The SiteVisit

James Faulkner
  • 4.8 (34)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Leadership in construction with perspective from the job site. A podcast dedicated to the Construction industry. Construction professionals, General Contractors, Sub trade Contractors, and Specialty Contractors audiences will be engaged by the discussions between the hosts and their guests on topics and stories. Hosted James Faulkner ( CEO/Founder - SiteMax Systems ).

  1. How Construction Companies Cure Profititis And Keep More Cash With Ben Hansen

    MAY 14

    How Construction Companies Cure Profititis And Keep More Cash With Ben Hansen

    Send us Fan Mail Profit can feel weirdly random in construction: one month you’re slammed, the next you’re chasing late payments, and somehow “growth” still doesn’t show up in your personal bank account. We sit down with Dr. Ben Ashikoi, the Profit Doctor, to name the problem and fix the thinking behind it: profititis, when revenue rises but net profit stays flat or slides backward. We dig into a simple but powerful practice Ben calls Operation Dog Catcher: reviewing your last few years of projects to find the worst jobs that quietly cancel out the wins. From there we talk real-world constraints contractors live with, especially payroll and overhead that can’t be switched off. Ben shares the “No Bad Months” mindset, pipeline KPIs, and ways to reduce feast-and-famine by making part of your delivery capacity more variable with subcontractors or on-demand labor, plus the discipline to say no to work that forces you to overstaff. We also get tactical on cash flow and money management. If you’re managing by bank balance, you’re not alone, but it can hide serious issues. We talk Profit First-style account structure, spending psychology, and how to keep leadership focused. Then we go into job costing and field accountability: man-hours versus budget, percent complete versus percent spent, and incentive systems that drive productivity without destroying quality or creating toxic “A team vs B team” dynamics. If you want stronger construction profit margins, cleaner job costing, better cash flow, and a company that actually rewards the owner and the team, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a contractor friend, and leave a review with the one profit lever you’re going to pull next. Ben Hansen The Profit Doctor https://profitdoctor.com/ PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    1h 18m
  2. How Construction Leaders Build Teams That Scale with Ron Cox

    MAY 14

    How Construction Leaders Build Teams That Scale with Ron Cox

    Send us Fan Mail Keeping the wrong person “because replacing them is hard” is one of the most expensive decisions a construction company can make. We sit down with leadership coach and operator Ron Cox of RC Development Solutions to talk about what actually works when you’re trying to scale a team, protect culture, and keep projects moving even when the jobsite fights you every day. We connect Stephen Covey’s people-first approach with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and get practical about role clarity, accountability, and the “right person in the right seat” idea that sounds simple until real life hits. Ron shares how tools like assessments and the Core Value Index can reveal strengths, limitations, and fit so leaders stop guessing and start aligning work with how people are wired. We also dig into the tough stuff: “body syndrome,” internal team members who never face the customer, and how to create feedback loops that make the cost of mistakes visible without turning the workplace toxic. One of the biggest takeaways is culture and retention. Ron breaks down how command-and-control leadership and ego can drive people away, and what changes help move retention from disastrous numbers to a stable, committed workforce. We also talk compensation strategy across different cost-of-living markets, servant leadership, diversity of perspective, and the blunt truth that culture is what you tolerate. If you got value from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a builder or business owner who needs it, and leave a review with the one leadership behavior you think companies should stop tolerating. Ron Cox, Chief Executive Officer of RC Development Solutions, https://www.rcdevsolutions.com/ PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    54 min
  3. The State of British Columbia's Construction Sector with Chris Gardner

    APR 10

    The State of British Columbia's Construction Sector with Chris Gardner

    Send us Fan Mail BC can feel like a place where everything is needed and nothing gets built. Housing affordability gets worse, major infrastructure takes forever, and even when demand is obvious, shovels stay out of the ground. I wanted to understand why, so I sat down with Chris Gardner, President of the ICBA, to talk through what he’s seeing from the front lines of British Columbia’s construction industry. We dig into the uncomfortable numbers behind BC’s finances and why deficits and exploding debt matter to everyday life: fewer dollars for roads, schools, hospitals, and the infrastructure that makes a competitive economy possible. Chris connects that fiscal reality to what contractors and tradespeople are feeling right now, from weaker housing starts to delayed capital projects. We also get specific on the policy mechanics that drive costs: constant building code changes, slow permitting, and project approvals that can take years or even decades. From there, the conversation widens to the investment climate and the talent drain. We talk about why capital looks for regulatory certainty, why big opportunities like LNG and critical minerals can slip away, and why Alberta keeps pulling workers and businesses with lower taxes and more attainable housing. We also challenge the popular narrative that developers are the root problem, and instead trace how taxes, fees, development charges, and procurement choices can inflate prices and reduce competition. If you care about BC construction, housing affordability, skilled trades, project approvals, and the real steps to build more, build faster, and build affordably, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who works in building or policy, and leave a review with one change you’d make first. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    1h 28m
  4. Building Leaders Who Build Communities with Ian Baird and Tim Gonsalves

    MAR 26

    Building Leaders Who Build Communities with Ian Baird and Tim Gonsalves

    Send us Fan Mail Pressure is rising on today’s job sites—and promotions often arrive faster than the tools needed to lead well. We sat down live at BuildX Vancouver with Ian Baird and Tim Gonzalez of Caliber Projects to unpack a practical solution: a cohort-based leadership program built inside the industry, for the industry. From the first foreman promotion to the seasoned superintendent, they show how sharpening the saw can beat “just grind harder,” and why clear frameworks turn chaos into consistent wins. We get candid about the human side of construction. Ian shares how a career shift exposed the gap between technical training and real leadership, while Tim breaks down why mental health struggles spike when responsibility grows but support does not. Together, we explore IQ, EQ, and the often-missing AQ—the adversity quotient—and how to build it through guided reps, direct feedback, and shared language. Purpose becomes the hinge: connect the work to community impact and patience returns, because the wait serves a vision, not just a paycheck. You’ll hear why smaller, mixed-role cohorts accelerate growth, how conflict resolution changes when examples match life on site, and what happens to safety, quality, and schedules when trades stop acting like rival tribes. We even try on a hunter-versus-villager mindset to understand social friction, job site cohesion, and the leadership behaviors that align everyone around the same “hunt.” If you’re wrestling with burnout, fragmented teams, or the hidden costs of poor leadership, this conversation offers a workable path: invest in people, teach the tools, and scale capacity from within. Learn how to join cohorts in Vancouver, Langley, and Chilliwack, or host one with your partners. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a review with the one leadership skill you’d train first. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    33 min
  5. No, You Can’t Duct-Tape A Bridge To The Island with Rory Kumala

    MAR 25

    No, You Can’t Duct-Tape A Bridge To The Island with Rory Kumala

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when an island’s growth runs faster than its infrastructure? We sit down with Rory Kumala of the Vancouver Island Construction Association to unpack the real levers behind affordability, from ferry redundancy and the Malahat chokepoint to five-year permit timelines, shifting building codes, and the uneasy math that keeps pro formas on the edge. It’s a candid tour through how costs stack, why uncertainty kills feasibility, and where policy can actually move the needle. We dig into the ladder that used to let renters trade up and why it’s broken for a generation priced out by wages that can’t match rents. Rory explains how step codes, seismic upgrades, and fragmented municipal processes add 15 to 30 percent to project costs, then collide with NIMBY pushback right when density is needed most. We explore pragmatic fixes: standardized approvals for mid-rise infill, service-level timelines for permits, performance-based density bonuses, and a mobility-first approach that scales ferries and logistics before anyone debates bridges. The conversation doesn’t dodge the hardest topic on our streets. Addiction and mental health drive much of what gets labeled “homelessness,” and that reality shows up at job sites, in safety plans, and across neighborhoods. We talk credible recovery models, continuity of care, and why “brands for good” could sponsor real capacity if governance and outcomes are clear. On the tech front, AI won’t swing a hammer, but it will empower the builders who use it—speeding takeoffs, scheduling, QA, and prefab integration—so crews can deliver faster with fewer errors. If you care about housing supply, construction jobs, and the future of Vancouver Island’s economy, this is a blueprint for action, not a lecture. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and tell us: what one policy change would unlock the most homes where you live? PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    36 min
  6. Building People In A Tough Market with Christian Hamm

    MAR 24

    Building People In A Tough Market with Christian Hamm

    Send us Fan Mail Recorded live on the floor at BuildX Vancouver, we catch up with original co‑host Christian Hamm to explore how a multifamily builder navigates a market reset while protecting its people and purpose. Christian pulls back the curtain on his role in corporate development at Caliber Projects, why the team shifted from a private‑developer pipeline to non‑market housing with BC Housing, BC Builds, and First Nations partners, and how they’re building an enduring brand through long‑form storytelling instead of short‑term hype. We dig into the practical economics behind stalled projects and delayed starts: sticky material and labor costs, municipal fees that don’t flex, and the hard truth that feasibility fails when revenue drops but inputs don’t. From there, the conversation widens to strategy. Christian outlines a 10‑year plan to diversify into adjacent industrial businesses, create new career paths for A‑players, and smooth the cycle without losing focus on quality delivery. Content becomes a strategic tool, not a vanity metric—think people profiles and a docu‑series that provide the 10–12 brand exposures buyers need before making a decision. People sit at the center of it all. We talk trades as a future‑proof engine in an AI‑powered world, the rise of co‑op programs that let students earn while they learn, and why resilience matters more than credentials. Enter AQ—the adversity quotient—as a hiring lens that reveals who performs under pressure. We also touch on culture on site: a shift toward genuine, outcome‑driven leadership that welcomes strength in many forms and rewards clear thinking as much as brute force. If you’re a builder, developer, or construction leader looking for signal in the noise—how to win work now, invest in talent, and plan the next right step—this conversation offers grounded insights you can act on. Subscribe, share with a teammate who needs a lift, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want next. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    31 min
  7. Turning Retired EV Batteries Into Commercial Energy Savings with Gurmesh Sidhu

    MAR 23

    Turning Retired EV Batteries Into Commercial Energy Savings with Gurmesh Sidhu

    Send us Fan Mail A chance meeting on the show floor turned into a deep dive on one of the fastest-moving opportunities in clean energy: giving retired EV batteries a second life as commercial storage that slashes peak demand costs and keeps critical operations online. We sit down with Moment Energy to unpack how they test, package, and deploy end-of-life EV packs into safe, high-voltage systems that deliver real savings and resilience for industrial and commercial sites. We break down the tech without the jargon. Their advanced battery management system reads cell-level health and dynamically routes current to bypass weak cells, maintaining performance without chemical refurbishment. We also get into the nuts and bolts: 960 volts DC on the pack side, 480 or 600 volts AC output, trenching to code, and modular enclosures roughly the size of a 20-foot container. If you’ve wondered how second-life batteries actually integrate with facilities—and what electricians, EPCs, and GCs should expect—this conversation maps the process end to end. The economics in British Columbia are striking. With BC Hydro funding 80 to 90 percent of fully installed storage projects, customers keep most of the value—peak shaving, demand response participation, and backup coverage—while the utility gets a flexible tool to reduce grid strain. We also explore high-impact use cases like pairing storage with EV charging at Vancouver International Airport, where buffering charger spikes makes electrification practical and affordable. Finally, we look ahead to denser next-gen systems and why second-life supply is set to grow as EV adoption accelerates. If you’re a commercial operator, contractor, or facility planner staring down rising energy costs and outage risks, this is a practical roadmap to act now. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of construction, electrification, and resilience, and leave a review to tell us where you want storage to go next. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    15 min
  8. Building Grit Without Breaking Men with Trevor Botkin

    MAR 20

    Building Grit Without Breaking Men with Trevor Botkin

    Send us Fan Mail What if the very traits that make construction crews unstoppable are the same ones pushing too many workers to the edge? We sit down with veteran carpenter and superintendent Trevor Botkin to unpack mental health in the trades, from ADHD and school struggles to the pride and purpose found on site—and the hidden costs of powering through. Trevor traces how culture formed: overtime as a badge, days off frowned upon, and the old mantra of “leave your personal life at the gate.” He challenges hypermasculinity as a pressure vessel—strength without compassion—and offers a better blueprint for durable toughness: early conversations, rest as maintenance, and leadership that measures people by more than output. We explore the athlete mindset for job sites, where caloric burn rivals a marathon, bodies need recovery, and crews benefit from simple, repeatable practices like warmups, hydration, micro-breaks, and mental reset tools. Stress doesn’t stop at the broom or the boardroom. Laborers face financial strain, supers carry the physical reality of budgets and schedules they didn’t set, and PMs juggle thin margins and reputational risk. Overwhelm spikes when failure feels close. Trevor shares practical ways to widen the gap: build buffer into schedules, praise early risk flags, and promote for composure and care. We also widen the lens to AI and robots—how automation could reshape entry-level tasks while opening new paths that reward judgment, sequencing, and people leadership. The heart of the conversation is hope. Trevor introduces Muster Point, a national peer support effort that connects workers who’ve survived injury, addiction, and burnout with those still in the storm. Trust travels faster when stories match, and simple check-ins can stop a spiral before it ends in tragedy. If we treat tradespeople like the high performers they are, we can keep the grit, lose the silence, and make sure more of our people stick around to build the next project—and the next life chapter. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a coworker, and leave a review so more crews can find it. Your one message could be the nudge someone needs today. PODCAST INFO: the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424 the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446 the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH FOLLOW ALONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

    37 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Leadership in construction with perspective from the job site. A podcast dedicated to the Construction industry. Construction professionals, General Contractors, Sub trade Contractors, and Specialty Contractors audiences will be engaged by the discussions between the hosts and their guests on topics and stories. Hosted James Faulkner ( CEO/Founder - SiteMax Systems ).

Information

  • Creator
    James Faulkner
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SiteVisit
  • Show Website
    The SiteVisit

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