Both sadly and happily, there is no finish line when it comes to launching an organization’s website.  Sadly—because the work doesn’t come to an end when you launch.  Happily—because unlike printed material, the website can be corrected where mistakes have been made.  It can take new direction. It can add new information.  Best of all, it can grow.

The website, in fact, is only its best when it grows.  In the beginning, it is little more than a sparsely furnished new house.  Yes, it has some important things installed.  The wiring, the plumbing.  A foundation, of sorts.   Places, like rooms, where you can organize things.

Take “career opportunities,” for instance.  Right now, it has only a few opportunities posted, but you can imagine the value of every new listing.  The joy here, will be watching these kinds of “rooms” fill up.

Something else that really gives this type of website life are members and their own unique contributions.  The selfless sharing of professional or personal insights, humor and acts of kindness.  A dialogue among professionals about common problems.  These are things that make the website yours.  It’s like a virtual coffeehouse for construction professionals, open 24-7.

While the website can provide important professional information, and is worthwhile for that purpose alone, I would greatly encourage those of you with humorous workplace stories, heartwarming experiences, special challenges, or just plain old words of wisdom to share with everyone else by writing it down and sending it to this--your web site.

Email is preferable and speedy, too.

Dan Bates