Podcasts about breakthrough academy

On July 8, join me for a special Web Class where I'll show you how to eliminate ALL staff excuses using ONE structured 30-minute meeting. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-GSR-JL25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP222 In ten years of working with contractors, we've noticed that a LOT of entrepreneurs have ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity. It's both our biggest strength, and our biggest weakness.And the data backs this up.Studies show as much as 10% of adults have an ADHD diagnosis, and there's some data suggesting that people with ADHD are statistically more likely to pursue entrepreneurship.Chances are, you have or know someone who has ADHD. In your family, in your network or on your team.That's why we wanted to talk to Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, author, and advocate for neurodiversity. He's best known for his book Faster Than Normal, where he reframes ADHD as a superpower.Today, that's exactly what we're talking about. What ADHD actually is, how to manage it, and how to work with people who move a little faster than normal.Episode Highlights:Understand what ADHD actually is, and what it is not when it comes to its symptoms and impacts on a person's ability to function.Learn why Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal believes ADHD is a superpower for business owners and entrepreneurs.Get tips on how to set yourself up for success as a business owner if you have ADHD, and how to set others on your team up for success if they have ADHD.00:00 - Intro01:26 - About Peter07:56 - Why ADHD is a superpower11:04 - ADHD and dopamine14:47 - Positioning yourself to succeed in business with ADHD18:05 - Recognizing tasks you are great at, and the ones you need help with20:21 - How to avoid burnout24:32 - Tackling imposter syndrome28:17 - Use of medication31:04 - How do you work with a team member who has ADHD?33:38 - What are a few best practices a listener with ADHD should adopt?36:29 - One thing to understand about people with ADHD38:38 - Where can people connect with you?

Get your free accountability resources from Jen here: https://trybta.com/DL221 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP221 Is there someone on your team who is not performing the way you need them to?Someone you know you need to do a better job of holding accountable?Someone you need to have “the talk” with?If you're used to an accountability conversation turning into a finger-pointing exercise that goes nowhere, this episode is for you. In today's conversation with Jen Long, author of Own Up! How to Hold People Accountable Without All the Drama, we're breaking down the six steps to getting someone to own their responsibilities by having one simple conversation. Spoiler alert: this conversation isn't about ruling with an iron fist. It's not even about giving into all your peoples' needs.Danny even did a little role playing with her so you can hear what this sounds like in practice.Episode Highlights:Learn the framework that accountability expert Jen Long has helped hundreds of businesses implement to create a culture of accountability within a team.Understand how to hold an effective accountability conversation with anyone on your team by following six steps.Hear Danny role play this conversation with Jen so you can actually hear what is sounds like in practice.00:00-Intro01:24-About Jen05:04-Accountability misconceptions07:50-What's unique about accountability in construction or contracting?10:49-SOS Conversation Model (6 Steps)11:38-Step 1: Identify Your Issue14:24-Step 2: Analyze the Context18:37-Step 3: Explore Impacts20:08-Step 4: Rehearse25:07-Step 5: Engage in Conversation34:12-Step 6: Build Solutions35:35-Role play

If you're tired of being the first one in, the last one out, and the only one who knows what's going on, this one's for you. Danny Kerr, co-founder of Breakthrough Academy, has helped thousands of contractors escape the daily grind and build businesses that actually run without them. In this episode, he unpacks what that transition really looks like and how to structure your company for long-term growth. We're talking smart org charts, clear roles, job costing that tells the truth, and KPIs that create accountability so you don't have to chase people down. Plus, Danny is giving away 8 of BTA's most valuable tools for free. If you want more time, more control, and a business that doesn't need you 24/7, hit play. You don't just have to imagine an organized business. Danny's giving you 8 FREE TOOLS to build one. Download them here:  https://trybta.com/LightingForProfits

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP220 Those of you who know us know that we're huge advocates for putting as much effort into your hiring funnel as you do to your sales funnel. And that's exactly why I'm excited for this week's episode.Brandon Vaughn is a long-time entrepreneur, business coach and CEO of HireBus, a recruitment automation software built specifically for contractors.Using what's called the RightSeat™ Assessment, HireBus helps contractors get the right people in the right roles so both the business and employees win.In this episode, I ask Brandon to walk us through an ideal hiring funnel for contractors, drawing on everything he learned from building and optimizing the RightSeat™ Assessment.How do you find qualified people? How do you get them to actually show up to an interview? And how do you know that they are ACTUALLY right for the role they applied for?Brandon covers all this and more.Episode Highlights:Get actionable recruitment tips from Brandon Vaughn, CEO of HireBus, a recruitment platform built for contractors.Learn what an ideal hiring funnel for contractors should look like, and what you can do right away to start attracting better people while weeding out the duds.Hear real examples of what good recruitment assets look like for contractors (if you want to steal some ideas, we won't tell).00:00-Intro01:30-About Brandon and HireBus07:51-Brandon's experience with Wise Coatings19:40-Why focus on recruitment?23:56-Learnings from HireBus for contractors27:42-What makes the best job ads?31:18-Importance of speed-to-lead in recruitment34:40-How to qualify and prioritize candidates37:31-How to get the right people in the right seats44:26-How do you get people to actually show up for an interview?50:45-Lightning round53:46-Connect with Brandon

On June 11, join Danny Kerr and Charley Burtwistle (from Buildertrend) for a Project Management Roundtable, where 3 high-performing contractors will hand over the secrets to faster projects, happier customers and fatter net profits. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-PM-J25Download Trent's Price Acceleration Provision and tariff-proof your contracts today: https://trybta.com/DL219 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP219 While the details have shifted over the past few months, there's no doubt that all the talk about tariffs has caused uncertainty for the small business community. Especially contractors.And, whether the USA's plan remains the same or not, this whole situation got me thinking: what exactly should contractors DO to minimize the impact of new tariffs on their materials, supply chain and profit margins?My guest today, Trent Cotney, is back on the show to help us answer that question.Trent is a board-certified construction lawyer, author and co-host of the #1 construction law podcast, Law and Mortar.Today, we cover:What tariffs actually are, and how they will impact on our industry What clauses you can put in your contracts to protect yourself from tariff shocksTrent's predictions on what's coming next based on his time spent in Washington DC.And a whole lot more.00:00-Intro01:15-What's the current situation with US tariffs?07:41-How tariffs actually work10:40-Audit and rethink your supply chain13:50-Best way to price jobs when costs are unpredictable21:03-Tariff-proof contract clauses25:40-Trent's predictions on the future28:39-Planning for the good, the bad and the ugly34:04-One action you can take tonight to become more tariff resistant.

On June 11, join Danny Kerr and Charley Burtwistle (from Buildertrend) for a Project Management Roundtable, where 3 high-performing contractors will hand over the secrets to faster projects, happier customers and fatter net profits. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-PM-J25Grab a copy of your resource bundle: https://trybta.com/DL218 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP218Growth can be intimidating.More revenue, more staff and more work = more headaches.Plus, there's no way to predict what new problems you'll face as you grow. Except…there actually is.See, when you coach over 1500 contractors, like we have at Breakthrough Academy, you notice some patterns. Turns out, the journey to a highly profitable and systemized contracting business looks the same for pretty much everyone.Four phases. Predictable barriers at each phase. Predictable solutions to get from one phase to the next.Last year, Danny gave a keynote at a convention in Orlando that walked through this whole process. Today, we're releasing it as a bonus episode so more contractors can benefit.Episode Highlights:Understand the four phases of contractor growth and how to determine which phase you're in.Learn the predictable problems contractors will face at each phase, and which systems to implement in order to overcome them.Get access to systems and templates that hundreds of contractors have used to make more money, hire A-players and promote themselves from operator to strategist.00:00-Intro02:48-Danny's story06:42-About Breakthrough Academy11:37-About the Contractor Growth Method14:56-Phase 1: Operators18:34-Phase 2: Managers26:45-Phase 3: Leaders32:30-Phase 4: Strategists38:51-Summary46:07-How to implement your learning

Today on “The Building Code,” Charley is joined by returning co-host, Carly Ward, partnerships manager here at Buildertrend. They're sitting down with Eric Stenger and Preston Reed, co-founders of Seed Development + Design. Together, they lead SEED with a vision rooted in friendship, craftsmanship and a desire to create spaces that enhance everyday life. Listen to hear how Seed Development + Design got back on the path to profitability with the help of Breakthrough Academy and Buildertrend.   Learn more about Seed Development + Design: https://www.seed2d.com/   Check out Breakthrough Academy and the services they offer for construction businesses: https://www.btacademy.com/   Systemize your construction processes with Buildertrend's project management software: https://buildertrend.com/     Read the shownotes for this episode here: https://buildertrend.com/podcast/the-building-code/269-eric-stenger-preston-reed/   Join “The Building Code” Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebuildingcodecrew/   FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/buildertrend/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/buildertrend/  TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Buildertrend/ YOUTUBE:  / @buildertrend LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildertrend #Buildertrend #BuiltWithBuildertrend #ConstructionSoftware #BreakthroughAcademy

On June 11, join Danny Kerr and Charley Burtwistle (from Buildertrend) for a Project Management Roundtable, where 3 high-performing contractors will hand over the secrets to faster projects, happier customers and fatter net profits. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-PM-J25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP217 You've heard it before: the riches are in the niches.But, is that really always true?Today, I'm talking to Ryan Lee, founder of Landscape Lighting Secrets and host of the Landscape Lighting Secrets podcast.Before selling in 2019, Ryan grew his business to $200K a month. His service offering? Landscape lighting. Just landscape lighting.Now, he coaches home service entrepreneurs who either want to run their own landscape lighting business or add landscape lighting to their service offerings.This conversation is all about niche services:Should you niche your business down further?Should you expand into another niche to cover your off season?What are the honest pros and cons of niche services?Ryan's got a wealth of experience that is gonna help us answer these questions.Episode Highlights:- Understand the power of niche service offerings from a contractor who grew a landscape lighting business to $200K per month.- Learn what to consider before niching down or adding a niche to your existing services.- Get tips on how to manage the impacts adding a new revenue stream has on your operations, branding, and org chart.00:00-Intro01:16-About Ryan10:12-Why add a service?13:22-Biggest operational impacts of adding a service16:45-Why specialize?21:10-Impact of specializing on profit margins25:15-3 key focuses of niching: raise prices, close deals on the spot and generate high quality leads32:04-When is a contractor ready to build out sub-brands/niches?37:11-Wrap-Up & Final Advice40:15-Connect with Ryan

On June 11, join Danny Kerr and Charley Burtwistle (from Buildertrend) for a Project Management Roundtable, where 3 high-performing contractors will hand over the secrets to faster projects, happier customers and fatter net profits. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-PM-J25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP216 To the outside world, the word “sales” has gotten a bad rap.People think it's all transactional. All about pushing something on the customer in order to get what's best for the sales rep or the company.And that can make the act of selling feel uncomfortable, awkward and transactional.That's why we wanted to talk to Joe Crisara.Joe is a seasoned expert in contractor sales training, best known for creating the Pure Motive Service System that helps service businesses ethically boost revenue and closing rates all while doing what's best for the customer.In this episode, Joe walks us through five key principles that anyone in sales can adopt today, creating a win-win for the customer, for the sales rep and for the company.Episode Highlights:Get a walkthrough of the Pure Motive Service System from its creator, Joe Crisara.Learn how offering three options to every customer will boost your revenue, closing rates and reputation.Understand how to use the five principles outlined in Joe's book, What Should We Do? to connect with your customers, move away from transactional selling methods and maintain integrity in every sales interaction.00:00-Intro01:24-About Joe05:14-About The Book: What Should We Do?14:00-5 Principles of Pure Motive Service14:18-Principle 1: Client-Centric Solutions22:25-Principle 2: Integrity-Driven Sales26:08-Principle 3: Customized Service Options38:06-Principle 4: Effective Communication45:42-Principle 5: Continuous Improvement50:12-How Joe is Continuously Improving55:32-Connect With Joe

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What if scaling your agency didn't mean more stress, but less? Discover how Devon Hayes and Amanda Joyce turned partnership into freedom—and how you can, too. If you're an agency owner ready to stop grinding and start growing, this episode is for you. These two entrepreneurs joined forces as partners specifically to navigate this growth journey together—and witnessed how this strategic decision created the growth, impact, and freedom they had always envisioned. Tune in to discover their realization that scaling represented not an additional burden but rather the crucial shift from merely sustaining their businesses to expanding them intentionally and the ongoing challenges they continue to face as they adapt to this exciting new chapter in their entrepreneurial journey. Devon Hayes and Amanda Joyce aren't just agency owners—they're proof that collaboration can unlock freedom. With deep experience in PR, construction, and financial services, they share the lessons they learned the hard way—so you don't have to. They are co-founders of Elevation Marketing, a company specializing in the home services niche, including roofing, custom home building, and plumbing. They share their journey of coming together after running their own agencies and what inspired them to start their first businesses. Additionally, they'll share what drove them to choosing their current niche and the lessons they're still learning about building their client pipeline and going beyond being referral-based. In this episode, we'll discuss: Joining forces to unlock freedom. Finding the winning niche. Why scaling is worth the fear.  Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources Wix: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by Wix Studio, the all-in-one platform designed to help agencies scale without the headaches. With intuitive tools, robust native business solutions, and low maintenance, Wix Studio lets your team focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional value to your clients. Ready to take your agency to the next level? Visit wix.com/studio and discover how Wix Studio can transform your workflow, boost profits, and strengthen client relationships. Joining Forces to go From Solo Struggles to Shared Success Before meeting, Devon and Amanda were forging separate paths as agency owners, both yearning for greater freedom and support in their professional lives. Devon worked some time doing marketing for companies in engineering and construction and moved on to the financial industry thinking the bigger paycheck would be enough to make her happy.  However, just nine months later she felt like a prisoner of the corporate world, while her husband – a business owner – enjoy the flexibility to pursue passions like snowboarding. Inspired by his freedom, she leveraged her corporate contacts and industry knowledge to launch her own business, determined to reclaim control of her time. For her part, Amanda started working for an agency right out of college. Armed with a degree in PR and journalism and zero knowledge about the digital marketing world, she quickly developed expertise and built her own client relationships. As her confidence grew, she realized she didn't want the constraints of office-based work. Since it was the early 2000s, the thought of working remote was unimaginable and something she would have to pursue on her own. Finally, she started her own small niche agency in 2007. Of course, both women soon discovered that entrepreneurship wasn't the straightforward path to freedom they'd envisioned. Their businesses brought stress, sleepless nights, and the weighty responsibility of delivering results for clients. The service-based nature of their work meant constantly seeking ways to improve outcomes, often making it difficult to maintain focus amid competing priorities. When Devon and Amanda finally joined forces in 2019, they brought together the valuable lessons each had learned about the industry and business ownership—creating a partnership built on shared experience and complementary strengths. A Collaboration to Unlock Freedom and Have a Higher Impact Even before joining forces, Devon and Amanda were working together in several projects and found they complemented each other very well. In fact, Amanda felt their projects together were the ones causing her less stress. While working with Devon meant she had someone covering for her while she was on vacation, for instance, the clients from projects she was handling by herself wanted her attention 24/7. Both women had achieved a level of success that allowed them to pay their bills and maintain a comfortable lifestyle but realized that to truly thrive, they needed to shift their focus from merely sustaining their businesses to scaling them. More than just a desire for more revenue they understood the benefits that would come from collaboration. Wearing multiple hats and managing every aspect of their businesses was unsustainable. Instead, merging their strengths and resources, would allow them to create a more efficient operation that allowed them to focus on their core competencies. Furthermore, Amanda liked the idea of having someone to discuss her ideas with, something she missed from her days of corporate work and that can be invaluable for agency owners who constantly feel isolated and burdened by their responsibilities. The Pivot that Paid Off: Finding Their Winning Niche Even though Devon and Amanda initially targeted the roofing industry, they quickly lost focus and found themselves working with an eclectic mix of clients across dog training, cannabis, IT, and other unrelated sectors. This scattered approach, while diverse, undermined their ability to establish a distinctive brand identity. Thankfully, they later found their footing through their engagement with the Breakthrough Academy, a contractor coaching group. By connecting with contractors in various trades, including electricians and landscapers, they discovered a niche that aligned with their strengths and expertise. Soon they were delivering exceptional results for clients in plumbing, electrical, and landscaping businesses and – even though they hesitated to make it official – they had a niche. Furthermore, coming together proved to be the best decision once they realized that the home services market was saturated with subpar providers, and hence scaling their business was also an opportunity to reach a broader audience and amplify their message as credible thought leaders. This mission directly inspired their podcast as a platform to spread their message and positively impact an industry often plagued by questionable practices. The next challenge they face is expanding beyond referral-based growth to develop a sustainable client acquisition pipeline. Why Scaling Your Agency Is Worth the Fear Although Devon and Amanda ultimately decided to scale their business to reach a wider audience, many agency owners initially resist growth, fearing it will only increase their workload and responsibilities. While expanding and managing a larger team may seem daunting, the ability to focus on the aspects you love while delegating tasks that others could handle more effectively proves tremendously rewarding. Amanda, for instance, was excited to find people who excelled in areas where she struggled and empowering them to thrive. Once she did, she was able to delegate all the content creation work she had been handling and focus her time on different areas. This is a step that agency owners will get to enjoy not only when they find the right talent but specifically when they find self-managing professionals who take ownership of their work. It's a move that will take you to a remarkable milestone —the moment when new clients are successfully onboarded without requiring any involvement from the founder. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.

On June 11, join Danny Kerr and Charley Burtwistle (from Buildertrend) for a Project Management Roundtable, where 3 high-performing contractors will hand over the secrets to faster projects, happier customers and fatter net profits. Register now here: https://trybta.com/CE-PM-J25Grab a free chapter of Beyond the Hammer here: https://trybta.com/DL215To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP215 Being a strong leader is an essential business skill.We all know this.If you listen to this podcast, you probably know most of the fundamentals already.And yet so few of us actually take the time to work on them.Today, we're talking to Brian Gottlieb. After a highly successful career building and exiting his $150MM remodeling business, Brian wrote the book, Beyond the Hammer to give contractors an easy to follow framework on the path to becoming better leaders.In this episode, he breaks down the five foundational pillars that make up the mindset of a successful leader in the contracting space.Episode Highlights:Understand the drivers behind the success of Brian Gottlieb, a 9-figure remodeler who grew his team from one (himself) to over 600 when he exited.Learn the five foundational pillars of leadership Brian outlines in his book, and go deeper on the impact each one can have on your business.Get tips on managing resistance from your team as your leadership and business evolve.00:00-Intro01:19-About Brian05:57-Beyond the Hammer: why leadership?08:47-Why do contractors struggle to become good leaders?13:48-5 foundational pillars of leadership14:08-Pillar 1: Belief is Transferrable17:32-Pillar 2: Leaders Shape Culture Through Purpose & Direction22:48-Pillar 3: Leaders Are Aware of The Echo of Their Voice27:42-Pillar 4: Leaders Model Their Business as a Training Organization31:01-Pillar 5: Managers Need a Checklist40:09-How to start implementing these pillars TODAY41:27-What would you say to young Brian?

Download Dr. J.J.'s one-liner template here: https://trybta.com/DL214To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP214 Today we're interviewing the one and only Dr. J.J. Peterson, Head of Storybrand and co-author of Marketing Made Simple, which sold over a million copies worldwide.Dr. J.J. has helped thousands of businesses clarify their message by using a storytelling framework as old as time. Plus, we found out before we started recording that he actually has a contracting background. His family ran a concrete business when he was growing up, so he REALLY gets the challenges you're all facing.Today's conversation is all about how to apply the seven-part Storybrand framework to a contracting business. How to position your customer as the hero of your story so you can become their trusted guide.Episode Highlights:Get an overview of the Storybrand framework from someone who has implemented it into thousands of businesses.Learn how to apply each of the seven parts of a Storybrand to a roofing, painting, landscaping, construction, electrical, plumbing or home services business, with examples.Understand why it is so critical that you keep your message simple, and why so many businesses get this wrong.00:00-Intro01:43-About Dr. J.J.'s background in contracting and storytelling06:46-Why is story so important to marketing?17:17-The messaging sweet spot: too vague vs. too complex19:03-The 7-Part StoryBrand Framework: Contracting Edition24:20-Step 1: What does your customer want?25:16-Step 2: What problem does your customer face?32:57-Step 3: How do you position yourself as their guide?35:47-Step 4: What's the plan?38:21-Step 5: The call to action38:50-Step 6/7: What does success/failure look like for your customer?41:12-Danny's example, Dr. J.J.'s feedback49:12-How to get the info you need from your customer53:39-Most common Storybrand mistakes57:54-Signs your messaging is working01:00:47-About Dr. J.J.'s one-liner template

On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP213Today's the day.The last official day of Benji's time on Contractor Evolution.And the first official day of a new era.In today's episode, we're pumped to introduce Danny Kerr as your new host.Danny is one of the co-founders of Breakthrough Academy. In fact, he's the visionary behind the whole thing. He's a lifelong entrepreneur, former painting contractor and a true expert in guiding contractors to more profitable and more fulfilling businesses.In this episode, he leads his first official interview on the show—with Benji. They're diving into the history behind Contractor Evolution and everything Benji has learned about content marketing along the way.Episode Highlights:Get an introduction to the new host of Contractor Evolution: Breakthrough Academy visionary and co-founder Danny Kerr.Reminisce with Benji as he walks us through the history of the show and what he learned along the way.Learn from Benji's experience when it comes to content marketing, and understand how you might use it to benefit your business.00:00-Intro01:42-The history and evolution of Contractor Evolution14:34-The case for content marketing25:12-Content Marketing 101 for contractors42:46-Value-add content vs. salesy content47:41-Avoiding false starts54:04-Lightning round

On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP212Grab your free financial management resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL212 A few weeks ago, Danny cohosted a web class with Matt Risinger (Host of The BUILD Show) on one of the most important topics in business: finances.On top of teaching the hundreds of attendees our approachable financial management systems, I had a chance to pick Matt's brain about his experience managing cash flow as he grew his company into the monster it is today.So we're releasing the web class on the podcast to give you everything you need to run your finances like a 7-figure contractor.We're covering budgets, forecasting, cash flow, and how to drive results with your team. If the thought of financial management gives you a migraine, this webinar replay is for you.Episode Highlights:Discover the least painful way to track your budgets, forecasting, and overhead—without wasting hours with mind-numbing numbers.Learn how to take the guesswork out of your financial decision-making by understanding your industry benchmarks.Get insight into how Matt Risinger avoids lumpy cash flow and why Risinger Build NEVER bids on work.00:00-Intro06:12-About Danny and Matt10:06-Purpose and outcomes12:18-Why is staying on top of your numbers so hard?20:39-Matt Risinger on Breakthrough Academy23:15-Budgeting38:43-What does “good” look like?41:20-Gross profit margins as you evolve46:14-Financial forecasting52:19-Driving numbers with your team59:37-Implementing change01:07:09-Q&A

On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP211Chances are, you're familiar with at least one personality test. Myers Briggs, Enneagram, Personal Style Indicator (PSI) or, the focus of this episode, DISC profiles.Are these tools actually helpful? In my opinion, they have a time and place. But the truth is they're kinda useless if you don't actually apply the information you get from them.Otherwise, people just use them as an excuse to behave a certain way.That's why today's guest has become so popular in the world of small business and leadership. Thomas Erikson's bestselling book Surrounded By Idiots is less about labeling yourself and others as red, yellow, green or blue and more about bringing awareness to your behavioral tendencies to more effectively lead and interact with others.Instead of saying “I'm a red, so I can't help being brash,” the book encourages you to say “My tendency to be brash may be pushing people away—what can I do to change that?”In other words, how to stop feeling like you're surrounded by idiots just because the people around you don't act the same way you do.Episode Highlights:Get a brief overview of the DISC personality assessment and its use cases from the author of the bestselling book Surrounded by Idiots.Learn how self-awareness can help you become more effective in business and life.Understand how to use personality assessments like DISC as tool for personal growth, rather than an excuse for your behavior.Bonus: Learn how to recognize and deal with energy vampires in all areas of your life.00:00-Intro02:15-Where does "behavior" come from?04:24-Overview of the 4 DISC personality types10:28-Distribution of color profiles in society13:06-Why is this framework useful in running a business?21:26-Correlation between personality types and roles28:01-Benji's pushback on personality profiles - can they do more harm than good?37:33-What motivates the different colors?43:46-How to use knowledge of the colors to level up as a leader49:29-About energy vampires53:48-Closing advice for leaders trying to get the most out of their people

On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP210To grab a copy of the Skill/Will Matrix, DORAGI framework, and Conflict Resolution Guide, click here: https://trybta.com/DL210In contracting, your people are your business. They determine how customers experience your brand, the productivity of your job sites, the profitability of your business and your own enjoyment of life as an entrepreneur.So understanding how to manage them as a strong leader is essential.Today, we're going to break down one of my favorite frameworks that will give you the tools to bring out the best in your team, maximize productivity, and build a workplace people actually want to be a part of.It's called the skill/will matrix.The idea is that whenever productivity is down or someone isn't meeting your expectations, ask yourself this one question:Is this a skill issue? Or a will issue?Listen to the full episode to learn how to handle each situation.Episode Highlights:Get a summary of the skill/will matrix and how to use it to identify and address productivity issues on your team.Learn how to use the DORAGI training framework to help team members struggling with skill.Learn how to have a healthy conflict to improve the performance of team members struggling with will.00:00-Intro01:28-About the Skill/Will Matrix02:00-High Will, Low Skill05:56-Low Will, High Skill09:46-High Will, High Skill10:43-Low Will, Low Skill12:07-Recap

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP209 Our guest on the show today is our very own coach, Ian Ouwerkerk.Ian coaches the highest number of businesses here at Breakthrough Academy. He has a massive sample size and a unique perspective on what works and what doesn't when it comes to growing your construction or trades business.He is particularly well-versed in implementing what we call the Contractor Growth Method with his coaching Members. It's a six-part business system designed to help contractors set their businesses up for success—whether that means scaling, stabilizing or just making the whole thing less painful and more fun.Today, Ian is going to walk us through that system, just like he's done hundreds of times for Members.This episode is the high-level answer to the question: “how do I systemize my entire contracting business from start to finish?”Episode Highlights:Get a step-by-step walkthrough of a six-part business system designed to help contractors scale or stabilize their operations.Learn how Ian priorities certain areas of business over others when coaching his many Members.00:00-Intro00:10-About the Contractor Growth Method05:14-Ian's philosophy on business systems16:02-Contractor Growth Method Step 1: Goal Setting & Execution26:56-Contractor Growth Method Step 2: Financial Controls38:41-Contractor Growth Method Part 3: Optimized Sales & Marketing51:08-Contractor Growth Method Part 4: Hiring & Training59:15-Contractor Growth Method Part 5: Defined Roles01:07:11-Contractor Growth Method Part 6: Project Delivery01:13:24-Recap

Grab your FREE hiring resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL208 On April 8, we're hosting a free web class with Matt Risinger to teach you how to manage your finances like a 7-figure contractor. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-FIN2025To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP208In 2025, there is one issue contractors talk to me about more than any other:Hiring.Getting good people to agree to—and show up to—an interview suddenly seems impossible.You book five interviews and three no-show, one thinks they're applying to be CEO and the other shows up drunk.After conducting over 2,400 interviews for trades positions myself, I know the struggle.That's why I hosted a web class last month where I taught hundreds of contractors my system for attracting A-players and replacing time-wasters during the recruitment process.We decided to release it on the podcast as a BONUS episode so more contractors can benefit.Enjoy.Episode Highlights:Learn why creating a hiring funnel is just as important as creating a sales funnel.Understand how to write job ads that actually attract the people you WANT.Get the winning interview strategy Danny refined while interviewing over 2,400 people for trades positions.00:00-Intro08:15-What part of hiring frustrates you the most?09:28-Unpacking the hiring crisis15:00-The lost opportunity cost of not having a solid hiring system17:06-What a good hiring funnel looks like19:26-Hiring tool 1: Ideal Candidate Profile25:26-Hiring tool 2: Job Postings and Applicant Generation34:08-Hiring tool 3: Interview Setup Call42:52-Hiring tool 4: Behavioral Interviewing47:44-Recap50:57-Get more help systemizing your business59:37-Q&A

On April 8, we're hosting a free web class with Matt Risinger to teach you how to manage your finances like a 7-figure contractor. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-FIN2025To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP207To learn more about David, check out https://www.systemology.com/If you know me, you know I strongly believe that business systems = owner freedom.That's why it made sense to get today's guest David Jenyns on the show.David is the author of SYSTEMology: Create Time, Reduce Errors and Scale Your Profits with Proven Business Systems. It's literally a system for building systems. I took this opportunity to ask David for his perspective on systemizing a blue-collar business in a predictable, repeatable way. We talk about the stages of business systemization (and how to know which one you're in), how to prioritize which systems to build first and how to involve your team in the systemization of your business.This conversation offers a great, high-level perspective on systemizing a contracting business.Episode Highlights:Get a breakdown of the “system for building systems” David Jenyns outlines in his book, SYSTEMology: Create Time, Reduce Errors and Scale Your Profits with Proven Business Systems.Learn how to prioritize which systems you build, in what order.Gain insights into how to involve your team in business systemization, including the idea of designating a “systems champion” to help with adoption and implementation.00:00-Intro02:04-What is a system?02:47-The vast majority of businesses we look at are dramatically undersystemized. Why?04:29-3 common excuses for not systemizing07:42-Is being a good systemizer god given or learned?12:57-What's more important: Vision or Systems?17:24-4 stages of business systemization25:03-How should business owners decide what systems to build first?33:03-System Building48:11-Fostering adoption55:30-Unexpected Benefits/Pleasant Surprises57:15-Where can people connect with you?

On April 8, we're hosting a free web class with Matt Risinger to teach you how to manage your finances like a 7-figure contractor. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-FIN2025To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP206 Grab your free strategic planning template here: https://trybta.com/DL206 You may be thinking:Is this an episode of Contractor Evolution……on a FRIDAY?Yup.After over 200 episodes, we thought it was time to introduce a new face—our co-founder and visionary Danny Kerr.And what better way to do that than by bringing you some BONUS content you can enjoy alongside our regular releases?Starting with a bit of a throwback.Today, we're re-releasing an episode we made back in 2021, hosted by Danny and his fellow co-founders Igor and James, covering all things strategic planning.Oddly enough, it has become one of our most popular episodes.If you've never given it a listen, now's your chance.Episode Highlights:In this BONUS episode, take it back to 2021 with us and delve in to strategic planning with Danny, Igor and James.Understand why you SHOULDN'T be planning in a boardroom with whiteboards and laptops - and where to go insteadLearn the 3 things you should come away with once you've completed your Annual Strategic Plan00:00-Intro01:56-Why is Strategic Planning important?15:02-What are you trying to achieve with your strategic planning?17:27-What is the step-by-step process for annual strategic planning?42:36-What do you do after you've got a strategic plan?45:13-Sharing your plan with your team53:56-Purpose of quarterly reviews58:05-Wrap up

On April 8, we're hosting a free web class with Matt Risinger to teach you how to manage your finances like a 7-figure contractor. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-FIN2025To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP204 Openness and transparency are values MANY of us espouse. But how open and honest are you really?Does your crew understand budget hours vs. actual hours?How about the projected gross profit on the project they just started?How about last year's net profit?In today's episode, we're talking to Creative Roots Landscaping founder Ryan Markewich along with three of his team members: Jacob Markewich, Rik Van Espen and Zac Neufeld.They run their landscaping business, Creative Roots, completely open book. Every person on the team is taught and shown every metric the business tracks and knows how every dollar is made.This conversation is all about the employee perspective on open book management. What it does for the culture they work in, their feelings about work and its effect on performance.Episode Highlights:Learn how open book management works in practice, using friend of the show Ryan Markewich's highly successful Creative Roots Landscaping as a case study.Get the perspective of three team members—what openness and transparency does for their culture, sense of purpose and performance.Hear how Ryan's strategy has resulted in high retention rates, exceptional talent, and a work environment that has people lining up at the door to be a part of.00:00-Intro01:36-About Open Book in Creative Roots05:57-What drew the team to Creative Roots?09:03-What impact does open book management have on the culture?19:48-Best part of open book management37:13-Is it true that young people don't wanna work in the trades?45:56-Advice to business owner wanting to try open book management

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP203Learn more about WorkBetterNow here: https://www.workbetternow.com/Are you using Virtual Assistants and other forms of offshore talent yet?Because you probably should be.Many of the roles in your business can't be done remotely, sure. But could your office manager effectively administrate from Mexico City?Could you delegate all the lower-level stuff to an executive assistant based in Medellin?The answer is: maybe.Our guest on the show today is Rob Levin. He is the co-founder of Work Better Now and the author of the forthcoming book: The New Talent Playbook.Today's conversation is a pragmatic road map to how you might install super-talented offshore hires into your company. At the end of the day, what's right for your business is up to you, but we want you to fully understand the scale of talent options that are out there.Episode Highlights:Learn about the breadth of options available to you when it comes to offshore and nearshore talent.Hear Work Better Now co-founder Rob Levin's take on some of the most common arguments AGAINST offshore talent.Get ideas for which of the roles on your org chart make good candidates for offshore hiring (hint: there are more than you think).00:00-Intro01:41-About The New Talent Playbook03:41-What is up with the current labor market?09:00-Where is the labor market headed?11:33-In the blue-collar context: what roles can be done offshore/nearshore?23:35-Strengths and weaknesses of offshore talent24:58-Common concerns about offshore talent: #1: Missing context28:07-Common concern #2: Language barriers34:22-Common concern #3: Cybersecurity36:26-Cost of offshore vs. local39:27-Idea of divisional assistants44:02 - How AI empowers VAs and offshore talent49:48-Recap52:04-Connect with Rob

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Grab a copy of Ellen's pricing tool here: https://trybta.com/DL202 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP202 Today, we’re welcoming industry legend Ellen Rohr to the show. We couldn’t be more excited. She’s built and sold two companies. Written a slew of unbelievably helpful books including Where Did the Money Go? and How Much Should I Charge? She’s the founder and owner of Zoom Drain which now has over 50 locations. This episode is all about pricing. AKA how much you should charge and why. Episode Highlights: Learn why price is the EASIEST and FIRST lever you should always pull when you’re trying to grow your top AND bottom line. Understand how to use psychology to help you or your sales team gain the confidence needed to own your value and charge what you need. Get access to a simple equation for calculating your own selling price based on your own financial goals (spoiler alert: what your competition charges has nothing to do with it). 00:00-Intro 01:57-About the 2011 book: How Much Should I Charge? 08:45-Why pricing as a passion? 12:36-How most contractors decide what to charge 17:21-The importance of value 21:34-How to figure out what you should charge 29:05-Importance of billable hours 34:22-The best position to be in the market 39:19-How to know when your price is too high 44:27-How to train your sales team to "own their price" 53:39-Pricing analysis and updates in an inflationary environment. 58:01-Fun Hypothetical QuestionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Grab a copy of Ellen's pricing tool here: https://trybta.com/DL202 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP202 Today, we’re welcoming industry legend Ellen Rohr to the show. We couldn’t be more excited. She’s built and sold two companies. Written a slew of unbelievably helpful books including Where Did the Money Go? and How Much Should I Charge? She’s the founder and owner of Zoom Drain which now has over 50 locations. This episode is all about pricing. AKA how much you should charge and why. Episode Highlights: Learn why price is the EASIEST and FIRST lever you should always pull when you’re trying to grow your top AND bottom line. Understand how to use psychology to help you or your sales team gain the confidence needed to own your value and charge what you need. Get access to a simple equation for calculating your own selling price based on your own financial goals (spoiler alert: what your competition charges has nothing to do with it). 00:00-Intro 01:57-About the 2011 book: How Much Should I Charge? 08:45-Why pricing as a passion? 12:36-How most contractors decide what to charge 17:21-The importance of value 21:34-How to figure out what you should charge 29:05-Importance of billable hours 34:22-The best position to be in the market 39:19-How to know when your price is too high 44:27-How to train your sales team to "own their price" 53:39-Pricing analysis and updates in an inflationary environment. 58:01-Fun Hypothetical QuestionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Get your free guide to being COACHABLE here: https://trybta.com/DL201 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP201 Today’s episode has a very specific purpose. We’ve gathered four of our world-class business coaches to give advice to contractors who are just beginning to systemize their business with Breakthrough Academy. If you chose this episode, you are either: A new Breakthrough Academy Member looking for advice on how to get the most out of your time in the program. In that case, welcome and congratulations. Not a Breakthrough Academy Member yet, but are kinda curious about what exactly we do. In that case, listen closely, and if the conversation that follows resonates with you, you can book a discovery call with us using the link in the description. Through conversations with Coach Harold, Coach Ashley, Coach Brayden and Coach Shane, you’ll learn: The mindset you need to succeed in the program. What makes some contractors exceptional implementers while others struggle to bring projects across the finish line. What kind of progress you can expect when you invest your time and effort into the BTA Program. Episode Highlights: Get insights on how to be coachable from four world-class business coaches. Learn the difference between a contractor who implements systems quickly and a contractor who struggles to finish what they start. Understand the mindset, time commitment and skillsets of Members who get the most out of the BTA Program, versus the “red flags” of Members who fall behind. 00:00-Intro02:16-Why do most people start BTA?04:16-Successful Members vs. those who struggle07:53-New Member red flags09:59-The first six months: what to expect11:36-Mindset tips for faster results12:36-How to implement faster and be more coachable14:45-Importance of the BTA community19:50-How coaches help struggling Members21:23-How to become data-driven23:50-Coaching pet peeves26:01-The first year: what to expect29:22-Best part of being a BTA coachSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Get your free guide to being COACHABLE here: https://trybta.com/DL201 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP201 Today’s episode has a very specific purpose. We’ve gathered four of our world-class business coaches to give advice to contractors who are just beginning to systemize their business with Breakthrough Academy. If you chose this episode, you are either: A new Breakthrough Academy Member looking for advice on how to get the most out of your time in the program. In that case, welcome and congratulations. Not a Breakthrough Academy Member yet, but are kinda curious about what exactly we do. In that case, listen closely, and if the conversation that follows resonates with you, you can book a discovery call with us using the link in the description. Through conversations with Coach Harold, Coach Ashley, Coach Brayden and Coach Shane, you’ll learn: The mindset you need to succeed in the program. What makes some contractors exceptional implementers while others struggle to bring projects across the finish line. What kind of progress you can expect when you invest your time and effort into the BTA Program. Episode Highlights: Get insights on how to be coachable from four world-class business coaches. Learn the difference between a contractor who implements systems quickly and a contractor who struggles to finish what they start. Understand the mindset, time commitment and skillsets of Members who get the most out of the BTA Program, versus the “red flags” of Members who fall behind. 00:00-Intro02:16-Why do most people start BTA?04:16-Successful Members vs. those who struggle07:53-New Member red flags09:59-The first six months: what to expect11:36-Mindset tips for faster results12:36-How to implement faster and be more coachable14:45-Importance of the BTA community19:50-How coaches help struggling Members21:23-How to become data-driven23:50-Coaching pet peeves26:01-The first year: what to expect29:22-Best part of being a BTA coachSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP200 Today is a very special day for the team here at Contractor Evolution. Today, we’re releasing our 200th episode. We've spoken to some incredible guests, and that has helped us build a following of the coolest listeners in the world. So... if you've been on the show or just listen to it, we want to express profound gratitude to you. To say we are humbled and proud would be to say nothing at all. For this milestone episode, we're going back through some of Benji's favorite episodes and talking through the lessons we took away from the conversations. Episode Highlights: Celebrate 200 episodes with Benji and the Contractor Evolution team. Take a trip down memory lane and revisit stand out moments from past episodes. Discover hidden gem moments from episodes you may have missed (and then go back and listen to them! 00:00-Intro01:40-How To Create A Vivid Vision For Your Company - Cameron Herold10:16-Which Fire Should I Put Out Next? - Mike Michalowicz14:26-Is Blue-Collar Work Making a Comeback? - Ken Rusk20:47-What’s Your Business REALLY Worth? - John Warrilow26:45-Thinking Lean: Eliminate Waste Through Continuous Improvement - Paul Akers31:14-Mark Bradley: From 0 To 50MM + Founding LMN - Mark Bradley34:58-SOP's: Why Your Business Is A Mess & What To Do About It - Tom Hughes41:45-How To Buy Back Your Time - Dan Martell 50:15-Matt Risinger on Hiring - Matt Risinger56:02-Negotiation Tactics for Contractors - Chris Voss01:01:56-Is Wrapping Your Vehicles Worth It? - Dan AntonelliSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP200 Today is a very special day for the team here at Contractor Evolution. Today, we’re releasing our 200th episode. We've spoken to some incredible guests, and that has helped us build a following of the coolest listeners in the world. So... if you've been on the show or just listen to it, we want to express profound gratitude to you. To say we are humbled and proud would be to say nothing at all. For this milestone episode, we're going back through some of Benji's favorite episodes and talking through the lessons we took away from the conversations. Episode Highlights: Celebrate 200 episodes with Benji and the Contractor Evolution team. Take a trip down memory lane and revisit stand out moments from past episodes. Discover hidden gem moments from episodes you may have missed (and then go back and listen to them! 00:00-Intro01:40-How To Create A Vivid Vision For Your Company - Cameron Herold10:16-Which Fire Should I Put Out Next? - Mike Michalowicz14:26-Is Blue-Collar Work Making a Comeback? - Ken Rusk20:47-What’s Your Business REALLY Worth? - John Warrilow26:45-Thinking Lean: Eliminate Waste Through Continuous Improvement - Paul Akers31:14-Mark Bradley: From 0 To 50MM + Founding LMN - Mark Bradley34:58-SOP's: Why Your Business Is A Mess & What To Do About It - Tom Hughes41:45-How To Buy Back Your Time - Dan Martell56:02-Negotiation Tactics for Contractors - Chris Voss01:01:56-Is Wrapping Your Vehicles Worth It? - Dan AntonelliSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP199 Use code TRADE2025 to get $10 off a copy of the Motivated By Appreciation Inventory for Trades here: https://shop.appreciationatwork.com/collections/mba-inventory (limit one code per email, good through March 15, 2025). Ever wonder why your staff feel “under-appreciated?” Like—you tell them they’re doing a good job, you take them for lunch every now and then, and you pay them fairly. And yet there’s always someone who feels like you don’t value their contributions. Our guest today, Dr. Paul White, has some possible answers. He coauthored The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace alongside Gary Chapman, the man who coined the five love languages many of us are familiar with. The idea is simple: not everyone experiences appreciation the same way. Some like verbal praise, some find meaning in gifts, others need quality time with their manager or team. This conversation is about how to recognize the best way to appreciate your team, and the tangible impact appreciation can have on your business. Episode Highlights: Get a breakdown from Dr. Paul White, coauthor of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, of how the five love languages coined by Gary Chapman can be applied to how people give and receive appreciation in the workplace. Learn how learning how to appreciate your team members according to their appreciation language of choice can improve their sense of purpose in your business. Understand the tangible results proper appreciation can achieve in all areas of your business. 00:00-Intro 01:13-About Dr. Paul 03:01-Appreciation in the trades 08:12-Is blue-collar work underappreciated? 12:43-The psychology of appreciation? 16:03-Misconceptions about appreciation at work 17:52-The 5 Languages of Appreciation 18:21-Words of Affirmation 25:00-Quality Time 31:22-Acts of Service 35:21-Gifts 39:07-Physical Touch 41:09-Tools & assessments for appreciation at work 43:32-How to install appreciation across your organizationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP199 Use code TRADE2025 to get $10 off a copy of the Motivated By Appreciation Inventory for Trades here: https://shop.appreciationatwork.com/collections/mba-inventory (limit one code per email, good through March 15, 2025). Ever wonder why your staff feel “under-appreciated?” Like—you tell them they’re doing a good job, you take them for lunch every now and then, and you pay them fairly. And yet there’s always someone who feels like you don’t value their contributions. Our guest today, Dr. Paul White, has some possible answers. He coauthored The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace alongside Gary Chapman, the man who coined the five love languages many of us are familiar with. The idea is simple: not everyone experiences appreciation the same way. Some like verbal praise, some find meaning in gifts, others need quality time with their manager or team. This conversation is about how to recognize the best way to appreciate your team, and the tangible impact appreciation can have on your business. Episode Highlights: Get a breakdown from Dr. Paul White, coauthor of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, of how the five love languages coined by Gary Chapman can be applied to how people give and receive appreciation in the workplace. Learn how learning how to appreciate your team members according to their appreciation language of choice can improve their sense of purpose in your business. Understand the tangible results proper appreciation can achieve in all areas of your business. 00:00-Intro 01:13-About Dr. Paul 03:01-Appreciation in the trades 08:12-Is blue-collar work underappreciated? 12:43-The psychology of appreciation? 16:03-Misconceptions about appreciation at work 17:52-The 5 Languages of Appreciation 18:21-Words of Affirmation 25:00-Quality Time 31:22-Acts of Service 35:21-Gifts 39:07-Physical Touch 41:09-Tools & assessments for appreciation at work 43:32-How to install appreciation across your organizationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Get your free SOP starter kit here: https://trybta.com/DL198 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP198 Ever wonder why some contractors scale smoothly to 7-figures and beyond while others constantly get stuck in an operational hellhole? Clients constantly badgering you… Crews relying on you to answer every single question… Margins so depressing they could make a grown man cry… The good news is, there’s a relatively simple tool that can help you solve most of your operational challenges. SOPs (standard operating procedures). A while back, I co-hosted a comprehensive SOP web class with the one and only Matt Risinger, CEO of Risinger Build and founder of the Build Show Network. We covered everything you need to know about SOPs, based on Breakthrough Academy’s work with over 1500 contractors and Matt Risinger’s own experience scaling two massive companies. Today, we’re releasing that class as a podcast episode so more contractors can benefit from Matt’s insights. Episode Highlights: Hear about Matt Risinger’s SOP journey, including the time the lack of an SOP resulted in a 6-figure mistake. Get a step-by-step walkthrough of how to build SOPs for your company. Learn how to manage change when implementing SOPs with your team, so that they actually get used as intended. 00:00-Intro02:13-About the web class06:50-What part of your operations frustrates you the most?15:11-SOP Red Flags25:52-Where to start with SOPs35:34-How to build SOPs50:04-Change management58:54-Why SOPs fail01:00:49-The evolution of the entrepreneur01:02:09-Implement SOPs faster with the Contractor Growth Method01:04:53-Q&ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to build killer SOPs for your painting business at our free web class on February 12th. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-SOPS2025 Get your free SOP starter kit here: https://trybta.com/DL198 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP198 Ever wonder why some contractors scale smoothly to 7-figures and beyond while others constantly get stuck in an operational hellhole? Clients constantly badgering you… Crews relying on you to answer every single question… Margins so depressing they could make a grown man cry… The good news is, there’s a relatively simple tool that can help you solve most of your operational challenges. SOPs (standard operating procedures). A while back, I co-hosted a comprehensive SOP web class with the one and only Matt Risinger, CEO of Risinger Build and founder of the Build Show Network. We covered everything you need to know about SOPs, based on Breakthrough Academy’s work with over 1500 contractors and Matt Risinger’s own experience scaling two massive companies. Today, we’re releasing that class as a podcast episode so more contractors can benefit from Matt’s insights. Episode Highlights: Hear about Matt Risinger’s SOP journey, including the time the lack of an SOP resulted in a 6-figure mistake. Get a step-by-step walkthrough of how to build SOPs for your company. Learn how to manage change when implementing SOPs with your team, so that they actually get used as intended. 00:00-Intro02:13-About the web class06:50-What part of your operations frustrates you the most?15:11-SOP Red Flags25:52-Where to start with SOPs35:34-How to build SOPs50:04-Change management58:54-Why SOPs fail01:00:49-The evolution of the entrepreneur01:02:09-Implement SOPs faster with the Contractor Growth Method01:04:53-Q&ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP197 When times get tough, tragedy strikes or things take a turn for the worst, how do you keep faith that everything will turn out ok? Today, that’s what our very own Breakthrough Academy coach Ian Ouwerkerk is joining me to discuss. On August 29th, 2008 on their way to a wedding, Ian, his mum and his dad were T-boned by a car going 70 miles an hour. The accident left Ian with a severed carotid artery plus 11 ribs and both his collar bones broken. And the list of injuries goes on. He died and came back multiple times through this harrowing event. Today, he’s generously opening up about his accident, miraculous recovery and the life lessons he learned from the tragic experience. We talk about how to cultivate resilience, perspective, and faith in life’s most challenging seasons. Episode Highlights: BTA Coach Ian tells the story of the near-fatal car accident he survived in 2008 and how the event changed his life. Hear the life lessons Ian took away from the experience, and what they taught him about resilience and faith. Gain perspective on the challenges you’re facing in business and life, and understand how having faith can help you push through adversity. 00:00-Intro 01:31-About Coach Ian 08:17-Ian's accident and out of body experience 17:58-The injuries Ian had to overcome 28:27-What got Ian through the recovery process 30:32-Getting back on his feet 39:05-Enduring more bad news 49:07-Core lessons and takeaways from that difficult period 50:56-It's all about faith 01:06:57-The power of impacting others through entrepreneurshipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to build killer SOPs for your painting business at our free web class on February 12th. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-SOPS2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP197 When times get tough, tragedy strikes or things take a turn for the worst, how do you keep faith that everything will turn out ok? Today, that’s what our very own Breakthrough Academy coach Ian Ouwerkerk is joining me to discuss. On August 29th, 2008 on their way to a wedding, Ian, his mum and his dad were T-boned by a car going 70 miles an hour. The accident left Ian with a severed carotid artery plus 11 ribs and both his collar bones broken. And the list of injuries goes on. He died and came back multiple times through this harrowing event. Today, he’s generously opening up about his accident, miraculous recovery and the life lessons he learned from the tragic experience. We talk about how to cultivate resilience, perspective, and faith in life’s most challenging seasons. Episode Highlights: BTA Coach Ian tells the story of the near-fatal car accident he survived in 2008 and how the event changed his life. Hear the life lessons Ian took away from the experience, and what they taught him about resilience and faith. Gain perspective on the challenges you’re facing in business and life, and understand how having faith can help you push through adversity. 00:00-Intro 01:31-About Coach Ian 08:17-Ian's accident and out of body experience 17:58-The injuries Ian had to overcome 28:27-What got Ian through the recovery process 30:32-Getting back on his feet 39:05-Enduring more bad news 49:07-Core lessons and takeaways from that difficult period 50:56-It's all about faith 01:06:57-The power of impacting others through entrepreneurshipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 Grab your free "goodie bag" of financial management templates here: https://trybta.com/DL196 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP196 If you’ve made it this far in business, I probably don’t need to tell you that need to budget, track your overhead, and do job costing. The problem is: nobody ever shows you HOW. A few weeks back, we co-hosted a webinar with our friend Bob Gauvreau from Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory to teach 7-figure contractors everything they need to know about managing their finances. We talked about budgeting, job costing, avoiding cash crunches and more. And today, we’re replaying it here on the podcast so more contractors can benefit from the insights. This is a must-listen for anyone whose New Year’s Resolution is to get better at financial management. Episode Highlights: Understand the least painful way to track your budgets, job costing, and overhead—without wasting hours with mind-numbing numbers. Get insight into the top 5 cash flow problems to watch out for. Many of these are new in 2024 — but avoiding them is simple once you know what to look for. Learn how to take the guesswork out of your financial decision-making, including your financial benchmarks for your specific industry. 00:00-Intro02:34-About the session03:47-About our free templates (link in description)05:24-Why talk cash flow and budgeting?06:50-About Benji & Bob08:05-Purpose, Outcomes & Agenda10:59-Why is staying on top of your numbers so hard?13:41-Common challenges with financial management21:41-3 Core Systems of Financial Management36:23-Industry Benchmarks - Profit Margins41:20-Margins as you evolve46:21-Signs you should be worried about your cash flow51:04-Five Cash Flow Destroyers59:33-How to implement change01:07:18-Q&ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your free "goodie bag" of financial management templates here: https://trybta.com/DL196 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP196 If you’ve made it this far in business, I probably don’t need to tell you that need to budget, track your overhead, and do job costing. The problem is: nobody ever shows you HOW. A few weeks back, we co-hosted a webinar with our friend Bob Gauvreau from Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory to teach 7-figure contractors everything they need to know about managing their finances. We talked about budgeting, job costing, avoiding cash crunches and more. And today, we’re replaying it here on the podcast so more contractors can benefit from the insights. This is a must-listen for anyone whose New Year’s Resolution is to get better at financial management. Episode Highlights: Understand the least painful way to track your budgets, job costing, and overhead—without wasting hours with mind-numbing numbers. Get insight into the top 5 cash flow problems to watch out for. Many of these are new in 2024 — but avoiding them is simple once you know what to look for. Learn how to take the guesswork out of your financial decision-making, including your financial benchmarks for your specific industry. 00:00-Intro02:34-About the session03:47-About our free templates (link in description)05:24-Why talk cash flow and budgeting?06:50-About Benji & Bob08:05-Purpose, Outcomes & Agenda10:59-Why is staying on top of your numbers so hard?13:41-Common challenges with financial management21:41-3 Core Systems of Financial Management36:23-Industry Benchmarks - Profit Margins41:20-Margins as you evolve46:21-Signs you should be worried about your cash flow51:04-Five Cash Flow Destroyers59:33-How to implement change01:07:18-Q&ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA195 Check out Tersh's YouTube channel here:     / tershblissett   How are you using AI and automation in your business? Maybe you use ChatGPT for idea generation or have some automated reminders going out through your bookkeeping software or CRM. If so, that's great. But the reality is there is a lot more you could be doing. And it doesn't all require in-depth programming knowledge or tech skills. Today's conversation is with Tersh Blissett. He's an AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. We discuss the five types of automations all contractors need and three of the most clever ways he's seeing AI deployed in the trades today. If you're tired of monotonous and repetitive tasks but aren't sure where to start with automations, this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights: Get intel from Tersh Blissett, AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. Learn the five types of automations every contractor needs to optimize their operations. Get tips on how to get started with AI and automations, including three of Tersh's favorite AI use cases in the contracting space. 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - Defining automations 02:04 - Background on Tersh's passion for AI and automation 06:42 - About Tersh 11:55 - Five automations every contractor needs 12:23 - 1. Automated appointment scheduling and reminders 19:36 - 2. Streamlined customer support ticket handling 24:10 - 3. Automated lead management 25:23 - 4. Social media content curation and posting 30:54 - 5. Automated onboarding for new clients 40:49 - Three clever ways contractors can use AI in their business 54:10 - Advice for the not so tech-savvy contractor 56:52 - Connect with Tersh Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

Learn how to hire for profit growth with this free download: https://trybta.com/DLEP191 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA191 Learn more about Greg and Simple Numbers here: https://www.simplenumberscri.com/ We're gonna make an educated guess and say you didn't get into business because you love accounting. So when it comes to financial management—budgeting, forecasting, and tracking the right metrics for success—you'd be forgiven for getting a little lost in the jargon and differing opinions on the “right” way to do things. Our guest on the show today is Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! Greg's approach to financial controls and profitability is refreshingly simple and easy to understand. He distills the confusing world of accounting into incredibly simple metrics and lays out the core areas of business you need to focus on. If you're looking for a simple explanation of which numbers you should care about and how to optimize them for business growth, consider this episode your starting point. Episode highlights: Understand why gross margin is your TRUE top line and why revenue is one of the most meaningless metrics to care about in business, according to Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! Hear Greg's thoughts on why your income tax paid is actually one of the best KPIs to optimize Learn the only two ways to boost labor productivity and get out of the profitability black hole between $1MM and $5MM 00:00 - Intro 01:52 - Why are finances so hard to understand? 14:49 - About the Four Keys 21:30 - How should people use and think about the Four Keys? 28:44 - Owner's Salary 36:56 - Profit 50:52 - Labor Productivity 1:02:23 - Habits and mindsets Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA192 Have you ever wondered how the masters of big business scale up to nine-figures and beyond? Today's guest is Adam E. Coffey, author of 3 bestsellers: The Private Equity Playbook, The Exit Strategy Playbook, and Empire Builder: The Road to a Billion. After 10 years as an executive at General Electric, he was hired as the president of three private equity-backed service companies where he completed 58 acquisitions and facilitated billions of dollars in successful exits. In this episode, we pick his brain about how small-to-medium sized contractors like you can apply the concepts of The Private Equity Playbook to their business systems and operations. And trust us, there is a ton to be learned from our conversation. Episode highlights: Get a breakdown of the concepts in Adam E.Coffey's bestselling books, The Private Equity Playbook, The Exit Strategy Playbook, and Empire Builder: The Road to a Billion. Learn the three stages of business growth on the road to a billion, and what tactics and areas of focus are most important at each point in the journey. Understand how to apply the mindset and tactics used in the world of private equity to your own strategic plan. 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - About Adam Coffey 06:22 - Stage 1 : $0 to $1MM 16:26 - Stage 2: $1 M to $10MM 32:17 - Stage 3: $10MM to $100MM 42:40 - Four Powerful Organic Levers to Bend Your Growth Curve Upward 50:27 - The 2 Most Essential Business Skills for Growth 53:39 - Connect With Adam Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

Stop telling yourself the lies in this episode and start telling yourself the 7 TRUTHS in this free download instead: https://trybta.com/DL193 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA193 For the first episode of 2025, Benji is speaking from the heart. Today, he's calling out seven lies to stop telling yourself in 2025. And, really, seven lies we all need to stop telling ourselves. We hope this episode helps you break unhealthy thought patterns. About your business. About your family. And most importantly, about yourself. New year, new you. And new us, too. Episode Highlights: Understand whether seven unhealthy thought patterns are impacting your business and life, and how to let them go as you enter the new year. Reflect on the limiting beliefs that held you back in the past, and start to shift your thinking as you move into the future. 00:00 - Intro 02:09 - 1. It's “just a [insert industry] business” 04:32 - 2. Another business/industry would have been easier 08:39 - 3. It HAS to be hard 10:39 - 4. I need to be good at everything. 11:45 - 5. I'm not worthy of the abundance my business is creating 14:32 - 6. A+ Talent doesn't want to work for my business 16:32 - 7. I'm behind; everyone else is so far ahead Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA194 Get your copy of Greg McKeown's new Essentialism Planner here: https://gregmckeown.com/books/the-ess... Do you know what you want this year? Or next year? Or in five years? In this distracted world we're living in, it can be pretty hard to drown out the noise, algorithms and influencers and figure out what it is that you want. And how to go get it. Our guest on the show today is Greg McKeown, author of one of the most beloved books in the small business world: Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less. He's here to teach us how to define and achieve what's truly most important to you by narrowing your focus and aligning your actions with the highest priority—the most essential—goals in business and life. Late last year, Greg released a new workbook to help readers work through the concepts of an essentialist lifestyle, and we're lucky enough to get a preview into what the process looks like on the show. Episode highlights: Learn how to apply the concepts of Greg McKeown's book, Essentialism: - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less to your business and life. Get tips from Benji and Greg on how to figure out what it is you actually want in life, and how to go after it with laser focus. Gain a new perspective on your 2025 strategic plan and vision, just in time to go out and crush your goals. 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - Essentialism: A 2024 Update 04:19 - About the Essentialism Planner 07:43 - How to discern the "trivial many" from the "vital few" 30:39 - How to figure out what you actually want 55:25 - The power of a graceful no 01:01:40 - The importance of rest, play, and escape 01:10:40 - Advice for contractors as they enter 2025 Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

Grab a free summary of Joey's book, Never Lose an Employee Again, here: https://trybta.com/DLEP190 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA190 Learn more about Joey and his work here: https://joeycoleman.com/ It sucks to lose good people. Especially when it feels like you did everything you could to keep them, short of a 7-figure salary and 6 months vacation.

Grab your copy of our IMPLEMENT framework here: https://trybta.com/DLEP189 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/pca-ce The end of the year is approaching, and that means it's “hope season” for a lot of contractors. Your implementation goals are big. You've got tech stack upgrades, brand refreshes, and shiny new internal processes on the brain. But, let's be real: If you look back at past years—and all the projects you had planned—how many of them did you actually get across the finish line? The graveyard of good ideas not implemented for most entrepreneurs is vast. So how do you break the cycle and actually get sh*t done in 2025? This episode is a 9-part roadmap that will help you sharpen your implementation skills and turn your great ideas into fully implemented systems. Episode highlights: Learn Benji's nine part framework for successfully implementing projects—from tech stack upgrades to business systems to SOPs. Understand why implementation is so difficult, and how to sharpen your skills as a business owner to get more done in 2025. Get fired up and ready to crush your implementation goals next year. 00:00 - Intro 02:15 - Pick The Right Things To Implement 04:33 - Define Your Outcomes 06:34 - Don't Reinvent the Wheel 07:34 - Make Foolproof Project Plans 09:04 - Delegate, Don't Dump 12:29 - Find Your Milestones and Celebrate Them 13:29 - Don't Forget the Change Management Part 15:57 - Audit (is what we implemented working?) 17:12 - Give People Breaks Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!

On March 11, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP195 How are you using AI and automation in your business? Maybe you use ChatGPT for idea generation or have some automated reminders going out through your bookkeeping software or CRM. If so, that’s great. But the reality is there is a lot more you could be doing. And it doesn't all require in-depth programming knowledge or tech skills. Today’s conversation is with Tersh Blissett. He’s an AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. We discuss the five types of automations all contractors need and three of the most clever ways he’s seeing AI deployed in the trades today. If you’re tired of monotonous and repetitive tasks but aren’t sure where to start with automations, this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights: Get intel from Tersh Blissett, AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. Learn the five types of automations every contractor needs to optimize their operations. Get tips on how to get started with AI and automations, including three of Tersh’s favorite AI use cases in the contracting space. 00:00-Intro 01:16-Defining automations 02:04-Background on Tersh's passion for AI and automation 06:42-About Tersh 11:55-Five automations every contractor needs 12:23-Automated appointment scheduling and reminders 19:36-Streamlined customer support ticket handling 24:10-Automated lead management 25:23-Social media content curation and posting 30:54-Automated onboarding for new clients 40:49-Three clever ways contractors can use AI in their business 54:10-Advice for the not so tech-savvy contractor 56:52-Connect with Tersh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to build a killer annual strategic plan for your contracting business at our free web class on January 20th. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-SP2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP195 How are you using AI and automation in your business? Maybe you use ChatGPT for idea generation or have some automated reminders going out through your bookkeeping software or CRM. If so, that’s great. But the reality is there is a lot more you could be doing. And it doesn't all require in-depth programming knowledge or tech skills. Today’s conversation is with Tersh Blissett. He’s an AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. We discuss the five types of automations all contractors need and three of the most clever ways he’s seeing AI deployed in the trades today. If you’re tired of monotonous and repetitive tasks but aren’t sure where to start with automations, this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights: Get intel from Tersh Blissett, AI and automations expert for trades and construction, Host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, owner of two HVAC companies, and founder of Trade Automation Pros. Learn the five types of automations every contractor needs to optimize their operations. Get tips on how to get started with AI and automations, including three of Tersh’s favorite AI use cases in the contracting space. 00:00-Intro 01:16-Defining automations 02:04-Background on Tersh's passion for AI and automation 06:42-About Tersh 11:55-Five automations every contractor needs 12:23-Automated appointment scheduling and reminders 19:36-Streamlined customer support ticket handling 24:10-Automated lead management 25:23-Social media content curation and posting 30:54-Automated onboarding for new clients 40:49-Three clever ways contractors can use AI in their business 54:10-Advice for the not so tech-savvy contractor 56:52-Connect with Tersh See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP194 Get your copy of Greg McKeown's new Essentialism Planner here: https://gregmckeown.com/books/the-essentialism-planner/ Do you know what you want this year? Or next year? Or in five years? In this distracted world we’re living in, it can be pretty hard to drown out the noise, algorithms and influencers and figure out what it is that you want. And how to go get it. Our guest on the show today is Greg McKeown, author of one of the most beloved books in the small business world: Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less. He’s here to teach us how to define and achieve what’s truly most important to you by narrowing your focus and aligning your actions with the highest priority—the most essential—goals in business and life. Late last year, Greg released a new workbook to help readers work through the concepts of an essentialist lifestyle, and we’re lucky enough to get a preview into what the process looks like on the show. Episode highlights: Learn how to apply the concepts of Greg McKeown's book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less to your business and life. Get tips from Benji and Greg on how to figure out what it is you actually want in life, and how to go after it with laser focus. Gain a new perspective on your 2025 strategic plan and vision, just in time to go out and crush your goals. 00:00-Intro 01:44-Essentialism: A 2024 Update 04:19-About the Essentialism Planner 07:43-How to discern the "trivial many" from the "vital few" 30:39-How to figure out what you actually want 55:25-The power of a graceful no 01:01:40-The importance of rest, play, and escape 01:10:40-Advice for contractors as they enter 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to build a killer annual strategic plan for your contracting business at our free web class on January 20th. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-SP2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP194 Get your copy of Greg McKeown's new Essentialism Planner here: https://gregmckeown.com/books/the-essentialism-planner/ Do you know what you want this year? Or next year? Or in five years? In this distracted world we’re living in, it can be pretty hard to drown out the noise, algorithms and influencers and figure out what it is that you want. And how to go get it. Our guest on the show today is Greg McKeown, author of one of the most beloved books in the small business world: Essentialism: the Disciplined Pursuit of Less. He’s here to teach us how to define and achieve what’s truly most important to you by narrowing your focus and aligning your actions with the highest priority—the most essential—goals in business and life. Late last year, Greg released a new workbook to help readers work through the concepts of an essentialist lifestyle, and we’re lucky enough to get a preview into what the process looks like on the show. Episode highlights: Learn how to apply the concepts of Greg McKeown's book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less to your business and life. Get tips from Benji and Greg on how to figure out what it is you actually want in life, and how to go after it with laser focus. Gain a new perspective on your 2025 strategic plan and vision, just in time to go out and crush your goals. 00:00-Intro 01:44-Essentialism: A 2024 Update 04:19-About the Essentialism Planner 07:43-How to discern the "trivial many" from the "vital few" 30:39-How to figure out what you actually want 55:25-The power of a graceful no 01:01:40-The importance of rest, play, and escape 01:10:40-Advice for contractors as they enter 2025See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stop telling yourself the lies in this episode and start telling yourself the 7 TRUTHS in this free download instead: https://trybta.com/DL193 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP193 For the first episode of 2025, Benji is speaking from the heart. Today, he's calling out seven lies to stop telling yourself in 2025. And, really, seven lies we all need to stop telling ourselves. We hope this episode helps you break unhealthy thought patterns. About your business. About your family. And most importantly, about yourself. New year, new you. And new us, too. Episode Highlights:- Understand whether seven unhealthy thought patterns are impacting your business and life, and how to let them go as you enter the new year.- Reflect on the limiting beliefs that held you back in the past, and start to shift your thinking as you move into the future. 00:00-Intro02:09-It’s “just a [insert industry] business”04:32-Another business/industry would have been easier08:39-It HAS to be hard10:39-I need to be good at everything.11:45-I’m not worthy of the abundance my business is creating14:32-A+ Talent doesn't want to work for my business16:32-I’m behind; everyone else is so far aheadSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stop telling yourself the lies in this episode and start telling yourself the 7 TRUTHS in this free download instead: https://trybta.com/DL193 Learn how to build a killer annual strategic plan for your contracting business at our free web class on January 20th. Spaces are limited, so save your spot now: https://trybta.com/CE-SP2025 To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP193 For the first episode of 2025, Benji is speaking from the heart. Today, he's calling out seven lies to stop telling yourself in 2025. And, really, seven lies we all need to stop telling ourselves. We hope this episode helps you break unhealthy thought patterns. About your business. About your family. And most importantly, about yourself. New year, new you. And new us, too. Episode Highlights:- Understand whether seven unhealthy thought patterns are impacting your business and life, and how to let them go as you enter the new year.- Reflect on the limiting beliefs that held you back in the past, and start to shift your thinking as you move into the future. 00:00-Intro02:09-It’s “just a [insert industry] business”04:32-Another business/industry would have been easier08:39-It HAS to be hard10:39-I need to be good at everything.11:45-I’m not worthy of the abundance my business is creating14:32-A+ Talent doesn't want to work for my business16:32-I’m behind; everyone else is so far aheadSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCA187 Get a copy of Profit First for Contractors here: https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Co... Did you know that the vast majority of construction and trades businesses net less than 5% profit a year? In case you were wondering—that's not good. Our guest on the show today is Shawn Van Dyke, author of Profit First for Contractors and The Paperwork Punch List. In this episode, we break down the Profit First for Contractors (or PFC) cash management model, including a prescribed framework for implementing PFC in your business right away. If you change the way you manage your finances, you'll also change the way you think about money flowing in and out of your accounts. And in turn, you'll make better decisions that benefit you and your business. Episode highlights: Unpack how the profit-first approach Shawn Van Dyke outlines in Profit First for Contractors produces a powerful and positive psychological change to the way you see money flowing into and out of your business. Learn the four most common profit-destroying mistakes that Shawn sees owners make all too often. Find out which five bank accounts you need to set up right away. 00:00 - Intro 01:35 - About Profit First for Contractors 10:31 - Why is minimal profitability so common in construction and trades? 15:49 - Brief synopsis of the PFC Model 21:05 - Five bank accounts you need to set up 31:36 - What's the value of the five bank accounts? 47:07 - 4 mistakes that kill profitability 01:05:08 - Connect with Shawn Subscribe to Breakthrough Academy to never miss a video!