This Podcast Is Episode 574, And It's About What Every Contractor Needs To Know About Successful Construction Companies   Small construction businesses have several characteristics that distinguish them from larger firms. These characteristics include having a limited workforce, smaller revenue streams, and a more localized focus.  They are often run by the owners themselves or a small team of employees. They tend to have a more personal approach to their work, as they are usually more...

This Podcast Is Episode 573, And It's About Navigating Construction Cash Flow Challenges, Myths, And Facts In the world of small businesses, positive cash flow is king. The driving force keeps your business engine running smoothly, covering all your liabilities. But what happens when outflow exceeds inflow? Cash flow problems ensue, threatening the survival and growth of your construction business. These cash flow problems can originate from various sources, including macroeconomic issues...

This Podcast Is Episode 572, And It's About Budgeting, Forecasting, And Goal-Setting In Your Construction Company   If you're like many construction business owners, you may need help understanding your finances or how you can use your financial information to make decisions for your business. We often get into business because we love a product or service we want to provide, but it's less common that we love managing the financial aspects of our business.    As a construction company...

This Podcast Is Episode 571, And It's About Practical Tips To Improve Your Construction Marketing Strategy Stepping up your marketing game as a construction business owner is always a welcome topic in my client conversations. Often, contractors chat with me about the best way to promote their company, primarily because no one else is running it.    You may focus more on accounting and taxes at times, and at other times, your business may slow down, and sales become more challenging. Given...

This Podcast Is Episode 570, And It's About Construction Business Practices For Getting Paid And Paying Yourself Running a small construction business may seem like hopping from one task to another, needing more support and guidance. That can make it tempting to let some to-dos on your checklist slide, especially those related to finances, which can be challenging and are often outside your preferred skill set or experience.    The issue, of course, is that clients can only pay you once...

This Podcast Is Episode 569, And It's About How Not To Undercharge Your Construction Clients Contractors like you know how to pound nails, pour concrete, build homes and commercial structures, bend pipe and pull wire, install roofs, lay carpet, paint walls, and perform a thousand other tasks. So why are you not enjoying the same standard of living as other professionals? Because you are doing all of those things for anybody and everybody who asks you to.   Too many contractors are...

This Podcast Is Episode 568, And It's About The Power Of Core Values In Your Trade Business As a construction company owner, you're the architect of your business's vision and culture. But some of the foundation often needs to catch up in the hustle to improve services, chase sales, and keep the lights on. Core values—those guiding principles that shape your company's identity—are more than words on a wall or a statement in a handbook.   Getting leads and doing the work is only part of the...

This Podcast Is Episode 567, And It's About The Secrets To Stellar Client Service In The Construction Industry Customer service is the heartbeat of any successful business. The unsung hero transforms a potential disaster into an opportunity and a mere transaction into a lifelong relationship. In the narrative of customer loyalty and retention, service is the protagonist.   Your approach to customer service has the power to attract and retain clients. As a construction business owner, client...

This Podcast Is Episode 566, And It's About Marketing Your Construction Business: How To Make It Work For You Marketing your construction business is crucial for its growth and success. You can use various strategies to promote your business, such as creating a website, networking, social media marketing, and advertising. Additionally, sponsoring events and collaborating with other companies can help you reach a wider audience.    I understand how daunting it can feel for construction...

This Podcast Is Episode 565, And It's About DIY Construction Accounting Errors And Ways To Improve Your Practices Many small construction business owners tend to handle their accounting and bookkeeping, especially when they've just started. However, keeping track of the finance side of the business– everything from income to expenses to tax compliance– can be overwhelming.   Mistakes can happen quite quickly and can have costly consequences for your business. Below are five of the most...

This Podcast Is Episode 564, And It's About Common Construction Business Pitfalls And How To Overcome Them Construction Company owners like you have probably experienced life-changing events in the past few years, as many of our clients did. Are you struggling to keep your construction business afloat? Do you find yourself facing the same issues over and over again? It's common for construction businesses to meet various challenges, but if you're not addressing them properly, they can...

This Podcast Is Episode 563, And It's About Unlocking New Construction Clients And Markets For a business to thrive and grow, it needs a strategic plan and the ability to find new customers and continually tap into promising markets. However, this can be easier said than done in a highly competitive trade industry.   With time, the quality of your work will speak for itself, which is the most valuable testimonial of all. While your good reputation preceding you is undoubtedly essential,...

This Podcast Is Episode 562, And It's About Improving Productivity And Leadership Mentality As A Contractor As a construction business owner, improving productivity is essential to your company's success. But you may often find yourself pulled in different directions by competing responsibilities. At some point, we all experience that.   Classifying tasks and tackling the most time-consuming ones can feel daunting. But why is it so hard for us to start – or even finish – seemingly...

This Podcast Is Episode 561, And It's About Easing Your Back Office Burden One Payroll At A Time As a construction business owner, you have a lot on your plate. You need to manage your employees, oversee projects, ensure compliance with regulations, and keep your clients happy. Amidst all this, you may be tempted to handle your payroll to save costs and maintain control.   At face value, it seems like a great idea. If you're a small business owner with just a few employees, you probably...

This Podcast Is Episode 560, And It's About Scaling And Adapting Business Strategies Amid The Cost Of Living Crisis When you're ready to take your construction business to the next level, you might start thinking about "scaling." No, it's not just a fancy term for growth; it's about doing more with less. Scaling is about increasing your revenue without proportionately increasing your resources—fancy yet practical, right? It's like sending an email: your effort is the same whether you send it...

This Podcast Is Episode 559, And It's About Mastering Tone For Construction Company Connections Mastering the right tone is critical when connecting and communicating with people in the construction business. Whether you're writing an email, making a phone call, or meeting in person, how you present yourself can make all the difference in building strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners.  Research suggests that as much as 93% of communication is non-verbal, so it's...

This Podcast Is Episode 558, And It's About Practical Tax Season Tips For Construction Business Owners Tax season can be a bit overwhelming for construction business owners, especially with many things to keep track of in our industry. But don't worry; we're here to help! We know that construction businesses have unique tax considerations that can be tricky to navigate, such as complex accounting and bookkeeping challenges and issues related to payroll and sales taxes.    That's why staying...

This Podcast Is Episode 557, And It's About Becoming A Better Project Manager By Improving Communication Skills In the construction industry, communication takes many forms, including written reports, drawings, emails, and face-to-face meetings. Each form of communication has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, written reports and illustrations provide a permanent record of information, but they may not be as effective in conveying complex ideas as face-to-face...

This Podcast Is Episode 556, And It's About Rest And Reset For Construction Contractors And Business Owners To be in business and to remain in business, become a business person! To run a business, you must be business-like. It's not sufficient just to be very good at what you do. Many people who are 'very good at what they do' have failed. The familiar cry: "I'm far too busy for that" is no excuse. Are you 'too busy' to be a competent businessperson? If so, your construction business won't...

This Podcast Is Episode 555, And It's About The Benefits Of Outsourcing For Construction Company Owners Outsourcing can offer a range of advantages for small construction businesses in today's competitive market. Not only does it reduce costs and free up valuable time for owners to focus on growing their business, but it also provides access to skills and expertise that may be unavailable in-house. Small construction businesses can streamline operations, increase productivity, and scale...

This Podcast Is Episode 554, And It's About Managing Work-Life Balance As A Construction Business Owner Wellness is an important aspect of life for everyone, especially construction contractors like you. Given the physically demanding nature of the work, contractors must prioritize their physical and mental health. Proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest are all necessary for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Additionally, taking breaks and managing stress can help prevent burnout...

This Podcast Is Episode 553, And It's About How To Avoid Year-End Construction Bookkeeping Chaos As the year comes to a close, it's important to start thinking about your bookkeeping tasks to ensure a smooth transition into the new year. Deadlines are fast approaching, but it doesn't have to be stressful.    Have you given your bookkeeper, wife, partner, accountant, or tax accountant the information needed to complete your reports? Accountants need good information to create detailed...

This Podcast Is Episode 552, And It's About Why Online Reviews Matter And Ways To Deal With Negative Feedback In today's digital age, online reviews hold immense power and influence over the success of small construction companies. With easy access to social media, Google reviews, and review websites, customers can easily voice their opinions and experiences with your business online. Most people searching for a local construction company - whether they need a plumber, painter, or general...

This Podcast Is Episode 551, And It's About Recognizing The Value Of Construction Contractors In Our Daily Lives I was taking a moment to reflect on the challenges for the Pilgrims coming to America. They decided to make the journey with no guarantee of success. To build homes, plant crops, and take care of animals. Then, later, everyone chose to move West by wagon train, horse, or on foot. I am grateful for them! I think about my Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. What was life like...