Construction Genius

Technology? Friend or foe? Most of us have been in business for quite some time now, and whether we like to admit it or not, doing business nowadays is different from the way it was done, say, 30 years ago. The processes in the past, although effective, were limited. In today's business environment, technology is helping break down those limitations and construction companies are among the businesses benefiting from it.  In this week's podcast episode with Matt Harris, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Viewpoint, we talk about the critical role technology plays in a construction business. Matt shares with us what challenges are common among large and small construction companies and how technology helps overcome those challenges. He also talks about what entails successful implementations of new technology in a company and the reasons implementations fail. We also discuss how contractors are adapting to technology in this age of digital transformation especially with the current situation due to this pand

A better year, that's what we all hoped 2020 would be like. But five months into this year and we're all feeling the heavy weight that the challenges this current climate brings. For CEO's or those in executive leadership, there's a choice that you have to make though, either choose to look inwardly and start worrying about one's self or be mission focused during a period like this.  In this podcast episode, I have an interesting conversation with Curt Rocca, he shares his thoughts on what a realistic optimist is and also gives helpful advice for leaders who are facing the challenges that this crisis brings. We also discuss ways for companies to be effective in their scenario planning, the number of scenarios to plan for, focusing on the opportunities that lie even in this crisis, and a lot more.  If you want to be that bridge builder that your company needs, tune in to this episode.  What's Discussed in This Episode:  What it means to be a realistic optimist [3:13] How do successful entrepreneurs bear the w

Resource Links:  A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Let's Talk Shop Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-shop/id1462173868) Western Allied Mechanical Inc. Website (http://westernallied.com/) Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association Website (https://www.smacna.org/) The past two decades have witnessed major crises affecting the whole country - 9/11, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the most recent one being the COVID-19 pandemic. Business leaders are faced with the challenge to rise up and lead optimistically during this period of uncertainty over everything that's going on (which is not an easy feat) towards the future where things will be back to normal.  In this episode, we have Angie Simon, President of Western Allied Mechanical. She shares with us how she is navigating through this crisis as a leader and how they are addressing the issues regarding the changes that they have to implement in a perio

Resource Links:  A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Book Recommendations:  Who by Geoff Smart  Traction by Gino Wickman  Good to Great by Jim Collins  Snowball by Warren Buffet With the average turnover rate being 38% to 40%, construction companies are experiencing a struggle of finding good talent in the industry resulting in company growth being put to a halt. Any successful company can say that success is a team effort and not just a one-man show. People are our most valuable assets but attracting the right talent does not just happen without strategies in place.  In this episode I talk with Justin White, the President of K&D Landscaping. He shares how his company has managed to reduce the turnover rate to 18% by a shift in mindset that led to the mirroring of marketing and sales strategies that they use with clients. He provides concrete examples of tactics that worked for them and how they make sure that they don't just hire the right

Resource links:  Free copy of Kick-ass meeting report (www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Have you ever been in a position where someone has leverage over you? They have the power to influence your decisions, often against your will.   Employees having leverage is a struggle most business owners have faced, especially in the construction industry. You may not want to be confrontational about it, preferring to shrug it off. Unfortunately, this usually doesn't work and it can bring more harm, robbing you of the joy and the freedom of running your business.  In today's podcast, I will give you examples of leverage and discuss the impacts negative leverage has on business owners and companies as a whole. I also seek to provide you with practical advice on how leverage situations can be avoided.  If you are a business owner struggling in this area, may this podcast give you that 1% inspiration you need to face this problem head-on.  What's Discussed in this Episode: A recount of my personal experience on neg

Resource Links: A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Millennials are now the largest generational cohort in the workplace, and it's great to have them! They have the reputation of being lazy, and unwilling to communicate "man-to-man", but I think that's overblown. I know many Millennials who are extremely talented, and deeply committed to the construction industry, and I'm looking forward to seeing them lead the industry for the next three or four decades.  In today's episode, we have construction lifer, Preston Hoopes, who talks about succeeding in a multi-generational environment through the combination of drive and humility. He also shares key insights that could help young people develop their careers. If you're a young professional looking to start a career in construction, or a Gen Xer or baby boomer curious to hear more about this Millennial, tune in to this episode now.  What's Discussed In This Episode: The reputation of millennials in constructi

Resource Links: A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Andrew's Web Site: The Center for Executive Coaching (https://www.centerforexecutivecoaching.com/) Books:  Coach!: The Crucial, Deceptively Simple Leadership Skill For Breakaway Performance, Andrew Neitlich With the coronavirus pandemic affecting our economy, a lot of businesses have found themselves unprepared. We may have not seen it coming, but when there are good times, there are also bad times. We may consider this as a lesson learned. However, things are just getting started and the industry needs leaders to rise up and take charge. Luckily, we have a mentor here to teach us. In this episode, Andrew and I have a deep conversation on how to become an effective leader in the construction industry. He gives us practical insights on leading during and through a crisis and preparing your company for the next one. Whether you're the business owner or part of the executive team, you are a leader of you

Resource Links: A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) 90 High-Performance Dashboard (https://www.ericanderton.com/90day) "Kick-Ass Meetings" e-book (https://www.ericanderton.com/kam) More on the E.A.R. leadership framework, watch this video: Grab Your E.A.R.! How to Master Leadership Communication (https://youtu.be/SmThNUWzo8A) Books:  Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck True leaders rise up in challenging times. It's quite easy to feel anxious and helpless, especially as the world is facing an uncertain future. But turbulent times present opportunities that construction leaders should seize. It's difficult when you realize you have little control over the things happening and the impact of the coronavirus on the world. But there are still things you have control over, and those are the very things you should focus on now.   In today's episode, you're going to hear a recording of a recent webinar I

Resource Links: A free copy of my Kick-Ass Meeting Report (https://www.ericanderton.com/kickassmeetings) Original Joe's Italian Restaurant Website (https://www.sanjoseoriginaljoes.com/) Being in the construction business often involves working in the field for long hours. However, if you want to grow your business, there are many areas you need to work on that doesn't involve building projects. Scaling up a construction business is a process that takes time and a commitment to grow not just in terms of sales, but also relationships. In today's episode, we chat with Shone Freeman, who shares with us the sacrifices he has made to grow his custom framing business and the shift in his mindset from building projects to building people. If you're a company planning on taking your business to a larger scale, tune in to this episode now.  What's Discussed In This Episode: What sets them apart? [02:22] What led Shone to choose to do custom homes? [03:11] Sacrifices and scaling up the business [04:14] Continuous dev

We're facing a unique circumstance this year as the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has led to more people working from home and the shut down of school districts in the middle of the school year. For most parents, this means they're attempting to get their kids to do their schoolwork at home.  This can be deeply challenging, so we will step away a bit from the general focus of our podcast and tackle a topic that I have some extensive background in. In today's episode, I'm going to give you some tips for homeschooling your kids to keep them productive as much as possible. My wife and I have been homeschooling our kids since 2009. While we're not perfect, we have some experience to share that you might find helpful.  If you're looking for that 1% of inspiration to help you during this trying time, then this episode is right for you. What's Discussed in This Episode: Space: Giving each kid their own space for studying [03:00] Schedule: Having a regular schedule  [04:12] Sports: Set plenty of time for physical ac

Some employees don't have the guts to talk to their superiors about sensitive things that may or may not make a difference. On the other hand, some leaders make it impossible for employees to reach out by making themselves unapproachable—though at most times, unintended.   It's imperative to understand that teamwork is all about communication. When communication stops, everything falls apart. Being someone of power in your business, you need to make sure that communication is flawless.   In today's episode, I will discuss with you the dangers of speaking truth to power, benefits of speaking truth to power, and how senior leaders can encourage speaking truth to power.   If your aim is to lead your team into a higher level of communication, then this episode is for you. What's Discussed In This Episode: Dangers of speaking truth to power [06:07] What will they think of me? [07:14] How to handle this kind of fear [07:54] Benefits of speaking truth to power [11:11] Living with a good conscience? [11:31] Wi

Have you ever thought of transitioning your business over to new management in a way that you still have enough control to make a difference, but do less of the tasks that you do as an owner? An effective succession plan can be tricky. Thinking of how much blood, sweat and tears you've shed for your business to grow and to just hand it over to someone else is a tough decision to make. Knowing how to put a solid succession plan in place before you begin is crucial. In today's episode, Walt Stahl shares with us his thoughts, wins and struggles as he transitions his business to his A-Team, even gifting portions of the business to them. If you are thinking of creating a succession plan, then this episode is for you.   What's Discussed In This Episode: How is Walt's company currently structured? [05:16] What action is Walt taking for the transition of his company? What is the underlying foundation of the value of his company? [08:19] How do you transition the company internally to your team?  [09:55] Why is Walt

What would you say if I told you there are people working in your business who don't fully understand their role and responsibilities? We know that on a construction site, if a building doesn't have the right foundation, the entire project will fall apart. The same is true in business, if the foundation isn't right and people don't understand their role in the company, trouble won't be far away... In today's episode, I will discuss with you the five distinct groups within a business who are responsible for business development and sales.  I will also provide some steps on how they can work together and improve their performance. If your aim is to lead your team to the next level of business development and sales, then this episode is for you.   What's Discussed In This Episode: Who are the 'Enthusiasts'? [02:05] How can you utilize the skills of the enthusiastic business development people? [18:32] Who are the 'Number Crunchers'? [06:36] How do you get your estimators out from their desks to sell their estim

Rainmaker! Business Development Strategies from a Construction CEO In the construction business, people often think that cranking numbers, building projects, or estimating are the only things that matter. However, it is also important to build relationships with your clients. It is often overlooked by many, but its impact can take your business to another level. Some people are born with great salesmanship and are comfortable talking with others, but some aren't. It doesn't mean, however, that you can't learn!   In today's episode, Roger Leasure joins us to tell stories on how building relationships with his clients and other colleagues helped his career and business. He will also discuss how listening to other people's interests and changing your paradigm can take your business to a new height. Roger also advises companies that solely focus on crunching numbers while neglecting to create valuable relationships with their clients. Roger has a lot of exciting things to share with us, and you'll surely learn a

Liverpool Lessons:  Four Traits of Every Winning Team Right now, Liverpool Football Club is in the midst of a historic run in terms of wins and losses. What has enabled the team to perform at such a high level? Is it money? Facilities? Talent? Many other teams have that, so I believe there's another critical factor at work: culture. And this culture starts with the manager, Jurgen Klopp, trickling down to the rest of the organization. Just like soccer, construction is also a team sport. In today's episode of Construction Genius, I share my knowledge and insights on how to build and be part of a winning team. Leaders need to ingrain in each member the same winning culture despite their differences. I will also be talking about my experiences and discoveries in working with a diverse set of people using four remarkable characteristics of the Liverpool soccer team. If you want to build a positive, team-oriented culture, make sure to listen to the whole episode for a more detailed discussion! How to Lead and Work

Generation Innovation: How Change Happens in Construction Companies with Andrew Silverstein   The construction industry is considered fairly stable and in-demand as there are hundreds of roads, bridges, and buildings that need construction every day. However, it is also rapidly changing in terms of innovation and technological progress. Modernization is essential for the evolution of the business to remain attractive to both customers and future employees. In today's episode, Andrew Silverstein of Metralite shares his experience in the construction industry as a young executive in a company full of experienced and seasoned employees. We will discuss why modernization is important in the industry, as well as how to effectively implement transitions. Andrew has tons of interesting insights and advice to share with us. Check out these highlights and tune in to the show! About Our Guest: Andrew Silverstein is the Vice President of Metralite Industries Inc., an architectural metal and glass construction company in

Isn't it surprising how the construction sector lags behind the productivity of other industries when, in fact, there are more efficient and innovative ways to accomplish tasks on-site? We rely so much on our existing skill sets and conventional methods. While those are helpful, we are still reluctant to embrace the changes and shift mindsets that are crucial to innovation. In today's episode, Ryan Ware of Vantis joins us to understand the challenges of implementing practices different from the conventional methods. We will discuss why the construction industry is stuck in its comfort zone and the steps we can do to address that. How can companies shift from conventional thinking to a new approach that can produce high-quality, on-schedule, and safe projects? We cover a lot today, and Ryan has a lot of interesting insights to share with us. Check out the highlights and make sure you tune in to the show!   About Our Guest: Ryan Ware is the Vice President of Construction and co-founder of Vantis, an interior co

My guest today  is Dom Rubino:  Businessman, Podcast Host , Business Coach and terrible fly-fishermanHe specializes in working with business owners who want more. More Time, More Money, More Team, and More Strategy on growing smart. On today's episode we discuss how to use systems to get your construction company ready to sell.  Highlights include  The danger of waiting too long to sell your business The good, the bad, and the neutral reasons to sell  One construction company's transition success Running a business on systems, not randomness   How to know how much your company will sell for How systems predictably enhance the value a company  The connection between successful sports teams and great companies  How to start improving your systems, today Shall I sell internally or externally?  The necessity of understanding your "ideal buyer" Dozo Sushi, Dom's recommendation for sushi in Vancouver  How to get in touch with Dom:  BizStratPlan.com and The ProfitToolbelt Podcast  Email: dr@bizstratplan.com

Today's episode is a short, punchy look at how you can prepare during the boom times for the next economic downturn. I put this episode together from a short series of videos that I shot recently. I think you'll find it very useful. We're going to begin by taking a look at the frustrations that buyers of construction services have and how you can address those frustrations so that you can stuff your treasure chest and prepare for that downturn. And in preparing for it you need to have the right perspective on the opportunities that may present themselves to you during that downturn to actually expand your business. For a complete post drawn from this episode, visit my blog at https://ericanderton.com/blog/nextdownturn. If you'd like to reach out to me on social media, I'm on LinkedIn and Twitter. And on my Youtube channel, you'll find a complete library of insights on life, business, and leadership that I've published over the years. Episode highlights: [01:05] The 3 opportunities in an economic downturn:

Tony Moayed is the CEO of Tricorp Group in Sacramento, California. From 2004 to 2007, Tricorp Group experienced significant growth and was named the fastest growing company by the Sacramento Business Journal List. In May of 2014, Tricorp Group had $198 million worth of construction under contract. That same year, the company was threatened with the possibility of bankruptcy, but Tony was determined to finish their projects and make everything right. Join me as we discuss how Tony fought for the company to climb out of bankruptcy, what he personally experienced, and what he learned from this experience. Highlights What Tricorp did right from the beginning What Tricorp's problems were and how they started How Tony turned the company around What Tony personally experienced during this time Tony's advice on what is necessary to fight through hard times What lessons Tony learned through this experience How he improved the new company from lessons learned Tony's advice for successful expansion Tony's favorite res