Remodelers Advantage

Ep.166: Taking the Client Experience to the Next Level (Part 2) with Jeremy Kelley

October 4, 2021 Management, Operations, Production 00:29:46

People mysteriously up and leave without giving notice, and we are stuck with the issue of keeping and retaining that “good help.” From a manager’s perspective all was going so well, but still, there is something going on in the employee’s head that causes them to leave. 

In almost all cases, getting more money somewhere else is the most common explanation.  Money is the prominent tangible item in the experience, so it is often used as the excuse. But what prompted them to even look someplace else? Why did the good relationship get to the point where someone was not wanting to stay?

In this two part series, we will be talking about how our personality and more importantly, the other person’s personality impact these relationships.  Tune in to part 2 to hear about the internal client, with the help of guest Jeremy Kelley.

Jeremy joined BACK Construction four years ago after running his own Residential Design/Build company for 11 years. Over the last year, his position has changed slightly from Production manager to Director of the Remodeling Division. 

Tim, Steve and Jeremy talk more about:

  • Being a better listener
  • Controlling your “natural style”
  • The critical ideas for any relationship
  • And more…

If you love The Tim Faller Show, you will LOVE
PowerTips Unscripted... A podcast to help remodelers build a strong, profitable remodeling company

Whether you are listening in the truck on your way to your next client or at your desk during a lunch break, PowerTips Unscripted brings you your next big idea, success tip or even just a chance to hear from those that have achieved great success in the remodeling industry.

PowerTips Unscripted is available on Apple iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and always on PowerTipsPodcast.com

Ep.165: Taking the Client Experience to the Next Level with Jeremy Kelley (Part 1)

September 27, 2021 Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:59

People mysteriously up and leave without giving notice, and we are stuck with the issue of keeping and retaining that “good help.” From a manager’s perspective all was going so well, but still, there is something going on in the employee’s head that causes them to leave. 

In almost all cases, getting more money somewhere else is the most common explanation.  Money is the prominent tangible item in the experience, so it is often used as the excuse. But what prompted them to even look someplace else? Why did the good relationship get to the point where someone was not wanting to stay?

In these next two episodes, we will be talking about how our personality and more importantly, the other person’s personality impact these relationships. We will discuss the external client in the first episode, and the internal client in the second, with the help of guest Jeremy Kelley.

Jeremy joined BACK Construction four years ago after running his own Residential Design/Build company for 11 years. Over the last year, his position has changed slightly from Production manager to Director of the Remodeling Division. 

Tim, Steve and Jeremy talk more about:

  • Utilizing temperament tests
  • The importance of “listening well”
  • Working better together through understanding better
  • And more…

Let Us Turn Your Project Manager into a Superhero!

Remodelers Advantage presents a Masterclass course explicitly designed for Project Management personnel in the remodeling and custom-building industries.

This two-day program, held in-person at our office in Maryland, focuses on two of the most critical aspects of managing a project – hitting the agreed-upon budget and working with and managing the team effectively.

Industry and business experts Tim Faller, Victoria Downing, and Doug Howard will be facilitating this course.

More Info + Registration

Ep.164: Sales for Non-Sales People (Part 2) with Jeff Borovitz

September 13, 2021 Sales, The Tim Faller Show 00:46:01

In Part II of this series about sales for non sales people, tune in to hear about certain sales situations that you may find yourself in, and some possible solutions to those problems. In case you missed it, check out Part I first, where some general ideas are discussed, like why this topic is so important and the potential results of not embracing the field of sales. 

Guest Jeff Borovitz is known for triple digit revenue and profit increases, with over 25 years of experience as an award-winning quota busting salesperson, sales manager, general manager and small business owner

Jeff has advised, trained and coached small and medium sized companies as well as large enterprise companies on developing stronger sales teams, closing more sales and leading organizational change. Jeff is also available for speaking opportunities and keynote speeches.

Tim, Steve and Jeff talk more about:

  • Change Orders
  • Warranty Work
  • Communicating to achieve the best results
  • And more… 

Learn to Become a Great Negotiator!

With Sandler’s Negotiating Mastery, you will learn how to keep deals and other agreements on track, lead win-win negotiations and deal with common negotiation mistakes and power-play tactics.

Masterclass: How To Become A Great Negotiator starts on September 30th.

[Click Here for More Information + Registration]

Ep.163: Sales for Non-Sales People (Part 1) with Jeff Borovitz

August 30, 2021 Management, Production, Sales 00:39:13

Some see salespeople as shifty, crafty people that try to trick you into buying.  So, how do we take steps towards reducing that stigma?

In part one of this two-part series with guest Jeff Borovitz, listeners will learn about the general ideas as to why it is so important to embrace the field of sales, and some potential outcomes in the event that we don’t.   

Jeff is a franchise owner of Sandler Training and the Remodelers Advantage Sandler Sales Trainer. He has advised, trained and coached small and medium-sized companies as well as large enterprise companies on developing stronger sales teams, closing more sales and leading organizational change.

Tim, Steve and Jeff talk more about:

  • The DISC Factor
  • Sales and its role in remodeling
  • Putting this advice into practice
  • And more…

Speaking of Sales... We're Hiring!

This might be exactly the opportunity you have been hoping to find! Remodelers Advantage, the leading provider of peer groups, education, and consulting to the home remodeling industry, is looking for just the right candidate to join our extraordinary team as Sales Executive. Could that be you?

[ Click Here for More Information About the Available Position ]

Episode 162: The SPAR Process with Tim Faller

August 23, 2021 Hiring, Management, Production 00:37:11

Employee review strikes fear into everyone’s hearts.

Something has to change in the process of developing and figuring out how much someone is worth to a company, as well as a number of other aspects in the employee review process.  This episode talks about a change in this process to ensure employee growth, and how to take the necessary steps towards seeing employee reviews through a different lens.  

Host turned guest, Tim Faller, is a senior consultant and the “Master of Production” for Remodelers Advantage. For the past 17 years, he has worked with hundreds of remodeling companies, large and small, to help improve profits by creating smooth, efficient production systems.

Tim and Steve talk more about:

  • The SPAR process
  • Focusing on employee growth
  • The need for training and developing production staff
  • And more…

Get Your Production Team Focused on Profit!

Keep your production team focused on profit with weekly team training, whether they are in the office or in the field on a phone, tablet or laptop.

This Masterclass, led by Tim Faller, is held every other week on Monday afternoons, and the next class starts on September 13, 2021.

[Click for More Info]

Ep.161: The Basics of Real Change with Doug Howard

August 9, 2021 Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:38:19

Change can be very elusive. Podcasts, seminars, books, classes, webinars, virtual classes all give us great ideas for improving processes. But how many actually take root and become what we do as a regular habit or process? 

Maybe we just don’t know how to change, so we substitute other activities.  In a recent training, guest Doug Howard of Remodelers Advantage discussed LEAN with a company and one of the concepts that he outlined may be beneficial to us all.  

Doug is an experienced leader, entrepreneur and business consultant with over 25 years of success in leading organizations, starting new companies and assisting client businesses as they start-up, grow or transition. Doug joined Remodelers Advantage as Director of Consulting Services in 2017, and now specializes in helping remodeling company owners develop strategic plans, streamline processes, improve profitability, and navigate growth.

Tim, Steve and Doug talk more about:

  • The principles of LEAN
  • The value stream map
  • Creating a successful flow of communication
  • And more…

Imagine being more profitable than your competition, without having to be more expensive.

LEAN is a method of process improvement designed to simultaneously improve customer service, enhance employee morale and increase profitability — all with little or no capital investment.

At Remodelers Advantage we’ve taken the core principles of Lean and developed the Lean Remodeling System (LRS), which addresses the specific challenges facing remodeling businesses today.

[Click Here to Learn More]

Ep.160: Developing a Training Plan with Kevin Dunn

July 26, 2021 Hiring, Production 00:30:53

In an earlier episode, we spoke to Charles Boucher of Neal’s Remodeling in Cincinnati, Ohio, and discussed his role coming from auto parts manufacturing, to remodeling. 

He mentioned that he and their former Production Manager, Kevin Dunn, were working on training plans for the field staff, and we knew we needed to get Kevin on the show to discuss the need for companies to do the training of both entry level staff as well as those who have been around for a while. 

Kevin is the Production Training Manager at Neal’s Design Remodel, and has been with the company for 17 years.  He started at the company as a lead carpenter with 25 years of experience in construction, and has spent the last 12 years with Neal’s as a production manager, and managed the production staff from 4 million to 9 million per year. 

Tim, Steve and Kevin talk more about:

  • Starting a training plan
  • Creating structure
  • Implementing these plans
  • And more…

Upcoming Production Masterclasses

R/A Masterclasses are rich, intense, interactive learning experiences with plenty of hands-on instruction; blended with information, advice and strategies from some of the most experienced instructors in the industry.

The following Masterclasses will be focused on Production and led by Tim Faller:

Ep.159: Hiring a Trade Contractor to be a Production Manager with August Bergdahl

July 19, 2021 Hiring, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:34:20

With business booming and companies growing, one of the questions a lot of remodelers find themselves asking is, “Where can I find a good Production Manager?”  It is hard to find people that can do this very difficult role, and this episode will continue to look at this role in a company and who may be the best fit.

The focus of this episode is hiring one of your trades out of their business, and into yours.  Guest August Bergdahl talks about how this method came about and some tips for listeners to be successful in their search for a great production manager.

August is the Founder, Chief Growth Officer, and a Principal of Crescent Builds, a Seattle based residential construction and remodeling firm. August started Crescent Builds in 2007 and has been leading sales, growth, and business development from the start. He currently leads the sales team and is focused on the growth and success of Crescent delivered through relationships, analytics and new opportunities. 

Tim, Steve and August talk more about:

  • Getting started in the process of finding a production manager
  • Where to look in the search for a production manager
  • Signs you may need a production manager
  • And more…

Ep.158: Getting Some Help with Alan Hendy

July 12, 2021 Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:43

One of the biggest challenges for contractors, other than labor shortages, is the fact that many face the process of building a business in isolation and their experience is often graded as pass or fail.  

When they pass they are happy, but when they fail it causes many issues for them and the families that they support.  But where do they turn for help?  Using the Power of Peers or hiring a consultant are both great approaches, and guest Alan Hendy joins this episode to help listeners explore the possibility of bringing a consultant in to assist in their business.

Alan is the CEO of Neals Design Remodel in Cincinnati, Ohio, a company that offers full-service design, estimating, and production of projects that transform their clients homes.  He graduated from Miami University and spent time working in the insurance industry until 28 years ago when he returned to the family business to become the second generation owner of Neals Design Remodel. 

Tim, Steve and Alan talk more about:

  • The benefits of hiring a consultant
  • Receiving and utilizing a consultants advice 
  • Advice for those considering hiring a consultant
  • And more…

Remodelers Advantage Consultants Standing by to Help You...

We’re Here to Help

The mission of the R/A consulting team is to join you on your path to success; providing the coaching, resources, and assistance you need to develop and implement strategies that will get you to the next level. Contact us today for information about how we can help. 

Ep.157: Going From the Frying Pan into the Fire with Charles Boucher

July 6, 2021 Management, Production 00:31:34

More and more companies are reaching that point in their development where they require a production manager. It is one of the toughest jobs out there, since it feels at times that their attention is needed from almost everyone. There are the trades, the employees, the client and of course, the boss.  

Companies have tried all kinds of ideas to fill this role, such as promoting a “Lead Carpenter” and are typically left without achieving what they had hoped for.  Guest Charles Boucher joins this episode to share his experience in his role as a production manager and where you can look to find a great one.

Charles is the Production Manager at Neals Design Remodel in Cincinnati, Ohio and with many years of experience in the manufacturing industry and hospitality management, he brings a new point of view about production management and its benefits in remodeling.

Tim, Steve and Charles talk more about:

  • Project Managers and Lead Carpenters
  • Where to begin the search for a great production manager
  • Industry related roles
  • And more…

Upcoming Production Masterclasses

R/A Masterclasses are rich, intense, interactive learning experiences with plenty of hands-on instruction; blended with information, advice and strategies from some of the most experienced instructors in the industry.

The following Masterclasses will be focused on Production and led by Tim Faller: