What happens when a former diesel mechanic decides to solve one of the construction industry's biggest hidden problems?

After an injury ended his original career path, and his adventures took him from Australian mines to the mountains of Kazakhstan, Ben Horstmann spotted a critical gap in how construction and mining companies manage equipment safety and compliance.

Eight years ago, he launched Consolidated Plant Services with a passionate refusal to hire any employees. Today, his team has assessed tens of thousands of pieces of equipment and is redefining industry standards across Australia. Ben’s journey from technical expert to business leader wasn't straightforward.

In this episode, Ben shares candid insights about building a category-defining business. He explains why he fired customers who didn't align with his values, how he overcame his resistance to building a team, and his unconventional approach to growth, which prioritises long-term relationships over "sugar-hit" profits.

Whether you're running an engineering firm, a technical services company, or any business where quality and reputation are paramount, Ben's insights on building a sustainable, values-driven organisation while maintaining technical excellence are invaluable. His story demonstrates how combining technical expertise with strong values and long-term thinking can create a unique and successful business model in a traditional industry.

Join us to discover how combining deep technical expertise with strong values can create a unique and successful business model in a traditional industry.

What happens when a successful utility engineer trades job security for entrepreneurial freedom? In this compelling episode of Long Term Thinking for Business Success, Jonathan De Carlo reveals how his dream of a relaxed lifestyle business transformed into a thriving engineering consultancy.

After two decades in the utilities sector, Jonathan launched Grid Power Design with visions of three-day weekends. Instead, he discovered the challenging reality of building a specialised engineering firm.

His candid insights about maintaining quality while scaling, innovative approaches to competitor collaboration, and the ongoing struggle to step back from technical work offer valuable lessons for technical professionals considering entrepreneurship.

Learn how Jonathan:

• Built a respected engineering consultancy from scratch
• Developed a unique "mum test" for technical documentation
• Created collaborative relationships with competitors
• Plans to transition from technician to true business leader

This episode is for engineering professionals ready to build their own success stories.

In this episode, with Michael Grogan, one of the directors at Birzulis Associates, a consulting engineering firm that's been shaping Australia's structural landscape since 1989.

Michael's journey from a laid-back surfer and cinema ticket-taker to becoming a key leader in one of Sydney's respected engineering firms is entertaining and inspiring.

What stands out is Michael's refreshingly honest account of his accidental entry into engineering. Picture this - a fresh University of Newcastle graduate who only applied for the job to get his father off his back, then cheekily told the 67-year-old interviewer that he looked close to retirement or death! That bold move surprisingly landed him his first and only job since graduating.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as Michael shares how the firm evolved from a 12-person operation to their current success with offices in Sydney and Newcastle.

He provides invaluable insights into maintaining quality while growing, including their innovative "pod" system for project management and unique hiring approach, where personality fit often trumps technical brilliance.

Michael's candid discussion about the challenges of transitioning from engineer to leader makes this episode particularly valuable for business owners. His struggle with letting go of technical work to focus on management and how he eventually found a balance that allowed him to return to his engineering roots while leading the company offers practical lessons for anyone facing similar challenges.

Michael's straightforward discussion about their commitment to quality over profit, even when it means standing up to powerful clients, demonstrates how strong principles can drive sustainable business success.

Whether you're an engineering professional, business owner, or simply interested in how successful businesses navigate growth while maintaining their values, this conversation offers actionable insights and authentic perspectives on building a sustainable professional services firm.