PowerTips Unscripted

Most work requires more than one person to get it done. Effective communication is essential to the enterprise. Everyone has to learn the skills to communicate effectively. One key is concentrating on what brings you success — in work, with your spouse or partner, and in the rest of your life. Build on that. In this episode, Paul Winans joins Victoria and Mark to dive in to work on having effective arguments, resolving conflict, and working on listening. Paul and his wife Nina owned a remodeling company for 30 years, living and working together, selling the company in 2007. Paul continues to work in the industry as a consultant, writer, and former facilitator with R/A’s Roundtables.  As a facilitator, Paul works with our members to help them improve every aspect of their communication. The biggest problem in effective communication happens when people just want to be heard, and don’t take on the responsibility to listen. For entrepreneurs, especially, It’s easy to say you have to listen, but you’ve built your business on others hearing you, and that habit is hard to break. It takes a conscious and constant effort toward improvement. Paul gives examples and tips for improving your communication skills, including: Focusing on understanding the other person Using “I” language, not “you” language Avoiding verbal attacks, even if they’re unintentional Asking neutral questions Establishing a foundation for decision making Bridging the gap between communication styles and paces How to tell if someone’s just visiting the conversation Why meeting about nothing is good, actually And so much more… The post The Art of Effective Communication with Paul Winans -[Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

We have covered the dangers of stress and anxiety for you and your business a few times; most recently on Episode 108, where we touch on ways to battle and reduce it, including mindful meditation. To explore this topic further, Victoria and Mark welcome Peter Feinmann, President of Feinmann, Inc, a design build company in Lexington, MA, just outside of Boston. From the company’s beginnings in Peter’s home in 1987, Feinmann has grown into a multi-million dollar, award-winning firm, with a staff of 20+. Peter is a nationally recognized writer and sought-after speaker in the design/build industry and is the recipient of numerous local and national awards, including the NARI Contractor of the Year Award and Remodeling Magazine’s Remodeler of the Year. In this episode, Peter talks about how to use mindful meditation to help manage anxiety and reactivity when dealing with clients and employees. Peter has been able to use meditation in order to be more effective by facilitating great attention and focus. Victoria, Mark and Peter cover: How to get started with meditation practice How meditation has impacted Peter’s leadership at his company Has meditation has aided Peter and his company during crisis Information about the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program The post Using Mindful Meditation to Deal with Clients and Employees with Peter Feinmann – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

Adaptability and leadership in times of crisis—whether personal or business-related—are essential skills for any business owner. In 2018, Jef and Monica Forward were coming off their best year yet and gearing up for an even stronger 2019. Everything was on track—until life threw them an unimaginable challenge. Two key team members were diagnosed with cancer, one of whom was Monica, the company’s only estimator. The other was their lead designer. Fast forward five years, and the Forward Design Build Remodel team is stronger than ever. In this episode, Jef and Monica sit down with Victoria and Mark to share their journey—how they faced adversity head-on and what kept their business moving forward. Jef and Monica are business partners at Forward Design Build Remodel in Ann Arbor, MI. Jef has participated in every level of Remodelers Advantage Roundtables, is a member of the Mentor3 group, and serves as a Roundtables facilitator. Over the last four years, he has honed his leadership and coaching skills, leading to healthier growth, stronger client relationships, and a thriving team culture. He credits this success to his collaboration with Monica, their team, and the insights gained through Roundtables. A strong company culture played a critical role in how their team rallied together and adapted to the emotional and operational challenges that came with Monica’s diagnosis. At the time, they were about to implement The Great Game of Business, a system that empowers every employee to think and act like an owner. Then, everything changed. In this conversation, Jef and Monica open up about how they navigated the crisis, including: Preparing for the unexpected Developing a strategy to keep the business running Managing work absences and redistributing responsibilities The power of cross-training Leaning on the strength of your team Leading with vulnerability and transparency Maintaining a positive mindset through tough times Handling the emotional toll of leadership and much more… Today, thanks to their resilient company culture and well-established processes, Forward Design Build Remodel continues to thrive. Tune in to hear their story of perseverance, leadership, and the lessons they learned along the way. The post Adapting and Leading Through a Health Crisis with Jef and Monica Forward – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

As companies experience growth, there are tipping points where changes need to be made. One of those points is when you realize you need additional management for the organization. Many remodelers are considering adding a General Manager, but are unsure how it will work in practice. The Cleary Company of Columbus, OH, reached this tipping point in the Development Department in the Fall of 2016. The company was changing rapidly, adding staff, and stressing the existing systems in place. Things were getting bogged down. Owner George Cleary promoted Aaron Enfinger from Production Manager to GM to fill the gap. Aaron is now the permanent COO of The Cleary Company. George, along with Aaron have been Roundtables Members for over 10 years! In this episode, Aaron talks to Victoria and Mark about his experiences in taking over his new role and what it’s meant for the company. While Aaron oversees the operations, George has more time for business development and long-term planning. The decision to add an overlay of management was caused by three factors, says Aaron. The staff was stressed by the workload, they were having trouble getting projects through the different phases of the job, and steps were being skipped in previously reliable systems because of the rush to get jobs to production. He talks about what his job entails, and some of the challenges, including: Keeping the owner in the mix How to not overload a GM Managing people outside of your own job experience, like designers or marketers Creating new positions to help streamline processes Why to hire from within (if you can) Working with the owner (or CEO) The benefits of a walking meeting Small picture vs. big picture thinking And more… As promised in the podcast, here’s the link to Aaron’s appearance on The Tim Faller Show, where he outlined his approach to creating a master schedule to control the flow of jobs through the pipeline. The post How and When To Hire a General Manager with Aaron Enfinger – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

Today we are jumping back in time to the beginnings of the PowerTips Podcast.  For the past 20 years, Tim has worked with remodeling companies, large and small, to help improve profits by creating smooth, efficient production systems. As a Senior Consultant and “Master of Production” for Remodelers Advantage, Tim’s field and business ownership experience is vital to his additional role as facilitator for Owner and Production Manager Roundtables Groups. In Episode 8 Victoria and Mark welcome Tim Faller to the show as he covers a topic that he has been working on for the past 5-6 years as he tours the US & Canada, providing on-site production consulting – “Zero Punch List Production.” Tim provides a great overview of the zero punch list strategy and describes in detail how he has seen companies successfully implement this process. According Tim, all-too-often remodelers put the onus or responsibility of completing a punch list on the client, thereby creating the perception that the job is being presented as incomplete. As they explore the zero punch list theory and strategy, Victoria, Mark and Tim discuss: Steps to successfully implement this within an organization How this effects sales process, contracts, payment draws, etc. Production Techniques & Checklists How to handle Backorders How to handle the final walk-through Getting rid of Head Trash The post Zero Punch List Production with Tim Faller – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, host Victoria Downing chats with Jessica Lipson, Vice President of People and Culture at JBL Consulting, about building strong leadership within your remodeling business. Jessica, who brings over 20 years of HR experience, shares her insights on identifying high-potential leaders, developing effective mentorship programs, and fostering non-toxic, inclusive company cultures. Jessica explains the difference between high-performing employees, who excel in their current roles, and high-potential employees, who show the drive and emotional intelligence to lead in the future. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing tools like behavioral assessments and regular one-on-ones to spot these emerging leaders. Victoria and Jessica also dive into: The key skills future leaders should possess, such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability. How to balance formal training with real-world leadership experiences. Practical strategies for resolving workplace conflict and building a respectful, productive team culture. The post Developing Your Company’s Future Leaders with Jessica Lipson – [PowerTips Unscripted] S6 E6 appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, host Victoria Downing interviews Robert Gurinowitsch who shares insights on incorporating state-funded projects into a remodeler’s revenue stream. Robert explains how these opportunities can be lucrative but require navigating government regulations and compliance. Robert Gurinowitsch is the regional program manager for Best Bath. Best Bath has been providing over 25 years in Strategic Solutions for Home modifications and Home access. They work with Home and Community Based Service programs, Managed Care Organizations, Workers Comp, and Bank Trusts. Victoria and Robert talk more about: Challenges and benefits of state-funded work How to start doing state-funded work Examples of how state work has helped companies  And more… The post Adding State Funded Work to Your Revenue Stream with Robert Gurinowitsch – [PowerTips Unscripted] S6 E5 appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

There are five stages of company growth, according to Judith Miller, one of our consultants and facilitators. Transitioning from Stage 3 to Stage 4 is one of the more complex. It takes a substantial shift in the owner’s responsibilities and skill sets. It can result in a much higher job satisfaction level, financial return, and working much less. In this episode, Jef Forward explains how he managed this tricky move to Victoria and Mark. It’s a process he planned and implemented over years, and it had challenges and surprises for everyone in the organization. Jef is the Owner of Forward Design Build located in Ann Arbor, MI. He has been a facilitator for Remodelers Advantage Roundtables for numerous years and has been a member of the Roundtables family for even longer. Jef is known as a visionary, an idea guy, and ahead of the curve in most things tech. Jef talks about how the process has worked for his company, and what it takes to get there. It demanded a great deal of self-reflection on his part, as he moved out of the role of doer to teacher and had to become a better leader. He talks about understanding your priorities and how they might shift, and getting buy-in from your team, including: Your company culture Working the plan Getting accurate feedback Letting people fail, and teaching from that Becoming a proactive, not reactive company Why it’s not all about you And much more… Regardless of the growth stage of your company, Jef’s got workable advice to make your business and life better and more rewarding. The post Growing a Company from Stage 3 to Stage 4 with Jef Forward – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

So, you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast for your business. While it is one of the best reasons to gain notoriety and establish value for your community of clients, starting a podcast doesn’t mean it will bring success all on its own. Guest John Corcoran is here to share his tips and tricks for how to make podcasts your most valuable marketing tactic. John Corcoran is the co-founder of Rise25, an agency that helps businesses generate qualified leads, referrals and strategic partnerships using podcasts, and lead generation using LinkedIn and content marketing.  He is also an author, a former Clinton White House writer, and is on a mission to make the world a smaller place, through connections. Victoria and John talk more about: Building relationships and creating connections Generating content The value of podcasts And more… The post How to Make Podcasts Your Most Valuable Marketing Tactic with John Corcoran – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

As a remodeling business owner, you have likely heard of demographics and you have probably looked at it solely in the context of marketing and lead generation. But, the power of demographics lies much deeper than that, and in this episode, Ken Gronbach will share the subtle yet profound effect of shifting demography in the United States, the Americas and the world, and we will hear what that means to your business now and in the future. Ken is President/CEO of KGC Direct and is an internationally respected demographer who has been able to forecast societal, commercial, economic, cultural and political phenomena with uncanny accuracy. Victoria, Mark and Ken talk more about: Ken’s transition from Marketing into Demography The relationship between markets and demographic data The effect Covid-19 will have on the demographic landscape in the United States The generations in the US that will be the most influential in the next 20 years The categories/sectors of commerce that will suffer and which will flourish demographically going forward The post Demography is Destiny with Kenneth Gronbach – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.