Look—most of us in this industry have lived through tough stretches. When claim volume dries up or margins get squeezed, the gut reaction is to cut, freeze, survive. But Brandon and I are asking a better question: What if this slowdown is the wake-up call your business needed?

This conversation is all about what to do now and how to build a company that thrives tomorrow. We're not peddling theory—we’re sharing the stuff we’ve seen work, and what we’re doing ourselves.

Why you should listen:

[08:29] Why the “gravy train” of program work is over—and what replaces it.
[13:20] How to trim cost without cutting muscle: smart spend vs. emotional spend.
[20:16] A full-time estimator for $1,400/month? Why offshore labor isn’t just for tech startups.
[27:23] The #1 reason VAs and fractional hires fail—and how to fix it.
[32:16] Still using mid-level PMs to babysit losses? There’s a better way.
[46:26] In-house trades vs. subs: what costs you more when things slow down?
[51:42] Fractional leadership: when to stop hiring full-time and start hiring smarter.
[58:05] AI isn’t replacing your team—but it might replace your excuses.
[63:52] Is your tradeshow spend actually doing anything? How to rethink it.
[70:23] Want to fix a $500K revenue problem? Here's how to sell your way out.

You’re not stuck. But you might need a new playbook.

—Chris

Thank you sponsors!

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C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere.

https://candrmagazine.com

Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency.

https://getinsights.org/floodlight

Did you know...

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Ep 266: Lucy Jameson, Natalie Graeme, Nils Leonard - In 24