Construction Disruption

“I just want everybody to embrace health and safety as a tool of your business that’s going to make you money. And it’s actually going to improve the quality and the standard of your work and that, you know, you will attract really good people to your business if you have a reputation for safety.”  

-Gavin Coyle, CEO of the Coyle Group 

For many of us, health and safety bring to mind bureaucracy and process, a long list of rules to follow, procedures to implement, and equipment to buy and maintain. Yet, we know that safety is integral to business; it keeps our workers protected from harm and our job sites from being a hazard to all involved. 

Gavin Coyle sees greater depth in workplace safety; he believes focusing on it can increase profitability, marketability, and reliability for any size company. With a consulting group that creates safety plans for contractors of all sizes, Gavin captured these ideas in his book, Workplace Safety On a Budget: How to stop and prevent accidents and injuries without sacrificing the bottom line. 

Listen in as Gavin explains how a safe workplace can transform your business and be cost-effective and sustainable. 

Topics discussed in this interview: 

- ChatGPT/Google Bard 

- Gavin’s target market, his wheelhouse 

- His inspiration to enter health and safety 

- Defining accidents that cemented Gavin’s career choice 

- Adjusting to regulations based on location 

- Elevating safety choices regardless of standard 

- Implementing a safety plan early is necessary 

- How do attitudes differ on safety from country to country? 

- Better safety leads to more profit 

- Serving contractors of all sizes 

- Building in company-wide accountability 

- Safety as a marketable quality 

- Rapid fire questions 

Network with Gavin on LinkedIn, check out his book Workplace Safety On A Budget: How to stop and prevent accidents and injuries without sacrificing the bottom line and visit his site, gavin-coyle.com. 

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“I hated watching a lot of these smaller companies losing money, going out of business unnecessarily time and time again. They just didn’t understand how to do the contractual part of the construction game properly. You can absolutely deliver a really, really good job, do a great, fantastic piece of work for your clients, and still come out at a loss because you didn’t manage it contractually properly.” 

-Cian Brennan, Managing Director at Quantum Contract Solutions 

When many contractors start their companies, they come from a place of experience. They’ve built up a business from long hours on the site and a good understanding of what it takes to deliver a successful project to their clients. What they often aren’t comfortable with is deciphering the contracts that come along with those jobs. 

This inflection point is where Cian Brennan and Quantum Contract Solutions step in to provide clarity and confidence in the contractual process. Cian started out working in construction himself and was inspired to be the help so many people need. Quantum offers contract reviews to subcontractors and contractors on all kinds of projects.  

Listen as Cian shares wisdom on the pitfalls and potential that contracts offer to contractors everywhere.  

Topics discussed in this interview: 

- Cian’s inspiration to start helping smaller contractors avoid disastrous contracts 

- Bringing peace of mind to the contract process 

- Empowering contractors to protect themselves and their businesses 

- A worst-case contract scenario 

- The importance of a tight contract in the last quarter of a project 

- Offering flexible services to fit contractor’s needs 

- Two common traits of successful construction companies 

- Excelling in your specialty 

- Why does Cian feel led to help? 

- Three things to negotiate in your contract 

- Rapid fire questions 

If you or someone you know runs a contracting business, check out Construction Secrets on YouTube for invaluable tips on navigating the ups and downs of contracting. Also, visit Cian’s website for even more free training and information. 

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“Selling is not an art. It is a structured science. Now, when it’s done right, it looks artful, but it’s not like this free form, like taking a blank canvas and painting a new picture for each customer. We can’t afford that inefficiency today. We need to have structures and processes to make us both more efficient and more effective in getting it done.” 

- Jim Pancero, Sales Speaker and Thought Leader 

When you hear the word ‘system,’ several thoughts might start racing through your head. Visions of stuffy offices, dusty bureaucracies, and paperwork might crop up first. Or maybe, it’s a lofty idea, all talk and no substance. 

Jim Pancero, a sales trainer of 40 years, leverages systems to transform his client’s businesses en masse. He employs a practical, understandable method to empower salespeople through dedicated practice and a careful understanding of people. 

Listen in as Jim shares key insights on sales, salespeople, and sales management.  

Topics discussed in this interview: 

- Jim’s early interest in sales  

- His time as a leading salesperson at IBM 

- Transitioning to an independent sales training career 

- What holds salespeople back? 

- The four skills every salesperson needs to succeed 

- The three positions that make up every company 

- Placing people in the correct position 

- Personality tests and salespeople 

- Sales presentations and software 

- COVID’s impact on sales at large 

- The importance of practice 

- Rapid fire questions 

For more on Jim and his sales methodology, visit pancero.com, follow him on LinkedIn, watch his free videos on YouTube and Vimeo, and check out advancedsalesuniversity.com.  

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“There is a huge opportunity in the construction industry. I mean, it has such a big impact on the economy, the carbon footprint. There’s all sorts of opportunities. So, you know, whether it’s attracting, you know, great marketers, great technology individuals, people that want to work in the labor force, whatever.” 

- Tatsuya Nakagawa, CEO at Castagra, Host of the Specified Growth and Roofer Reflections podcasts 

We all receive thousands of pieces of information every day, inundated with the meaningful and meaningless alike. Unfortunately, our greater access to knowledge often serves as a distraction, but in this episode, Tatsuya “Tats” Nakagawa cuts through the clutter with valuable nuggets of wisdom. 

Listen along as Tats explains his path to success from early adopter and entrepreneur to CEO and partner. His motivation for passing on these lessons is simple; he benefited greatly from mentors in his life and wants to pass his learning on to you. He expertly pulls business lessons from concepts, bringing relevance and insight along the way. 

Topics discussed in this interview: 

- Tats’ journey into entrepreneurship  

- His partnership with the inventor of Castagra’s first roof coating 

- Future trends in roof coatings 

- COVID’s effect on the industry 

- The accidental invention of their signature roof coating 

- The Specified Growth and Roofer Reflections podcasts 

- Hallmarks of a wildly successful business 

- Advice for younger people interested in construction/manufacturing 

- Being a generalist vs. specializing in skills 

- Rapid fire questions 

To follow Tats, reach out on LinkedIn or check out the Specified Growth and Roofer Reflections podcasts.  

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“A client said to Frank Lloyd Wright, ‘You know, of course, you’re famous; all your clients are rich.’ And he scowled and said, ‘I don’t care whether I’m doing a chicken coop. If the client is open to doing something really special, I’m in.’ He would have said it a little more elegantly, but that’s the way that I feel.”

- David Applebaum, Owner of David Applebaum Architect and Host of American Mansion on NatGeo

Normally, our topic list hits most of the high points in the episode, but this time, the stories, insights, memories, and experiences our guest shares are too big to contain. This episode focuses on architect David Applebaum, an accomplished and unique architect serving California and Texas.

Tune in to hear about David’s projects for the rich and famous and practical advice on delivering the best possible result for your clients. Learn from his years of experience and his approach to architecture and life. David has a lot to share with you, so strap in.

Topics discussed in this interview:

- David’s star-studded client list and how he got his start

- Working for Frank Sinatra

- How has the architecture world changed post-COVID?

- What tools should a young architect focus on?

- Example projects and applications from David’s portfolio

- Delivering value to clients or getting what you pay for

- Identifying the best contractors and developing relationships with them

- David’s pick for the next decade’s game-changer

- Rapid fire questions

For a closer look at David’s work, visit his site, davidapplebaum.com. Or you can follow him for inspiration on Facebook or Instagram.

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“Trying to track hours and production and try and keep ahead of where you're at on your project based on budget and when you're committed to be done… often you were three or four weeks behind in your reporting… and it just seemed like there were more jobs left at the end of the money than money left at the end of the job.”-Mike Merrill, Co-Founder of WorkMax and Host of The Mobile Workforce Podcast

As technology evolves, it offers exciting possibilities for every facet of life. In recent years, we’ve seen video calling become a crucial part of life, a smartphone in every pocket, and more. Listen in as Mike Merrill shares how technology and data collection can empower you and your company to track your performance and productivity.

With the WorkMax platform, record hours, job progress, and dozens of data points, all at your fingertips. Streamline your projects, save money, and manage progress conveniently and securely.

Topics discussed in this interview:

-      The Mobile Workforce podcast

-      Mike’s start in construction and the genesis of WorkMax

-      A long-awaited productivity solution

-      Reducing problems, not creating new ones

-      Developing a solution alongside changing technology

-      Meeting standards and elevating accountability

-      Simplifying software

-      The power of data monitoring for productivity

-      What does the future hold for WorkMax?

-      Construction’s slow pace of change

-      What does the WorkMax adoption process look like?

-      Advice for the next generation of construction

-      Rapid fire questions

To learn more about WorkMax and how it can transform your company, visit their website or check them out on LinkedIn. For a relevant and timely listen, tune into the Mobile Workforce Podcast.

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“Private equity and tech are two things you got to watch in this space because they will upend it potentially over the next even, I mean, I know five years doesn’t sound like a long time, but I think a lot’s going to happen in the next five years.” -Gregory Hart, President of PSMJ Resources

Listen in as Gregory Hart, president of Boston-based PSMJ Resources, shares his expertise in the dynamic fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. If you work in anything AEC, you’ve undoubtedly experienced several of the current innovations that seem destined to change things forever.

With AI creeping into popular culture with ChatGPT and image generation, who knows what it can do for AEC careers and productivity? And with so many firms shifting around, what does that spell for the industries at large? Will the skilled labor shortage continue to plague us?

Gregory taps into his experience as a service provider for all things AEC in this episode tailored to answering these questions and more. 

Topics discussed in this interview:

- The upcoming Metal Roofing Summit

- Peeps: A game-changing product if you wear glasses. Learn more at CarbonKlean

- An overview of PSMJ and their offerings

- PSMJ and Industry Conferences

- What drew Gregory to PSMJ, and what makes them unique?

- Keeping corporations personal as they grow

- The merger and acquisition boom

- Recruiting trouble

- Infrastructure is the next great opportunity

- Shared characteristics of the best AEC firms

- The advent of AI and the consequences for AEC

- Advice for up-and-coming professionals

- Rapid fire questions

For more information about PSMJ Resources, follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook. To contact Gregory directly, email him at [email protected].

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“If you hear a smoke alarm, get out and worry about it being a false alarm later, come back in, laugh, cry, get angry about it. But you get to do those things now.” -Derek Gruchy, Program Coordinator at Seneca College of Fire Protection Engineering Technology

Many of us might remember being taught to “Stop, drop, and roll” in school or being excited to get out of class for a fire drill with fretting teachers corralling rowdy kids into neat lines. Or maybe it was an accidental emergency with burnt food setting off the fire alarm.

Whatever the case, fire is a (thankfully) rare part of our lives. Unfortunately, this rarity leads to unfamiliarity. We are often unprepared for fire, and fire safety continues to evolve as we learn from our mistakes. Especially in the building industry, changing materials and techniques require careful understanding for the best fire safety.

Join us as expert Derek Gruchy shares insights on human behavior during fires, modern materials, fire safety, perspective on historical fires, and even tips you can implement immediately.

Topics discussed in this interview:

- The upcoming Metal Roofing Summit

- Derek’s unconventional path to fire safety

- Seneca College and the Fire Protection Engineering Technology program

- Important risk factors for residential fires

- A few simple tips to protect yourself and your family

- Modern construction materials and fire risk

- Construction trends that need to go

- High ceilings and residential fire

- The Grenfell fire

- Exit strategies and human behavior in emergencies

- Balancing cost and fire safety in building materials

- Steps you can take to educate yourself on fire safety

- Electric cars and fire risk

- Rapid fire questions

If you’d like to stay updated on Seneca College, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. To contact Derek, follow him on LinkedIn or social media @DerekGruchy.  

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“We just need to figure out how to work better with the world around us. I think these hemp materials, natural building in general, is a way to move towards that so we can both have our great comforts that we’ve become accustomed to and work in harmony with our environment.”

-Jacob Waddell, President of the Hemp Building Institute

Construction is a stubborn field, as most people know. Despite this, hundreds, if not thousands, of attempts have been made to introduce new and innovative materials, processes, and solutions. Some of these ideas find their footing and find varying levels of success with customers and contractors. Jacob Waddell and the Hemp Building Institute believe that hemp can be one of those successes.

Hemp, and the most popular form hempcrete, offer unique advantages over traditional construction materials. While green building continues to grow in popularity, hempcrete’s carbon-negative nature offsets the many carbon-positive building elements. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the inherent insulation value it offers.

Listen in as Jacob shares an inside look at the state of hemp as a building material, from code adoption to manufacturing to what the future holds.

Topics discussed in this interview:

- The upcoming Metal Roofing Summit

- Upcoming goals of the Hemp Building Institute

- What is hempcrete, and what are its uses?

- Is hemp sustainable?

- Jacob’s experience empowering HBI’s efforts

- Bringing hemp construction over from Europe

- Cost and efficacy testing of hemp

- Other hemp building products and use cases

- The IRC code adoption process

- Collecting and comparing data on hemp buildings

- Potential for job creation

- Rapid fire questions

To follow the Hemp Building Institute’s efforts, visit hempbuildinginstitute.org, follow them on Facebook, or email [email protected].

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This episode was produced by Isaiah Industries, Inc.

“Someone’s home is their comfort zone, and it also provides them the ability to express themselves, their taste, their style. And a majority of people don’t know where to access or to get [design services] done, right? And the thought of contacting an architect or a builder can seem a little intimidating.”- Jackie Mosher, Partner and COO of Dzinly.

Home remodeling has been a turbulent market for a few years. However, regardless of fluctuating costs and supply issues, homeowners enjoy improving and updating their homes. While many people trust their own eye, and some enlist a designer, Dzinly is a new service that streamlines the brainstorming process for home remodels. 

With detailed renders and togglable options, Dzinly’s professional results allow homeowners to visualize changes to their home’s exterior by sending in a photo. Jackie Mosher and the Dzinly team offer quick, affordable design services, empowering homeowners to remodel with confidence.

Listen in as Jackie shares how Dzinly started, how easy the service is to use, and how manufacturers can partner with Dzinly to promote their products to homeowners.

Topics discussed in this interview:

- What is Dzinly, and who should use it?

- Exterior vs. interior home remodeling

- The birth of a great idea

- How do you start with Dzinly?

- How much can you change with a render?

- What makes Dzinly designers qualified?

- Can manufacturers get involved? If so, how do they benefit?

- Home design during COVID

- Dzinly’s suite of features for multiple designs

- What’s the next step in home design?

- Jackie’s advice for starting as a designer

- Rapid fire questions

You can try Dzinly on your home at dzinly.com or follow them for exciting updates on Instagram and TikTok.

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This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://podcastboutique.com