Solution Building

Hosted by Mark Eastman

Business Education Religion Spirituality

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Helping construction contractors and customers FIND SOLUTIONS for building dreams with better business systems, quality construction projects and life lessons through coaching, consulting and constructing.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 26, 20265 min

But I Want to Help Everybody

Have you ever found yourself trying to do too much because you want to help everybody? I know I have! I don't like letting people down, but saying yes to too many things can leave us stretched too thin. Before long, we're losing focus on the things we really need to get done. Sometimes, we need to step back, take a look at our priorities, and make some tough decisions about where our time goes. Trying to help everyone can make it hard to help anyone.

October 20, 20265 min

Routines Are an Important Part of Being Productive

Routines are an important part of being productive, but they can also become roadblocks. It’s easy to get comfortable doing things the same way we always have, even when there might be a better way. From getting a new smartphone to learning to use a pneumatic nail gun, sometimes change takes time, money, and effort. Finding the balance between sticking with what works and being willing to learn something new can help us build a better business.

October 12, 20265 min

How Do You Decide What's Most Important?

Unexpected things have a way of changing our plans and taking up time we had set aside for something else. Knowing what to do first means understanding what matters most and deciding what deserves our attention. Being flexibly rigid helps us adjust when plans change without losing sight of our priorities. The key is learning to focus on what matters most instead of always fighting the hottest fire.

October 6, 20265 min

Building a Business Is Like Getting a New Smartphone

Most of us don’t like change. We get comfortable doing things the way we’ve always done them, even when we know there is a better way. I recently realized I was doing this with my smartphone, and it got me thinking about how easy it is to do the same thing in our businesses. Sometimes making a change takes some time, effort, and money, but hanging on to the old way can cost us even more in the long run.

September 29, 20265 min

Deciding What To Do First Is Hard

Knowing what to do first can be one of the hardest parts of running a construction business. Priorities change, unexpected problems pop up, and the biggest fire isn’t always the most important thing that needs your attention. Learning to be flexibly rigid means knowing what can move and what can’t. Sometimes putting out a small ember today keeps it from becoming tomorrow’s biggest fire.

September 21, 20265 min

Life Is a Series of Choices

Every minute of every day, we are making choices. Some are simple and seemingly insignificant, while others can change the direction of our lives and businesses. Learning to prioritize those decisions, recognize what really matters, and act when the time comes can make all the difference. “Would You Rather?” isn’t just a game, but something we’re playing every single day.

September 14, 20266 min

Why Are Builders So Bullheaded?

Builders are often known for being bullheaded, stubborn, and resistant to change. But those traits aren’t necessarily bad. A strong will, resilience, determination, passion, and a good work ethic are all qualities that can help a builder succeed. The real challenge is knowing when to stand firm and when to be bullheaded about making the changes needed to build a stronger construction business.

September 8, 20266 min

What Causes Construction Projects to Fall Apart?

Why do some construction projects become a great experience while others turn into a nightmare? Many of the problems customers face can be traced back to a lack of clarity before construction even begins. Poor communication, low-quality workmanship, and a lack of honesty and integrity can create frustration, unexpected costs, and even legal battles. Understanding these three areas can help you choose the right contractor, ask better questions, and set your project up for a much better outcome.

September 1, 20267 min

How To Do Construction Project Progress Payments

Large construction projects can make billing complicated, especially when you want payments to be fair to both you and your customer. A payment application gives you a clear way to show what work and materials are being billed, what has already been paid, and what remains. Follow along as John walks Gene through preparing the first payment prior to starting a project, including how to separate material and labor and calculate the appropriate payment amount.

August 24, 20265 min

A Payment Application Will Help You With Your Cash Flow

You’re a contractor, not a bank, so you shouldn’t have to finance your customer’s project while waiting to get paid. Gene has a signed proposal from Burford’s, but now he needs to figure out how to set up a payment plan. John walks him through the Payment Application, starting with the project information and then entering each item from the proposal. By breaking the large project price into smaller, clearly defined amounts, you can give your customer a better understanding of what they’re paying for while creating a more consistent payment process for your business.

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