Explore every episode of the podcast FMI Built-In Podcast

How can firms treat compensation as an investment in talent, performance and retention rather than a cost?

In this episode of "Built In," FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead speaks with Priya Kapila, partner and head of FMI's Compensation and Rewards team, and Kenia Washington, principal in FMI's compensation practice, about how firms can use compensation to improve performance, keep key employees and grow the business.

Drawing on FMI's 2026 Compensation Trends Study, they examine the growing use of long-term incentives, how clear pay ranges and career paths can reduce turnover, and how to reward performance while staying flexible. The study found that 54% of surveyed companies now offer long-term incentives, up from a historical 30% to 40%.

They also discuss pay for employees on remote projects and three questions leaders should ask about their compensation plans: Do the plans meet company goals? Are they competitive with the market? Do employees understand them?

Download the 2026 Compensation Trends Study here :https://tinyurl.com/bdhyb886

Roughly $1 trillion of investment is headed into U.S. energy and power over the next five years. Whether the industry can build it is the harder question: transformer lead times now run three to four years, permitting fights drag on with local jurisdictions and everyone is bidding for the same small pool of skilled labor. Backlogs have never been bigger, and this conversation keeps coming back to whether these companies can deliver the work they have already won.

In this episode of FMI's "Built In" podcast, Scott Winstead, president of FMI Consulting, is joined by four colleagues from the firm's consulting and investment banking arms: Blake Angelo and Evan Fairmont, partners who co-lead the Energy & Power practice, and Russell Clarke and Andrew Henderson, managing directors with FMI Capital Advisors. Angelo and Fairmont's work spans more than $6 billion in energy infrastructure projects, and all four helped author FMI's inaugural "Energy & Power Overview," the first time the firm has broken this market into its subsegments.

What we cover:

• Where the $1 trillion goes: half into transmission and distribution, with $300 billion in distribution alone.
• Spending rising from about $158 billion to $255 billion a year, a compound annual growth rate near 10% (twice the pace of the past four decades).
• Five-year forward peak demand up sevenfold since 2022, from 24 gigawatts to 166.
• Data centers tripling their share of U.S. electrical demand, from about 3% to 9%, and the one-third of new projects planning to bring their own power behind the meter, three-quarters of it natural gas.
• The three constraints — procurement, permitting and people — and how even basic materials went from order-as-needed to 16-week lead times.
• Why the old plan-engineer-procure-build sequence is breaking down, with equipment ordered before the engineering is finished.
• How owners now hand a single contractor a whole portfolio of projects instead of bidding them one at a time.
• Companies that convert backlog into finished projects track portfolio risk in their information systems and keep accountability clear as work moves between engineering, procurement and the field.
• Investors are putting money into the pinch points: engineering talent, craft labor, tier-two and tier-three equipment producers and the interconnection queue.
• Premium valuations track how hard a business is to copy, not its growth rate or its data center exposure.
• The trap in a record backlog: sellers who think they have hit their peak and the ones who will peak again in six months and again in 12.
• Buy versus build, and why firms tend to overestimate what they can do in-house.
• Whether this is a cycle or a decade, why small nuclear reactors can't be built fast enough to help and what would change the team's view.

This podcast is produced by FMI. Investment banking content in this episode reflects the perspectives of FMI Capital Advisors, Inc., a FINRA member broker-dealer. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. FMI Capital Advisors provides M&A advisory services to companies in the energy and power sector and may seek advisory relationships with companies discussed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements reflect current market conditions and are subject to change.

For a heavy civil contractor, the fleet is often the single biggest capital position on the balance sheet. So why does the person who runs it usually hear the strategy after it's set?

In this episode of Built In, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead talks with Mike Clancy, FMI partner and strategy practice leader. Mike has spent 25 years in construction and advised more than 100 CEOs. His diagnosis is blunt: most contractors don't have a fleet problem; they have a capital allocation problem.

He explains why a fleet that can account for close to 30% of total assets still gets managed like a maintenance department: internal rates that go years without a reset; over- and under-recovery that can swing 15% to 25% and move 100 to 300 basis points on a job; project managers renting from outside while owned iron sits idle and depreciates. The company loses money twice, and the equipment account can balance the whole time.

Scott and Mike then work through the four-stage maturity model, where the distance between a company's self-assessment and its actual practice tracks with how much margin it gives away. They cover how the best firms decide what to own versus rent, and why Mike now thinks in terms of access to equipment rather than ownership.

It all comes back to one test: whether the capital tied up in the fleet earns a return. Keeping the iron running is the job description, not the measure. Mike closes with a question: if the fleet function disappeared overnight, would you rebuild it with the same structure, the same hire, the same metrics?

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why most fleet problems are capital allocation problems, not equipment problems
• Internal equipment rates that go years without a reset, and the 15% to 25% over- and under-recovery that follows
• How a profitable-looking equipment account can hide years of losses in the fleet
• The four-stage fleet maturity model, and why roughly 40% of contractors sit in stage one
• What to own and what to rent: strategic assets, the 70% utilization test, and access over ownership
• How COVID-era rental shortages and the electrification of Class 6-8 trucks changed the own-versus-rent math
• The pickup truck problem: a talented fleet manager spending 60% to 70% of his time on assets that don't set the company apart
• Why the shop foreman path to fleet manager no longer fits the job, and the financial fluency it now takes
• Three questions a CEO can ask Monday morning, and why the team's response is the real diagnostic

What if your organization's greatest competitive advantage isn't your strategy, technology or market position, but your culture?

In this episode of Built In, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead sits down with Paul Grunau, Chief Learning Officer at API Group, a global provider of life safety, security and specialty services with more than 29,000 team members operating across 20-plus countries. Together, they explore how API has built leadership development into the fabric of its organization, using culture as the foundation for sustained growth, successful acquisitions and long-term business performance.

Paul shares his journey from business owner to executive leader, reflecting on the lessons learned through acquisition, leadership and building an enterprise where developing people is viewed as both a responsibility and a competitive advantage. He also discusses how API scales leadership development across a decentralized global organization, creates shared beliefs that shape culture, and why meaningful cultural change requires long-term commitment from leaders at every level.

Whether you're building future leaders, integrating acquisitions, or working to strengthen your organization's culture, this conversation offers practical insights on creating a people-first organization that delivers lasting results.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why culture can become a lasting competitive advantage
• Building leadership development into an organization's purpose
• Scaling culture and leadership across a global enterprise
• Creating shared beliefs that drive consistent behaviors
• The role of CEOs and senior leaders in shaping culture
• Why successful acquisitions begin with cultural alignment
• Lessons on leadership from a career spanning owner, operator and executive
• Why developing leaders is a long-term investment, not a short-term initiative

What does it take to grow a business while staying true to the values and culture that made it successful in the first place?

In this episode of Built In, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead sits down with Tony Bond, President and CEO of BOND Brothers, a fifth-generation family-owned construction and utility infrastructure company serving the Northeast. Together, they explore how BOND has navigated significant growth, expanded into new markets, and evolved its strategy — all while preserving the culture and identity that have defined the company for more than a century.

Tony shares his perspective on strategic planning, capital allocation, leadership, talent development, and the importance of intentional communication as organizations scale. He also reflects on the lessons learned from entering new markets, developing future leaders, and balancing growth opportunities with long-term sustainability.

Whether you're leading a family business, managing growth, or refining your organization's strategic direction, this conversation offers valuable insights on scaling with purpose and maintaining focus in an ever-changing market.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Defining strategy through the lens of "where to play and how to win"
• Balancing growth opportunities with organizational focus
• Preserving culture during periods of rapid expansion
• Lessons learned from entering new geographic markets
• The role of communication in successful leadership
• Talent development and creating clear career pathways
• Managing risk while pursuing long-term growth
• Building an organization designed to thrive for generations

In this episode of FMI's Built In Podcast, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead sits down with Nate Koetje, CEO of Feyen Zylstra. Feyen Zylstra is a 600-person commercial and industrial electrical contractor headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Nashville, Charlotte, and Charleston. Since stepping into the COO role in 2008 and becoming CEO in 2013, Nate has led one of the more disciplined growth stories in the trades. But he pushes back hard on the idea that there was ever a master plan.

Scott and Nate get into the four phases every construction CEO lives through, why "the process is the goal" became Feyen Zylstra's operating philosophy, and what it actually takes to build a field-first culture at scale.

What we cover:

• The four phases: entrepreneurial grit, "culture is king," financial discipline, and process is the goal
• Why field-first is an operating constraint, not a slogan
• How to think about geographic expansion without ever making an acquisition
• The case for not having a growth strategy
• What to look for when selecting leaders who can handle adversity
• Nate's advice to his younger self: dream big, act small

What does it take to grow a construction company from $27M to over $1.5 billion — without losing your culture along the way? In this episode, Scott Winstead sits down with Tim Paulson, Co-CEO of ESS Companies, to unpack the philosophy, decisions, and hard lessons behind one of the industry's most remarkable growth stories.

Tim shares how becoming an ESOP in 1999 unleashed an ownership mentality across the organization, his "3D diversification" framework for sustainable growth, and why ESS invests 70% of its marketing budget internally — on its own people. He also gets candid about the growing pains of tripling in size through three simultaneous acquisitions in 2019, and what he'd tell his 30-year-old self about staying through the hard seasons.

If you're thinking about culture at scale, leadership development, or what it really means to build a company where people have a genuine stake in the outcome, this conversation is for you.

What separates elite contractors from the rest?

In this episode of Built-In, Scott Winstead sits down with FMI Partner Scott Kimpland to unpack the fundamentals behind operational excellence in construction. From disciplined project selection and bid-day cost accuracy to labor productivity tracking and process compliance, Scott shares practical insights drawn from decades advising top-performing firms.

They discuss why chasing revenue can backfire, how two bad projects can erase a year’s profit, and why labor—not overhead—is the number leaders must obsess over. If you want to protect margin, improve field performance and build a culture of continuous improvement, this episode is for you.

In this episode of FMI’s Built-In Podcast, host Scott Winstead welcomes back Jay Bowman, senior partner and head of FMI’s market research practice, for a grounded and strategic look at the U.S. construction market heading into 2026.

After several years of broad-based growth, Jay explains why the conversation is shifting from chasing volume to making smarter, more disciplined decisions in a market defined by concentration, constraint and structural uncertainty. Rather than offering predictions for their own sake, the discussion focuses on what the data is really signaling and why headline numbers alone are no longer enough to guide strategy.

The FMI Built-In Podcast is back for season 4!

FMI Capital Advisors Managing Director Alex Miller joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead to talk about themes driving mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the engineering and construction market in 2026.

The conversation offers practical perspective for owners, boards and leadership teams evaluating how M&A fits into their broader growth and capital deployment strategies for 2026.

As 2025 wraps up, we're revisiting the standout insights that shaped this year’s conversations about leading and growing in the built environment. From turning talent strategy into a business imperative to understanding why project management still fails, our guests shared practical lessons for building stronger, more resilient organizations.

We explored how leaders can drive real change, navigate succession, foster meaningful career pathways and stay competitive in today’s construction market. We also spotlighted powerful examples of strategy, culture, and innovation at work.

Enjoy this year-end recap as you reflect on 2025 and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

In this episode of Built-In, host Scott Winstead sits down with Steena Chandler, FMI Partner and leader of the firm’s Leadership and Organizational Development practice. Together, they explore why talent strategy isn’t just an HR function—it’s enterprise risk management.

Steena talks about how weak leadership pipelines can quietly erode profitability, what it takes to align structure with strategy, and how CEOs can transform talent strategy from a “sidecar” initiative into a core driver of business success.

From defining your talent philosophy to measuring ROI on leadership investments, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for executives ready to make people strategy their competitive advantage.

What does it take to scale a $3 billion construction company without losing its soul? In this episode, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead sits down with Rob Fallow, President and CEO of Fortis Construction, Inc., to uncover how Fortis balances entrepreneurial agility with disciplined strategy—and why culture is their ultimate competitive edge.

Rob shares insights on guarding against cultural and operational drift, empowering teams through decentralization, and building enduring organizations through purpose-driven leadership and thoughtful succession. Whether you’re a contractor, builder or business leader, this conversation delivers powerful lessons on growth, stewardship and staying true to your values as you scale.

Listen in for a masterclass on leadership, culture and purpose in the built environment.

In our next episode, Scott Winstead interviews Brian Skipper, corporate director of project development at Hensel Phelps, about navigating the changing construction landscape and crafting a disciplined approach to growth. They discuss the strategy behind how Hensel Phelps determines:

• Where to operate
• What projects to pursue
• How to say no to projects that don't fit the strategic priorities

Don't miss this conversation that is sure to give you insights into how to create a winning strategy that you can implement into your business right now.

Operational excellence doesn’t happen by accident. Yet in today’s construction environment, many firms continue to leave it up to chance. That’s one of the central takeaways from our forthcoming industry study on project management and a key message from this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast.

Led by FMI’s Gregg Schoppman and Nelson Newman, this three-part survey reveals where project management is breaking down, what separates top-performing firms, and how executives can position their teams for predictability, profitability and long-term success.

Listen now for a preview of our findings and discover perspectives from both executives and project managers.

In our latest podcast, host Scott Winstead talks with Bob Uhler, former CEO and chairman of MWH Global, and Garry Sanderson, former MWH executive and author of "The Change Engineer," about what it takes to lead lasting change at scale. Bob transformed MWH from a $100 million firm to a $1.6 billion global leader in water infrastructure. Garry's behavioral science lens helps decode why strategy often fails during execution. The conversation covers:

• The four levels of leadership
• How to fight corporate inertia
• Creating the right conditions for behavior to scale

Don't miss this episode, which is packed tips you can apply immediately to improve your business.

Succession planning isn’t just about ownership or leadership — it’s about aligning both.

In this episode, Jake Appelman and Matt Godwin of FMI sit down with host Scott Winstead to explore:

• The evolving landscape of exit strategies.
• What great looks like — and where firms often get stuck.
• How to build leadership readiness in advance.
• Strategies for mitigating financial risk and safeguarding the business.

Whether you’re years away from transition or actively navigating succession, this conversation offers insights you don’t want to miss.

"Leaders were really the biggest constraint we had to reach our potential," Scott Peterson, CEO of Interstates tells FMI's Scott Winstead in this episode of the FMI Built-In Podcast.

Through its emphasis on people development and adaptability, the company has grown from $12 million in revenue in 1995 to $500 million in 2024. By focusing on building strong leaders and shifting to a more collaborative team environment, Interstates continues to evolve to meet client and industry needs. Don't miss his incredible insights on leadership and structuring a company so it can scale and still provide excellent client service.

After retiring from the Air Force, Chris Stricklin found his calling as founding president of Dunn University, a division of the Dunn Family of Businesses.

Dunn University exists to recruit, train, develop and retain the best skilled workforce possible, while improving [their] communities and industries in pursuit of achieving both [their] corporate and individual true potential.

As a result of his workforce efforts, Chris was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to the Alabama Workforce Board and testified before Congress in 2024 on initiatives to pioneer revolutionary methods of training Alabamians in new careers with livable wages and career progression pathways.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In Podcast, Chris sits down with host Scott Winstead to talk about these initiatives as well as:

• Building an innovative and agile business
• Developing and retaining talent
• Lessons learned throughout his career

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring episode.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In Podcast, Scott Winstead sits down with Ed Kutschke, executive vice president at Aldridge Electric, to explore how the company has stayed ahead of the competition in their more than 70 years in the infrastructure space. Specializing in electrical infrastructure and large-scale transportation and power projects, Aldridge built a reputation for field-first innovation and operational excellence.

Listen now to learn how Aldridge continues to lead in a competitive market.

The built environment is entering a transformative era.

Connecting the dots between evolving trends, market forecasts and what they mean for your business is crucial in today's landscape.

In this episode of FMI's Built-In Podcast, Partner and leader of FMI's Research and Analytics Practice Jay Bowman joins host Scott Winstead to share his perspective on the Overview.

They talk about sector-specific insights, key themes in the industry and how leaders are prioritizing strategic focus, technological adoption and resilience.

We're excited to kick off season three of the FMI Built-In Podcast with FMI Capital Advisors Managing Director Alex Miller. He joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead to talk about themes driving mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the engineering and construction market in 2025. We'll look at what areas might be hot, considerations for companies thinking about M&A and other trends to help inform your thinking.

We had such an incredible year, that we decided to share some of the key insights from our 2024 guests. Leadership isn't just about solving today's problems. It's about building an organization that can thrive long into the future and through any type of transition. Discover some of the best advice and practices from top leaders in the built environment. Enjoy this year-end wrap-up as you start planning for 2025.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead is joined by Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction. Shawmut is 100% ESOP-owned and has made Fortune’s best workplace list 16 times during Les’ tenure as CEO.

Les talks about Shawmut’s shift to a more sustainable business model, touching on navigating change, strategic leadership, company culture and talent retention.

Tom Gilbane, Jr., joins host Scott Winstead to discuss the origin and evolution of Construction Inclusion Week.

Construction Inclusion Week unites the built environment to create a more welcoming and inclusive industry. Tom talks about how companies can get involved to solve problems, attract and retain talent, and innovate with more people.

Don’t miss this special episode of the FMI Built-In podcast.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, Chairman and CEO of Hensel Phelps Construction, Mike Choutka, joins host Scott Winstead to talk about creating a strategic business model to achieve long-term success.

Mike reflects on the strong foundation they've built to fuel Hensel Phelps' 87 years of success and the key ingredients to reach the milestone of 100 years in business, including:

• Developing the next generation of future leaders
• Implementing broad-based employee ownership
• Fostering an enterprise-first mindset
• Embracing the future of technology

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead, President of FMI Consulting, sits down with Les Snyder, Executive Vice President of Development and Infrastructure Construction for Brightline West.

With more than 40 years of experience across all sectors of the construction industry, Les' background uniquely positions him as an exceptional leader. During this conversation, he dives into how to create consistent, sustainable and profitable growth for the business, touching on:

• Strategy and Vision
• Future Leaning Systems and Processes
• Human Capital and Leadership
• Markets and Sectors
• Company Culture

Don't miss these valuable insights—tune in now!

With many expected to double the amount of work being done via prefabrication methods, you can't afford to just wing it. It's critical to have a long-term strategy and operationally efficient processes to get the most out of these efforts.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, we sit down with Tyler Paré, head of our performance consulting practice. Tyler unpacks Part 2 of FMI's Labor Productivity Study and shares insights on prefabrication and the opportunities and challenges that come with it.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead, President of FMI Consulting, sits down with Bob Murray, former President of BOND Brothers, Inc.

Bob delves into the challenges and triumphs of leading a growing construction firm, touching on topics like talent development, maintaining core values and navigating strategic shifts. His commentary on leadership and building a team are particularly relevant in today's environment. Listen to the full conversation now.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, host Scott Winstead, President of FMI Consulting, sits down with Bob Murray, former President of BOND Brothers, Inc.

Bob delves into the challenges and triumphs of leading a growing construction firm, touching on topics like talent development, maintaining core values, and navigating strategic shifts.

Tune in for the full episode on June 11. Don't forget to like or subscribe on your preferred streaming platform to be informed of new releases!

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, Bob Uhler joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead for an insightful conversation on leadership in the C-suite. We talk about the evolving role of a CEO, the difference between a visionary CEO and a maintenance CEO, and how to be agile in evolving markets and sectors.

Bob is an accomplished leadership consultant and the former CEO and chairman of MWH Global, one of the largest water and wastewater treatment contractors in the U.S.

Tune in to glean insights on how to be an agile leader and adapt to the evolving built environment and read Bob's article on the four levels of organizational success.

In this episode of the FMI Built-In podcast, Bob Uhler joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead for an insightful conversation on leadership.

Bob is regarded as a visionary strategist and accomplished leader. His experience includes:

• Starting his own strategy and marketing advisory firm, The Uhler Group, LLC.
• Leading the transformation of the MWH Global, Inc. business platform from 1 country to 36 and from $100 million to $1.6 billion in revenue during his tenure as CEO and chairman.
• Two decades of director experience across multiple boards.
• An impressive collection of published articles, registrations, certifications and awards.
• U.S. Military service with the decorated distinction of two Bronze Medals and four Combat Air Medals for valor in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division.

Tune in next week to glean insights on how to be an agile leader and adapt to the evolving built environment.

Private equity investment across the engineering and construction industry has vastly increased in recent years. In this episode, Consulting President Scott Winstead talks to Paul Giovannoni and Jayson Post about how private equity is reshaping the built environment and how FMI is working with investors.

Giovannoni's consulting practice mainly focuses on buy-side market studies and due diligence, while Post's work in investment banking helps private equity investors buy and sell assets. Learn more about the trends shaping the landscape for private equity and how FMI can help private equity firms make informed decisions and understand market nuances.

In this episode, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead speaks with FMI Capital Advisors Vice President Jayson Post and FMI Consulting Partner Paul Giovannoni. They talk about the trends underpinning activity as well as considerations around overall strategy for potential sellers.

Tune in next week on FMI's website or your favorite streaming platform. Like or subscribe to stay up to date on the latest releases.

In this special episode for Women in Construction Week 2024, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead and Mary Teichert discuss how to identify and demolish barriers to attract more women to the construction industry. They also talk about company values and ways leaders can support women to create a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Mary boasts an impressive resume including graduating from Harvard, holding positions on various industry boards, facilitating workshops to help women and minorities become licensed contractors, and serving as the President of Teichert Inc., which holds one of the oldest construction licenses in California and now comprises a diverse mix of businesses including Teichert Construction and Teichert Materials.

In this special episode for Women in Construction Week 2024, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead and Mary Teichert discuss how to identify and demolish barriers to attract more women to the construction industry. They also talk about company values and ways leaders can support women to create a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Mary boasts an impressive resume including graduating from Harvard, holding positions on various industry boards, facilitating workshops to help women and minorities become licensed contractors, and serving as the President of Teichert Inc., which holds one of the oldest construction licenses in California and now comprises a diverse mix of businesses including Teichert Construction and Teichert Materials.

Tune in next week on FMI's website or your favorite streaming platform. Like or subscribe to stay up to date on the latest releases.

Understanding the regions and sectors where you operate is imperative in today's built environment. FMI Partner Jay Bowman joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead to talk about our recently released 2024 North American Engineering and Construction Industry Overview. Their conversation includes can’t-miss insights into what’s expected to drive the market over the next 12-24 months.

Understanding the regions and sectors where you operate is imperative in today's built environment. FMI Partner Jay Bowman joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead to talk about our recently released 2024 North American Engineering and Construction Industry Overview. Their conversation includes can’t-miss insights into what’s expected to drive the market over the next 12-24 months.

Tune into FMI's website or your favorite streaming platform on February 6 to listen.

Welcome back to our second season of the FMI Built-In Podcast. We're kicking off the year with a deep dive into consolidations and merger strategy with FMI Capital Advisors Managing Director Alex Miller. He joins FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead to talk about themes driving mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the engineering and construction market in 2024. We'll look at what areas might be hot, considerations for companies thinking about M&A and other trends to help inform your thinking.

In our final episode of the season, we talk with Mark Hourigan about creating a long-term vision for his firm and how to articulate that to clients and others in the market. Hourigan is an award-winning, fully integrated construction firm that has been recognized as a great place to work by Fortune magazine and others. His insights on how to thoughtfully manage the firm to create an enduring business are not to be missed.

FMI Partner Priya Kapila joins Consulting President Scott Winstead on this episode of our Built-In podcast to talk about trends in pay and benefits. We all know that compensation is a critical part of retention and in the episode we'll dive into best practices and how to maximize the return on your compensation investment.

FMI Partner Priya Kapila joins Consulting President Scott Winstead on the next episode of our Built-In podcast to talk about trends in pay and benefits. Don't miss her industry-specific insights when this episode comes out November 14.

Labor productivity is the central driver of profitability for labor-intensive, self-performing contractors. FMI research suggests that contractors lost approximately $30 billion to $40 billion to labor inefficiencies in 2022. These labor productivity deficits translate to significant project and enterprise margin erosion industrywide.In this episode of Built-In, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead interviews Partner Tyler Paré and Consultant Michael Keller about the 2023 Labor Productivity Study and ways contractors can harness labor to improve profit margins.

FMI's ground-breaking research on why large contractors fail continues to be one of the most popular articles we've published. In this episode of Built-In, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead interviews Hugh Rice, former chairman at FMI, about the initial findings and how they continue to be relevant today.

When you think about developing a culture in the construction industry, many mention DPR Construction as an industry leader and a company with a strong culture. Through the ups and downs of the pandemic and exceptional growth, DPR continues to focus on their people and what drives their overall success.

In this bonus episode of Built-In, a member of DPR's Leadership Team, Mike Humphrey, talks with Senior Consultant Tracey Smith about how the company invests in people, how they develop meaningful work through focusing on their purpose, and how their core values of enjoyment, ever forward, integrity and uniqueness inform all their decisions.

Knowing when and how to exit your business can be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an owner. In part 2 of our exit strategies conversation, FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead talks with three FMI Capital Advisors experts on valuation and what drives it, how to get started with an exit strategy and what to expect in the first 100 days of the process.

We’ll chat with Managing Directors Alex Miller, Matt Godwin and Nathan Perkins about the pitfalls and opportunities of mergers and acquisitions, internal ownership transfers and creating an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

Knowing when and how to exit your business can be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an owner. Listen as FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead talks with three FMI Capital Advisors experts on the various options for exiting a business in the built environment.

We’ll chat with Managing Directors Alex Miller, Matt Godwin and Nathan Perkins about the pros and cons of selling to a third party, finding an internal buyer or establishing an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) in this first episode. In the second part of the conversation, we’ll talk about the pitfalls, opportunities and potential valuations for each option.

The 2023 FMI Talent Study didn't so much as reveal a talent issue, but highlighted how big the talent cliff is these days. In this episode of Built-In, we talk with Denise Gettman, a partner in FMI's leadership and organizational development practice, about the urgency many companies are feeling to fill the gaps in their organizations. More people are retiring and younger workers are leaving the industry at higher rates due to competition from other industries, making it critical for companies across the built environment to manage their teams with succession planning, training and development, and other retention strategies. We also talk about ways to address talent issues to attract and retain the workers needed to be successful.

APi Group CEO Russ Becker sits at the helm of a publicly traded $6.5 billion company built through more than 90 acquisitions. In this episode of Built-In, Becker talks with FMI Consulting President Scott Winstead about how he focuses on the culture, values and fit of potential acquisitions from the beginning of the diligence process to ensure success. They also talk about the process of taking the company public through a merger with a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) and the $3.1 billion acquisition of Chubb Fire and Security business in 2022. APi spends more than $6 million a year in leadership development, giving everyone on the team a common foundation and language. Leadership development is a fundamental part of APi and a competitive differentiator when attracting and retaining talent.

In this bonus episode of Built-In, Senior Consultant Tracey Smith talks with Randy Leopold, Associate Vice Chancellor, Capital Program Management at the University of California San Diego, about leadership and building collaborative partnerships. He discusses the complexity of managing billions of dollars of projects across diverse stakeholders and how creating a shared vision for the building helps everyone who steps onto the job site work toward a common goal. Creating a sense of community and demonstrating the importance of the new building, such as a center to cure blindness, generates a sense of pride and helps the team solve problems in ways that benefit everyone.