GUIDING FIRMWIDE INNOVATION
Q & A WITH KENT PETERSON
KENT PETERSON
Rarely do individuals rise to become as influential in their field as P2S Chief Engineer Kent Peterson . A former ASHRAE International president who helped the federal government define Zero Energy Buildings , Kent has had a major role in steering the mechanical engineering profession to where it is today . His influence can be felt throughout P2S and especially in the Incubator , our research and development program . This idea workshop is responsible for our best new ideas , operational improvements , and closer studio collaboration . We spoke to Kent about what he expects from the Incubator in the near and distant future , his role within the program and how incubator developments might impact P2S as it moves forward .
What was the initial impetus for the Incubator program ? How did it begin ?
KP : Ssusan Forte O ’ Neil and I met on the CSULB College of Engineering Dean ’ s Advisory Council . We collaborated on creating the P2S Incubator to foster innovation and entrepreneurship with interested P2S team members in our discussions . The P2S Incubator program kicked off in 2011 .
Can you explain how the Incubator operates ? What kind of employees are members ?
KP : The P2S Incubator is a think-tank hub that houses various teams from diverse engineering backgrounds who meet on a regular basis to collaborate and develop new ideas , innovations , and solutions for the betterment of P2S and our clients .
Through a blend of networking and mentoring , trusted advisors and team members share ideas and solutions geared toward benefitting our clients ’ needs . The P2S Incubator paves the way for trusted partnerships toward growth and client success through innovative solutions built upon trust , integrity , purpose , value , and critical thinking .
The P2S Incubator is made up of an Advisory Board and a Dev Team with Ssusan coaching and providing guidance to both groups .
So what ’ s your role within the program ?
KP : Kevin and I served as the Executive Sponsors of the P2S Incubator . We review ideas and initiatives provided by the incubator teams for potential implementation into P2S . These initiatives typically improve internal processes or add services for our clients . We also create ideas for initiatives when needed .
How did COVID impact the incubator process during the past year ?
KP : The P2S Incubator program runs on a calendar year basis . Interested employees can apply during the application period late in the year following an email to all staff . The teams had just begun work on their initiatives when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020 . The Dev teams were agile and able to pivot from their original assigned initiatives to new initiatives centered on how to continue business during the shutdowns and restrictions imposed during the pandemic .
Tell us about past incubator ideas that had a direct impact on operations ?
KP : Some more significant external service improvements born out of the P2S Incubator include forming a Commissioning Group , standardizing our microgrid analysis process , and the implementation of 3D laser scanning to improve our service on existing facilities prior to our competition using this technology . Some examples of internal improvements from the P2S Incubator include P2S podcasts , P2S Reality videos , P2S Innovation Culture , our new hire 12 -month Development Plan for each discipline and creating our discipline coordination checklists . During the current pandemic , the P2S Incubator also developed the Half Hour Huddles and Interdisciplinary Huddles to continue our internal professional development while working remote , Internal MS Team Interactive Forums and Creative Tips for Business Development COVID-19 .
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