
Here’s our latest thinking on tech and
the skilled trades.
Informative insights into how automation is helping companies like yours work smarter—and more profitably.
Automation in Action
Sep 8, 2025
How Dispatch Automation Saves CSRs 5 Hours a Week
Did you know? In most call centers, the time your team spends after each call—typing notes, updating records, and routing...
Jacob Nolley
Founder

Trending on GraphiteLab
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/5/26
The Most Underrated KPI in the Trades: Callback Rate.
Analyzing your callback rate can help you identify numerous issues within your workflow.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/5/26
Why You Should Make Your Business Attractive to Buyers (Even If You're Not Selling Now.)
How planning for a sale in the distant future can strengthen your company in the here and now.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/5/26
Career Paths in the Trades: More Than Just "Tech-to-Supervisor."
Offering more than one path to advancement can strengthen your company and help you keep your best people.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/5/26
Why Many Trades Businesses Hit a Revenue Ceiling.
When business revenue flattens out, it's time to look at how your business is run.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/1/26
The Skilled Worker Shortage: Beyond the Scary Headlines.
How to attract more people to the skilled trades, and keep good people in the trades.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/1/26
Why We Need a National Project For the Skilled Trades
The federal government supports some skilled trades initiatives. But a broader, more unified national effort is needed.

David Spivey
Business Growth for the Trades
5/1/26
Pricing in a World of Rising Costs and Expectations.
How can your skilled trades business set a realistic price when other companies bid lower?

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/1/26
Canada announces new skilled trades initiative.
Like the U.S., Canada is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople. The Canadian government is proposing an ambitious plan to address it.

David Spivey
Automation in Action
5/1/26
How automation can improve customer relations.
Consumers are angrier than ever before—but automation can help you win them over.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
5/1/26
Leading Seasoned Techs Through Change (especially AI).
Experienced techs may resist change— but not because they're being stubborn. See how you can manage change effectively.

David Spivey
The Trades Today
5/1/26
What Elite Trades Companies Do Differently.
What sets elite skilled trades businesses apart from ordinary ones?

David Spivey
The Trades Today
5/1/26
The "Amazon Effect" on Home Services.
How did skilled trades businesses end up competing with an e-commerce giant?

David Spivey
The Trades Today
5/1/26
From "Dirty Jobs" to High-Tech Careers
It's time to address some serious misconceptions about skilled trades careers.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
4/24/26
If You Need a Superhero CSR, Your Process Is Broken
If you have a superhero CSR, your workflow may be what needs rescuing.

David Spivey
Skilled Trades Spotlight
4/24/26
Growing Without Burning Out Your Best People.
Your top performers may be on the brink of burnout. Here's what to know.

David Spivey
AI Explained for Trades
4/24/26
"When It Comes to AI, I Don't Know What I Don't Know."
Answering some FAQs about AI.

David Spivey
The Trades Today
4/24/26
Where Should Tech Stop And People Step in?
There are places where AI can accelerate your business—and places where you shouldn't use it at all.

David Spivey
The Trades Today
4/20/26
Senior techs are spread thin. Here's where AI can help.
How AI can help you deal with the shortage of senior techs.

David Spivey
Business Growth for the Trades
4/20/26
Build a brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace.
How can you stand out from a crowd of businesses that do the same thing you do?

David Spivey




















