BusinessManagementTechnology

The Contender’s Edge

SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions

The Contender’s Edge is a podcast for small to mid-sized construction companies that want to compete without playing the big company game. It breaks down how real builders use smart moves and technology to win work, protect margins, and stay in control. No theory, no buzzwords, just straight talk from people who’ve been in the field and know what it takes to level the field.

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23 episodes
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Avg 22 min
English

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#27
Monday · 14 min
Microsoft Copilot Doesn’t Understand Construction (Yet)
Microsoft Copilot is great at managing your AI models and reading your Microsoft 365 data, but it still doesn't understand construction. Vinay Nair, Chief Customer Officer at SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, explains why, and how pairing Copilot with smrt-E adds the construction lens: RFIs and daily reports dictated from the field, and site changes caught before they turn into unbilled costs. Nothing replaces the skilled trades. SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions: https://smrtbld.com smrt-E voice reporting: https://smrte.ai SMARTBUILD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions/home/ Zulq Malik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ Vinay Nair on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/
#25
October 20 · 9 min
The Field Intelligence Gap Holding Contractors Back
Vinay Nair, Chief Customer Officer at SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, explains the field intelligence gap: why most of a contractor's project data lives in site conversations, phone calls, texts and email instead of in their systems, and why that leaves AI with nothing reliable to work with. He covers record demand and the labour shortage in Canada and the US, where field data really lives, a court case decided by paperwork, and how voice capture turns what happens on site into structured records. Nothing replaces the skilled trades. Figures cited are from 2025 and 2026 reports (ABC, AGC and NCCER, BuildForce Canada, U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics Canada). Subscribe to The Contender's Edge for more. SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions: https://smrtbld.com smrt-E voice reporting: https://smrte.ai SMARTBUILD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions/home/ Zulq Malik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ Vinay Nair on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/ The Contender's Edge is from SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, a Canadian construction project management platform built for small to mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors. smrtGC, smrtSUB, smrtAEC and smrt-E help contenders run projects, paperwork and cash flow without an enterprise budget or an IT department. #construction #constructionmanagement #contractors #generalcontractor #constructiontechnology
#24
October 13 · 11 min
Why Your Construction Team Rejects New Software
Vinay Nair, Chief Customer Officer at SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, explains why construction software rollouts stall and what owners, presidents and VPs have to do to make them stick. He covers leadership buy-in, picking a strong internal lead, finding a hero in the field, and how to announce the change to your crew. The Contender's Edge is from SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, a Canadian construction project management platform built for small to mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors. smrtGC, smrtSUB, smrtAE and smrt-E help contenders run projects, paperwork and cash flow without an enterprise budget or an IT department.
#23
October 6 · 35 min
How He Doubled a Construction Company From $50M to $100M+
What does it take to grow a construction company from $50M to $100M+ in annual revenue? For John Lehmann, developing the next generation of leaders was a major part of the plan. In this episode of The Contender’s Edge, Angelina sits down with the former president of Poole Anderson to discuss how the company grew from roughly $40–50 million to $110–120 million in annual revenue during his time there. Drawing on nearly 40 years in construction, John shares how to recognize when your team is stretched too thin, turn project managers into leaders, and build a succession plan before you need it. They also discuss protecting client relationships, handling talented employees who hurt company culture, and the operational lessons John wishes he had learned earlier. If you’re a contractor, construction business owner, or project manager preparing for more responsibility, this conversation offers practical lessons on growing your people alongside your business. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Opening 00:48 - Meet John Lehmann 02:22 - When is it time to expand your team? 05:10 - Stress-testing your team’s capacity 06:16 - Why understaffing can cost you money 07:44 - Developing leaders and planning succession 10:17 - From $40–50M to $110–120M in annual revenue 11:06 - The 70/20/10 approach to leadership training 13:10 - When are project managers ready for bigger projects? 16:39 - Using technology and dashboards to spot problems 18:40 - Passing client relationships to the next generation 22:02 - When talented leaders hurt company culture 27:47 - What makes a good construction leader? 30:32 - Leadership lessons John wishes he learned earlier 34:51 - Connect with John Lehmann Connect with John: jlehmann@constructionleaders.org Subscribe to The Contender’s Edge for more conversations on building stronger construction businesses. #Construction #ConstructionLeadership #BusinessGrowth
#22
September 22 · 39 min
25 Years, Same Crew: Why Nobody Quits This Contractor
Shaun started at GEN-PRO as a labourer in 2000 and became owner in June 2021. In this conversation, he walks through what actually changed: managing four generations on the same crew, why the office has a pool table and an arcade, the 6 am to 6 pm days his father set as the standard, and what it costs to be the person every decision runs through. We also get into the numbers behind the trades right now. $63 billion of infrastructure over the next ten years and an industry already 200,000 workers short. If you run a construction business or manage projects for one, this is the operational side nobody posts about. GEN-PRO: https://genpro.ca SMARTBUILD: https://smrtbld.com Connect with Zulqernain Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ Connect with Shaun Dawson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-dawson-b39695302/ Subscribe for more conversations with the people actually building things.
#21
September 11 · 39 min
The $1,000 P.O. That's Quietly Killing Your Margin
Most contractors think their profit leaks live in materials, labour and change orders. Leslie Dibling argues the bigger leak is the gap between what leadership thinks is happening and what's actually happening on site. And that one never shows up on the PNL. In this episode we get into what to do about it: empowering people without losing control, defining roles so nobody's waiting on you to cut a P.O., getting HR into the boardroom with a business case instead of a feeling, and picking a technology champion your crews will actually follow. If you run a construction business, manage projects, or you're the bottleneck every decision routes through, this one is for you. ABOUT OUR GUEST Leslie Dibling is the co-founder of AMC Services, an organizational development firm she started with her partner Agnes Watkinson in 2023. AMC now has 134 consultants across Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe. Leslie came up through construction over 19 years, starting as a labourer, and she works on the human capital problems most companies see but never address. She was named one of Canada's Top 25 Under 40 in OHS in 2025. AMC runs an Organizational Health Check that reveals where people and organizational issues are leaking profit, then designs tailored changes to close those gaps. Leslie Dibling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-d-17b39a265/ AMC Services: https://amc-services.ca/ AMC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amc-services-organizational-development/ Zulqernain Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ Vinay Nair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/ SMARTBUILD: https://smrtbld.com/
#20
September 4 · 7 min
Contractors Can’t Find Workers | But Is Labor Really the Problem?
Construction companies are struggling to find skilled workers, labour costs are climbing, and existing teams are being asked to carry more work. So the natural response is to hire more people. But what if part of the labour problem is hiding inside the way your company already works? In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, SMARTBUILD Chief Customer Officer Vinay Nair breaks down what he hears from small and mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors dealing with the construction labor shortage. He looks at the pressure from two sides: contractors need more people, yet construction labor productivity has also fallen. That leaves owners and managers with a bigger question: Are you short-staffed, or are your existing people losing too many hours to paperwork, reporting, tracking information, and repetitive project administration? Vinay covers: • Why construction companies are struggling to fill skilled trade positions • What the 2026 AGC and Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook says about construction hiring • Why rising labor costs put added pressure on contractor margins • Where construction teams lose productive hours • How contractors can help project managers and superintendents manage more work • How digital daily reports, inspections, safety reports, and project records can reduce repetitive paperwork • How technology can help train new construction employees • Why getting inexperienced employees productive sooner matters during a labor shortage • How structured checklists and project workflows can pass knowledge from experienced workers to newer employees • What construction owners should examine before adding another person to payroll For construction founders, owners, CEOs, general contractors, subcontractors, project managers, superintendents, operations managers, and construction leaders, this episode offers a different way to think about labor capacity. Your experienced people only have so many hours. Where are those hours going? Watch the episode and tell us in the comments: Where does your construction team lose the most time each week? Subscribe to The Contender’s Edge Podcast for conversations on construction leadership, contractor growth, project management, workforce development, AI in construction, and construction technology. smrtbld.com #Construction #ConstructionLaborShortage #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionLeadership #SkilledTrades #ProjectManagement #ConstructionWorkforce #ConstructionTechnology #Contractor
#19
August 21 · 12 min
What 100+ Contractors Told Me About AI
Is AI useful in construction today, or are contractors being pushed to adopt tools before they know what to do with them? In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, SMARTBUILD Chief Customer Officer Vinay shares what he is hearing directly from general contractors, subcontractors, project managers, superintendents, architects, and engineers who are trying to figure out where AI fits into their work. The biggest takeaway is simple: AI is only as good as the context and data you give it. Vinay breaks down the difference between basic AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and NotebookLM, and AI that is connected directly to your construction systems and project data. He also covers practical use cases contractors can start with today, including daily reports, RFIs, spec searches, project emails, voice notes, document review, and repetitive admin work. You’ll also hear: Why two people can use the same AI tool and get completely different results Why AI hallucinations happen How contractors can reduce bad outputs What construction companies should know about privacy and sensitive project data Why structured project data matters The difference between Level 1 and Level 2 AI use How to start small without feeling behind What leaders should do to build AI adoption inside their company If you’re a construction founder, owner, general contractor, subcontractor, project manager, superintendent, engineer, architect, or operations leader trying to make sense of AI, this episode gives you a practical starting point. Follow The Contender’s Edge Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations on construction leadership, construction management, AI, technology, project delivery, and growing stronger construction companies. SMARTBUILD website: https://smrtbld.com/ SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions Vinay Nair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/
#18
July 27 · 27 min
The Real Reason Construction Software Fails: It's Not the Tech
Learn why so many construction technology rollouts fail, and what general contractors, subcontractors, and construction leaders can do to make AI work in the field. In this episode of The Contender's Edge Podcast, host Angelina Tadros sits down with John Lehmann, former President of Poole Anderson Construction, former Senior Vice President of Operations, and founder of the Construction Leadership Network (CLN). With decades of experience leading construction companies, John shares why AI adoption isn't only a technology challenge. It's a leadership challenge. From field crews to executive teams, he explains what separates companies that successfully adopt new technology from those that waste money on software that never gets used. You'll learn: Why construction companies struggle to adopt new technology The biggest mistakes contractors make when rolling out construction software How CEOs and founders should build an AI and technology strategy Why leadership determines whether technology succeeds or fails How to get buy-in from project managers, superintendents, and field crews The hidden cost of underusing project management software Why many contractors only use a fraction of the tools they already own How AI can reduce rework, improve communication, and keep teams working from the latest drawings Why trust matters when selecting construction technology vendors What general contractors and subcontractors should look for before investing in AI How training, culture, and accountability drive successful implementation Why the next generation of construction leaders will need digital skills alongside construction experience If you're a construction CEO, founder, owner, operations manager, project executive, superintendent, project manager, estimator, or subcontractor looking to grow your business, improve productivity, reduce risk, and prepare for the future of construction, this episode is for you. About John Lehmann John Lehmann spent more than a decade as Senior Vice President of Operations and later served as President of Poole Anderson Construction. Today, he leads the Construction Leadership Network (CLN), where he helps contractors strengthen leadership, improve operations, build stronger cultures, and adopt technology and AI with confidence. John Lehmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lehmann-a423461a/ CLN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-leadership-network Angelina Tadros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-tadros/ SMARTBUILD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions Subscribe to The Contender's Edge Podcast for conversations with construction founders, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and industry leaders on construction management, leadership, AI, technology, business growth, operations, safety, and the future of the construction industry. #Construction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionTechnology #AIInConstruction #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionCEO #ConstructionFounder #ProjectManagement #ConstructionInnovation #DigitalConstruction #ConTech #ContendersEdgePodcast
#17
July 21 · 16 min
Why Construction Companies Are Falling Behind on AI and Technology
Construction is still running on paper, spreadsheets, phone calls, and information buried across job sites. In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, host Zulq sits down with Nick from Iron Shake Inc. to discuss the future of construction, skilled trades, AI, field technology, workforce training, and what construction company owners need to prepare for now. Nick shares his path through the trades, why construction remains one of the strongest career choices for young workers, and how field experience builds skills that cannot be learned from a computer screen. The conversation also covers: • Why skilled trades can offer strong earning power without years of student debt • What high school students should know before choosing college or construction • Why hands-on training still matters in the age of AI • How sleep and personal pressures affect fitness for duty • Why older construction teams accept technology at home but resist it at work • How AI could help crews find drawings, specifications, and site information • Why contractors are hiring app developers and AI specialists • How wearable technology could change service work and field reporting • What CEOs, founders, general contractors, and subcontractors should prepare for • Why the next generation of construction workers will need trade skills and digital knowledge This episode is for construction CEOs, founders, general contractors, subcontractors, skilled tradespeople, project managers, superintendents, safety leaders, and young workers considering a career in construction. Follow The Contender’s Edge Podcast for practical conversations on construction leadership, construction business growth, skilled trades, jobsite technology, AI in construction, field operations, safety, and workforce development. Connect with Nick and Iron Shake Inc. on Instagram: @IronShakeInc Website: https://ironshakeinc.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcapasso/ Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iron-shake-inc Want to see the full episode? Go to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMRTBLD Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. #Construction #ConstructionTechnology #AIInConstruction #SkilledTrades #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionCareers #JobsiteTechnology #WorkforceDevelopment
#16
July 13 · 32 min
How to Build a Construction Company That Doesn’t Need You
What separates construction companies that keep growing from the ones that hit a ceiling? It usually isn't better equipment, bigger projects, or more experience. It's leadership. In this episode of The Contender's Edge, host Zulq sits down with Zoe Dryden, a leadership coach and culture specialist from New Zealand, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing construction business owners: growing beyond founder-led leadership. They explore why many construction founders unintentionally become the bottleneck in their own company, how to build leaders who can confidently run projects and departments, and what it takes to create a culture that people want to be part of. If you're a general contractor, subcontractor, construction business owner, project manager, superintendent, operations manager, or construction executive, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately. In this episode: Why founder-led construction companies often hit a growth ceiling Leadership mistakes that slow down construction businesses How to build leaders who don't rely on the owner for every decision Transitioning from founder-led leadership to a scalable business Emotional intelligence on construction projects Holding people accountable without micromanaging Building trust with field crews and project managers Developing future leaders inside your construction company Creating a construction culture that attracts and retains great people Preparing your business for long-term growth and succession Growing a construction company isn't about doing more yourself. It's about building people who can lead alongside you. Watch now for practical insights that will help you build stronger leaders, stronger teams, and a stronger construction business. Subscribe for more episodes covering construction leadership, construction management, project management, general contractors, subcontractors, company culture, construction business growth, AI in construction, estimating, contracts, and real-world advice from industry leaders. Zoe Dryden is a Chartered Independent Director and leadership advisor who helps boards, CEOs, and business owners align strategy, governance, leadership, and culture. With decades of experience leading business transformation, she works with organizations to build stronger leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and companies that can grow beyond founder-led leadership. Zoe Dryden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoedryden/ Email: zoe@leadershipinaction.nz https://leadershipinaction.nz/contact/ Connect with Zulq: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ #Construction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionManagement #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ProjectManagement #ConstructionBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #CompanyCulture #BusinessGrowth #ConstructionIndustry #Contractor #TheContendersEdge
#15
July 6 · 20 min
The Cash Flow Mistake Killing Contractors (And the 4 Buckets That Fix It)
Cash flow problems don't usually start because contractors aren't making money. They start because they don't know where the money is going. In this episode of The Contender's Edge, host Zulq sits down with Bryce, a construction accounting expert, to break down one of the biggest reasons construction companies run into financial trouble: poor job costing, weak cash flow forecasting, delayed billing, and disconnected estimating systems. If you're a general contractor, subcontractor, project manager, estimator, construction business owner, or CFO, this episode explains how to build a stronger financial foundation before cash flow becomes a crisis. In this episode: How to build a reliable construction cash flow forecast Why your estimate should drive your job budget The connection between estimating, schedule of values, and billing The biggest billing mistakes trade contractors make How Work in Progress (WIP) reports reveal your real cash position Why overbilling and underbilling affect your business The job costing habits profitable contractors follow The financial reports every construction company should understand How stronger construction accounting leads to better decisions Whether you're managing one project or dozens, understanding your numbers is just as important as managing your crews. 🎥 Subscribe for more episodes covering construction management, estimating, project controls, construction technology, leadership, cash flow, contracts, and practical advice from industry experts. Bryce Wisan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewisan/ Levvigo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levvigo/ Levvigo: https://www.levvigo.com/ #Construction #ConstructionManagement #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionBusiness #CashFlow #JobCosting #ConstructionAccounting #ProjectManagement #Estimator #ConstructionFinance #WIP #Contractor #ConstructionIndustry #TheContendersEdge
#14
June 26 · 19 min
The Underground Risks That Could Cost You Millions — What Contractors Don't Know
What’s buried underground can put a project in trouble before the real work begins. A missing utility record. A bad locate. An old city drawing no one has verified. One missed line can lead to shutdowns, redesigns, claims, safety risks, and months of lost time. On this episode of The Contender’s Edge, host Vinay Nair (CXO from SMARTBUILD Construction Solution) sits down with Lawrence Arcand, geotechnical engineer and founder of 4Sight Utility Engineers, to talk about the hidden risk below every jobsite. Lawrence breaks down why utility records are unreliable, how proper subsurface utility engineering protects project teams, and why contractors, engineers, and architects need to bring utility experts in earlier. He also shares how 4Sight built a niche business in a highly technical part of construction, where AI fits into their internal work, and how 3D and 4D modelling help teams see conflicts before crews break ground. You’ll hear: Why city utility records can’t be taken at face value What the ASCE 38 standard means for project risk When to bring in a utility engineer How poor communication creates delays underground and above ground What 4Sight is testing with AI Lawrence’s advice for construction firms trying to grow Connect with Lawrence Arcand: Email: lawrence.arcand@4sightue.com Website: https://4sightue.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-arcand-p-eng-pe-38a9a627/ Subscribe to The Contender’s Edge for authentic construction stories, tough lessons, and practical ideas from people doing the work onsite. P.S. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B_-TwCsKZfU
#13
June 17 · 22 min
The Most Expensive Mistake in Construction Happens Before Excavation Starts
What happens when the geotechnical report is wrong? For contractors, project managers, developers, and owners, the most expensive problems on a construction project often start underground. In this episode of Contender's Edge, Zulq Malik sits down with geotechnical and civil engineering expert Dawid Jasinski to discuss why poor site investigations lead to cost overruns, delays, claims, contaminated soil discoveries, utility conflicts, and major project risks. Drawing on experience across North America and Europe, Dawid shares real-world stories of projects that uncovered hidden contamination, unexpected ground conditions, buried infrastructure, and costly surprises that could have been avoided with better investigation and planning. You'll learn: • Why geotechnical investigations are often underfunded • How poor soil data creates construction claims and change orders • The real cost of unforeseen site conditions • Why boreholes sometimes miss major problems • New technologies changing geotechnical investigations • Ground penetrating radar and subsurface utility investigations • Risk management strategies for contractors and developers • Lessons from major construction projects in the UK and North America If you're involved in commercial construction, civil construction, infrastructure, project management, estimating, excavation, foundations, or site development, this episode offers practical insights that can save significant time and money on future projects. Subscribe to Contender's Edge for expert conversations on construction management, project delivery, technology, contracts, risk management, estimating, scheduling, and industry leadership. David Jasinski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geocivildavid/ Zulq Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/ Click the subscribe button. #Construction #GeotechnicalEngineering #CivilEngineering #ConstructionManagement #ProjectManagement #SiteDevelopment #Excavation #Infrastructure #ConstructionPodcast #GroundPenetratingRadar #ConstructionTechnology #CommercialConstruction #ContractorLife #Engineering
#12
May 28 · 21 min
The Contract Clause That Can Bankrupt Subcontractors in Construction
Most construction disputes don’t start in court. They start with one contract clause nobody paid attention to until cash flow stops, schedules slip, and lawyers get involved. In this episode of Contender’s Edge Podcast, Zulq sits down with construction attorney Megan Shapiro to break down one of the biggest hidden risks in construction contracts today: cross-default clauses. Megan explains how this clause allows general contractors to withhold payment across multiple projects when a dispute happens on just one job. For subcontractors and small to mid-sized construction companies, this can create serious financial pressure quickly. This episode also covers: • Construction contract risks contractors keep missing • Why notice clauses matter more than most PMs realize • The biggest mistakes subcontractors make before signing contracts • How project managers can reduce claims and disputes • Why unrealistic schedules create litigation problems later • AI in construction contracts, what works and what doesn’t • How contractors should handle RFIs, delays, documentation, and change directives • Why many construction disputes start long before legal action begins Megan shares lessons from 17 years in construction law representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals across the industry. If you’re a construction business owner, estimator, project manager, superintendent, or subcontractor trying to protect margins and avoid costly contract mistakes, this episode is worth your time. Guest: Megan Shapiro Construction Attorney | Contract Coach | Founder of Converge Construction Summit https://meganshapiro.com Listen to more episodes of Contender’s Edge for real conversations around construction leadership, operations, contracts, scheduling, risk management, and technology in construction. #Construction #ConstructionContracts #Subcontractor #GeneralContractor #ProjectManagement #ConstructionLaw #ConstructionIndustry #ConstructionPodcast #ConstructionManagement #ProjectManager #RFIs #ConstructionClaims #ConstructionBusiness #CommercialConstruction #Contractors
#11
May 6 · 35 min
Construction Claims, Delays & RFIs: What Contractors Miss Before It Costs Them Millions
Every construction project starts with a handshake and a schedule. Then the RFIs pile up, materials get delayed, schedules fall apart, and everyone starts pointing fingers. In this episode of the Contender’s Edge Podcast, Zulq sits down with construction claims and dispute expert Richard Fogarasi to break down what actually causes construction disputes, delay claims, and project breakdowns on job sites. Richard brings experience from both the field and the consulting world, from superintendent and project manager roles to becoming a construction delay and quantum expert working on high-level disputes across the industry. This episode digs into: Why most baseline schedules fail within weeks The biggest mistakes contractors make during delays How RFIs quietly destroy schedules What owners and designers get wrong before construction starts Why daily reports become legal gold later The danger of verbal instructions on site How subcontractors can protect themselves during disputes Why “we’ll figure it out later” costs companies money Contract clauses contractors ignore until it’s too late The real reason claims fail in court If you’re a general contractor, subcontractor, project manager, superintendent, estimator, consultant, or owner, this episode gives you practical advice that can save your company time, money, and legal headaches. Straight talk from people who’ve lived it in the field.
#10
March 29 · 14 min
Care About Your Crew or Lose Them: Leadership in Construction with Shaun Dawson
If you run a construction company and think leadership is about output, this episode will challenge you. Shaun Dawson, President of GEN-PRO, breaks down what it takes to build a company that people stay at. Not perks. Not talk. Genuine care for your crew. From growing up in the business to taking over ownership, Shaun shares how leadership, health and safety, and mental health support directly impact retention, culture, and long-term growth. Inside this episode: → Why employees leave leaders who don’t care → How real leadership shows up on and off the job site → The role of mental health in construction teams → What small and mid-size contractors get wrong about culture → How to build a team that stays for decades This is for construction owners, general contractors, subcontractors, founders, and leaders who want stronger teams, better retention, and a company people are proud to work for. Experience from the field, from a leader who cares about his people. #ConstructionLeadership #GeneralContractor #ConstructionManagement #ContractorLife #ConstructionBusiness #SkilledTrades #Leadership #ConstructionCulture
#9
March 7 · 32 min
Construction Hiring Is Changing: What Contractors Need to Know Before Their Next Hire
Hiring in construction has become a new challenge for contractors. The talent pool has shifted, expectations around office culture and hybrid work are changing, and many companies are struggling to attract and retain the right people. In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, Zulq Malik, founder and CEO of SMARTBUILD sits down with construction recruiters Jim DiVizio and Tania Sarracini to talk about what construction companies should understand about hiring today. They cover: • How the construction job market changed after COVID • Why some contractors struggle to attract strong candidates • What employees are looking for in construction companies today • The impact of hybrid work and salary shifts • Hiring mistakes that slow down recruitment • What contractors should improve in their hiring process If you run a construction company, general contractor, or development firm, this conversation gives you a clear look at what’s happening in the talent market and how to approach hiring in today’s construction industry. Tania Sarracini (Owner and Recruiting Partner) - LinkedIn email: tania@bestrecruiting.ca Best Recruiting Jim DiVizio (Owner and Recruiting Partner) - LinkedIn email: Jim@bestrecruiting.ca #GeneralContractor #ConstructionIndustry #ConstructionCareers #SkilledTrades #HiringStrategy
#8
February 20 · 22 min
Stop Letting Bad Schedules and Risk Destroy Your Construction Profits
Bad schedules. Poor documentation. Risk nobody priced right. That’s how small and mid-size construction companies lose money. In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, we sit down with Greg Holness (FTI Consulting), a Professional Engineer and attorney with 30+ years of experience helping clients manage change, mitigate risk, and resolve construction disputes involving delay, disruption, acceleration, and lost productivity. He has developed, analyzed, and resolved claims on public and private projects of all sizes, and has drafted and negotiated hundreds of construction and design contracts, giving him deep insight into the terms that often drive disputes. We break down unrealistic deadlines, schedule mistakes, estimating risk, and what general contractors and subcontractors must do to protect their margins. If you run a construction company and want fewer disputes and stronger project control, this episode is for you.
#7
February 5 · 20 min
Why Construction Teams Reject Software and How to Fix It
In this episode of the Contenders Edge Podcast, we sit down with Robert Sheesley, known as the Blue-Collar CIO, to break down why construction software fails and how adoption actually works in the field. We talk about technology adoption in construction, why crews resist new tools, and what leaders must do to get buy-in from blue-collar teams. This episode covers change management, construction software rollout, field worker adoption, CIO strategy, and how GCs and construction companies can introduce technology without slowing down jobsites. If you’re a general contractor, subcontractor, construction executive, or operations leader trying to improve tech adoption, productivity, and jobsite reporting, this episode delivers practical insight from someone who’s done it across multiple blue-collar industries.

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