Professional Builders Secrets

Association of Professional Builders

Brought to you by the Association of Professional Builders (APB), the Professional Builders Secrets podcast is the #1 resource for builders operating a professional building company. Discover how you can generate more leads, sign more contracts and increase your margins while delivering a better experience for your clients. We interview professional builders across 5 countries, host industry authorities as special guests and break down proven strategies with the coaching team at the Association of Professional Builders. Enjoy new episodes every week.

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Top 10 Professional Builders Secrets Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Professional Builders Secrets episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Professional Builders Secrets 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 Professional Builders Secrets episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

156. Mastering Negotiation With Sky Kolade

Professional Builders Secrets

10/17/24 • 46 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Sky Kolade, Co-founder of APB. In this episode, Sky dives deep into the art of negotiation, specifically tailored for building company owners. She explains how negotiation plays a crucial role in maintaining control, building relationships, and securing better outcomes for your business.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 156 YOU WILL DISCOVER

Why negotiation is essential for every builder
How to navigate the power dynamics in business discussions
The tactics you can use to disarm clients and stakeholders
How to confidently handle negotiations, even in difficult situations
The importance of mindset in becoming a better negotiator
and much, much more.

ABOUT SKY KOLADE

Sky Kolade is a Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, a business coaching company dedicated to improving the residential construction industry for both builders and consumers. Sky is a proud member of The National Association of Women in Construction and she was also recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in Construction.

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens/

TIMELINE

2:11 Why negotiation is critical for builders
3:44 How to shift the power dynamic in your favour
6:16 The key to win-win negotiations
20:17 How to disarm clients and handle objections
28:52 The power of silence in negotiations
34:53 How labelling emotions helps you negotiate better

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

145. Data-Driven Performance With Matt Kelly

Professional Builders Secrets

08/01/24 • 49 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Matt Kelly, Director of Crown Constructions. Throughout this episode, Matt shares his journey from carpenter to co-founder and discusses the importance of systemising your building business for success, and using hard data to make decisions.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 145 YOU WILL DISCOVER

The importance of building and maintaining systems in your business
How to effectively transition from tradesperson to business owner
How to cultivate an effective data set
The role of software in improving business operations
The benefits of consistent marketing and client communication

ABOUT MATT KELLY

Matt embarked on his career journey at the young age of 16, where he honed his skills as a carpenter while working with a local custom builder. His apprenticeship exposed him to high-end and intricate projects, setting the foundation for his passion for craftsmanship and attention to detail. After seven years of dedicated work, Matt’s ambitions led him to Wangaratta, where he saw the potential for new building ventures and sporting pursuits. This transition marked the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Connect with Matt: linkedin.com/in/matthew-kelly-246a5b176/

TIMELINE

1:15 Matt’s journey into the construction industry
9:05 The transition into a business owner
14:07 The impact of winning awards for your company
35:19 The impact of coaching and making data-driven decisions
50:01 Matt’s long-term goals for Crown

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

121. Cashflow Vs Profit With Russ, Sky & Andy

Professional Builders Secrets

02/15/24 • 53 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with the co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In the episode, the trio discuss the pitfalls builders fall into when it comes to cashflow, and how so many misconstrue their numbers.

INSIDE EPISODE 121 YOU WILL DISCOVER

Why your business isn’t actually making money
The ripple effects of leaving cashflow unchecked
Why it’s so hard to dig yourself out of a cashflow problem
What to do to ensure you’re making true profit
And much, much more.

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ is a data analysis expert who has introduced data-driven decision making to the residential construction industry. Russ is also a proud member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT SKY KOLADE

Co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, Sky specialises in taking complex business strategies and converting them into actionable step-by-step guides for building company owners. Sky is also a proud member of The National Association of Women in Construction and the Top 100 Women in the broader construction sector.

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Head Coach at the Association of Professional Builders, Andy specialises in helping business owners in the building industry identify and implement the skills and systems they need to be successful, without needing to go back to school. Or more importantly, without going bust.

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE

1:07 The importance of cashflow
5:35 Signs a builder is experiencing cash flow problems
11:21 The implications cashflow has on the health of your company
14:52 Blindspots that could be affecting cashflow
25:07 External impacts on cashflow
29:10 What builders can do about the problem

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

117. Systemising a Building Company With David Jenyns

Professional Builders Secrets

01/18/24 • 37 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with David Jenyns, founder of SYSTEMology. In this episode, David gets into why and how builders can systemise their building company, and how you can overcome the daunting hurdle of getting your systems started.

INSIDE EPISODE 117 YOU WILL DISCOVER

The importance of systemising your building company
When to start systemising
How to systemise complex processes like building
The risks of putting systemisation on the backburner
And much, much more.

ABOUT DAVID JENYNS

David runs SYSTEMology, he and his team have developed a proven, step-by-step business systemisation framework – designed so that even the busiest business owner can deploy it. Quite literally, SYSTEMology was designed to be the system for systemising your business.

Connect with David: linkedin.com/in/david-jenyns

TIMELINE

0:53 About Dave & SYSTEMology
3:49 Realising your business isn't systemised
8:01 How to start systemising
10:22 The risks of not systemising your company
24:04 How to systemise more complex systems
34:18 How SYSTEMology helps builders

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

172. Elite Mentoring Results in 2024 With Andy Skarda

Professional Builders Secrets

02/06/25 • 38 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Andy Skarda, head coach at APB. In this episode, Andy shares powerful insights into Elite Mentoring and the remarkable results experienced by builders in 2024. Andy reveals the key strategies elite builders used to increase revenue, improve profitability, and create more time for personal fulfilment.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 172 YOU WILL DISCOVER

How Elite Mentoring helps builders transition to true business owners
How Elite clients grew their revenue by ~70%, with some achieving over 120% growth
Why marketing and systemization were the biggest drivers of success
The impact of elite coaching on builders’ personal lives
The biggest challenges faced by builders in 2024 and how they navigated them
And much, much more.

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE

02:12 What is Elite Mentoring and who is it for?
14:38 How Elite clients achieved an average 69.3% revenue growth
24:24 The marketing and systemization strategies that made the biggest impact
28:34 The biggest challenges elite builders faced in 2024—and how they overcame them
33:39 How builders used their success to improve their health, family life, and work-life balance
39:26 What’s next for Elite clients in 2025

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

165. The 2024 Recap With Russ Stephens and Sky Kolade

Professional Builders Secrets

12/19/24 • 46 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an insightful episode with Sky Kolade and Russ Stephens, Co-founders of APB. In this episode, Sky and Russ reflect on 2024’s defining moments for builders, exploring key trends like AI adoption, financial literacy, and the critical role of industry events in fostering collaboration and growth.

This episode is sponsored by Apparatus Contractor Services, click the link below to learn more:hubs.ly/Q02mNSsG0

INSIDE EPISODE 165 YOU WILL DISCOVER

The impact of high inflation and interest rates on builders in 2024
How AI adoption has revolutionized the construction industry
The importance of systemization and financial literacy for sustainable growth
The role of community and collaboration through industry events
Key insights from the 2024 State of Residential Construction Industry Survey
And much, much more.

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT SKY KOLADE

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens/

TIMELINE

01:37 Defining moments of 2024 for builders
04:12 How AI is transforming construction businesses
06:27 The value of industry events for collaboration
12:17 Survey insights: What separates successful builders
29:34 How builders are making an impact with the 141 Project
45:47 Top advice for builders heading into 2025

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

128. Getting More From Your Accountant With Josh Hallam & Sam Falanga

Professional Builders Secrets

04/04/24 • 30 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with Josh Hallam and Sam Falanga from Falanga & Co., an accounting firm based in Australia. In this episode, Josh and Sam get into the biggest pain points builders have when consulting with accountants, how to alleviate them, and most importantly, how to get the most out of your accountant.

INSIDE EPISODE 128 YOU WILL DISCOVER

The importance of an accountant who understands your business
How builders differ from regular businesses
What to look for in an accountant
How builders should manage their cash flow

ABOUT SAMUEL FALANGA

Driven by a strong desire to help people build successful businesses, Sam established his own practice in 2011. Since founding Falanga & Co, Sam has built a highly capable team of business coaches, and has established the firm’s reputation as a trusted and effective partner for success across multiple industries.

Connect with Sam: linkedin.com/in/samuel-falanga-7939a265/

ABOUT JOSH HALLAM

Bringing over a decade of senior executive experience to Falanga & Co, Josh is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s operations. From the development and implementation of strategic plans, to ensuring the firm is meeting its financial and operational objectives, Josh plays a pivotal role in the strategic direction of the firm.

Connect with Josh: linkedin.com/in/josh-hallam-6904711b/

TIMELINE

0:41 A bit about Falanga & Co.
3:35 Biggest accounting pain points for builders
8:00 How builders can manage their cash flow
12:05 Addressing common misconceptions about accountants
15:05 Falanga & Co.'s proactive approach
20:37 Changes throughout 2024 and beyond

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB Rewards: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/rewards/

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

1. What Is The Association of Professional Builders?

Professional Builders Secrets

11/13/21 • 32 min

In the inaugural episode of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by the Co-founders of the Association of Professional Builders, Russ Stephens and Sky Stephens. Together, Russ & Sky share the journey of creating APB and exactly what the association does for builders.

The Association of Professional Builders is a business coaching company that helps residential home builders across the globe systemise their building companies. Specialised coaching on sales, marketing, financials, business operations and even personal development in order to operate a true professional building company.

From selling construction software to building a marketing agency and launching sales training, Russ and Sky have been on quite the journey before finally launching the Association of Professional Builders in 2014. Since then they’ve been transforming residential building companies into professional building companies with the ready-made systems that generate more leads, more sales and higher margins.

Tune in to the full episode to hear the APB story and exactly how they are improving the construction industry for both builders and consumers.

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT SKY STEPHENS

Connect with Sky: linkedin.com/in/skycheristephens

TIMELINE

1:03 What is the APB?
1:52 How APB was born.
6:35 The biggest gap in the construction industry.
8:16 Who are members of APB?
16:56 Why generic business coaches are dangerous.
25:16 Transformations.
27:31 Professional builders vs average builders.
29:56 What's the future of APB and the construction industry?

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Join the Professional Builders Secrets Facebook group for builders & connect with professional builders world-wide: facebook.com/groups/builderssecrets

21. Using Systems To Maximise Efficiency With Dennis Wong

Professional Builders Secrets

03/17/22 • 32 min

In episode 21 of the Professional Builders Secrets podcast, our host, Bosco Anthony is joined by one of the executive business coaches at APB, Dennis Wong. Throughout this episode, Dennis shares the secrets to building a winning team for a building company.

Dennis works with business owners to grow their businesses, help their managers and team members to achieve higher levels of performance, and attain results faster by combining training to impart knowledge and develop new skills and coaching to facilitate transformative growth.

As a business and executive coach, Dennis graduated from Coach-U in 2016 and FocalPoint Coaching in 2017 and has continued to develop as a professional coach, learning from experts in the field and subsequently, helping business owners, their management, and team members to develop professionally and personally.

In this episode, Dennis shares why it's important for builders to optimise for maximum efficiency, how to overcome blindspots in a building company, the importance of using data to drive decision making and SO much more.

Tune in to the full episode now to learn about the systems that builders can implement to maximise efficiency for their building company.

ABOUT DENNIS WONG

Based in Sydney, Australia, Dennis Wong is one of the Australasian Executive Business Coaches at the Association of Professional Builders. A Coach-U and FocalPoint Coaching accredited business coach also serving on the Executive Committee of the Asia Pacific Alliance of Coaches (APAC), Dennis now works exclusively with owners of residential building companies in Australia and New Zealand that are looking to fast-track their results.

Connect with Dennis: linkedin.com/in/dennis-s-wong

TIMELINE

1:04 Dennis’s coaching background.
4:32 The challenges Dennis sees builders facing.
5:53 Why it’s important for builders to optimise for maximum efficiency.
8:59 Where to start to maximise your efficiency.
11:52 Metrics to measure efficiency.
13:51 The core blindspots in a building company and how Dennis helps builders overcome them.
15:46 The importance of using data to drive decision making.
16:41 How to stay consistent after improving your efficiency.
18:13 Crucial systems for efficiency.
20:11 Dennis’s advice when it comes to communication with their team members.
21:29 Dennis’s take on the future of the industry.
22:49 What’s surprised Dennis the most about the residential construction industry.
24:15 What Dennis believes builders need to focus on for the future.
25:24 Common challenges Dennis helps builders overcome.
26:38 Dennis’s advice to builders.
30:33 Dennis’s recommended reading.

LINKS, RESOURCES & MORE

APB Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com

APB on Instagram: instagram.com/apbbuilders/

APB on Facebook: facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders

APB on YouTube: youtube.com/c/associationofprofessionalbuilders

Join the Professional Builders Secrets Facebook group for builders & connect with professional builders world-wide: facebook.com/groups/builderssecrets

113. The 2023 Recap With Russ & Andy

Professional Builders Secrets

12/21/23 • 51 min

Professional Builders Secrets brings you an exclusive episode with co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders Russ Stephens, along with APB’s Head Coach, Andy Skarda. In this episode, the two recap some of the most important milestones for APB in 2023 and what that means for you as a member of the community.

INSIDE EPISODE 113 YOU WILL DISCOVER

How APB Rewards has saved builders thousands
The ways the PBS Podcast has impacted builders
The impact of the SORCI report
How APB’s live events have helped builders thrive
And much, much more.

Listen to the full episode to uncover what the APB has achieved in 2023, and what we’re hoping to accomplish in 2024.

If you’re a builder who wants to get ahead of the curve, you need to do your research, and the best place to start is by seeing how your building company sits in with the rest in the State Of Residential Construction Industry (SORCI) report. You can get a free copy of the 2023 report by clicking on the button below.

Get Your Free Report: go.associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/sorci-download

ABOUT RUSS STEPHENS

Connect with Russ: linkedin.com/in/russstephens

ABOUT ANDY SKARDA

Connect with Andy: linkedin.com/in/andy-skarda-92a6875/

TIMELINE