PowerTips Unscripted
Industry leaders Victoria Downing and Mark Harari of Remodelers Advantage host this weekly podcast to bring you, the professional remodeler, tips, tactics and techniques to build a strong, profitable remodeling company. Every week we'll bring you in-depth interviews with leading business experts, best-selling authors, and owners of multi-million dollar remodeling companies from across the US and Canada. Oh, and there's a British lady, too.
What Were They Thinking? with Victoria Downing and Mark Harari – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Successful communication with new or potential customers can make or break a company’s image.
Alongside communication, ensuring that any preconceived notions or assumptions are put aside when working with a new customer can be crucial in securing their business.
Victoria and Mark both share experiences with remodeling and trade companies that left them bringing their business elsewhere. This is easily avoidable, and in this episode they talk about how communication plays a large part in having a successful business.
Whether it’s poor communication or a lack thereof entirely, learn how to ensure...
The Fine Line: The Legal Consequences to Questionable Business Practices with Thomas Croessmann – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
The remodeling industry is highly competitive and some may be tempted to break the rules. Although some may do it intentionally, others may start with good intentions, but over time the line between right and wrong becomes blurred. Thomas Croessmann will be joining the show to discuss the consequences of breaking the rules, which in some cases can result in jail time.
Thomas Croessmann is the Managing Partner of Croessmann & Westberg, P.C., a construction law firm in the DC area. The firm is a full-service law firm for construction contractors. Thomas has worked with many of...
How to Shatterproof Your Business with America’s Legal Coach – [Best of PowerTips]
There are many legal challenges that can appear suddenly for remodelers, builders and business owners. It is imperative to build your business on a foundation that can weather the storm so that, as our guest today puts it, it doesn’t matter.
In this episode, we talk more about the process of “shatterproofing” your business with America’s Legal Coach, Scott Reib.
Scott is the owner of ReibLaw, a full-service law firm with over 20 years of Business Law and Estate Planning experience. For the last two decades, Scott has been helping business owners, entrepreneurs, coaches, and servi...
Top 10 Sales Tips for Remodelers with Jeff Borovitz – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Jeff Borovitz has trained hundreds of remodeling sales people, designers and owners to help them increase sales and margins. So, we have asked him to join us here to share his top ten sales tips with our listeners.
Jeff is a franchise owner of Sandler Training and the Remodelers Advantage Sandler Sales Trainer. He has advised, trained and coached small and medium-sized companies as well as large enterprise companies on developing stronger sales teams, closing more sales and leading organizational change.
Victoria, Mark and Jeff talk more about:
The most commonly missed sales tipConviction and...Harnessing the Power of 3D Visualization with David Pollard – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
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...
Gauging Your Designers’ Workload Effectively With Jeff Talmadge – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
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 custo...
How to Give Performance Feedback and Why it’s Critical for Success with Tina Clements – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Employees thrive on feedback.
Then why is it that so few leaders proactively provide it?
The answers, along with simple steps on how to provide timely, respectful, actionable feedback to your employees, are provided in this episode by guest, Tina Clements.
Tina, Vice President of The Retail Performance Company, is a leader, speaker, author, coach, entrepreneur.com contributor & facilitator, leading luxury industries for over 25 years. Her clients confirm, she is a communications expert & her book, The ART of Facilitation and keynote address ‘Yes, You Do Have a Choice’ are testimonials to her talent.
Vict...
How to Build a Reputation That Stands the Test of Time with Bjorn Johnson – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Today on PowerTips Unscripted, we’re excited to welcome Bjorn Johnson to the show! As General Manager at TraVek Remodeling and Roofing, Bjorn shares insights into the company’s journey as one of Arizona’s most trusted leaders in remodeling and roofing. Tune in to hear about TraVek’s dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, which has cemented its strong reputation in the industry.
Bjorn, who is passionate about sales and supporting his team’s growth both in and out of the office, joined TraVek for its solid foundation, core values, and great culture. He finds fulfillment...
A Month-End Close You Can Actually Make Business Decisions From with Doug Howard – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Successful organizations rely on accurate financial information to make informed decisions. But what sets great organizations apart is having a formal month-end close process in place. This ensures that financials are completed, reviewed, corrected, and ready for leaders and managers to use confidently in decision-making. In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, Doug Howard joins us to break down what a strong month-end close process looks like and how to implement it effectively.
Doug Howard, a senior consultant with Remodelers Advantage since 2017, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having facilitated over 8 Roundtables meetings each year, Doug...
Can “Voice Training” Skyrocket Your Success? with John Baron – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Do you feel comfortable when presenting proposals/estimates to clients? Why should clients like the sound of your voice if you don’t? You might know what to say, but do you feel ok saying it?
These are all questions that body language and voice coaching expert John Baron is here to answer. John brings actor skills training to the business world, he was also a professional actor, owned and sold his own marketing business, a teacher of the Alexander Technique, a Corporate Trainer, and the founder of VocalCommunicationInBusiness.
Victoria, Mark and John talk more abo...
Cultivating Growth: Integrating Employee Development into Your Business Strategy with Peg Buehrle – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Today’s episode of PowerTips Unscripted features Peg Buehrle as a guest. During the show, she discusses the significance of team development for business growth. The growth of a business depends on the growth of its key leaders and their respective teams. Therefore, it is crucial to have a development plan for each team member. Peg […]
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Creating Value: A Guide to Maximizing Your Company’s Worth with Arlin Sorensen – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Today on Power Tips Unscripted, Arlin Sorensen, the CEO of Oak Road Consulting joins the show. Understanding the art of creating value within your business is pivotal, especially in the context of planning your exit strategy. It’s all about setting clear goals for your personal wealth and translating that into a business value target that […]
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Preparing Your Business For Your Departure with Pete McDowell – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, Victoria and Mark are joined by Pete McDowell to discuss succession planning and how business owners can exit their company. According to Pete, there are four primary ways for a business owner to leave their company: selling the company, transferring the company to family or employees, or ESOP. He […]
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The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint with Spencer Powell – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
For many remodelers, digital marketing is the “voodoo” magic. With so many options, where do you begin? Well, Spencer Powell has the answer. In this episode, Spencer dives into his book, The Remodeler Marketing Blueprint. He talks about everything that you need to know about being found online, successfully. Spencer is the CEO of Builder Funnel and […]
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Open Book Management with Ken Kirsch – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
The thought of showing your financials to your employees may be unsettling. We’ve known remodelers who are so leery of sharing their numbers, their field crews don’t even know their project budgets. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Ken Kirsch, a proponent and practitioner of Open Book Management. In this episode, Ken […]
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Are Your Employees Stealing From You? With Vicki Suiter – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
The latest statistics on fraud should be a wake-up call for every small business owner. According to a survey by HISCOX, a specialty insurance company, 80 percent of embezzlements occurred at small businesses and 30 percent involved a loss of more than $500,000. With more work is being done remotely, including paying vendors and processing […]
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The Most Powerful Competitive Advantage with Steve Anderson – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
In a low-unemployment economy, recruiting and retaining the best talent is a continuous effort. You need a powerful competitive advantage — one that’s nearly impossible for anyone else to copy. It’s your company culture. In this episode, Steve Anderson tells Victoria and Mark why that is, and how you can develop a successful culture — […]
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Discovering New Revenue Streams With Chris Landis – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
We are all so busy running our businesses that we often don’t realize that there are other potential revenue-generating investments that align with our present and future business needs. Chris Landis thinks you should consider helping businesses that lease their office space as an added revenue stream. In this episode, Victoria, Mark and Chris talk […]
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Tips For Hiring People Who Fit Your Culture with Erin Longmoon – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Is your company struggling to attract top-tier employees? Joining us today on PowerTips Unscripted is Erin Longmoon, the founder of Zephyr Connect. Erin will share some valuable insights into how to hire people who align with your company’s culture. She will discuss the strategies and tactics that have played a pivotal role in Zephyr’s 98% […]
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Making Money in Cost Plus Remodeling with David Crane – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
While Cost Plus Remodeling isn’t for everyone, it can be an enjoyable and profitable way of doing business. If it is done well, it can be very rewarding and reduce the uncertainty of a market. Guest David Crane joins this episode to share why cost plus remodeling has proven to be successful for his business […]
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Creating Rapid Financial Results and Lasting Cultural Change with Steve Baker – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
“The high cost of replacing employees means it’s important to find ways to retain the best performers, and studies show that transparency from the top can be a solution, boosting employee engagement and motivation. One way to achieve that transparency is to show employees the company’s numbers and teach them the business. Why not get […]
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Common Remodeler Mistakes that are Hitting Your Bottom Line with Alan Hanbury – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
In this episode, guest Alan Hanbury of Hanbury Builders Inc. discusses three common areas where remodeling contractors are underperforming because they believe their gut rather than facts. Alan also talks about referral marketing, the effects of job costing done half-heartedly, and hiring when taking net profitability into account. Alan is president of House of Hanbury Builders Inc., […]
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Seven Steps to Earning Positive Online Reviews with Bryan Sebring – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Online reviews can be the “Lifeblood” of any remodeling company’s business and marketing strategy and in Episode 9, Victoria and Mark speak with Bryan Sebring a very successful remodeler who has mastered the art of collecting online reviews from his satisfied clients. Bryan is the Owner of Sebring Design Build in Naperville, IL and has quickly become […]
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The Sales-to-Production Handoff with Bruce Case – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
To many remodelers, a project works like a relay race, depending on good handoffs of the baton. The sales-to production-handoff is critical, and if you drop the baton, the race is over. But there are ways to make it less of a hard handoff and more of a continuum, says Bruce Case. Bruce joins Victoria […]
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Behavioral Finance: The Psychology of Financial Management with Jay Wheeler – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
It’s not about the money, rather the feelings the money can bring. In this episode, Jay Wheeler dives into the psychology of financial management and investing in order to provide listeners with the potential reasons behind the way they may manage money. Whether it’s business or personal finances, Jay describes how to better manage your […]
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Behavioral Finance: The Psychology of Financial Management with Jay Wheeler – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
It’s not about the money, rather the feelings the money can bring.
In this episode, Jay Wheeler dives into the psychology of financial management and investing in order to provide listeners with the potential reasons behind the way they may manage money.
Whether it’s business or personal finances, Jay describes how to better manage your behavior surrounding spending.
Jay is the President of Wheeler Financial and while he provides traditional financial planning and investment advice, he believes the best value that he provides his clients is helping manage their behavior when it come...
The Evolution of SEO with Spencer Powell – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Marketing is getting more complicated, and search engine optimization can seem like voodoo or black magic. The SEO landscape is always changing, as Google adjusts its algorithms every day. The goal remains the same, though — growing your organic traffic online to rank higher in the search listings, so you get found by the people […]
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The Art of Effective Communication with Paul Winans -[Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Most work requires more than one person to get it done. Effective communication is essential to the enterprise. Everyone has to learn the skills to communicate effectively. One key is concentrating on what brings you success — in work, with your spouse or partner, and in the rest of your life. Build on that. In […]
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Using Mindful Meditation to Deal with Clients and Employees with Peter Feinmann – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
We have covered the dangers of stress and anxiety for you and your business a few times; most recently on Episode 108, where we touch on ways to battle and reduce it, including mindful meditation. To explore this topic further, Victoria and Mark welcome Peter Feinmann, President of Feinmann, Inc, a design build company in Lexington, MA, just […]
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Adapting and Leading Through a Health Crisis with Jef and Monica Forward – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Adaptability and leadership in times of crisis—whether personal or business-related—are essential skills for any business owner. In 2018, Jef and Monica Forward were coming off their best year yet and gearing up for an even stronger 2019. Everything was on track—until life threw them an unimaginable challenge. Two key team members were diagnosed with cancer, […]
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How and When To Hire a General Manager with Aaron Enfinger – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
As companies experience growth, there are tipping points where changes need to be made. One of those points is when you realize you need additional management for the organization. Many remodelers are considering adding a General Manager, but are unsure how it will work in practice. The Cleary Company of Columbus, OH, reached this tipping point […]
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Zero Punch List Production with Tim Faller – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Today we are jumping back in time to the beginnings of the PowerTips Podcast. For the past 20 years, Tim has worked with remodeling companies, large and small, to help improve profits by creating smooth, efficient production systems. As a Senior Consultant and “Master of Production” for Remodelers Advantage, Tim’s field and business ownership experience […]
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Developing Your Company’s Future Leaders with Jessica Lipson – [PowerTips Unscripted] S6 E6
In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, host Victoria Downing chats with Jessica Lipson, Vice President of People and Culture at JBL Consulting, about building strong leadership within your remodeling business. Jessica, who brings over 20 years of HR experience, shares her insights on identifying high-potential leaders, developing effective mentorship programs, and fostering non-toxic, inclusive company […]
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Adding State Funded Work to Your Revenue Stream with Robert Gurinowitsch – [PowerTips Unscripted] S6 E5
In this episode of PowerTips Unscripted, host Victoria Downing interviews Robert Gurinowitsch who shares insights on incorporating state-funded projects into a remodeler’s revenue stream. Robert explains how these opportunities can be lucrative but require navigating government regulations and compliance. Robert Gurinowitsch is the regional program manager for Best Bath. Best Bath has been providing over […]
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Building a Remodeling Sales Team with Andy Wells – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Most remodelers start as the sole salesperson for their companies. Stepping out of that role is arguably one of the hardest things you can do — but you have to if you’re going to grow your company. Hiring, training, and managing a sales team is a challenge. Normandy Design Build Remodeling has a sales staff of […]
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Growing a Company from Stage 3 to Stage 4 with Jef Forward – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
There are five stages of company growth, according to Judith Miller, one of our consultants and facilitators. Transitioning from Stage 3 to Stage 4 is one of the more complex. It takes a substantial shift in the owner’s responsibilities and skill sets. It can result in a much higher job satisfaction level, financial return, and […]
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How to Make Podcasts Your Most Valuable Marketing Tactic with John Corcoran – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
So, you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast for your business. While it is one of the best reasons to gain notoriety and establish value for your community of clients, starting a podcast doesn’t mean it will bring success all on its own. Guest John Corcoran is here to share his tips and tricks for […]
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Demography is Destiny with Kenneth Gronbach – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
As a remodeling business owner, you have likely heard of demographics and you have probably looked at it solely in the context of marketing and lead generation. But, the power of demographics lies much deeper than that, and in this episode, Ken Gronbach will share the subtle yet profound effect of shifting demography in the […]
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How Business Owners Can Tame the High Cost of College with Brad Baldridge – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Are you concerned that college tuition fees will deplete your savings? In today’s episode of PowerTips Unscripted, we have Brad Baldridge on the show to assist business owners in planning for their children’s college education without sacrificing their retirement funds. Brad discusses how owning a business can impact college finances and whether there are any […]
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A Secret Shortcut to Estimating Labor with Chad Vincent – [Best of PowerTips Unscripted]
Accurately estimating a project is critical to profit, and one of the most challenging components of that estimate is labor. Can you estimate labor simply and accurately? Are you spending too much time estimating labor for each job? Guest Chad Vincent thinks so. Tune into this episode to hear all about his new method towards […]
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