PowerTips Unscripted

Victoria and Mark are just back from their own peer group meeting, and were inspired by what they learned. In particular, they were excited by something they heard from another member, Wayne Rivers. Wayne has a video blog, and we’re picking up one of his episodes about leadership. He says leaders tolerate bad behaviors in their organizations too often, and it can cost you money and time. The culture of any organization is shaped by the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate. You may hear some things that hit home for you in his talk. Wayne Rivers, the Founder and President of Performance Construction Advisors, and celebrated for his four influential books. He’s a sought-after media figure, appearing on Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, and “BusinessWeek: WEEKEND,” and serves as a Wall Street Journal Expert Panelist. In addition, Wayne’s wisdom is featured in Forbes, Fortune, BusinessWeek, and The New York Times. With a wealth of articles, a 15-year blog, and workshops for prestigious organizations like Harley-Davidson and YPO, he brings a wealth of experience to PCA. Honored as a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute, Wayne’s dedication reflects his passion for building better contractors. Wayne gives examples of toxic employee behavior in his talk today, and tells you how you can curb them, including: The reasons you keep bad employees Why you need to have performance reviews The definition of stewardship Why you need to have a recruiting system Developing your spine The benefits of outside support for leaders The improve or remove system And more … Want this kind of clarity and accountability in your own business? What Victoria and Mark experienced—and what Wayne reinforces—is exactly why Remodelers Advantage Roundtables exist. In a trusted peer group, you’re challenged to stop tolerating what’s holding your business back, learn from owners who’ve been there, and get outside perspective before problems become expensive mistakes. Roundtables give you the structure, peer accountability, and experienced facilitation leaders need to grow stronger teams, healthier cultures, and more profitable businesses—without going it alone. Learn more about Remodelers Advantage Roundtables and apply today. Get Started Today The post A Leader’s Inactions Are Just as Important as Actions with Wayne Rivers – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

Jef Forward, owner of Forward Design Build, shares his innovative approach to training teams through virtual ride-alongs, moving away from traditional methods. He highlights the impact of AI in improving sales processes and team performance. Jef explains how AI tools like RillaVoice enhance communication and save time, resulting in higher conversion rates. He discusses effective coaching through conversation metrics and the importance of clarity in client interactions. Jef's insights reveal how technology can streamline onboarding and elevate organizational success.

Doug Howard, a senior consultant at Remodelers Advantage, shares his expertise on creating a reliable referral system for lead generation. He explains what a referral engine is and discusses the importance of having a formal process in place. Doug highlights how to track referrals effectively and suggests maintaining strong contact with referrers. He also shares clever tactics to enhance referrals, like celebrating successes and educating referrers. With lively insights drawn from his experience, Doug illustrates how structured strategies can turn good connections into thriving business opportunities.

In this discussion, Alan Hanbury, a seasoned remodeling expert and former owner of House of Hanbury Builders, shares invaluable insights from his 45-year career. He emphasizes the critical importance of accurate job costing, warning against relying solely on gut feelings. Alan also dives into the challenges of hiring amid labor shortages and the pitfalls of over-relying on referrals for growth. With practical tips for managing costs and understanding margins, he aims to help contractors boost profitability and sustainability in their businesses.

In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, host Victoria Downing chats with Jessica Lipson, Vice President of People and Culture at JBL Consulting, about building strong leadership within your remodeling business. Jessica, who brings over 20 years of HR experience, shares her insights on identifying high-potential leaders, developing effective mentorship programs, and fostering non-toxic, inclusive company cultures.Jessica explains the difference between high-performing employees, who excel in their current roles, and high-potential employees, who show the drive and emotional intelligence to lead in the future. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing tools like behavioral assessments and regular one-on-ones to spot these emerging leaders.Victoria and Jessica also dive into:The key skills future leaders should possess, such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability.How to balance formal training with real-world leadership experiences.Practical strategies for resolving workplace conflict and building a respectful, productive team culture. Loved Jessica’s insights on the podcast? Bring her expertise directly into your business. From identifying emerging leaders to designing sustainable culture initiatives, Jessica works hands-on with remodeling companies to elevate their people and performance. Reach out to Jessica for consulting today. The post Developing Your Company’s Future Leaders with Jessica Lipson – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

Join Jeff Borovitz, a seasoned sales and leadership trainer, as he dives into the pitfalls that hinder success in the remodeling industry. He reveals the crucial difference between being liked and earning trust, emphasizing the importance of clear agreements to prevent misunderstandings. Jeff advocates for normalizing budget discussions and developing strategies to disqualify poor-fit clients. With rapid-fire insights and a core takeaway of clarity over confusion, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom for designers and production teams.

Chad Vincent, CEO of Renaissance Remodeling in Boise, shares his journey from the family business to a leading figure in remodeling. He discusses the critical challenge of labor estimating, emphasizing the need for efficiency. Listeners will learn about innovative methods to simplify this process and the importance of educating designers on labor costs. Chad also highlights strategies to reduce estimating time while improving accuracy and profitability, all peppered with humor and personal anecdotes that make the insights both relatable and entertaining.

Andrew Schroeder, Owner and General Manager of Schroeder Design Build, shares his real estate wisdom honed from years in remodeling and house flipping. He discusses strategic investments for maximum returns and how to maintain a productive pipeline without relying on new clients. Andrew highlights the importance of separate LLCs for flipping, outlines target profit margins, and emphasizes adapting quality to neighborhood demands. With insights on balancing risks and growth plans, he reveals his relentless pursuit of improvement in both fitness and business.

Today on PowerTips Unscripted, Thomas Croessman joins the show to discuss the need for small business owners to plan for their company’s transition in their estate plan.  While your business might be humming along now, how will it perform if you’re not around? Unfortunately, most small businesses only survive the first generation because of estate planning and communication failures. Thomas explains Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Trusts, when those documents become effective. He also gives some practical tips to help the transition go smoothly. Thomas Croessmann is the Managing Partner of Croessmann & Westberg, P.C., a construction law firm in the DC area. The firm is a full-service law firm for construction contractors. Thomas, Victoria, and Mark talk more about: What is an Estate Plan? What is Power of Attorney, and when is it used? And more… The post Estate Planning 101 with Thomas Croessman – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted] appeared first on PowerTips Unscripted.

Spencer Powell, CEO of Builder Funnel and author of The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint, shares his insights on marketing for remodeling businesses. He emphasizes the importance of establishing clear goals to drive strategic marketing, rather than following fad tactics. Spencer stresses tracking and measuring results to transform marketing from guesswork into data-driven decisions. He also suggests budgeting for experiments while focusing on proven channels, and highlights the significance of planning ahead to set clear objectives. Don't miss his advice on building a sustainable marketing strategy!