

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

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
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Oct 8, 2024 • 10min
76: This is Why You're Stuck and Your Strategy is Broken
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth 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. LinkedIn | YouTube coltivar.com

Oct 3, 2024 • 14min
75: Stop Selling and Try This Instead
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Creating a compelling offer is key to success in business. If your product or service solves your customers' biggest pain points, you don't need to hard-sell—it will sell itself. In this podcast, Steve shares the strategies he's used to grow businesses, including how to package your offer to be irresistible, the importance of conviction in what you're offering, and why solving your customers' core problems is your fiduciary responsibility. Whether you're just starting out or scaling a multi-million dollar company, these insights will help you achieve lasting growth and profitability. 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 1, 2024 • 14min
74: This is Why Profitable Companies Fail
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth Cash flow is often more important than profit when evaluating a business. Many companies with high profits struggle due to poor management of working capital and capital expenditures. Focusing on free cash flow, the true indicator of a company's financial health, leads to better investment decisions. Understanding how to analyze a business beyond EBITDA and profit margins, factoring in working capital needs and capital intensity, can help you optimize your business for long-term growth and 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

Sep 27, 2024 • 15min
73: What You Need to Know About Working Capital
Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth In this episode, we dive into the essential topic of working capital and its critical role in a company's financial health. Steve breaks down the difference between working capital and operating working capital, explaining why it's vital for managing cash flow and preventing financial surprises. Through real-world examples, you'll learn how changes in current assets and liabilities impact your cash position and why focusing on operating working capital is key to sustaining daily operations. Tune in to better understand this hidden driver of business 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

Sep 19, 2024 • 11min
72: Listen to This If You Think Finance Is for the Birds and Nerds
In this engaging discussion, Steve, a seasoned strategist from Coltivar, highlights the vital link between strategy and finance. He emphasizes that financial literacy is essential for avoiding the 82% of business failures linked to poor cash flow. Steve breaks down key financial statements like income statements and balance sheets, providing insight into their importance for success. He shares practical strategies for merging mission with financial goals, enhancing cash flow, and ultimately boosting profitability, empowering leaders to tackle financial challenges head-on.

Sep 12, 2024 • 11min
71: The 2 Value Drivers That Will Make Your Business Wildly Profitable
Discover the secrets to skyrocketing your business profitability by focusing on growth and return on invested capital. Learn how innovation can help you sidestep market wars, emphasizing the importance of creating new products over competing for market share. Dive into strategies for effectively balancing customer acquisition costs with their lifetime value. Prioritize meaningful strategic improvements to ensure lasting profitability, avoiding the pitfalls of short-term thinking.

Sep 5, 2024 • 10min
70: Do You Really Have a Competitive Advantage
Discover how to truly assess your business's competitive advantage beyond just beliefs or talent. Learn the significance of metrics like return on invested capital (ROIC) versus weighted average cost of capital (WACC). A significantly higher ROIC could indicate strong potential for success. The conversation dives into aligning your advantages with what customers value, paving the way for long-term growth and profitability. Tune in for strategic insights that could transform your business approach!