Construction hasn’t always had the best image, despite having a good side. It’s time to make a change!

In this episode, we talk about…

• How the not-great contractors and construction workers out there can ruin the image of the industry for the rest of us.
• Why protecting a false image of success is a mistake.
• How some contractors who seem to be doing well and living large on social media might not be doing basic things like following up with customers and paying taxes.
• Substance abuse issues within the industry.
• Why you probably need to be taking your image more seriously than you are now.
• How your personal life reflects on your professional image.
• Education and awareness that is needed for contractors to help everyone’s image across the board.
• Differing opinions on how appearances - like the truck you drive - factor into your professional image.
• How charging the appropriate amount of money for your jobs is going to enable you to boost your image.
• Examples of fronting and why you need to stop doing it.
• Actionable steps you can start taking to fix your image.

Links to Resources:

Our free worksheet - https://www.hammerandgrind.com/jobcosting

Work on your image in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your employees have to feel significant and feel what they’re doing has meaning in order for your business to be the best it can be.

In this episode, we talk about…

• The definition of significance.
• How encouraging some level of autonomy amongst your employees helps.
• Why it all goes back to hiring the right people.
• How software like Trello and Asana can help you keep your team organized.
• Finding significance in the actual significance of the service you’re providing for your clients and how it will impact their lives.
• The balance between encouraging productivity and not micro-managing.

Links to Resources:

Asana - https://asana.com/

Trello - https://trello.com/

Chat with other contractors about workplace culture in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the culture of your workplace right now? Are you fostering an environment people want to be in? Listen up to learn more about how to create the best culture around.

In this episode, we talk about…

• The definition of workplace culture and the two different facets of your company’s culture.
• How culture starts with your core values and company’s mission statement.
• How customers will pick up on and appreciate your happy workplace culture.
• The guys’ core values for their companies and how they practice them.
• How to use an employee handbook to foster the workplace culture you want.
• Why you need to set clear goals for your employees and not tolerate it when they don’t follow the rules you’ve set in place.
• How to incorporate recognition into your workplace to keep employees happy.
• The value of being transparent with your employees.
• Ways to be flexible with your team.
• The value of planning fun outings or parties for your crew.
• 4 “don’ts” to avoid when developing your workplace culture.
• The importance of intentionality.

Links to Resources:

Chat with other contractors about workplace culture in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s topic is incredibly important, even though it’s a topic that’s often overlooked in business coaching circles.

In this episode, we talk about…

• How construction workers are four times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.
• Stressors that business owners face which can contribute to poor mental health.
• Why running your business efficiently can improve your mental health.
• The importance of finding a balance between money and mental health.
• Why being a boss can mean you often have to take on the problems and mental health struggles of your employees.
• Some signs to look for to let you know that you might be having a mental health issue.
• What people think support looks and sounds like versus what it actually is.
• Tips for improving your mental health, why many people want to take the easy way out, and why you shouldn’t.
• How challenge and discomfort are actually vital to mental health.
• Words of encouragement in case you’re going through a rough time.

Links to Resources:

Take your game up five notches in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just about everyone can relate to this phrase, and while it does technically imply growth, it’s something people say when they’re upset and frustrated about how things are going. But is that the right mindset?

In this episode, we talk about…

• How the original intent of the phrase “2 steps forward, 1 step back” was positive - because it ultimately means that your needle is moving forward.
• How it’s natural for your business to have ups and downs and why you might need to adjust your mindset to cope with that reality.
• How sometimes that step back can lead to more steps forward down the road, so you need to have perspective on the big picture.
• Examples of when the guys have had to cope with steps back in their business and how they’ve done it.
• Why you need to own and recognize when that step back was due to your actions - a victim mentality will not help your business.
• Why even failure can mean growth and benefits - “fail forward.”
• How groups and mentorships can help you develop a better mindset around this topic.

Links to Resources:

The Obstacle is the Way book - https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358

Take your game up five notches in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you aware of how your ego affects your sales? It’s a common struggle for everyone so listen up as the guys share the power of suppressing your ego and why you don’t always have to be the expert in the room! 

In this episode, we talk about…

• Defining what ego means
• The difference of being conscious vs. unconscious of your ego
• Mistaking confidence for arrogance and finding the balance between confidence and humility  
• 4 Levels of Learning and how your ego responds in different learning environments
• Why you don’t want to come across as the expert in the sales process
• The value of asking questions instead of getting fired up 
• Suppressing your ego and having genuine conversations with customers 
• Understanding the universal language of silence 

Links to Resources:

Markup & Profit by Michael Stone - https://www.amazon.com/Markup-Profit-Contractors-Guide-Revisited/dp/1572182717/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SZIE9RK5RBG2&dchild=1&keywords=markup+and+profit&qid=1629677041&sprefix=markup%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber - https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/ref=sr_1_1?crid=271QEAOJ63BHU&dchild=1&keywords=the+e-myth+revisited&qid=1629677006&sprefix=the+e-myth%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1 

Profit Club – Paid Coaching group www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub 

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/ 

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/ 

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/ 

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com 

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know you want to - but maybe you’re afraid you’ll scare off potential customers. Listen in for the breakdown of all the reasons why you can’t underbid just to try to get the job.

In this episode, we talk about…

• How, contrary to what you might think, undercharging is a disservice to your customer, because you’ll be a “frantic finisher” rushing to get their job done.
• How you need to be on your own business’s payroll and charge enough so that you’re getting paid, just like your employees.
• Why if your spouse is helping you out with the business, they need to be getting a salary, too!
• How you need to get ahead of your expenses by giving yourself an appropriate salary, so you’re not chasing credit card payments and losing money on interest.
• The importance of marketing, and how it takes cash to do it right!
• Why you need enough money to create a happy work culture (and pay your employees enough, too) and attract good people to work for you.
• Reasons why you should have a rainy day fund.
• How charging more covers you for when the job takes longer than planned (which it so often does).
• The importance of KPIs.
• Why the right customer is willing to pay double whatever you’re charging right now.

Links to Resources:

Take your game up five notches in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub 

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/ 

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/ 

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/ 

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com 

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The guys are joined by special guest Thomas Williams, an expert in the field of sales, who is here to discuss a very important topic.

In this episode, we talk about…

• Thomas’s background and how he started a gutter business and a remodeling business without hands-on contracting experience.
• Thomas’s specialties, which are business and communication.
• Why Thomas decided to begin participating in sales role plays after 19 years of successfully running businesses and how role-playing is beneficial for everyone, no matter how much experience they have.
• Why you need to develop repeatable processes for sales.
• The four step Profit Sales System and how it can help you and save you time.
• What a sales role play is and how it works to prepare you for sales calls.
• Reasons why some contractors don’t want to role play, and rebuttals against those reasons.
• “A-ha” moments that Thomas had during the role play process.
• How the Profit Sales System better prepared Thomas’s businesses to survive COVID.
• Reasons for charging a consultation fee, and how role playing gives you the confidence you need to sell that to potential customers.

Links to Resources:

Start role playing in the Profit Club – www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub 

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/ 

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/ 

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/ 

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com 

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in the day, you used to be able to take trades classes in school, but a lot of that has been phased out to make more room for technology classes. This means “contractor school” essentially doesn’t exist.

In this episode, we talk about…

• How right now is a GREAT time to be a contractor.
• Why even though business is booming for contractors at the moment, you should safeguard your business for leaner times ahead. (ie, be thoughtful about big purchases)
• How there’s no contracting school and you do your real learning through experience.
• Generational differences in working with young apprentices today. For instance, they tend to need more validation on the job from their mentors.
• The personality type best suited to being in the trades - usually people who enjoy being outdoors and creating things with their hands.
• Important skills you need to learn for contracting, including math, psychology for understanding people and your own mindset, and marketing.
• How contracting is hard and the average person needs help and support early and often to get good at it.
• The differences between business coaches and construction coaches, and how both are important.

Links to Resources:

Profit Club – Paid Coaching group www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub 

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/ 

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/ 

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/ 

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com 

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes contractors are their own worst enemy without even realizing it. Be sure to listen to what your customer really wants and don’t sell past the yes! 

In this episode, we talk about…

• 3 Things that cost you the sale:
• 1 - Self-Promotion: Let go of the need to prove you’re an expert. 
• 2 - Tech Talk: Not every customer wants technical details about your service or product. Answer the questions you’re asked instead of giving excess information.  
• 3 - Assumptions: There’s a difference between assumptions and self-awareness. Don’t let assumptions dictate your actions.

Links to Resources:

Profit Club – Paid Coaching group www.hammerandgrind.com/theprofitclub 

Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thecontractorprofitgroup 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hammerandgrindpodcast 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hammerandgrindpodcast/ 

Brad Huebner’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teamhandy/ 

Eric Triplett’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theponddigger/ 

Website – www.hammerandgrind.com 

Help us get the word out to other contractors by leaving us a review or sharing our podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.