The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

EPISODE 326: Most construction business owners handle all aspects of their companies themselves: estimation, sales, project management, and more.

However, it is easy to overlook the need to develop business acumen alongside trade skills when running a construction business.

Jeff Bowers, our guest on this week’s podcast, understands this principle better than most. 

As the owner and CEO of Masterpiece Design Build, a full-service general contracting firm specializing in designing and building custom homes, major residential renovations, and additions along with commercial projects, Jeff brings decades of industry experience to the table.

During this conversation, Jeff shares on the podcast how businesses should navigate economic downturns, the value of systematizing your construction process, the importance of improving everyone’s experience throughout construction, and the strategic systems and processes that built his company to where it is now.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Jeff Bowers (04:42)

From painting contractor to custom home builder (09:56)

Navigating economic downturns and the role of resilience (11:40)

Focusing on business systems over manual skills (21:40)

Common fears to overcome when growing a business (24:50)

The impact of systematizing your construction process (27:44)

How important is the experience during pre-construction and construction processes (32:13)

Systems that grew Jeff’s construction business (38:07)

Does construction always have to be chaotic? (45:51)

Jeff’s advice for construction owners (46:52)

The CEO Alliance and its impact to Jeff (53:32)

What separates great companies from good companies (59:02)

Advice to his old self (1:04:24)

Rapid-fire questions with Jeff (1:07:40)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE

Keep up with Jeff Bowers’ Masterpiece Design Build:

- Check out Masterpiece Design Build’s website HERE

- Follow Masterpiece Design Build on Instagram 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 325: Who doesn’t dream of expanding their construction business? We all do. Yet, along with expansion comes more significant challenges. Without the right systems, it’s easier to forget about scaling up. This was precisely the situation our guest found himself in.

In this week’s episode, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, sits down with Nolan Harris, the owner of Riviera Construction, who specializes in high-end custom homes and remodeling in Southern California. 

Nolan opens up about his bold decision to downsize and the driving force behind his re-expansion efforts. He also shares the transformative tools and systems he learned through our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program, how he effectively integrated these systems to streamline his business growth and much more.

Ready to grow your business? Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Nolan Harris and his works at Riviera Construction (04:08)

Solving chaos through downsizing and saying no (05:37)

The transformative impact of systematizing the preconstruction process (10:32)

Team empowerment and redesigning the business (14:11)

Shifting from free estimates to paid preconstruction services (17:24)

Renewed excitement and growth strategy for the business (21:34)

Nolan’s office space expansion and hiring strategies (23:00)

Episode wrap-up (24:44)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass 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 324: Are you spending most of your time putting out fires instead of working on your construction business?

Join us in this week’s episode as Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, sits down with Charles Rogers, co-founder of Rethink Enterprise, a dynamic custom home builder company based in Colorado.

Today, Charles shares his transformative journey after signing up for our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. From chaotic operations to streamlined success, Charles unveils how focusing on streamlining preconstruction processes and implementing rigorous accountability measures reshaped his custom home building business.

Ready to transform your business? Tune in now and learn more!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Charles Rogers and his works at Rethink Enterprise (04:34)

Charles’ challenges before signing up for the SYCB program (05:45)

How frustration affects his personal and business life (07:07)

Turning  point with the SYCB program (11:58)

Key benefits from the SYCB program (14:41)

Impact on the team and operational efficiency (18:05)

How life looks like after implementing SYCB program insights (20:27)

Episode wrap-up (22:30)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass 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 323: Do you wish you could sit down with a successful construction business CEO and pick his brain? This week’s interview with 30-year veteran CEO Jonathan Orpin is something you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Orpin, CEO of multiple profitable companies, including New Energy Works and Pioneer Millworks. 

Jonathan’s passion for energy conservation and sustainable building led him to establish multiple interconnected and profitable businesses.

Today, he shares how he transitioned his companies to 100% employee ownership by setting up an employee stock option plan (ESOP). He also explains how this plan ensures employees are well-invested in the company’s success, the best strategies for succession planning, and what businesses can achieve when prioritizing the triple bottom line approach.

If you’re intrigued by how businesses can drive positive change, this episode is a must-listen!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Jonathan Orpin and the businesses he built (02:26)

The inception of Jonathan’s New Energy Works (06:35)

The triple bottom line concept explained (08:50)

How to articulate the company’s mission & vision with your employees (12:44)

How to transition to 100% employee ownership (ESOP) (18:38)

Benefits and challenges of an ESOP (28:23)

Biggest mistakes most construction business owners make (37:16)

What are the top priorities of a CEO? (39:59)

The number one thing to look for when hiring an employee (46:11)

What people need to know when starting a business (48:27)

Rapid fire questions answered (53:22)

Keep up with Jonathan (55:37)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE

Keep up with Jonathan’s works:

- Check out New Energy Works HERE

- Check out Pioneer Millworks 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 322: Is your construction business not making any progress? Are you putting things on hold for so long? You could be stuck in one of these hidden and destructive thinking traps.

In this week's episode, I've invited Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, and Monish Khadye, our Systematize Your Construction Business coach, to discuss the thinking traps holding back construction business owners. We uncover these pitfalls, how they affect your business and personal life, and some practical solutions to get out of these traps and unlock your business and life's full potential.

So, if you want a meaningful change in your life, whether it's relationships, health, or business, this episode is for you. Tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Thinking trap #1: Fortune-telling (02:46)

Thinking trap #2: Fear as a major obstacle (09:16)

Thinking trap #3: Too busy or no time at all (14:39) 

Thinking trap #4: Micromanagement (19:34)

Thinking trap #5: Not trying something new (22:48)

Thinking trap #6: I can’t afford____ (27:56)

Thinking trap #7: Self-sabotage (35:06)

Thinking trap #8: The comfort trap (36:18)

Thinking trap #9: The shiny object syndrome (40:57)

Thinking trap #10: Perfectionism (46:43)

How to get out of these traps (57:42)

Final thoughts (1:07:04)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass 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 321: Do you feel like you’re always falling short? Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? 

Here’s what most of us don’t realize: Comparing your current situation to an ideal outcome is a sure way to get yourself frustrated. Unfortunately, that’s how most of us are hardwired–focusing on what’s wrong and living in the gap. 

Measuring yourself against ideals is like measuring yourself against a moving horizon–you’ll never be contented or happy. The gap can never be satisfied externally. So, how does this affect you as a construction business owner? How do you break free from this deadly trap?

In this week’s episode, we’ll explore what it’s like living in the gap, how to break free from it, and how to start living in the gain and generate enjoyable profits. To better understand what it’s like living in the gain, our Director of Customer Success, Leyah Hostetter, sat down with Alex Thompson, owner and CEO of Monon Construction Group, for an insightful interview.

Don’t miss out on this one. Tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Seven questions you have to ask yourself (01:25)

What happens when you’re in the gap? (02:52)

What is living in the gain? (05:50)

How to live in the gain (08:47)

What have you accomplished? (16:47)

Three options if you want to make a change (19:39)

Meet Alex Thompson of Monon Construction Group (23:22)

What does lack of accountability and systems look like (24:28)

The impact of having a CEO schedule (29:01)

What Alex learned from SYCB’s nailing the handoff process (31:08)

Generating enjoyable profits (36:07)

How’s life and business now for Alex (39:53)

Additional Resources:

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE

– Listen to Episode 298: Why 10x Is Easier than 2x 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 320: Adversity and challenges are a part of life. It isn’t going away. However, most of us falsely think that adversity is bad and that we should hide or avoid it. What if I tell you that adversity is the key to your success?

You see, the adversity you’re dealing with is NOT the problem; it’s the story you’re telling yourself. 

In this episode of The Construction Leading Edge podcast, we’ll dive deep into how you can reframe adversity to help you power through life and your construction business.

Additionally, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, interviews Michael Thorp, one of our recent Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program graduates, to share the business adversities and chaos he had to endure before signing up with our program and the most impactful lessons he learned that made the most significant change in his construction business.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The story of Admiral James Stockdale (01:41)

Facing and reframing adversity in life (03:43)

What most of us do when facing adversities (09:57)

Persevering through adversity is the key to success (15:07) 

What happens when you begin to embrace adversity (23:40)

Meet Michael Thorp (27:04)

Business challenges and chaos that Michael faced (32:21)

Most impactful lessons that Michael learned from the SYCB program (36:46)

Improving team efficiency and morale through open communication (40:14)

How’s life and business now for Michael (42:46)

Additional Resources:

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Register for our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass 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 319: Have you ever felt like your business is stuck in a loop, unable to break through to the next level? Do you ever wonder what’s missing?

In this episode of The Construction Leading Edge Podcast, I’ll discuss how crucial habits and systems are in transforming your construction business and achieving new heights.

We’ll dive deeper into the power of habit change, accountability, strategic planning, and leadership development in overcoming common business challenges.

Lastly, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, speaks with Charles Grant, owner of Seven Ridges Construction, who shares his journey of transforming his construction business by implementing new systems, and how it led to improved efficiencies and client satisfaction.

Let’s jump in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The seven old habits that are holding you back (01:40)

The concept of different results requires different habits (11:32)

Leadership skills and their development (13:42)

Story of Jake Browning’s success (18:00)

The 90-day challenge (22:37)

Interview with Charles Grant on business transformation (25:42)

Charles Grant’s realization of change (28:47)

Most impactful thing he learned from the SYCB program (31:31)

Additional Resources:

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Register for our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Listen to Episode 276 HERE

Book Mentioned

- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

--

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 318: Referrals can hurt your construction business. Relying on referrals alone is certainly a risky business. They’re more like an anchor that’s holding you down. So, what does an effective construction marketing look like?

In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Spencer Powell, founder and CEO of Builder Funnel, a strategic marketing agency that helps remodelers and builders achieve sustainable business growth.

Spencer and I talk about all things marketing–what's working and not working and the problems with relying solely on referrals. He also shares some valuable tips on how to build your pipeline of prospects, the top three marketing metrics you need to track, what to do when updating your website, and more.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

What’s working and not working in marketing (05:19)

Tips for building a pool of prospects (07:54)

The downside of being 100% referral-based (13:59)

Questions to ask when designing a marketing strategy (17:10) 

Common marketing mistakes that builders and remodelers do (30:23) 

Top three metrics you should be tracking (33:32) 

How to effectively use social media (37:24)

What builders and remodelers need to focus on in 2024 (42:54)

Tips when updating your company website (49:46)

How Spencer extracts himself from the daily operations (56:00)

Keep up with Spencer and Builder Funnel (1:00:43)

Additional Resources:

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Register for our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE

Guest Bonus: FREE copy of The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint

Grab a free copy of Spencer’s book, The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint: How to Attract Quality Leads, Increase Sales, and Dominate Your Competition, by emailing him at spowell@builderfunnel.com with “Todd” in the subject line.

Visit Builder Funnel 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 317: How thoroughly have you outlined your business plan for the year 2024? 

If you want to get out of the day-to-day firefighting, spend more time working on the business, and take things to the next level, you’re in the right place.

In this week’s episode of The Construction Leading Edge Podcast, I’ll share the four (4) crucial steps to level up your construction business in 2024.

I’ll discuss the three reasons why you need a strategic planning process for the next twelve (12) months, how to craft a well-thought-out business plan (plus a FREE strategic planning guide), and some of our top resources designed to help propel your construction business forward.

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Why you need a strategic business plan (02:03)

#1 question to ask during the strategic planning process (07:55)

Benefits of developing performance specifications for your business (09:42)

How to extract yourself from day-to-day firefighting (16:24)

Decide on what you’re going to do next (25:36)

A top resource to help you get started (33:33)

Episode wrap-up (35:05)

Additional Resources:

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Register for our FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Listen to Episode 315 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 316: Are you a visionary leader? What does it mean to be one? Can being a visionary ensure success?

This week, we’ll revisit a podcast episode with Monish Khadye, a construction business owner and our very own Systematized Your Construction Business (SYCB) facilitator and coach.

Monish, who’s also a visionary, delves into the challenges, misconceptions, and myths that accompany this role on a daily basis.

Join us as we explore the intricacies of a visionary’s mindset, uncover practical tips, and delve into how a visionary can overcome obstacles to realize their visions and foster a thriving construction business.

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

What do visionaries bring to the organization? (01:58)

What do inconsistencies look like for a visionary? (12:03)

The organizational 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 being needed (32:32)

Resistance to following standardized processes (37:56)

Visionaries get easily bored (39:32)

On having no patience for details (43:30)

Misconceptions and myths about being a visionary (44:39)

What visionaries should do in their business (54:36)

What happens when visionaries fully embrace their role? (1:06:15)

Additional Resources:

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Download our FREE strategic planning guide 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 315: How clear are you on your strategy to be successful over the next twelve months?

In this week’s episode, I’ll share three valuable business-building lessons that you can learn from Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a.k.a. the U.S. fighter plane that won WW2, and how you can apply those lessons in your construction business.

We’ll discuss how to determine what you really want for your business, the process of creating a vision and delegating results, what it looks like when you have clarity in business and more.

Let’s jump in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The birth of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning (02:15)

Business lesson #1 (05:12)

Ask yourself what you want (07:08)

How to determine what you really want (10:35)

Business lesson #2 (12:15)

Creating a vision and delegating results(15:25)

What does a good handoff look like? (16:46)

How to nail the handoff (22:37)

Business lesson #3 (28:21)

Questions to consider when developing a business strategy (29:02)

How to have clarity on your plan for the future (32:51)

Additional Resources:

- Download our FREE strategic planning guide HERE

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

- Listen to my interview with Wes Palmisano HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Visit Construction Leading Edge 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 314: Are you losing money even if your job cost reports look profitable? Then, you could have fallen into a bad financial trap that most construction CEOs fall into.

In this episode, I sit down with Luke Holcomb, operations manager at Apparatus Contractor Services. Apparatus is a bookkeeping firm that helps construction business owners get their financial systems in place and optimize them.

Today, Luke and I discuss some of the financial misconceptions that construction business owners have, the common problems that arise from them, and how crucial it is for CEOs to start understanding their finances.

Luke also shares why and how you could lose money from your construction business, even if your reports look profitable, and what it looks like when you finally have your financial system in place.

Let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Luke and how he got into business finance (03:30)

Financial misconceptions construction business owners believe in (06:28)

The fear of managing business finances (14:26)

When is the right time for a CEO to start managing finances? (18:41)

Common problems from believing in financial misconceptions (24:48)

How crucial is job costing (28:55)

Critical financial statements CEOs should be looking at (32:31)

What does a balance sheet tell you? (39:00)

Why do you need to know your business financial numbers? (40:31)

How you can sell yourself out of business (43:12)

Biggest problem with DIY-ing your business finances (47:28)

On hiring family, friends, or local bookkeepers to do your books (50:36)

What does it look like when you have your financial system in place? (57:16)

Keep up with Luke and his team (1:04:39)

Episode wrap-up (1:08:58)

Additional Resources:

- Join our FREE Get Paid For Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE

Guest Bonus: 50% Discount on Services

- Use discount code “ToddDawalt” to receive 50% off on services from Apparatus HERE

- Check out Apparatus Contractor Services, LLC 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 313: Are you slaving away working in your construction business 70-80 hours per week? Is it possible to own a successful business and work fewer hours?

In this replay episode of The Construction Leading Edge Podcast, we’ll revisit my interview with our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) client turned coach, Monish Khadye.

Monish and his wife Michelle own Khadye Design & Construction in Brisbane, Australia, specializing in renovations, extensions, and house remodelings. Between juggling construction and a baby on the way, Monish decided that he needed to systematize his business to spend more time with his family while keeping the business running and his people employed. And so he signed up for our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program in 2021; the rest was history.

Today, Monish shares what led him to seek help with our team and the systems and processes he implemented to grow his construction business to where it is today.

He also talks about his regular workweek back then and what it looks like now, stressing about taking quality time off and focusing on his CEO tasks instead of wearing many hats.

Whether you’re starting or have been in this business for a long time but want to scale up your business, this episode is everything you need to hear.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Monish Khadye (02:48)

Why Monish wanted to become an SYCB coach (04:27)

What has Monish experienced after joining the SYCB program? (09:10)

The mindset shift if you want to systematize your business (12:08)

Challenges that lead him to connect with our team (16:14)

What does working 70-80 hours a week look like? (21:03)

On dealing with anxiety, fear, and rejection (26:37)

When Monish realized that the SYCB program was working (30:43)

Most impactful systems and processes that really moved the needle (34:02)

What does life and business look like now for Monish? (38:42)

Surprising effects of systematizing your construction business (47:41)

Advice for construction business owners (52:30)

Additional Resources:

- Join our FREE Get Paid For Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule your business evaluation call 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 312: Here’s the reality: Most small construction businesses have unintentionally designed their failure. Surprising, right? And that’s why eight out of ten construction companies find themselves where selling becomes nearly impossible. 

So, what mistakes should you avoid if you dream of selling your business and enjoying retirement?

In this latest episode of The Construction Leading Edge, I unravel the six mistakes that could render your business unsellable. We’ll also dig into the symptoms signaling trouble under the surface.

Lastly, I also share four actionable steps to make your business sellable and why planning an exit strategy shouldn’t be the first thing on your list.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Why 80% of small construction businesses can’t be sold (01:02)

Symptoms that your business is designed to fail (03:54)

Mistake #1 that makes businesses unsellable (10:04)

Mistake #2 that makes businesses unsellable (13:02)

Mistake #3 that makes businesses unsellable (14:08)

Mistake #4 that makes businesses unsellable (17:50)

Mistake #5 that makes businesses unsellable (19:42)

Mistake #6 that makes businesses unsellable (21:01)

Four actionable steps to make your business sellable (23:43)

Why planning an exit strategy should be last on your list (28:02)

Additional Resources:

- Watch the replay on How to Recession Proof Your Business HERE

- FREE training on how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule your business evaluation call 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 311: How can you make your business resilient in the face of challenges? Forget the traditional definition of a recession as a financial crisis–it goes beyond that.

When I say recession, it could be when your star employee jumps ship to a  competitor. It could also mean something happens to you, and your business can't run without you. As a CEO, what's your game plan when those happen?

In this episode, I’ll be sharing ten (10) foolproof strategies to recession-proof your business so it can weather any storm that comes its way.

I'll be sharing some practical and actionable steps you can implement as early as possible, highlighting some of the great resources we have at your disposal so you'll be better equipped with the knowledge to run your construction business through any rough waters.

Ready to recession-proof your business? Let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The many faces of recession (02:25)

Drive your cash flow (04:24)

Focus on maximizing your bottom line (06:24)

Make your team more agile and efficient (11:39)

Monitor your trade partners in your supply chain (17:27)

Establish a go/no-go date on all of your projects (24:05)

Upsell to current and past clients (28:43)

Focus on your core competencies (30:51)

Jim Collin’s The Hedgehog Concept explained (32:10)

Lead your team well (33:34)

Operate as the CEO (37:26)

Leverage the 80-20 principle (40:44)

Quick recap (42:14)

Great resources for you to check out (43:22)

Additional Resources:

- Watch the replay on How to Recession Proof Your Business HERE

- FREE training on how to get out of your business and make it run without you HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule your business evaluation call 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 310: Most of the time, our goals remain goals–forgotten and collecting dust. That’s what usually happens when you operate in left-to-right thinking. But what if you could turn those business, life, or health goals into reality?

In this week’s episode, I’ll discuss what right-to-left thinking is all about and walk you through the five ways to make it work for your construction business.

We’ll also talk about the problems with left-to-right thinking (what most of us are stuck with), what it looks like when you apply a right-to-left thinking approach to your construction business, and so much more!

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The problem with left-to-right thinking (01:24)

What is right-to-left thinking? (04:13)

How to apply right-to-left thinking in big-picture strategic planning (04:43)

What does financial right-to-left thinking look like? (08:52)

Applying the right-to-left thinking in sales (13:56)

How to nail the handoff (17:54)

How to use right-to-left thinking when hiring (25:16)

The Big Five Activities explained (28:52)

Episode wrap-up (30:00)

Additional Resources:

- Join our FREE Get Paid For Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule your business evaluation call 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 309: What does it take to grow a construction business to $250M in revenue?

In this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Wes Palmisano, CEO and owner of WJ Palmisano and its subsidiaries, to talk about how he scaled up his construction business by focusing on preconstruction.

Today, Wes explains the importance of preconstruction and having the right systems and processes when scaling a business. He also talks about the biggest roadblocks hampering construction innovation, how he and his team are tackling those, how to work with external trade partners and subcontractors, with emphasis on building trust, and a lot more.

Let’s get right into it!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

How Wes Palmisano got into construction (02:30)

Biggest construction problem that Wes is taking on (06:09)

What are the roadblocks that are hampering construction innovation? (09:20)

What does being a master builder look like? (14:08)

Working with external trade partners vs. internally (16:06)

How subs and external trade partners can build trust (22:52)

How important is preconstruction (24:51)

The importance of having systems and processes in scaling up a business (34:30)

The guardrail approach explained (39:56)

Advice to construction business owners in scaling up a business (42:43)

Rapid-fire questions with Wes (48:21)

Episode wrap-up (51:34)

Additional Resources:

- Join Chaos to Control: Streamline Your Construction Business 28-Day Challenge HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule Your Business Evaluation Call HERE

Connect with Wes:

- Follow Wes on LinkedIn HERE

- Check out their company website HERE

- Explore their other brands 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 308: Do you feel like you just don’t have enough time? Are you working more hours than you want to? Well, you’re certainly not alone in that struggle.

After talking and coaching hundreds of construction business owners, we’ve uncovered the common problems that are taking much of your precious time and energy.

In this episode, I’ll share a game-changing four-step blueprint that could save you an extra 40 hours each month. And the best part? You don’t need to hire someone else or walk away from your duties and responsibilities.

Additionally, I’ll delve into some clever strategies for those who are constantly putting out fires, Jeff Bezos’ secrets for task prioritization, what it looks like to finally reclaim your time, and a sneak peek at our exciting 28-day challenge.

Let’s jump right into it!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Do these sound familiar to you? (01:01)

Time-saving adjustment #1 - stop believing this lie (03:55)

Common time and energy problems (07:11)

Strategies when you are always putting out fires (10:57)

Time-saving adjustment #2 - stop dealing with the symptoms (20:23)

Time-saving adjustment #3 - get out of this vicious cycle (30:47)

Time-saving adjustment #4 - communicate proactively (36:55)

The truth about free estimates (40:53)

What it looks like when you apply these adjustments (43:55)

The 28-day challenge and other bonuses (45:51)

Additional Resources:

- Join Chaos to Control: Streamline Your Construction Business 28-Day Challenge HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

- Schedule Your Business Evaluation Call 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 307: 70% of construction businesses fail in the first five years. Alarmingly, the construction industry also has the second highest rate of suicide of all workplace industries. 

What if some of the most painful issues that construction business owners deal with can be traced back to a wrong belief?

In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss how you should reexamine your job as CEO of a construction company.

Today, I’ll unveil the biggest problems that most construction business owners face, how to prepare yourself as a leader to sustain your business growth, the problem with the if attitude, and so much more!

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The biggest lie (01:23)

Biggest problems for construction business owners (04:20)

The story of Tanner, who wants to be a starting catcher (05:51)

What happens when you’re focused on getting something (10:08)

The question you should be asking yourself (12:07)

Two attitudes toward preparation (15:18)

The problems with the “if attitude” (17:07)

Questions for you to think about (20:36)

What does it look like to prepare as a leader (22:44)

Final thoughts (24:41)

Additional Resources:

- Join the FREE Get Paid for Estimates Masterclass HERE

- Get your FREE customized blueprint to systematize your construction business HERE

- Hear our clients' success stories HERE 

Listen to these episodes and learn from other CEOs

- How Navy SEALS Would Build Houses, Mantras & Attacking the Housing Shortage with Garrett Moore | E250

- 3 Key Concepts to Grow a Custom Home Building Business with Alex Gregg | E299

- Foundations for Scaling a Business to $50M with Shawn Dominguez | E297

- Nailing the Handoff, Small Adjustments, and Navigating a Business Transition | E286

--

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!