PowerTips Unscripted

The labor shortage has been a frequent topic on this show, and this episode is going to join the ranks.  Guest Andrew Schmidt is here to talk about AMEK’s apprentice and internship program, and the importance of investing in future generations. Andrew and his twin brother started their business as roofing installers in 1996, and have grown into a leading design-build firm in Minneapolis and St Pau...

Are you looking for innovative tax strategies to reduce you or your clients’ tax burden?  Or, simply sick of paying more than you need to in taxes? Then tune into this episode to hear vital information that you won’t want to miss! Guest Shauna Wekherlien, CPA provides proven, legal, effective, and easy strategies that any audience member can implement to keep more of their hard earned...

The most common marketing mistake host Mark Harari sees is a focus on tactic without regard for strategy.  It is important to avoid adopting new fad marketing tactics, and start with a strategic foundation.  Guest Spencer Powell agrees, and he is here to share how to focus on what matters most to your business so that you can use marketing to increase profit. Spencer is the CEO of Builder Funnel &...

As we begin to reflect on 2021, we are taking a look back at some of our more popular episodes.  Check out this episode and listen to the importance of executing a strong business strategy as you begin to make plans for 2022! A successful remodeling business isn’t only dependent on tactics or the larger strategy behind them. A company’s culture plays a crucial role in executing any business strate...

There is one challenge most remodelers have been facing since long before the pandemic, and that is the labor shortage.  So, what are you doing to find and attract the best talent? Marketing isn’t only used as a tactic for finding sales leads, but also attracting the best talent, and guest Danielle Russell is here to share how you can use digital marketing to find that talent. Danielle is th...

Accurately estimating a project is critical to profit,  and one of the most challenging components of that estimate is labor.   Can you estimate labor simply and accurately? Are you spending too much time estimating labor for each job?  Guest Chad Vincent thinks so.  Tune into this episode to hear all about his new method towards becoming more effective in the estimation process. Chad is the CEO a...

Our lives have been turned upside down due to the pandemic, especially in the construction industry.  Dealing with supply chain issues, a critical shortage of labor (especially craftsmen), and lingering concerns about COVID-19, many are stuck wondering how to get through it all. However, all of this has also helped provide perspective about moving forward.  So, how do we move forward?  Guest Bob L...

Sometimes it may feel that kindness is in short supply.  That’s why it’s so important to take the initiative to remain vigilant and recognize kindness whenever you can.  Guest Chris Stebnitz shares something he does weekly, that results in a huge impact on those around him. Chris is a third-generation remodeling company owner in Elkhorn, Wisconsin with over 30 years of experience in th...

Did you know that 81% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 10 years? Yet, most business owners are paralyzed and doing nothing about their exit, because the process seems overwhelming to the point that they don’t know where to begin.  So, how does one focus on their business while planning an exit?  Guest Ashley Micciche has the answer. Ashley Micciche is the...

Guest Andy Haste is among one of Remodelers Advantages most successful members, and he attributes that success to consistency and profitability.  But, how does one achieve consistent profits in such an unpredictable, and inconsistent industry such as remodeling?  This episode shares tips, tactics, and techniques to effectively set the goals and budgets to reach, and maintain consistent profit in s...

While Cost Plus Remodeling isn’t for everyone, it can be an enjoyable and profitable way of doing business.  If it is done well, it can be very rewarding and reduce the uncertainty of a market. Guest David Crane joins this episode to share why cost plus remodeling has proven to be successful for his business and his clients, and why remodelers should adapt this form of a remodeling contract....

Remodelers everywhere are plagued by problems getting the products they need to do their work. That anguish is shared by the building materials dealers, and so many others in the industry.  Why have we run short of so many products? What problems need to be solved for us to get out of this dilemma, and when will this shortage ease?  PowerTips Unscripted guest and lumber yard expert Craig Webb has...

So, you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast for your business. While it is one of the best reasons to gain notoriety and establish value for your community of clients, starting a podcast doesn’t mean it will bring success all on its own. Guest John Corcoran is here to share his tips and tricks for how to make podcasts your most valuable marketing tactic. John Corcoran is the co-foun...

Have you ever heard of SCRUM? SCRUM is a workflow management technique that accelerates projects, and while it is mostly used by software development teams, its principles and lessons can be applied to all kinds of industries.  Guest Dean Tompkins is here to explain how SCRUM is useful in his remodeling business, and how it can benefit you as well. Dean Tompkins is the owner and Vice President of...

A remodeler who fears negotiation, is like a roofer who is afraid of heights. Negotiation skills are necessary for success in the field of remodeling.  However, a lot of remodelers are unaware of how to even approach the subject.  Guest Jeff Borovitz joins Victoria and Mark in this episode to talk about how to be an efficient negotiator and how to avoid the seven deadly sins of negotiation that st...

Successful communication with new or potential customers can make or break a company’s image.  Alongside communication, ensuring that any preconceived notions or assumptions are put aside when working with a new customer can be crucial in securing their business. Victoria and Mark both share experiences with remodeling and trade companies that left them bringing their business elsewhere.  Th...

It’s not about the money, rather the feelings the money can bring. In this episode, Jay Wheeler dives into the psychology of financial management and investing in order to provide listeners with the potential reasons behind the way they may manage money.  Whether it’s business or personal finances, Jay describes how to better manage your behavior surrounding spending. Jay is the President of Wheel...

Employees thrive on feedback. Then why is it that so few leaders proactively provide it?  The answers, along with simple steps on how to provide timely, respectful, actionable feedback to your employees, are provided in this episode by guest, Tina Clements. Tina, Vice President of The Retail Performance Company , is a leader, speaker, author, coach, entrepreneur.com contributor & facilitator,...

You shouldn’t have to slog through a dry, term-laden textbook  to successfully market your business. So in this episode, Co-Host turned guest, Mark Harari takes a deeper dive into his new book, “Lobster on a Cheese Plate,” a practical handbook that shows how to effectively market your business. Or, as the book’s subtitle states, “ how to stand out, attract the best clients, and win eve...

What are renovation loans? And how can they help the burden of new home ownership?  Guest David Perrotti talks about using renovation loans to get deferred maintenance or dated kitchens and bathrooms remodeled prior to moving into a new home, to make for a smooth transition. David is the President and Founder of Fine Home Contracting LLC , a general contracting management company based out of Conn...

Reviewing employees in the remodeling world is, at best, a struggle. It is often an employee’s opportunity to ask for a raise and an employer’s opportunity for frustration. Tim Faller joins Mark and Victoria to talk about the necessary fundamental shift in the employee review process. Tim makes the transition from podcast host to guest to talk about his efforts towards reworking the em...

It’s easy to fall victim to the “Shiny Object Syndrome” in remodeling.  With so many goals of success, there are a lot of “shiny objects” that can distract remodelers from reaching their full potential.   How do you avoid them?  Guest David Wood of Focus. CEO joins Victoria and Mark in this episode to share the five steps to success and doubling revenue in less time. David quit his career as a Con...

Sales management can be one of the hardest jobs in a company, especially if you are both a player and coach. Sales managers are constantly focusing on how to improve their business, their team and themselves, and could use some tips along the way.  Guest David Mattson joins Victoria and Mark in this episode to share the best practices to incorporate into succeeding as a sales manager. David Mattso...

How can designers and production staff improve their success in the remodeling industry?  Guest Jeff Borovitz joins Victoria and Mark to talk about the deadly sins that get in the way of reaching your full potential.   Jeff has worked and trained with many members of the Remodelers Advantage Roundtables community and brings that experience in talking about patterns and trends to continue, and avoi...

In this episode, guest Alan Hanbury of Hanbury Builders Inc. discusses three common areas where remodeling contractors are underperforming because they believe their gut rather than facts. Alan also talks about referral marketing, the effects of job costing done half-heartedly, and hiring when taking net profitability into account. Alan is president of House of Hanbury Builders Inc. , and recently...