Episodes
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Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
There are distinct opportunities and problems when working with a multicultural workforce, particularly on large projects. When teams come together from different backgrounds with different perspectives, talents, and experiences, harnessing this diversity can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities. However, successful collaboration necessitates a deliberate commitment to communication and trust-building. Setting common goals and encouraging open conversation is critical for managing the complications that result from different cultural norms and expectations.
Our guest today is Bisrat Degefa, CEO & Co-Founder of TruBuild, an AI-powered construction software designed to simplify construction projects. He is a construction expert with vast worldwide expertise. His career began in the UK on rail projects before transferring to Qatar for the Doha Metro Gold Line project. He later managed digital engineering in Kenya and worked on major projects in India, North America, and South America. His team at TrustBuild is pioneering breakthrough AI solutions to reinvent project planning and execution, moving the industry forward. He joined us today to talk about the art of managing large-scale projects in multicultural teams.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02:18] Bisrat’s journey through the construction industry.
[05:15] The willingness to adapt new technologies: the difference between the Middle East and the USA.
[08:22] Bisrat’s professional journey through Kenya, India, North America, Canada, and the Middle East.
[12:29] A journey influenced by specific goals and opportunities.
[16:28] Navigation through a shared mindset between different races, ethnicities, and cultures. [17:10] Consistent issues on large-scale projects.
[20:26] Federation from a design and project management perspective.
[25:04] Why the UK is best at handling conflict.
[27:08] Building trust in different cultures.
[30:40] Handling the failures of entrepreneurship.
[37:00] Addressing pain points of owners.KEY TAKEAWAYS
It’s important to foster a shared mindset in diverse teams.
Prioritize effective communication within large teams to minimize rework.
Ensure the communication of the potential impacts on quality and processes clearly to stakeholders.
Focus on establishing clear communication and aligning on common goals.
If a mistake is identified, act quickly to rectify it and communicate transparently with stakeholders about the issue.
RESOURCES
Connect with Bisrat
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/bisrat-s-degefa/
Website - trubuild.io/
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Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
In a fast-paced world, a healthy work-life balance is essential for sustaining mental health and productivity. As people handle the responsibilities of their professional lives, they frequently face problems that can contribute to stress and burnout. It is crucial to surround oneself with supportive networks, embrace adaptability, and practice effective communication. Individuals who prioritize mental health and meaningful connections can live a more rewarding and balanced life, increasing their productivity in both personal and professional realms.
Bryce Wuori is an MPM, Asphalt Scientist, and the CEO at Pavewise, a web-based software to maximize productivity and improve project quality. He specializes in asphalt paving and believes that technology will be the key to future success in the infrastructure industry. Bryce has been acknowledged nationwide as an asphalt expert who is currently achieving significant success by incorporating project variables into asphalt pave quality methods to boost project income. He joined us today to talk about the entrepreneurial highs and lows in the construction industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02:27] Bryce's Construction Roots
[06:58] The two factors people need to be a good business person.
[10:08] Mental Health in Construction
[14:10] How communicating and sharing emotions help to reduce stress.
[19:22] Bryce’s first construction company.
[24:20] Understanding Pavewise and the technology behind it.
[26:34] Recognizing business opportunities
[30:30] The process of selling a business.
[33:02] Shifting into a venture-backed software company.
[35:40] Adjusting to a new role in software.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Surround Yourself with Learners
Master Communication
Accept What You Can't Control
Talk About Your Feelings
Choose the Right Partners
Embrace Guidance and Collaboration
RESOURCES
Connect with Bryce
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/bryce-w-89818b237/
Website - pavewisepro.com/
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Missing episodes?
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Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
In this week’s episode of the “Construction Genius” podcast, we discuss productivity tips relevant to the construction industry based on Elon Musk’s 2018 email to Tesla employees.
Eric starts the discussion with what Elon Musk considers the blight of larger organizations: excessive meetings. He explains why it’s important only to hold large meetings if they provide value to all present. He then shows why it is acceptable to leave a meeting if you are not contributing. Prioritizing your time effectively is important in the workplace. Next, he talks about two major factors regarding communication in the workplace: avoiding acronyms and jargon and direct communication. Avoiding acronyms is important because not everybody has the knowledge of them that differs to specific fields, and it’s important to build a culture where team members can communicate directly across levels, bypassing unnecessary chains of command. The next important tip is to prioritize common sense in decision-making. Be willing to adapt or change outdated company rules when they no longer serve a purpose and encourage a culture where employees feel empowered to challenge and improve practices for better outcomes.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[01:57] Excessive Meetings - The blight of big organizations.
[02:58] Leaving a meeting if not adding value.
[03:29] Reduce using acronyms.
[04:20] Direct communication.
[06:04] Interdepartmental communication.
[07:02] Common sense as the guide.
[07:34] Build a culture open to change and make a better place for employees.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Only hold large meetings if they provide value to everyone involved.
If you’re not adding value to a meeting, it’s acceptable to leave.
Avoid acronyms and jargon to ensure everyone understands.
Promote a culture where team members can communicate directly across levels.
Ensure that communication flows freely between departments.
Be open to changing company rules that no longer make sense.
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 coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
RESOURCES
Kickass Business Meetings Ebook:
www.constructiongenius.com/kam -
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
An 831(b) plan, commonly known as captive or microcaptive insurance, is intended to help business owners reduce unfunded liabilities. SRA utilizes the 831(b) Tax Code to create tax-deferred risk mitigation and give business owners greater peace of mind.
Van Carlson is the founder and CEO of SRA 831(b), with 25 years of experience in the risk management industry. His goal is to continue SRA's upward growth while also developing novel products for the market. He joined us today to discuss how to fund uninsured risks without hurting cash flow.
We start the conversation with Van explaining the 831(b) risk management strategy along with the benefits businesses can gain from it. Then we talk about the significance of motivation in financial advice. Risk management should be the primary focus rather than merely seeking tax advantages to avoid potential scrutiny from the IRS. Van then kindly explains the common mistakes people make when setting up an 831(b), especially in the construction industry: proper ownership structure and motivation. We then pay attention to the challenges of exiting an 831(b) plan, where Van explains how they make a simple exiting process.
Further down to the conversation, we discuss the following topics regarding 831(B) risk management strategy: solvency testing, the services 831(b) provides and are unavailable through traditional insurance options, alternatives for 831(b), and the type of businesses that might not be suitable for an 831(b).
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02:13] What is 831(b) risk management strategy?
[04:43] What 831(b) provides for construction companies
[08:52] The importance of the motivations behind financial advice
[10:35] The common mistakes
[14:33] Solvency testing
[18:41] Challenges of exiting an 831(b) plan
[20:31] What unique services do 831(b) offer that aren’t available through conventional insurance options?
[26:23] The types of companies aren’t suitable for the 831(b)
[27:17] Alternative risk management strategies
[28.48] The red flags
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Evaluate Motivations
Clarify Ownership Structures
Prioritize Risk Management
Participate in Solvency Testing
Choose the Right Insurance Agent
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 coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
RESOURCES
Connect with Van
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/vancarlson/
Website - 831b.com/ -
Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are a topic many construction companies consider when planning their business transitions. ESOPs are a proven strategy that allows owners to leverage the wealth they’ve built through hard work and dedication.
Kelly Finnell, J.D., CLU, AIF, is one of the nation’s premier Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) consultants. For over four decades, he has been assisting business owners in creating and implementing ESOPs. He has spent decades discussing ESOPs with corporations and groups, giving presentations at over 300 conferences and meetings in the United States and internationally in London and Sydney. His company, Executive Financial Services, is a national ESOP consulting firm founded in 1981 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Their diverse team of experienced professionals is focused on utilizing Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for Ownership Succession Planning and possesses deep expertise in this specialized area. He joined us today to talk about the process of building a successful ESOP.
We start the conversation with Kelly explaining the biggest challenge in ESOPs: understanding what an ESOP is. Kelly further shares that business owners, especially in the construction industry, need to be patient and prepared for a steep learning curve. An ESOP serves both as a qualified retirement plan and as a liquidity strategy for current owners. Kelly then explains who would best fit ESOPS, saying that it is typically best suited for business owners seeking a gradual exit over five to eight years. For owners wanting to walk away and not look back, a third-party sale would be more appropriate. We then pay attention to the cultural transition that comes with an ESOP. Kelly shares that companies that prioritize maintaining their culture after a sale are ideal candidates for an employee stock ownership plan. Unlike third-party sales, which often lead to cultural shifts that can alienate both employees and customers, an ESOP facilitates an internal transition that helps preserve the existing culture.
Further into the conversation, we cover the following topics regarding building a successful foundation for ESOP: ESOP failures and how to avoid them, the initial steps of getting familiar with ESOP, how to address the challenges that come with active and inactive children in a family-owned business, how to navigate personal guarantees.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02.01] Understanding what an ESOP is.
[06.21] Risks to be aware of when building a foundation for ESOP.
[08.39] The standard time frame for exiting a company.
[10.50] The importance of effective communication when implementing an ESOP.
[15.15] How to keep employees engaged in the ESOP process during the early years?
[18.03] Cultural transition and ESOP.
[25.08] Avoiding ESOP failure.
[27.26] The first steps of getting familiar with ESOP.
[31.11] Retirement planning.
[33.48] Addressing challenges regarding active and inactive children in a family-owned business.
[38.17] Navigating personal guarantees.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Consider your desired level of involvement post-sale when choosing an exit strategy.
Effective communication and education are crucial when implementing an ESOP.
Celebrate and Educate
Prioritize Company Culture
Start with Education and Expert Guidance
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 coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
RESOURCES
Connect with Kelly
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/esopcoach/
Website - execfin.com/
Book: The ESOP Coach - Using ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning
National Center for Employee Ownership
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Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
It’s a common misconception that pre-construction consists solely of estimating costs based on drawings and coordinating subcontractor bids. Pre-construction might begin with feasibility studies and initial concepts, which help determine what is financially viable. It comprises a wide range of tasks until building begins, with designs finalized and budgets secured. The pre-construction phase involves a large amount of work.
Today, we are joined by Steve Dell’Orto, the founder & CEO of ConCntric, a cloud-based construction software platform for pre-construction and construction cost estimating. With 26 years of experience in the construction industry, Steve is well-equipped to drive digital transformation in this field. He is dedicated to using his expertise to enhance innovation and technology in real estate and construction. Together with his team, Steve aims to make the built world more affordable, predictable, and sustainable, positioning them to significantly impact the future of the industry. He joined us today to discuss ways to maximize pre-construction success while also improving collaboration, affordability, and outcome certainty.
Steve starts the conversation by explaining what pre-construction is and how people mistakenly view pre-construction as merely estimating costs. Steve then kindly shares the importance of the alignment of all stakeholders around common objectives, saying that successful project delivery relies on effective communication and collaboration, ensuring that everyone understands the value being provided and works towards the shared goal of a high-quality outcome. We also talk about the role of technology in renovating the construction industry. By integrating workflows and automating procedures, you may improve communication, save time, and allow skilled workers to focus on their strengths. Collaboration and transparency in gathering ideas from many stakeholders can result in substantial advancements and innovation throughout the industry.
As we continue our conversation, we focus on the following aspects of the pre-construction process: the primary problem, the non-linear nature of pre-construction, risk mitigation prior to construction, the black-box approach, and the role of AI in the construction industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[01.56] Steve’s career journey at Clark Construction Group.
[05.12] What is pre-construction?
[08.07] Impact of the lack of financial commitment.
[12.31] The impact of a good pre-construction process.
[16.08] The importance of aligning all stakeholders around common objectives.
[20.52] Careful selection of partners and clear communication.
[23.40] The importance of leveraging technology to modernize the construction industry.
[27.00] Augmenting existing expertise.
[31.04] The main pain problem in the pre-construction process.
[36.15] How the non-linear nature of pre-construction influences data quality and decision-making.
[39.30] Mitigating risks before construction.
[42.07] The black-box approach.
[44.00] The difference between information and data.
[45.13] The role of AI in construction.
[48.32] The biggest shift in construction regarding technological application.
TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Always put yourself in the client's shoes
Focus on the Total Cost of Ownership
Prioritize Transparency and Structure
Embrace Technology for Efficiency
Gradual Integration of Technology
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 coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
RESOURCES
Connect with Steve
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/stevedellorto/
Website - concntric.com/
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Health is not something that can be achieved with mere thought. It takes patience, consistency, and the ability to figure out what’s good for you and be brave enough to adjust. Some may think achieving health is following some difficult daily routines, but in truth, it’s the continuation of the simplest things that will make you healthy eventually.
Kevin Dahlstrom is a husband, father, CMO, and climber. Raised in a small Texas town, Kevin navigated a challenging childhood before rising through the corporate ranks to become a Chief Marketing Officer at multiple public companies and a successful entrepreneur with several exits. Despite achieving financial success, Kevin found their work-life balance lacking and transitioned to a focus on health in their mid-40s. He now advocates for an 80% clean diet and emphasizes that health improvements come from consistent, small changes over time rather than quick fixes. His approach is informed by a lifetime of learning and personal experience, aiming to guide others toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Starting the conversation, Kevin shares his childhood and career journey along with the health habits he adapted to lead a fulfilling life. Out of all the exercises you can do to maintain health, walking is one of the best and most underrated of them all. Kevin kindly explains some of the impact walking has on creativity and changing brain chemicals. Kevin and Eric also discuss the importance of disconnecting when walking and allowing your mind to be free and focused. We then pay attention to the impacts of heavy weightlifting, which may lead to chronic injuries over time, especially for younger individuals who often focus on lifting large weights. Kevin then explains how you can use lighter loads with proper form can be more sustainable and still provide effective results.
We also talk about why alcohol is bad for maintaining your health. Kevin here explains that alcohol is a toxin that can significantly degrade performance and overall well-being. While occasional moderate drinking might be manageable, it generally impacts optimal performance and becomes more noticeable with age. Additionally, he explains how small habits, like regular alcohol consumption or eating ice cream frequently, can accumulate over time, leading to significant long-term effects on health. Kevin also talks about the limitations of mainstream healthcare, where they usually fail to address the root causes of chronic illnesses, making them worse over time. Further down to the conversation, we discussed the following topics related to maintaining health: food tracking, a good sleeping schedule, finding your community, and planning for retirement.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04:19] Kevin’s story and his health habits.
[09:35] Baby steps for beginners.
[11:19] The benefits of walking.
[13.05] The importance of disconnecting during walking.
[19:22] The negative effects of heavy weight lifting.
[20:48] Walking carrying weight.
[25:58] Food, alcohol and health.
[33:15] The impact of avoiding decisions that will make life miserable.
[38:49] Why sleep is the absolute foundational pillar of maintaining health.
[43:43] Finding your tribe, retirement and health.
[52:09] Does all your wealth bring you joy?
[55:54] The true meaning of minimalism.
[59:39] Choosing your own path.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Consistency Over Intensity
Prioritize Health and Set Boundaries
Disconnect During Walks
Focus on Clean Eating
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Reduce Light and Screen Exposure
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/kevind/
Website - camp4.wordpress.com/
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Are you looking to build an aesthetic workplace with a calm environment, pleasing background, and radiation of good vibes? Mass timber can bring that vision to life.
Today, our guest is Ricardo Brites, Director of Engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber, a wood product manufacturing company in British Columbia. He is a committed structural engineer who is passionate about sustainability and innovation. He specializes in solid and mass timber structures. He brings a lot of scholarly rigor and real-world experience to every project. He holds a PhD in structural engineering from Universidade do Minho, Portugal. Join us as we dive into the world of mass timber and learn how mass timber can change the aesthetic of your workplace.
We start the conversation by comparing the cost of other materials to mass timber, where Ricardo explains how it depends on the area. Then Ricardo describes the benefits of using mass timber, including being much lighter than concrete, as fast to assemble as steel frames due to its prefabricated nature, and requiring a smaller installation crew. We then pay attention to the two biggest mistakes of mass timber: the high possibility of burning and moisture and the degradation that can happen to the wood.
In this phase, we talk about the reason for the low adaptation of mass timber in the USA and the role the technological revolution plays in that regard. We also talk about the aesthetic benefits of mass timber, such as a calm environment, a beautiful background, and the radiation of a good vibe. Furthermore, we dive into the limitations of mass timber and what the future will look like for Mercer Mass Timber.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[05.13] Cost of mass timber in comparison to other materials.
[07.36] Benefits of mass timber.
[10.03] Quality of mass timber in comparison to the quality of steel.
[11.06] The longevity of a wood panel.
[12.27] The biggest misconception about mass timber.
[15.13] Geographic variations and the usage of mass timber.
[16.19] The reasons for lower adaptation of mass timber in the USA than in other countries.
[21.15] Esthetic benefits of mass timber.
[22.15] Limitations of mass timber.
[24.13] Expanding mass timber.
[28.06] Mass timber in mainstream and commercial construction.
[28.47] Mercer mass timber.
TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Be aware of the misconceptions about mass timber.
Geographic variations don’t affect the mass timer usage.
There’s a psychological effect to mass timber.
Explore Hybrid Solutions.
Mass Timber Increases Efficiency.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Ricardo
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ricardobrites/
Website - mercermasstimber.com/
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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
RESOURCES
Connect with Pam Hurley
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/hurleywrite/
Website - hurleywrite.com/
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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.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Rob Ferguson
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/robertaferguson/
Website - ferguson-alliance.com/
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A leader is many things, but most importantly, a leader should be someone willing to take accountability, even if some things are out of their control. A great leader should have the ability to prove that actions speak louder than words.
In this week’s episode, we have the absolute pleasure of conversing with an exceptional author, keynote speaker, Pat Tilman Military Scholar, and founder of Loyalty Point Leadership, Patrick Nelson. He is an accomplished leader who served in the US Army as a paratrooper for nearly seven years and led soldiers on three combat missions. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. Patrick is an engaging facilitator who has conducted leadership development programs for a wide range of customers, including Fortune 500 companies and small enterprises from various industries. During one of his deployments, his failures as a leader resulted in one of his comrades being killed in combat. This life-changing experience led him on a quest to help others avoid making the same mistakes. Join us as we talk about how failure can lead you to be an exceptional leader.
Starting the conversation, Patrick kindly shares his childhood background and the reason behind his joining the US Army. Then he explains some of the misconceptions the world has about the people and culture in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with the reasons why sovereign countries that go into these countries repeat the same mistakes. We turn our attention to the ‘Pride Factor', where people don’t like being told that they are doing something wrong and how that affects the safety culture in construction.
It’s important that we develop relationships in the workplace because, in an industry like construction, where safety is a huge concern, there have to be people who care about your welfare. We talk about the value of developing a work culture where people care about the well-being of others. Furthermore, Patrick shares his knowledge on developing leadership skills along with some leadership lessons that he learned from the military that are applicable to construction.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02.40] Patrick’s childhood and the journey to the US military.
[05.12] Parachute training.
[09.06] The misconceptions that the world has regarding Afghanistan and Iraq.
[15.31] The sense of community.
[17.22] Ego and safety in construction.
[21.02] The reasons behind safety failures that are preventable.
[23.00] The importance of developing relationships in the workplace.
[26.15] Safety Stump Speech.
[31.22] Opioids addiction recovery.
[33.01] Leadership lessons from the military.
[36.40] Is leadership an innate skill or a developed skill?
[40.00] Forward-looking accountability.
[42.28] Accountability of a leader.
TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Actions speak louder than words.
Luck is not on our side all the time. You are going to run out of luck eventually.
Develop relationships with people who you are working with.
You have to be able to lead yourself first if you want people to follow you.
While we can all learn, grow, and acquire most of the qualities, not everyone is destined to be a great leader.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Patrick Nelson
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/patrick-nelson-b2964b1b/
Website - loyaltypointleadership.com/
Written by Patrick Nelson
Front-Line Leadership: How to Eliminate Complacency and Build All-In Engagement
amazon.com/Front-Line-Leadership-Complacency-All-Engagement/dp/1394240759
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Maintaining a healthy relationship takes hard work, no matter how personal or professional. It takes time and trust. To pass through the initial steps of building a relationship, you have to be patient and faithful.
In this week’s episode of the podcast, we had the absolute pleasure of conversing with another industry professional, Fawn Radmanich, a marketing professional working in professional services marketing specifically focused on engineering and construction over the last 25 years. Her passion and skills include working in teams to win multimillion- and billion-dollar design and construction projects, spotting opportunities for personal and corporate branding, and cultivating a sense of community and participation among employees. As a strategic marketing and communications specialist, she has participated in over 800 pursuit activities and diverse market sectors, including higher education, civic, theme park entertainment, aviation, data centers, seismic and historic renovations, sports, and many more. She joined us today to share her knowledge on how to secure your dream project by building relationships.
Starting the conversation, Fawn explains what pursuit marketing is, along with the reason why it is connected to building relationships. Fawn then explains how to choose the right people according to the needs of your client. We also pay attention to why stellar products or great proposals aren’t enough to win projects if you don’t possess relationships.
Figuring out the hidden motives of people is a challenge. In this phase of the conversation, Fawn explains how she looks at different aspects of people’s lives by using social media because people put a lot of information about themselves out there often. We then talk about how challenging it is to ask necessary questions sometimes, along with Fawn’s suggestion on how you can put those questions out there with ease. Furthermore, we listen to Fawn’s expertise on building a bridge between what you want to do and what your client wants you to do to make the project a win-win situation for both parties.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[03.29] What is pursuit marketing?
[05.05] Can you build or win it?
[09.52] Positioning people according to the needs of a project to build relationships.
[14.28] The importance of investing in relationships.
[16.45] Figuring out the objectives of the client.
[19.51] Uncovering hidden motives of people.
[24.56] The difference between business development and pursuit marketing.
[30.23] How to ask appropriate questions to get information.
[36.21] Finding a balance between the client's and your expectations for a project.
[39.31] Selecting the next best person.
[43.21] Thought leadership.
[44.23] Using social media to market conditioning.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Understand the decision-makers of an organization.
Position the right people for the right job.
A stellar product or great proposal is not going to get you a job if you lack relationships.
Use social media as a source to learn about people.
Asking about past projects is one of the best ways to get information.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Fawn
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/fawnradmanich/
Website - stantec.com/en
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Being a leader is not just about the role, it's about the goal. The goal is to witness the growth process of those who work under you. A great leader knows when to be a coach and when to be in command, as both are necessary in the workplace.
This week’s episode features Jake Thompson. Jake is a leadership performance coach, keynote speaker, and author. Jake has spent more than a decade working with leaders and organizations worldwide on how to get better results for themselves and their teams. He has been featured in Forbes and has directly impacted over 80,000 ambitious leaders, including those with multiple AGC state chapters, BOLDT, Baker Concrete, MW Builders, and more. His motivational business workshops offer his listeners doable actions and useful tactics they can implement right away to improve performance and achieve better outcomes in their careers and personal lives. He joined us today to talk about how to shift leadership styles from commander to coach in construction.
We start the conversation with Jake defining leadership and why a leader should be someone who people are willing to follow because they have the best interest in people’s success. Jake then explains how the development of technologies helped people get a better idea of a healthy workplace and why the command and control style doesn’t work very well at present. We also talk about toxic personalities in the workplace and how one troublesome person can sink your work culture to the point where you cannot get it back up easily.
Asking good questions and listening carefully are key parts of good communication. Most people don’t have the initiative to ask good questions or the ability to stay focused on a conversation. In this part of the episode, Jake explains what you can do to ask good questions, along with the importance of asking follow-up questions. He also explains some tips that you can follow to stay focused in a conversation. Jake ends the conversation by sharing his idea of how a new leader could figure out if they are successful in their new role.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02.10] What is leadership?
[06.00] How technological development built the awareness of a healthy workplace environment.
[10.00] Command and control workplace environment.
[11.32] What causes the lack of flexibility as a leader?
[16.15] Protecting your workplace culture from toxic personalities.
[23.43] The structure of an effective coaching conversation.
[25.20] What initiates good questions?
[30.01] Asking natural questions.
[32.35] Improvement requires intentionality and time.
[34.22] What makes a good listener and how to stay focused on a conversation?
[40.06] The first 90 days of a newly promoted leader.
[43.33] A leader’s ability to watch people grow.
[47.11] Who is Jake?
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
A leader should be someone who genuinely has a great interest in the success of those who work under them.
A leader should have the ability to switch between command & control and coaching.
Leadership is a skill that needs to be taught.
Allowing troublesome people no matter how much of a high performer they are, will eventually sink your culture.
Uncomfortable questions typically lead to a stronger relationship through conversation.
Improvement requires intentionality.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Jake
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jakethompsonspeaks/
Instagram - instagram.com/jakethompsonspeaks/
Website - competeeveryday.com/
jakeathompson.com/
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever
By Michael Bungay Stanier
amazon.com/Coaching-Habit-Less-Change-Forever/dp/0978440749
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One of the most unique things about being human is that we keep learning new things every day. Everywhere we look, there’s knowledge about something we haven’t heard but might be important to our existence. As we continue this path to knowledge, we might meet the most unique cultures that stand as a beacon of light that guides us and offers us the most interesting pieces of information. It’s a choice of how to add this information for our benefit.
In this week’s episode of the “Construction Genius” podcast, we bring you a special solo episode where we break down the Netflix culture document, “Netflix Culture: The Best Work of Our Lives.” Join us as we dive into the four core principles of Netflix culture, embracing the professional sports team mentality, hiring people who have the quality to share knowledge, finding the right person for the right position, figuring out the aspirations of an organization, and more.
We start the document with the four core principles of Netflix culture: the dream team, people over process, uncomfortably exciting, and great and always better. We break down these core principles and how we can use them to our advantage in the construction industry. When we look inside the first core principle, ‘the Dream Team’, there are values that bind a dream team together: selflessness, judgment, candor, creativity, courage, inclusion, curiosity, and resilience. Netflix’s second principle is ‘People Over Process.’ As there’s nothing wrong with an organization choosing its process over people, it’s important that you, as leaders, allow employees to make a difference because the difference is all we need sometimes. The document shows how Netflix tries to inspire and empower people to make their own decisions about their work, which might have a great impact on a successful work experience.
The third principle is ‘Uncomfortably Exciting.’ Although this principle is unique to Netflix, it can be of great value to organizations that are new and open to adaptation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Another core value mentioned in the document is ‘Artistic Expression’ and it shows how Netflix is trying to be open about what it is to work with them because they are not afraid to repel the wrong people and attract the right people. The last principle is ‘Great and Always Better.’ According to the document, Netflix has a never-ending thirst for greatness, working every day to do something better than yesterday. This can be of great value to your organization because if you don’t think your organization is in the place where you dreamt it to be, you can check what’s holding it back from success, make necessary adjustments, and then move forward.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.10] The four core principles of Netflix culture.
[05.02] The importance of allowing employees to make decisions on their own.
[07.44] Excellence and determination.
[10.45] Professional sports team mentality.
[15.38] The importance of hiring people who are willing to share knowledge.
[20.00] How candor can help you improve both individually and as a company.
[22.25] Keeping the right person in the right position.
[28.08] Coach-player mentality.
[31.34] Simple, efficient, and impactful processes.
[36.06] Repel the wrong people, attract the right people.
[40.00] The importance of figuring out the aspiration that drives your organization.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Make sure you hire people who are not only good at what they do but also good at working together.
Make sure you give employees the right information and the freedom to make decisions themselves.
Build self-awareness to understand what should be better, and make sure you have the discipline and resilience to get there.
Try to build a place where your employees can do the best work of their lives.
It’s important you embrace the professional sports team mentality in your workplace.
Create a culture by hiring people who are willing to share learnings throughout the organization.
You must insist on keeping the right person in the right position in 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
RESOURCES
Netflix Culture — The Best Work of Our Lives
jobs.netflix.com/culture
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The world constantly changes with new technologies. They proceed with providing better versions of the existing technologies. 3D printing is one of those technologies that continues to grow and change the world with each footstep. In this episode of the Construction Genius Podcast, we’ve got to have the most intriguing conversation about 3D printing in the construction industry with Anna Cheniuntai. Join us as we dive into the world of 3D printing, where we discuss the current status of 3D printing technology for commercial contractors, the difference between 3D and traditional printers in terms of cost-saving, the challenges of MEP, how 3D printing affects the human labor force, and more.
Anna Cheniuntai is the CEO and co-founder of Apis Cor, an American construction technology company headquartered in Melbourne that creates exclusive robotic technologies and materials to boost the construction industry. Anna stepped toward entrepreneurship after earning her bachelor's degree in space physics in 2014. Anna went on to work in construction and industrial machinery manufacturing with Nick Cheniuntai, where they successfully managed a massive $6 million project to build and deploy the ground navigation system supporting the infrastructure of the Olympic Games in 2014, which proved to be a watershed moment in recognizing the construction industry's desperate need for automation.
We start the conversation with the current progress of Anna's company and their unique project, the largest building they have ever printed, which is located in Dubai and holds the Guinness World Record. Then we pay attention to the difference in cost between 3D and traditional printers, where Anna explains how cost savings depend on design and location.
In the second phase, Anna explains their unique experience installing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing because of their walls and how they bring productivity up with it. Furthermore, we talk about the misconception that 3D printing is going to eliminate labor and listen to Anna’s explanation of why it is good that we have the option of 3D printing in the construction industry.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[02.05] The current state of 3D printing technology for commercial contractors.
[05.55] The viable applications of 3D printing.
[07.57] The future of 3D printing in commercial space.
[12.17] The cost-saving difference between 3D printers and traditional building methods.
[15.03] The printing quality and the cost.
[18.42] The challenges regarding mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
[20.56] Hesitation to use 3D printing as a new technology.
[23.44] Does 3D printing eliminate the labor force?
[26.15] Obstacles to the extensive adaptation of 3D printing.
[28.19] Maintaining the quality in different regions.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Make sure your printing quality is good.
The perception that 3D printing eliminates the labor force is completely wrong.
Before you produce something you do the quality controls, and make sure that this demand meets the requirements for this particular formula.
3D printing can save a lot of money on transportation, labor, and framework.
Building a market of more single-family houses is an urgent matter to be addressed.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Anna
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/anna-cheniuntai-96669177
Website - apis-cor.com
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This week on the Construction Genius Podcast, we are having a quick sneak peek into the world of electrical machinery where we discuss the cost difference between electric vehicles and diesel machinery, the replacement and application process, environmental concerns about lithium mining and its current progress, the involvement of heavy machinery in the carbon footprint of the United States, and many more with our guest Raymond Wang.
Raymond Wang is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of HEVI Corp. With over 20 years of expertise, Mr. Wang specializes in strategy, corporate governance, and management. He has held prominent executive positions in the manufacturing, banking, and finance industries. He has worked for Zhongchai Holding, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of America. He is passionate about promoting environmental sustainability and actively engages in non-profit and community service projects in his hometown.
Starting the conversation, Raymond shares his motive behind focusing on electric vehicles, saying their purpose is to introduce cleaner tools to specific jobs in the industry. Then we hear how they remedy the dissuasion of people from buying electric vehicles due to the upfront cost difference between electric vehicles and traditional machinery. Raymond then explains why they keep their machinery simple and how it helps to keep the cost down and adoption high.
Adopting new technologies might be difficult for some people at first, but with the right guidance, they can fit in with them and continue working. Here, Raymond explains how their labor unions are adopting electric vehicles and how they have faith in transitioning to cleaner technologies. We then pay attention to lithium mining and environmental concerns as it continues to progress in mining accuracy.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[03.36] Raymond’s motive behind focusing completely on electric vehicles.
[06.44] The upfront cost difference between electric construction vehicles and traditional diesel machinery.
[11.16] The performance difference between diesel vehicles and electric vehicles in extreme weather conditions.
[21.11] Lithium mining and environmental concerns.
[23.48] What will the future look like with regard to the balance between electric and diesel-powered vehicles?
[27.12] The role heavy equipment plays in the carbon footprint of the USA.
[31.30] The 10-year goal of Raymond’s company.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Make sure people are comfortable and willing to try new power sources.
Keep the machinery simple.
Simple machinery will keep the cost down and adoption high.
Try not to sell machines that are not catered to fit their use.
The role of electrical machinery is to fit into the right place in the business and do a cleaner job.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Raymond Wang
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/raymond-wang-gtec/
Website - gethevi.com/
Twitter - x.com/realraywang
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This week on the Construction Genius Podcast, we are joined by Hans Lorei, a designer based in the Nashville Metropolitan Area. In this conversation, we bring you a glimpse of the designer world where we discuss commercial and residential spaces, the key elements of a great space, the unique kinship between music and design, and many more topics related to being a good designer.
Hans Lorei entered the construction world as a real estate agent in 2015. After transforming to design and development, he noticed a similar trend with short-term rentals: better-looking properties with more facilities had higher occupancy and rented at higher rates. He started a consulting business a few years ago, helping people with short-term rentals. He likes to do long-term projects and looks forward to working with people who like to do exciting things and take chances.
Starting the conversation, Hans shares his designer journey and explains what makes a good design, along with the two elements that make a great space: enclosed space and open space. We then talk about the most unique similarities between music and design, where you can find an interesting story behind the process of producing a song and building a place.
Spending a lot of money on something doesn’t mean it’s going to be good. Most of the time, it’s not the money, but the taste. In the next phase, Hans kindly explains the value of a good designer, who should have the ability to balance rations, details, plans, and texture. Furthermore, Hans shares both the pros and cons of reinventing yourself according to the changes in time. It is a superpower and a choice, but not a necessity.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[03.19] Hans’s designer journey
[08.04] Commercial and residential space.
[10.00] Enclosed spaces and open spaces.
[18.00] The democratization of music with social media.
[19.27] The relationship between music and design.
[26.06] The value of a good designer.
[27.50] How to develop your design taste over time.
[31.37] The relationship between human evolvement and design.
[35.17] The pros and cons of reinventing yourself.
[44.31] The services that Hans provides and why he likes long-term projects.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Be persistent, have faith, and don’t force things to happen.
Take time to be intentional about small details in a building.
The value of a designer comes with the ability to balance rations, details, plans, and texture.
The evolution of style is a choice, not a necessity.
A great space should include both elements of enclosed and open spaces.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Hans
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/hans-lorei-b9659139/
Website - hanslorei.com/
Instagram - instagram.com/hansloreidesign/
Twitter - x.com/hanslorei
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In this episode of Construction Genius Podcast,
We take a close look into the mind behind yet another thriving industry expert, Michael Fortinberry, co-founder and COO at Protiv. Throughout the conversation, we discuss the connection between motivation and brain, communication and teamwork, the pillars of successful company culture, incentives and their impact on project schedules, the benefits of performance pay, and more.
Michael Fortinberry is a New York businessman and entrepreneur who possesses years of experience in the construction industry and is an expert at incorporating modern technology into his commercial endeavors. Michael has always been fascinated with new technology, which led him to build Protiv in 2021. Protiv is a new payment platform inspired by the human potential that took three years of development and testing to reach this point. Before Protiv, Michael founded Sciovia, a technology-focused business consulting service for real estate and construction.
In the first part of the conversation, Michael shares his knowledge and experience about the connection between motivation and the brain, explaining that when it works the right way, it can change behaviors and boost the quality of work over time. Then he explains the four pillars of a successful work culture: authenticity, people-centric culture, bi-directional communication, and caring about growth.
In the next phase, we make sure you get a rough understanding of how incentives and overtime work are tied to the project schedule and the impact they have on staying on schedule. Furthermore, we talk about how performance pay can be an opportunity to make the field teams aware of the challenges of running a successful business.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[04.11] To find a solution to a problem, you have to understand the problem first.
[07.00] The connection between motivation and brain.
[11.14] The importance of clear communication and teamwork.
[15.30] The four pillars of a good company culture.
[18.00] Strategies to attract the best talent.
[24.06] Building a culture where everyone cares about being successful on a project.
[29.07] Incentives, overtime, and how they affect a project schedule.
[33.29] Incentives and their impact.
[39.14] The importance of performance pay and the opportunities it creates.
TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY
Try to understand the problem before trying to find a solution.
Construction rework is costly, try your best to get it right the first time.
Try to build a culture where your team cares about getting the work done.
Be authentic to who you are as a company.
Make your cultures centered around your people.
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
RESOURCES
Connect with Michael
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/michaelfortinberry/
Website - michaelfortinberry.org/
michaelfortinberry.co/
protiv.com/
Twitter - x.com/MFortinberryNYC
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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.
[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
RESOURCES
Connect with Ryce
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ryce-elliott-b1a19012/
Website - benningcc.com/Mentioned in the Episode
Chops Lobster Bar, Atlanta: chopslobsterbar.com
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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.
[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
RESOURCES
Connect with Melvin
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/melvin-newman-208240a3/
Website - patabid.com/
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