Construction Genius

Rainmaker! Business Development Strategies from a Construction CEO In the construction business, people often think that cranking numbers, building projects, or estimating are the only things that matter. However, it is also important to build relationships with your clients. It is often overlooked by many, but its impact can take your business to another level. Some people are born with great sal...

Liverpool Lessons:  Four Traits of Every Winning Team Right now, Liverpool Football Club is in the midst of a historic run in terms of wins and losses. What has enabled the team to perform at such a high level? Is it money? Facilities? Talent? Many other teams have that, so I believe there's another critical factor at work: culture. And this culture starts with the manager, Jurgen Klopp, trickling...

Generation Innovation: How Change Happens in Construction Companies with Andrew Silverstein   The construction industry is considered fairly stable and in-demand as there are hundreds of roads, bridges, and buildings that need construction every day. However, it is also rapidly changing in terms of innovation and technological progress. Modernization is essential for the evolution of the business...

Isn't it surprising how the construction sector lags behind the productivity of other industries when, in fact, there are more efficient and innovative ways to accomplish tasks on-site? We rely so much on our existing skill sets and conventional methods. While those are helpful, we are still reluctant to embrace the changes and shift mindsets that are crucial to innovation. In today's episode, Rya...

My guest today  is Dom Rubino :  Businessman, Podcast Host , Business Coach and terrible fly-fisherman He specializes in working with business owners who want more. More Time, More Money, More Team, and More Strategy on growing smart. On today's episode we discuss how to use systems to get your construction company ready to sell.  Highlights include  The danger of waiting too long to sell your bus...

Today's episode is a short, punchy look at how you can prepare during the boom times for the next economic downturn. I put this episode together from a short series of videos that I shot recently. I think you'll find it very useful. We're going to begin by taking a look at the frustrations that buyers of construction services have and how you can address those frustrations so that you can stuff yo...

Tony Moayed is the CEO of Tricorp Group in Sacramento, California. From 2004 to 2007, Tricorp Group experienced significant growth and was named the fastest growing company by the Sacramento Business Journal List. In May of 2014, Tricorp Group had $198 million worth of construction under contract. That same year, the company was threatened with the possibility of bankruptcy, but Tony was determine...

Welcome again to the Construction Genius podcast. This is episode three of our three-part series on how to succeed in construction sales even if you hate selling. Today's episode will introduce you to a questioning framework that you can use when negotiating new opportunities.  And just one more shout out, if you or anyone who reports to you are responsible for sales you might find the constructio...

This is episode two in the three-part mini-series on how to succeed in construction sales even if you hate selling. Today we're going to be looking at a sales strategy that you can use when pursuing new projects and courting new clients. Specifically, we're going to dive into the importance of identifying sales objectives. How change impacts your ability to achieve your sales objectives. And three...

Welcome to Construction Genius. Today is episode one of a three-part mini-series I've put together on how to succeed in construction sales. Even if you hate selling. So in episode one, we'll look at the psychology of high performers. And if you or the people who report to you are responsible for sales, you might find the construction sales assessment that I've put together extremely useful. It des...

Craig Gini is an owner along with his two brothers, Kevin, Brian, and his dad Gene of  Collins Electrical Company , a $177m contractor headquartered in Modesto, CA. He is Vice President and Renewables Manager. He is responsible for a company-wide focus on "Green Technologies" and "Energy Efficiency." Craig has been involved in the installation of energy-efficient lighting for nearly eight million...

Show Notes:  A time of corruption and crisis  The duty and responsibility of leadership  Why leaders need support from "Jeremiahs"  Who are your Jeremiahs?  What is the message of the Jeremiahs?  Why are they important?  Internal and external truth-tellers  Jeremiahs understand your company's culture and care about your company  Jeremiahs are willing to tell the truth They come with problems and s...

There are three million construction companies in the United States. Listen to this episode and learn 7 ways to set yourself apart and build a great business.    Highlights Include: My attempt to distinguish myself at a traditional English public school 7 ways to distinguish yourself:  Pursue Niche Work at Which You are Excellent and Profitable  Deal with clients you know well Work with project pa...

Bill Porter is the President of Porter Law Group, Inc.  Bill has been awarded the highest possible rating of "AV Preeminent" by America's premier attorney rating service, Martindale-Hubbell, which has also designated Bill as a "Top Rated Lawyer" in the field of construction law.  Bill's practice encompasses more than 30 years in private, state and federal construction claims before state and feder...

In this episode of Construction Genius, I'll discuss how you can reduce overwhelm, focus on what's most important, and be more effective in your leadership role by utilizing the urgent/important matrix. The matrix first attributed to Dwight Eisenhower, World War Two general and President of the United States. It was popularized by Steven Covey in "7 Habits of Highly Successful People". Highlights...

Taking Advantage of R&D Tax Credits with Smith Miller, CEO of Strategic Tax Solutions About : Smith is the CEO of Strategic Tax Solutions (STS) . STS is a private accounting firm that specializes in the area of tax known as the Research and Development "R&D" Tax Credits. They make the process of accessing R&D Tax Credit dollars straight forward, cost effective and risk free. At no cost, they revie...

Peter Tateishi, CEO of Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) joins me to discuss "Build California", a new initiative of the association Eric for a fascinating exploration of the mission of his organization.  From the Build California website:  Only 9 percent of Generation Z is interested in a future in construction. So where's the disconnect? The construction industry h...

"Morale is a state of mind. It is that intangible force which will move a whole group of men to give their last ounce to achieve something, without counting the cost to themselves; that makes them feel they are part of something greater than themselves." Defeat into Victory, Battling Japan in Burma and India, 1942-1945 Field-Marshall Viscount Bill Slim  In today's episode, I explore the topic of m...

Doug Reitz, President of Mark Wilson Construction returns to the show to discuss the project selection process he and his team use to procure profitable work.  Throughout Doug's career in the construction industry, he has been fortunate to have worked in positions that span from Project Clerk to President. He has completed or provided oversight through all delivery methods in projects related to t...

In my garage I have an orange tool box that an old friend, Stan gave me. Stan was a great guy. A self-made first-generation immigrant to the United States. He owned an apartment building in Berkeley, and did the vast majority of the maintenance work himself. He gave me the tool box as a gift, and as a bit of a hint to me. A hint to use the hammer, wrench, screwdrivers to take care of the handyman...

Jean Bjork is the President and Owner of Bjork Construction , a general contractor based in Fremont, CA.  In our wide-ranging conversation, we cover:  Jean starting off as a welder in her parent's business Valuable lessons her mom taught her about running a business Getting married to a carpenter and starting a construction business Continually learning about the Construction Industry as her compa...

Listen to this episode and gain insight into why construction projects fail, how to analyze the causes and how to avoid failure in the future.  In this episode of Construction Genius I explore the failed Burma Campaign of 1942 through the eyes of the British commander on the ground, Field-Marshall Viscount William Slim, who was defeated by the Japanese. I read from his book Defeat into Victory: Ba...

I welcome back to the show Scott Gable, CEO of CityLift Parking, a company that is revolutionizing the way buildings are built in the United States, particularly in urban, land constrained environments. CityLift Parking designs, installs, and services automated parking systems that reduce the footprint needed for parking and can typically be done at a lower cost per space than conventional parking...

From April 2006 through January 2011, nearly 2.3 million construction jobs were wiped out in the United States Ever since then, the construction industry has not been able to make up for this loss of skilled labor.  There is not only a labor shortage in the field, there's also a leadership gap in the field and in the office.  Case in point is a message I received on LinkedIn from Sina Bahmani a yo...

Steve McGough is the president and chief financial officer of HCSS , a Texas based company that since 1986 has specialized in developing software to help heavy, highway and utility construction industry companies streamline their business operations.  HCSS's mission is driven by a desire to help its customers "dramatically improve their business through our innovative, high-quality software and ex...