Construction Brothers

Today Tyler shares with us about his routine. Well, Tyler has a four-year-old and a two-year-old, so "routine" might not be quite the right word. Still, there are some patterns.    Two-year-old Hank is an early riser, but Dad needs his coffee, which means that Hank often starts his day with some TV.   Then there might be some reading (social media posts count as reading, right?) before helping his wife get the kids out the door.   Then it’s time to run–usually a mile or two. Or it could be a longer trip but at a walking pace with the dog. Whether it’s a run or a dog-walk, he’ll likely be consuming some podcasts before returning home to consume some oatmeal and peanut butter.    The work day starts up around 9, and then it’s quite simply a matter of tackling whichever tasks pop up.    The coffee keeps flowing all day long, to the tune of probably 3 or 4 cups a day.    Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Scott Peper is not being overwhelmed with the duties of parenting three daughters, he’s focused on his work as CEO of Mobilization Funding. He also wrote The Big Book of Cash Flow, which aims to help commercial subcontractors and general contractors to navigate the financial aspect of successful projects.    Cash flow in the construction world is not like it is in most other businesses. Scott’s focus is helping clients get a grip on the math of it all–capital, expenses, margins, contingencies.   He says it’s all about knowing how much money you have in your pile of cash. But some of that pile might not be just profit from a given project. Among other things, it might be… a line of creditcash you’re infusing from your own pocketlong-term debtshort-term debt   Scott explains that traditional financing institutions sometimes fail to understand the dynamics that are unique to construction.    Tyler asks Scott to list cash-flow mistakes. He lists a few:   people living out of their checkbook rather than thinking ahead.not having accurate financial statementsfailure to consider forecasted expenses   Eddie points out that “cash flow can eat you.” Plenty of businesses go bankrupt due to a lack of attention to cash flow. Scott builds on that insight and says that cash flow is also key to positioning your company for growth. Scott suggests focusing on a 13-week cash-flow forecast, and he talks us through some hypothetical scenarios.   We discuss a variety of considerations that must be made before bidding on upcoming projects.    Eddie asks how big a cash pile should be in order to keep a business in a good place. Scott talks through an example scenario of a contractor facing growth opportunities. He says that most contractors are solid on the bidding process and executing over a work schedule. What many of them don’t know is how to invest in the job at the beginning of a project vs. the point where they’re cash-flow positive.    Tyler shares that he has recently experienced a version of this disconnect when he neglected to familiarize himself with the payment terms before signing a contract with a client. Luckily he has a buffer that has been sufficient.    Scott follows up by suggesting the idea of pricing a job a few percentage points higher to take financing costs into consideration. Your bid must take cash-flow and financing costs into consideration.    We discuss the trickle-down effects of failures to consider cash flow. A sub won’t order materials when they should if they don’t have the money to pay for them. Then, if the contract considered such contingencies, extra fees may worsen the situation for that sub.  As we shift our attention to solutions, Scott lists these things: Have a good finance mind somewhere in your business–a readily available person with meaningful insights. Have a cash-flow tool for each project, and examine reports daily to keep tabs on the small and big pictures.Communicate proactively with the other parties as circumstances change.   Just getting started? Scott suggests that you learn to leverage–leverage your experience, your expertise, your credit cards, and more.    Scott’s megaphone message: Performance is the one thing that will separate you from the competition. It will bring you a variety of rewards. Make yourself so undeniably great that contractors won’t want to work with anyone other than you. Don’t sell yourself short. Do not sacrifice the price that you need in order to perform well.   Here is a link to the free resources that Scott mentioned toward the end of the episode.    Find Scott Online: LinkedIn - Mobilization Funding - The Big Book of Cash Flow   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, in the first of a very short series (if two episodes can be called a series), Eddie talks us through the daily pattern that keeps him going.  Eddie is a man of routine. You’ll hear about a day that kicks off with a 5:30 alarm and includes a healthy supply of coffee among other things. There are some smoothies in there, as well as some ice cream. (Of course there’s also a collection of thoughtful leadership practices.)    We discuss how routines provide momentum and structure for our day–as well as which elements have the most harmful effect when they’re forgotten. Here is the David Goggins on Mars video we mention (in somewhat censored form). Enjoy! Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode includes a visual demonstration, so you may want to consider watching the Youtube version.   After a short story about deadly dumpling shenanigans, we shift to today’s guest, John Fay.   John is the founder and CEO of Låda Cube (pronounced Lauda Cube). Låda Cube produces pre-fab cassettes that are used in the place of conventional stud-and-drywall walls. John starts out with a review of how the cassettes function and the benefits they offer.     The refinement of production efficiencies has enabled Låda Cube to explore the benefits of standardization. This standardization yields multiple benefits: Final assembly is more consistent.Assembly can be handled by minimally skilled workersEntire walls can be disassembled and their parts reused–either when it’s time to reconfigure a space or in the case of a more complete demolition.   Låda Cube modules are small enough to be easily handled, and they fit together with a cam-lock system that each has 750 lbs of carrying power. The cassette-built wall can then be covered with a variety of finish surfaces that can be switched out when it’s time for a change of decor.    John explains that specialized cassettes can serve customized purposes: Increased load-bearing capacityPlug-and-play electrical systemsSpace for plumbing access   The goal is to have a system that never goes obsolete–that will be reverse compatible long into the future.   John shares about one of Låda Cube’s large recent projects, a series of WalMart vision centers. If the work on these centers would have been done using conventional methods, it would have taken 16 days per center. With the modules, each center was finished in 3 days.   We explore the topic of cost. As you might expect, this type of product is currently a premium product. Låda Cube is currently priced at $4.50/linear foot. John believes digitization and production improvements will eventually bring that number below $2.    The trickle-down benefits of standardization include faster estimates and reduced errors. John said his crew can generally give a phase-one drawing within just a few hours.   The Låda Cube team is now working on software integrations that will populate modules in the design phase so that estimates and invoices can be almost immediate and also transparent.    We discuss both cost and quality. John explains that the ½” MDF that is their current main skin finish material. He says that they’re occasionally using Avonite and, in the long run, would like to pursue partnerships with gypsum manufacturers to integrate small panels with easy seam solutions.    Tyler asks John to share some of the specific costs related to the Walmart vision center projects, including a large refund that the accountants struggled to process.     John anticipates the development of a third-party market for exchanging components of this sort of system. He explains that there is no reason for any of their products to ever end up in a landfill.   We hear about door integration when John explains that representatives from MillerKnoll contacted them to say that they’ve never hung a door on a truer wall. This is due to the fact that the Låda Cube cassettes are built to tolerances of 15/100”.   Eddie addresses some of the mindset shifts that owners, contractors, and municipalities will need to consider in transitioning to this sort of construction.    John’s Megaphone Message: The Låda Cube team sees themselves as changers of environments. When they approach a worksite, they try to remove the fear and tension that might be there. They want to show compassion and to champion people well. Find John Online: LinkedIn - Låda Cube    Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, we talked to Dr. Michael Bottlang about the rotational force that causes the majority of severe head injuries.   This got Eddie thinking about an earlier experience where we purchased hard hats for a demo and ended up with Type I hard hats when we’d intended to get a Type II.   Many contractors have chosen to shift to newer styles of helmets without looking at the protection data. They might be making these decisions to look like they’re cutting-edge or, frankly, because those wearing the helmets think they look better. The Type II helmets look a bit better, but Dr. Bottlang’s research suggests that the Type I helmets might actually provide greater protection.    Perhaps we (the larger, collective “we”) should examine the decisions we’ve made. Perhaps we should have the humility to admit that it’s time to turn back.    Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Norine Bagate is a teacher–not by profession but in practice. Professionally, she’s the founder of NWB Consulting, a technology-based firm that develops software aimed at helping owners ensure that projects are completed as smoothly as possible.    Here’s a quick rundown of Norine’s professional history:  Earned an architecture degree from University of Texas at AustinMoved to New York and worked in construction as a project managerManaged capital projects in the corporate world, which included working with an in-house design team Worked in the realm of construction law (in a non-lawyer role)     During her time in various aspects of construction, Norine came to realize that there was a problem with “Spearin risk,” which relates to the burden of legal liability in relation to owners and contractors. (If you’d like to learn more about the technicalities of Spearin doctrine and risk, read this article. If you’re not up for that adventure, you can just call it scope risk.) She decided to do something about that.   One way to look at it is that Norine helps people define the boundaries of responsibilities. This means planning thoughtfully in the earliest possible stages of projects. She recites a quote whose original source is uncertain: “The best plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy.”   Norine believes that the burden of discovery rests with the owner. The owner is the source of the financial incentives for all other parties in the construction process.   Norine shares a vivid analogy involving a shotgun and owners who are at risk of shooting themselves in the foot. Norine offers to hold the shotgun safely. She anticipates problems that nobody else sees or wants to face. She brings those to the front and addresses them proactively.    Norine says that owners need to digitalize their contracts, not just digitize them. Here’s an explanation of the difference.    Meta-governance helps in this process. It sets up a situation where you can share information without accepting risk from another party.    She helps companies work toward a content-based information system where information can be shared across silos while maintaining proper liability links. It’s about thinking in more than 2 dimensions and seeing a web of connections.    Why take so much time in advance to do this? Because it prevents battles. It makes everything move more smoothly and predictably.    Eddie asks Norine to discuss the dynamics of information silos. She argues that silos are healthy as long as governance is handled properly. Her company’s software translates structural engineers’ insights so they can be understood by architects and vice-versa.   We discuss the role that Ai might be able to play in this pursuit of increased communication and efficiency.   Norine believes “we have too many [software] applications of very low value.” She sees way too much time and energy being spent on cross-platform interpretation and believes we should work toward a more seamless solution.    We discuss these concerns from the perspective of wasted intellectual energy. So much time is spent figuring, comparing, and arguing.   Norine’s Megaphone Message: Building-project risk does not begin or end with construction. If we can internalize that, we’ll understand that you have to push discovery upstream to the earliest stages of planning. If there’s an unknown that can be made known, it’s best to know it and address it as soon as possible. Start interrogating early. Start doing robust due diligence early. Continue that culture of observation, interrogation, and validation throughout the entire process.   Find Norine Online: LinkedIn - NWB Consulting   Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-time listener, first-time caller–like the actual, very first caller! A couple weeks ago we announced our new Construction Brothers call line and invited you to leave a voicemail with a question or insight. A few of you stepped up, and today we address one of those questions. The question: In regard to leadership, which matters more: relationships or results? We discuss the fact that the clear answer is both. As we know, though, that’s often not possible.  Eddie presents two answers to this question–one from his 28-year-old self and one from his today self.  28-year-old Eddie was driven mostly by his competitive tendencies and was focused almost exclusively on results. He was trying to determine whether the construction field was where he belonged.  Over the years, he hasn’t necessarily grown less competitive. He has, however, experienced a decrease in the need for everyone to look around and see Eddie Campbell in the front. As a result, he’s come to value building a team that enjoys each other’s company.  Tyler finds that his focus fluctuates throughout a project and within a given day, being much more task-oriented at some points and more relationally oriented at other times. He gives an example of how he navigates conflict with greater consideration of his team members’ humanity. We wrap up with Tyler setting up Eddie for a demonstration of humility. Eddie steps up and graciously compliments Tyler’s leadership style.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We start with some light chat touching on “the crud,” night-snacking kids, and nosey people who tell you to eat salad.    Then we get to today’s substance: how to fix a stalled project.   Smooth progress determines profitability. So we try to work ahead, but before you know it… here come the RFIs.   Next comes a list of items that can hold a project hostage:   Operating-room lights Operable partition walls Decorative curtain walls  Design elements tied to seismic regions Grid lines that disagree Then the questions arise:  Who gets the last look?  Which teams can start early?  Who already did start early and got the cart before the horse?  What can team x do while waiting for team y to do their thing? So why do these tensions and timing misalignments occur? Of course, the exact answer to that is different every time.    The effect of these stalls goes beyond logistical havoc. It drains motivation and trust. It affects how likely you are to work with a given contractor.    Our guess as to how often this happens? At least 1 in 5–at least 20%.     Eddie talks about the popular contractor-grudge game he calls “You Gave Me an Excuse.” Projects that aren’t moving forward smoothly end up being pushed even further to the back burner because. Most contractors are looking to spend their time on something that brings in money.    And thumb-twiddling doesn’t bring in money.    This means that there’s the legitimate stall and there’s the “snow job” stall, when one party is just not even trying to get you back on the front burner.    Eddie discusses the different types of project managers and which ones simply know how to get things done.   So, what do we do?  Pick your people very carefully.  Get to know your people–know them well enough that you can read their stress levels and navigate problems together.  Use finesse. In other words, know where the questions need to go; know who's back needs to be scratched.  Communicate about communication. Ask people who have the answers you’re seeking. Work on developing instincts. Start with humility; then study interactions and learn.  Be a helper. When you’re helping those above and below you in the project, you’ll generate an atmosphere of smooth progress.  Evaluate yourself when you’re about to ask a question. Measure the importance of your request before you proceed. Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we start out by stepping into our time machine and looking at contrasting growth spurts in the Campbell home. We see 4-foot-11-inch teenager Eddie diligently chucking up those three-point attempts.   Then we fast-forward a few years. There we see 14-year-old, Tyler, making the most of his 6 feet and 2 inches not on the driveway basketball hoop, but on the violin.    Nature’s timelines can seem unfair. The same is true of professional timelines. It can leave you feeling left behind.   Our message: Cut yourself some slack! Stay the course! Don’t rush it!    Keep learning, and watch for opportunities to combine your passions, skills, and experience into something meaningful.     That’s the nugget of insight we offer in today’s Five-Minute Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(This episode contains several visual elements. Although we’ll provide some links below, consider watching the Youtube version if possible.) Welcome to The Headbanger’s Ball, where we talk about the fashion, the price, and the effectiveness of construction headgear.    Between 2003 and 2010, 2,210 construction workers died because of a traumatic brain injury (CDC.gov).   Dr. Michael Bottlang was born and raised in Germany. He then moved to the US to attend school, and went on to start a research lab in Portland, Oregon, where he explores brain-injury prevention. Dr. Bottlang reminds us that we have one brain, and it affects everything we do.   When it comes to helmet research, Dr. Bottlang says there has been a serious disconnect: The data shows that the vast majority of brain injuries occur through rotational force, but all testing is done with straight-line impact. He compares it to the agitator in a washing machine, which does its work through a long series of quick surges.   Slips, trips, and falls cause the greatest number of injuries on the job site. With these kinds of accidents, the head often hits the ground or another surface and then the neck flexes, resulting in rotational force to the brain.   To discuss this rotational force, Dr. Bottlang often used computer animations. After being disappointed with audience responses to the animations, Dr. Bottlang followed the recommendation of a friend and created a physical simulation with egg yolks in a simulated skull.    OSHA reports more than 54,000 cases of severe head injury a year, but this doesn’t include the cumulative effects of repeated small traumas to brains in sports and on worksites.   With government funding, Wavecel has been able to develop tests that more accurately simulate the dynamics of an actual head impact--including the tiny bit of rotation that often does the most damage.   Dr. Bottlang explains that the foam inside of a type II hard hat protects your skull effectively but can actually increase the rotational force that causes damage to the brain inside of that skull. That’s why he and his partners developed the Wavecel technology that allows the head to rotate slightly upon impact. The cushioning material inside a Wavecel helmet resembles the bendy part of a plastic drinking straw.    Of course, we touch on the topic of style. Wavecel material can go into any style of helmet. As far as construction workers, though, the vast majority still prefer the traditional brimmed style of helmet.    Dr. Bottlang discusses the surprising research results that says the climbing-style helmets are not as effective as type II hard hats when it comes to side impacts. He recommends that you turn your helmet over and see if it’s rated type II.    We proceed to talk about price. Dr. Bottlang draws an analogy to buying a car for your child and said that most of the employers who see the egg video are happy to shell out a little extra money for the Wavecel technology.    Dr. Bottlang’s Megaphone Message: Question what no one else questions. Don’t just assume. Check the rating of your helmet and then dig into what causes most brain injuries. Watch the egg video and realize that most brain injuries are caused by rotational force.    Find Bottlang online: LinkedIn -  Legacy Research Insititute - WaveCel    Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.