Contractor Evolution

David Jenyns, author of SYSTEMology and an expert in streamlining business processes, shares invaluable insights on systemizing contracting businesses. He breaks down the stages of systemization and discusses prioritizing which systems to implement first. David emphasizes the importance of involving your team in this process and introduces the concept of a 'systems champion' to foster a culture of efficiency. The conversation also touches on the critical role of accurate estimating and how strong systems can significantly enhance operational performance.

Dive into the essentials of strategic planning and discover why the right environment is crucial for creativity and focus. The hosts emphasize balancing personal well-being with business growth, warning against hasty decisions. Learn how to set clear goals and metrics while fostering team collaboration. Highlights include the importance of proactive hiring and adapting plans amidst challenges. Enjoy insights on simplifying planning processes and achieving a shared vision for long-term success, all while navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

In this engaging discussion, Todd Herman, a peak performance coach for billionaires and elite athletes, dives into the transformative power of alter egos. He reveals how different versions of ourselves can enhance performance in various aspects of life. Todd shares insights on using alter egos to confront self-image challenges and boost confidence. The conversation also critiques the limitations of personality labels, encouraging a growth mindset. Tune in for practical tips that can revolutionize how you approach challenges and personal development!

Ryan Markewich, founder of Creative Roots Landscaping, leads a discussion with team members Jacob Markewich, Rik Van Espen, and Zac Neufield on the innovative practice of open book management. They share how transparency in financials boosts company culture and employee satisfaction. The team dives into the benefits of financial literacy, collaborative communication, and profit sharing, revealing how openness fosters accountability and enhances performance. They also challenge myths about employee engagement, highlighting how a supportive culture inspires a desire for personal growth.

Rob Levin, co-founder of Work Better Now and author of The New Talent Playbook, dives into the world of offshore talent. He discusses the types of roles that can be effectively filled by remote workers, challenging common misconceptions against them. Rob provides insights on leveraging virtual assistants to enhance efficiency in contracting businesses. He also emphasizes the importance of English proficiency, the adaptation of recruitment practices post-pandemic, and the role of technology in optimizing operations, offering a fresh perspective on talent management.

Ellen Rohr, an industry legend and founder of Zoom Drain, shares her wealth of knowledge about contractor pricing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of understanding costs and effectively communicating value. Ellen discusses how to determine what to charge based on financial goals and market positioning. She also delves into the significance of billable hours and training sales teams to confidently convey pricing. In a world of inflation, she offers insights on adapting pricing while maintaining customer relationships and industry standards.

Get your free guide to being COACHABLE here: https://trybta.com/DL201  To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP201 Today’s episode has a very specific purpose. We’ve gathered four of our world-class business coaches to give advice to contractors who are just beginning to systemize their business with Breakthrough Academy. If you chose this episode, you are either: Through conversations with Coach Harold, Coach Ashley, Coach Brayden and Coach Shane, you’ll learn: Episode Highlights: 00:00-Intro02:16-Why do most people start BTA?04:16-Successful Members vs. those who struggle07:53-New Member red flags09:59-The first six months: what to expect11:36-Mindset tips for faster results12:36-How to implement faster and be more coachable14:45-Importance of the BTA community19:50-How coaches help struggling Members21:23-How to become data-driven23:50-Coaching pet peeves26:01-The first year: what to expect29:22-Best part of being a BTA coachSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP200  Today is a very special day for the team here at Contractor Evolution. Today, we’re releasing our 200th episode. We've spoken to some incredible guests, and that has helped us build a following of the coolest listeners in the world. So... if you've been on the show or just listen to it, we want to express profound gratitude to you. To say we are humbled and proud would be to say nothing at all. For this milestone episode, we're going back through some of Benji's favorite episodes and talking through the lessons we took away from the conversations. Episode Highlights: 00:00-Intro01:40-How To Create A Vivid Vision For Your Company - Cameron Herold10:16-Which Fire Should I Put Out Next? - Mike Michalowicz14:26-Is Blue-Collar Work Making a Comeback? - Ken Rusk20:47-What’s Your Business REALLY Worth? - John Warrilow26:45-Thinking Lean: Eliminate Waste Through Continuous Improvement - Paul Akers31:14-Mark Bradley: From 0 To 50MM + Founding LMN - Mark Bradley34:58-SOP's: Why Your Business Is A Mess & What To Do About It - Tom Hughes41:45-How To Buy Back Your Time - Dan Martell 50:15-Matt Risinger on Hiring - Matt Risinger56:02-Negotiation Tactics for Contractors - Chris Voss01:01:56-Is Wrapping Your Vehicles Worth It? - Dan AntonelliSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP199  Use code TRADE2025 to get $10 off a copy of the Motivated By Appreciation Inventory for Trades here: https://shop.appreciationatwork.com/collections/mba-inventory (limit one code per email, good through March 15, 2025). Ever wonder why your staff feel “under-appreciated?” Like—you tell them they’re doing a good job, you take them for lunch every now and then, and you pay them fairly. And yet there’s always someone who feels like you don’t value their contributions. Our guest today, Dr. Paul White, has some possible answers.  He coauthored The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace alongside Gary Chapman, the man who coined the five love languages many of us are familiar with. The idea is simple: not everyone experiences appreciation the same way. Some like verbal praise, some find meaning in gifts, others need quality time with their manager or team. This conversation is about how to recognize the best way to appreciate your team, and the tangible impact appreciation can have on your business. Episode Highlights: 00:00-Intro 01:13-About Dr. Paul 03:01-Appreciation in the trades 08:12-Is blue-collar work underappreciated? 12:43-The psychology of appreciation? 16:03-Misconceptions about appreciation at work 17:52-The 5 Languages of Appreciation 18:21-Words of Affirmation 25:00-Quality Time 31:22-Acts of Service 35:21-Gifts 39:07-Physical Touch 41:09-Tools & assessments for appreciation at work 43:32-How to install appreciation across your organizationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get your free SOP starter kit here: https://trybta.com/DL198  To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP198   Ever wonder why some contractors scale smoothly to 7-figures and beyond while others constantly get stuck in an operational hellhole? Clients constantly badgering you… Crews relying on you to answer every single question… Margins so depressing they could make a grown man cry… The good news is, there’s a relatively simple tool that can help you solve most of your operational challenges.  SOPs (standard operating procedures). A while back, I co-hosted a comprehensive SOP web class with the one and only Matt Risinger, CEO of Risinger Build and founder of the Build Show Network. We covered everything you need to know about SOPs, based on Breakthrough Academy’s work with over 1500 contractors and Matt Risinger’s own experience scaling two massive companies. Today, we’re releasing that class as a podcast episode so more contractors can benefit from Matt’s insights. Episode Highlights: 00:00-Intro02:13-About the web class06:50-What part of your operations frustrates you the most?15:11-SOP Red Flags25:52-Where to start with SOPs35:34-How to build SOPs50:04-Change management58:54-Why SOPs fail01:00:49-The evolution of the entrepreneur01:02:09-Implement SOPs faster with the Contractor Growth Method01:04:53-Q&ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.