Podcast appearances and mentions of randall soules

Your business is the sum of your systems. How are yours’ working? In this episode, I talk with Randall Soules about systems, how they help business owners, why they’re important, and where to fit them in, from the sales stage to closing the job.

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0343, And It Will Be About Efficient Business Systems And The Value Of Documenting Your Processes   Too many construction businesses fall over because the owner has not established efficient business systems. This typically happens because the construction company owner is so caught up in the day-to-day operations that the fundamentals of proper business management get forgotten. Often too, it must be said that the owner doesn't like bookkeeping or other administrative tasks, so these get put on the back burner. The symptoms are familiar, and their results disastrous: Poor or non-existent record-keeping.  Tax obligations are not met.  Invoices go out late, and debts remain uncollected.  There is one cashflow crisis after another.  Goods and services are incorrectly costed and priced. Any of these factors can lead the business down the slippery path to failure, but all are avoidable. The whole point about putting in sound systems is that they free you to spend more time working ON your business, not in it. Be Business-like To be in business and to remain in business, become a business person! To run a business, you must be business-like. It's not sufficient to be very good at what you do. Lots of people who are 'very good at what they do' have failed. The familiar cry: "I'm far too busy for that" is also no excuse. Are you 'too busy' to be a competent businessperson? If so, your business won't last long. You must continue to develop your business skills. To be a businessperson, you have to make an effort to become something of an 'all-rounder', not just a specialist player. You can offer outstanding services, but if you don't develop superb business systems, then you are not a fully rounded businessperson, and your business will be in danger of failing. Remember that other stakeholders in your business, such as the building material suppliers who give you credit and the bankers who extend loans and financing terms, are always assessing your business skills. If you consistently pay people late or can't meet the terms of your debt agreements, they will draw the obvious conclusions about your business skills. How Good Business Systems Will Help You An exceptional business system will make your construction company stronger, more efficient, and easier to run. It will also make your business far more attractive to future buyers because if you have developed clear operating and procedure manuals, the company will be seen as an independently viable unit and less dependent on you.  Think, for instance, of what makes franchises so successful: it's because they are designed so that people can buy a proven system and operate it after minimal training. They can do this because the business procedures are captured in simple, clear operating manuals.  Here are some ways to implement excellent business housekeeping: 1. Good record-keeping and bookkeeping - will help you keep on-side with the Internal Revenue Service department. If you're able to meet your tax obligations through sensible planning, you'll sleep better at night. You won't fear a tax audit, and you'll know how your business is doing. A 'sudden tax demand won't catch you out of the blue' because no such thing exists for a well-run construction business. You should always know which taxes are due and when. You'll suffer less stress. 2. Proper business planning - will help you set goals for your business, with specific steps on how to achieve these goals. Without goals, where do you think you're going? Running a business without goals is like turning up at an airport and saying, "I'd like to go somewhere." The person at the ticket desk would think you're clueless! 3. Positive cash flow forecasting - will enable you to anticipate a possible cashflow problem (something all growing businesses experience from time to time) and take steps before the problem becomes a crisis. Banks will respect you if you anticipate issues and make plans in advance. Banks will not respect you—and will indeed categorize you as incompetent—if you tell them you've been 'caught out' by a crisis. Banks don't like messes. They want you to go to them well in advance of any possible crisis with a plan in hand. This shows them you're in charge of your business. 4. Great creditor and debtor control - will improve your cash flow. Invoicing promptly and collecting debts on time gives you the cash to pay suppliers on time and get more favorable credit terms from them. It is a virtuous circle. Sloppiness in this department is one of the most common (and unnecessary) causes of business owners experiencing stress and anxiety. So pay your creditors on time, and don't let your debtors use you as a free banking service. 5. Realistic pricing and costing - will ensure that you run your construction business in a competitive but profitable way. Poor skills in this regard could mean that you're operating at unrealistic levels—even at a loss. For example, if you let costs get out of hand (such as overhead costs), your profits will erode. There is no point in increasing sales if you're not increasing your profits. In business, you don't have to be an expert at everything. For example, you might hate bookkeeping. Fine—but do get someone else to do it for you, don't rely on a shoebox for your accounts! And you should at least understand the processes and the overall accounting picture even if you don't want to do the 'drudge work' yourself.  The Importance Of Documenting Processes Many construction company owners operate with their business processes and systems in their heads. They know what they need to do each day and the way they want to get things done. Unfortunately, when a construction business grows, and staff needs to be hired – or the owner needs to take time away from the company – it's a real liability not having processes and systems documented in one place. Here are five reasons to record your construction company processes and systems, so your business can run more efficiently and effectively, even when you're not there: Improve Efficiency When you sit down to record your processes and systems, you may discover gaps where improvements could be made. You might find better ways to perform routine tasks, reducing bottlenecks, and eliminating extra steps. You may decide that some tasks are too time-consuming, and you'd save time and money switching to an automated solution. Reviewing how you do things as you record systems can help create better systems, improving productivity. Support Your Staff Training When it's time to hire new talent, a systems manual can dramatically reduce the time you spend training. Documenting your processes can also ensure that jobs are consistently performed to a high standard. Sharing your procedure guidelines can help new employees, and casual staff quickly get up to speed on expectations and give them a reference to check before asking questions.  Sell Your Systems Develop a unique turnkey system that other construction businesses can implement to save time and cut costs, and you can increase profits by selling your operating manual. Those documented processes are part of your company's intellectual property and can be licensed, just like your brand name. Randal DeHart implemented systems using templates for QuickBooks and has tremendously helped hundreds of construction business owners like you. David Hawke and Randall Soules recently had a podcast interview with Randal and introduced their Scientific Remodeling System to the trade industry. Get Away One of the perks of running your own business is setting your schedule. But without systems in place, it can be challenging to get away for a vacation, let alone retire. To build a business that can run without you, you need to be able to delegate the tasks and processes to someone else, with the confidence they'll be performed correctly and consistently. Another excellent reason to make sure your systems are recorded and your manual are updated regularly. Sell Your Business When it comes the time to sell your business, you'll get top dollar if you can provide a buyer with an operating manual. A potential buyer wants to know the company will continue to run smoothly without you throughout the transition period, and that institutional memory will be retained when there's staff turnover. The greater ease with which someone can step in and operate the business, the greater the value and the higher your compensation when you're ready to sell. Final thoughts As we've identified, there are several excellent reasons to review your systems and record them, even if you're just starting out. You might plan to update it yearly, just like your business plan, to discover best practices and ensure it maintains its usefulness to you and your staff.  Having weak systems is the road to stress and burnout. On the other hand, sound business systems will enable you to work smarter, not harder. They free you to work on your construction business rather than in it. That way, you're more likely to avoid burnout, and you'll be able to take time off work because you can train others to follow your documented systems and procedures. Systems and processes are the way to build a better business and liberate yourself from it. About The Author: Sharie DeHart, QPAis the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com  

Ronda was featured on an amazing podcast, Remodeling Business Blueprint with Randall Soules and David Hawke talking about one of her favorite topics, LOVE WINS. In this episode, learn about how Ronda leads the CBH troops daily, how she handles challenges, and why company culture matters.You'll get some insider tips on what a day in life at CBH looks but most important how to change the way you run a business and why operating with LOVE is so important. 

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0335, And It Will Be About The Scientific Remodeling System   Today's Guest Article Is From David Hawke and Randall Soules A real remodeling system designed to generate more wealth with less work. I know it sounds like a cliché, and possibly even far fetched, but in this podcast episode, you’ll hear how this system came to exist and what gives its users the path to more wealth with less work. That said, success is not a guarantee. It does take work, but if you have the desire, the Scientific Remodeling System will give you the systems and processes needed to not only thrive as a remodeler but also have the money and freedom to enjoy a personal life with friends and family. Remodeling contractors are a rare breed. Typically they are tradespeople who make the jump into a business owner. They are very tied to the outcome of each project and love the feeling of giving life to the space they’re working with.  It’s as much an art as it is business. And that is why it’s difficult to implement systems. The passion put into each project takes up most of the time available, and any time left over must be allocated to employee issues and the multitude of other tasks required to stay legal and operational. While most will agree, systems and processes would definitely help alleviate the daily issues remodelers face, from employees, subcontractors, and even clients. However, taking the time to create the processes needed would take away the remaining few hours left for family, friends, and sleep. It’s a difficult choice. Enter the Scientific Remodeling System, built and refined over a 34-year remodeling career selling to high-income clients.  Randall Soules (creator of the Scientific Remodeling System), decided early on he wanted the freedom to spend quality time with his wife and children, and he wanted to be financially free enough to do things like taking a three-week vacation in Hawaii. His business ran the spectrum of remodeling, from commercial projects with employees and crew to building custom homes and eventually into a 100% subcontract labor force, specializing in high-end home design-build remodeling projects. Now, he’s handing his years of experience and all of his systems to remodelers who want more. From:  Selling by establishing yourself as the contractor the client wants to work with Seamlessly handing off the job to production Production efficiencies The cashflow payment system The profitable warranty system Contractor marketing And much more… If you have an interest in running a more profitable remodeling business, and to have more time to enjoy your private life, Randall Soules is offering a free demo of the entire Scientific Remodeling System. (Or you can also copy and paste this on your web browser: https://scientificremodelingsystem.com/schedule-a-30-minute-demo/) We look forward to helping you advance your business and improve your life! About The Authors: David Hawke is leading service-based companies through the digital selling process. He's a Building Brand Authority, Author, Speaker and can be found on LinkedIn.         Randall Soules is one of 6 children of missionary parents to Brazil. He had no experience with carpentry until the age of 23, after three years of trying his hand at Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia. He has always enjoyed working with his hands, and M.E. didn’t cut for him. He started as a laborer and worked his way through the carpentry apprenticeship program, winning the City and State Apprenticeship Contest, and going on the National Contest in Las Vegas. He started his own company, Soules Construction in 1978, doing anything he could to feed his wife and two boys. He quickly made a name for himself in the city of Chattanooga. In 1985 he merged with another company and started Ardis and Soules, Inc. It was in this company, running at times five crews, that he created simple, effective systems to navigate the complex field of remodeling. His company moved into high-end design-build remodeling, becoming the go-to company in the city. He retired at the age of 60 and now spends his time podcasting, writing, and creating content for his membership site,the Scientific Remodeling System.

Did you know that systems will make you successful?  Randall Soules is a systems guy. He has always had a profitable business and attributes this to his systems.  In today's episode, he will be talking to us about the impact that systems can have on smoothing out the emotional ups and downs that clients and customers experience in dealing with our businesses. Tune in now, to find out more. Randall Soules is one of six children of missionary parents to Brazil. He had no experience with carpentry until the age of 23, after three years of trying his hand at mechanical engineering at the University of Virginia. He has always enjoyed working with his hands and mechanical engineering didn't cut it for him. He started as a laborer and worked his way through the carpentry apprenticeship program, winning the city and state apprenticeship contest and going on to the national contest in Las Vegas. He started his own company, Soules Construction, in 1978, doing anything he could to feed his wife and two boys. He quickly made a name for himself in the city of Chattanooga. In 1985, he merged with another company and started Artis and Soules, Inc. It was in this company, running at times five crews, that he created simple, effective systems to navigate the complex field of remodeling. His company moved into high-end design building remodeling, becoming the go-to company in the city. He retired at the age of 60, and now spends his time podcasting, writing, and creating content for his membership site, The Scientific Remodeling System.  Show Highlights: Randall's business focuses on educating about scientific remodeling systems. He explains why that is important to him. The marvel of having all your systems in place. Randall's wife never visited a job site. She just worked with the information that Randall brought her to do the estimations. Her estimations would be correct within 5% every time. Randall used to think that helping his clients was giving them a really good price. Now he knows that helping them is charging a price where he makes a really good profit. What a 50% margin means to Randall. Randall talks about a really tough customer he had. Rough jobs are worth it when you've priced them appropriately. Randall explains why systems are everything. Randall explains how long it took to build and refine a system.  Randall gives a realistic idea of what incorporating his scientific remodeling system in your business could do for your business. You have to believe in a system and try it, to make it work for you. Randall explains why, for sales, you shouldn't go to your customer's homes. They should come to you. Opportunities for women in the construction industry. The kinds of emotional ups and downs that systems could prevent or smooth out in a remodeling project. Randall explains the zero punch list. Why Randall's small business has always been profitable. Randall talks about the great trips he has taken with his family, as a result of having systems in place in his business. Randall explains how important it is to be passionate about your life and to enjoy what you do. The different topics that Randall talks about on The Remodeling Business Blueprint Po.  

Randall Soules has been in the remodeling industry for over 39 years building a successful design build company out of Tennessee. He is a three time Chrysalis Award winner, four time winner of remodeler of the year in his local council, and NAHB Remodeler of the month. Randall has since retired from doing remodeling work for customers but is still very active in the industry as a consultant to other remodelers at RemodelerBiz.com and ScientifcRemodelingSystem.com. Randall is big on systems and finding ways to consistently add value back into your business. Great systems are not put in place over night, but over the course of his 39 year career, Randall found ways to improve and refine his business so that remodeling jobs got easier and easier to complete (with more profit).