Titans of the Trades | Straight-Talk for Scaling Your Construction Business

SummaryIn this conversation, Scott Bohannon from CEO Warrior discusses common myths and misconceptions in business. He emphasizes the importance of practical application and tactical strategies in addition to mindset. The conversation covers topics such as time management, focusing on strengths, learning from failures, and the role of technology in business growth. Scott also provides insights into the work of CEO Warrior and how they support entrepreneurs in the contracting space.TakeawaysBuilding a great business takes time and is not achieved through a single silver bullet.Decide where you are willing to “suck” and focus on your strengths.Spend time learning from your business and continuously improve.Set clear expectations for the results you want to achieve.Learning from failures and adapting is crucial for success.CEO Warrior provides holistic support and practical tools for entrepreneurs in the contracting space.Chapters00:36 The Myth of the Silver Bullet02:08 The Importance of Time Management03:33 Deciding Where to Suck04:59 Focusing on a Few Marketing Activities06:14 Building on Strengths07:11 Hiring Complementary Skills09:09 Continuous Learning13:40 Setting Expectations for Results15:09 Learning from Failures18:38 Overview of CEO Warrior21:33 Conclusion Connect With Scott:Website: ceowarrior.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbohannon/ Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Your host, Ryan Englin, talks with the Founder and President of Rival Digital, Eric Thomas. Eric explored the concept of recruiting as a form of marketing, but targeted towards a different audience. Eric, with his deep expertise in marketing for the skilled trades, shed light on the effectiveness of simple strategies that are often overlooked or dismissed. The principles of marketing don't just apply to attracting customers—they're equally relevant when attracting talent to your team.Eric touched on the importance of featuring a team on social media and company websites. There's a common fear that by doing so, competitors might poach the best employees. However, Eric debunked this myth, emphasizing that highlighting a team can actually boost morale, create a positive company image, and even lead to organic recruitment opportunities.Eric discussed the tangible impact of celebrating team members on platforms like social media. Eric pointed out that recognizing accomplishments isn't just about feeling good—it's a strategic move that can foster organic sharing and enhance a company's reputation.Connect With Eric:Website: https://rivaldigital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-thomas-444388108/Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.Want to learn more about Ryan’s work at Core Matters? Check out his website at https://corematters.com/.  Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Your host, Ryan Englin, talks with the Founder of ELF Solutions, Erin Thorp. Erin’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as an army officer, she transitioned into the commercial world, where she became part of a legendary banking culture at Texas Commerce, which later became Chase Bank of Texas. Her experiences there, particularly the bank's 64 consecutive quarters of earnings growth, shaped her understanding of leadership and business success.After taking early retirement at 45, Erin embraced entrepreneurship and consulting, helping business leaders and owners reach new levels of success. Her passion for leadership development has been a constant throughout her career, and she considers herself a lifelong learner on the subject.Erin draws a clear distinction between being a manager and being a leader. She argues that while you can run a business by managing processes, embracing leadership is what builds a culture and continuity within a company. She points out that businesses with long-term employees are often the ones that have cultivated a strong, positive culture.Erin emphasized the importance of understanding and managing risk in business. She believes that while every business involves some level of risk, the hallmark of a successful entrepreneur is the ability to make educated judgments about how much risk to take and then move forward with confidence.To learn more about Erin‘s work, click HERE and HERE.Check out Erin’s book, Inside Out Empathy, HERE.Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

In this episode, we welcome back the CEO of the largest plumbing company in California, John Akhoian to dive into the pervasive myth of a talent shortage. John tells us that there is actually an abundance of capable individuals seeking dynamic companies.He argues that suitable candidates are plentiful but require intentional recruitment. With his business, Rooter Hero, he explains that their innovative solution involves a dedicated onboarding manager, ensuring consistent training and personalized support, not to mention a new buddy they can count on to steer them in the right direction.John tells how he standardized the onboarding processes, offering insights into Rooter Hero's success in creating a friendlier, more supportive workplace. With this deep dive into retention strategies, John provides proof that with the right recruitment, training, and ongoing support you can transform employees into long-term assets.If you want to take a closer look at these strategies, John recommends checking out Rooter Hero’s resources, accessible via their website rooterhero.com/books, offering information rich in practical insights and tips for business success.Episode Highlights:[01:43] The biggest myth about the talent pool.[02:55] Retention starts with company culture, not talent shortage.[05:17] Constant contact and buddies help new hires in the first 90 days.[07:29] Spending time properly guiding new employees is crucial.[08:18] John’s buddy program helps train and befriend new employees.[09:00] Gallup says work friends boost engagement.[10:27] Entry-level roles and training help inexperienced hires succeed.[12:44] Tips for smaller companies to champion onboarding with their team.[14:43] John’s books provide quick tips and lessons from growing his company.[17:08] Focus on culture and lean on your team for training and retention.Connect with John Akhoian:Website: https://rooterhero.com/Books: https://rooterhero.com/books Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

In this episode, I welcome the author of The Career Toolkit, Mark Herschberg, an expert in leadership and career development. We talk about the myths surrounding soft skills, challenging the notion that they are innate talents rather than learned abilities. Mark says  assuming these skills can't be taught isn’t correct.He provides practical advice for business leaders seeking to promote growth within their teams and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the unique skill sets required for different roles. Mark introduces a novel approach to continuous learning through the Brain Bump app, ensuring key insights from podcasts, books, and talks are readily accessible for daily reinforcement.Mark has a wealth of actionable strategies, from creating peer learning groups to the critical art of managing expectations during transitions. This episode serves as a compass for leaders navigating the often-overlooked realm of soft skills development, paving the way for a workforce that thrives on adaptability and continual improvement.Episode Highlights:[01:37] The biggest myth about soft skills.[03:09] How to build any skill as a habit.[05:11] The practice of skill-building should include coaching and feedback.[07:45] More management training is needed for soft skills.[09:15] How to set skill growth expectations.[11:05] Look back at your own journey to see how you can help.[12:19] Perspective of the employee will affect trainability.[14:05] What kind of expectations should we set for training?[15:50] Warning signs of the wrong employee or the wrong coaching.[17:00] Create an environment with an open mindset for learning.[19:42] Mark’s book The Career Toolkit and app Brain Bump.[22:32] How the app can help you retain information and use it when it’s needed.[24:28] The biggest takeaways.Connect with Mark Herschberg:• The Career Toolkit Book: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/• The Free Brain Bump App: https://brainbumpapp.com/If you found this episode insightful, don't forget to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What truly holds business leaders back? Darren Virassammy, Co-Founder of 34 Strong, joins me in this episode to talk about strategies that meet the unique needs of your workforce. Darren advocates for a strengths-based approach to human development, guiding leaders in understanding their employees and unleashing their best potential. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

Dustin Stelzer joins me in this episode to address the pressing need to transform how we train the next generation of technicians. Faced with a growing labor shortage, he discusses strategies to make trades more appealing to future generations. From dispelling stereotypes to showcasing the financial rewards, Dustin emphasizes the multifaceted approach required to inspire a new wave of talent. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

This is the passionate conversation I had with Bryan Clayton, where we unraveled the myths that shackle entrepreneurs in their pursuit of business growth and success. He highlights a key distinction between hard work and difficult work, emphasizing that it's not just about the hustle and the grinding but about strategic thinking and problem-solving. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

As trade businesses seek continuous improvement and innovation, renowned author and expert Mark Graban is my guest this week to explore the common myths that hinder business growth. In this episode, Mark will pull back the curtain on data issues you might be dealing with, as well as provide us with a better approach to building a positive culture for your team. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.

What strategies have you found effective in recruiting and retaining talent in the trades? If you’re struggling to answer that, then you’ll have to tune into this episode with Wayne Gibson from RIDDLEBERGER BROTHERS, INC (RBI). He shares his successful strategies in recruiting and retaining talent and the critical task of investing in your people. Support Titans of the Trades: If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.