The Construction Leading Edge Podcast Todd Dawalt

EPISODE 339: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to step into the construction industry as a woman and not just survive but thrive?
Women make up only about 11% of the construction industry. More often than not, they have to prove themselves to be taken seriously. But women bring much more than most people realize.
So, in this week’s episode, we’ve invited four incredible women: our host Leyah Hostetter, Emily Reidy Twigg of Forest Glen Construction, Cassie Parra of Tru Builders, and Shannon Springstead of John Springstead Construction. 
These women grew up on construction sites, learned the ropes from their fathers, and are now leading successful careers in the construction industry.
Listen in as these inspiring women share their unique journeys, the challenges they’ve faced as women in construction, the invaluable lessons they’ve learned from their fathers, and much more. 
Let’s jump in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet the daughters of construction (01:26)
Memorable experiences with their fathers (12:50)
How their fathers prepared them for their careers (21:03)
From father-daughter duos to construction colleagues (27:32)
Challenges faced as women in construction (33:31) 
Valuable lessons from their dads (41:37)
Advice for women considering construction (45:40) 
Ways fathers can support their daughters (51:59)
How men in the industry can help women (55:05) 
Final thoughts (1:00:08)
 
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 338: Are you tired of project delays? If you’ve ever been frustrated by slow architects or indecisive clients, this episode is exactly what you need.
Join me as we explore the nine proven strategies to get architects, designers, and even clients to meet your deadlines.
We’ll tackle some of the common problems contractors face with design consultants and clients. Plus, we’ll explore the psychological traps you have to avoid, the concept of anchoring expectations early, the importance of a comprehensive pre-construction process, and more.
Are you ready to take control of your projects and never miss a deadline?
Tune in now to learn more!

 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Top ten problems with design consultants (01:21)
Avoiding psychological traps in project management (05:00)
Importance of project kickoff meetings (11:16)
Setting clear expectations and commitments upfront (14:55)
Creating a list of client commitments and key decision dates (24:07)
Performing budget reality checks (27:27)
Why include page flip sessions (30:37)
Setting change deadlines during projects (32:34)
Continuously resetting expectations with the client (35:47)
Imagine these (41:46)
Final advice (44:33)
 
Additional Resources:
- Download the list of 9 Strategies to Get Architects, Designers, and Clients to Meet Your Deadlines HERE
- 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 337: Does everything have to go through you? Are you becoming the bottleneck?
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by construction business owner and long-time client turned guest coach Max Christiansen. 
Max is the founder and sales director at Tru Builders–a family-owned home remodeling company based in Arizona. Today, he shares his journey from working in corporate America to building his own construction company.
He talks about why effective delegation, accountability chart, and letting go are crucial for business growth and personal freedom. Plus, the benefits of systematizing your construction business, the importance of a morning routine and networking, and much more.
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet Max Christiansen (02:31)
From corporate America to entrepreneurship (08:46)
Construction business challenges and frustrations (17:34)
The real value of delegation and strategically letting go (26:14)
Most impactful business changes for Max and his team (29:34)
Results after implementing systems and processes (39:40)
Key factors when implementing systems (44:39)
Importance of having a morning routine and a CEO time (46:10)
The CEO Alliance group, goals, and hiring (54:42)
Rapid-fire questions (1:05:05)
Episode wrap-up (1:12:08)
 
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 336: Are you working 50-60 hours a week on your construction business? What happens if you suddenly can’t come to work? Is your business designed to run without you?
Here’s the staggering truth: Only 15% of CEOs have a business continuity plan in case they are incapacitated, pass away, or a key employee leaves the company. Why do only 15% of CEOs have such a plan?
In this week’s episode, Monish and I discuss the critical topic of business continuity. We talk about the ripple effects of a business owner’s absence, why most of them avoid continuity planning, how to make your construction business resilient, and what it means to have a business continuity plan.
Whether you’re securing your family’s and business’s future or just planning to take some time off, this episode is packed with invaluable insights that you don’t want to miss.
Let’s get started!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Real-life stories on how important business continuity is (01:49)
How to do a quick business continuity audit (06:16)
What happens when your key employee leaves? (17:22)
Ripple effects of a business owner’s absence (24:13)
Why most business owners don’t have a continuity plan (29:20)
Strategies to make your business resilient (33:56)
The freedom of a business running independently (38:59)
Practical steps to create a business continuity plan (44:31)
Effects of having a continuity plan in place (52:28)
 
Additional Resources:
- Download the Legacy Planning Checklist HERE
- 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 335: What would happen to your family after you’re gone? 
Estate planning may not be as fun as booking a trip but without it, it’s like throwing away everything you’ve worked so hard for. Yet, research shows that fewer than 50% of Americans have a will or any form of estate plan. 
Who gets what? How do your loved ones access your assets? What about your ongoing projects? How can your construction business continue operating in your absence?
Joining me in this week’s episode is Jon Braddock. Jon is an estate planning expert and he’s here to share his experiences and insights on the often overlooked necessities of estate planning.
Jon and I talk about some of the common myths, misconceptions, and mistakes of estate planning that small business owners must avoid.
Whether you’re concerned about organizing your asset information, documenting crucial business processes, or simply unsure where to start crafting your will, this conversation provides you the knowledge and motivation to take action now.
Let’s dive in!
 
Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Meet Jon and his works at Estate Planning Nightmares (02:33)
Real-life examples of estate planning nightmares (07:20)
Ripple effects of poor or non-existent estate planning (12:46)
Common misconceptions people have about estate planning (14:48)
Importance of creating a solid estate plan (19:27)
What small business owners need to realize (27:08)
Why business continuity planning for small businesses matters (33:54)
The power of documented processes and systems (39:19)
First few steps in estate planning (46:16)
Episode wrap-up (53:06)
 
Additional Resources:
- Download the Legacy Planning Checklist HERE
- 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
- Grab a copy of Jon’s book, Click Here When I Die 
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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 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!