The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

EPISODE 293: Did you know your construction business could be entitled to a whopping six-figure check (or more) from the IRS? For others, that may sound too good to be true, but yes, construction business owners can get significant cash incentives from the federal government. Large companies routinely take advantage of these cash incentives, yet most small companies like yours don't even know these benefits exist. Why is it so? In today's episode, we are joined by Justin Rupple of Business Group Resources, a business incentive recovery firm, to talk about tax credits your CPA may not be telling you about. Today, Justin discusses the tax credits that are available for business owners like you, how much money most construction businesses are leaving on the table, and how you can qualify for these tax credits. Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) #1 Most overlooked tax credit program (05:02) How much money is left on the table by construction businesses (07:43) Misconceptions about the research and development tax credit (08:47) How construction businesses can qualify for the R&D tax credit (12:57) Why does the R&D tax credit program exist? (14:58) Tax incentives: big corporations vs. small businesses (16:21) Reasons why CPAs don't go after R&D tax credits (18:32) Examples of how much construction businesses get from tax credits (21:40) Who can qualify for this tax credit? (27:22) Episode wrap-up (34:33) Additional Resources: - Recover your tax overpayments HERE - Book a FREE call with our team HERE - Sign up for our FREE training HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Justin: - Check Justin out on LinkedIn HERE - Check Business Group Resources for more HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 292: What is it like to be a woman in construction? In this empowering episode, our Director of Customer Success, Leyah Valgardson, sits down with Sunkota Construction's Marketing and Business Development officer and co-business owner, Amy Rans. Today, Leyah and Amy delve into the fascinating role of women in the construction world and the truth about what it's really like to be a woman thriving in a traditionally male-dominated field. Amy also shares how she rebranded Sunkota Construction using her marketing expertise, tips for creating a great customer experience as a commercial contractor, and how our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program simplifies their handoff process. Make sure to check it out! Key Takeaways: How Amy got into the construction world (01:39) Biggest challenges construction business owners face (05:16) Lessons that Amy learned being in the construction industry (06:54) How to be an attractive employer (09:41) The main transformation that Amy did with Sunkota Construction (16:11) What the business looks like before joining the SYCB program? (17:47) How to create a great customer experience as a commercial contractor (25:36) On retaining and attracting top-quality talents (38:39) The changes that SYCB did to their construction company (39:48) How to wow your customers (41:26) What it's like to be a female business owner in a male-dominated industry? (47:37) Advice to women who are interested or currently in the construction industry (49:49) The future of women in the construction industry (59:17) For those who want to start a construction business (1:00:18) Additional Resources: - Book a FREE call with our team HERE - Sign up for our FREE training HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Amy Rans - Check Amy out on LinkedIn HERE - Visit Sunkota Construction for more info HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 291: Do you feel like you're in this endless burnout cycle? Our guest for today indeed felt that way. He was getting used to taking a mini break and then coming back into the same rut repeatedly. But he has finally decided to get away with it. How was he able to break that cycle after sixteen long years? Well, you're about to find out. In this week's episode, Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) coach Monish Khadye sits down with Josh Fravel of Fravel Home Improvements. Today, Josh talks about how he transitioned from wearing many hats to finally delegating tasks and letting go of control. He also shares how he empowers his construction team, the main problems he faced that led him to join the SYCB program, and its ripple effects on his business and personal life. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: Meet Josh and his works at Fravel Home Improvement (00:56) Failure that set Josh up for later success (03:16) From doing everything himself to delegating tasks (08:43) On letting go of control (12:42) The growth catalyst for his remodeling business (17:24) On working with subcontractors and setting standards (19:50) How to set up your employees for success (23:41) One piece of advice he would give to his younger self (27:28) Part of the business that Josh has cracked on (29:12) What made him join the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program (32:57) Ripple effects after joining SYCB on his business and personal life (39:29) Episode wrap-up (47:52) Additional Resources: - Book a FREE call with our Construction Leading Edge team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Check out Fravel Home Improvement - Follow Josh and his team on Instagram HERE - Visit their website for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 290: The reason you're not making any progress toward your goals is that you're trying. And I'm not saying you're trying too hard, but the problem is that you're trying, period. You may not know it, but trying will not turn your construction business into a $50 million business a year. What you need to do is to stop trying and start training. In today's episode, I'll share the key differences between trying and training, action items that move the needle, and the power of the "until attitude". And to prove that training rather than trying to be a better CEO of your construction business can stop profit bleeds, we have Ashley Fleschner to share his Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program success story. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is trying? (03:16) Difference between trying and training (04:07) Questions to ask yourself (17:33) The if attitude vs. until attitude (19:34) Quick recap (22:39) SYCB success story with Ashley Fleschner (24:38) Final question (30:50) Additional Resources: - Book a FREE call with our Construction Leading Edge team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 289: There is one part of your construction business that could lead to profit bleed, but they never show up on an invoice. That is your customer experience! Focusing on creating a great customer experience roadmap could differentiate you from your competitors. But where do you start? In this week's episode, Leyah Valgardson, our Director of Customer Success, and I will discuss why customer experience matters whether you're a homebuilder or a commercial contractor. Today, Leyah and I talk about the symptoms of customers having a bad experience, the three steps to creating a good customer experience and journey, and action items you can do today to improve your customer journey and make it a company culture. Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Why customer experience matters (03:08) Your customer is buying an experience (09:06) Reasons to have a customer experience strategy (15:06) Symptoms of a customer having a bad experience (18:53) Customer experience vs. customer journey (25:06) Have a clear customer journey roadmap (26:39) Setting expectations clearly and consistently (38:26) Seeking ways to wow your customers (48:06) Positive ripple effects of providing great customer journey (1:00:57) Action items you can do today (1:07:21) Additional Resources: - Apply to work with the Construction Leading Edge team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 288: How do you attract top talents to your construction business? You'd be surprised that it isn't just about the money; it's something else. So in this week's episode, I sat down with Isaac Barlow, the CEO of busybusy, a top-ranked GPS time tracking software that provides what every construction business owner wants in a tracking app. Today, Isaac and I talk about what high performers really want and how having this in place will help you recruit top talents in the industry, improve your company's productivity, increase your profitability, and create a culture of excellence. He also shares some tips on handling obstacles and resistance in construction businesses and the role of faith and persistence in getting to where his company is today. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: Intro (00:00) How busybusy started out (02:52) Describing the business roadmap and handling obstacles (11:52) Does construction have to be chaotic? (19:24) Root causes hiding underneath the construction chaos (21:24) Why should you invest in a good pre-construction system? (24:45) Common misconceptions about a construction manager's role (27:47) Some of busybusy's best features (31:37) How important is having access to job site data (34:06) How to improve productivity in construction businesses (40:46) Construction business trends that might surprise people (45:54) Cultivating company culture with busybusy (49:23) Episode wrap-up (57:55) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Isaac Barlow: - Connect with Isaac on LinkedIn HERE - Check busybusy for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 287: Here's what no one is talking about - good construction companies are actually good pre-construction companies. Instead of giving away free estimates, they charge for doing them to bring great value to their clients, even at the early stage of the construction process. So in this week's episode, Construction Leading Edge's Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) coach Monish Khadye speaks with Daniel Hickey, owner and project manager at Hickey Construction. Daniel shares how his construction business went from earning $550k to $2M in just a few years - all thanks to solid pre-construction and rigorous handoff processes. He also talks about how he was kicked out of his business in a good way, the positive ripple effects that his customers and team have seen after putting in the right systems and processes, how the SYCB program impacted his business and family life, and more. Let's get this started! Key Takeaways: Meet Daniel Hickey of Hickey Construction (03:17) What helped Daniel grow his construction business? (06:51) On delegation and accountability (12:12) The advantages of having a pre-construction process (14:56) From working 10-12 hours a day to 5 hours or less (17:06) On having clarity on what to achieve (26:59) "If you've got that drive, you can do it." (32:17) Handoff and pre-construction tips (34:17) The ripple effects of a rigorous handoff and pre-construction process (45:22) Life after doing all the work in the SYCB program (56:48) How to systematize your construction business (1:20:31) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Daniel Hickey: - Reach out by sending your email to [email protected] - Check Hickey Construction for more information HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 286: Bringing in a family member into your construction business and transitioning leadership is more challenging than you'd think. But our guests for today had cracked the code and can now go on vacations without being on their phones or laptops. In this week's episode, Construction Leading Edge's Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) coach Monish Khadye speaks with Tru Builders' owners, Max and Lori Christiansen, and their daughter/senior designer, Cassie Parra. Today, Max, Lori, and Cassie share their lessons on how they made it through the 2008 slowdown, navigating business transition, and the systems and processes that make their construction business successful. They also talk about the lessons they've learned from joining the SYCB program and its ripple effects on their business and lives. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: How Tru Builders started (03:30) On handing the business over to your kids vs. them earning it (08:41) Being a designer is more than just the aesthetics (12:58) Failures and lessons that set Tru Builders for later success (17:43) On creating transparency with clients and charging the right amount (29:47) Systems and processes that are working well for Tru Builders (36:42) Lessons they learned from SYCB that made all the difference (44:55) How are life and business different now after joining SYCB (52:27) Tru Builders' 12-month and 5-year visions (1:00:03) Three crucial systems to accelerate your business results (1:06:08) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Tru Builders: - Check Tru Builders' website for more info HERE - Follow them on Instagram HERE - Got any questions? Send your email to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 285: Are you part of or considering joining a family construction business? Do you find it hard to handle a family partnership? Our guest for today has learned it the hard way. In this week's episode, Systematized Your Construction Business (SYCB) coach, Monish Khadye, sits down with construction business owner and SYCB mentee Jake Lewendal. Jake built Momentum Development after coming out from two business partnerships, one of which was a family partnership that took a toll on his family. Today, Jake shares some key learnings from his family partnership, the best practices when considering joining a family business, and a few crucial things you must do upfront when setting up a business partnership. He also talks about handling hard conversations and rejections, the positive ripple effects he has experienced in life and business after joining SYCB, and more. Let's jump in! Key Takeaways: How Jake got into the construction world (03:16) The biggest shift that turned him from failure to success (08:57) How their family construction business broke down (15:24) On filling up the void with a business partner (21:20) Tips for people who are a part of or considering joining a family partnership (31:43) What he believes to be true in business that others find unconventional? (43:57) How Jake's strengths became his weaknesses (45:56) Crucial questions to ask when starting a construction business (1:02:56) How to deal with rejection and build a rejection-proof routine (1:04:07) The main construction problems he had before joining SYCB (1:16:54) Most impactful things he learned from the SYCB program (1:25:13) How to systematize your construction business (1:42:39) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Jake Lewendal - Reach out to Jake by sending your email to [email protected] - Follow or DM Jake on Instagram HERE - Follow Momentum Development HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 284: Do you feel like you don't get anything out of your team meetings? What happens if your meetings continue to be ineffective? General Stanley McChrystal, a retired U.S. Army general and book author, cracked the code on how meetings helped them win the war on Al Qaeda. In this week's episode, we'll talk about the best practices when conducting team meetings and how you can apply them to your construction business so you can make it run without you. Today, you'll also learn the connection between good team meetings and the culture of accountability, the ripple effects of ineffective meetings, and a success story from a construction business owner who's started implementing the strategies you'll be learning today. Let's jump into it! Key Takeaways: The operations and intelligence brief (02:47) Teaching people how to think vs. telling people what to do (05:54) You don't have time to wait for the 100% solution (09:11) The benefits of using empowered execution (11:58) Common issues with meetings (16:19) What are the ripple effects of ineffective meetings? (20:48) Best practices for construction team meetings (22:54) Three crucial systems to run effective team meetings (32:36) How to accelerate your results (35:26) David Hopkins' Systematized Your Construction Business (SYCB) success story (40:57) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 283: Are you stuck in the day-to-day operations of your business? Do you worry that your business wouldn't be able to run without you? Then I have two things for you - communication and delegation. In this week's episode, I want to share communication and delegation hacks to help you get out of operations so you can truly operate as a visionary. Listen in as I talk about the leading dominoes that will improve your organization's operational process, how to effectively communicate and delegate to your team, and a Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) success story featuring Andy Shelton of Birch Home Builders. So if you're a construction business owner looking to systematize your business and make it run without you, tune in now. You don't want to miss this! Key Takeaways: Are you a Trevor or a Logan? (02:40) Your brain is probably the root cause of communication problems (05:24) The Forgetting Curve study explained (07:10) Why you need to communicate less? (10:22) What is asynchronous communication? (13:06) How to effectively train your team (17:01) Think differently about delegation (23:24) How to delegate to your team (24:55) The five levels of delegations (30:22) A quick recap (34:06) Systematize Your Construction Business' (SYCB) success story (40:04) Additional Resources: - Want to learn more about what you could achieve with our SYCB program? Check out these success stories HERE - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 282: How do successful construction business owners get out of a slump? What do you personally do when things aren't going well? Most of us would tend to focus on the negative things and just go into a downward spiral trend. In many cases, we start spouting off self-fulfilling prophecies, which eventually get worse as they happen. So in this week's episode, I want to share how great entrepreneurs think about adversity and how they overcome it. I talk about the Stockdale Paradox, how to get control of the story you're telling yourself, what a mental hygiene exercise is, and some proven strategies for turning trials into triumphs. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: What most of us would do when things don't go well? (01:12) There are no good or bad things (03:59) Separate observable facts from the story you're telling yourself (05:59) Detach from what's going on in your head (06:42) Cultivate the habit of gratitude (07:45) Control the controllables (08:52) Reframe the situation (10:09) The Stockdale Paradox explained (12:39) Take extreme ownership of the situation (17:00) The catastrophizing strategy (19:03) How to do a mental hygiene exercise (20:53) Episode wrap-up (23:13) Additional Resources: - Schedule a FREE breakthrough session now with our team HERE - Learn how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Books Mentioned: - Good to Great by Jim Collins - Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill - The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 281: Learning to say no to the people or things that don't serve you or your business gives you room to say yes to those that do. And we've invited someone who just skyrocketed his construction business by saying no and focusing on the people. In this week's episode, I sit down with Mikhail Gannage, president of Gannage Design & Construction. Mikhail went from being a long-time robotics engineer to running their family-owned construction business. According to Mikhail, by being selective in what projects he and his team take on, they have seen tremendous business growth - something they haven't seen in years. So he's here to share the main root cause of his company's profit bleeding and the systems and changes he implemented that grew his construction business from 2% to a whopping 15% net profit. He also talks about the connection between an accountability chart and a good handoff to profitability, the benefits of being in a mastermind group of construction business owners, and why working less makes him a better leader. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: From robotics engineering to construction business owner (01:06) Best advice for those taking over a family business (04:42) Business problems Mikhail was dealing with (09:59) The main root cause of profit bleeding and its ripple effects (13:08) Most impactful systems and changes that grew his business (23:32) Dealing with one big hairy audacious goal (29:49) On accountability chart, good handoff and profitability (35:36) A peek into his construction business's numbers (42:07) Benefits of being in a mastermind group (49:15) Why do construction business owners isolate themselves? (53:35) Why working less means doing more? (56:32) The biggest question to ask when starting a business (58:36) One final piece of advice (1:01:39) Additional Resources: - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Connect with Mikhail Gannage: - Follow Gannage Design & Construction on Instagram HERE - Reach out to Mikhail at [email protected] - Visit Gannage Design & Construction website for more info HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 280: Success isn't determined by your age, gender, location, or any of those similar factors; it is the formation of habits that will. In this week's episode, I've invited Leyah Valgardson, Director of Customer Success here at Construction Leading Edge, to unpack the three core habits of success that successful construction business owners do. Leyah and I also talk about what really is success and happiness, how to build those habits of success as a construction business owner, creating accountability with like-minded people, and more. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What is a habit? (01:28) Success and happiness defined (04:10) Follow an effective morning routine (14:50) The power of gratitude (27:14) What is mindset, and how important is it? (29:29) Managing your inner critic (39:30) Prepare, plan, and execute (51:18) On execution being so hard (56:51) Strategies to create accountability (1:00:06) Episode wrap-up (1:05:58) Additional Resources: - Listen to "The Hidden Dangers of Procrastination & How to Conquer It" episode HERE - Listen to the "5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Manage That Nobody Warned You About" episode HERE - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Visit Construction Leading Edge for more HERE Books Mentioned: - The 5 AM Club by Robin S. Sharma - The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday - The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 279: Why would venture capital firms put their money in the construction industry, especially nowadays? In this week's episode, I've invited David Bloom of Signia Venture Partners to talk about a venture capitalist view of the construction industry as a whole. Signia is a venture capital firm founded in 2012. David and his partners invest in entrepreneurs applying new technologies to old industries. Today, he's here to discuss why venture capital firms invest in the construction industry, their views on the housing shortage and the ripple effects, what type of companies they invest in, guidelines when investing in companies, and more. Tune in now to learn more! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Venture capitalist's perspective on the construction industry (01:30) What is a venture capital firm? (03:44) Why invest in the construction industry? (05:52) Symptoms of the current housing crisis and the ripple effects (08:03) How venture capital firms view the housing shortage (15:10) David and his firm's portfolio of companies and what they're solving (18:05) What are the red flags to look for in a leader when investing? (22:34) On transitioning successfully from being a startup to CEO of an ongoing business (25:18) Key takeaways from Cetera's $2B venture funding failure (32:17) What are the things that outsiders don't know about the construction industry? (43:56) Additional Resources: - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE Connect with David Bloom: - Reach out to David by emailing him at [email protected] - Check out his articles on Substack HERE - Follow him on LinkedIn HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 278: How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a visionary leader? But what does it mean to be one? Does being a visionary guarantee success along the way? In this week's episode, I've invited Monish Khadye, a construction business owner and our very own Systematized Your Construction Business (SYCB) facilitator and coach. Monish is also a visionary, and today he talks about some of the challenges, misconceptions, and myths that a visionary has to deal with every day. Join us as we discover how a visionary's mind works, some practical tips, and how a visionary should overcome challenges to achieve his visions and create a thriving environment in his organization. Tune in now! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What do visionaries bring to the organization? (03:24) What do inconsistencies look like for a visionary? (12:03) The organization whiplash explained (13:36) Visionaries lack clear direction (19:20) Why are visionaries reluctant to let things go? (23:17) Visionaries have underdeveloped leaders and managers (24:30) The genius with a thousand helpers (26:32) Visionaries get a sense of value from people being dependent on them (32:32) Resistance to following standardized processes (37:56) Visionaries get easily bored (39:32) On having no patience for details (43:32) Misconceptions and myths about being a visionary (44:39) Breaking down what a visionary should be doing in their business? (54:36) What happens when visionaries fully embrace their role? (1:06:15) Additional Resources: - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE Books Mentioned: - Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters - Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman - Good to Great by Jim Collins -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 277: We all want to be successful entrepreneurs. But most of the time, what drives us up to the pinnacle of success is not what we've learned from school. In this week's episode, I reveal the five most important things that successful entrepreneurs manage that nobody warned us about. And I wish I had known these earlier when I started my career. When you're able to manage these five things properly, you become not only the best leader for your construction business but also the best version of yourself. But there's also a quick way for you to manage all of these (without the guessing game), and I'll share that, too, in the podcast. So let's jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) You need to manage your fears (01:24) Manage your inner critic (08:07) What happens when you don't manage your inner critic? (17:22) Manage your mental energy (19:25) One thing that's killing your mental energy (21:21) Manage your emotional state (22:56) Manage your strengths, not your weaknesses (27:14) Additional Resources: - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 276: Have you been putting things off lately? Do you thrive working on last-minute situations? There are serious hidden dangers that come with procrastination which most of us tend to ignore. In this week's episode, I've invited Leyah Valgardson, Construction Leading Edge Director of Customer Success. Leyah and I sit down to talk about the six different types of procrastinators, according to psychologists. We also discuss the hidden cold-hard truth about procrastination, the strategies to overcome procrastination based on each type, and how procrastination affects the quality of your life. So if you want to know what type of procrastinator you happen to be and how to defeat it so you can become a better construction business owner, and a human being, in general, tune in now to this week's episode. Let's jump in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Procrastinator #1 - The Worrier (04:21) Procrastinator #2 - The Perfectionist (08:32) Procrastinator #3 - The Overdoer (14:17) Procrastinator #4 - The Crisis-Maker (19:57) The Strengths Finder test explained (25:03) Procrastinator #5 - The Dreamer (26:19) Procrastinator #6 - The Defier (31:42) How does procrastination show up for us (35:45) Failure is a myth (39:54) Some cold-hard truth about procrastination (41:00) What happens if you continue to procrastinate (45:19) Procrastination affects the quality of your life (52:08) How to overcome procrastination (1:01:31) The fastest way to stop procrastinating (1:12:42) Additional Resources: - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 275: We all know how systems and processes could make or break your construction business. But what's holding you back from taking those dramatic changes that could increase your business profitability? In this week's episode, I've invited Michael Moore, owner and President of Waterton Construction Group. Waterton Construction is a hardscape site work improvement company based in north Texas. Michael is here to share with us the systems and processes he used to increase his company's revenue by 30% and profitability by 60% year over year. He also talks about the effects of creating positive pressure for himself, the concept of stewardship, how it affects how Michael runs his business, and the systems and processes he had put in place to grow his business to eight figures working only twenty hours a week. Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Michael Moore (05:40) Best habits that Michael picked up while working for a production builder (10:20) What led Michael to reach out for a business coach? (15:24) Most impactful systems and changes that moved the needle (25:55) The moment when Michael realized what his doing was working (38:22) What the business looks like now? (42:07) How his business growth impacted his personal life (46:37) On putting positive pressure on you (53:40) The most valuable part of being in a construction CEO group (1:02:51) What does stewardship in a business mean? (1:06:11) Mindset shifts that are crucial to his success (1:08:45) Episode wrap-up (1:15:05) Additional Resources: - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE Connect with Michael: - Find Michael on LinkedIn HERE - Check out Waterton Construction Group HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 274: What makes a construction business successful? Is it cementing a failproof system OR finding the right people that get things done? Torrey Hawkins, President of Angler Construction, LLC, drops some value bombs on how he managed to scale his construction business to $200 million in revenue per year. In this week's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sit down with Torrey to talk about... - the biggest challenges that Torrey has faced in growing a business to $200 million per year - the systems and processes that catapulted his business to success - some advice on how to lead your construction team through tough times - what his day looks like as someone who has grown a business to such size and scale - and a whole lot more! If you're a visionary looking to scale your construction business while getting out of the day-to-day details, you'll get a lot of practical advice from this episode. Let's jump right in! Key Takeaways: Meet Torrey Hawkins (01:06) How Torrey started his construction business (05:37) What does the business look like now? (07:16) Biggest challenges during the growth (13:08) How to level up as a construction business leader (18:03) Recruiting and hiring top-quality talent (20:15) On systems and processes that scaled the business (23:24) What it's like to be a visionary (30:29) How Torrey spends his time as a 9-figure construction business owner (36:50) Keeping your team moving forward during a crisis (38:14) On sharing the vision and getting the team on board with it (43:18) The burning-the-ship mentality (50:25) Managing the double-edged sword of being a visionary (53:23) Episode wrap-up (58:08) Additional Resources: - Join the Move the Needle 28-Day Challenge HERE - Register for The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX HERE - Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team HERE - Listen to my 2015 interview with Torrey HERE - Connect with Torrey HERE - Check out Angler Construction HERE -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

Episode 273: Your brain is hard wired to love habits. Here's how you can use that to your advantage, and achieve just about any outcome you set your mind do. What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode: "You don't rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your __________" Why habits exist, why they're so powerful. How to hack habits The Golden Rule of Habits How to use Right to Left Thinking to harness the power of habits. What a keystone habit is, and why you want to start with them. Lessons from two of the most popular books about habits. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Move the Needle 28 Day Challenge - www.constructionleadingedge.com/group The ADVANCE Live Meetup | March 30-31, 2023 | Austin, TX - www.constructionleadingedge.com/advance Schedule a Breakthrough Session with our team: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply

EPISODE 272: What is the secret formula to growing a business? What should a construction business owner have to lead a successful company? There's really no secret formula, but our guest for today, Andy Kolp of Epic Building Company, did take his "steady" remodeling company to new success in its 14th year. After implementing new systems into his business process and shifting his mindset, he saw changes and wished he had done them sooner. From having one employee, Andy now has five employees on his payroll. His company has surprisingly gone up to 75% in annual revenue. And he isn't slowing down anytime soon as he's looking at a 100% revenue growth for next year. What did he do to achieve all of these incredible milestones? Tune in to this week's episode to find out more. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Andy Kolp (02:36) Discipline and weight loss success (04:51) How important is mental toughness? (18:55) Working in vs working on your business (26:04) What does stagnant mean from a business perspective? (32:13) The mindset growth (38:10) Most impactful systems that brought success (43:34) What business looks like now? (56:13) On pre-construction services and agreement (58:36) What led to Andy's mindset shift? (1:04:14) Last few questions (1:10:44) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here - Check out Andy's construction company here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 271: Are you tired of doing never-ending, less urgent administrative work? As we all know, small business owners wear a lot of hats - bookkeeping, responding to emails, and posting on social media, to name a few. These tasks not only take a lot of time but also keep you from doing things that matter. And that's what we'll talk about in this week's episode. I sat down with two construction business owners - Kevin Franklin and Nathan Spearing - who found a great solution to their never-ending to-do list and after-hours work. Stay tuned and discover the benefits of hiring a Belay virtual assistant and the wonders it can do for your construction business. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Kevin Franklin (03:40) The problems before signing up with Belay (04:12) Lessons from Michael Hyatt's Your World-Class Assistant book (06:25) Misconceptions about working with virtual assistants (VA) (07:11) Main tasks of a VA that have been most impactful (08:19) Why hire a virtual assistant from Belay? (13:08) Hacks in training a virtual assistant (16:00) Meet Nathan Spearing (19:49) Nathan's pivotal moment (23:15) Life after hiring a virtual assistant with Belay (36:12) Nathan's Life on Target podcast (46:07) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here - Hire a virtual assistant through Belay here - Connect with Kevin Franklin here - Connect with Nathan Spearing here - Listen to Nathan's Life on Target podcast here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 270: The only time contractors get involved and talk with an attorney is when something goes wrong. Do you agree? To prove that claim, we have Attorney Marc Gravely on the podcast today, whose work is on representing owners exclusively in construction disputes with general contractors, architects, and engineers. Atty. Gravely is here to share with us the common construction defects in building that lead to litigations, how to avoid or reduce the risk, insurance and contracts, and everything in between. So, make sure to tune in on this one and get yourself informed so you won't have to deal with any litigations. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Atty. Marc Gravely (04:25) What do lawyers think about contractors? (05:36) Most common construction defects in buildings that lead to litigation (09:57) How to reduce the risk of construction defects (15:14) The missing process (18:15) Most common mistakes contractors make (22:05) GMP, time, and material contracts (25:04) How can a contractor protect themselves (26:39) How contractors should respond to issues (32:22) Mistakes to avoid that people make worse (38:30) The truth about a business that some find unconventional (43:07) Failures that set him up for later success (44:16) Marc's Reframing America's Infrastructure book (46:18) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here Connect with Marc - Grab a copy of his book here - Follow Marc on LinkedIn here - Visit Marc's website here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 269: Joining me in this week's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast is Boxabl CEO and Founder Paolo Tiramani. He's here to sit down and talk with me on how Boxabl solves housing problems - one of the pressing issues we have in the U.S. and globally. Boxabl is a housing construction technology based in Las Vegas that revolutionizes global housing. With its innovative foldable house product, it has the potential to solve skyrocketing housing costs and homelessness around the world. If you want to know what it takes to build a company that solves big problems and how Paolo shares that big vision with his team, make sure to tune in to find out more. Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Paolo's career prior Boxabl (01:08) What is Boxabl? (05:32) First principles explained (10:55) "Not all things need fixing" (24:30) How do you find the right questions to ask? (31:24) On global housing problems (35:29) How to share a big vision with your team (41:18) Business beliefs that others think are unconventional (46:39) Episode wrap-up (52:59) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here Check out Boxabl - Visit Boxabl's website here - Follow Boxabl on Instagram here - Subscribe to Boxabl on YouTube here - Do you want to join their team? Shoot them an email at [email protected] -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 268: When you grow up fighting battle after battle, it's easier to throw in the towel and accept things the way they are. But that wasn't the case for our guests today. Joining us in this week's episode of The Construction Leading Edge are Daniel and Noell Jett - DIY home builders and creators behind the widely followed Jett Set Farmhouse and book authors of Create Your Dream Home on a Budget. This power couple overcame their own battles, persevered, and built a successful life - inspiring millions of people to make their dream houses even on a tight budget. And they're here to share with us… - the adversities they had to go through and how they overcame those - how they persevered in building their dream home even on a limited budget - and chock full of helpful tips for all of you brave enough to take on house projects. If you want to know more about handling adversities, perseverance, success, and working together as a homebuilder couple, make sure to tune in to this week's episode. You don't want to miss out on this one! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Noell's childhood story (01:19) The connection between success and perseverance (04:34) Building their dream home together (08:04) How do Instagram collaborations work? (16:20) Building your own home vs. hiring a builder(18:04) What is broken within the construction industry? (22:42) Tips for married couples who work together (25:38) How to address disagreements as a couple (28:28) How to avoid decision fatigue? (30:33) On believing something that others find unconventional (35:54) What's the purpose of social media? (36:47) Noell and Daniel's book launch (42:27) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here Connect with Daniel and Noell - Follow them on Instagram here - Visit their website here - Grab a copy of their book here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 267: Did you know that only 15% of employees are engaged while the rest of the 85% isn't? According to a recent Gallup State of the Global Workplace Study, low employee engagement caused companies $450 - $500 billion per year. Think about that. Now, are your people engaged enough? Or do you do all the planning and implementation by yourself? How do you get people to come out of their way to engage? We'll talk about that in today's episode of The Construction Leading Edge Podcast. And joining me today is Leyah Valgardson, Director of Customer Success here at Construction Leading Edge. Tune in now as Leyah, and I talk about… - Why people don't want to engage? - Is money enough to get them motivated and engaged? - How to boost employee engagement? - And a whole lot more If you want to skyrocket your employee engagement and get your company closer to your vision, make sure to listen in. You don't want to miss this one! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Why are people disengaged at work? (02:32) What are employees looking for that will improve their engagement? (10:13) How do you get your team on board with your company's vision? (16:13) How to get people to embrace new processes? (24:30) Feedback when teams respond to new processes (29:18) Things that surprise people (33:03) How important is compensation to motivation? (38:20) Practical tips to improve employee engagement (40:22) Episode wrap-up (43:54) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Visit our website here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 266: Your construction business' success also depends on your trade partners (as I'd like to call them) or subcontractors. Most of the time, when subcontractors mess up production, the general contractors' (GC) initial response is to replace them. Little did they know, though, that in doing so, they're not just addressing the root cause of the problem, but they're creating another issue that leads to another one, and so on. And that's what we want to avoid. So, in this week's episode, we'll talk about three secrets on how to eliminate subcontractor chaos without finding new subs OR, worst, doing all the work yourselves. In addition, we'll also touch base on some construction myths and thinking traps that contribute to this industry's chaos and how to crush them instead. And when you finally understand these secrets, you can become the general contractor of choice in your market. If that sounds like the direction you'd want your company to take on, make sure to tune in to today's episode. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What are the problems with trade partners/subcontractors? (01:53) Is there really a skilled labor shortage? (03:13) Most common places people are losing time (05:06) Technology as a hurdle to productivity (12:16) You may be part of the productivity problem (13:23) Use the five why's method (14:50) The underlying problem - JETS trap (17:06) How to eliminate all the chaos? (29:31) Quick recap (30:35) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 265: When you think of it, all business problems are people problems. And in the chaotic construction world where systematization is not a norm, it's safe to say that people problem remains the biggest main challenge, and it's not the tools, projects, and whatnot. And to help us understand more about people problem, we have Eric Anderton on the podcast today. Eric is a leading construction leadership and strategic consultant, author, and keynote speaker behind Construction Genius, with over 25 years of experience in public speaking. And he's here to sit down and talk about… - Why every business problem is a people problem? - How do you repel the wrong people and attract and retain your rockstar employees? - A guide on how leaders should help build their team's confidence - The 3 Fs in conducting an effective team meeting - Plus so much more If your construction business is struggling with endless problems, it's time to get down to its root cause before it worsens. So, make sure to listen to today's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast and learn how. You don't want to miss this one! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) People problem as the biggest challenge (02:38) Symptoms if you have a people problem (04:02) How to repel the wrong people? (07:48) Best retention strategies (10:42) When a newcomer leapfrogs long-time employees (16:26) How does a leader build his team's confidence? (19:46) Steps in making team meetings functional, fast, and fun (32:17) The truth about retirement (41:59) Episode wrap-up (44:28) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here Connect with Eric - Grab a copy of his book Construction Genius here - Check out his podcast here - Visit his website here - Find Eric on LinkedIn here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 264: What happens if you step away from your business for a week or a month? Would it thrive, survive or fail? Is it even possible to run a business without you yet making eight sales figures? Yes, it's possible! Someone cracked the code, and that's what you are about to learn today. We have Marc-André La Barre of Lib. as our guest for today, and he'll let us in on his secrets on what makes his design and construction service company runs like a well-oiled machine with little to no involvement from him. (His company just made $14M in sales on commercial services last year.) In today's episode, Marc and I will dive deeper into ... - His company's core values and how those translate to success - How to design a business that runs without you? - The mindset shifts needed - and a whole lot more If you're a visionary who thrives in new business ideas and wants to create a business that runs without you, then you shouldn't miss out on this. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Marc (01:02) How did it all started? (01:56) From residential to commercial services (10:38) What is Lib and what are its core values? (16:38) How do Lib's values show up for its staff and clients? (19:44) Marc's interpretation of E-myth (23:31) How to design a business that runs without you? (27:08) On trusting your staff and making mistakes (39:38) Why share equity in your business? (43:31) Mindset shifts needed for success (45:36) Episode wrap-up (59:18) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Books mentioned in this episode: The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters Traction by Gino Wickman Power to the Edge by David S. Alberts and Richard E. Hayes The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Connect with Marc: - Visit Lib's company website here - Or email them at [email protected] -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 263: Are you spending your weekends on timesheets and payroll? If that's how your weekend looks, you have a big problem going on with your business. And that's what we'll solve for you in this week's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast. We've invited James Jessop, Ben Ercanbrack, and Isaac Barlow to talk about how they've finally won back their time and increased their revenue using the Busybusy app. Busybusy is an easy-to-use construction time-tracking app with features like digital employee clock in and out, photo upload for project documentation, equipment visibility, accurate job costing, and much more. As a project manager twenty years ago, I know how complex projects are, and I've learned that business management is way more important than the actual ability to build. And if you don't strengthen the business management side of things, then you won't have anything to build. The numbers are out there to prove that. One of them shows that 70% of construction companies fail within seven years. And one of the major roadblocks in a construction business is the employee timesheet. Overpayment, unverified timestamps, over breaks, and unclear task documentation - do these sound familiar to you? So, if you're in that same boat, make sure to tune in to today's episode as we unpack the benefits of using Busybusy and how it would impact your company and clients. Let's get started! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What challenges lead James Jessop to sign up for BusyBusy? (03:55) On overpaying employees and incorrect timesheets (07:52) Benefits of using BusyBusy (10:48) Ben Ercanbrack on how challenging collecting time is (26:45) On Busybusy's accurate job costing feature (30:20) Isaac Marlow on measuring results and better performance (33:23) What does winning look like? (37:28) What's the norm in a construction business? (39:53) How did BusyBusy get started? (44:14) What problems does BusyBusy solve for contractors? (48:12) The future of BusyBusy (56:59) Episode wrap-up (1:05:08) Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Win back your time using Busybusy here The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 262: Are people making decisions about their homes based on logic or emotions? How does emotional buying help you grow your business? In today's episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, Josh Dembicki, President and Co-Founder of Colorado Siding Repair, and Matt Lewis, COO of Hover, sit down with me to talk about how Hover encourages emotional connection with the customers and how it has hugely impacted the overall business growth of Colorado Siding Repair. Hover is an app that allows homeowners to take photos of their homes and turn them into accurate measurements, better project estimates, and collaborative 3D models for better visualization. With Hover's state-of-the-art features, Colorado Siding Repair was able to change the trajectory of its business with an impressive $11M in sales this year and a better 50% closing rate. But it's not the tech that got them to where they are right now. It's all about making an emotional connection with homeowners and letting them buy through emotions. With that being said, make sure to tune in to today's episode as we discuss more of that and the amazing features of Hover that you and your team could take advantage of. Let's get started! -- Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Josh of Colorado Siding Repair (00:19) What is Hover? (01:53) Are people making decisions on logic or emotions? (08:11) How is Hover impacting the estimating process (11:32) Best part of Hover during the operation process (15:31) Meet Matt of Hover (20:29) How did Hover start as a company? (24:08) Hover features for custom builders (25:49) Misconceptions and myths that contractors have (28:27) Hover's new direct ordering tool (35:43) What's the best part about Hover? (39:01) Episode wrap-up (41:34) -- Additional Resources: - FREE online training workshop: Get Out of Your Construction Business: How to Make it Run Without You here - Learn how to recession-proof your business here - Work with our team to systematize your business here - Build better projects using the Raken app here - Visit our website here -- Find Colorado Siding Repair - Visit Colorado Siding Repair's website here - Connect with Josh Dembicki here Find Hover - Check the Hover app here - Connect with Matt Lewis here -- The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time. Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!!

EPISODE 261: When we talk about a recession, we're not just talking about a broad economic downturn. We're talking about any big shock to a company's system, which you are guaranteed to experience. Here are 10 tips to make your business more recession-proof. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Recession Proof Your Business [Webinar Replay]: www.constructionleadingedge.com/recession

EPISODE 260: Entrepreneurs act a certain way and achieve results because of what they believe. There are 3 things entrepreneurs believe, that technicians do not. Listen to find out what they are, and see which ones you believe. What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: The thinking traps every technician falls into. Examples of the JETS thinking trap. When does an entrepreneur set up their financial systems? Why an entrepreneur wants to be replaceable. Common mistakes the technician makes when hiring. How Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A thought about hiring. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com Belay Solutions: To learn more about all the ways BELAY can help your construction business and claim an exclusive offer just for our listeners, text the word EDGE to 55123 today.

EPISODE 259: Is your business headed for a tipping point? Are you personally approaching a tipping point? Over the next few minutes you're going to go through our 12 point assessment to help you find out. What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: What does it look like when you hit a tipping point in your business? A 12 point assessment to determine if you or your business is approaching a tipping point. How Starving Horse Syndrome shows up. Symptoms that your team could be in a red line condition. Some examples of stress-induced health issues I've discussed with construction business owners recently. What the stress of your business could actually be doing to your family. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com Hover - Accurate measurements, collaborative design tools, and dependable estimates are all ways HOVER helps you serve your customers better and improve your operations to grow your business. https://hover.to/

EPISODE 258: Why do 80% of construction businesses have zero terminal value? How are they designed to fail? What are some lessons from IBM and old iPhones? What can you do to avoid spending 30 years building something you can't let go of? What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: Why 80% of construction businesses will never sell. An example of a very profitable construction business that was designed to fail. How a business can be like a hostage situation. A few indicators that your business is a victim of planned obsolescense. How your business will be valued when you try to sell it. 3 reasons IBM was successful. What "right to left thinking" looks like for big picture strategic planning. 6 mistakes to avoid so you don't spend the next few decades building something that's unintentionally designed to fail. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com Hover - Accurate measurements, collaborative design tools, and dependable estimates are all ways HOVER helps you serve your customers better and improve your operations to grow your business. https://hover.to/

EPISODE 257: What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: Is it possible to run a construction business that doesn't consume your life? Is it possible to own a business and work less than 40 hours a week? You may be surprised at how many hours Monish Khadye is working on his business now. Why he hated his business in May 2021. The mindset change you need to be prepared for if you want to change your business. The before and after pictures of his business. How he changed his mind about growing his business. The most impactful systems that gave him the most bang for the buck. Some of the unexpected side effects of systematizing his business. Why he has joined our team as a coach to help others systematize their business too. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com Hover - Accurate measurements, collaborative design tools, and dependable estimates are all ways HOVER helps you serve your customers better and improve your operations to grow your business. https://hover.to/

EPISODE 256: Your time is one of your company's most valuable resources. How are you being robbed of time, what is "sanctioned procrastination," and how do you take back control of your time? What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: Three strategies to take back control of your time. Sanctioned procrastination, and how you might be guilty of it. Four things that are robbing you of your time. A few myths about time management. How to use batching to wrestle control of your time back into your hands. The person who is really to blame for your productivity. The connection between your calendar and anxiety. The problem with the question, "You staying busy?" Why your team is counting on you to use your time wisely. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com Hover - Accurate measurements, collaborative design tools, and dependable estimates are all ways HOVER helps you serve your customers better and improve your operations to grow your business. https://hover.to/ Delegate to Elevate: Free ebook from Belay Solutions - https://resources.belaysolutions.com/edge

EPISODE 255: Is the chaos on your projects and frustration with your team a result of unclear roles and responsibilities? What are the ripple effects on your team, customers and trade partners? What are some unexpected good side effects of a good organizational design? What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode: The symptoms of unclear roles and responsibilities in an organization. Starving horse syndrome, and how it shows up. The ripple effect of unclear roles and responsibilities on company culture and your customers. What happens when your customers lose confidence. One reason you may never be able to sell your business. What happens when a business gets small again, according to the book The E-myth. The unexpected side effects of doing the work to create your Accountability Chart. What it could look like when you design your organization for the future. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com

EPISODE 254: Phil Coe voluntarily hit the reset button on his residential renovation business recently. Why did he do it, and how did it work out? How has his perspective on his business changed in the past few months, and what did he do to achieve that? What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode with Phil Coe, owner of Revision Built, a residential renovation company in Ottawa, Ontario. How he knew he needed to hit the reset button on his business. Building relationships is more important than the bottom line. When it's time to forget what you already know Keys to working with trade partners and the success he's experienced. The connection between your customer's problems and your ability to charge a premium Phil's advice for you if you're thinking about hitting the reset button Commercial work can be a race to the bottom The problems he was facing that led him to join our coaching program, and the results he's experienced His biggest lesson from a few decades in the business The brilliant way he uses his Airbnb townhouse Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com How to connect with Phil Coe and Revision Built: Company website - http://www.revisionbuilt.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/revisionbuilt/

EPISODE 253: How to Get a Check from the IRS for Your Employee Retention Credit with Catherine Tindall Catherine Tindall is an entrepreneur, CPA and partner with Dominion Enterprises. She specializes in advanced tax reduction and is an expert on the employee retention credit, which is what this episode is all about. What's in it for you? If you own a business, work for a business, or know someone who owns a business, this episode could be worth a lot of money. What is the Employee Retention Credit, and why does it exist? How the Employee Retention Credit is different from PPP or EIDL. How to determine if you might qualify. Some common misconceptions about ERC. A few case studies of businesses that received substantial checks for the ERC. The deadline when the Employee Retention Credit will go away. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: See if you qualify for the Employee Retention Credit - https://dominiones.com/ Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com

EPISODE 252: Are you wasting marketing dollars? How can you use your website as a "lever" to automate your sales process? What's the 80/20 on marketing activities you should be focused on now, even if you're busier than ever? Listen to my conversation with Spencer Powell to learn all that and more. What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode with Spencer Powell: Using marketing as a lever for adjusting lead flow. What you could be wasting your marketing dollars and energy on. How people really find you online. The 80/20 on marketing activities, and the question you need to answer first. What you can focus on now to strengthen your position during the next downturn. The biggest group of people you want to market to, that no one else is talking to. How to use lifestyle content to build relationships with future clients. How to use your website during the sales process. How can busy construction business owners leverage automation? How to say "No" gracefully. How creating constraints can make you more effective. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Todd Dawalt's Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Delegate to Elevate: Free ebook from Belay Solutions - https://resources.belaysolutions.com/edge Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com How to connect with Spencer Powell: Builder Funnel Website: https://www.builderfunnel.com/ Builder Funnel Radio Podcast: https://www.builderfunnel.com/builder-funnel-radio

EPISODE 251: How do you know if you're getting overcharged for your workers comp premiums? If you are 100% happy with the checks you're writing for workers comp, and feel great about how much you're paying…you should probably skip this episode. What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode with workers comp overpayment recovery specialist Scott Priz: There's a 30% chance you're getting overcharged for workers comp, and what to do about it. What a "shock" audit can look like, and how it could bankrupt you. Some of the pitfalls to watch out for that can create gigantic increases in premiums. How insufficient documents open the door to insurance companies doing what they want. Red flags that you could be getting overcharged. The two most common reasons contractors get overcharged. (Time tracking) The biggest errors made during an audit, that you need to know about. A few things your insurance company is allowed to do to you if you don't cooperate. The importance of your experience modification factor, and how to get it lowered. One way your experience modification factor can prevent you from bidding on work, and in extreme cases put you out of business. How to get your hard earned money back. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Contact Scott and our overpayment recovery partners - www.constructionleadingedge.com/recover Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Apply to Work with Our Team to Systematize Your Construction Business: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Delegate to Elevate: Free ebook from Belay Solutions - https://resources.belaysolutions.com/edge Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com

EPISODE 250: Garrett Moore is a former Navy SEAL, and the founder of Agorus, a company tackling the housing shortage, the labor shortage and using software and robotics to build houses in days instead of months. Here's what you'll hear about in this construction podcast with Garrett Moore: How would a team of Navy SEALS build 500 houses. Misconceptions about being a NAVY SEAL. The biggest killer of teamwork. Amateurs train until they get it right and how pros train. How the Pareto principle applies to skilled trades training. Commander's Intent and how you can use it. The North Star principle. Being stubborn on vision flexible on details. Risk avoidance vs. ownership, and which one creates a low trust environment. Trust allows decentralized command. Who goes first with trust? Why mantras are effective, and a few good ones to remember. What's better than carrots and sticks? How being lukewarm hurts culture. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Systematize Your Construction Business Results Program - Apply to work with us: www.constructionleadingedge.com/apply Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com How to connect with Garrett Moore, founder of Agorus: Company website: https://agorus.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-garrettmoore-/

EPISODE 249: Should you set company goals by yourself? What happens when a business acquisition goes wrong? How can a lack of SOPs kill a job instantly? How is Jeremy Flaten, owner of Jerco Construction, actually getting young people interested in the skilled trades? What you'll take away from this construction podcast episode with Jeremy Flaten, owner of Jerco Construction: One of the greatest perks of being a business owner that might surprise you. How Jeremy uses hockey to get young people in the skilled trades. Why you should never set goals by yourself. How Jeremy is using Execution Plans to create a path to success with his team. How to use social media, even if you hate social media. How a business acquisition went wrong, and what Jeremy learned from it. The business case for a clean jobsite. What happened when Jeremy's team started putting systems in place. Not having SOPs can kill a job instantly. If you're not trying to better your business every day, you shouldn't be in business. Running a business is like coaching in real life. How life is different after working in our coaching program. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Raken - Get the data you need to build better projects with an app your field crews will actually use - https://www.rakenapp.com How to connect with Jeremy Flaten: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JerCoConstruction Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jerco2008/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP3T9cmOLxa9ylTcfVx97qw

EPISODE 248: Here's what you'll take away from this construction podcast episode with Brady Fry, owner of Fry Classic Construction in Nashville: What's better than timely communication? How his experience in the music industry helped him deal with construction issues. How to pave a wide path to success for your team. Why Brady strategically stopped using the word "estimate." Don't negotiate against yourself during a project. There are no casual conversations with clients. Talent wants to be on a winning team. The first person guy to get mad usually loses. Figuring out the people is a lifetime endeavor. How important psychology is to being a business owner. Why a really talented person may not want to start their own business. The virtuous cycle of hiring talented people. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout 3 Questions To Get Paid for Estimates: Don't write up another free estimate until you watch this free training video - www.buildermasterclass.com/script How to connect with Brady Fry: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fryclassicconstruction/ Website - www.fryclassicconstruction.com

EPISODE 247: What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode with Todd Dawalt and our Director of Customer Success, Leyah Valgardson: Top 5 fears you'll need to push through to grow your business. How business owners tend to get in their own way. Are you "shoulding" all over yourself? Harmony vs. Balance. Practical tips to stop screwing yourself over. What's in it for you in the Systematize Your Construction Business program. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout Delegate to Elevate: Free ebook from Belay Solutions - https://resources.belaysolutions.com/edge

EPISODE 246: How do you feel about the amount of hard earned money you pay to the federal government in taxes? If there was a federal program designed to reduce your tax liability, but you didn't know about it, would you want to take advantage of it? This episode is about overpayment recovery and will pull the curtains back on federal tax credits that could be available to you. Credits that a lot of CPA's don't know about, or won't dig into. Tax credits that a lot of small and medium sized construction businesses are taking advantage of. In this construction podcast episode, you'll hear my interview with Justin Rupple, a Tax Incentive Specialist answer a few questions, including: What are some of the little known tax credits that are available to construction business owners? How much money is being left on the table every year by the average construction business? Why is it that a lot of CPAs don't know about, or go after these tax credits? Who are some of the construction businesses who have recovered their overpayments, and how much did they get back? How does the process of recovering your overpayment work, and what's the first step? What is this tax credit program, and why does it exist? What is the biggest reason most small businesses miss out on these tax credits? Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Take the first step to recover your tax overpayments - www.constructionleadingedge.com/recover Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout

EPISODE 245: What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode: If you're delegating tasks, what you should be delegating instead. How to use the DOA concept to speed up decision making What can cost more than a wrong decision One of the myths that needs to be debunked about delegation Why you should divorce communication and accountability The 5 levels of delegation What good delegation will allow your team to find, that's probably been there all along A lesson from a 1990's hip hop song Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout CompanyCam - The photo app every contractor needs - https://companycam.com/cle

EPISODE 244: What you'll learn about in this construction podcast episode: The "second set of eyes" concept. Advice for second generation business owners. What is exponentially more important in a family business. How a train is always failing. Why and how to depersonalize failure, and even celebrate it. Problems caused by having the company vision and process locked away in his head. When the best way to be profitable is not to focus on profitability. The "Flex Track" and the problems it can solve for you. Resources mentioned in this construction podcast episode: Get Out of Your Business: Make it Run Without You This Year: Free online training workshop - www.constructionleadingedge.com/getout CompanyCam - The photo app every contractor needs - https://companycam.com/cle How to connect with Mikhail Gannage: Company website - https://www.gannageconstruction.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gannagedesignconstruction Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gannageconstruction/