not necessary in this session and I know I am able to make it engaging and meaningful for participants (I have been doing 4 hour sessions many times a week during the pandemic, which is much longer, with very high reviews), so hope that won't be held against me :). In my experience, with content like this that really depends on what comes out of the breakout exercises, it's easier for one person to be able to be responsive to whatever comes out and connect the dots from the educational content to their experience!
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
This content is really great to do in a longer format, with a lot of in depth exercises to really dig into. We've done 4 hour sessions virtually a lot this year with great success. Whether or not BE will be virtual, we'd be happy to do this in short form AND longer form, if there's interest in that (and no need for honorarium or cost-share). Short form (60 or 90 min) is good to cast a wide net and help put more folks on a good path and longer format would likely draw fewer people but give a deeper dive.
Reviewer 1
Washington, Maria
Reviewer 2
Cater, James
Curator
Mruk, Frank
Proposal #
174
Session #
607
Committee Decision
Accepted
Full Description
Carbon is the biggest problem in the history of humanity yet design firms have NOT done even the most basic shifts to transform their practice in ways that would enable them to rise to this challenge. Working with firms all around the US, we see that teams are not even consistently setting energy reduction targets on every project, not updating internal design standards (to consistently build the best envelopes, etc), not updating their specs...the list goes on. This session will not just draw attention to the issues but give very concrete, specific solutions based on lessons learned from all these firms, about how to start TODAY to make changes that will reduce carbon on projects and improve health and resilience. This approach is for anyone – owner, architect, engineer, contractor. Why is important, but what’s been lacking is “how” (change management, leadership effectiveness and other strategic approaches). We've also witnessed that firms that take these actions see improved outcomes within 3 months. We want everyone to raise their bar so we have a hope!