To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP187



Get a copy of Profit First for Contractors here: https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Contractors-Construction-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B07L38J49P



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

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP187">https://trybta.com/PCEP187</a>
 
Get a copy of Profit First for Contractors here: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Contractors-Construction-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B07L38J49P">https://www.amazon.ca/Profit-First-Contractors-Construction-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B07L38J49P</a>
 
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:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
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.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Learn the four most common profit-destroying mistakes that Shawn sees owners make all too often.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Find out which five bank accounts you need to set up right away.
</li>
</ul>
 
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

187. How to Be a Profit First Contractor - Shawn Van Dyke

Grab your free copy of the Max Priorities Pyramid and start sorting your priorities today: https://trybta.com/DLEP186



To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP186



How good are you at prioritization in your business?



It’s ok. You can be honest.



The truth is that prioritization seems straightforward, but in reality it’s much more complex than it appears, especially in the context of a business like yours - which is inherently dynamic, ever-changing, and unpredictable. 



Issues come out of nowhere. Circumstances change. People quit. Clients cancel. Unexpected weather roles through.



How are you supposed to get anything done when you’re constantly putting out fires?



Our guests today have some practical strategies that can help.



Harry Max is the author of Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions. And Wes Bright is his partner at Peak Priorities. They consult with some of the biggest companies in tech, and today, they're going to level up our priority management toolbox in a major way.



Episode highlights:

- Learn what makes prioritization so hard and what systems and tools you can use to get better at it.
- Understand the frameworks Harry Max recommends in his book, Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions.
- Get practical prioritization tips from two consultants who work with the biggest companies in tech including Apple, Google and Microsoft.



00:00-Intro

01:48-About the book - Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions

03:56-Why "prioritize" is the most important verb

09:32 - Why we all suck at prioritizing

14:22-About the "false sense of urgency"

22:58-The impact of a clear vision on prioritization

31:24-The DEGAP Framework

42:40-Sorting methods for prioritization

47:45-Ideal rhythms for reviewing goals and progress

52:27-What to delegate vs. what to keep

58:54-Evolving our prioritization systems as we grow

01:03:22-Where can people connect with you?

Grab your free copy of the Max Priorities Pyramid and start sorting your priorities today: <a href="https://trybta.com/DLEP186">https://trybta.com/DLEP186</a>
 
To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP186">https://trybta.com/PCEP186</a>
 
How good are you at prioritization in your business?
 
It’s ok. You can be honest.
 
The truth is that prioritization seems straightforward, but in reality it’s much more complex than it appears, especially in the context of a business like yours - which is inherently dynamic, ever-changing, and unpredictable. 
 
Issues come out of nowhere. Circumstances change. People quit. Clients cancel. Unexpected weather roles through.
 
How are you supposed to get anything done when you’re constantly putting out fires?
 
Our guests today have some practical strategies that can help.
 
Harry Max is the author of Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions. And Wes Bright is his partner at Peak Priorities. They consult with some of the biggest companies in tech, and today, they're going to level up our priority management toolbox in a major way.
 
Episode highlights:
- Learn what makes prioritization so hard and what systems and tools you can use to get better at it. - Understand the frameworks Harry Max recommends in his book, Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions. - Get practical prioritization tips from two consultants who work with the biggest companies in tech including Apple, Google and Microsoft.
 
00:00-Intro
01:48-About the book - Managing Priorities: How to Create Better Plans and Make Smarter Decisions
03:56-Why "prioritize" is the most important verb
09:32 - Why we all suck at prioritizing
14:22-About the "false sense of urgency"
22:58-The impact of a clear vision on prioritization
31:24-The DEGAP Framework
42:40-Sorting methods for prioritization
47:45-Ideal rhythms for reviewing goals and progress
52:27-What to delegate vs. what to keep
58:54-Evolving our prioritization systems as we grow
01:03:22-Where can people connect with you?

186. Steal These Prioritization Methods to Get More Done - Harry Max and Wes Bright

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP185



How did Plus Construction owner and Breakthrough Academy Member Charlie Bethell go from endless callbacks, cash crunches and frustration to selling and building 500 decks a year?



Systemizing and optimizing. And a lot of it.



Today, Charlie’s on the show to talk about his digital marketing strategies, which bring in 60% of the businesses annual leads, and the massive changes he made to his sales-to-production handoff.



In other words, we’re diving into the secrets of a high-volume contractor.



Episode highlights:
- Learn the strategies and tactics Charlie Bethell uses to get 60% of his leads from digital marketing initiatives.
- Find out which implementation items Charlie used to vastly improve his sales-to-production handoff, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, better team morale and more profitable jobs.
- Hear how Charlie hit his BHAG five years early and what he learned in the process.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP185">https://trybta.com/PCEP185</a>  
 
How did Plus Construction owner and Breakthrough Academy Member Charlie Bethell go from endless callbacks, cash crunches and frustration to selling and building 500 decks a year?
 
Systemizing and optimizing. And a lot of it.
 
Today, Charlie’s on the show to talk about his digital marketing strategies, which bring in 60% of the businesses annual leads, and the massive changes he made to his sales-to-production handoff.
 
In other words, we’re diving into the secrets of a high-volume contractor.
 
Episode highlights: - Learn the strategies and tactics Charlie Bethell uses to get 60% of his leads from digital marketing initiatives. - Find out which implementation items Charlie used to vastly improve his sales-to-production handoff, resulting in higher customer satisfaction, better team morale and more profitable jobs. - Hear how Charlie hit his BHAG five years early and what he learned in the process.

185. Is Your Sales to Production Handoff Killing You? - Charlie Bethell

Grab your free copy of the Four Numbers Exercise to help you 10x your wealth attraction: https://trybta.com/DLEP184



To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP184



Learn more about Brian here: https://www.thewealthycontractor.com/



Running a highly profitable contracting business has two sides of the coin.



You need the profitability skill sets: budgeting, job costing, pricing strategies, accounting best practices, and so on.



We’ve discussed these plenty on the show.



The other thing you need is the “profitability mindset.” 



This has very little to do with spreadsheets and bookkeeping and everything to do with your attitude towards money, your belief and self-worth, and your ability to practice what our guest on the show today calls wealth attraction.



Brian Kaskavalciyan, aka The Wealthy Contractor, is back on the show for the second time to talk about how to clarify your why, get control of your mind and develop the sense of deserving that so many contractors are missing.

Grab your free copy of the Four Numbers Exercise to help you 10x your wealth attraction: <a href="https://trybta.com/DLEP184">https://trybta.com/DLEP184</a> 
 
To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP184">https://trybta.com/PCEP184</a> 
 
Learn more about Brian here: <a href="https://www.thewealthycontractor.com/">https://www.thewealthycontractor.com/</a> 
 
Running a highly profitable contracting business has two sides of the coin.
 
You need the profitability skill sets: budgeting, job costing, pricing strategies, accounting best practices, and so on.
 
We’ve discussed these plenty on the show.
 
The other thing you need is the “profitability mindset.” 
 
This has very little to do with spreadsheets and bookkeeping and everything to do with your attitude towards money, your belief and self-worth, and your ability to practice what our guest on the show today calls wealth attraction.
 
Brian Kaskavalciyan, aka The Wealthy Contractor, is back on the show for the second time to talk about how to clarify your why, get control of your mind and develop the sense of deserving that so many contractors are missing.

184. The Profitability Mindset of Wealthy Contractors - Brian Kaskavalciyan

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP183



To get the your copy of the Freedom From Fear eBook, click here: https://sparkingsuccess.net/fgfff/



Here’s a question you’ve probably pondered before.



Do your technicians, laborers, and field staff excel at customer service?



Do they know how to build rapport? De-escalate an angry customer? Can they upsell and bring in more revenue for the company?



The fact is, whether you like it or not, your reputation, and the success of your business, depends on the people you have out on the front lines.



Our guest on the show today is Mark Matteson. He’s a personal development speaker and author of 6 books, including his best-seller Freedom From Fear.



Before the big stages, though, Mark spent the first half of his career in the field as an HVAC tech and salesperson. He translated those formative years into a customer service excellence curriculum he teaches to many of the biggest HVAC companies on the continent. 



And today he’s going to teach us how to get our whole team aligned around providing exceptional customer service at every stage of the buyer journey.

Episode Highlights:
Hear from Mark Matteson, HVAC tech and sales rep turned personal development speaker and best-selling author of Freedom From Fear, about the importance of embedding customer service excellence into every part of your business.
Get a walkthrough of the customer service excellence curriculum Mark teaches to many of the biggest HVAC companies in North America.
Learn how to recognize and let go of the fears holding you back in business and in life.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP183">https://trybta.com/PCEP183</a> 
 
To get the your copy of the Freedom From Fear eBook, click here: <a href="https://sparkingsuccess.net/fgfff/">https://sparkingsuccess.net/fgfff/</a>  
 
Here’s a question you’ve probably pondered before.
 
Do your technicians, laborers, and field staff excel at customer service?
 
Do they know how to build rapport? De-escalate an angry customer? Can they upsell and bring in more revenue for the company?
 
The fact is, whether you like it or not, your reputation, and the success of your business, depends on the people you have out on the front lines.
 
Our guest on the show today is Mark Matteson. He’s a personal development speaker and author of 6 books, including his best-seller Freedom From Fear.
 
Before the big stages, though, Mark spent the first half of his career in the field as an HVAC tech and salesperson. He translated those formative years into a customer service excellence curriculum he teaches to many of the biggest HVAC companies on the continent. 
 
And today he’s going to teach us how to get our whole team aligned around providing exceptional customer service at every stage of the buyer journey.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li>Hear from Mark Matteson, HVAC tech and sales rep turned personal development speaker and best-selling author of Freedom From Fear, about the importance of embedding customer service excellence into every part of your business.</li>
<li>Get a walkthrough of the customer service excellence curriculum Mark teaches to many of the biggest HVAC companies in North America.</li>
<li>Learn how to recognize and let go of the fears holding you back in business and in life.</li>
</ul>

183. Turn Your Field Staff Into Customer Service Pros - Mark Matteson

Get a downloadable copy of Matt Risinger's Team Building Tactics here: https://trybta.com/DLEP182



To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP182



Ever wonder how an industry titan recruits and retains top talent?



Before creating his 1.1 million subscriber YouTube channel dedicated to building science, Matt Risinger worked as a recruiter for a national builder, where he learned the tactics and skills he would use to assemble his incredible teams at both Risingerbuild and The Build Show. 



And today, he’s back on the show to teach you how to do it, too. 



We talk about how to get great applicants in the door, tips for behavioral interviewing, the right questions to ask (and which ones to NOT), how to retain talent for the long haul, and how to know when and why to let someone go.



This is a Masterclass in human resources for construction and trades with one of the most trusted names in the industry.



Episode Highlights:
- Learn the tactics and skills Matt Risinger used to build the exceptional teams that allowed RisingerBuild and The Build Show to grow into the industry titans they are today.
- Hear about Matt’s experience working as a recruiter for a national builder earlier in his career and how the experience shaped his current recruitment practices.
- Get Matt’s take on how to know when it’s time to let someone go, and how to approach the conversation professionally.

Get a downloadable copy of Matt Risinger's Team Building Tactics here: <a href="https://trybta.com/DLEP182">https://trybta.com/DLEP182</a> 
 
To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP182">https://trybta.com/PCEP182</a> 
 
Ever wonder how an industry titan recruits and retains top talent?
 
Before creating his 1.1 million subscriber YouTube channel dedicated to building science, Matt Risinger worked as a recruiter for a national builder, where he learned the tactics and skills he would use to assemble his incredible teams at both Risingerbuild and The Build Show. 
 
And today, he’s back on the show to teach you how to do it, too. 
 
We talk about how to get great applicants in the door, tips for behavioral interviewing, the right questions to ask (and which ones to NOT), how to retain talent for the long haul, and how to know when and why to let someone go.
 
This is a Masterclass in human resources for construction and trades with one of the most trusted names in the industry.
 
Episode Highlights: - Learn the tactics and skills Matt Risinger used to build the exceptional teams that allowed RisingerBuild and The Build Show to grow into the industry titans they are today. - Hear about Matt’s experience working as a recruiter for a national builder earlier in his career and how the experience shaped his current recruitment practices. - Get Matt’s take on how to know when it’s time to let someone go, and how to approach the conversation professionally.

182. Matt Risinger’s Secrets to Team Building - Matt Risinger

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP181



To learn more about Duct Tape Marketing, click here: https://ducttapemarketing.com/



If you’ve ever cut your marketing budget when times were tough, this one’s for you.



When you find yourself in the middle of a downturn, leadflow turning to a trickle, customer decision-making slowing to a crawl…something's gotta give. 



And if your marketing budget is just an expense you pay because you think you should, it’s a pretty easy decision. Cut the deadweight.



But according to today’s guest John Jantsch, that might be the wrong approach.



John is the author of Duct Tape Marketing, The Ultimate Marketing Machine, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, and more.



And today, we’re talking about how to adapt your marketing strategy for economic headwinds. The market around you may be slowing down, but that doesn’t mean your business—or your marketing—has to.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP181">https://trybta.com/PCEP181</a> 
 
To learn more about Duct Tape Marketing, click here: <a href="https://ducttapemarketing.com/">https://ducttapemarketing.com/</a>
 
If you’ve ever cut your marketing budget when times were tough, this one’s for you.
 
When you find yourself in the middle of a downturn, leadflow turning to a trickle, customer decision-making slowing to a crawl…something's gotta give. 
 
And if your marketing budget is just an expense you pay because you think you should, it’s a pretty easy decision. Cut the deadweight.
 
But according to today’s guest John Jantsch, that might be the wrong approach.
 
John is the author of Duct Tape Marketing, The Ultimate Marketing Machine, The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, and more.
 
And today, we’re talking about how to adapt your marketing strategy for economic headwinds. The market around you may be slowing down, but that doesn’t mean your business—or your marketing—has to.

181. Marketing Through a Downturn - John Jantsch

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP180



Grab a free copy of QuickBooks' Top 5 Profit Leaks for Contractors download here: https://www.btacademy.com/ce/download/ep180/ 



Grab your free Breakthrough Academy budgeting tool here: https://trybta.com/ak3



Have you ever wanted to better understand how to use QuickBooks effectively but haven’t had the time to really dive into it?



Most contractors are probably in the same boat.



Our anecdotal guess is that north of 85% of our Members use QuickBooks as their bookkeeping software. But there is so much the platform can do, it’s hard to know if you’re using it “right.” Or to its full potential.



So… we thought it would be cool to have someone from QuickBooks come on and teach us how to get the most out of it.



Nate Flake is the Senior Partner Development Manager at Intuit (the makers of Quickbooks) and he also hosts their Constructing Growth Podcast. Today, we’re going to unpack 10 crucial QuickBooks mistakes contractors often make and how to avoid them moving forward.





538d9f21ce1440514fe7d46194e8e85cbc8da07e

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP180">https://trybta.com/PCEP180</a>
 
Grab a free copy of QuickBooks' Top 5 Profit Leaks for Contractors download here: <a href="https://www.btacademy.com/ce/download/ep180/">https://www.btacademy.com/ce/download/ep180/ </a> 
 
Grab your free Breakthrough Academy budgeting tool here: <a href="https://trybta.com/ak3">https://trybta.com/ak3</a>
 
Have you ever wanted to better understand how to use QuickBooks effectively but haven’t had the time to really dive into it?
 
Most contractors are probably in the same boat.
 
Our anecdotal guess is that north of 85% of our Members use QuickBooks as their bookkeeping software. But there is so much the platform can do, it’s hard to know if you’re using it “right.” Or to its full potential.
 
So… we thought it would be cool to have someone from QuickBooks come on and teach us how to get the most out of it.
 
Nate Flake is the Senior Partner Development Manager at Intuit (the makers of Quickbooks) and he also hosts their Constructing Growth Podcast. Today, we’re going to unpack 10 crucial QuickBooks mistakes contractors often make and how to avoid them moving forward.
 
 
538d9f21ce1440514fe7d46194e8e85cbc8da07e

180. Avoid These 10 QuickBooks Mistakes - Nate Flake

Get your free guide to Chris Voss' Top Negotiation Tips for Contractors here: https://trybta.com/DLEP179



To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP179



Check out Chris Voss' new documentary, Tactical Empathy, here: https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Empathy-Chris-Voss/dp/B0D83LHHZT 



Today’s episode frickin’ rocks.



The one and only Chris Voss, world-renowned FBI negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference, is on the show to talk all things negotiation.



We cover the mindset, the skills, and the systems you need to be a better negotiator in your contracting business. 



Whether you’re defending your price to a haggling client, driving a hard bargain with a supplier, or negotiating a comp package with a key employee, implementing the tips in this episode will help you get better results.

Get your free guide to Chris Voss' Top Negotiation Tips for Contractors here: <a href="https://trybta.com/DLEP179">https://trybta.com/DLEP179</a>
 
To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP179">https://trybta.com/PCEP179</a>
 
Check out Chris Voss' new documentary, Tactical Empathy, here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Empathy-Chris-Voss/dp/B0D83LHHZT ">https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Empathy-Chris-Voss/dp/B0D83LHHZT </a>
 
Today’s episode frickin’ rocks.
 
The one and only Chris Voss, world-renowned FBI negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference, is on the show to talk all things negotiation.
 
We cover the mindset, the skills, and the systems you need to be a better negotiator in your contracting business. 
 
Whether you’re defending your price to a haggling client, driving a hard bargain with a supplier, or negotiating a comp package with a key employee, implementing the tips in this episode will help you get better results.

179. Negotiation Tactics for Contractors - Chris Voss

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/PCEP178



Get Allan Dib's new book, Lean Marketing, here: https://leanmarketing.com/books/leanmarketing



“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is I don't know which half.”



Ever heard that saying?



That classic quote from John Wanamaker dates back over a hundred years ago. And, sadly, even with all the new technology, tracking mechanisms and data at our fingertips, it’s still kinda true. At least it is for many contractors.



Our guest today is Allan Dib, author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan and, as of this year, a brand new book called Lean Marketing.



The idea is pretty simple. Marketing creates A LOT of waste that provides zero value to you or your customer.



So, today we’re going to talk about Allan’s 9 Lean Marketing principles that will help you get more leads, more profit, with LESS MARKETING.

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: <a href="https://trybta.com/PCEP178">https://trybta.com/PCEP178</a> 
 
Get Allan Dib's new book, Lean Marketing, here: <a href="https://leanmarketing.com/books/leanmarketing">https://leanmarketing.com/books/leanmarketing</a> 
 
“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is I don't know which half.”
 
Ever heard that saying?
 
That classic quote from John Wanamaker dates back over a hundred years ago. And, sadly, even with all the new technology, tracking mechanisms and data at our fingertips, it’s still kinda true. At least it is for many contractors.
 
Our guest today is Allan Dib, author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan and, as of this year, a brand new book called Lean Marketing.
 
The idea is pretty simple. Marketing creates A LOT of waste that provides zero value to you or your customer.
 
So, today we’re going to talk about Allan’s 9 Lean Marketing principles that will help you get more leads, more profit, with LESS MARKETING.

178. Make More Money with Less Marketing - Allan Dib

Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution.

In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level.

If you’re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you’ve come to the right place.

Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

Breakthrough Academy presents Contractor Evolution.
In this show we unpack the systems, tactics, and skills you need to take your fast-growing contracting business to the next level.
If you&rsquo;re here to learn what it takes to scale up, work less, and increase profitability, you&rsquo;ve come to the right place.
Stay tuned to learn what separates the new breed of contractor from the old school, and welcome to your ultimate guide to the business of contracting.

Contractor Evolution

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

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