『CBIA BizCast』のカバーアート

CBIA BizCast

CBIA BizCast

著者： Connecticut Business & Industry Association
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 A podcast for the business-minded in Connecticut. Interviews consist of business and community leaders who are shaping the future of Connecticut’s economy. The CBIA BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of the business community, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut! BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of CBIA staff, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut!All rights reserved 経済学
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  • Bridging Technological, Generational Divides

    Bridging Technological, Generational Divides
    2025/09/18
    Over the past 10 years, Middletown-based AI Engineers has more than tripled in size. The architecture, construction, and engineering firm has grown from 90 employees to 350 in the U.S., with an additional and 70 employees working overseas. And annual revenue from $18 million to $77 million. Now factor in the speed of technological change, the challenge of finding qualified new employees, and the need to manage a multi-generational workforce. So how does a mid-sized company navigate that much change successfully? “We’re known for agility and rapid decision-making,” Tariq Islam, AI Engineers’ new chief of staff, said during a conversation on the CBIA BizCast. “So we’re able to react a lot quicker than a lot of other organizations, and that kind of sets us apart for a company of our size—our ability satisfy the customer.” “Plus, we’re always looking for new technology to implement quickly. We leverage partnerships to find qualified engineers and we’re very focused on succession planning,” he added. Seven years ago, the company established a group of 15 people to look for new technology from start-ups, pilot programs, and places outside their industry. “We were early investors in drones,” said Tariq’s father Abul Islam, who founded the company in 1993. “We’re always looking for new trends and ways to create operational efficiencies.” With new technology comes a new workforce with new skills, Tariq said. To find qualified civil engineers, the company partners with academic institutions to attract graduate and international students. They also rely on statewide resources, including support from CBIA on immigration licenses. “We have a whole program in place for helping engineers from overseas get their Connecticut licenses, as well as licenses in other states,” Abul Islam said. “It doesn’t matter where they get their degrees from, it’s the war of talent right now.” And as it seeks out new technology, the company tries to recruit employees from startups and pilot programs. “We’ve been successful at recruiting people as we find new technology,” Tariq Islam noted. The challenge of connecting different generations of employees is one that the company has taken head on. “A lot of institutional knowledge comes from the employees of my father’s generation,” Tariq Islam said. “And there’s a collaborative spirit that the younger generation brings—they have different styles of working.” Bridging the knowledge and technology gap is a process that takes time, father and son agreed. But sometimes innovation comes from a simple place. “You basically have to get everybody into a room and let them talk to each other so they can understand different perspectives,” he said. “Then it happens.” Related Links: AI Engineers Website: https://www.aiengineers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-engineers-inc/ Abul Islam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abulislam/ Tariq Islam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tislam410/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/ The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow.
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    33 分
  • Laying a Foundation for Economic Growth

    Laying a Foundation for Economic Growth
    2025/09/04
    Since it was formed in 2023, the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity has focused on charting a course for sustained economic growth in Connecticut that leads to greater opportunities for all residents. Foundation director Dustin Nord joined the CBIA BizCast to discuss the organization’s mission and growth. Nord joined the foundation in September 2024. “The foundation presented a really cool opportunity to have that platform to look at and see, what are the areas that that Connecticut can be better,” Nord said. “Where can we make tangible recommendations to be a better state?” Nord previously worked at AdvanceCT and has a passion for economic data and research. “It’s a little bit like magic, the things that come out of the data,” he said. “And it's just the opportunity to help other folks see what I see in that data.” Nord joined the foundation around the same time the organization released its Opportunity Connecticut report. The report is a long-term roadmap for boosting the state’s competitiveness, retaining and attracting investment and talent, fostering innovation, expanding career pathway opportunities, and growing a vibrant economy. He said a key to the report's success is ensuring that it’s a living document. “I think that's where previous reports fell short,” he said. “What we're hoping that we can maintain with Opportunity Connecticut is that continual improvement.” Nord said that while the foundation is focused on long-term thinking and doesn’t advocate for any specific legislation, nearly two-thirds of the recommendations in Opportunity Connecticut have seen some kind of an update so far. Those include efforts this past session to address critical issues like energy, housing, and regulatory reform. “I feel confident that the Opportunity Connecticut report helped start some of those conversations, and push those conversations in a in a bipartisan, cooperative way,” he said. As part of effort to track and update the foundation’s research, Nord has spent much of the last year diving deeper into the impact of issues including tariffs and the state’s housing shortage on the Connecticut economy. The foundation this month released its new By the Numbers: Tracking Connecticut’s Economic Competitiveness reference guide. The resource tool details key economic data points and trends, highlighting where Connecticut compares with other states in critical areas. And a key area of focus is the state’s labor force. “Everybody has a labor shortage around the country right now, but Connecticut is acute," he said. "I think we're seeing that in the data in terms of persistently high job openings and very low unemployment.” Nord said that while his research is based on data, it’s also important to have anecdotal information. The foundation holds forums and roundtables throughout the year to gain insight from stakeholders including business, nonprofit, and education leaders. “Some of that anecdotal information helps inform where to look,” he said. “It helps inform what, what types of data points do I need to look for. “If there is data to support what people are feeling, then I want to be able to show that.” Nord said that while the research he and the foundation are doing is a critical piece of improving the state’s economy and creating new opportunities for residents, it requires buy-in from everyone. “While we can provide a lot of great research, and I can provide a lot of great forums, and I can give ideas to the advocacy team—ultimately, this requires people to participate in in our processes here in Connecticut.” “If they want to make their voices heard, then I then I encourage them to do that. “And I hope that this helps inspire some people to do that.” Related Links: CBIA Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia-foundation/ Dustin Nord LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-nord-ct/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/
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    25 分
  • The Coolest Things Made in Connecticut

    The Coolest Things Made in Connecticut
    2025/08/21
    Voting in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge is underway! The challenge celebrates the successes of the vital manufacturing industry and highlights the wide range of products produced by our world-class, highly skilled workforce. Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allows the public to vote on their favorite product.  This special episode of the CBIA BizCast shines a spotlight on these amazing companies, the cool things they make, and their incredible workforces. The companies in this year’s challenge are: • American Woolen Company American Blazer : https://americanwoolen.com/ • Amodex Stain Remover: https://amodexusa.com/ • Beekley Medical Elequil Aromatabs Aromatherapy : https://beekley.com/ • Bic Consumer Products Lighter: https://us.bic.com/en_us • Element 119 System X Max G+ Ceramic Coating : https://www.element119.com/ • Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Frangible Joint : https://ebad.com/ • Fascia’s Chocolates Chocolate Lava Cake: https://faschoc.com/ • Horst Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Horst Dreidel: https://horstengineering.com/   • Munson’s Chocolates Pecan Caramel Patties: https://www.munsonschocolates.com/ • Naiad Dynamics Fin Stabilizer : https://www.naiad.com/ • Oma’s Pride Woof Compete Recipes Dog Food : https://omaspride.com/ • Owl’s BrewOwl’s Brew Boozy Beverage : https://www.theowlsbrew.com/ • Rose Sisters Chips Baked Flour Tortilla Chips: https://www.rosesisterschips.com/ • Thule ReVert Bike Rack: https://www.thule.com/en-us/ • Urban Mining Pozzotive Glass Concrete: https://pozzotive.com/ • ZANEEZ HealthAnkleStone: https://anklestone.com/ The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut is produced by the CBIA Foundation in partnership with CONNSTEP and made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Image Marketing, Blue Back Square, Medtronic, the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and Forge. The winner will be announced at the Oct. 2 Made in Connecticut: 2025 Manufacturing Summit. After the competition, the Connecticut Science Center will open an exhibit Oct. 10 celebrating the 2025 Coolest Things Made in Connecticut.
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    24 分
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