Contractor Evolution

Breakthrough Academy
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Contractor Evolution

Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution. In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level. If you’re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you’ve come to the right place. Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    216. Sell More by Putting the Customer First - Joe Crisara

    To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP216 To the outside world, the word “sales” has gotten a bad rap. People think it’s all transactional. All about pushing something on the customer in order to get what’s best for the sales rep or the company. And that can make the act of selling feel uncomfortable, awkward and transactional. That’s why we wanted to talk to Joe Crisara. Joe is a seasoned expert in contractor sales training, best known for creating the Pure Motive Service System that helps service businesses ethically boost revenue and closing rates all while doing what’s best for the customer. In this episode, Joe walks us through five key principles that anyone in sales can adopt today, creating a win-win for the customer, for the sales rep and for the company. Episode Highlights: Get a walkthrough of the Pure Motive Service System from its creator, Joe Crisara.Learn how offering three options to every customer will boost your revenue, closing rates and reputation.Understand how to use the five principles outlined in Joe’s book, What Should We Do? to connect with your customers, move away from transactional selling methods and maintain integrity in every sales interaction. 00:00-Intro 01:24-About Joe 05:14-About The Book: What Should We Do? 14:00-5 Principles of Pure Motive Service 14:18-Principle 1: Client-Centric Solutions 22:25-Principle 2: Integrity-Driven Sales 26:08-Principle 3: Customized Service Options 38:06-Principle 4: Effective Communication 45:42-Principle 5: Continuous Improvement 50:12-How Joe is Continuously Improving 55:32-Connect With Joe

    57 min

  2. 7 MAY

    215. Leadership Beyond the Hammer - Brian Gottlieb

    Grab a free chapter of Beyond the Hammer here: https://trybta.com/DL215 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP215 Being a strong leader is an essential business skill. We all know this. If you listen to this podcast, you probably know most of the fundamentals already. And yet so few of us actually take the time to work on them. Today, we're talking to Brian Gottlieb. After a highly successful career building and exiting his $150MM remodeling business, Brian wrote the book, Beyond the Hammer to give contractors an easy to follow framework on the path to becoming better leaders. In this episode, he breaks down the five foundational pillars that make up the mindset of a successful leader in the contracting space. Episode Highlights: Understand the drivers behind the success of Brian Gottlieb, a 9-figure remodeler who grew his team from one (himself) to over 600 when he exited.Learn the five foundational pillars of leadership Brian outlines in his book, and go deeper on the impact each one can have on your business.Get tips on managing resistance from your team as your leadership and business evolve. 00:00-Intro 01:19-About Brian 05:57-Beyond the Hammer: why leadership? 08:47-Why do contractors struggle to become good leaders? 13:48-5 foundational pillars of leadership 14:08-Pillar 1: Belief is Transferrable 17:32-Pillar 2: Leaders Shape Culture Through Purpose & Direction 22:48-Pillar 3: Leaders Are Aware of The Echo of Their Voice 27:42-Pillar 4: Leaders Model Their Business as a Training Organization 31:01-Pillar 5: Managers Need a Checklist 40:09-How to start implementing these pillars TODAY 41:27-What would you say to young Brian?

    46 min

  3. 30 APR

    214. Head of Storybrand Talks Contractor Messaging That Sells - Dr. J.J. Peterson

    Download Dr. J.J.'s one-liner template here: https://trybta.com/DL214 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP214 Today we're interviewing the one and only Dr. J.J. Peterson, Head of Storybrand and co-author of Marketing Made Simple, which sold over a million copies worldwide. Dr. J.J. has helped thousands of businesses clarify their message by using a storytelling framework as old as time.  Plus, we found out before we started recording that he actually has a contracting background. His family ran a concrete business when he was growing up, so he REALLY gets the challenges you’re all facing. Today’s conversation is all about how to apply the seven-part Storybrand framework to a contracting business. How to position your customer as the hero of your story so you can become their trusted guide. Episode Highlights: Get an overview of the Storybrand framework from someone who has implemented it into thousands of businesses.Learn how to apply each of the seven parts of a Storybrand to a roofing, painting, landscaping, construction, electrical, plumbing or home services business, with examples.Understand why it is so critical that you keep your message simple, and why so many businesses get this wrong. 00:00-Intro 01:43-About Dr. J.J.'s background in contracting and storytelling 06:46-Why is story so important to marketing? 17:17-The messaging sweet spot: too vague vs. too complex 19:03-The 7-Part StoryBrand Framework: Contracting Edition 24:20-Step 1: What does your customer want? 25:16-Step 2: What problem does your customer face? 32:57-Step 3: How do you position yourself as their guide? 35:47-Step 4: What’s the plan? 38:21-Step 5: The call to action 38:50-Step 6/7: What does success/failure look like for your customer? 41:12-Danny's example, Dr. J.J.'s feedback 49:12-How to get the info you need from your customer 53:39-Most common Storybrand mistakes 57:54-Signs your messaging is working 01:00:47-About Dr. J.J.'s one-liner template

    1h 7m

  4. 23 APR

    213. A New Era: Benji Reflects on Content Marketing and More - Benji Carlson

    On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP213 Today’s the day. The last official day of Benji's time on Contractor Evolution. And the first official day of a new era. In today’s episode, we're pumped to introduce Danny Kerr as your new host. Danny is one of the co-founders of Breakthrough Academy. In fact, he’s the visionary behind the whole thing.  He’s a lifelong entrepreneur, former painting contractor and a true expert in guiding contractors to more profitable and more fulfilling businesses. In this episode, he leads his first official interview on the show—with Benji. They're diving into the history behind Contractor Evolution and everything Benji has learned about content marketing along the way. Episode Highlights: Get an introduction to the new host of Contractor Evolution: Breakthrough Academy visionary and co-founder Danny Kerr.Reminisce with Benji as he walks us through the history of the show and what he learned along the way.Learn from Benji’s experience when it comes to content marketing, and understand how you might use it to benefit your business. 00:00-Intro 01:42-The history and evolution of Contractor Evolution 14:34-The case for content marketing 25:12-Content Marketing 101 for contractors 42:46-Value-add content vs. salesy content 47:41-Avoiding false starts 54:04-Lightning round

    1 hr

  5. 18 APR

    212. How to Manage Budgets, Forecasting and Cash Flow Like Matt Risinger - Matt Risinger

    On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP212 Grab your free financial management resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL212 A few weeks ago, Danny cohosted a web class with Matt Risinger (Host of The BUILD Show) on one of the most important topics in business: finances. On top of teaching the hundreds of attendees our approachable financial management systems, I had a chance to pick Matt’s brain about his experience managing cash flow as he grew his company into the monster it is today. So we’re releasing the web class on the podcast to give you everything you need to run your finances like a 7-figure contractor. We’re covering budgets, forecasting, cash flow, and how to drive results with your team. If the thought of financial management gives you a migraine, this webinar replay is for you. Episode Highlights: Discover the least painful way to track your budgets, forecasting, and overhead—without wasting hours with mind-numbing numbers.Learn how to take the guesswork out of your financial decision-making by understanding your industry benchmarks.Get insight into how Matt Risinger avoids lumpy cash flow and why Risinger Build NEVER bids on work. 00:00-Intro 06:12-About Danny and Matt 10:06-Purpose and outcomes 12:18-Why is staying on top of your numbers so hard? 20:39-Matt Risinger on Breakthrough Academy 23:15-Budgeting 38:43-What does “good” look like? 41:20-Gross profit margins as you evolve 46:14-Financial forecasting 52:19-Driving numbers with your team 59:37-Implementing change 01:07:09-Q&A

    1h 15m

  6. 16 APR

    211. Surrounded By Idiots - Thomas Erikson's Tips For Contractors - Thomas Erikson

    On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP211 Chances are, you’re familiar with at least one personality test. Myers Briggs, Enneagram, Personal Style Indicator (PSI) or, the focus of this episode, DISC profiles. Are these tools actually helpful? In my opinion, they have a time and place. But the truth is they’re kinda useless if you don’t actually apply the information you get from them. Otherwise, people just use them as an excuse to behave a certain way. That’s why today’s guest has become so popular in the world of small business and leadership. Thomas Erikson’s bestselling book Surrounded By Idiots is less about labeling yourself and others as red, yellow, green or blue and more about bringing awareness to your behavioral tendencies to more effectively lead and interact with others. Instead of saying “I’m a red, so I can’t help being brash,” the book encourages you to say “My tendency to be brash may be pushing people away—what can I do to change that?” In other words, how to stop feeling like you’re surrounded by idiots just because the people around you don’t act the same way you do. Episode Highlights: Get a brief overview of the DISC personality assessment and its use cases from the author of the bestselling book Surrounded by Idiots.Learn how self-awareness can help you become more effective in business and life.Understand how to use personality assessments like DISC as tool for personal growth, rather than an excuse for your behavior.Bonus: Learn how to recognize and deal with energy vampires in all areas of your life. 00:00-Intro 02:15-Where does "behavior" come from? 04:24-Overview of the 4 DISC personality types 10:28-Distribution of color profiles in society 13:06-Why is this framework useful in running a business? 21:26-Correlation between personality types and roles 28:01-Benji's pushback on personality profiles - can they do more harm than good? 37:33-What motivates the different colors? 43:46-How to use knowledge of the colors to level up as a leader 49:29-About energy vampires 53:48-Closing advice for leaders trying to get the most out of their people

    57 min

  7. 11 APR

    210. Understanding the Skill/Will Matrix - Danny Kerr

    On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP210 To grab a copy of the Skill/Will Matrix, DORAGI framework, and Conflict Resolution Guide, click here: https://trybta.com/DL210 In contracting, your people are your business. They determine how customers experience your brand, the productivity of your job sites, the profitability of your business and your own enjoyment of life as an entrepreneur. So understanding how to manage them as a strong leader is essential. Today, we’re going to break down one of my favorite frameworks that will give you the tools to bring out the best in your team, maximize productivity, and build a workplace people actually want to be a part of. It’s called the skill/will matrix. The idea is that whenever productivity is down or someone isn’t meeting your expectations, ask yourself this one question: Is this a skill issue? Or a will issue? Listen to the full episode to learn how to handle each situation. Episode Highlights: Get a summary of the skill/will matrix and how to use it to identify and address productivity issues on your team.Learn how to use the DORAGI training framework to help team members struggling with skill.Learn how to have a healthy conflict to improve the performance of team members struggling with will. 00:00-Intro 01:28-About the Skill/Will Matrix 02:00-High Will, Low Skill 05:56-Low Will, High Skill 09:46-High Will, High Skill 10:43-Low Will, Low Skill 12:07-Recap

    13 min

  8. 9 APR

    209. A Six Part System For Systemizing Your Contracting Business - Ian Ouwerkerk

    On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP209 Our guest on the show today is our very own coach, Ian Ouwerkerk. Ian coaches the highest number of businesses here at Breakthrough Academy. He has a massive sample size and a unique perspective on what works and what doesn't when it comes to growing your construction or trades business. He is particularly well-versed in implementing what we call the Contractor Growth Method with his coaching Members. It’s a six-part business system designed to help contractors set their businesses up for success—whether that means scaling, stabilizing or just making the whole thing less painful and more fun. Today, Ian is going to walk us through that system, just like he’s done hundreds of times for Members. This episode is the high-level answer to the question: “how do I systemize my entire contracting business from start to finish?” Episode Highlights: Get a step-by-step walkthrough of a six-part business system designed to help contractors scale or stabilize their operations.Learn how Ian priorities certain areas of business over others when coaching his many Members. 00:00-Intro 00:10-About the Contractor Growth Method 05:14-Ian's philosophy on business systems 16:02-Contractor Growth Method Step 1: Goal Setting & Execution 26:56-Contractor Growth Method Step 2: Financial Controls 38:41-Contractor Growth Method Part 3: Optimized Sales & Marketing 51:08-Contractor Growth Method Part 4: Hiring & Training 59:15-Contractor Growth Method Part 5: Defined Roles 01:07:11-Contractor Growth Method Part 6: Project Delivery 01:13:24-Recap

    1h 18m
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About

Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution. In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level. If you’re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you’ve come to the right place. Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

Information

  • Creator
    Breakthrough Academy
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Contractor Evolution

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