Construction Genius

For construction professionals, the whole purpose of bidding work is to win work. But what are the elements of a successful bid? Some say most decisions heavily depend on the lowest price at the end of the bidding process.

But today, Dave Wagner — Vice President of Product Marketing and partner development at STACK construction technologies enlightens us with how you can increase the likelihood of winning a project bid.

Other important factors we discuss are:

• Why companies lose the projects they bid,

• The key elements of a successful bid, and

• Areas a company can focus on to make bidding more efficient

With all the practical details we discuss today, you'll be guaranteed to learn a lot. So stay tuned until the end for tons of golden nuggets we'll be dropping along the discussion.

Discussion Points:

• 0:00 Introduction

• 2:13 Your initial assessment of projects is crucial to how your bidding will play out

• 5:03 Determining which client or project type is right for you

• 9:57 The 2 time factors in winning bids

• 11:41 The key elements of a successful bid

• 12:48 The 2 major components of a bid

• 16:22 David talks about their Takeoffs Analysis Software

• 19:45 The key elements of a presentation

• 20:28 Focusing on this area first produces better results in bidding

• 21:42 STACK's 3 Primary Elements to an efficient process

About the Guest:

Dave Wagner is Vice President of Product Marketing and Partner Development at STACK Construction Technologies — the industry's leading cloud-based pre construction platform for pre construction professionals. Dave has worked in the ConTech industry for nearly 20 years and has been with STACK since November 2020. STACK provides a centralized hub where plans, specs, and other construction documents can be stored, evaluated, measured, and shared. For more information, please visit stackct.com.

Resources:

• Questions about launching a podcast? Please reach out to me through this link: www.constructiongenius.com/contact

• Restaurant Recommendation: Restaurant in Phoenix: Fox Restaurant Concepts: https://www.foxrcevents.com/

Connect with Dave Wagner/STACK:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wagner-5184914/

• Website: https://www.stackct.com/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/stackestimating

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StackEstimating

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

According to Listen Notes, there are over 2.5 million podcasts all around the world as of today. Big names in the podcast industry include Joe Rogan and Tim Ferris.

I'm not Joe or Tim but I'd like to share with you how I grew my own business through my podcast. Some of the key points I talk about in this episode include:

• How you can market your business through podcasting,

• What are the RIGHT reasons for doing a podcast?

• How do you get your podcast off the ground?

• How do you stay consistent in publishing episodes for your podcast?

We all have different strategies in marketing our own businesses, but you might want to consider podcasting as a marketing vehicle after listening to this episode. Tune in and discover what podcasting can do for your business!

Discussion Points:

• 0:00 Introduction

• 2:01 Episode overview

• 2:23 Aligning your marketing strategy with podcasts

• 6:44 Building client relationships and delivering value to your listeners through podcast guesting

• 8:55 Kicking off with your podcast launch: what it really takes

• 11:57 Get started in podcasting with these awesome tips

• 13:04 Podcasting rule of thumb: Consistency (and commitment) is Key!

• 15:43 How creating killer content can help your podcast take off successfully

• 17:14 Ensure your content provides value to your audience

• 20:07 Shares his successful journey over years of podcasting

Resources:

• Questions about launching a podcast? Please reach out to me through this link: www.constructiongenius.com/contact

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

Waste seems inevitable when it comes to construction projects. But why does it occur? And how can you reduce it?

Shane Saltzgiver — founder and CEO of VEC, joins us today to discuss how we can reduce waste in our construction projects with the use of technology.

We also talk about the following points:

• Why waste occurs,
• Ways to reduce waste,
• Misapplication of technology, and how to address it
• Plus, relieving the tension between the office and field when it comes to expectations versus reality

This discussion is a very practical one, you'll surely get a lot of insights whether you're a subcontractor or a general contractor. Press that play button and let's get started!

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

3:26 Why does waste occur?

6:01 About the correlation between rework and safety

9:11 Practical ways to reduce waste

12:23 Why does misapplication of technology happen in construction projects?

14:40 Bridging the gap between technological advancements and your team's experience

16:51 Navigating the tension between the office's aspiration and the perceived realities of the field crew

18:29 Is there a gap between technology-produced ideas and the actual structure in reality?

19:53 The importance of communication in building an efficient workflow from the office to the field

21:29 Who's accountable for ensuring the organization's continuous communication?

22:42 Effective ways to keep your team up to speed with technology

23:35 Breakthroughs in technology for construction: When will you see them happening?

26:18 How do you encourage most GCs to adopt new technologies into their projects?

29:00 Effective way to convince owners to use technology in projects

31:42 The future of the construction industry in the hands of the new generation in terms of their appetite for technology

35:21 About VEC and what they do in the construction industry

38:11 3 immediate steps to take to reduce waste on your next project

Resources:

• Reach out to Shane through his email: [email protected]
• Or visit his website: www.vec-us.com
• Or give Shane a call through this number: 415-410-3715
• Restaurant Recommendation: https://www.lamarsf.com/

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me via LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

When you get appointed into new positions or get promoted to a new role, you may feel overwhelmed. Why is that? Weren't you hired or promoted in the first place because of your capability?

After getting off a call with one of my executive coaching clients, I decided to record this short video and talk about these important topics:

• The reasons why you're feeling overwhelmed,

• Beating overwhelm with simple tips, and

• What you need to do in order to be effective in your role

Check out today's episode and discover practical tips you can apply to help you beat your overwhelm and start being effective!

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

1:46 Why do we get overwhelmed in a new position?

2:23 Beat overwhelm by defining your role in the business

2:55 Beat overwhelm by understanding your priorities

4:04 Cascading your role and priorities into your schedule

5:00 Why you need to get used to chaos when you're in the construction industry

5:46 You need to log your time for a couple of weeks

6:16 Beat overwhelm by learning to say NO to yourself and others

7:19 Beat overwhelm by getting help

Resources:

• If you want to stop being overwhelmed and start being more effective, get this Free Download: www.constructiongenius.com/effective

Are you a construction company owner or executive? Do you or those who report to you need an outside voice to help beat overwhelm and start being more effective? I work every week with Construction company owners and executives. I provide them a sounding board to help them work through their deepest challenges and increase their leadership effectiveness. If you'd like to figure out if/how I can help you, contact me directly: www.constructiongenius.com/contact

Connect with me via LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

One of the most dangerous things that a leader can say is "we've tried this before and it didn't work."

It's so crucial for an organization to have team members who are innovative enough to bring new ideas to the table. Especially if you're someone who's been inside the box for so long, it's refreshing to have people come in and help you take a look outside of the box.

One way to squash your team's innovation is through shutting them down by outrightly rejecting their ideas.

Today's guest, John Coyle is one of the world's leading experts in design, thinking, and innovation. So we talk about how leaders can foster innovation in their organizations all while maintaining decisiveness. It's not an easy feat as we know there are quite a few leaders out there who are so used to their old ways that they resist change and are unwilling to change, as well.

Some important highlights we bring into the discussion are:

• How leaders can foster innovation within the organization while maintaining decisiveness, and
• How to encourage your team to come up with innovative ideas and take action on the right ones

Don't be that leader who shuts down their team's innovative ways. Be the one that cultivates it!

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

2:19 A short story about the most dangerous words leaders use in their organizations

3:45 The 3-strike science behind a person's creativity and innovative shutdown

5:25 How leaders can remain open to new ideas while being firm and decisive

6:36 Technique leaders can use to promote the team's creative and innovative thinking

8:29 Effective ways to generate ideas from the team

9:47 Leaders shifting from project-based to people-based mindset — being the champion of your team's ideas

10:56 Balancing the need for new ideas while sticking to your organization's values and purpose

12:02 The Innovation Equation

15:05 Tips for leaders to transition from the boss who prevents innovative thinking to one that promotes it

17:53 Humility in leadership brings teams together

18:39 What about leaders who are resistant and unwilling to change?

20:39 Combining learner leadership and decisiveness

22:29 Action items for creating a balance between an innovative mindset and a decisive one

23:35 What happens then to the team members whose ideas were not chosen?

24:55 Best leaders make sure they act on the right ideas and give clear accountability to team members

26:57 Be willing to hear a NO or be prepared to make some tweaks so the NO becomes a YES

About the Guest:

John K. Coyle is one of the world's leading experts in "Design Thinking" and Innovation. A highly sought-after speaker and lecturer, John is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Engineering - Product Design (Design Thinking) and Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of business with an MBA in organizational behavior, marketing and entrepreneurship.

A former head of innovation for a Fortune 500 wireless telecom, John has also been the SVP of innovation for a leading strategy consultancy. John is a world class athlete in two sports (cycling and speedskating) and an Olympic silver medalist, as well as an NBC Olympic Sports analyst, and a guest lecturer on Innovation at several leading universities (Kellogg, Marquette, CEDIM).

John is a two-time TEDx speaker, and an award-winning author of two books, including the (2018) best seller: Design For Strengths: Applying Design Thinking to Individual and Team Strengths. John is also a thought leader in the field of "chronoception" - the neuroscience and psychology of how humans process time.

Resources:

• Learn more about John Coule by visiting his website: www.johnkcoyle.com
• Connect with John Coyle:
  • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/johnkcoyle/
• John Coyle's Books: https://johnkcoyle.com/design-for-strengths

Link to "Kick Ass Meetings": www.constructiongenius.com/kam

Connect with me via LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

What does it take to execute an ESOP successfully?

To get a clear perspective about this topic, I talk with Herb Sargent, the President and CEO of an ESOP, Sargent Corporation, a construction company based in Maine. This podcast addresses some of the following essential points:

• the importance of distinguishing your runway for ownership transition and management or leadership transition to execute an ESOP successfully;
• the importance of identifying the why and why Herb's "why" is unique;
• how you go about the process of exploring an Aesop and why understanding the mechanics of an ESOP is essential;
• identifying a mentor in your particular construction vertical so that you can look at the pros and cons of an ESOP structure

I believe this episode will significantly benefit those interested in the mechanics in the implementation of an ESOP in their construction companies. Tune in to this today!

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

3:55 Herb Sargent's background and how he got into ESOP

6:09 Options when you decide to get out of construction

6:51 Herb's emotional response to the sale of H.E. Sargent

8:17 How the sale of H.E. Sargent influenced Herb's future decisions

9:18 Herb's experience starting his own company

10:14 Why Herb bought back H.E. Sargent

12:49 The motivation behind purchasing H.E. Sargent

14:29 The decision to do ESOP

16:10 Separating the ownership transition from the management transition

17:16 Ensuring smooth turnover

18:15 Where Herb found models and mentors for the ESOP transition

19:36 How employees can start buying into the ESOP

23:09 ESOPs struggle when owners just want to make money

25:36 How seasonality of the business affect people's ability to build value in the ESOP

28:51 Starting an internal podcast

30:45 Communicating the ESOP life to employees

31:30 Initial steps to take if you're considering ESOP

35:37 Working hard to build credibility with your crew

35:52 Herb's journey in finding the next CEO of his company

37:59 BONUS: Herb's restaurant recommendation in Stillwater, Maine

About the Guest:

Herb Sargent is the President and CEO of Sargent Corporation. It is an employee-owned earthwork construction company that traces its beginning to 1926 in Alton, Maine. They have nearly 400 employees working in seven states, specializing in commercial, industrial, and institutional site preparation, landfill construction, utility projects, airports, athletic facilities, and wind power access.

Resources:

• Check out Sargent Corporation's website https://sargent.us/employee-owned/
• Herb's restaurant recommendation https://masonsbrewingcompany.com/

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

The General Contractor of the future will be successful based on their ability to identify, evaluate and implement new technologies.

In 2017, computing power became sufficient to open up the doors for some of the toughest challenges in Construction to be addressed by software solutions. Billions of dollars of venture capital poured into tech start-up companies and the Construction tech renaissance kicked into gear.

With the influx of technology available, though, construction companies have found it difficult to determine and implement what they need to build faster, high-quality, cost-effective projects.

How do shrewd construction companies avoid overwhelm and use tech to build better projects? This is what I discuss in this week's podcast episode with René Morkos. The son of a civil engineer, René grew up in the construction industry. He has worked on construction projects worldwide.

René is the founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies and teaches at Stanford University's Ph.D. program in Construction Management.

Some of the important highlights we discuss are:

• The one position you need to create to take advantage of the tech renaissance
• the three-step process in evaluating the right technology for your organization, and
• the one question CEOs need to ask every night before going to bed that should drive the decisions you make to take advantage of the renaissance

If you're a CEO wanting to take advantage of the construction technology renaissance, you will definitely find this interview insightful.

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

3:11 Difference between an orchestra and a construction crew

3:44 Construction is a complicated field

5:00 The construction renaissance

6:53 Generative construction simulator

7:44 Shift the mindset: Stop scheduling, start simulating

9:12 How to continue to simulate throughout the project

13:03 How innovative construction companies participate in this renaissance

16:59 Three factors that will determine a general contractor's success

17:58 One position to create to take advantage of the renaissance

27:53 What is the impact a software is going to have on my process?

28:09 The 3-step process when evaluating the right technology for your organization

35:31 1 question CEOs should ask every night before going to bed

39:20 What does ALICE do, and for who is it?

41:41 Leveraging the value that construction experts have

43:14 How to get in touch with René

43:33 The bleeding edge in technology for construction

45:21 What semantics mean

49:05 Three action items construction companies can take to participate in the renaissance

49:49 BONUS: René's recommended restaurant in the Bay Area

About the Guest:

René Morkos is the founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies and teaches at Stanford University's Ph.D. program in Construction Management. The son of a civil engineer, René grew up in the construction industry. He has worked on construction projects worldwide.

His professional experience ranges from working as a project manager in Afghanistan to building an underwater pipeline project in Beirut, from driving automation engineering on a $350 million gas refinery expansion project in Abu Dhabi to leading the development of a virtual design and construction model for Amsterdam's cruise ship terminal.

René received his Ph.D. in Construction Engineering and Management from Stanford University, his MSCE in Construction Management from USC, and his BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Resources:

• Find out more about ALICE Technologies
  • https://www.alicetechnologies.com/about
  • www.alicetechnologies.com
• Follow René on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/renemorkos/.
• Stanford Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE): https://cife.stanford.edu/

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

Incentive programs are powerful tools for motivating employees to deliver amazing results. But they also have the potential to encourage bad behaviors that are harmful to your company.

What's key is knowing how to create a well-structured program that aligns what your employee wants with what's best for your company.

Today's episode is packed full with insights from my guest, Mark Brooks, the Managing Director at Permanent Equity. Mark covers many areas including how an incentive program can be a good starting point for crafting the job description and the benefits it has in reducing silos naturally present between the field and the office staff.

Listen and learn how you can give your employees what they want so that they'll get you the results you desire.

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction

3:24 The Importance of a Clear Incentive Program

6:04 The Connection Between Human Nature and Incentives

8:38 Tailoring Incentives to Different Parts in the Organization

11:34 Controlling Negative Behavior

17:18 Using Incentives to Minimize Silos Between Field and Office

20:21 The Need for Clarity in your Compensation Plan

22:15 Injecting Objectivity in the Incentive Program

27:03 Frequency of Communication and Giving Rewards

32:07 Making Incentivized Goals Achievable

34:48 Steps In Building a Good Incentive Program

38:57 Good Leaders Admit and Fix Mistakes

41:14 Getting to Know Permanent Equity

43:16 BONUS: The Must-Visit Restaurant in Missouri

About the Guest:

Mark Brooks is the Managing Director at Permanent Equity. The firm invests in North American companies that have owner earnings of $2.5M-25M per year. They have a $300M fund that is used to make long-term investments in family-owned businesses including those in construction. As Managing Director, Mark supports their portfolio companies with their operational processes, tech stack efficiency, and demand generation.

An Excel nerd who also runs Ragnar races, Mark is on the board of directors for educational material provider Learning Without Tears.

Resources:

• Connect with Mark
  • Email ([email protected])
  • LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbrooks1)
• Work with Permanent Equity (https://www.permanentequity.com/)
• How to Optimize Your Compensation Plan (https://www.permanentequity.com/writings/how-to-optimize-your-compensation-plan)
• Barred Owl Butcher & Table (https://www.barredowlbutcher.com/)

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

A long term commitment to building relationships through networking will result in more sales. As a CEO or President, you play the main role in building your network and making sure the people in your organization continue to cultivate those relationships.

My guest today is a construction company President and a tremendous networker. Austin Edwards of Emerald Site Services gives several practical pointers that can help construction leaders in not only expanding their network, but in nurturing those connections to encourage more sales.

Find out how you can cultivate the right network that propels your business to success.

0:00 Introduction2:39 The CEO's Role in Business Development 5:14 When Saying 'No' to Big Projects Is the Right Choice6:59 What Networking Actually Is9:53 Networking Vs. Selling12:33 The Right Way to Network15:56 The Mindset for Starting the Conversation19:21 Identifying the Person You Want to Get Introduced To21:08 The Importance of Being Top of Mind23:21 Cultivating Relationships Outside Your Direct Network25:34 Maintaining Your Current Clients (While Growing Your Business)28:09 The Difference Between Good Events and Bad Events30:05 Overcoming Rejection32:20 Why CEOs Should Share their Network with Their People34:32 How to Get Better at Networking36:53 Networking Advice Specifically for CEOs38:38 BONUS: The Must-Visit Restaurant in Budapest

Austin Edwards is the President and Principal at Emerald Site Services. Based in Sacramento, California, the company offers stormwater compliance services and consulting as well as complete solutions for erosion and sediment control. As President, Edwards oversees a family-owned company which has been in business since 1982.

Edwards supports various charitable organizations and advocacy groups in Northern California. He is also a keen outdoorsman.

• Connect with Austin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-edwards-46444b26)
• Work with Emerald Site Services (https://emeraldss.com/)
• Caviar and Bull (https://caviarandbull.com/)

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

• Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Thank you for tuning in!

The pandemic has brought on the rise of "hybrid work environments", people working in the office and the job site and at home.

This new work setting has proven to be a double-edged sword as workers are given more time to tend to their personal lives while business owners struggle to keep productivity and happiness in check. Today's guest, Founder and CEO of L-12 Services LLC, Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, shares with us her take on this professional phenomenon.

Learn insider tips on how to keep your employees and teams happy and understand what you can do to become a better leader to your people in a hybrid work environment.

Discussion Points:

0:00 Introduction2:48 What is a Hybrid Work Environment?3:51 Everyone is Overwhelmed6:31 Learning by Osmosis9:44 A Culture of Trust and Relationships16:52 Creative Problem-solving Frameworks19:55 Managing Performance23:42 Becoming a Good Listener28:44 Developing Trust as an Executive30:42 Steps to Making Hybrid Work More Effective33:10 BONUS: The Must-Visit Restaurant in DC

About the Guest:

Lizabeth Wesely-Casella is the Founder and CEO of L-12 Services LLC, a firm specializing in internal communications training focused on workflow, processes, and culture.

Her work has resulted in long-lasting success for organizations, including talent retention, client re-acquisition, and streamlined processes that save time and increase revenue.

The L-12 Services client list spans a wide variety of industries including NGOs, educational programs, technology, and civilian-military lead organizations.

Resources:

• Connect with Lizbeth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizabeth-wesely-casella/)
• Work with L-12 Services
  • (https://l12services.com/)
  • (https://l12services.com/icna-2021/)
  • (https://l12services.hubspotpagebuilder.com/streamlined-workplace-program)
• Modena Modern Italian Cuisine (https://www.modenadc.com/)

Do Your Project Executives Need to Become Better Leaders?

Book a 10-minute call with Eric Anderton to see if/how he can help (https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/)

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to the Construction Genius: A Leadership Master-Class Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.