Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration."
This show interviews hard-working construction company owners and executives who share their wisdom, perspectives, and lessons learned from decades of experience bidding, planning, and building profitable projects. Topics include leadership, strategic planning, conflict resolution, niche identification, succession planning, talent management, business development, and business growth.
Industry expert, Eric Anderton also shares his insights about how construction company owners can increase project profit by improving communication, running productive meetings, and attracting, developing, and retaining talented leaders.
Tune in each week and get practical inspiration for how to build people, projects, and profits.
"I know of no genius but the genius of hard work." John Ruskin
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Transform Your Technical Writing: Strategies for Better Readability and Response
Episode 294
Tuesday, September 3, 2024 • Duration 35:24
Are you struggling with finding the desired outcome of your technical writing? You might've been overlooking some crucial details that make your writing doesn't deliver the message to your audience properly.
Pam Hurley is the founder of Hurley Write, which provides customized writing and reviewing workshops for world-class companies. Pam started her career in higher education, teaching students in technical subjects who were frequently irritated by their "inability" to write. Pam wanted these gifted, intelligent kids to know they could write; they just lacked the necessary resources. With over 125 years of combined experience working with professionals in a number of areas, including energy, engineering, biotech/pharma, government, and aerospace, Hurley Write's team of experts is made up of seasoned writers, teachers, and writing coaches. Hurley Write contends that critical thinking and problem-solving skills are the cornerstones of excellent document writing, which extends far beyond syntax. Pam joined us today to talk about some strategies to achieve better readability and response from your technical writing.
We start the conversation with Pam defining technical writing and how writing strategies can solve the problem of writing. Pam then educates us on the importance of knowing the audience that you are writing for, along with the three types of readers: primary, secondary, and tertiary. We then talk about the role critical thinking plays in technical writing, along with how it helps to figure out the needs of your audience. We also hear Pam's take on using generative AI for writing and why writing on your own is important as a skill.
In this phase of the conversation, Pam explains how assessing feedback can help you to improve the quality of your writing. Then we pay attention to the synchronization of headings and sub-headings of a writing and how you can use it to get the attention of the reader. Furthermore, Pam talks about finding the balance between what the writer wants and what the reader wants.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02.14] What is technical writing?
[03.08] Technical writing strategy.
[05.10] The importance of knowing your audience when writing.
[07.10] Structure of the documents.
[08.55] Critical thinking.
[11.13] The role of generative AI in writing.
[15.22] How to improve the quality of your writing.
[19.26] Headings and sub-headings.
[21.21] How to craft a sub-heading?
[20.20] Finding the balance between what you want and what the reader wants.
[25.53] PowerPoint presentations.
[28.11] SOP and process mapping.
[31.05] The first steps to get better at your technical writing.
TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Know your audience.
A strategy that works for everyone might not work for you.
Give the employees the time and space to write.
Have the courage to try different things especially, if what you've been doing has no positive impact.
Look for keywords that portray the gist of your writing to create a sub-heading.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
The Crucial Question for Family Businesses: Family Needs or Business Priorities?
Episode 293
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 • Duration 52:48
Family or business first? Have you ever wondered? There's no right or wrong answer for that. It depends on what people believe or how they've been taught to believe. While some people implement the family-first business, others believe in the business-first family. Both may seem right from different perspectives, but there's more to it than just being right or wrong.
In this week's episode, we've had the pleasure of having a conversation with another industry expert, specializing in family business advocacy. Rob Ferguson is the founder and president of Ferguson Alliance, a family business strategic advisory service. Having led middle-market family-owned businesses for more than ten years, he uses his qualifications as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and NACD Board Leadership Fellowship to help CEOs and boards navigate generational changes. His goal is to modify the statistics so that family companies last longer. He believes that with the correct foundation in place, family businesses may build an infinite legacy. He joined us today to talk about the essential question for any family business: family needs or business priorities first.
Starting the conversation, Rob defines the two terms' family first business' and 'business first family' along with how they help business owners build their long-term strategy. If you choose the family-first business, then you are choosing a family member, whether they are qualified or not, and if you choose the business-first family, you put the right people in the right position. We then talk about the importance of deciding how a family member joins the business and what requirements they need to fulfill. It makes them understand that they have to earn it if they want to join the business. Rob also explains the procedure for firing a family member, especially if they are a shareholder.
In the next phase of the conversation, Rob kindly shares some crucial details on the essential elements of a succession plan, structuring a succession plan, and the transition of business ownership. Furthermore, Rob explains the advantage of tying family values into a business culture and how it helps to continue the legacy. We also hear Rob explain how he educates people from younger generations who become business owners.
Constructing Success: Ryce Elliott's Blueprint for Leadership and Life Beyond the Build
Episode 284
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 • Duration 37:29
In this episode of Construction Genius Podcast, we explore another inspiring career journey of someone who spent most of their life in the construction industry and possesses a wide range of expertise and knowledge of it. We discuss how you should make clear communication happen between generations, how you should give people opportunities to make mistakes and grow as a leader, and the importance of balancing health and work with this week's guest Ryce Elliott.
Ryce Elliott is the president of Benning Construction Company in Atlanta, Georgia. He started his career journey as a laborer at Benning in 1994. His responsibilities include corporate planning, risk analysis, contract review, and pre-construction management. Throughout his career journey of 29 years at Benning, his experience and knowledge are of great value to clients, business associates, and Benning Construction as a whole. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and was a US Army veteran.
Throughout the conversation, we collected knowledge on the importance of understanding how different generations process information in different ways. Here Elliott walks us through an experience he had on how Gen X and Gen Z process information. We also pay attention to the challenges executives face regarding health and fitness due to heavy workloads.
It's vital as a leader that you give opportunities to people to do their jobs on their own. If you do things on their behalf, there's no room for growth. Elliott explains why it's important to make people understand that failure is unavoidable and an essential part of the growth process. At the end of today's discussion, we listen to Benning's approach to reducing workforce challenges in the construction industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.54] The impact of military background in the initial stages of Elliott's career.
[07.09] How different generations process information differently.
[12.50] Balancing fitness and work.
[16.36] The importance of giving people opportunities to do their job on their own.
Balancing Act: Navigating Construction Risks and Exploring AI's Role and Limits
Episode 283
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 • Duration 45:11
This week on the Construction Genius Podcast, we explore the risk aspects of projects in the construction world, where the contractors have to be extra vigilant on the first 100 pages of a tender specification document, and how AI can help you make the process easier with our guest, Melvin Newman.
Melvin Newman is the President/CTO of PataBid Tenders & Quantify Platform. He is a skilled chief estimator with a background in both general and mechanical contracts. He is exceptionally skilled at managing information for tenders. To promote more accurate estimates and an ecologically sustainable methodology that eliminates paper usage, he developed numerous key developments in estimating, one of which was a fully digital approach.
During the conversation, we delve into the top three risks that every contractor must consider: schedule, liquidated damages, and delivery. We also discuss the importance of the contractor pre-qualification process, the reasons why AI won't replace humans, the distinctions between humans and AI in terms of intuition, the limitations of applying AI in construction, and the impact of AI on our thought processes. Malvin also shares his insights on why you need to develop a certain level of trust in the person with whom you are entering into a contract, but it is a necessity to verify that trust. He also talks about his company, PataBid, and the services their AI can provide for general contractors.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[03.09] The top three risks every contractor has to face.
[06.30] What you are missing in your pre-qualification process as a general contractor.
[10.22] The second law of thermodynamics and AI.
[17.18] Intuition and AI.
[20.22] Why AI has significant limitations in the construction industry
[23.27] How AI affects our thought process.
[28.30] The immediate use of 3D printing in construction.
Hiring in Construction: 6 Myths Debunked & Modern Strategies with Paul Sanneman
Episode 282
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 • Duration 45:04
In this episode of the Construction Genius Podcast, we try to look beyond the surface of the hiring process, where people get into trouble for certain beliefs that hold no validity in modern times. We make sure you get a thorough knowledge of the process of hiring with the newest technologies with Paul Sanneman.
Paul Sanneman is the founder of Dream Business Coaching, Contractor Staffing Source, and Residential Contractor Services Group. Paul has been in the construction industry for over 40 years, during which time he has started multiple business coaching firms and provided consulting services to over 400 others. Paul believes that residential contractors are the most interesting and ethical business owners, which is why he is committed to working with them. He is committed to helping them form successful teams so they can generate more revenue faster and enjoy themselves more. Paul has dedicated his life to coaching, which he believes is one of the most important relationships for a business owner.
Throughout the episode, Paul shares his insights on the six myths of hiring, why it is important not to delve into those myths, why it could be a mistake only to hire within your industry, and how people get into trouble by hiring fast and firing slow. Further, into the conversation, Paul explains the steps of a recruiting process, what kind of impression it gives to your company when you acknowledge the applicants for a position in your organization, and how assessment can help you understand if a potential employee shares the same values with the company.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.14] The myths of hiring.
[08.55] The importance of keeping your compensation leveled up.
[11.35] Why recruiting within the construction industry could be a mistake.
[16.14] Hire fast, fire slow.
[20.32] Recruiting is not a project, it's a process.
[25.07] The steps of a hiring process.
[29.13] The importance of replying fast for the hiring applications.
A Guide to Strategic Planning with Chad Prinkey
Episode 281
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 • Duration 57:26
In this episode of Construction Genius Podcast, we explore the ins and outs of strategic planning, where organizations tend to make decisions about their organizational growth and how to get there. We see to it that you understand the importance of owners on clarity, honesty about your financial goals, the flaws of owners that need to be remedied, the balanced relationship between ambition and prudence, and gathering information from all your employees for the process of strategic planning. Join us as we take a deep dive into the secrets of successful strategic planning with Chad Prinkey.
Chad Prinkey is a building industry consultant who helps to create outstanding construction firms and cooperative project teams while advancing the sector overall. He is the owner of Well Built Consulting, a consulting firm with solutions focused on the construction industry. His passion is to fix broken things by identifying their intended function and making the necessary adjustments. He founded Well Built Construction Consulting to establish a community that revolves around this endeavor. He is a firm believer that the building industry is the soul of America and the heartbeat of the economy.
Throughout the conversation, Chad shares his thoughts, knowledge, and experiences on what questions construction owners need to ask themselves to find clarity on their accomplishments, how figuring out your flaws and getting help can push you to be a successful construction owner, and the things you need to be aware of to have a healthy growth pattern. Furthermore, we pay attention to how to balance ambition and prudence when one cannot exist without the other, prior preparations for strategic planning, and the main reason for a strategic plan's failure.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.05] Strategic planning and what it entails.
[08.27] Owners on clarity – The questions construction owners need to ask in the process of strategic planning.
[12.17] Honesty – Why people find it difficult to be honest about their financial goals.
[20.04] The happiest and most successful people in the construction industry are the ones who figure out what their flaws are and how to overcome them.
From Pain to Profit: Making Your Business a Joyful Success with Mike Paton
Episode 280
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 • Duration 53:33
Delving headfirst into the entrepreneurial world, where people struggle with maintaining passion, Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) and mistakes, trust issues vs. performance issues, being a great leader and a manager, and creating change rather than waiting for it to happen. Let's take a careful look beyond the surface of the entrepreneurial world with Mike Paton and help others master the timeless disciplines and practical tools of the Entrepreneurial Operating System®.
Mike Paton is a speaker, author, EOS® Implementer, and former visionary at EOS® Worldwide. Over the past fifteen years, he has dedicated every working day to assisting thousands of leaders worldwide in operating their businesses and leading better lives. He is the host of one of the top-rated podcasts, 'The EOS Leader', and co-authored two books: 'Get A Grip' and 'Process.'
Throughout the conversation, Mike shares his thoughts and knowledge on why entrepreneurs lose passion for their work halfway into the state of quitting, how a visionary differs from an integrator, and how figuring out what personality you prefer will benefit the organization. He makes it clear there's a difference between trust issues and job performance issues and how to detangle one from the other.
When you are a leader or a manager, you can't ignore your responsibilities to your employees and wait for the change to happen. Clear communication between you as a leader and the employees is vital to continuing to work in harmony in the workplace. Wrapping up the conversation, Mike generously shares his thoughts on the importance of fulfilling the responsibilities of a leader and some advice for entrepreneurs who want to take their organization to the next level.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[03:43] The Passion – The possibility of losing interest in your work as an entrepreneur due to mundane stuff.
[05:18] The difference between a visionary and an integrator.
[10:22] Level 10 meeting – How a level 10 meeting can help the visionary to figure out what is and isn't working.
AI Assistants In Construction: Enhancing Efficiency And Creativity
Episode 279
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 • Duration 32:58
How can you reduce the amount of time it takes to do a takeoff from two days to 20 minutes? In today's discussion, let's open our windows towards the future where AI Assistants can make most impossible things to do become possible to do. In this episode, Marty Cornish, the founder and CEO of Workpack, shares the value of AI Assistants in the construction industry in enhancing efficiency and creativity. He also discusses where AI is heading to the future, where it is today, and the misconceptions most people have about Artificial Intelligence. Marty's expertise in Artificial Intelligence proves he could provide you with insights into successfully implementing AI in your business. Join in!
Get the One Book Every Construction Leader Must Read:
Today's guest is the founder of ALICE Technologies, who obtained his PH.D. in artificial intelligence applications for construction as a Charles H. Leavell fellow at Stanford University. René Morkos identifies the four paradigms of construction scheduling and talks about how ALICE Technologies built the Fourth Paradigm. He also explains how the 4th paradigm makes the impossible possible to avoid construction delays. René also discusses the three generalized construction constraints. Today's conversation is something you should listen to. Join René in this insightful episode.
Get the One Book Every Construction Leader Must Read:
Capital College And Career Academy: The Future Of Construction Education Is Here
Episode 277
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 • Duration 30:48
2023 was a significant year for the educational sphere. Today, we get a future glimpse of construction education with the Founder and Director of Capital College & Career Academy, Kevin Dobson. In this episode, he brings some of his freshmen students who share experiences on studying construction and provide feedback on their ongoing classes. As they look forward to becoming engineers, they share perspectives on applying their learnings to the real world, how they hope to bring innovation to this ever-growing space, and what must be done to revolutionize the currently lacking education system.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.43] Family first business or business first family.
[08.30] How does the performance of a family member affect the non-family members in a business?
[09.28] The mentality shift.
[13.20] The importance of setting requirements.
[17.46] Finding the prime zone.
[22.23] Firing a family member.
[24.11] Structuring a succession plan.
[25.40] Essential elements of a succession plan.
[28.10] The transition of business ownership.
[34.15] Integrating family values into the business culture.
[37.01] Handling biases as a mediator.
[44.15] Educating young people who become business owners.
[47.11] Out of the shadow.
[51.33] Generational differences.
TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Asking yourself 'Are you a family-first business or business-first family' is important as a business owner.
Set requirements that must be fulfilled to earn a position at your organization, especially for family members.
Find the prime zone in your business.
Keep the business ownership in your blood family.
Build a succession plan that will choose the best replacement as the next business owner.
Listen for intense. Not how it's being said, but what is being said.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
[20.29] The fear of failure and building confidence.
[25.36] Elliott shares the story of becoming and handling the position of president at Benning.
[27.36] Rebranding and going forward.
[30.33] Ongoing programs for workforce challenges in the construction industry.
[34.53] How do you want to be remembered on the last day of your career?
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Pay attention to communication differences between generations.
You can accomplish anything with a schedule, plan, and discipline.
Always make time for your physical and mental health.
Make sure you give opportunities for people to do their job.
Make sure your people understand that failure is a part of the process.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
[33.41] What every contractor must do when they are going into a new contract.
[40.31] Melvin's company and how their AI can help contractors save time and make better decisions.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
It doesn't matter what size you need to pre-qualify your trades.
Trust but verify.
If you have a trade that isn't a perfect match for a project, you have to mitigate it before it becomes a risk.
AI isn't here to replace humans. Ai is here to save you time by working faster. But speed is not equal to intelligence.
As a general contractor you must make everyone who is bidding on you aware of what's in the first 100 pages of a contract.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
[35.08] How assessments can confirm if a potential employee has matched values with your organization.
[39.34] Reference check and background check.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You should be hiring all the time. Not only when you need somebody.
The skill of building teams will make you a great company.
You should keep your compensation to your employees at market value.
Hiring only from the construction industry can be a mistake.
One employee who does not match your corporate values can destroy the culture within your organization.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
[26.10] Vision – The importance of having a clearly defined vision.
[30.00] How to have a healthy growth pattern in your business.
[33.34] The balance between ambition and prudence.
[37.16] A checklist of prior preparations for entering the strategic planning process.
[44.16] The importance of gathering information from all the key people for strategic planning.
[54.38] The cause of a strategic plan's downfall.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
'What am I trying to accomplish?' is the first question that construction owners need to ask in the process of strategic planning.
Always try to be honest with the financial success you aim to achieve.
Figuring out what you're not good at is the first key element of a fundamental change to achieve success.
Make sure everything you put into the system is not going to make your system sick when it comes to growth.
Don't allow your prudence to keep you from dreaming, don't allow your dreams to force you to make bad choices.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
[15:29] Trust issues – How to understand the difference between trust issues and job performance issues.
[22:01] Common mistakes people make when they try to implement the EOS® model into their operations.
[27:23] How can a great leader become a great manager.
[33:47] Change – The importance of fulfilling your obligations as a leader before being frustrated over the change that doesn't seem to happen on its own.
[39:07] Advice for middle managers on how to lead up and down through the organization.
[44:47] Personal issue-solving sessions and how to identify if your organization is not structured correctly.
[46.46] Advice for entrepreneurs who are in the stage of quitting because of the stress and overwhelming responsibilities but want to get the organization to the next level.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When you are in a rapidly growing organization, try to understand what type of a person you are; a visionary or an integrator.
A weekly level 10 meeting can help the visionary or the leaders to find out if their involvement is needed or not.
Make sure you have the right person at the right seat who shares the core values of your organization.
Try to approach the EOS model as a holistic approach rather than focusing on one component exclusively.
Always try to communicate your thoughts and feedback with employees as a leader or a manager.
Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
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