Construction Inclusion Week is a time to celebrate the people, partnerships, and practices that make our industry stronger. At W. M. Jordan Company, inclusion is not just a theme, it’s a commitment woven into how we build, collaborate, and grow. One of the clearest examples of that commitment is the WMJ Trade Partner Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to give small and emerging businesses an inside look at how W. M. Jordan operates and how they can better position themselves for future opportunities.
This year’s program brought together participants from across the region for a full day of learning with department leaders from Marketing, Business Development, Accounting, IT, Operations, Safety, HR, and Estimating. The goal was simple: provide transparent, practical guidance that helps trade partners strengthen their businesses and deepen their relationships with WMJ.
As Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Manager Chanel Brown shared, “The most valuable part of this program is giving participants access to the people who help us build our culture and relationships.”
Inside the WMJ Way of Working
Throughout the day, attendees asked thoughtful, real‑world questions about everything from business development strategies to safety documentation, bonding requirements, proposal formatting, and technology readiness. Each department offered candid insights:
- Marketing & Business Development leaders explained the difference between communicating your story and building long‑term relationships — and why both matter. They emphasized consistent visibility, intentional follow‑ups, and understanding how clients operate.
- Accounting walked participants through the importance of knowing the true cost of doing business, understanding insurance requirements, and maintaining strong financial practices.
- IT & Technology highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity, digital credibility, and internships as a pipeline for emerging talent.
- Operations reinforced one of the day’s biggest themes: communicate early and document everything.
- Safety leaders encouraged participants to build a culture of safety, not just a compliance checklist.
- HR & Leadership Development discussed recruiting strategies, talent pipelines, and aligning growth with long‑term business needs.
- Estimating stressed being selective, understanding scope, and submitting complete, clear proposals that help the project team evaluate value — not just price.
Across every session, one message kept resurfacing: successfully working with a general contractor involves far more than submitting the lowest number. Relationships, communication, documentation, safety, financial health, visibility, and experience all play a role in building trust and earning opportunities.
As Chanel Brown noted, “It’s helpful to grow stronger bonds with the people we work with — and it helps grow our community by supporting local small businesses.”
Construction Inclusion Week reminds us that inclusion is not passive. It requires intention, transparency, and a willingness to invest in others. The WMJ Trade Partner Mentorship Program embodies that spirit by opening doors, sharing knowledge, and building relationships that last well beyond a single project.
This week, we celebrate with the partners who help us build stronger communities — and we look forward to continuing this work together.