Construction Genius

By: Eric Anderton
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  • Summary

  • Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration." This show interviews hard-working construction company owners and executives who share their wisdom, perspectives, and lessons learned from decades of experience bidding, planning, and building profitable projects. Topics include leadership, strategic planning, conflict resolution, niche identification, succession planning, talent management, business development, and business growth. Industry expert, Eric Anderton also shares his insights about how construction company owners can increase project profit by improving communication, running productive meetings, and attracting, developing, and retaining talented leaders. Tune in each week and get practical inspiration for how to build people, projects, and profits. "I know of no genius but the genius of hard work." John Ruskin
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Economics Management
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Episodes
  • Crafting a Perfect Exit Strategy: A Guide to Selling Your Business Internally

    Crafting a Perfect Exit Strategy: A Guide to Selling Your Business Internally
    Jan 28 2025

    Selling a construction company is one of the most significant decisions a business owner will face. In this episode of Construction Genius, Eric Anderton sits down with Tony Moayed, founder of TriCorp Group and President at TMCS, Inc., to uncover the strategic and emotional journey of transitioning his business to new leadership.

    Tony didn’t choose the highest bidder—he chose a path that prioritized loyalty, culture, and his company's legacy. If you’re considering selling your business or planning for retirement, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hard-earned lessons.

    🎙 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    1. Why Internal Over External?

      • Tony’s decision to forgo millions from external buyers to protect his company’s culture.

      • The risks and rewards of selling internally.

    2. Timing the Transition:

      • How Tony’s planning process evolved over nearly a decade.

      • The importance of starting early and avoiding a rushed exit strategy.

    3. Structuring the Deal:

      • Innovative financial mechanisms that allowed employees to buy in without upfront cash.

      • Avoiding common tax pitfalls with the help of the right advisors.

    4. Selecting the Right Leaders:

      • Tony’s criteria for choosing successors were loyalty, capability, and independence.

      • The "three-legged stool" approach to leadership: operations, estimating, and accounting.

    5. Navigating Challenges:

      • Managing client relationships during the transition.

      • How Tony maintained trust while stepping back from day-to-day operations.

      • Lessons from past partnerships and how they shaped this deal.

    💡 Key Takeaways:

    • A successful exit is about more than money—it’s about legacy, culture, and the people who make your business thrive.

    • A well-structured internal sale can benefit everyone involved when handled with foresight and care.

    • The role of trust, both in leadership and in navigating the complexities of a business sale.

    📚 Additional Resources:

    • Listen to Tony’s first interview about rebuilding TriCorp: https://www.constructiongenius.com/podcast/tony-moayed

    • Link to the book Outlive by Peter Attia: https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599

    • Connect with Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-moayed-2641624/

    🎧 Don’t miss this episode if you’re:

    • A construction business owner considering your exit strategy.

    • Curious about the benefits and challenges of an internal sale.

    • Looking for practical advice on leadership transitions and preserving company culture.

    📘 Ready to Lead Smarter? Check out Eric’s book, Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies. It’s packed with insights to help you tackle the unique challenges of construction leadership. Get your copy here.

    🎓 Want to Level Up Your Leadership? Explore The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader. This hands-on course helps construction professionals master leadership skills like productivity, conflict resolution, and team management. Learn more about the course here.

    📞 Interested in Coaching? Book a 10-minute call with Eric to explore how his coaching for construction executives can help you and your business thrive. Schedule your call now.
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    51 mins
  • Building Tomorrow: Modular Construction's Role in Solving the Housing Crisis

    Building Tomorrow: Modular Construction's Role in Solving the Housing Crisis
    Jan 21 2025
    Meet Otis Odell, a principal at HED, an architecture design, engineering, and planning firm across eight offices in the USA. He oversees the National Business Leader role for housing and mixed-use projects. He leads a team within a company of approximately 450 people across nine offices, working in various sectors, including affordable housing, workforce housing, market-rate housing, luxury housing, student housing, senior housing, and hospitality. His experience in modular construction dates back to the late 1980s, when he worked as a young project architect on a modular project. He has closely followed the rise and fall of the modular industry and remains a strong advocate for its potential, particularly in light of current industry challenges. We start the conversation with Otis sharing his background and role in the industry. He then shared his thoughts on modular construction becoming more viable due to the increasing challenges faced by the construction industry, such as rising costs and labor shortages. According to him, the key to success lies in effective collaboration between the design team and the fabrication team. He also discusses how learning from past failures has helped the industry understand the importance of standardization, communication, and empathy for the different partners involved. We then move towards the housing projects and their significant impact on communities, where Otis explains the fundamental role houses play in people's lives, as they provide not only shelter but also security, community, and a sense of belonging. We also talk about how the relationship between individuals and their homes varies between cultures, with American culture frequently highlighting the transactional nature of housing, whilst other cultures place a greater emphasis on community and collaborative living. Further into the conversation, we dive into the power of storytelling. Storytelling is a crucial tool in moving projects forward, as it helps connect ideas, goals, and experiences in a meaningful way. Every project has a distinctive story that can be leveraged to foster trust, motivate action, and propel achievement. According to Otis, by understanding and listening to a client’s needs, you can craft a narrative that aligns with their aspirations and demonstrates your capability to deliver the desired results. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [14:43] Otis’s background and his role in the industry. [06:31] Insights on modular construction's viability. [11:40] Contractual structures and owner involvement. [13:44] Navigating regulatory complexities in California housing. [17:27] Housing projects and their significant impact on communities. [23:17] The importance of embracing diversity. [24:47] The power of storytelling. [29:11] The relationship between sustainability and cost in construction projects. [34:23] Developing trust and collaboration among all parties. [41:54] The future of modular construction. KEY TAKEAWAYS Professionals in architecture and fabrication should be willing to collaborate more openly and understand each other's perspectives. Regularly monitor and advocate for relevant legislation. When working on housing projects, it’s important to understand the community’s values and needs. Focus on creating spaces that promote community integration. Making a conscious effort to interact with individuals from different backgrounds can greatly expand one’s perspective and enhance personal growth. Always start by listening carefully to the needs and goals of those you're working with. Create a foundation of trust by clearly defining the project’s goals and the key drivers of success. RESOURCES Connect with Otis Website - https://hed.design/people/jerome-otis-odell LinkedIn Handle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-odell-aia-leed-ap-390833118/ Restaurant Reccomendation: https://www.tavernettadenver.com/menus/ Additional Construction Genius episode to listen to: Katerra: The Rise and Fall of a Billion Dollar Construction Start Up https://www.constructiongenius.com/podcast/katerra-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-billion-dollar-construction-start-up/ THE SHIFT Imagine making the shift from building projects to truly leading people. You’ve taken projects from start to finish—now it’s time to build a team of people who can do the same. In construction, authentic leadership goes beyond managing tasks; it’s about inspiring and guiding people. The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader is a no-BS, hands-on course I designed specifically for construction professionals ready to make that transition. The Shift is all about mastering the skills that matter: Direct, clear communication. Handling tough conversations with confidence. Guiding your team toward quick, practical solutions. Setting the standard for high performance. And let’s be honest—you’re busy. That’s why I’ll also give you the tools to manage your time and energy efficiently ...
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    48 mins
  • Challenging the Status Quo: How Innovation Drives Growth in a Construction Business

    Challenging the Status Quo: How Innovation Drives Growth in a Construction Business
    Jan 14 2025
    In the competitive construction industry, innovation plays a crucial role in driving growth and success. Construction companies can differentiate themselves by adopting creative strategies, such as managing material supply chains and cultivating solid, business-like relationships with clients and subcontractors. The key to growth lies in continuously adapting, improving processes, and maintaining an agile mindset. Innovation lowers risk while simultaneously opening doors to new prospects and market expansion, whether through implementing new systems to optimize operations, the development of collaboration with reliable partners, or strengthening the standard for professionalism. Meet Chris Tatge, Wisconsin's largest turnkey framing contractor, past president of the National Framers Council, and structural building components association board member. He is also the co-owner of Dynamic Construction & DC Materials, a turnkey framer/lumberyard focused on providing labor and materials for large wood-framed buildings. He joined us today, to talk about how innovation drives growth in a construction business. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [03:13] Shaping your journey with creativity. [07:00] Exploring and understanding the different career paths. [09:00] Taking control of resources for greater business success. [11:00] Breaking into the supply chain. [14:29] The importance of understanding the dynamics within the supply chain. [19:04] The power of a complementary partnership. [26:02] Making decisions in a growing business. [28:33] Navigating the ups and downs of a business. [33:29] The power of professionalism in construction. KEY TAKEAWAYS Parents should take the time to explore and learn about unconventional career opportunities. If you’re considering entering a supply chain, be prepared to invest time and effort into understanding the system and building the right relationships. When navigating a competitive industry or supply chain, communicate strategically. Form partnerships with people whose skills complement your own. In a small but growing business, maintaining agility can be crucial, but it's important to balance innovation with practical management. When facing difficult moments in business, try to keep a long-term perspective. RESOURCES Connect with Chris LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/chris-tatge-38007a72/ Connect with Chris on X: https://x.com/framerchris DC Materials Website: https://dcmaterialsllc.com Structural Building Components Association: https://www.sbcacomponents.com National Framers Council: https://framerscouncil.org/ THE SHIFT Imagine making the shift from building projects to truly leading people. You’ve taken projects from start to finish—now it’s time to build a team of people who can do the same. In construction, authentic leadership goes beyond managing tasks; it’s about inspiring and guiding people. The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader is a no-BS, hands-on course I designed specifically for construction professionals ready to make that transition. The Shift is all about mastering the skills that matter: Direct, clear communication. Handling tough conversations with confidence. Guiding your team toward quick, practical solutions. Setting the standard for high performance. And let’s be honest—you’re busy. That’s why I’ll also give you the tools to manage your time and energy efficiently so you can lead without getting overwhelmed. This course combines a self-paced masterclass with highly practical materials to help you shift from managing projects to leading people. Click the link to learn more about The Shift, including a detailed description, free bonuses, and testimonials from construction leaders like you who have already made the shift: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com/ Are people problems eroding your company's profits? Discover proven strategies to lead, strategize, and sell effectively, ensuring your projects stay profitable. Elevate your construction business by purchasing Construction Genius: Effective, Hands-On, Practical, Simple, No-BS Leadership, Strategy, Sales, and Marketing Advice for Construction Companies today and turn your people problems into profit!: www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/ Is an executive or leader in your company struggling? Reach out to Eric to discuss how his transformative executive coaching approach can help. Schedule a 10 minute call with Eric today to learn more: 10minuteswitheric.youcanbook.me
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    40 mins

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Profile Image for Anthony J. Mauro

Great information, clearly delivered!!

Very helpful by delivering helpful relevant information. Easy to apply information to my everyday experience as a construction company owner.

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