The Mobile Workforce Podcast

Construction leaders know a lot about the art of construction. But marketing a construction company? That's a whole different story. Promoting a construction company can be challenging, especially in today's competitive market where the landscape is often flooded with advertisements and noise. That's why companies are increasingly thinking outside the box – and their tactics may surprise you. Dillon Hales, the owner of Yeti Welding, joins the Mobile Workforce Podcast to share how social media helped him build his welding company from the ground up. They discuss different ways to leverage social media, including building trust with general contractors, raising brand awareness to attract new prospects and strengthening relationships with current customers. In this episode, Dillon also dives into speed bumps he's encountered and how you can start using social media to grow your business today.

A construction company's success begins with the successes of its individual employees. And according to Dan Clark, motivational speaker and CEO of The Art of Significance Leadership Development, that individual's success must be channeled through everyone in the company –– from the very top to the very bottom. The result? An engaged and improved workforce, and a culture of excellence and safety. In a special episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, host Mike Merrill welcomes Dan. They intended to talk about construction safety but what they really talked about was life. More specifically, they discussed how companies can support their teams, celebrate their successes and help everyone become the best versions of themselves.

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic threw much of the construction industry into disarray, with projects going on hiatus and some businesses going under. And while the majority of the industry adjusted to new safety regulations and got back to business, the metal industry wasn't spared. The virus caused metal mills across the country to close down or dramatically diminished their capacity, which caused supply chain shortages that are still being worked out today. Fortunately, Isaiah Industries President Todd Miller says technology and relationship building are two ways for contractors to get back on track. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Todd explains how technology solutions are helping contractors build better relationships with the suppliers as well as providing support for their sales and manufacturing processes. He also shares ways in which customers benefit from technologies like visualization software and artificial intelligence, and why the silver lining of the pandemic is how it's led to companies thinking outside the box.

Workforce shortages in the construction industry cause businesses to turn down projects and miss deadlines every single day. And while the competition for experienced workers is fierce, hiring away from competitors and recycling through employees puts a Band-Aid on a bigger problem: the lack of young people choosing construction as a career. Frustrated by this disconnect, ARS Roofing CEO Letitia Hanke decided to take action. She founded The LIME Foundation – a nonprofit that introduces young people in Santa Rosa, California to the trades and connects these prospective workers to construction firms seeking to hire. In Part 2 of their conversation, host Mike Merrill and Letitia discuss construction's dire need for expanding its workforce and how The LIME Foundation is a model for tackling the labor gap. They talk about the foundation's training programs, why construction companies benefit from investing in young people and showing them the path to long-term careers. They also dive into how others can learn from Letitia's model and create training programs in their own communities.

The construction industry has made positive advancements in recent decades, especially when it comes to technology, engineering and safety. But one area in which the industry continues to lag is the makeup of its workforce. In 2019, women comprised only 10 percent of the construction workforce. And while there is some silver lining – including a growing number of women managers in the field – there's more work to be done. Fortunately, there are leaders like Letitia Hanke paving the way for women to enter the field of construction and build successful careers. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Letitia talks about her journey starting out in roofing to now being president and CEO of ARS Roofing. She and host Mike Merrill discuss breaking into the business, navigating the industry and why mentorship is imperative for up-and-comers in construction – especially women who need to see themselves represented. They also talk about how construction leaders can ensure a level playing field for all.

Experimental projects encourage creativity in the construction industry. At the forefront of this is Alfonso Oliva, Director of LERA+ – a spinoff of structural-engineering firm LERA. LERA+ pushes the boundaries of creativity with the principles of engineering by way of design optimization, software development, simulation and 3D modeling. The result? A jaw-dropping portfolio that includes some of the most iconic buildings and structural art in the world. As exciting as these projects may be, most construction firms don't require such high levels of experimentation. However, there's a thing or two to be learned about introducing new levels of creativity to projects and optimizing projects through technology, such as computational design and digital fabrication. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Oliva breaks down how structural optimization technologies are being utilized in construction projects across the country and how construction firms can incorporate creativity and artwork into their projects.

Mental health is a subject that isn't broached often in the world of construction, but according to Stuart Binstock, CEO and President of CFMA, it needs to be. Binstock is on the board of trustees for the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). CIASP's goal is making people aware that the problem exists in the United States and around the world with groups similar to CIASP. Based on recent trends, the group's work has never been more critical. In 2018, the Center for Disease Control found that construction had the highest suicide rate of any industry in the United States. During one presentation Binstock gave, he asked a group of construction companies, "How many of you have had a suicide on the job or are aware of an employee who has died by suicide?" Two thirds of attendees raised their hands. This is an alarming reality, but it's one the construction industry can change. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Binstock shares why people need to talk about mental health, how the construction industry can prioritize mental health in their company cultures and where to find the resources to educate employees on these matters.

Construction management teams prioritize the safety of their workers, but rules and regulations can be confusing to keep up with. On top of that, visits and surprise inspections from OSHA and its state-level affiliates can cause anxiety among even the most diligent of construction firms. So how can contractors ensure their job sites are safe and issue-free? According to Cotney Attorneys & Consultants' Trent Cotney, preparedness is key. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Trent shares why an OSHA inspection doesn't have to spell trouble. He shares advice on employing the right strategies, documentation and training to ensure your business is safe and compliant with current laws.

The construction world is too competitive and fast-paced to rely on analog systems, especially when it comes to accounting and payroll. This is why the future of construction technology lies in cloud-based software. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, in particular, is on the rise thanks to its ability to connect people from job sites to the main office on any smart device or computer, giving them the opportunity to share information in real-time. This leads to benefits such as expedited labor reporting, connected and reliable information across the entire organization and up-to-date rules and regulations. So how does ERP work? Is it easy to implement? And how quickly can a business see benefits? Darcy Boerio, President of DAB Partners, joins Mike Merrill on this week's episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast to explain what to know about ERP software and how to make the most of it. She breaks down the differences between cloud-based software and cloud-capable software, and shares why cloud-based software will push legacy systems to the side for good.

The way individuals land jobs and move up in construction companies has changed since social media entered the picture. Today, sites like LinkedIn serve as one's digital brand and resume. And while leveraging technology isn't formally required to get a job in construction, it is how HR and hiring managers search and vet prospective candidates, giving these job seekers a clear edge over their tech-wary competition. Fortunately, there are simple steps everyone can take to stand out in today's competitive hiring landscape. In this episode, Karla Meador, the Managing Partner at NEAR Search Group, joins host Mike Merrill to discuss how technology has changed the way companies hire, as well as actionable advice for breaking into the construction industry and seasoned professionals looking to make a change.

Technology permeates every aspect of the construction job site, giving contractors better control of their projects, workforces, safety and budgets. And while creating financially efficient job sites can be a tall order, live field data is a reliable way to get on track. With so many ways live field data streamline business and increase profits, we decided to go straight to the experts to break things down. Jimmy Gabbard is the IT Manager at Potter Concrete and Austin Chiapuzio, a Systems Engineer at Flair Data Systems. They join the podcast to talk about an exciting data management project they've been working on –– collecting live field data from all of Potter Concrete's job sites. In this episode, they share how construction teams can leverage data, hands on reporting and how live field data can protect your construction budget.

Being prepared for the unexpected is part of success on the job site. And yet most business owners haven't thought about what it takes to eventually sell or pass down their own business. According to Dan Murray, the Coach at Your Restoration Coach, that's a big mistake. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Dan shares the serious repercussions that stem from not planning a business exit in advance. He dives into the financial implications, including how most construction business owners have a big portion of their retirement savings locked into their business. He also discusses timing and explains why planning should begin years in advance. Finally, Dan breaks down action listeners can take now, including actionable steps that make a business valuable to potential purchasers.

Construction can be risky business. Fortunately, with the right information, contractors have the ability to understand their overall exposure to risk. Increasingly, contractors are turning to technology to speed up the process. Typically, people assume this process works much like understanding a stock portfolio. Contractors need insights into their projects across their portfolio to see which are profitable, which are breaking even and which are in the red. But technology today goes beyond data collection and delivers predictive insights that rely on trends to show risk ahead of time, so contractors can make adjustments as needed. According to Viewpoint's Matt Harris, mobile applications and live field data can be compared against aggregate data from the industry at large. This provides accurate and predictable insights into any bid or job a contractor is looking at. Thanks to this technology, contractors can gain confidence in their assessments of risk like never before.

Every industry has trends that come and go, so it's understandable leaders get wary of the latest buzzwords. The true test of what's a shiny toy object versus what has longevity is the value it provides. Take Business Intelligence, or BI for short. BI gives contractors the ability to visualize data and quickly decipher it so they can recognize trends on the job site and take action. The buzz around the power of analytics is for good reason. BI and data visualization signifies a huge step forward in construction technology and productivity. In this episode, Frank Di Lorenzo Jr. and Ben Harrison from Preferred Strategies share how to take the data you have and leverage it with the help of BI. They also share how BI can be used with other key technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to put powerful reporting in the hands of everyone on the job site.

There are a lot of stereotypes about the construction world, such as every project is over budget and late. Most of them are dated and silly, but these misconceptions still weigh the industry down. How? By making it harder to attract good workers and increasing skepticism by prospective customers, to name a few. The good news is there's never been a better time to work in construction, with technology at the helm of significant changes that improve how companies budget, report progress, and track issues. Fortunately, technology and marketing are the key to freeing the industry from outdated stereotypes once and for all. In this special crossover episode with the Bridging the Gap Podcast, host Todd Weyandt breaks down common stereotypes about the construction industry and shares ways to reshape construction's image in 2021 and beyond.

As the use of construction technology surges across the industry, an unexpected group is expressing interest in how it works: prospective clients. Current customers and prospective clients understand that technology is valuable for businesses in general. But lately, more and more are beginning to understand how a business' technology (or lack of) can benefit (or hinder) their projects. Whether it's gaining visibility into budgets or timelines, or receiving updates from the field in real-time, prospective clients are asking construction firms what kinds of technology they utilize and are increasingly choosing contractors based on their answers. In this episode, Mike Gillum, a product specialist at Acumatica, reveals which technologies are attracting clients today and explains why every contractor should be implementing these solutions in 2021 and beyond.

A construction company's success hinges in part on how cohesive its finance and field operations teams are. The well-known challenge, however, is that these two teams work in silos and notoriously struggle to align. So how can construction leaders help these two teams overcome rifts that can lead to massive losses and inefficiency? In this episode, James Coyle, co-founder of Event 1 Software, explains why communication is key to getting finance and field operations teams on the same page. James shares tried and true tactics that companies of all sizes can implement to help these two teams understand each other's needs and work better together. He also breaks down the ways these teams can support one another and where tech comes into play.

Cutting edge technology is no longer just for large construction companies. An increasing number of smaller firms and sub-contractors are implementing tech solutions to improve communications, increase their productivity and protect their businesses. In this episode, Steve Antill, Chief Revenue Officer of Foundation Software, joins the podcast to discuss technologies subcontractors and small firms can implement to streamline their efforts with general contractors. He explains the different benefits of communication, labor scheduling and documentation tools, and shares why companies – no matter their size – need to have an IT strategy. Steve also talks about how investing in technology and eliminating data silos pays off for construction businesses in the long term, and why the time to get started is now.

The construction industry is seeing prefabrication, robotics and automation solutions increase across the board. These new technologies save on costs, increase worker safety and improve quality control. But construction leaders should be proactive in engaging employees early if they're bringing on these solutions. That's because employees may be wary of change and could resist new processes, holding up the implementations and productivity along the way. In this episode, Christian Burger, president of Burger Consulting, shines a light on how automation benefits workers, whether they're on job sites or in the back office. He explains how construction leaders can engage their employees with new solutions by sharing how they'll provide value, as well as how companies can make the most of the tech they have.

Material delays. Out of stock materials with no anticipated date of availability. These are the realities even the best contractors face from time to time. The good news is there are ways to avoid supplier shortages so you can keep your project's timeline and budget intact. In this episode, we invited Buck Buchanan, the president of Buchanan Business Consulting, to share his experience from the supplier side. He breaks down tips and tactics to remain in control of your supply chain no matter what is happening in the market.

Today's construction projects and job sites require teams to be nimble and agile so they can handle any surprises that come their way. But these capabilities don't just happen. Construction leaders need to be proactive, encourage their employees to be ready for the unexpected and help set everyone up for success. In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast Jeff Gerardi, the president of ProEst Software, shares how to build a company that can adapt to changes on the job site and in the market.

No one in the construction industry is sitting around on their hands. And if being busy equals success, then every contractor would be a millionaire. We invited Jeffrey Nesbitt, the director of consulting services at CLA, to come on the show and talk about productivity and the costs of not buttoning up your processes and procedures. In today's episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, learn how to take a new look at your processes and determine what needs to change. Jeffrey gives contractors actionable ideas on how to implement new processes and how they can make sure that the new habits stick for the long term.

Construction companies dream of securing large clients to increase their size and profits. But the process of identifying, engaging and maintaining those types of clients is easier said than done. In part two of our conversation with the leadership team at KPost Roofing, CEO, Keith Post, President, Steve Little and CFO, Jayne Williams share what it takes to attract large clients and how companies can keep their clients happy. They discuss how they became the official partner of the Dallas Cowboys, as well as lessons learned on scaling their business up to meet the demands large projects require.

The construction industry hasn't prioritized company culture the way many other industries have. For the most part, this has been due to the transient nature of the work. But today, longevity and consistency in a construction company's workforce is vital, especially with the labor shortages we are all experiencing. And so companies are beginning to put their culture front and center as a means to increase loyalty, engagement and productivity. With that in mind, we invited the leadership team at KPost Roofing in Dallas to join us on today's episode. During the episode, KPost's CEO Keith Post, President Steve Little and CFO Jayne Williams talk about their journey to becoming one of the highest-rated roofing companies in the country and how establishing and fostering a strong company culture is their competitive edge. They also discuss how construction leaders should prioritize their business and people, and why a business' leadership team has a responsibility to keep their people safe and happy.

Today's episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast is all about appearances and the skills construction managers need to be successful in today's market. Damien gives contractors ideas on how to change up the appearance of their job site to encourage success while guiding newbies on the steps it takes to stand out when management positions are available.

In today's episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Tony shares why communication between the office and the job site is so essential to the success of any construction project.

In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Ron shares how to best navigate the complex world of data management and how to predict the flow of projects accurately. He gives clear steps to make any contractor the predictability hero of their team.

In this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Dennis shares the value of construction data and how contractors need to start using the data they have and seek out data that will build their successes. Listen in to find out how to increase the use of data that has already been collected on the job site and how to give it value.

On this episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Brian shares some of the secrets from his latest book, The 7 Secrets to Becoming a Wealthy Contractor. Tune in to hear what it takes to achieve your goals and live the life you want to live. Be sure to check out Brian's Book The 7 Secrets to Becoming a Wealthy Contractor and his Podcast the Wealthy Contractor You can find gFour Marketing Here. Please visit our sponsor WorkMax

In this inaugural episode of the Mobile Workforce Podcast, Randy shares the importance of delegation in the growth and success of a contractor's business. He also shares the processes and mindset that delegation requires to be profitable on the job site. Be sure to check out Randy's Book Start it, Build it, Grow it: The Contractor's Guild to Success and his Podcast The Start, Build, Grow Podcast. You can find the Roofing Academy Here. Please visit our sponsor WorkMax