

Building Margin
Steve Coughran
Welcome to Building Margin: Strategies for Business Owners Who Want to Think Bigger and Earn More. If you're a construction or service business owner working harder than ever, but still struggling with cash flow, profit margin, or burnout, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Steve Coughran of Coltivar, Building Margin helps you take back control of your business, stop guessing with your numbers, and start making decisions that actually move the needle. Each episode dives into what really drives success: clear strategy, confident leadership, and a business that doesn’t depend on you for everything. You’ll learn how to grow your business with less stress, improve financial clarity, and create margin—in your time, your team, and your bottom line. Whether you’re trying to scale, step back, or just finally get ahead, this show helps you build something that lasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2024 • 11min
85: 3 Must-Know Fundamentals for Smarter Business Strategies
Unlock the secrets to business success with three game-changing fundamentals. Discover how to align strategy with finance for impactful planning. Learn to identify and resolve your company's biggest constraints while honing in on what truly matters. Real-world examples illustrate how to ditch ineffective approaches and avoid costly pitfalls. Get ready to transform your strategy and drive meaningful growth!

Nov 14, 2024 • 12min
84: If Your Strategy Isn’t Working, Check These Things First
In this episode, we dive into the hidden dangers of business growth and why not every path leads to success. Steve breaks down the core elements of strategy vs. planning and shares insights from his experience generating over a billion dollars in value by pinpointing what truly drives success.Learn why defining your "strategic problem" is critical, how to identify your ideal customer profile, and the powerful link between strategy and finance that can make or break your business.Whether you're navigating growth or looking to strengthen your foundation, this episode offers practical steps to avoid common pitfalls and steer your company toward lasting profitability.Tune in to discover how a well-crafted strategy can transform your business from the inside out! Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.www.coltivar.com

Nov 7, 2024 • 12min
83: I've Spent 15 Years Studying Strategy. Here's What I've Learned
Discover six powerful lessons from a veteran strategist with 15 years of experience. Learn the importance of simplifying your business strategy to avoid common pitfalls. Dive into the IAR framework that focuses on initiatives, actions, and results. Understand why flexibility and continuous dialogue are key for successful execution. Get insights on how to create effective, focused strategies that drive real results and help businesses thrive.

Nov 5, 2024 • 12min
82: The 4 Ways Initiatives Help You to Crush Your Strategy
In this episode, Steve Coughran shares how to turn a solid strategy into real results using his IAR framework: Initiatives, Actions, and Results. After defining purpose, principles, and market focus, the next step is execution—and that’s where most companies stumble.Steve explains how to set the right strategic initiatives—ones that tackle core problems, elevate customer experience, drive innovation, and strengthen competitive advantage. Drawing from his work scaling and turning around businesses, he shows how execution isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.Perfect for leaders ready to move from planning to performance. Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

Oct 24, 2024 • 15min
81: The One Truth I'll Never Stop Trying to Share
Discover the vital financial metrics that can boost your business's profitability and growth. Explore the significance of free cash flow over profit and how cash shortages can impact even successful companies. Learn to calculate key figures like gross profit margin and customer acquisition costs. It's all about making data-driven decisions that foster continuous improvement. Get practical insights to empower your business strategy and optimize your operational efficiency for long-term success.

Oct 22, 2024 • 10min
80: Straight Up Advice for Those Making Strategic Decisions
Many business owners struggle to grow because they overlook the one key constraint that holds them back. In this episode, Steve Coughran shares a proven framework he’s used to turn around and grow multi-million and billion-dollar companies. Discover how to identify your business's biggest obstacle and focus your resources on solving it for exponential growth. Steve discusses real-world examples and offers practical, actionable steps to boost your company’s value, improve cash flow, and drive long-term success—without burning out. Tune in and learn how to pinpoint the constraint that’s limiting your potential.Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

Oct 17, 2024 • 10min
79: Mastering Strategy and Finance to Drive Value
Entrepreneurs often miss out on potential profits due to flaws in strategy and mindset. Steve Coughran reveals how he turned around billion-dollar companies by refining business strategies and understanding financials. Key topics include the importance of cash flow management and creating intrinsic value. Practical steps are shared to boost company value and achieve long-term success without extra hours. Learn to prioritize initiatives and navigate constraints for enhanced strategic objectives.

Oct 15, 2024 • 11min
78: 6 Key Financial Concepts You Should Know
Dive into the essentials of mastering financial concepts crucial for business success. Discover how free cash flow and key drivers like NOPAT and working capital can transform your operations. Explore growth strategies and WACC, all while gaining practical insights aimed at CEOs and business leaders. This enlightening discussion focuses on actionable steps that can help you build long-term value and enhance your financial acumen.

Oct 10, 2024 • 15min
77: This is Why CPAs Can Hurt Your Financial Performance
CPAs play a vital role in business, but sometimes their focus on compliance and transactional details can hurt your financial performance. In this episode, Steve discusses how CPAs can miss the bigger picture, focusing too much on accounting rules instead of the true economics of your business. He explains why it’s important to go beyond compliance and understand value drivers like price premiums, cost efficiencies, and customer growth to boost profitability. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your CPA, this episode will help you avoid common financial traps and maximize the potential of your business. Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com

Oct 8, 2024 • 10min
76: This is Why You're Stuck and Your Strategy is Broken
Focus is the key to unlocking business success. In this podcast, Steve shares how identifying and solving constraints in your business can lead to massive growth. He breaks down his proven framework for crafting strategies that drive value by focusing on the right initiatives and actions. If you feel stuck or your strategy isn’t delivering results, Steve's insights will guide you through overcoming roadblocks and scaling your business. Whether you're a CEO or business owner, these practical lessons will help you stay laser-focused on the most impactful actions for success. Disclaimer:The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information. www.coltivar.com