The Construction Leading Edge Podcast Todd Dawalt

EPISODE 334: Have you ever wondered how controlling your entire construction process could drastically transform your projects and profits? This week, our guest exemplifies just that, achieving an astounding 1,126% business growth in just four years. 
Joining us is Chris Tatge, co-owner of DC Materials—a complete framing material provider for large multifamily and commercial construction projects and an Inc. Magazine honoree. 
In this episode, Chris shares how he transformed his business model to control both labor and materials, thereby enhancing its efficiency and project management.
He also discusses the challenges and lessons that came with this pivotal shift, the importance of the pre-construction phase, and much more.
Ready to grow your construction business?
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet Chris Tatge (03:07)
From labor-only to turnkey contractor (05:51)
Optimizing designs for framing explained (13:03)
Turnkey contracting vs. traditional approach (14:38)
Leadership transition from the field to CEO (18:18)
Staffing strategies and stepping up (28:29)
How important is the pre-construction phase (33:20)
Leading a design team (39:56)
Future goals for DC Materials (43:42)
Final questions (44:37)
Episode wrap-up (51:56)
 
Additional Resources:
- Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
- Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE
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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!

EPISODE 333: Are you struggling with getting your team on board with new processes? Are you dealing with most of the problems at work?
In this episode, we’ll discuss the common mistakes construction business owners make when implementing new processes and how these mistakes often lead to team resistance rather than compliance. 
We’ll explain everything you need to know about the Made My Day Difficult (MMDD) List approach, how to use it to motivate your team to solve problems independently and follow processes, and its transformative benefits to your team and construction business.
Are you ready to improve your team dynamics and improve your system?
Let’s get started!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
The old way of dealing with team resistance (02:02)
Why your team don’t embrace your process (05:34)
The MMDD List approach (11:18)
Practical tips on applying the MMDD list (26:26)
Ripple effects of using the MMDD list (28:35)
5-minute call to action (30:19)
 
Additional Resources:
- Join our FREE Get Out of Your Construction Business Masterclass HERE
- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
- Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE
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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!

EPISODE 332: Are you stuck in your construction business's day-to-day operations? Do you find yourself constantly bombarded by messages and phone calls from clients, trade partners, and your team? Are your projects taking way too long? 
You may be suffering from a serious deficiency that’s costing many construction business owners millions of dollars!
In this week’s episode, we’ll dive deep into the crucial yet often overlooked phase that’s causing chaos in your business operations: pre-construction.
We’ll unpack common symptoms of a pre-construction deficiency, explore its side effects, and break down the secret to developing an effective pre-construction process. We'll also show you how mastering this phase can transform both your business and personal life.
Join us in this riveting discussion!
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
The underlying problem (01:55)
Common symptoms of a construction deficiency (03:38)
Understanding the pre-construction deficiency (06:46)
How the JETS trap affects your team and business (10:36)
Nailing the handoff in five essential steps (12:22)
Secret to developing an effective pre-construction process (16:07)
Practical tips for a robust pre-construction process (20:06)
Side effects of nailing the handoff (23:52)
Reflective questions to ponder (30:03)
Episode wrap-up (32:03)
 
Additional Resources:
- Join our FREE Get Paid For Estimates Masterclass HERE
- Download your FREE strategic planning guide HERE
- Schedule your FREE business evaluation call with our team HERE
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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!

EPISODE 331: What sets successful construction business owners apart?
Join me as I sit down with Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) coaches Monish Khadye and Leyah Hostetter. Today, we’ll dive deep into what transpired during our recent CEO Alliance Live Meetup in Del Mar, California.
We'll unpack the biggest takeaways from the event, from mastering financial transparency to understanding the pivotal role of trust in creating a thriving construction business. 
Additionally, we’ll share practical tips on applying these insights to your business so you can truly take on your CEO or visionary seat.
Are you ready to elevate your leadership?
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
The CEO Alliance Live Meetup (01:46)
CEOs get vulnerable on financial transparency (06:49)
The three-step approach to reforming or building trust (11:29)
Fourth crucial step when restoring trust (19:58)
Why level up your pre-construction process (25:03)
How to ensure business continuity (27:11)
On CEOs having a solid integrator (31:03)
Benefits of community among construction CEOs (34:37)
What do construction CEOs have to say about the event? (42:09)
Episode wrap-up (44:36)
 
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
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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!

EPISODE 330: Do you feel stuck in your construction business's day-to-day operations? Do you dream of taking it to the next level but are unsure how? These experts might teach you a thing or two.
Join us in this week’s panel discussion (and our first in-person episode) featuring Alex Gregg, Michael Moore, and Alex Thompson. 
These accomplished construction business owners share their pivotal shift from running a busy business in a firefighter mode to leveraging key talents in their teams and eventually putting on their CEO hats. 
Today, we discuss how to transition from an operator mindset to a CEO mindset, the importance of habits and routines, how to foster a culture of accountability and growth, the value of letting go, and more.
Are you ready to transform yourself and grow your business?
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet the panel of experts (04:55)
Key shifts from thinking as an operator to CEO (06:31)
Importance of habits and routines (13:08)
The right-to-left thinking mindset (18:22)
Creating a culture of accountability (19:46)
How to ensure you’re continuously evolving as a CEO (34:11)
The value of letting go for growth (37:42)
How successful CEOs look at mistakes (46:29)
Resources for construction CEOs (47:55)
 
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
Books Mentioned:
Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
10x Is Easier Than 2x
The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Organizational Physics: The Science of Growing a Business
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t
Think and Grow Rich
The Gap and The Gain: The High Achiever’s Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success
Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More, & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Three Laws of Performance: Rewriting the Future of Your Organization and Your Life
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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!
 

EPISODE 329: How can construction businesses thrive even during economic downturns? 
Join us in this week’s podcast episode as Michael Moore, owner and president of Waterton Construction Group, shares his journey in navigating the challenges of growing a construction company and how systematization and strategic changes turned his company from six-figure losses to seven-figure profits.
Today, Michael breaks down the impactful systems and processes he implemented, the selling the gap concept, how to master the art of letting go, and much more.
Ready to systematize your construction business and get out of the chaos? 
Tune in now to learn more.

 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet Michael Moore and his works at Waterton Construction (01:54)
Adapting to the current economic indicators and market dynamics (03:35)
Most impactful business changes & systems that Michael implemented (06:24)
Transitioning to ERP accounting software, revenue maximizer, and forecasting tools (09:39)
Discussing the selling the gap concept in pre-construction (21:13)
What didn’t work out for Michael (27:28)
The results and growth following systematic changes (30:53)
Practical advice on mastering the art of letting go (32:33)
What business and life have been for Michael after the changes (39:41)
Advice to construction business owners (52:02)
What it’s like being in the CEO Alliance (1:01:12)
Episode wrap-up (1:07:08)
 
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 Michael
- Listen to Episode 234: Hiring High-Level Talent, Growing Revenue & Keys to Selling HERE
- Listen to Episode 275: Stewardship, Creating Terminal Value & Increasing Profit 60% HERE
- Follow Michael on LinkedIn HERE
- Visit Waterton Construction for more information HERE
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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!