The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

EPISODE 329: How can construction businesses thrive even during economic downturns? Join us in this week's podcast episode as Michael Moore, owner and president of Waterton Construction Group, shares his journey in navigating the challenges of growing a construction company and how systematization and strategic changes turned his company from six-figure losses to seven-figure profits. Today, Michael breaks down the impactful systems and processes he implemented, the selling the gap concept, how to master the art of letting go, and much more. Ready to systematize your construction business and get out of the chaos? Tune in now to learn more. Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Michael Moore and his works at Waterton Construction (01:54) Adapting to the current economic indicators and market dynamics (03:35) Most impactful business changes & systems that Michael implemented (06:24) Transitioning to ERP accounting software, revenue maximizer, and forecasting tools (09:39) Discussing the selling the gap concept in pre-construction (21:13) What didn't work out for Michael (27:28) The results and growth following systematic changes (30:53) Practical advice on mastering the art of letting go (32:33) What business and life have been for Michael after the changes (39:41) Advice to construction business owners (52:02) What it's like being in the CEO Alliance (1:01:12) Episode wrap-up (1:07:08) Additional Resources: - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE Keep up with Michael - Listen to Episode 234: Hiring High-Level Talent, Growing Revenue & Keys to Selling HERE - Listen to Episode 275: Stewardship, Creating Terminal Value & Increasing Profit 60% HERE - Follow Michael on LinkedIn HERE - Visit Waterton 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 328: Are you tired of constant phone interruptions while trying to spend quality time with your family? Construction business owners know this feeling all too well. In this week's episode, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, interviews Alex Knapp, the owner of Minneapolis Decks, as he shares his journey from being bombarded with round-the-clock phone calls to becoming addicted to working on his business. Alex talks about his challenges while running his company and what led him to enroll in our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. He also breaks down some of the systems and changes that transformed his business, how he gets everyone on his team on board with these changes (even the senior ones), and the profound effects of these changes on his employees, business, and personal life. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Meet Alex Knapp and how he started Minneapolis Decks (04:59) Challenges that Alex faced in his construction business (05:35) How to deal with a Pandora's box (07:23) Getting everyone on board with the new processes (09:05) Most impactful part of the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program (09:59) From confused to motivated employees (13:13) Episode wrap-up (14:21) Additional Resources: - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE Keep up with Alex and His Team: - Follow Minneapolis Decks on Instagram HERE - Check out Minneapolis Decks 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 327: Imagine leaving your teaching job and starting your dream business amidst an economic meltdown. It sounds daunting, right? This is how Alex Gregg, owner of Gregg Homebuilding, started his custom homebuilding company in Tennessee. From facing the uncertainty of the 2008 global financial crisis to transforming challenges into success stories, Alex shares his inspiring journey and the foundation that shaped his construction company. We talk about the most impactful systems that grew his custom homebuilding business (which recently generated $10M in revenue), highlighting the importance of tracking metrics, casting a clear vision, and implementing systems. He also shares some of the challenges he encountered while implementing these changes, the mindset that got him through it, the ripple effects on his business and personal life, and more. Let's dive in! Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Alex's transition from teaching to homebuilding (05:51) On handling business challenges and frustrations (10:10) 3 most impactful systems that changed Alex's construction business (18:11) On tracking metrics and its ripple effects (22:15) Why you should start charging for estimates (27:29) The role of accountability chart in any business (30:02) Effects of nailing the handoff and focusing on pre-construction (32:27) Life before and after implementing these systems (35:01) How casting a clear company vision and systems help in building great teams (40:58) Most significant challenges when implementing changes in business (48:09) The difference in mindset between building a project and putting systems in place (51:08) On being around with like-minded people and building relationships (56:10) Rapid-fire questions with Alex Gregg (1:04:28) Episode wrap-up (1:07:06) Additional Resources: - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE Keep up with Alex Gregg - Visit Gregg Homebuilding for more information HERE - Follow Gregg Homebuilding on Instagram HERE - Listen to episode 299 with Alex Gregg 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 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!