Sponsors: Architectural Glass & Aluminum (AGA)Website: https://aga-ca.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/agaengineered Guest: Chris Ball, Vice President at John McDougallLinkedIn:   / chrisb-tn  Host:Tom Caldicott CEO of Unity SearchWebsite: www.unitysearchltd.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/tom-unitysearchHey guys, and welcome to another episode of the Facade Focused Podcast, where I aim to connect the global facade industry by sharing knowledge and experience for others to learn from. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be interviewing leaders and industry experts across the globe to discuss common problems people are facing and explore innovative solutions that help move the industry forward.This week, I’m joined by Chris Ball, Vice President at John McDougall Company in Nashville. Chris’s story is a fascinating one—originally from South Africa, he started out in roofing and ACM before moving to the U.S. in 2017. After spending some time with a leading glazing and panel contractor in Salt Lake City, he joined John W. McDougall to lead their architectural division—the team behind complex metal facade projects.These days, Chris calls Tennessee home, though you’ll still catch his accent. As he jokes, when he tells people he’s from “the South,” they don’t always realize he means pretty far south—as in, the other hemisphere. At McDougall, the company runs two divisions: a metal processing division and the architectural division that Chris leads, delivering everything on the exterior—think metal panels, IMP plate, ACM, and louvers.In this conversation, we discuss everything from building accountability through visibility and smart dashboards to really trying to reward outcomes and not just opinions. Chris has a great ability to balance systems with individuality, and he talks about how tools like Smartsheet and Document Crunch—alongside some serious in-house fabrication capability—are helping teams deliver on time, on budget, and with full buy-in across the business.You’ll find Chris brings clarity, pragmatism, and a real builder’s eye to the table. So whether you’re a contractor, a project manager, or even an executive, there’s a ton to take away from this one.Before we dive in, a quick shoutout to our sponsors of the podcast, Architectural Glass and Aluminum—otherwise known as AGA. They’re a leader in custom curtain wall systems and have been providing tailored glazing solutions for over 55 years. More impressively, they’re one of the largest employee-owned businesses in the glazing industry across the U.S. and have a phenomenal team that truly buys into that ethos of collaboration and craftsmanship. I’m delighted to have them as a partner of the pod—so big shoutout to the team over there.In the meantime, let’s get into this week’s episode of the Facade Focused Podcast with Chris Ball.00:00 Introduction to Chris Ball and His Journey02:59 The Problem of Accountability in the Industry05:55 Driving Visibility for Accountability09:05 Implementing a Traffic Light System for Project Management12:09 Learning from Data for Future Projects14:56 The Role of Individuality in Project Management17:52 Rewarding Accountability and Performance21:09 Employee Buy-In and Transition to New Systems24:01 Future Growth and Technological Advancements27:02 Leveraging AI and Automation in Construction30:11 Becoming a Leader in Design and Project Execution33:43 Value Addition in Construction34:50 Choosing the Right Tools for Clients35:37 Measuring Positive Impact36:32 Accountability in the Industry37:16 Culture and Systems Interplay39:17 The Importance of Accountability40:11 Navigating Change and Expectations41:05 Building Custom Systems43:31 Quickfire Questions: Personal Insights