The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

Today, Tom's guest is Matt Warner, founder + CEO of Empire Netting and Fence. Matt talked about the "Building a Culture of Excellence" video on his website — a video of one of Matt's Monday morning meetings. He shares why he started the Monday morning meetings, how he built the company's culture through the meeting, and what financial impact it has created.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [01:42] - Matt's background [06:44] - Monday Meeting video on Matt's Website [07:58] - Backstory of the Monday morning meetings [10:16] - Holding the team accountable for poor performance [12:19] - Earning the right to get angry on your team [15:08] - Story of the Monday morning meeting video [19:40] - Loving and caring for the team [20:56] - Tom's way of having a tough convo with his team [23:51] - Advice for contractors facing employee issues [28:29] - Things Matt looks for in his employees [30:38] - Matt's process for evaluating employees for more responsibility [33:52] - Starting the week with a positive meeting to avoid Monday blues [35:40] - Three things Matt covers in the Monday meeting [40:58] - Attracting a waiting list of people due to strong company culture [42:00] - Meeting in a circle to show equality [46:23] - Small group huddles to develop relationships [49:56] - Increased profits due to Monday meetings [53:37] - Loving up on your people and investing in them [54:50] - Tom's transition from CEO to founder of the company [01:00:36] - MySalesman app Resources: == Empire Netting and Fence: https://empire-fence.com/about-us/   == Missed the Mile High Profit Summit in Denver? Don't miss out on the Summit recordings! Grab the opportunity to access the full summit content. Click: https://thecontractorfight.com/mhps-recordings 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Cherry picking jobs that are easier, more profitable and suits well with your team's skill and experience sets everyone up for success and keeps your team happy and productive. Today Tim and Derek discuss the importance of being selective about the jobs you take on and how it benefits you and your team.   In this episode, they discuss: Lessons from Derek’s past experience where he took on a difficult job that ended up costing him money Why you should be selective and cherry-pick easier, more profitable jobs The importance of protecting not just yourself but also your team Ensuring that your team members are focused on work instead of worrying about money Pricing jobs well to ensure everyone's happiness – client, team, and you Resources: == Missed the Mile High Profit Summit in Denver? Don't miss out on the Mile High Profit Summit recordings! Grab the opportunity to access the full summit content. 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Many contractors think their breakeven point is simply their monthly overhead amount, but that is incorrect. Continuing the basics of the contractor business math series, Tom discusses how to correctly calculate your breakeven point as a contractor to avoid financial struggles.    In this episode, Tom discusses: How to calculate the breakeven point Difference between breakeven point and overhead costs Examples to show the difference in breakeven revenue at 30%, 40%, and 50% gross profits How gross profit impacts the number of jobs and leads needed each month to reach breakeven The importance of knowing your numbers  Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Your sales posture is the confident way you carry yourself in front of the clients. It can make or break your ability to land big deals. In this episode, the guys talk about Derek’s recent experience with a difficult client to show the importance of developing and mastering a strong sales posture.   In this episode, they discuss: The story of how Derek dealt with a difficult client Having a solid sales posture to stand up to pushy clients Addressing problems upfront so there would be no surprises later in the project Pricing confidently and not lowballing your pricing Strengthening your posture by not appearing desperate in front of the client Resources: == Missed the Mile High Profit Summit in Denver? Don't miss out on the Mile High Profit Summit recordings! Grab the opportunity to access the full summit content. 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

It is important to understand your overhead if you want success in your business. Pricing jobs correctly, setting sales and lead generation goals, or hitting profit targets become impossible when you do not know your real overheads. In this quick episode, Tom breaks down what overhead really means for your contracting business.    Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [00:48] - What is overhead [02:26] - Fixed expenses [03:08] - Variable expenses [03:49] - Understanding overhead is important for financial success [04:48] - 50% GP – fastest way to make more money Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

When giving proposals to clients, what do you write your estimates with? Do you use a pen or a pencil? Using a pencil makes it look like you are unsure of your numbers or open to negotiation. But using a pen shows confidence in your numbers and lowers the chance of negotiations.   Tim and Derek want you to have confidence in your numbers and not feel the need to lower estimates during negotiations with clients. They want you to run your business with solid pricing so you don't undermine your own worth through unnecessary price adjustments. In this episode, they discuss: Whether to write estimates in pencil or pen and the consequences of each choice Avoid sharpening your pencil or adjusting prices when talking to customers  Sharpening your pencil gives the client a position to negotiate Having your numbers figured out beforehand so you don't need to negotiate Being clear, organized, and having the right sales training so you aren't insecure about your numbers Resources: 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Today, Tom is taking it back to the fundamentals of running a successful contracting business. Join him as he offers a crash course on basic contractor business, explaining the key terms of the business world in simple language to help contractors understand the numbers behind their business.    Conversation Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [01:50] - Revenue [02:15] - Sales [03:14] - Cost of goods sold/ Direct costs [05:50] - Gross profit [06:52] - Overhead [08:31] - Break-even point [10:34] - Net profit [12:58] - Cost per lead [13:46] - Cost per sale [14:03] - Closing rate [14:22] - Average sale [15:47] - Closing remarks Get your free Contractor Math Cheat Sheet and dive deeper into these concepts. Get access to it here: https://thecontractorfight.com/math/  Resources: ❄️ Winter slowdown? No problem! Jump into BATTLEGROUND with this HOT offer! Sign up for 3 months of contractor coaching and we'll gift you 1 month FREE. Make the most of your winter downtime and learn from our kick-ass team of coaches. Jump in before October 31st. https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground   💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Derek Johnson and Tim Cutroni, talk about the shift from simply consuming business knowledge to actively implementing it. They draw from their experiences in landscaping and construction to explain how excessive information consumption can lead to analysis paralysis. They highlight the significance of being adaptable and flexible in the face of change, discussing the idea of impermanence and how it applies to both the contracting and entrepreneurial worlds.   Resources: == Here's your chance to take your business to the next level during the slower winter months. Sign up for 3 months of BATTLEGROUND before 10/31 and get a month free. Visit https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground/ to grab this incredible offer! 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Tom continues his discussion on gross profit — often misunderstood but a key component of running a profitable business in the contracting world. The better the gross profit, the better experiences you can provide to your clients, employees, and your families. He also shares why contractors need to be aiming for 50% gross profit — anything less makes it challenging to do business in the long term.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro [01:05] - Five reasons to aim for 50% gross profit [01:24] - The fastest way to make more money [03:01] - Contractors deserve to be paid well [05:30] - Financial goals are met with fewer jobs [07:01] - Overhead recovery is easier [09:20] - Provide better experiences for all [11:09] - Wrap-up  Resources: == Here's your chance to take your business to the next level! A game-changing deal is coming your way soon that could turn your success around. Visit https://thecontractorfight.com/battleground/ to get on the list. 💰 You didn’t become a contractor to struggle financially. Download our worksheet and start calculating a 50% gross profit on every job. It’s time to get your shit together! https://thecontractorfight.com/50/  💸 Grab your copy of our FREE Contractors Guide to Spotting Cheap Prospects here: https://thecontractorfight.com/cheap  == Join us in BATTLEGROUND == Everything your contracting business needs in one comprehensive program with three main focus areas: Leadership, Communication, and Numbers. For more info, check out: https://TheContractorFight.com/Battleground  == Get your questions answered and connect with other contractors building stronger businesses in The Contractor Fight: https://thecontractorfight.com/facebook  == Grab the Gear == https://gear.thecontractorfight.com/  == Find Us on Social Media == YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TomReber  Instagram: https://thecontractorfight.com/ig  == Rate the Podcast == Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review!  Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Learn about the concept of the 'big rocks theory' and the importance of prioritizing in both business and life. Explore the challenges of managing a large swimming pool company and finding joy in work. Discover the concept of 'deathbed rocks' and setting priorities. Emphasize the power of kindness, generosity, and making a positive impact on others.