Construction Genius

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

1. Consider your desired level of involvement post-sale when choosing an exit strategy.

2. Effective communication and education are crucial when implementing an ESOP.

3. Celebrate and Educate

4. Prioritize Company Culture

5. 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

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

1. Always put yourself in the client's shoes

2. Focus on the Total Cost of Ownership

3. Prioritize Transparency and Structure

4. Embrace Technology for Efficiency

5. 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/

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

1. Consistency Over Intensity 

2. Prioritize Health and Set Boundaries 

3. Disconnect During Walks 

4. Focus on Clean Eating 

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption 

6. 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/ 

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

1. Be aware of the misconceptions about mass timber. 

2. Geographic variations don’t affect the mass timer usage. 

3. There’s a psychological effect to mass timber. 

4. Explore Hybrid Solutions.

5. 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/ 

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

1. Know your audience. 

2. A strategy that works for everyone might not work for you. 

3. Give the employees the time and space to write. 

4. Have the courage to try different things especially, if what you’ve been doing has no positive impact. 

5. 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/ 

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

1. Asking yourself 'Are you a family-first business or business-first family' is important as a business owner. 

2. Set requirements that must be fulfilled to earn a position at your organization, especially for family members. 

3. Find the prime zone in your business. 

4. Keep the business ownership in your blood family.

5. Build a succession plan that will choose the best replacement as the next business owner. 

6. 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/

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

1. Actions speak louder than words.

2. Luck is not on our side all the time. You are going to run out of luck eventually. 

3. Develop relationships with people who you are working with.

4. You have to be able to lead yourself first if you want people to follow you. 

5. 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

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

1. Understand the decision-makers of an organization.

2.  Position the right people for the right job. 

3. A stellar product or great proposal is not going to get you a job if you lack relationships.

4. Use social media as a source to learn about people. 

5. 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 

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

1. A leader should be someone who genuinely has a great interest in the success of those who work under them. 

2. A leader should have the ability to switch between command & control and coaching. 

3. Leadership is a skill that needs to be taught.

4. Allowing troublesome people no matter how much of a high performer they are, will eventually sink your culture.

5. Uncomfortable questions typically lead to a stronger relationship through conversation. 

6. 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 

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

1. Make sure you hire people who are not only good at what they do but also good at working together.

2. Make sure you give employees the right information and the freedom to make decisions themselves.

3. Build self-awareness to understand what should be better, and make sure you have the discipline and resilience to get there. 

4. Try to build a place where your employees can do the best work of their lives. 

5. It’s important you embrace the professional sports team mentality in your workplace.

6. Create a culture by hiring people who are willing to share learnings throughout the organization.

7. 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