Construction Genius

Eric Anderton

Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration."

  • 36 minutes 16 seconds
    Stop Bidding Everything: The 10 Roadblocks Killing Your Construction Sales

    Construction sales feel like a grind because the root problem isn't sales — it's the business infrastructure underneath. In this episode, we unpack the 10 structural roadblocks that make selling construction work under $100M so difficult. These issues include unclear vision, missing strategy, weak financial visibility, poor org structure, broken incentive systems, no management rhythm, and outdated hiring and development practices.

    Fix these, and sales becomes dramatically easier. Ignore them, and every bid feels like a battle.

    If you're tired of grinding, guessing, and hoping for better results, this episode gives you the roadmap.

    Top 10 Reasons Contractors Struggle to Scale:

    1. Lack of a clear vision for the future

    2. Lack of a clear, well-documented strategy

    3. No critical metrics defining business performance

    4. Poorly defined organizational structure and role clarity

    5. Limited financial visibility and business acumen

    6. Misaligned or poorly designed incentive systems

    7. Undefined cultural norms, values, and beliefs

    8. No management system to drive communication and accountability

    9. Ineffective hiring processes

    10. Lack of employee development capability

    🔗 Connect with Matthew Neuberger

    Website: https://go.sandler.com/neuberger/ Contrarian Contractor: https://neuberger-sandler-22152421.hs-sites.com/the-contrarian-contractor Book an Appointment: https://meetings.hubspot.com/matthew-neuberger?uuid=57dae5c6-56fd-4c1e-bf07-d8445f7fe77 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neubergerco/

    Listen to another conversation with Matthew: https://www.constructiongenius.com/the-hit-rate-revolution-achieving-35-50-win-rates-and-doubling-revenue-ep-345

    23 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 51 minutes 25 seconds
    Buyer-Ready in 12 Months: How to Make Your Construction Company Sellable

    Most contractors wait too long to prepare their business for a sale—and lose millions because of it. In this episode, I talk with Cameron Bishop, Managing Director at Raincatcher, about what it really takes to make your construction company buyer-ready in the next 12 months.

    Cam brings 40+ years of executive and M&A experience and has completed more than 70 transactions worth over $500M. He breaks down the biggest deal killers, the accounting mistakes that stall closings, how to remove owner dependency, and why customer concentration over 20% scares buyers away.

    🎧 Listen now, and connect with Cam at raincatcher.com or on LinkedIn. 📧 [email protected] | 📞 816-591-6610

    16 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 45 minutes 28 seconds
    What Secular Leadership Models Reveal About Jesus (and Your Business)

    Most leadership discussions avoid the most uncomfortable question:

    👉 What actually makes a leader good?

    In this episode, I sit down with Father Daniel Brandenburg, author of Leader Like No Other: What Secular Leadership Models Reveal About Jesus, a book that flips the usual leadership conversation on its head.

    After completing a doctorate in leadership, Daniel realized something startling: Jesus, arguably the most influential leader in history, is almost completely absent from modern leadership theory. So he took ten major secular leadership paradigms and compared them directly with Jesus' actions, decisions, and interactions.

    This conversation isn't theological. It's intensely practical. We explore how moral judgment, purpose, discipline, and organizational structure shape your company's ability to perform, grow, and stay healthy. And we tie every concept back to real-world behavior, decisions, and consequences inside construction organizations.

    Learn More About Daniel Brandenburg

    LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/fr-daniel-brandenburg-lc-89109921/

    Website - frdanielbrandenburg.com/

    Leader Like No Other: What Secular Leadership Models Reveal About Jesus Paperback

    by Fr. Daniel Brandenburg

    amazon.com/Leader-Like-No-Other-Leadership/dp/B0DYJJBKMD

    9 December 2025, 11:20 am
  • 24 minutes 58 seconds
    How to Use Your WIP to Protect Cash and Grow Profitability

    In Part 2 of our WIP Mastery Series, CPA Kathe Barrington returns to show contractors how to use the WIP as a strategic decision-making tool. We dig into the three numbers every owner must check first, how underbilling reveals deeper project or client issues, and how the WIP exposes PM discipline long before problems hit the P&L.

    Kathe also walks through backlog planning, bid strategy, indirect cost allocation, and how to spot margin fade before it becomes expensive.

    If you want the financial clarity to run your company proactively—not reactively—this episode is essential.

    Learn more about Kathe: Website: https://www.kbcpa.biz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathe-barrington-a6346337/

    2 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 38 minutes 12 seconds
    Build Trust, Win Work: How the Doer–Seller Model Helps Construction Firms Thrive

    Construction BD expert Ken Harms joins me to break down the rise of the Doer–Seller model — a relationship-driven approach where project managers and superintendents help win work by serving clients, asking better questions, and building long-term trust.

    We unpack how owners' expectations have shifted, why the rainmaker era is over, how to train introverted technical pros to engage confidently, and why firms that ignore this model will be trapped in low-bid work.

    If you want more negotiated work, more repeat clients, and teams who know how to build trust on and off the job, this episode delivers the roadmap.

    Ken's links:Website: www.kenharms.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenneth-harms-12b56629/

    25 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 20 minutes 25 seconds
    WIP Reports Made Simple: The Key to Stopping Hidden Job Losses

    Most contractors think they understand their WIP reports—but few actually use them to stop hidden job losses. CPA Kathe Barrington joins Eric Anderton to explain how to simplify your WIP, prevent fake profits, and keep your cash and bonding capacity intact.

    You'll discover: • Why bad budgets destroy profits • How percent-complete accounting really works • How PMs and accountants can finally get on the same page

    Connect with Kathe Barrington

    👉 More from Construction Genius

    🧠 Learn about The Shift: Construction Leadership Course

    18 November 2025, 11:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 14 seconds
    From Superhero to System Builder: The Key to Leading a Scalable Company

    Hero culture caps growth. Eric and process-improvement pro George Pesansky show you how to trade capes for systems using a no-BS What–Why–How framework. Define the what (outcome), clarify the why (priority), then let your people own the how. We unpack faster bad-news communication, direct vs. root vs. latent causes, the Golden Hour for standardizing wins, and the Four M's (Man, Machine, Material, Method). If you want a business that runs when you step away—and gets the most out of your people—this episode is your blueprint.

    Grab George's book Superperformance or visit myblendedlearning.com.

    90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

    You can't afford to let your people drift.

    To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

    Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

    • Get clear on what matters most.

    • Drive focused action and accountability.

    • Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

    Success doesn't happen by accident.

    It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

    Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

    Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

    Resources to Help You Win in Construction

    📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

    🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

    ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let's connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

    🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don't forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

    11 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 41 minutes 58 seconds
    Turn Your Website Into a Growth Engine

    Most construction companies treat their website like a digital brochure. Big mistake.

    Rob Murray from Intrigue Media joins Eric to explain why even $50M buyers do Google contractors—and how a smart, strategic website builds trust and drives real opportunities.

    You'll learn how to position your company vertically or horizontally, speak to multiple buyer types, and use short, authentic testimonials that convert. Rob also shares a simple spreadsheet exercise that exposes your most profitable niche—and how to use client interviews to rewrite your homepage in their words.

    Turn your website into a growth engine today.

    Visit intriguemedia.com Learn more at constructiongenius.comToronto tip from Rob: grab dinner at the CN Tower—the view's unbeatable.

    90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

    You can't afford to let your people drift.

    To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

    Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

    • Get clear on what matters most.

    • Drive focused action and accountability.

    • Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

    Success doesn't happen by accident.

    It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

    Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

    Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

    Resources to Help You Win in Construction

    📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

    🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

    ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let's connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

    🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don't forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

    4 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 15 minutes 53 seconds
    2026 Starts Now: The Construction Outlook Every CEO Needs to Hear

    In this episode, Eric Anderton breaks down findings from FMI's Q4 2025 Construction Outlook and the CIRT Q3 2025 Sentiment Index, revealing how 130 construction CEOs are preparing for a selective, profit-focused market.

    Learn why the flight to quality is reshaping bidding strategy, how firms are earning more by doing less, and what it takes to ride the 2026 infrastructure and tax-credit wave.

    📚 Resources

    90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

    You can't afford to let your people drift.

    To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

    Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

    • Get clear on what matters most.

    • Drive focused action and accountability.

    • Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

    Success doesn't happen by accident.

    It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

    Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

    Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

    Resources to Help You Win in Construction

    📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

    🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

    ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let's connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

    🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don't forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

    28 October 2025, 11:00 am
  • 44 minutes 30 seconds
    Inside the Owner-Contractor Relationship: Lessons from Billion-Dollar Projects

    Construction contractors seeking to break free from commodity pricing discover transformative strategies for building strategic owner partnerships in this revealing interview. PMWeb CEO Huw Roberts shares insider perspectives from managing billion-dollar projects, including the $5 billion JP Morgan Chase tower in New York. Learn how successful contractors differentiate themselves through strategic positioning, technology integration, and communication excellence. This episode covers design-build-operate advantages, AI implementation without excessive risk, and the three critical objectives every owner prioritizes. Roberts reveals common communication mistakes that damage relationships and provides actionable strategies for contractors working with sophisticated owners managing 30,000+ active projects simultaneously.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Strategic contractor positioning versus commodity vendor relationships in large projects

    • Design-build-operate contracting methods for long-term partnership success

    • Construction project management technology integration and collaboration strategies

    • AI implementation approaches: advisory roles versus dangerous automation decisions

    • Communication best practices that prevent costly owner relationship breakdowns

    • Technology planning requirements for sophisticated owner partnerships

    • Real-world insights from billion-dollar construction project management

    Guest Credentials:

    Huw Roberts - CEO, PMWeb Global Construction Software

    Background: Former architect specializing in hospital and institutional design

    Current Role: Leading construction project management technology for major owners

    Portfolio Scope: 30,000+ active projects across universities, airports, financial institutions

    Notable Projects: JP Morgan Chase $5 billion tower, UC Davis Health systems

    Links and Resources:

    90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

    You can't afford to let your people drift.

    To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

    Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

    • Get clear on what matters most.

    • Drive focused action and accountability.

    • Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

    Success doesn't happen by accident.

    It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

    Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

    Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

    Resources to Help You Win in Construction

    📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

    🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

    ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let's connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

    🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don't forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

    21 October 2025, 11:00 am
  • 32 minutes 44 seconds
    Get Paid in Less Than 30 Days: How to Secure Federal Projects and Make Money Fast

    Think federal contracting is too complex or risky? Think again. In this episode, Doug and Sean Reitmeyer of GCExperts reveal how to break into the federal market with nothing more than a SAM registration—and why it's one of the fairest, most cash-flow-friendly opportunities in construction.

    You'll learn how to avoid rookie mistakes, get paid in 14–30 days under the Federal Prompt Payment Act, and build credibility fast. With over a billion dollars in federal work under their belts, Doug and Sean know the game inside and out.

    90-Day High-Performance Dashboard

    You can't afford to let your people drift.

    To drive real performance, you must coach with clarity and purpose.

    Use the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard to:

    • Get clear on what matters most.

    • Drive focused action and accountability.

    • Strengthen trust and deepen relationships.

    Success doesn't happen by accident.

    It happens when leaders coach with precision and consistency.

    Download the 90-Day High-Performance Dashboard here: https://www.constructiongenius.com/high-performance-in-a-new-role

    Coach your team toward real results — one conversation at a time.

    Resources to Help You Win in Construction

    📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

    🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com

    ☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let's connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me

    🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don't forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

    14 October 2025, 11:00 am
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