Construction Hot Takes

Ascent Consulting
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Hosted by Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, alongside Senior Consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, Construction Hot Takes show dives into the gritty, unfiltered realities of building a profitable construction company. With nearly 100 years of combined experience, they’ve been there—from carrying gear on job sites to leading Ascent, a consulting powerhouse that exclusively serves construction companies across North America. Each episode is packed with insights, strategies, and insider knowledge from the industry’s top consulting firm for contractors. Discover what big national contractors know about growing a business, get actionable advice on boosting efficiency, and learn how to supercharge your project pipeline. Tune in, get inspired, and gain the knowledge to take your construction business to the next level.

  1. 6d ago

    Your Data is All There. Why Can't You See It in One Place?

    In this episode, Adam Cooper and Jeff Robertson break down how contractors go from siloed systems to one source of truth for their data, why Procore is built for projects (not company management), and the three ways to actually connect your stack. Including: Off-the-shelf connectors, custom middleware, and a data lake, plus where AI is heading over the next 12 to 24 months. Chapters:00:00 - The 300-job treasure hunt03:35 - Why don't your systems talk to each other?05:54 - What is a data lake, really?08:03 - Connectors vs. custom middleware16:08 - Where is AI taking system integration?19:33 - How contractors end up with a messy tech stack See if your data's ready for AI: https://ascentconsults.com/get-your-ai-score-cardA helping hand with AI in construction: https://ascentconsults.com/ai-for-construction-companies/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsultInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakesThis week, try to build one company-level view of your active jobs. Where it breaks is where your systems aren't connected.#Construction #ConstructionTech #ConstructionAI

  2. Aug 6

    Do We Even Need General Contractors? Reacting to Your Construction Hot Takes

    Holding your hot takes to the fire in this episode, Adam Cooper, Jeff Robertson, and Greg Gorman take on what our audience actually posted: Do we even need general contractors? Does safety paperwork do anything? Does one platform really fix the chaos? Plus the E-Myth, GCs with skin in the game, one big job versus ten small ones, and whether LEED earns its cost. Chapters:00:00 - We went ‘viral’ on TikTok01:18 - Should you pay yourself first?03:57 - Do we even need general contractors?12:39 - Does safety paperwork actually do anything?19:28 - How do GCs lose money on a bid?25:41 - Can you really force a jobsite to be safe?31:17 - One platform for everything, and is LEED worth it? For operational design and process help: https://ascentconsults.com/operational-design/The operator's playbook for scaling construction: https://ascentconsults.com/build-it-better-ebook/ Adam Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcooper/Jeff Robertson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrobertson72/Greg Gorman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-gorman-mba-115ba34/ Check out all the Construction Hot Takes episodes on the Ascent website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Follow Ascent Consulting on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsultInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/ Follow the Construction Hot Takes Podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constructionhottakespodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@construction.hottakesDrop the take you disagree with in the comments. The sharpest ones become a future mailbag episode.#Construction #GeneralContractor #ConstructionManagement

  3. Jul 30

    CFO vs. Controller: Which Does Your Business Actually Need?

    In this episode, Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson breaks down the key differences between a CFO and a Controller, why so many growing construction companies hire without clear expectations, and how defining the right role can lead to better financial decisions and long-term growth. Chapters:00:00 - Pre-Show Banter & Studio Setup01:50 - Trending LinkedIn Discussion05:43 - CFO vs. Controller Roles Defined10:03 - Financial Strategy & Risk Management17:27 - Audience Insights & LinkedIn Feedback Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

  4. Jul 23

    Don't rely on AI to fix this part of your business. It makes it WORSE.

    In this episode, Jeff Robertson and Adam Cooper uncover why adding more software and even AI won't solve your biggest operational problems. If your systems don't communicate, your data is scattered, and your team is stuck entering the same information multiple times. Learn why integration matters, what AI can and can't do, and how Ascent Consulting helps construction companies evaluate, simplify, and integrate your technology stack to improve efficiency and support long-term growth. Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Studio Set Discussion00:17 - The Problem with Fragmented Tech Stacks02:57 - Client Case Study & Custom Middleware Solutions13:51 - Automation vs. Artificial Intelligence (AI)24:33 - The Future of APIs, AI Agents, and Outro Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

  5. Jul 16

    Why Most ERP Implementations Fail Before They Begin

    In this episode, Greg Gorman, Jeff Robertson, and Adam Cooper get into why companies change their ERP's and why the "why" has to come before the "what." Is the need to change stemming from reporting you can't get, systems that don't talk, functionality you're faking with manual work?  Plus, the real reasons behind a new ERP, questions to settle before you sit through a single demo, and why no system can handle it all. Chapters: 00:05 - Introducing ERPs in Construction02:30 - Common Motivations for ERP Migration04:40 - The Importance of "Why" Over "What"14:20 - Best Practices for Evaluating a Transition18:24 - The Myth of the All-In-One System Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

  6. Jul 16

    Ops vs. Estimating: The $200,000 Miss (And How to End the Tension)

    Why is there so much friction between the field and the office? In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, we dive deep into the healthy (and sometimes not-so-healthy) tension between Operations and Estimating. We discuss common pain points—from conceptual estimating hurdles to massive takeoff misses—and share proven solutions like formal project handoffs and staff cross-training. Whether you’re a project manager or an estimator, learn how to bridge the gap and deliver more profitable projects. Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Conceptual Estimating05:00 Estimating Documentation Grid and Project Manager Verification Practices13:54 Line-Item Budget Validation15:00 The Project Handoff Process17:03 Handoff Meetings and Project Planning26:15 Reducing Friction and Gaining Estimating Experience Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

  7. Jul 7

    The Key to A.I. for Construction Companies is NOT A Software Choice...

    In this episode, Jeff Robertson, Adam Cooper, and Greg Gorman discuss why AI readiness starts long before choosing an AI tool. They explain why clean data, consistent processes, and strong operational foundations are the keys to successful AI adoption in construction. Ascent Consulting helps construction companies prepare for AI by improving data quality, streamlining operational processes, and creating technology strategies that support long-term growth. Chapters: 03:21 - The Reality of AI Data Quality 05:44 - Building Foundational Data Practices09:26 - AI Connectors and the Death of the Data Warehouse 17:50 - Automating Truth with Drone Technology 21:25 - Reducing Complexity to Focus on Building Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

  8. Jul 6

    How To Scale Your $5m-$10m Construction Business

    In this episode, Adam Cooper, Jeff Robertson, and Gregory Gorman dive into a topic that is so interesting: how to scale a smaller construction firm. Typically working with larger construction firms, they don't get to talk about the unique challenges presented by scaling a 7-figure construction company, but they get into it on this one. We really hope you enjoy, and are curious what other questions you may have for the hosts. Maybe we'll respond to your comment next! Chapters: 00:00 – Pre-Show Banter and Company Name Pronunciation02:20 – Addressing a YouTube Comment on Scaling a Business04:38 – Getting Out of the Center of the Wheel and Delegating Control09:16 – Documenting Processes, Setting SOPs, and Ensuring Accountability15:05 – Leveraging Software, Cash Flow Forecasting, and Creating a Growth Plan Check out our whole catalog of Construction Hot Takes episodes on our website! https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/ Interested in learning how Ascent's consulting services could potentially help improve your business's operations? 📈Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with one of our expert construction consultants: https://info.ascentconsults.com/meetings/acooper/30-minute-performance-consultation Follow Ascent Consulting on social media! 🤳 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascent-consulting-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascentconsult/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascentconsults/X: https://x.com/ascentconsults/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for alerts on our new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/@constructionhottakes

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Hosted by Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, alongside Senior Consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, Construction Hot Takes show dives into the gritty, unfiltered realities of building a profitable construction company. With nearly 100 years of combined experience, they’ve been there—from carrying gear on job sites to leading Ascent, a consulting powerhouse that exclusively serves construction companies across North America. Each episode is packed with insights, strategies, and insider knowledge from the industry’s top consulting firm for contractors. Discover what big national contractors know about growing a business, get actionable advice on boosting efficiency, and learn how to supercharge your project pipeline. Tune in, get inspired, and gain the knowledge to take your construction business to the next level.

Information

  • Creator
    Ascent Consulting
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ascent Consulting