Building Optimal
Jared Gossett
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Top 10 Building Optimal Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Building Optimal episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Building Optimal for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Building Optimal episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
#64: Digital marketing tips with Spencer Powell
Building Optimal
11/09/20 • 31 min
Most builders would get an F on our digital marketing, but it's an area that can exponentially grow your business if you develop the right strategy. I'm visiting with Spencer Powell, a digital marketing expert who specializes in builders and contractors, to share a few ideas of how to get started or get better.
Spencer is the Inbound Marketing Director at Builder Funnel. Since 2010, he’s been building out a proven model and system that has helped generate thousands of leads for his clients. He specializes in helping home builders and remodelers bring their websites up to speed – not only building traffic but focusing on lead conversion and ROI.
Enjoy the episode!
#03: John Leggett, Texas Custom Builder of the Year
Building Optimal
01/24/18 • 34 min
John Leggett is the Founder and CEO of On Point Custom Homes in Houston, Texas. On Point won 2017 Texas Custom Builder of the Year and Houston Builder of the Year. John is regarded as a thought leader in the industry and was a panelist at the 2018 International Builders Show.
They are doing something right over there at On Point, so we decided to dig in and hear a little more. As you will see, John and his team have an innovative approach to running their business. We touch on everything from client relations to construction software to hiring and much more.
You can find On Point Custom Homes at www.onpointcustomhomes.com and also on Facebook, Instagram, and Houzz. Show Notes: [1:45] - John’s foray into home building. [3:51] - Best business advice John has received: “You gotta be easy to work with.” [5:10] - John’s advice on builder software systems. [6:10] - Cloud-based resources...Docusign/Dropbox. [6:52] - Google Drive vs Dropbox. [7:25] - Field equipment for superintendents. [7:35] - “Where we loose on customs is on selections.” [8:38] - “How do we differentiate ourselves? Our ideas with process and speed.” [9:35] - Differentiators = team, process, and innovative design and trends. 11:03 - Today's world = shorter lifecycle of design trends. [11:30] - Why you should be texting your clients. [12:08] - Importance of culture in hiring. [13:10] - Pre-hire dinner with the spouse. [14:10] - The benefits of utilizing Revit for 3D. “If you’re not making the move to 3D now, you’re gonna be behind.” [16:75] - Benefit of Revit for budgeting. [18:23] - Biggest areas were builders are screwing up. [19:31] - “You have to constantly look to innovate in this business.” [20:32] - Understanding the financial side of the business. [21:57] - Spending time on your specifications. [22:40] - John’s top 3 recommendations for builder to see payoffs: (1) social media reviews anduser generated content...why more good reviews are better than fewer stellar reviews. (2) Embrace technology, don’t fight it. (3) Work on corporate culture from the get go. “Pay less for land and more for people.” 25:50 - John's preferred review platforms. [26:50] - John’s construction horror stories. [32:15] - On Point’s plans for 2018. Show Links: www.onpointcustomhomes.com (On Point website) Facebook, Instagram, Houzz (On Point social media) Docusign Dropbox Revit#60: The Apps I Use in my Company
Building Optimal
07/30/20 • 16 min
Jared walks you through the apps and other virtual tools he uses to build and manage his business. Enjoy!
12/19/18 • 26 min
If you thought we were going to let David Gerstel off the hook with a paltry two-episode series, well think again. He’s back with some tips to improve our relationships with our subcontractors (affectionately called trade partners). These are tips he’s developed over his decades of experience in the construction business. For those of you ne’er-do-wells who haven’t listened to Episode 19 or 20 with David, he is a best-selling author of several construction books, including his most recent, Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. In addition to being an expert on many things “home building,” David is also a model of success, having achieved financial freedom with his own construction business by the age of 34.
Enjoy the episode! And be sure to sign up for email updates and new information at www.buildingoptimal.com!
Show Notes
[1:10] – Why you need “Included/Not Included” form to save you miscommunications with subcontractors.
[6:30] – Is there a magic bullet to ensure quality control with subcontractors?
[11:10] – Why you should approach competitive bidding differently from jobs with pre-construction agreements.
[16:20] – The optimal pay cycle and the importance of a strong capital reserve.
[20:30] – David on competitive bidding and another strategy he’s seen that works.
#103: Bigger Wins With The "Hunting Antelope" Model
Building Optimal
05/15/24 • 9 min
A quick 7-minute episode to help you make more progress and find some big wins in your business. Credit to Tim Ferriss for his recent blog post on the topic, the inspiration for this episode.
If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple!
Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP.
Thank you to our amazing brand partners
#102: Must-Have AI Apps For Builders
Building Optimal
04/10/24 • 7 min
We've been obsessed for over a year now with different AI apps that can help home builders. This is an extremely short episode on the best we've found. Enjoy!
If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please do us a favor and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple!
Also, we just released new products to take your home building company to the next level at the BUILDING OPTIMAL SHOP.
Thank you to our amazing brand partners
#59: A Powerful Punch List System
Building Optimal
05/21/20 • 30 min
Bryan Kaplan is an international consultant for builders and the construction industry. Over his 21-year career in the industry, he has been an owner, general manager, and home inspector.
With his breadth of experience, Bryan brings a systems-oriented approach to his clients. In this interview, we visit with Bryan on punch list systems that help you end projects on great terms with your clients.
Connect with Bryan and learn more about his company here.
And last but not least, a special thanks to Treacy Duerfeldt of NWC Alliance and Doug Lynch, my insurance pros and today’s sponsors!
#58: A Builder’s Path to Financial Freedom with David Gerstel
Building Optimal
04/22/20 • 64 min
David Gerstel returns to share his ideas on how builders can achieve financial freedom. David is a best-selling author of several construction books, including his most recent, Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. He is also a well-known speaker. In addition to being an expert on many things “home building,” David is also a model of success, having achieved financial freedom with his own construction business by the age of 34.
And last but not least, a special thanks to Treacy Duerfeldt of NWC Alliance and Doug Lynch, my insurance pros and today’s sponsors!
Enjoy the episode! And be sure to sign up for email updates and new information at www.buildingoptimal.com!
#44: What’s New in Smart Homes with David LaMere
Building Optimal
11/22/19 • 23 min
Curious what's new in the smart home space? Dave LaMere indulges us. Dave is the owner of Smart Homz, with locations in both Ramsey and Beach Haven, New Jersey. Dave's company offers the whole suite of home automation and technology services, so he's just the guy for today's episode.
Show notes:
[1:45] - What's new in the smart home space.
[5:55] - What can you accomplish without a huge budget.
[8:30] - The most popular things Dave is asked to install.
[17:06] - David's recommendation to builders.
[21:41] - Where to find Dave online.
#04: Tom Woodcock, Seal the Deal
Building Optimal
01/26/18 • 31 min
Tom Woodcock is the Founder and President of Seal the Deal. Tom is an author and nationally known branding, marketing, and selling expert. He is one of the most dynamic sales trainers and consultants in the country. He routinely speaks to thousands of contractors and suppliers concerning the sales skills necessary to compete in this intensely challenging construction industry. His latest book, “You’re Not Sellin, They’re Buyin‘” is comprehensive in developing the proper sales skills, persona, and methodology to rise above the competition.
In this interview we dive into some of Tom’s top advice for builders to win more contracts, differentiate yourself, and much more. Enjoy!
To stay up to date on our latest interviews, be sure to sign up for our emails at www.buildingoptimal.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Show Notes:
[1:30] – Avoiding the low bid game. “You’re not buying a price. You’re buying the service, the workmanship, craftsmanship, experience.”
[2:30] – Differentiating yourself so that a customer will actually pay more to use you. “If we had an anniversary dinner with our significant other and we were buying by price, we’d always take them to McDonald’s for their anniversary.”
[3:20] – Taking inventory of what you bring to the table and determining how to sell it up front.
[4:40] – Tom’s client test questions.
[7:46] – “What does it say about the value you feel you or your company brings to the table when you’re ready to discount fairly quickly into the process? If you’re not believing your own value, well you can’t expect the customer to believe that value.”
[8:30] – Selling your value rather than discounting.
[10:50] – Your points of separation..finding 2-3 points that TRULY make you different, that truly get you separation.
[13:10] – “Price is not enough. There’s room for ONE low cost provider in every market.”
[15:38] – Being better vs different and the need for perceived value.
[17:30] – The importance of truly identifying WHO is your customer.
[19:40] – “If you don’t sell, you don’t get projects. None of the other stuff matters.”
[20:30] – “[The best marketing strategy] is the one you will actually do.” The role of consistency in marketing.
[21:30] – The benefit of a monthly newsletter for your customer base.
[22:20] – Networking is replacing cold-calling.
[23:10] – “Spending, spending, spending without a purpose is the wrong thing to do.”
[24:10] – How networking differentiates you. “You don’t have to be a Type A person with tremendous people skills to be successful in selling. But you have to have an approach and be consistent in that approach.”
[28:00] – Raising your close rate 10% to 15% immediately...the face-to-face approach.
[29:40] – “Engage with the customer on the delivery of your pricing. It’s much harder to tell you to your face that I’m not going to use you.”
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FAQ
How many episodes does Building Optimal have?
Building Optimal currently has 104 episodes available.
What topics does Building Optimal cover?
The podcast is about Investing, Podcasts, Entrepreneurship and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Building Optimal?
The episode title '#58: A Builder’s Path to Financial Freedom with David Gerstel' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Building Optimal?
The average episode length on Building Optimal is 31 minutes.
How often are episodes of Building Optimal released?
Episodes of Building Optimal are typically released every 17 days, 19 hours.
When was the first episode of Building Optimal?
The first episode of Building Optimal was released on Jan 9, 2018.
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