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Trent Edwards used to climb phone poles. Now he’s the CEO of TAK Broadband, bringing with him an appreciation for community builders and the often-dangerous work they carry out.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Trent Edwards, the CEO of an end-to-end fiber community building agency referred to as TAK Broadband, is apprehensive about the way forward for business’s workforce.
“We don’t do an excellent job of creating certain that the youthful era understands the chance inside building,” he mentioned.
In accordance with Edwards, many maintain assumptions that building work is disagreeable as a result of it requires working outdoors in many various situations.
“And the those who do this, they need to do this,” he mentioned on a latest episode of Past the Cable, a Broadband Communities podcast. “They’ve that of their DNA. It’s a good and extremely seemed upon job for my part.”
Nevertheless, Edwards mentioned the youthful era doesn’t suppose community building work is horny. He mentioned the damaging perceptions will trigger points down the road, making it onerous to recruit expertise.
“We’ve received to do a greater job at selling that and bringing building again,” he mentioned. “We’ve received to make it horny once more.”
Edwards additionally mentioned there’s substantial room for innovation and entrepreneurs in community building.
Climbing phone poles and the company ladder
Edwards holds what many may think about to be an unconventional highway to the C-suite.
Others, nevertheless, would say his rise to CEO of TAK Broadband reveals every part that’s proper with the business, representing a transparent instance of vertical mobility.
As soon as upon a time, Edwards climbed phone poles and dug within the dust, working in entry-level positions that he says are underappreciated for the damaging work they do.
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“We work in extraordinarily harmful situations,” Edwards instructed Past the Cable. “Take the roads for instance. You might have all the public out driving by you all day.”
Edwards mentioned folks can develop into harm when drivers develop into impatient. He additionally flagged the potential for harm relating to working with giant gear, as community builders do.
He additionally mentioned all the environmental parts related to working within the area can current risks.
Enthusiastic about MDUs
Edwards says TAK Broadband (also called TAK Communications) has advanced their technique convey high-quality fiber merchandise to multi-dwelling models (MDUs).
“We’ve got the skillsets for all these tight areas, these complicated wiring situations,” he mentioned, including that TAK prides itself on minimal disruption to properties.
He mentioned fiber can create worth for MDU properties whereas bringing a top-notch service to residents.
Edwards additionally mentioned many residents want fiber connectivity to help earn a living from home setups.
With customized designs, Edwards mentioned TAK prides itself on delivering environment friendly building plans. In consequence, he mentioned many complications related to work in MDUs are prevented.
“We’ve got it all the way down to a science,” he mentioned, including that MDUs present a possibility to get giant take charges.
“It’s a possibility to enter a spot, do it accurately, have a course of that’s begin to end – design, building – and it’s tailor-made for every property.”
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