Process Improvement

Why The Design-to-Production Handoff is Worth Measuring with Dan Hurst – [Best of Powertips Unscripted]

November 23, 2023 Design 0:34:31

Today on Powertips Unscripted, Dan Hurst joins the show to discuss the handoff from design to production. Dan talks about how to define the minimum standard of completeness and quality for each function or role involved in preparing the handoff packet. Dan also discusses how to use checklists for each role to ensure that quality standards are met.

Dan Hurst is the COO and part owner of Hurst Design Build Remodel in Cleveland Ohio. Dan and his brother Pat have been a part of Roundtables since 2006. 

Victoria, Mark, and Dan talk more about:

  • Team handoff meetings
  • 3 core project deliverables
  • How these core deliverables can improve standards
  • And more…….

Harnessing the Power of 3D Visualization with Dave Pollard – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

November 2, 2023 Production 0:30:25

Dave Pollard, Co-Founder & Design Director of Liv Companies outside of Chicago, joins the show to talk more about how his firm utilizes 3D renderings in almost every aspect of their business.

Leading LivCo’s design team, Dave’s process quickly takes hand sketches to full-blown renderings and walk-throughs, and they are even leveraging the power of quick video editing to help clients and prospects truly feel what their home can be, and leave every meeting feeling inspired.

LivCo has been leveraging the power of 3D design since they began design/build back in 2012.  Initially used simply as a creative tool for developing ideas, they quickly learned that the 3D output could take them to a higher level in sales, efficiency of communication, and marketing.

Victoria, Mark and Dave talk more about:

  • The software LivCo uses and why they use it.
  • An overview of LivCo’s general design workflow.
  • Using 3D visualization for more than just client presentations.
  • The time it takes to make deliverables to the client.
  • The fees to the client for 3D renderings.
  • And more…

LivCo’s Drawing Board Playlist on YouTube

Demanding Success for 2024 with Doug Howard – [PowerTips Unscripted] S5 E2

October 19, 2023 Business Management, Productivity 0:28:00

Today on PowerTips Unscripted, Doug Howard joins the show to discuss the importance of demanding success by 2024. There are various external factors, such as uncertainty, economic slowdowns, and slower processes, that are affecting the pre-construction and construction workflow, ultimately impacting profitability. Therefore, owners of remodeling companies need to come up with effective strategies and practices to overcome these challenges instead of accepting them.

Doug has been a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage since 2017 and facilitates 8 Roundtables meetings per year. He has worked with several hundred remodeling clients to help them develop strategies, understand financials, improve processes, and enhance profitability.

Victoria, Mark, and Doug talk more about:

  • What are a few specific examples of ways to improve the preconstruction process?
  • How does team alignment and thinking “Upstream” impact workflow and profitability?
  • What are companies using as measures to better drive performance?
  • And more…

Using the Financial Review to Pivot to Profitability with Michael Hodgin – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

August 24, 2023 Business Management, Financial Management 0:38:49

Today on PowerTips Unscripted, Mark and Victoria are joined by Michael Hodgin to discuss using the financial review to pivot to profitability. A complete understanding and review of your company’s financials is a practice that requires a disciplined effort. However, with this practice in place, an owner will be able to use the information from these reviews to pivot when and where necessary to be more profitable year over year.

Using his expertise as a former business owner and a business coach, Michael talks about how he examines a company’s financial statements, including what KPIs to review and whom to review the financials with.

Michael was an owner of a successful remodeling company for over 22 years. He has since left and is the owner of Maestro’s Toolbox, where he works with owners of design-build companies across the country to help them build better companies and, therefore, better lives.

In addition, Michael has been part of the roundtables as an owner, a facilitator for roundtables meetings, and part of the Remodelers Advantage Business Coaching team.

Victoria, Mark, and Michael talk more about:

  • When is it best to review financials
  • What should be getting reviewed
  • What is the next step after reviewing
  • And more…

Will Your Personnel Files Survive a Legal Trial with Jody McLeod – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

August 3, 2023 Legal 0:39:04

On this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, Jody McLeod joins the show to answer legal questions, including whether companies are set up to withstand a legal challenge. Jody discusses the best way to ensure having a complete personnel file for each employee, including documentation of conversations and key facts,  so that you can support yourself and your company during a legal trial. Jody also advises business owners to help them avoid lawsuits through a complete onboarding process and proper training for all managers.

Jody, an attorney, and former Fortune 500 legal executive is the Founder and Principal of McLeod Legal Solutions (MLS). MLS partners with business owners to protect their business during HR and employee relations disputes with direct access to litigators, employment lawyers, and legal executives from Fortune 500 companies.  Jody specializes in employment law, litigation and litigation management, compliance, investigations, and training.

Jody, Mark, and Victoria talk  more about:

  • Complete personnel files 
  • Best practices to avoid legal trial 
  • Inappropriate or incomplete personnel files 
  • And more… 

Gauging Your Designers’ Workload Effectively With Jeff Talmadge – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

July 20, 2023 Design 0:21:24

In this episode, Jeff Talmadge discusses how he and his team created a point system for his design staff to spread their workload.  Each designer is assigned a predetermined number of points, weighted by criteria such as permitting, scope, and complexity of the job.  The team tracks points weekly and has found that designers are less stressed, customers are given more accurate timelines, and production can plan their workload better.

Jeff Talmadge is the president of Talmadge Construction, a large, premium design-build firm based in Aptos, CA.  Jeff and his team pride themselves on their commitment to customer service, quality workmanship, and a strong team culture.  

Jeff’s five words of wisdom – patience, persistence, never give up.

Listen as Jeff, Victoria, and Mark discuss:

  • Increasing job satisfaction across the company by managing designer workloads
  • Improving customer service by managing expectations with accurate timelines
  • And more…

How to Structure and Run a Profitable Design Department with Chris Landis – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

June 22, 2023 Design 0:27:50

Jobs are won or lost during the design process. With so much on the line, it’s clear that your design department should be running at peak performance. But there are so many ways the process can get derailed.

It all depends on how you structure your design department, and what metrics you use to hold them accountable.

In this episode, Chris Landis discusses about how to build and run an efficient design department with Victoria and Mark.

Chris is a partner (with his brother Ethan) in Landis Architects/Builders in Washington, DC, and is a longtime Roundtables member. He’s a registered architect in four states (MD, DC, VA, NY). Chris graduated from Vassar College, and earned his M.A. in architecture from Columbia Architecture School. Chris is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and has 28 years of experience in residential architecture. He is a current member of the DC Historic Preservation Review Board and past president of the DC Metro area chapter of NARI.

Chris has a design department of nine people after 30 years in the business. When the company got to the point of having three designers, Chris hired a manager for that department to ensure that the work was standardized and high quality. He talks about how to set up your own design department for success and create a quicker process, including:

  • The metrics to gauge success
  • The designer’s role in his company
  • Recruiting and hiring for the department
  • Working back from net profit
  • When to hire a design manager
  • His three-phase process
  • How he charges for them
  • Figuring out a healthy close ratio
  • Taking on a design-only project
  • Why to conduct a feasibility study — sometimes
  • Working with design sub-contractors
  • And more …

Design can be a profit center, not a loss-leader, and you have to know how much you should be charging for it — even if you don’t.

mark harari

How to Compete Against BIG Competitors and Win with Mark Harari – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

June 15, 2023 Marketing 0:25:46

You shouldn’t have to slog through a dry, term-laden textbook  to successfully market your business.

So in this episode, Co-Host turned guest, Mark Harari takes a deeper dive into his book, “Lobster on a Cheese Plate,” a practical handbook that shows how to effectively market your business. Or, as the book’s subtitle states, “how to stand out, attract the best clients, and win every sale that comes your way.”

Mark is an accomplished speaker and writer, as well as the Vice President of Remodelers Advantage, President of R/A Marketing Inc., author, and co-host of this podcast.  He provides strategic direction for Remodelers Advantage’s internal and external marketing and communications programs, in addition to being responsible for the company’s brand identity, and ensuring marketing alignment across all channels.

Victoria and Mark talk more about:

  • The “six stones”
  • How narrowing your focus can broaden your appeal
  • Marketing plans VS. marketing budgets
  • And more…

Links from this episode:
Lobster on a Cheese Plate on Amazon
Lobster on a Cheese Plate Audiobook on Amazon’s Audible

Employee Reviews: It’s Time for a Change with Tim Faller – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]

May 25, 2023 Business Management, Company Culture, Customer Service, Hiring, Production 00:25:51

Reviewing employees in the remodeling world is, at best, a struggle.

It is often an employee’s opportunity to ask for a raise and an employer’s opportunity for frustration.

Tim Faller joins Mark and Victoria to talk about the necessary fundamental shift in the employee review process. Tim makes the transition from podcast host to guest to talk about his efforts towards reworking the employee review process in this episode.

Tim is a senior consultant here at Remodelers Advantage and known throughout the industry as the “Guru of Production.”

Tim is a well-known author and works with remodelers and production teams across the US and Canada. In addition to being the lead facilitator for the R/A Production Manager Roundtables Groups, he is also the Co-host of the popular podcast, The Tim Faller Show.

Victoria, Mark and Tim talk more about:

  • The challenges of the “old system”
  • The inspiration behind the reworking of the employee review process
  • The parts that need reworking
  • Objectives and goals of the rework
  • Implementing the rework
  • And more…

Digital Marketing Hacks to Grow Your Business with Jesse Stein – [PowerTips Unscripted] S4 E14

April 6, 2023 Marketing 00:29:41

Do you know you can increase the effectiveness of your digital marketing with handwritten notes?  Jesse Stein joins the show to take us on a deep dive into the world of digital marketing. He discusses how using handwritten notes can help remodelers grow their business, and provides us help with improving our digital marketing.

Jesse has an impressive background as a serial entrepreneur. He’s founded, grown, and sold multiple ventures throughout his career, including SportsMemorabilia.com, a skincare brand, and DietSpotlight.com. Jesse also holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA from UC Santa Barbra. He is currently the CEO and Founder of Audience.co.

Victoria, Mark, and Jesse talk more about:

  • Robotic handwritten notes
  • Digital marketing strategies for remodelers
  • And more… 
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MASTER NAVIGATION

This website is part of the Remodelers Advantage Network.

Visit our other properties: