VISIONARIES LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

REIMAGINING THE VOCATIONAL TRADES
Chicago

Culminating out of several months of research exploring opportunities in the roofing industry and in-the-field photography production, Murmur Ring designed and executed an immersion for the leading roofing software company, Jobba.

For this single day immersion, industry leaders and influencers were selected to join the Jobba leadership team in an exploration of innovation related or adjacent to roofing. By hosting this event focused on discussing how leaders can enable positive growth for the industry, Jobba positioned themselves as an industry innovation and thought leader.

“Innovation is about overcoming technological contradictions.”

— Max Antonenko, Chief Executive Officer of Ant Robotics

Our immersion began at mHuB with Ant Robotics - a current participant of mHUBs Accelerated Incubation Program - to discuss the company’s robotic solutions for on-demand material handling at factories and manufacturing facilities. Participants were invited to consider how emerging technologies like those developed by Ant Robotics could be used within the roofing industry to combat labor shortages and cost pressures, and improve safety and security.

Next, on the South Side of Chicago, we visited Project H.O.O.D. to meet Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church. Pastor Brooks organized a campaign to bring attention to gun violence in the neighborhood and raise money for the community center by camping out in a tent on the roof of a neighborhood motel.

Project H.O.O.D.’s Chief of Staff and Community Health & Wellness Director Brian Alexander also joined us to discuss the role trades training and job opportunities play in the community. To the surprise of the roofing leaders who have considerable challenges filling roles amidst the industry’s reported labor shortage, Brian confirmed that Project H.O.O.D. has more applicants for their trades training program than available spots to fill.

Discovering the number of people willing to work while experiencing a labor shortage brought new hope, and participants were motivated to bridge the gap. Following the immersion, some participants connected with Project H.O.O.D. and fulfilled employment needs of Woodlawn and Englewood residents.

“I was able to take some of the processes and things that I learned and apply that to my team.”

— Michael Black, Director of the Service & Maintenance Division at Sutter Roofing Company

Our last site visit explored innovative methods for sustainable food production, energy conservation, and material reuse at Plant Chicago. With a goal of improving the roofing industry’s sustainable commitments, Jobba knew they needed to introduce the roofing leaders to an environmentally-focused organization like Plant Chicago to spark new ideas and inspire the leaders for change.

Alongside immersion curation and event execution, the Murmur Ring team documented the event and closed the immersion a two-hour design workshop and discussion.

In total, the single day immersion spanned topics of technology and robotics, community and social impact, and environmental sustainability. Following the immersion, the company received industry media attention and secured several sales.