328 episodes

The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast Todd Dawalt

    • Business
    • 4.8 • 255 Ratings

The Construction Leading Edge is a one stop shop for contracting professionals who want to be more effective entrepreneurs and leaders. Business owners, managers, project executives, project managers, and field leaders will all benefit from the interviews, resources, tools, and tips offered.

    How to Become Addicted to Your Business Without Dealing 24/7 Phone Calls with Alex Knapp

    How to Become Addicted to Your Business Without Dealing 24/7 Phone Calls with Alex Knapp

    EPISODE 328: Are you tired of constant phone interruptions while trying to spend quality time with your family? Construction business owners know this feeling all too well.
    In this week’s episode, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, interviews Alex Knapp, the owner of Minneapolis Decks, as he shares his journey from being bombarded with round-the-clock phone calls to becoming addicted to working on his business.
    Alex talks about his challenges while running his company and what led him to enroll in our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. He also breaks down some of the systems and changes that transformed his business, how he gets everyone on his team on board with these changes (even the senior ones), and the profound effects of these changes on his employees, business, and personal life.
    Let’s dive in!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Meet Alex Knapp and how he started Minneapolis Decks (04:59)
    Challenges that Alex faced in his construction business (05:35)
    How to deal with a Pandora’s box (07:23)
    Getting everyone on board with the new processes (09:05)
    Most impactful part of the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program (09:59)
    From confused to motivated employees (13:13)
    Episode wrap-up (14:21)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    Keep up with Alex and His Team:
    - Follow Minneapolis Decks on Instagram HERE
    - Check out Minneapolis Decks website for more information HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    • 17 min
    Tracking Metrics, Casting Vision & Implementing Systems with Alex Gregg

    Tracking Metrics, Casting Vision & Implementing Systems with Alex Gregg

    EPISODE 327: Imagine leaving your teaching job and starting your dream business amidst an economic meltdown. It sounds daunting, right?
    This is how Alex Gregg, owner of Gregg Homebuilding, started his custom homebuilding company in Tennessee.
    From facing the uncertainty of the 2008 global financial crisis to transforming challenges into success stories, Alex shares his inspiring journey and the foundation that shaped his construction company.
    We talk about the most impactful systems that grew his custom homebuilding business (which recently generated $10M in revenue), highlighting the importance of tracking metrics, casting a clear vision, and implementing systems. 
    He also shares some of the challenges he encountered while implementing these changes, the mindset that got him through it, the ripple effects on his business and personal life, and more.
    Let’s dive in!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Alex’s transition from teaching to homebuilding (05:51)
    On handling business challenges and frustrations (10:10)
    3 most impactful systems that changed Alex’s construction business (18:11)
    On tracking metrics and its ripple effects (22:15)
    Why you should start charging for estimates (27:29)
    The role of accountability chart in any business (30:02)
    Effects of nailing the handoff and focusing on pre-construction (32:27)
    Life before and after implementing these systems (35:01)
    How casting a clear company vision and systems help in building great teams (40:58)
    Most significant challenges when implementing changes in business (48:09)
    The difference in mindset between building a project and putting systems in place (51:08)
    On being around with like-minded people and building relationships (56:10)
    Rapid-fire questions with Alex Gregg (1:04:28)
    Episode wrap-up (1:07:06)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    Keep up with Alex Gregg
    - Visit Gregg Homebuilding for more information HERE
    - Follow Gregg Homebuilding on Instagram HERE
    - Listen to episode 299 with Alex Gregg HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!
     

    • 1 hr 10 min
    From Homebuilder to Business Builder: The Systems That Eliminate CHAOS and Improve Everyone’s Experience with Jeff Bowers | E326

    From Homebuilder to Business Builder: The Systems That Eliminate CHAOS and Improve Everyone’s Experience with Jeff Bowers | E326

    EPISODE 326: Most construction business owners handle all aspects of their companies themselves: estimation, sales, project management, and more.
    However, it is easy to overlook the need to develop business acumen alongside trade skills when running a construction business.
    Jeff Bowers, our guest on this week’s podcast, understands this principle better than most. 
    As the owner and CEO of Masterpiece Design Build, a full-service general contracting firm specializing in designing and building custom homes, major residential renovations, and additions along with commercial projects, Jeff brings decades of industry experience to the table.
    During this conversation, Jeff shares on the podcast how businesses should navigate economic downturns, the value of systematizing your construction process, the importance of improving everyone’s experience throughout construction, and the strategic systems and processes that built his company to where it is now.
    Let’s dive in!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Meet Jeff Bowers (04:42)
    From painting contractor to custom home builder (09:56)
    Navigating economic downturns and the role of resilience (11:40)
    Focusing on business systems over manual skills (21:40)
    Common fears to overcome when growing a business (24:50)
    The impact of systematizing your construction process (27:44)
    How important is the experience during pre-construction and construction processes (32:13)
    Systems that grew Jeff’s construction business (38:07)
    Does construction always have to be chaotic? (45:51)
    Jeff’s advice for construction owners (46:52)
    The CEO Alliance and its impact to Jeff (53:32)
    What separates great companies from good companies (59:02)
    Advice to his old self (1:04:24)
    Rapid-fire questions with Jeff (1:07:40)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    Keep up with Jeff Bowers’ Masterpiece Design Build:
    - Check out Masterpiece Design Build’s website HERE
    - Follow Masterpiece Design Build on Instagram HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

     

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Structuring a Construction Business For Growth with the Right Systems with Nolan Harris

    Structuring a Construction Business For Growth with the Right Systems with Nolan Harris

    EPISODE 325: Who doesn’t dream of expanding their construction business? We all do. Yet, along with expansion comes more significant challenges. Without the right systems, it’s easier to forget about scaling up. This was precisely the situation our guest found himself in.
    In this week’s episode, Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, sits down with Nolan Harris, the owner of Riviera Construction, who specializes in high-end custom homes and remodeling in Southern California. 
    Nolan opens up about his bold decision to downsize and the driving force behind his re-expansion efforts. He also shares the transformative tools and systems he learned through our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program, how he effectively integrated these systems to streamline his business growth and much more.
    Ready to grow your business? Let’s dive in!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Meet Nolan Harris and his works at Riviera Construction (04:08)
    Solving chaos through downsizing and saying no (05:37)
    The transformative impact of systematizing the preconstruction process (10:32)
    Team empowerment and redesigning the business (14:11)
    Shifting from free estimates to paid preconstruction services (17:24)
    Renewed excitement and growth strategy for the business (21:34)
    Nolan’s office space expansion and hiring strategies (23:00)
    Episode wrap-up (24:44)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    • 29 min
    Eliminating Chaos Through Accountability and Focusing on Preconstruction with Charles Rogers

    Eliminating Chaos Through Accountability and Focusing on Preconstruction with Charles Rogers

    EPISODE 324: Are you spending most of your time putting out fires instead of working on your construction business?
    Join us in this week’s episode as Leyah Hostetter, our Director of Customer Success, sits down with Charles Rogers, co-founder of Rethink Enterprise, a dynamic custom home builder company based in Colorado.
    Today, Charles shares his transformative journey after signing up for our Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program. From chaotic operations to streamlined success, Charles unveils how focusing on streamlining preconstruction processes and implementing rigorous accountability measures reshaped his custom home building business.
    Ready to transform your business? Tune in now and learn more!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Meet Charles Rogers and his works at Rethink Enterprise (04:34)
    Charles’ challenges before signing up for the SYCB program (05:45)
    How frustration affects his personal and business life (07:07)
    Turning  point with the SYCB program (11:58)
    Key benefits from the SYCB program (14:41)
    Impact on the team and operational efficiency (18:05)
    How life looks like after implementing SYCB program insights (20:27)
    Episode wrap-up (22:30)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!

    • 26 min
    Succession Planning, The Triple Bottom Line, and Setting Up an ESOP with Jonathan Orpin | E323

    Succession Planning, The Triple Bottom Line, and Setting Up an ESOP with Jonathan Orpin | E323

    EPISODE 323: Do you wish you could sit down with a successful construction business CEO and pick his brain? This week’s interview with 30-year veteran CEO Jonathan Orpin is something you don’t want to miss.
    In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Orpin, CEO of multiple profitable companies, including New Energy Works and Pioneer Millworks. 
    Jonathan’s passion for energy conservation and sustainable building led him to establish multiple interconnected and profitable businesses.
    Today, he shares how he transitioned his companies to 100% employee ownership by setting up an employee stock option plan (ESOP). He also explains how this plan ensures employees are well-invested in the company’s success, the best strategies for succession planning, and what businesses can achieve when prioritizing the triple bottom line approach.
    If you’re intrigued by how businesses can drive positive change, this episode is a must-listen!
     
    Key Takeaways:
    Introduction (00:00)
    Meet Jonathan Orpin and the businesses he built (02:26)
    The inception of Jonathan’s New Energy Works (06:35)
    The triple bottom line concept explained (08:50)
    How to articulate the company’s mission & vision with your employees (12:44)
    How to transition to 100% employee ownership (ESOP) (18:38)
    Benefits and challenges of an ESOP (28:23)
    Biggest mistakes most construction business owners make (37:16)
    What are the top priorities of a CEO? (39:59)
    The number one thing to look for when hiring an employee (46:11)
    What people need to know when starting a business (48:27)
    Rapid fire questions answered (53:22)
    Keep up with Jonathan (55:37)
     
    Additional Resources:
    - Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
    - Schedule your business evaluation call with our team HERE
    - Join the FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
    Keep up with Jonathan’s works:
    - Check out New Energy Works HERE
    - Check out Pioneer Millworks HERE
    --
    The Construction Leading Edge Podcast helps construction business owners maximize their revenue, eliminate chaos, systematize their work, and win back their time.
    Follow us on your favorite podcasting platform so you never miss an episode!
     

    • 1 hr 1 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
255 Ratings

255 Ratings

PMA Performance ,

Massive Value

Todd provides clear, immediately actionable advice to build your construction business

Mo Sharp ,

Very Good

Applicable, practical, helpful!

coupe2790 ,

Not just for business owners

Great interviews and conversations. This podcast has helped me change the way I view each project as a hall and has accelerated my career as a young superintendent and improved my relationships with owners, architects, design professionals, subcontractors, and my superiors.

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