Inside KODE Labs’ Mission Control: A conversation with the director

Can you tell us about how you heard about KODE four years ago?

I was finishing my electrical engineering degree when I learned about the great work Edi & Etrit were doing in Detroit related to infrastructure and green technology. In that timeframe, I had a chance to meet Etrit face-to-face to discuss KODE Labs and the vision that the cofounders set. I was instantly sold. The concept of offering a cloud-based platform for managing commercial real estate, akin to existing platforms for homes and other businesses, felt like a no-brainer once I heard it. The most brilliant ideas always sound obvious when you first hear about them.

Can you introduce the Mission Control Team?

The Mission Control team is a group of project managers, building engineers, data analysts, and client experience experts who work together to deploy the KODE OS platform for our clients. We ensure that when a client purchases our software, they have a team of experts who not only deliver this software, but also ensure that the clients are meeting their smart building goals.

Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming Director of Mission Control

As KODE Labs expanded, the Mission Control team grew from four to over 55 members, taking on iconic global projects. My journey mirrored this growth, evolving alongside the team. Initially, we wore many hats, giving me exposure to various aspects of smart building deployments, including engineering, project management, client experience, and support. This diverse experience enabled me to understand team needs and effectively lead, ultimately guiding me to the role of Director of Mission Control.

Could you provide a brief overview of your team’s approach to new projects and the process involved?

Our approach to new projects begins with understanding the client’s needs and goals, focusing on smart technology, sustainability, and future readiness. This helps us align our deployment with their broader objectives. We then develop a detailed plan with clear timelines for each milestone, providing proactive updates to keep the client informed of progress and expectations.

How does your team prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously?

We have a matrix style management system for our team that is built on trusting small groups of multidisciplinary individuals to deliver projects from conception to completion. At the same time, each type of role has leaders that can ensure those individuals are growing within their own expertise. These multidisciplinary cohorts can deliver numerous projects in parallel, and review every month, week, and day on what is priority, based on predefined project timelines. Our goal is to give clients as much clarity as possible, and deliver rapid smart building solutions

When hiring new members for your team, what skills and qualities are you looking for?

While there are specific skill sets for each role, I find myself always asking the following questions that end up differentiating between a yes and no in terms of hiring: 

• Will this candidate help the team evolve beyond its current state?
  • In a more direct sense, will they just be an additional team member or will they raise the standards of the team or add a new dimension?
• Did I come out of the conversation with this candidate feeling excited and energized? 
• Does this candidate show a strong internal drive?

What would be your advice to young professionals interested in growing in smart building engineering?

Young professionals interested in the smart building industry are already on the right path. I’d like to take a moment to address those who are curious but not ready to commit. The smart building industry is ripe for disruption, as climate needs, client interest, and government regulations continue to grow. Now is the time to take the leap and give this industry a shot.

Where do you see yourself and KODE in the next five years?

Our aim is to make KODE OS a cornerstone of the building industry. Our vision is for every building to harness KODE OS, empowering real estate professionals to maximize their technology and deliver innovative offerings. We believe KODE OS will revolutionize building management, becoming as essential for real estate, as computers have become in every household. I am excited to do my bit to help KODE Labs achieve this vision.