The Construction Leading Edge Podcast

Todd Dawalt
  • 4.8 (264)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

This podcast is dedicated to helping construction business owners eliminate chaos, maximize profit, and reclaim their freedom. Designed for leaders who are ready to step out of the daily grind and take control of their business, The Construction Leading Edge Podcast delivers actionable strategies on systematization, time management, increasing profitability, and business growth. Whether it's stopping profit bleeds, building high-performing teams, or creating systems that allow your business to run without you, each episode will leave you with practical tools to unlock more profit, freedom, and impact. Join Todd Dawalt every week for solo episodes packed with insights and guest interviews featuring industry experts who've mastered the art of building self-sustaining businesses. If you're ready to stop wearing so many hats and start leading your business like a visionary CEO, this podcast is for you.

  1. Scaling Fast? Stop Chasing Sales and Fix THIS First with Cole West | E416

    1D AGO

    Scaling Fast? Stop Chasing Sales and Fix THIS First with Cole West | E416

    🚀Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE – EPISODE 416: Is your construction business always in firefighting mode? As a project manager turned integrator at Matchless Concrete Construction, Cole West knew they were growing too fast, but they were also bleeding money, missing deadlines, and drowning in chaos. In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, Cole shares how he and his team have dramatically reduced chaos, boosted margins, and reclaimed lost time. Today, we'll talk about… The "Big 5" strategy that eliminated confusion and boosted accountability How weekly planning meetings turned chaos into control The key tools that uncovered hidden inefficiencies (and hidden leaders) The mindset shift that saved the company $45k/month Why structure—not hustle— is the real path to freedom …and more! If you're ready to stop firefighting and finally build a construction business that runs smoothly, this episode will show you what's possible when you systematize your business. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Cole West's role and shift to integrator/strategic planner (01:49) Why Cole left corporate retail for construction freedom (04:40) How construction business owners can attract corporate talent (07:14) The problem with rapid growth without proper systems (08:56)  What chaos looks like in construction (14:35) Importance of simplifying job descriptions (20:24) The CEO Schedule and Revenue Maximizer tools (26:32) What does the business look like now? (29:20) Cole's most powerful scripted question (32:02) Achieving historical wins for the company (36:41)  Last piece of advice (42:40) What's next for Matchless Concrete? (47:36) Episode wrap-up (48:42)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡Visit Matchless Concrete Construction's website for more information HERE  ⚡Follow them on Facebook HERE – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    52 min
  2. 7-Figure Growth Starts with Lean Systems w/ Tod Ingersoll | E415

    OCT 27

    7-Figure Growth Starts with Lean Systems w/ Tod Ingersoll | E415

    🚀Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 415: Do you always feel like you're constantly putting out fires, drowning in details, and barely keeping your construction business afloat? It doesn't always have to be that way. In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I sat down with Tod Ingersoll, founder and president of NuWood Creations, who scaled his company from doing small projects to 7-figure design-build jobs by doing something most contractors avoid—letting go. Today, we'll talk about… The unspoken rule that separates thriving construction businesses from overwhelmed ones Why "just enough to start" is sabotaging your growth and profits How Lean manufacturing tactics transformed Tod's operations The real power behind pre-construction planning Why doing less yourself creates more for your construction business ..and more! If you're overworked and stuck in survival mode, this episode will give you the roadmap on how to scale without burnout. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Tod Ingersoll's journey into construction (02:43) Applying Lean management strategies in construction (07:57) Manufacturing vs. construction mindset (09:02) Challenges of a rapidly growing business (14:50) Ripple effects of outgrowing your systems (19:38) Importance of a robust pre-construction process (22:26) Impact of clear systems and processes (28:08) How to get your team on board with new processes (29:46) Keys to empowering your team (34:14) How to reclaim your time freedom (37:50) Advice for those thinking of joining the SYCB program (39:25) How to successfully implement systems and processes (43:33) Advice for new construction business owners (47:34) Episode wrap-up (48:44)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download our FREE Strategic Planning Guide HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡Follow NuWood on Facebook and Instagram ⚡Visit NuWood Creations' website for more information HERE – ⚡Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    53 min
  3. The Hidden Reason Your Projects Keep Slipping—and How to Stop It | E414

    OCT 20

    The Hidden Reason Your Projects Keep Slipping—and How to Stop It | E414

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  📝Is Your Construction Business Ready to Scale? Take the FREE Online Assessment HERE – EPISODE 414: Have you ever had a project delay wreck your schedule and cash flow? Most of us would argue that project slippage is beyond our control, but actually, it's not. In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I'll unpack four powerful strategies to stop project slippage from derailing your business. Today, you'll learn… Why project slippage is more predictable than you think How to build a pre-construction system that protects your schedule What "overselling" really means (and why it's essential) Why your clients aren't the problem—your system is and more! If you've ever felt like your clients or circumstances are running your company, this episode will show you how to take the reins back. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What happens when a project is delayed (01:59) Most contractors make this mistake (05:43) How to establish pre-construction milestones and expectations (07:45) Why you should sell more than 100% of your capacity (19:51) Why every project needs a firm go/no-go date (20:48) Have a flex track project ready to go (25:45) Quick episode recap (27:27) Why the problem isn't clients (29:25)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  ⚡Is Your Construction Business Ready to Scale? Take the FREE Online Assessment HERE – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    35 min
  4. Your Most Important Hire Isn't on the Jobsite—It's an Executive Assistant with Steven Neuner | E413

    OCT 13

    Your Most Important Hire Isn't on the Jobsite—It's an Executive Assistant with Steven Neuner | E413

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 413: Have you ever felt like your construction business would fall apart if you stepped away for even a day? That's exactly how Steven Neuner felt for years. He found success, but was exhausted, overwhelmed, and the bottleneck for everything. Until his CFO and COO staged an intervention and told him, "We love you, but we're tired of being your assistant." That moment changed everything. He hired a proactive remote assistant (not another jobsite hire) and saw a 5x leap in productivity. Now, he's here to unpack everything. In this episode, Steven Neuner, co-founder of Superpowers HQ, shares how construction entrepreneurs can achieve more by doing less—using a game-changing strategy called flipped delegation. Today, you'll learn… Why you might be the biggest bottleneck in your business The flawed mindsets most entrepreneurs have about delegation What "flipped delegation" really means and how it works Why hiring a remote assistant is an investment, not an expense How burnout—not competition—is killing more businesses like yours …and more! If you're tired of being stuck in the weeds and want to break free from burnout, don't miss this one. Tune in now!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Misconceptions about remote executive assistants (02:02) What is "flipped delegation" and how it redefines leadership (03:53) How Steven Neuner started Superpowers HQ (06:09) Common mindsets that ruin delegation and repel good assistants (10:07) Symptoms of being the bottleneck in your business (15:59) How an EA can 5-10x your productivity (18:01) Time effort vs. results economy (24:00) Should you build systems before hiring? (29:15) Superpowers HQ's EA matching process (36:10) How entrepreneurs can delegate better (43:07) Advice for entrepreneurs stuck working in their business (49:17) Episode wrap-up (50:39)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  ⚡Download The Remote Assistant Playbook for Construction Business Owners HERE – ⚡Visit Superpowers HQ for more information HERE – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    54 min
  5. What's Your #1 Constraint? Here's How to Find It | E412

    OCT 6

    What's Your #1 Constraint? Here's How to Find It | E412

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 412: Are you putting in the hours—maybe 60-70 hours a week—but your construction business still feels stuck? Have you hired people, bought software, and generated more leads, but somehow you're still the one solving every problem? In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I'll reveal the real reason growth stalls for most construction businesses, and why it's not what you think. Today, you'll hear… The common pitfalls that keep construction owners stuck in firefighting mode Why more leads or "better people" won't solve your problems The cost of never solving your #1 business constraint A simple framework to pinpoint your biggest bottleneck with clarity How fixing just one thing can unlock growth, profit, and freedom …and more! Ready to find out what's keeping your construction business from scaling? Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Business bottlenecks are like highway traffic jams (02:21) The cost of not solving your bottleneck (04:20) Common pitfalls construction owners fall into (11:15) Four-step framework to finding your #1 constraint (16:04) Why more leads won't save you (22:28) The truth about skilled labor shortage (25:50) Your next step + FREE playbook (27:16)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    31 min
  6. Escape the Bottleneck Trap for Good Using 3 Simple Systems with Travis Balcom | E411

    SEP 29

    Escape the Bottleneck Trap for Good Using 3 Simple Systems with Travis Balcom | E411

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 411: What happens when you realize you are the bottleneck in your construction business? Meet Travis Balcom, owner of TAB Construction LLC, a custom home-building company based in upstate New York.  Last year, Travis was ready to quit. His construction business was growing, but so were the late nights, the headaches, and the burnout. He was the go-to for every problem—and it was breaking him. Travis realized he was the bottleneck in his business. Everything was in his head, and he needed to be involved in every aspect of the project.  In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, Travis unpacks how he turned his business—and life—around. Today, you'll learn… How Travis transitioned from electrician to full-time custom homebuilder The danger of the "Just Enough to Start" trap in construction How the Systematize Your Construction Business (SYCB) program helped him delegate and empower his team Why letting his team handle the planning improved efficiency and ownership How systematizing his business gave him freedom, balance, and growth  ..and much more! If you're stuck in reactive mode, constantly firefighting, or just want more freedom from your episode, this episode is a must-listen. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) Travis's journey from electrician to homebuilder (01:41) Recognizing himself as the bottleneck in his business (09:28) The danger of the "Just Enough to Start" trap (15:13) Implementing the "Big Five" system for daily tasks (22:18) Importance of the "Nail the Handoff" process (23:53) A key aspect of the business that Travis didn't realize was crucial (30:01) Delegating planning to the people closest to the problem (34:05) Working on the business instead of in the business (41:30) The unexpected freedom that comes with delegating effectively (43:51) Why you should join the SYCB program and the CEO Alliance (45:49) Keys to implementing systems that transform your business (49:31)  Rapid-fire questions (52:13)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡Check out our TAB Construction HERE – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    59 min
  7. How to Use the Moneyball Strategy to Run Your Construction Business Like a Machine | E410

    SEP 22

    How to Use the Moneyball Strategy to Run Your Construction Business Like a Machine | E410

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 410: Do you find yourself always dealing with chaos, simply expecting your construction team to "figure it out"?  What if success in your construction business could be defined as clearly as Billy Beane defined it with the Oakland A's? In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, I'll break down how you can apply the Moneyball approach to your construction business, using data, behaviors, and leading indicators to drive consistent wins. Here's what you're going to discover in this episode… How to define success in terms of behaviors, rather than results Why old-school construction metrics and strategies keep you stuck How focusing on leading indicators can help your team meet targets consistently Why even top athletes (and your team) need structure and clarity to perform at their best How a culture of accountability can transform average performers into A-players …and a whole lot more! If you're ready to stop leading on gut feelings and start winning on purpose, this episode is for you. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) What if you run your business like the Oakland A's? (00:56) The story of Billy Beane and the rise of Moneyball (03:29) Old school baseball vs. the Moneyball approach (07:12) The Moneyball approach in construction leadership (16:10) How A-players thrive when systems are in place (20:41) Navy SEAL story: How leadership transforms team performance (27:57) Final thoughts (30:45)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    38 min
  8. They Doubled Their Business by Saying No, Building Systems, and Setting Clear Expectations with Ryan Brining & Tom Battersby | E409

    SEP 15

    They Doubled Their Business by Saying No, Building Systems, and Setting Clear Expectations with Ryan Brining & Tom Battersby | E409

    🚀Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ☎️Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – EPISODE 409: What if the secret to doubling your construction business isn't about working harder, hiring more people, or saying yes to every project?  In this episode of the Construction Leading Edge podcast, we're joined by Ryan Brining & Tom Battersby of White Maple Construction to share how they doubled their revenue in just one year, without adding more staff or working longer hours. Here's what you'll learn in this episode… Why fixing problems on jobsites shouldn't be on top of your list How saying no to the wrong projects is actually a marketing strategy The surprising mindset shift that stopped them from letting clients dictate their process How setting clear expectations upfront can save you time, money, and stress on every job Why it's crucial to have systems in place before you start scaling (and what happens when you skip this step) …and more! If you're tired of putting out fires and ready to scale your business without saying yes to everything, this episode is a must-listen. Let's dive in!   Key Takeaways: Introduction (00:00) From finance to hospitality to construction (02:21) The chaos that comes with client-led projects (05:11) Benefits of early selections for clients (12:27) Pre-construction as a collaborative effort (15:32) 5 most impactful business systems for White Maple Construction (17:59) Why cranking up your marketing engine first leads to chaos (20:00) How their revenue doubled with less stress (27:15) What's life like now after implementing the right systems (29:06) What the construction sector could learn from hospitality (31:09) Saying no to projects as a marketing strategy (34:20) Keys to implementing systems and making changes (40:23) Construction advice for those just starting out (43:21) How to attract larger construction projects (48:28) Why saying no to the wrong projects is crucial (50:06) Episode wrap-up (52:00)   Additional Resources: ⚡Download the How to Buyout a Construction Project Playbook HERE ⚡Schedule a Business Evaluation Call with The Construction Leading Edge Team HERE  – ⚡Visit White Maple Construction for more information HERE ⚡Follow White Maple Construction on Instagram HERE – ⚡ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ⚡ Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE ⚡Visit The Construction Leading Edge for more information HERE -- 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!

    54 min
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4.8
out of 5
264 Ratings

About

This podcast is dedicated to helping construction business owners eliminate chaos, maximize profit, and reclaim their freedom. Designed for leaders who are ready to step out of the daily grind and take control of their business, The Construction Leading Edge Podcast delivers actionable strategies on systematization, time management, increasing profitability, and business growth. Whether it's stopping profit bleeds, building high-performing teams, or creating systems that allow your business to run without you, each episode will leave you with practical tools to unlock more profit, freedom, and impact. Join Todd Dawalt every week for solo episodes packed with insights and guest interviews featuring industry experts who've mastered the art of building self-sustaining businesses. If you're ready to stop wearing so many hats and start leading your business like a visionary CEO, this podcast is for you.

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