

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

8 snips
Dec 6, 2024 • 7min
89: Better Financial Results Start With This
Learn powerful strategies to boost profits and accountability in your organization. Discover two methods for assigning financial responsibility that promote clear ownership over metrics. Transform financial statements into actionable insights with monthly strategy reviews. Drive results and cultivate a culture of ownership, all aimed at enhancing business success.

14 snips
Dec 4, 2024 • 15min
88: Listen to This Before You Set Another Business Goal
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Is your business stuck chasing goals that don’t move the needle?In this episode, Steve shares his proven five-step framework to set goals that solve your biggest challenges and drive real results. Learn how to identify your organization’s key constraint, create focused initiatives, and execute actions that lead to measurable success.With practical examples and actionable advice, Steve walks you through the strategies that have transformed struggling companies into profitable powerhouses.Tune in to unlock the secrets of focused growth and long-term 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.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Nov 26, 2024 • 14min
87: The Key to Revolutionizing Products, Sales, and Operations
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Are you leaving massive growth on the table? Discover the untold strategies behind building billion-dollar companies and turning failing businesses into unstoppable forces.In this episode, Steve reveals how to pinpoint your ideal customers, create products they can’t resist, and optimize every part of your business for explosive results.These game-changing insights have transformed companies—and they can do the same for you. Don’t miss out on the strategies that could redefine your success. Listen now! 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.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Nov 21, 2024 • 11min
86: How Strategy Really Works
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth What’s holding your business back from its full potential?In this episode, Steve shares the proven frameworks and strategies that have helped companies overcome their biggest challenges and unlock immense value. Learn how to identify key constraints, create clarity across your organization, and align your team around actions that truly move the needle.From simplifying complex strategy concepts to introducing the powerful IAR Framework, Steve delivers actionable insights you can apply to drive growth and financial success. Ready to transform your approach? Tune in and start your journey to building a more focused, profitable 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.LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

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
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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.LinkedIn | YouTube 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
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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. LinkedIn | YouTube 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
Business growth often stalls due to overlooked constraints. A proven framework helps leaders identify and address their biggest obstacles. Real-world examples showcase transformations from struggling companies to success stories. The importance of focusing resources on a single strategic issue is emphasized, alongside practical strategies for prioritizing essential tasks. Learn how to improve cash flow and boost company value without burning out. Tune in for actionable insights that drive long-term success!