Success

Change Orders: Getting the Coding Right with Trevor Robertson – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E7

On today’s episode of the Tim Faller Show, we welcome Trevor Robertson from Innovative Design Build, who will talk about how he uses change orders and how they are coded for cost accounting. Trevor is the Project Manager who oversees the process and communicates the changes with the accounting team. He will also discuss how he handles errors in the change orders.

Trevor Robertson is the Project Manager at Innovative Design Build located in Atlanta, Georgia. From a young age, Trevor enjoyed building, fixing, and creating. As he grew up, he realized just how powerful being able to turn a concept or idea into something tangible is. With years of experience under his belt, he joined Innovative Design Build in 2018, where he is still working today. His professional superpower is planning, then replanning when the plan changes!

Trevor, Tim, and Steve talk more about:

  • How do you code materials, labor, etc.
  • How are change orders created and entered into the system?
  • What are the results of this process?
  • And more…

The Value of Purchase Orders with Ian Schwandt – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E6

On today’s episode of the Tim Faller Show, Tim and Steve are joined by Ian Schwandt to discuss the importance of purchase orders. Although purchase orders have been in use for a long time and are widely used in commercial construction, they are now being increasingly utilized in residential construction as well. Ian sheds light on how TDS Custom Construction implements their purchase orders and how they have helped improve the financials of TDS Custom Construction as well as the production staff.

Ian is the Production Manager for TDS Custom Construction in Madison, WI. After starting at TDS as a part-time Estimator in 2020, he moved to full-time in 2021 after getting his new home built to the “done for now” stage. Ian moved to the Production Manager role in 2022 with the focus on developing department-wide financial literacy. Ian is also a Contributing Editor and podcast host for Fine Homebuilding Magazine and a frequent contributor to JLC Magazine.

Ian, Tim, and Steve talk more about:

  • Obstacles and challenges of using purchase orders.
  • Why did TDS start using purchase orders?
  • And more…

Rebuilding the Pre-Construction Process with Dan Zimmerman and Dan Purnell – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E5

One of the most challenging parts of construction is getting the preconstruction part of the job right. Today, on the Tim Faller Show, Dan Purnell and Dan Zimmerman join the show to talk about how they rebuilt this process at Alloy Workshop. Dan and Dan go through some of the red flags they saw before redoing the preconstruction process and how the change has helped the company.

Dan Zimmerman co-founded Alloy Architecture & Construction, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Along with his business partner, Zach Snider, he has been at Alloy throughout all the growing (and shrinking) pains. At Alloy, they’re 100% committed to completing 90% of selections before a signed contract.

Dan Purnell is the Director of Production at Alloy Workshop. As Director of Production, the company has seen a turnaround. They had previously seen project duration slippage and GM slippage on all of our projects. They’ve focused on creating a comprehensive pre-production process so all selections, purchasing, etc., are complete before mobilization. This has shown much better performance regarding schedule and GM% slippage.

Tim, Dan, Dan, and Steve talk more about:

  • Step by Step on how Alloy rebuilt the preconstruction process
  • Results from the change
  • And more…

An Español Track at JLC Live! with Paola Enriquez – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E3

On today’s episode of the Tim Faller Show, Tim and Steve have a special guest, Paola Enriquez, who talks about a new track at JLC Live. Starting in March 2024, Spanish-speaking workers and owners can access education in their native language at the En Espanol track. This will be presented in Spanish rather than interpreted. Paola explains how the idea of this track was realized and what to expect during the track.

Paola Enriquez is the conference education manager at JLC LIVE. She enjoys connecting with people and making a difference. Paola is an active member in her community and volunteers for numerous causes, lending her bilingual and leadership skills to GED En Espanol, Financial Peace University English and Spanish classes, and Apartment Life, to name a few. Paola has been part of the JLC LIVE team since June of 2022.

Paola, Tim, and Steve talk more about…

  • Topics for the En Espanol track
  • How to register for the event
  • And more…

The 5 Statements You Should Not Make with Tim Faller and Steve Wheeler – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

What we say is a reflection of what we think, and as clinical counselors will tell you, what we think will dictate how we act. So, how we act will of course dictate success. 

Following this logic, words are very powerful factors in our success.  But do we pay attention to those words?  We tend to be concerned about what we say as it affects others, but what about the effect on ourselves?

What we say is often said without thinking of their potential consequences.  They can be seen as excuses or statements of desperation, or they can be simply things we say when nothing else seems to fit. But all of them can have a negative impact on us and our work, so Tim and Steve share specific examples and how to avoid them.

Tim and Steve talk more about:

  • Encouraging new thought processes
  • Rephrasing the things we say
  • And more…

When Construction Meets Technology with Eric Fortenberry – [The Tim Faller Show] S4 E21

Today on the Tim Faller Show, Tim and Steve talk to Eric Fortenberry, the Founder, and CEO of JobTread Software. While working as a CEO for a General Contracting company, Eric built the first version of JobTread due to the broken processes at the company. Eric gives insights on how he turned the company around using data from the first version of JobTread. Eric also discusses how JobTread differs from other software applications on the market.

Eric Fortenberry is a passionate entrepreneur who founded JobTread, a construction estimating and project management software company, in 2019 after serving as CEO for a General Contracting company where he built the first version of JobTread to help streamline and remedy their broken processes. JobTread has grown to help thousands of builders and contractors sell and manage over $1 billion in construction jobs and has been recognized as a Top 100 Product by ProRemodeler for the past two years.

Eric has been named to Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 List of the World’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and received awards at the White House and United Nations after being named to the Empact 100 List, showcasing the Best Companies Started and Run by Young Entrepreneurs. JobTread is located in Dallas, TX, and has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Dallas Business Journal.

Tim, Steve, and Eric talk more about:

  • Job costing and estimating
  • The creation of JobTread
  • JobTread’s long-term plan
  • And more…

The Client Experience Part 2 with Camille Jenkins – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 

Today on the Tim Faller Show, Camille Jenkins joins the show to discuss the importance of the client experience and how it differs from satisfaction.  Simply put, customer satisfaction is how happy your customers are while using your company’s products and services and how well you are fulfilled their expectations. Customer experience refers to customers’ interactions with a brand’s products and services during all stages of their purchasing process.

Camille Jenkins is a results-oriented, customer experience consultant, keynote speaker, and realtor. With a decade’s worth of real estate industry experience and operational knowledge, Camille brings a real-world approach to setting and delivering on expectations. Camille served as the Vice President of National Customer Relations at Meritage Homes Corporation. During her tenure, the organization annually delivered upwards of nine thousand new homes, and customer satisfaction improved from 70% to 90%.  Currently, Camille Jenkins is the owner of Camille’s Keys located in Goodyear, Arizona.

Camille, Tim, and Steve talk more about…

  • Surveys for clients post-project and how to use them to impact change
  • How communication and education work together in the client experience
  • And more…

The Reputation Economy With Tess Jezek – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

Tess Jezek joins the show today to discuss the importance of your company’s reputation in the reputation economy.  In fact, Forbes reports that 60% of consumers are willing to pay more if they believe they will receive a better service.  Tess discusses how an accurate description of your business online is smart business practice.  In addition, good social status leads to robust pricing power, and client loyalty can lead to return clients, referrals, and new business.

Tess is the Director of Sales for Customer Engagement Solutions of Evercommerce.  She manages the sales teams for GuildQualityPulseM, and Customer Lobby.  With close to a decade’s worth of experience in the industry, she understands the importance of customer experience, customer engagement, and customer retention as the most important drivers for your business.

Tess, Tim, and Steve discuss:

  • The importance of client feedback and when to solicit it
  • How to take control of the online narrative
  • How to use your online reputation to build a stronger business

Getting Some Help with Alan Hendy – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

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…
 

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Thoughts on Leadership with Wayne Ottum – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]

Wayne Ottum, a consultant at Remodelers Advantage, specializes in company leadership development. So, we asked him to join us on the show to help us understand what leadership is and perhaps help start the shift from “how to manage people” to “how to lead people.”

Wayne Ottum is a consultant, author and speaker dedicated to creating extraordinary businesses and leaders and is President and Founder of Ottum Enterprises, LLC in Kirkland, Washington. Now in his 19th year, Wayne is especially proud of the work he has done to guide owners of remodeling companies to create a clear and compelling direction, purpose, and culture for their companies.  

Tim, Steve and Wayne talk more about:

  • Leadership V. Managing
  • Leadership across roles
  • And more…