Building the Future Podcast

Building the Future podcast is back! I won't make any excuses for my tardiness as excuses are just like arses. Listen to the episode to find out more.

The LBM and Construction industry has faced a lot of challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining personnel. Unfortunately, the largest challenge is still in front of us, The Great Retirement. On this episode, Rikka breaks down her 3-S cycle to improve recruiting, hiring, and retaining. Furthermore, she gives tips to overcome the hiring challenges of scarcity, settling, and setbacks. &nbsp...

Thank you.

Technology is more than just a buzzword – it is a force multiplier. It is a valuable asset that can improve your business or possibly drown you in unused data. In this episode, I sit down with Levi Smith from Franklin Building Supply to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of technology. Levi shares how his team is using technology to improve their level of information, better util...

Quality, service, price, and relationship are the keys to success in sales, with relationships being the only component you have 100% control over. Tune in to “The Superforce Multiplier” with Randy Chaffee to learn from his 40-plus years of experience building relationships in the LBM industry and how he leveraged that to truly set himself apart from the competition. This episode with Randy &...

In Ep 52 "Wood Gone Wild", Brett connects with Senior Wood Economist Dustin Jalbert from Fastmarkets to explore the current lumber market and other complimentary markets. They discuss why the LBM Industry has had unprecedented lumber prices in recent years.  Lastly, they identify some key indicators to watch to better understand and take advantage of when forecasting the future of the lumber...

In the business world we currently operate in, standard operating procedures have become anything but standard. Many of the processes and procedures have changed but the fundamentals are still the same. In this episode, Brett covers 4 of the largest operation pain points to get back to the basics of business as together we are building the future. Check out these other episodes: Episode 46: The Gr...

Have you been experiencing personnel issues with both recruiting and retaining employees? If so, you are not alone, as this is an issue throughout our industry and country. In this episode, Brett connects with Levi Smith of Franklin Building Supply to discuss how their organization of over 750 employees has insulated itself from many of these issues because of cultural and structural changes they...

Trades are one of the foundational building blocks of the LBM and Construction Industry. We all need trades like welding, tool & die, electrical, and masonry - and the trades need all of us. Many tradesmen will be retiring in the next several years without a back flow of younger generations to take their place. In this episode, Brett sits down with Steve Turner to discuss how the trades are st...

Have you ever fully experienced a new construction project before you ever broke ground? In this episode, Brett meets with Kevin J. Hart from Aireal as they discuss how utilizing modern technology like Augmented Reality (AR) is completely disrupting the construction process for the better and for the future of the LBM and Construction industry. Guest: Kevin J. Hart For more information about Kevin...

Technology in our industry is no longer new, it is now! Is your business ready? The LBM industry has been late to the game, but new technology is now available to streamline project management and make every aspect of your day-to-day job duties more efficient. On Tech Talk, I meet with Jennifer Castenson from Buildxact to talk all about technology and how it's shaping our industry for the future....

Is your organization short-staffed? You’re not alone. As 2021 compounded a pre-existing problem that our industry has been struggling with since the Great Recession. Tune in to The Great Resignation as Tony Misura & Brett discuss the staffing issues many are facing today and the changes needed to secure the foundation of the industry. Because together, we are Building the Future. Guest : Tony...

2021 was another year of M&A in the LBM Industry. These mergers and acquisitions will forever change the structure of the market and our industry, and as the industry continues to change, we will continue to see more of them. Dive in deep with Brett as he analyzes these critical topics with Ruth Kellick-Grubbs & Greg McCarthy from Kellick & Associates in Ep 45: For Sale By Owner, and d...

In a male-dominated industry like the Construction industry, there is a place and need for women in the industry. In Ep 44: The House That She Built, I sit down with Natalie Miles to discuss her latest endeavor, The House That She Built. Tune in as we discuss the challenges and rewards she has faced as her and other women in the industry lay down the foundation to bring more women and youth to the...

Difficult conversations are going to happen in life, they can’t be avoided. The most difficult conversations are often the most important to have. Check out Ep 34: Talk The Talk to learn the framework on how to have more effective and less painful conversations. The better and more comfortable you become at having difficult conversations, the more you will see a positive improvement in your qualit...

Throughout all the channels of this great industry the vast majority of businesses are independently owned and many of those are family-owned businesses. In the coming years, we are going to see a mass retirement in the LBM industry. If you’re looking to sell or step away from your business, or on the other hand, inheriting or purchasing a business then check out Ep 42: All In The Family with Kyle...

Standard Operating Procedures have become obsolete in the last 18 months due to the ever-changing market. Tune in to Ep 41. Creativity Before Capital with Brett & Ruth Kellick-Grubbs of Kellick & Associates discuss the changes and creativity it took to navigate these unprecedented times, and more importantly, how we use that information and creativity moving forward into the future. Guest:...

It’s time for Round #2 of Cocktails with the Queens of the LBM. We have another great conversation and take a deep dive into the current industry as we solve all the LBM worlds problems…. Maybe not, but we have a great time and a lot of laughs along the way! Guests: Thea Dudley, Rikka Brandon, & Dena Cordova-Jack For more information visit: https://buildingthefuturepodcast.com/More-Cocktails-w...

Team is not a universal term. A team can take many different shapes and styles. This holds true for a sales team as well. In “No ‘I’ in Sales Team”, Brett discusses a team that truly functions as a single unit and the advantages this provides for the team and organization. This episode is another video session - so you can watch it on YouTube  for the full experience. Subscribe to the channel...

2020 was a crazy year and especially in the housing market. Demand for new homes and remodeling projects skyrocketed, but the product supply was struggling to keep up. To truly understand what happened and the factors that contributed to the market environment we have today, Brett meets with Mischa Fisher, an economist with Angi, Inc, to go over the data and research to see how the pandemic, housi...

There are many different types of leaders and countless skills you can develop to become a great leader. In this episode, Brett examines one of the greatest leaders of the modern era, Mr. Jeff Bezos. Learn about the different leadership traits it takes to build a strong team and sustainable business, as well as, the benefits of developing a business model that is self-sufficient.  Host: Brett...

As the Lumber and Building Materials Industry continues to change and evolve, it is critical to know and understand the changes that are happening in the market. Tune in to this episode as I meet with Ken Clark, the Editor in Chief of HBS Dealer, to discuss the critical roles they play in informing the LBM industry of the everchanging business environment.  For more information about Ken Clar...

After over a year of hosting this podcast, it was brought to my attention that very little is known about me, which is the way I like it. Ryan Brown, who was a guest and a listener of this show, requested this episode and put me in the hot seat. I decided that so many have been willing to share to make this show a success that it is now my turn to do the same. A very special thank you to Ryan for...

Happy Father’s Day! The LBM industry is full of fathers that have been teaching and guiding, both professionally and personally. It’s an honor to have my father and mentor, Pat Thorne, as this episode’s guest. In this episode, we discuss his time and over 50 years of experience in the Lumber and Building Materials industry. To better understand the current market position, you often need to look a...

The LBM Industry is in the Perfect Storm, a condition unlike anything this industry has seen before. Demand is up, but Supply is down. So how do you find a balance? In Episode 33, we go over the historic background that set the stage for the current climate, recent events that magnified that climate, and lastly, how the market climate could be affected in the future. This episode is another video...