Contractor Evolution

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP22 As your contracting business grows you’re going to encounter an interesting and complex scenario (and you may have already) that you are recruiting for, and hiring, a role that you know very little about. Here's a classic example - you’ve expanded to the point where you're hiring for a dedicated full-time office manager. Someone who oversees all the complex administrative elements of your multimillion-dollar contracting business.  You get (generally speaking) how you want things to look when it comes to business organization, but my question is do you fully understand the intricacies of managing a CRM, or a project management software?   Have you ever managed five different inboxes while handling all the calls that are coming in?  Have you ever developed all these office processes that make sure that no details get missed. Whether you’ve gone through this process or are about to, you can definitely see how hard it would be to successfully hire and onboard for this. Maybe that's why most contractors' first office manager is literally running out the door in the first six months. There are going to be dozens of roles like the example above as you expand. Whether it be a marketing manager or an executive assistant, the point is that you are going to run into this situation many times in your career and it's going to require you to educate yourself on these roles that you may not understand, but you desperately need. In this week’s episode we brought back Dr. Ken Keis to share his insights and thoughts on this topic. Dr. Keis has been on episodes in the past and is a foremost expert on Personality Styles and how they relate to leadership. In this episode Dr. Ken Keis shares:  The exact 5 step method that seasoned employers use to successfully hire for roles they don’t understand. The right way to research what responsibilities the new role will have (it’s not google). Why it’s a bad idea to copy and paste a job description from another company. A process that allows you to select for the right skills AND the right personality. The big mistake that almost every employer makes when they first hire for a role they don’t understand. What you need in place before a new hire starts that fosters loyalty and eliminates frustration. To watch the full episode and access free resources go to www.contractorevolution.com If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP21 In trades the terms ‘project management’ and ‘project manager’ have become somewhat watered-down. The unfortunate truth is that in our industry most project managers are actually just professional firefighters. That isn’t to say our PM’s are doing their absolute best, but what they're missing are the fundamentals that make the science of project management what it is in other industries. If you look at manufacturing, automotive, or oil and gas you'll see their PM's are following a set of guiding principles and best practices that allow them to complete projects of unimaginable scope and still come in on time and on budget. So this gap is something that our guest on the show today, Paul Atherton, helps address within the companies he coaches for Breakthrough Academy. Prior to becoming a BTA coach 5 years ago Paul was a professional engineer and project manager for a decade. He has project managed super large construction projects in various countries around the world. Since joining Breakthrough Academy Paul has worked with over a hundred contractors helping them achieve significant growth and success and one of the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy is the implementation of world-class project management systems. In this episode Paul shares some highly applicable insights including: 2 examples of what great project management looks like 3 Questions to ask a P.M. that allow you to determine their level of control over a project 5 Systems you can implement with your team that will allow you to hit or beat project deadlines The 3 personality traits to look for that make a great project manager Common mistakes contractors make when they hire and onboard project managers How to leverage a great project management system to set yourself apart from your competition If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP20 Here’s a common scenario: Two contractors have worked equally hard over 20 years in their businesses.  At the end of the 20 years, one sells off their assets for $200K, while the other sells their business for $10M.  What’s the difference? Planning. If you want to build a business of tremendous value that can thrive without you and allow you to cash out and move on, then Kevin Shaw, our guest on this episode of Contractor Evolution, has some invaluable insights to get you there. Kevin is the President and Managing Director of Canada Corporate Finance Baker Tilly, which specializes in mergers and acquisitions.  Kevin has been involved in hundreds of business deals over the years. With all his experience, he gives us the 7 core areas he’s looking at when he values a business for sale. Unfortunately, these 7 areas can’t be built into your business overnight. Most take years to develop and integrate into your company, so it pays to understand them well in advance. If you have a vision for your business that involves you ‘Cashing Out’ one day, this episode is a must listen. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP19 Have you ever been frustrated by the fact that your team JUST DOESN’T GET IT? It’s so clear to you what needs to happen within your organization - what problems need to be solved, what priorities should be front of mind, where the effort of your organization needs to be, but most if not all of this is totally lost on your employees. Owners frequently overestimate how clearly they are communicating the standards that they have in their mind to the people who need to hear it most. This is why themes are such a powerful leadership tool for contractors to know about. Themes are a super process-driven way to make sure your team's action is aligned with that vision that's so crystal clear in your head. This is why we're really excited to have Ashley Ennis on this episode of Contractor Evolution. Ashley has previously run a highly successful window cleaning franchise system spanning seven states and provinces with 45 franchisees. Since then Ashley has spent the last four years as a business coach for Breakthrough Academy actively training and coaching 40 contracting home service companies and achieving the controlled growth that they want and they need.  She uses themes with her Breakthrough Academy members to over-communicate business priorities and make sure that what needs to get done does. In this episode we dive into a bunch of really cool stuff including: How it’s possible to transform your team’s weakest point into its strength Why the most effective teams are not the ones that do the most The reason it can be dangerous to be the ‘ideas guy’, especially if you are the leader How to ‘layer’ themes in the right order so their results compound What common mistakes owners often make when they implement their first theme If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP18 When it comes to taxes you’re going to have to pay them whether you want to or not. However spending the time upfront to establish a solid tax strategy could save you up to 40% AND lead to a much bigger investment portfolio long term. It’s key to know your strategy BEFORE you even start your fiscal year so put an hour into this episode now and reap the benefits for the rest of your life. We bring in Ben Dixon, an accountant and tax strategist who has worked with a number of contractors on setting up a strategy that has them winning into retirement. In this episode you’ll learn: Why contractors get flagged for audits and how to avoid them How much you should pay yourself as an owner What to look for when you’re hiring an accountant - especially if you want them to advise you Equipment and land - know when to buy vs lease, and know what the bank wants to see When to know you are ready for a holding company (and no it’s not based on a financial figure) Why contractors that meet with their accountant only once a year often lose out on big financial opportunities If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP17 To download the Career Meeting prep docs discussed in the episode go to https://trybta.com/PCDLEP17 How do you build loyalty in high performers? It’s not pizza night, go karting or laser tag. Another myth is that you need to pay them more. While those things help, they aren’t keeping ambitious, driven, and hardworking people on your team. By nature, the best performers are those that have built in self-improvement loops. They have an inner drive to learn and grow. That’s exactly what makes them great. So you need to make it VERY clear to them that you have a business and an environment that supports their goals and their desire to move up in the world. This is the entire purpose of the Career Development Meeting. You take the time to explore where your best players are aspiring to go, and then it’s your job to try to line that up with the direction your business is going. These meetings done properly take time and effort but they pay you back in dividends, especially when you consider the cost of losing your best players to the competition or their own ambitions. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP16 How are you managing personalities on your team? Or are you? We’ve invited Dr. Ken Keis onto the show to discuss his methods for assessing personality, and how you can leverage your team’s innate ability to thrive by leveraging their personality styles in a scientific way. Dr. Ken Keis is the CEO of the Consulting Resource Group and developed the PSI (Personality Style Indicator) test, which is widely regarded as one of the most accurate personality tests in the world. His research has spanned decades and he regularly consults with companies to enhance the performance of their teams by simply putting the existing employees in the right roles. Dr. Ken Keis work has significantly impacted a number of the Breakthrough Academy members businesses so it was time that we brought him onto the show to openly share his wisdom with us. You can find Dr. Ken Keis by contacting the Consulting Resource Group at https://crgleader.com/ If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCPE15 Every business owner deals with a number of pain points on their journey to success. Whether that's recruitment challenges, stress and time management, or revenue and sales (to name just a few). Learning to navigate them alone can be tough (if not impossible). Being able to reach out to others in the industry and learn from their successes (and failures) enables you to navigate those humps. In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Benji and I have compiled 10 of the most frequently asked questions from contracting entrepreneurs and are stoked to share with you our experiences. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP14 Financials – the one word that can have even the most seasoned contracting leader running for the hills. But, sorry to break this to you, mastering a budget is a bedrock skill for your entire career as a business owner. Business owners who have a strong and solid financial plan (and a well thought-through budget) are able to be more decisive and end up with financial freedom. Well, can't you just hand it over to your bookkeeper or accountant, and be done with it? Afraid not...if you want to grow and succeed long-term. It's really not as scary (or dry/yawn-inducing/grey hair encouraging) as it may seem. So, where do you start? BTA's Igor Trninic to the rescue * cue superman music * In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Igor (our numbers whizz) breaks down what a solid financial plan looks like and the steps to get there. Basically, if you have Grade 8 math and you don't mind screwing up the first few times, you're already ahead of the game. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here:https://trybta.com/PCEP13 Have you ever wondered what makes an elite contractor in your space ‘elite’? Or, to put it differently, have you ever wondered what keeps the chuck in the trucks stuck? Why, when two business leaders, with similar companies, in a similar space, with amazing services, does one succeed and the other, get caught in the growth plateau? The answer may surprise you (and no, it isn't luck). James Dale, Breakthrough Academy’s director of training and development, has a voracious appetite for helping entrepreneurs reach their utmost potential. Having worked with 100s of contracting entrepreneurs during his career, he has witnessed first-hand what it is that truly differentiates the elite contractor. James sits down with BTA's Benji and Igor to talk about the 3 common traits of elite contractors, and, conversely, the 3 destructive habits that hold contractors back from success. His insights will truly open your eyes. You’ll feel like your windshield has finally been cleaned. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP12 Sales is, and always will be the lifeblood of your business. But if you're a business leader doing the lion's share of the selling and your team's closing rate is piss-poor (or even if it's, well, meh), you could be heading for a business blood clot.It's time for a sales blood transfusion! Otherwise known as the wise words from this episode's guest, Ryan Groth, CEO of Sales Transformation Group – a man on a mission to change the industry by working specifically with contractors to help them achieve explosive sales growth.Let's face it. As a business leader you really shouldn't be carrying the majority weight of the sales load – so how can you step aside, safe in the knowledge that your business won't go down the can?And another question: How is it your competitor manages to close virtually all their deals, when your team only manages <30%?In this episode, Ryan and BTA's Benji and Igor shed light on these questions by explaining three habits that separate the above average sales team from the elite.Mind...blown. It will be! To get in touch with Ryan and the Sales Transformation Group go to https://www.salestransformationgroup.com/ If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP11 Team huddles: What are they and why are they absolutely essential to long-term business success? You probably know them as team meetings, or perhaps the “bitch and moan fest.” It’s that one hour in the week/month/quarter when you gather your team to talk strategy, goals, and updates....and it turns into a complete gong show. Exhausting. They suck. What's the point? In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Breakthrough Academy's very own Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson explain why meetings are at the core of every well-run business, how it's your responsibility as a successful leader, and why us humans really need them. After all, contracting is a team sport. The guys break it down into a simple 6 step process that will instantly improve those team huddles. Let's just say, the BTA weekly huddle is the highlight of the team's week. Time to find out why. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP10 "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." Toby Woodiwiss, painting contractor extraordinaire, is a firm believer in this philosophy; and the results, well, they speak for themselves. His business runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to a carefully selected team and investment in the ‘right’ people. It wasn't always this way. He admits he spent a lot of time (and money), on recruiting, onboarding, and investing in (what turned out to be) complete duds. So what changed? Woodiwiss sits down with Breakthrough Academy hosts Benji Carlson and Danny Kerr to talk recruitment, personality tests, why investing in your people should be your #1 priority, and, yikes, conflict resolution. His approach will blow your mind, and make you take a long hard look in the mirror. Don't say we didn't warn you. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP09 When Will Brown took over Brown Boys Roofing of Bentonville, Arkansas from his father four years ago, it was micromanaged to within an inch of its life. Will's father could never escape the business...no bathroom break for you! Fast forward to 2021 and by making one small yet significant change (which he learned from our friend Jocko Willink, thanks Jocko) he has turned his business around. He increased profits from $2 million to $10 million, has a team of high-performing problem solvers, AND he has cut the number of hours he works in half (his wife is a happy camper). What did Will do to score the ultimate contractor dream of work/life balance? In this episode of Contractor Evolution, Will talks about his journey and proves that getting your life back after starting a business isn't just a pipe dream. Always read the fineprint: Warning, listening to this episode could result in you running a highly profitable contracting business while you're out having fun on your skidoo or dirt bike. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP08 Does the perfect high-performing sales team really exist? C'mon?! According to Mason Marquis, owner of Spray-Tex and Jesse Kreisman, owner of Alco Products Inc., it does...and once you've found the secret elixir, your business will finally be free to level up. Marquis had a hard time stepping away from sales. He loved it. And, more importantly, he didn't trust someone enough to release those reins. Kreisman in contrast understood that his business had hit a ceiling, and it would require a certain kind of salesperson (and not the kind we would expect) to break through the roof. What did these two incredibly successful entrepreneurs do to attract and hire sales superstars and what steps do they take so they don't lose those unicorns? (They also managed to step away from their business and they don't have to deal with any sales drama.) Breakthrough Academy hosts Benji Carlson and Danny Kerr sit down with Marquis and Kreisman in our latest Contractor Evolution podcast to ask the questions people are often too scared to ask.  We've got you covered...no worries. If you are are growing, but working like a dog to make it all happen, take our 10 day, Evolved Contractor Challenge to free yourself - http://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP07 How do you turn a one-man mowing business into a $1.5 million landscaping company? Just ask Jason Hoke, owner of A Cut Above Landscape in Colorado. When he took over the business, he bought himself a job. He was sleeping on a friend's sofa to make ends meet and spending 24/7 onsite or in the office. “I was more like an employee than a leader.” Fast forward five years and he has a team of 20 who service more than 10,000 jobs a year. Last year alone he saw a 50 percent growth in revenue, and he is about to smash those targets for 2021. He now works on the business, rather than in it (40 hours a week, max). How? He became a Master Implementer (yup, he was the winner of our 2020 BTA Implementer of The Year Award). In this episode of Contractor Evolution, hosts Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson sit down with Jason to discuss what it takes to turn a business around and why the traditional way of running a contracting company will no longer cut it. They ask the awkward questions and give exact examples of how systems and strategies will change your life as a leader. Oh, this is good. Trust us. To take the Free 10 Day, 'Evolved Contractor' Challenge to step out of the day-to-day of your business, got to https://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP06 In our latest Contractor Evolution podcast, Janzen, takes us on his company's onboarding journey, and reveals what makes his process so ridonculously successful in the world of contracting. Janzen kicked the old school way of onboarding to the curb (you know, the “welcome to the chaos, now shadow this dude and learn something or you're fired” style) and instead perfected a fast-track onboarding strategy that puts him way ahead of the competition. He has it so dialled in these days that people come knocking on his door inquiring about jobs. So, what's his secret? Welcome back to the rise of a new breed of contracting entrepreneur with Breakthrough Academy hosts Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson, who talk about what it takes to build a business people want to work for in this competitive landscape . . and make your life as a leader so much more enjoyable. Kick off your shoes, turn up the volume, and join us in our latest no BS interview where we dive deep inside the mind of a successful contracting entrepreneur, what works, and what doesn't, and more importantly, why and how. To take the Free 10 Day, 'Evolved Contractor' Challenge to step out of the day-to-day of your business, got to https://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP05 Can you run a multi-million dollar contracting business and take six months off a year? That's crazy talk! But in this Breakthrough Academy (BTA) podcast, 27-year-old contracting entrepreneur Graeme Bouvier gives it to us straight on how he actually made that possible. Graeme went from struggling to build a drywall business as a med student, while running around like a chicken with his head cut off, to becoming a leader of a $7-million drywall business with 80 employees...all while being able to take six months off to travel and just, well, enjoy life. And all this within a few short years. But how? Welcome to the rise of the contracting leisure entrepreneur, with Breakthrough Academy hosts Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson, who get down and dirty on how you can win in the contracting industry, become a leader, and reclaim your time. Kick off your shoes, turn up the volume, and join us in this no BS interview where we dive deep inside the mind of a successful contracting entrepreneur, what works, and what doesn't, and more importantly, why and how. To access resources, or watch this episode in video, visit www.contractorevolution.com To take the Free 10 Day, 'Evolved Contractor' Challenge to step out of the day-to-day of your business, got to https://www.btacademy.com/evolvedcontractorchallengeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP04 Every contracting leader has a story about the time they recruited someone who turned out to be a waste of space (and money); no-one has time for that, especially in the fast-paced world of contracting. In this episode of Contractor Evolution we sit down with two-time Grey Cup champion, motivational speaker, and business leadership coach Angus Reid who offers tons of fascinating insights on how to recognize and recruit the MVPs of the contracting world. He cuts through the BS to talk about what it takes to create a culture focussed on results, and the steps to get you there. It's time to talk sports and business, with Angus Reid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP03 Is your contracting business partner pissing you off? With 50% of business partnerships failing in the first 2-3 years, how do you ensure you don't become another statistic (or punch their lights out)? Early on 505-Junk founders Scott Foran and Barry Hartman had a major blowout and realized that they did not think the same. They divided up the responsibilities of the business based on what they thought they’d be good at, only to realize they were unhappy in their roles. However they weren’t communicating their challenges and it was now threatening to bury them. What they did next not only repaired their business partnership (and friendship), but resulted in their business growing 100 percent in one year alone. Welcome to the third Contracting Entrepreneur podcast, where Breakthrough Academy hosts Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson and their guests pull no punches on what it takes to co-run a successful contracting business. Warning: These conversations may make you feel uncomfortable, but hey, that’s what comes with looking in the mirror. There’s no lipstick on this pig!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP02 With a diverse workforce ranging from field workers to office staff, is it possible to have a company culture in contracting where all your team is on the same page? Nestor Tarango runs a multi-million-dollar solar energy company. He has successfully onboarded more than 150 people over the past 12 months alone . . . and his company culture is exemplary. How? After working in a hostile environment, Tarango decided enough was enough. He stepped outside of the “traditional” contracting mould and built a company that has a performance culture others would kill for. Tarango sits down with Breakthrough Academy hosts Igor Trninic and Benji Carlson to talk about the mistakes contractors make that result in a toxic culture, recruitment challenges, and takes us through the steps he took to build a culture of uber high-performers. Can you see the sunshine after the rain? (Admit it, that song is stuck in your head now) Join us here for real tips from those who speak your language. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you'd like to apply for Breakthrough Academy click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP01 Reclaim 5 Hours per week with this free Contractor Quick Tool: https://trybta.com/PCDLEP01 If you're running a successful contracting business, then why are you working 70-hours a week? Contracting entrepreneur Ryan Steward was working 70 hours a week, seven days a week. He was stretched so thin that he had little to no time left over for his wife and kids. Fast forward five years and Ryan works 40-hours or less, he is a present father, friend and husband (no divorce for him!), and he gets to spend time doing the things he loves like snowmobiling, skiing and fishing. Oh yea, and he's happy. He has also doubled his profit margin and leads a $11 million contracting company with a team of 25. What did he do to end the chaos and give him back his life? Join us in this awesome episode of Contractor Evolution as we explore what it takes to be a successful contracting leader with time to enjoy the fun things, without burning out or getting hypertension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.