Construction Hot Takes

Fresh from a business leaders conference in Las Vegas, Adam brings back eye-opening insights on how rapidly AI is advancing… and why every construction company, big or small, can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.   Jeff and Adam unpack real-world ways AI can make a difference for contractors. From predictive scheduling and automated delay claims to AI-powered contract reviews, smarter procurement,...

Episode Summary In this mini-episode of Construction Hot Takes, our experts tackle a common challenge in the construction industry: what to do after purchasing Procore construction management software. They share practical insights on implementation, training, and maximizing the value of your Procore investment. Key Points Discussed - Beyond the "Orange Easy Button"- Why Procore isn't a magic solu...

There’s a huge disconnect between construction operations and finance teams—and when it comes to construction risk management, that divide can cost projects big. Who should really be responsible for reducing risk on construction projects? Is it construction accounting and finance, or does project management and field operations need to step up? In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg...

In this episode of Construction Hot Takes, Adam, Greg, and Jeff reveal the 5 simple mistakes that can completely ruin and de-rail a construction project by causing delays and budget overruns and tanking profitability. According to Ascent CEO Adam Cooper, one of the biggest mistakes too many construction companies are making today is simple not fully reading or understanding construction contracts....

You can’t afford to miss this episode. The team at Ascent Consulting tackles the threat of risks hanging over your construction project.  Adam warns that most contractors are not sufficiently risk averse. They don’t see risks coming until it is too late. Jeff advises using risk as a lens to plan a project – by identifying every possible problem.  With a wide range of examples, Adam, Jeff and Grego...

In this episode the team at Ascent Consulting digs deeper into private equity in the construction sector and how they help companies prepare for exit and growth.  CEO Adam Cooper breaks down the perspective of private equity firms pre acquisition and post acquisition. Senior Consultant Gregory Gorman unpacks for listeners how each private equity firm has its own mandate and strategy as they prepar...

In this episode Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, pull back the curtain on their construction background.  The hosts reveal the paths that led to their current roles at Ascent Consulting. When his stepdad encouraged him to pick up summer work on a construction site, Jeff fell in love with the industry as a teenager. Gregory’s story sta...

This is a can’t miss episode for listeners who want to understand the ins and outs of private equity in construction.  Gregory Gorman, senior consultant at Ascent Consulting, kicks off the discussion by breaking down the difference between private equity and direct investment. The team discusses the various considerations when a construction company is looking to be bought out by a private equity...

Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, senior consultants at Ascent Consulting, unpack the pros and cons of integrating construction software into your business. Together Gregory and Jeff answer the question: Is construction software all it’s cracked up to be?   They caution that there is no easy button when it comes to construction software. It’s important to consider the return on investment when it...

Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, together with senior consultants Gregory Gorman and Jeff Robertson, dig into how to maximize your return on investment after purchasing Procore. All three hosts agree that the construction management software is a Swiss army knife. But Procore is not in the business of helping new users get up to speed on how best to use the system.  That’s where Ascent Consu...

In the latest episode, Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson, discuss WIP (Work in Progress) and how to use the accounting method to best manage construction projects. They emphasize the importance of being honest about the finances of an ongoing project, and trusting the data in your WIP to manage that project effectively.  Adam, Greg, and Je...

In this episode, Adam Cooper, CEO of Ascent Consulting, and senior consultants Greg Gorman and Jeff Robertson, dissect a crucial topic for construction companies: the difference between growth and scaling. They break down the distinct challenges each phase brings, from the top-line revenue focus of growth to the structured, intentional nature of scaling. The team explores common pitfalls when comp...

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