Building Margin

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks   Check out our free calculators: www.coltivar.com/tools   In this episode, Steve breaks down the not-so-obvious reasons why most construction businesses are working hard… but barely breaking even. He shares the top three mistakes that kill margins, the...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   In this episode, Steve unpacks one of the biggest traps business owners fall into: growing revenue while losing margin. Through real-world stories and hard-won insights, he explains why more work doesn't always mean more profit—and how pursuing the wrong clients, underpricing jobs, and scaling without systems...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Is your business beating the stock market?  Steve shares the three metrics every founder must know if they want to grow profitably and build a business that’s both valuable and optional. Drawing from his experience as a CFO for a billion-dollar construction firm, he breaks down what he calls the "three efficie...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   In this episode, Steve shares the turning point that changed everything during his time as CFO of a billion-dollar construction company. When margins tightened and chaos crept in, he built a tool that reshaped how he approached strategy and financial decisions.   This episode unpacks the powerful intersection of fi...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   If someone showed up today, ready to buy your business, would you be proud of what they’d find? Today, Steve shares what really separates a company that commands top dollar from one that quietly gets passed over. Whether you plan to sell or not, this one will shift how you think about building lasting value.   Disc...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Most businesses don’t fail because they lack hustle, they fail because they lack margin. In this heartfelt episode, Steve shares a powerful realization sparked by a family trip to Paris.  Through personal stories and sharp insights, he unpacks why financial margin alone isn’t enough, and how operational and leaders...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   More growth doesn’t always mean more profit. Steve uncovers the silent value killers hiding inside your business model and how to fix them.  If your revenue is rising but your margins aren't, it's time to take a closer look under the hood. Get ready to rethink profitability and discover the simple shifts...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   What makes a business truly sellable and why should it matter even if you never plan to sell? In this epsiode, Steve challenges founders to think differently about value, risk, and how to future-proof their companies.  Whether you're years from exiting or never intend to, this conversation will reshape how you...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Most founders track revenue but what about the metrics that really matter? Steve reveals the five financial indicators every founder must know cold to grow profitably, lead with clarity, and build a sellable business. These aren't numbers for your accountant—these are the signals that guide smart strategy, cas...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Think you’re scaling? You might just be multiplying chaos.  In this episode, Steve breaks down the dangerous myth that growth means adding more people and reveals why true scale is built through systems, not headcount.  With stories, red flags, and a powerful 3-pillar framework, he shows you how to escape the growt...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Your income statement says you're winning, so why does it feel like you're broke? Steve unpacks one of the most common (and costly) issues business owners face: the disconnect between profit and cash.  Through relatable stories and a simple four-step framework, he explains why profit is just the story and...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   After 100+ episodes on strategy and finance, Steve is shifting gears—and getting laser-focused. In this special re-release, he shares why he’s doubling down on the construction industry. Steve opens up about his background as a CFO in construction, the lessons he’s learned helping companies scale profitably, and wh...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Think you know strategy? In this interactive episode, Steve puts your business knowledge to the test with a round of strategy trivia. From the key difference between strategy and strategic planning to how to measure if your company’s strategy is actually working, this episode challenges common misconceptions and re...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Most entrepreneurs chase growth, but what if scaling too fast is the very thing that takes your business down? In this episode, Steve unpacks the fundamental flaw that causes even promising companies to fail—and it has nothing to do with bad ideas, weak teams, or lack of vision. It all comes down to one essential f...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Is your business set up for success in 2025, or will you look back wishing you'd done things differently? Steve Coughran breaks down the five essential components every company must have in place—from a clear strategy to financial forecasting and KPIs. Without these, you're flying blind. Learn how to set...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Most businesses focus on growth, culture, and innovation—but what if you're missing the one thing that truly keeps a company alive? In this episode, Steve reveals the brutal truth about why so many businesses fail, the hidden trap leaders fall into, and how to tell for sure if your strategy is actually working...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Are you building a business that truly creates value, or just chasing growth? In this episode, Steve breaks down the powerful connection between strategy and finance—and why Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is the key to long-term success. Discover why profitability alone isn’t enough, how 70% of bankrupt companie...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   AI is reshaping the business landscape—are you ready for it? In this episode, discover how AI is equalizing competition, creating distractions, and accelerating the pace of business. Steve reveals the hidden pitfalls and opportunities of AI, sharing insights on how leaders can stay focused, act with precision, and...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Struggling to turn your hard work into real profits? You’re not alone—but you don’t have to settle for less. In this episode, Steve uncovers the five key areas that could be holding your business back from reaching its full profit potential. From crafting an irresistible offer to fixing pricing strategies and elimi...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Why do smart, capable leaders struggle to execute strategy? It all comes down to focus. In this episode, learn how to overcome distractions, tackle your biggest strategic problem, and drive real results. Discover the proven system Steve has used to turn around and grow businesses—without chasing the latest trends....

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Are you ready to make 2025 the year your business truly thrives? In this episode, Steve uncovers the game-changing strategy to escape the cycle of frustration and unlock your company's full potential. Discover why most businesses stay stuck, the hidden power of defining your strategic problem, and how solving...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Are your KPIs driving real results—or just taking up space? In this episode, discover how to set the right KPIs that align with your strategy, unlock value, and keep your team focused on what truly matters. Learn the secrets behind simplifying metrics, avoiding common pitfalls, and using a value logic tree to track...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Is your business strategy holding you back? In this episode, Steve explains the key to crafting a winning strategy: identifying and solving your organization’s #1 constraint. Learn why less can mean more, how to focus on high-impact actions, and why jumping straight to tactics could derail your success. Tune in to...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   Are you running your business blind? In this episode, Steve Coughran, founder of Coltivar, reveals the five critical metrics you need to know to stop guessing and start growing. Learn how to optimize margins, improve cash flow, and make smarter, data-driven decisions—lessons Steve learned from scaling multi-million...

Want to grow your business? Download your free roadmap today: coltivar.com/growth   What is value, really? Most business leaders can’t define it, yet it holds the key to transforming financial and operational performance. Join Steve , founder of Coltivar, as he unpacks the elusive "value formula," revealing how businesses can strategically increase firm value through price premiums, cost...