The Tim Faller Show

Hindsight is 2020 with Tim Faller and Steve Wheeler- [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

July 25, 2022 Hiring, Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:29:48

If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do differently when starting your remodeling business if you only knew then what you know now, you’re not alone. 

Tim and Steve do, too. 

In this episode, the guys talk about what they’ve learned in their time at Remodelers Advantage and from their podcast guests that they wish they knew when they were running their own businesses.

They each identified the five biggest takeaways that make remodeling businesses stronger, more profitable, and built for growth. Learn what they think is important and why, including:

  • The power of job descriptions
  • Being financially transparent
  • Protecting profit through data
  • Making business decisions based on numbers, not feelings
  • Learning to sell, not just take orders
  • Getting to a zero punch list
  • And more …

Exploring the Decent Human Being Theory with Nick Slavik – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

July 18, 2022 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show, Uncategorized 00:39:21

Many remodelers, builders and business owners make resolutions or commitments to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and then they get caught up in the daily grind and it never happens. 

Another challenge for many companies we work with is attracting and hiring people, especially new people to the industry, and getting them trained to “do things our way.”

Our guest today, Nick Slavik, has done an outstanding job of developing SOPs for his company and then implementing training to meet those internally. It turns out he has some other views of the world that are extremely helpful in running a business, as well.

Nick is the Proprietor of the Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Co., Host of Ask a Painter Live, and contributes to This Old House. He has been a national and international speaker on topics such as entrepreneurship, trades reformation, working with millennials, harnessing technology for trades business, financial benchmarks, and industry standards. Nick has been a craftsman for more than 25 years. His company has been awarded more than 5 National awards for craftsmanship over the last 3 years. He has created a rigorous apprenticeship program where he finds, trains, and mentors young people in his craft. In 2018, he was made a family member at This Old House.

Tim, Steve and Nick talk more about:

  • Background and description of the Decent Human Being Theory.
  • Creating & developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Holding teams accountable and getting them to adhere to SOPs.
  • Balancing the demand for work, growing the business and training new personnel.
  • And more…

 

Ep.197: From Project Manager to Production Manager with Morgan Thomas

June 20, 2022 Management, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:32:21

Join Tim and Steve as they talk to Morgan Thomas about her role as a production manager at Leff Design Build.  Morgan discusses how she had to shift her focus from individual projects to looking at the business on a global level, and from solving problems herself to coaching others on how to solve them.

Morgan was born and raised in Sonoma County, and after moving out of state to pursue a degree in Journalism from Gonzaga University, she returned to Sonoma County and landed in a career in commercial construction management.  She then found her way LEFF, where she worked her way up to become the company’s production manager.

Tim, Steve, and Morgan talk more about:

  • The differences between Project and Production managers
  • Tools needed by a Production Manager
  • And more…….

Ep.196: Inventory Management on the Go With Selema Lawson-Jack

June 13, 2022 Management, Operations, Production, Technology, The Tim Faller Show 00:33:57

Selema Lawson-Jack joins the show and discusses how she found a technology fix to solve an inventory management issue, but was able to expand its capabilities to create efficiencies across the organization, and generate revenue at the same time.  She talks about how Sortly, the affordable app she implemented, operates and how she was able to successfully integrate it into the organization.

 

Selema works for Schroeder Design Build of Fairfax, VA and is the Director of Production, where she oversees all projects in the construction phase.  She is the first point of contact on job sites and leads a team of project managers, project developers and carpenters. She was recently named to Pro Remodeler’s top 40 under 40.

 

Tim, Steve, and Selema talk more about:

  • Organizing inventory using Sortly
  • How Sortly improves the processes for the team
  • And more……

Ep.195: Using AI in Home Remodeling with Ben Ranta

June 6, 2022 Operations, Technology, The Tim Faller Show 00:30:50

Guest Ben Ranta joins the show to discuss his experiences with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the remodeling industry. Ben talks about how the AI software, Otter, is used for client meetings and how it helps his company, Forward Design Build be more effective in meeting client demands. He also discusses how he dealt with pushback when Otter was implemented.

Ben left his desk job in 2019 to pursue a career in the trades and joined Forward Design Build Remodel in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After about 18 months as a carpenter, Ben then changed gears and became a Project Manager.

Tim, Steve, and Ben talk more about:

  • How AI is used for client meetings
  • Any pushbacks from clients and co-workers
  • And more….. 

Ep.194: Encouraging Diversity

May 23, 2022 Hiring, Management, The Tim Faller Show 00:28:27

Join Tim and Steve as they talk to Nicole Warren about embracing and increasing diversity in the trades, and in this case, with women.   Tim makes the case that professionals in the remodeling industry must be more proactive in reaching across traditional boundaries in order to attract high preforming talent.  Nicole is a great example as her strong work ethic has helped her outperform her male colleagues to secure a number of promotions in her career.  Crossroads had the insight to encourage diversity and has reaped the rewards of that with Nicole.

Nicole, along with her father, is a carpenter for Crossroads Contracting  in Londonderry, NH.  She has always liked working with her hands, and once she had a child, she needed family friendly work hours. Becoming a carpenter allows her to work in a fulfilling career, but have the work-life balance she needs for her family. 

Listen as Nicole, Tim, and Steve discuss:

Creating the awareness that there are opportunities for everyone

How to ensure that the wording in communication does not exclude anyone

And more…

Ep.193: Unlimited Vacation Time – [The Tim Faller Show]

May 16, 2022 Hiring, The Tim Faller Show 00:34:46

Join Tim and Steve as they talk to Clark Harris, who recently implemented an unlimited vacation time policy at his company, to see how it is working. Although some might find this idea radical, it fits right into the strong culture that Clark has built within his company. He runs an open book organization, where he shares performance numbers with all team members, fosters an environment of open communication, trust, accountability, responsibility, freedom, and developing an owner’s mindset. 

Clark, a carpenter by trade, started his company, Innovative Construction, in 2000 and serves the Atlanta, GA metro area.  He initially grew the company slowly until he found Remodelers Advantage, where he said he found the “right way to run a business”. He has grown Innovative Construction into a multi-million dollar business with 17 employees he endearingly refers to as team members. 

Listen as Clark, Tim, and Steve discuss:

  • Using unlimited vacation to attract and retain the BEST talent
  • How responsibility and freedom are interdependent
  • And more…

Remodelers Summit is a remarkable educational event designed specifically for the remodeling community.  This year we will feature:

  • 3 inspirational and entertaining keynotes
  • 4 education tracks with 36 industry leading speakers with strategies to help you grow a better business
  • Networking with Ask Anything sessions
  • 80s party, a happy hour
  • And more…

This year the Remodelers Summit will be held at the beautiful Gaylord National Harbor, near Washington DC.

You do NOT want to miss it!

Click Here

Ep.187: The House That SHE Built with Mollie Elkman

March 30, 2022 The Tim Faller Show 00:36:15

As listeners know, hosts Tim and Steve try to bring as many women on the show as possible in hopes of bringing new perspectives to the podcast.  So, guest Mollie Elkman is with us today to discuss her book that promotes the idea to young girls that women are capable of anything they set their mind to. She also helps us understand how we may be able to reach out to women, but maybe more importantly to girls during the formative years of their lives.

With a passion for understanding human behavior, particularly what drives people to make the biggest purchase of their life, Mollie uses not only her extensive knowledge and industry expertise to connect with buyers, but a kind of empathy that you don’t often see in a business setting.  She is the owner of Group Two and uses her position to cultivate strong relationships within her community through full service marketing for home builders.

Tim, Steve and Mollie talk more about:

  • Women in construction
  • Breaking through barriers
  • How listeners can participate
  • And more…

Ep.180: Setting Up an In-house Training Center with David Myers

January 31, 2022 Hiring, Operations, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:37:44

It is always both exciting and refreshing to see companies tackle skills training head on by providing necessary programs for new talent.  Guest Dave Myers joins us to talk about the training process he and his team use to set employees up for success.  

Dave is the Vice President and general manager of J. Francis Company, a design build and remodel firm in Pittsburgh, PA.  He previously worked in college administration and facility management, and finds that elements from his previous positions have been beneficial to the success in his current role.

Tim, Steve and Dave talk more about:

  • The investment into a training program
  • Logistics and timelines of training
  • Significant outcomes of the program
  • And more…
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Ep.179: The Secret to Successful Bonuses and Incentives with Doug Panozzo

January 24, 2022 Hiring, Management, Production, The Tim Faller Show 00:38:50

Join guest Doug Panozzo as he helps us wrap up our 4-part series on Bonuses and Incentives.  Doug shares the many facets of incentives and ways he has been successful in motivating his team.

Doug is the production manager at Hogan Design and Construction and joined their team in 2017 after several years managing projects for a technology company.  He brings leadership, communication, organization, and attention to detail to his job and we hear all about it in this episode.

Tim, Steve and Doug talk more about:


4-Part Series on Bonuses and Incentives: