Stagnation can be a heavy burden for companies in the highway industry. Being stuck in neutral means falling behind competitors, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled growth potential. Break free from the cycle of stagnant growth and accelerate down the highway to success with the right guidance and shared insights from other industry leaders and influencers.Jeani Ringkob is a third generation contractor and an absolute business strategy and marketing geek. Subscribe today to catch all the insights and growth your business.
Team meetings are all about making sure everyone is on the same page. When it comes to driving growth and making informed decisions in your highway construction business, structured team meetings can empower your team, ensure clarity, keep everyone focused on driving growth and making informed decisions, and keep the company aligned with its strategic goals.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about a meeting structure for facilitating clear communication, alignment, and effective tracking and adjustment of strategies. I’ll outline the five types of meetings within this framework and reveal their unique purpose and agenda.3:07 - Main goal of the annual quarterly review meeting and what it looks like7:52 - Purpose and agenda of the quarterly strategic plan progress and update meeting11:53 - Aim and structure of the monthly department leaders’ OKR or metric review meeting13:50 - The magic of the bi-weekly department tactical sprint planning meeting and weekly department stand-up meeting18:18 - The importance of individual bi-weekly sprint planning and its role in keeping teams on trackMentioned In From Chaos to Clarity: Transform Your Team Meetings for Better ResultsGrowth Strategy AssessmentJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
8/2/24 • 23:17
Are you falling short of your forecasted business numbers right now?You’ve probably felt the possibility of a downturn coming, and you’re not alone. In the last few weeks, folks across the industry have been having tough conversations about being off track in their business. But why?As the recent good times rolled on, many started slacking off in one key area--their sales team. They’ve reduced them or stopped providing ongoing training. Now that things are slowing, it’s time to get back to some basics!In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll hear about the importance of having a strong sales strategy and system in place for your business. I’ll emphasize questions that help you understand your buyers and what you have to offer them, and help you figure out how to invest in sales team building and support.3:11 - Where to start to get a better understanding of your offerings and customers6:50 - Questions to ask that’ll help you build a great sales strategy and business development system9:24 - Questions to ask that’ll help you invest in a strong sales team and talent brandMentioned In How to Navigate Downturns in Your Business By Revitalizing Your Sales StrategiesGrowth Strategy AssessmentGet on the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
7/26/24 • 15:59
Last week, you heard me talk about why understanding your workforce is important to recruiting and retaining top talent in your construction company. Now you need to know how implementing the data gathered from those employee interviews and surveys can affect your results and how to measure their impact.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll hear part two of my interview with CONEXPO where I discuss the influence of your employee research on your company and how to analyze your implementation to see whether it’s working or not. I’ll also share why we need to rethink recruitment in construction and a couple of strategies that can aid your company’s retention efforts.4:00 - The importance of having someone who’s aware of talent branding on your team to help you implement employee research6:34 - How your employee research influences recruitment and retention using our workforce strategy framework11:30 - How to measure whether your implementation of employee research is effective16:31 - The paradigm shift happening with how we think about recruiting in construction19:34 - How the Savannah Bananas, Lego, Starbucks, and L'Oréal provide great examples of inspirational ideas from outside our industry27:03 - The power of highlighting stories of success from within your company34:31 - Examples of how you can get good stories out of your employeesMentioned In How Employee Research Helps Build a Resilient Workforce in the Construction IndustryWorkforce Strategy Health AssessmentCONEXPO-CON/AGG“Secrets for Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent at Every Level” | CONEXPO-CON/AGGSurvey Monkey | Google Forms UpworkWe Build Texas RoadsBuilding a Story Brand by Donald MillerJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
7/19/24 • 39:58
CONEXPO isn’t just the largest construction show in North America. It also has an incredible amount of content on its website with articles, interviews, and other very helpful resources. So when they asked if I was willing to be interviewed for an article, I jumped at the chance!In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll hear part one of my interview with Gregg, where I talk about understanding your workforce and improving your recruitment, development, and retention through gathering and implementing valuable feedback from employees.4:23 - How I’d characterize the labor crunch today versus in 2022 and why it’s different12:50 - How to use surveys and interviews to figure out what you need to do to build your brand18:48 - How affordable (or even free) software tools can help you survey and interview your workforce23:59 - The benefit of a third-party interviewer and how interviews can help with brand messaging and talent acquisition30:43 - How the ideal customer concept can help you identify the ideal person for your workforce32:20 - The fine line you have to walk as you’re getting to know your employees35:50 - The importance of having or working with someone who understands employer branding and marketingMentioned In Understanding Your Workforce is Key to Recruit and Retain Top TalentWorkforce Strategy Health AssessmentCONEXPO-CON/AGG“Secrets for Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent at Every Level” | CONEXPO-CON/AGGSurvey Monkey | Google Forms UpworkJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
7/12/24 • 38:10
When you look up at the end of the week, does it feel like it’s gotten away from you? You put in work, but you don’t necessarily feel like it was the most efficient use of your time. You want to do more with less and ensure you and your team are focusing your time (and energy) and where it’s needed most.But how? There are micro-specific ways you can leverage as part of your process. I’ve been working on something inside my business to restructure my workweek that works great for those I challenge to try it.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about the concept of an ideal week and how creating one can help structure and prioritize tasks in your highway construction business. I’ll share my recently revamped ideal week schedule, breaking down what I do day-by-day and highlighting aspects that create increased productivity while streamlining your time.3:24 - What you need to know about implementing ideal week mode4:56 - How I start my day and my workday startup ritual7:31 - A component of your ideal week that makes you more productive12:18 - How I revamped my schedule to stream down my workday and gave myself space to work on ideas I’d otherwise forget19:16 - A slight modification for summer and the importance of blocking out time for yourself and your familyMentioned In Take Control of Your Time By Creating Your Ideal Week ScheduleMichael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner SystemSlackMondaySnipdFathom AI NotetakerGrowing Your Business with AI: Unlocking Efficiency and SuccessBuy Back Your Time by Dan MartellSchedule a CallJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
6/28/24 • 24:46
You’re at the point where you need to get serious about marketing. Yet, you feel like marketing can be a real drain on your resources. And it can be, unless it’s done right. So how do you do it in a cost-effective and adaptable way? Bringing on board a fractional chief marketing officer (CMO) might be the right avenue for your business.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll hear examples of how a fractional CMO can help with the marketing side of your business. I’ll also reveal more benefits of working with a fractional CMO and what you need to look for when hiring one to ensure they’re a good fit.3:17 - How a fractional CMO can be used in your business6:51 - Collaboration between the fractional CMO and your teams9:53 - Benefits of hiring a fractional CMO for your asphalt business11:46 - Tips on how to find and work with a fractional CMO20:30 - How to figure out your next stepsMentioned In How to Maximize Your Marketing Through a Fractional Chief Marketing OfficerWorld of AsphaltGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
6/21/24 • 24:12
“If we’ve lost an employee in a really significant role, should I use a headhunter?”This question often comes up when we’re focused on workforce strategy with businesses, and there are both positives and negatives to hiring a headhunter or recruiter to replace a key employee. So how do you decide if it’s the right thing to do for your company?In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn some of the pros and cons of using a headhunter to recruit someone to fill a key role in your organization. I’ll also reveal some questions to ask yourself to help you discover whether it’s the right move for you to make right now.2:20 - Why using a headhunter might be the right move for your business5:29 - Why using a headhunter might not be right for your business right now9:53 - Questions to help you decide if hiring a headhunter or recruiter is the way to go for youMentioned In Pros and Cons of Using a Headhunter to Fill Key Employee RolesWorkforce Strategy Health AssessmentGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
6/14/24 • 13:36
How do you increase the percentage of closes you get during the proposal phase?An often overlooked but important element can shorten your sales cycle and make it easier for your construction sales team to close the deal. It helps extract the information you need and is something your competition isn’t likely to do. You simply have to appeal to the emotional things that trigger people into making decisions through the power of storytelling.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about how you can set your construction business apart with your proposal through story. I’ll teach you step-by-step how to incorporate story elements into your offer and give a couple of tips for streamlining the process and making your proposal even stronger.6:41 - Where to start in crafting the story for your unique proposal and why this makes your team better at sales10:10 - The importance of giving prospective clients a clear path to take action in your proposal15:14 - A powerful way to position your offer to potential clients16:34 - The mistake in many proposals we see and two ways to do it correctly and effectively18:23 - How to end the proposal offer and ideas for crafting a cover letter Mentioned In How to Use Storytelling to Set Your Proposal Apart and Close the DealGrowth Strategy Assessment ToolGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
6/7/24 • 23:42
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anybody who doesn’t like rewards. Having incentives in compensation packages for your employees helps you grow your highway construction business. You increase the likelihood of hiring and retaining workers who’ll want to show up consistently and perform their best, stay and evolve with the company, refer others, and more.However, you might need to get creative and think outside of the box a bit. And you need to avoid some of the pitfalls and challenges when coming up with incentives you want to give workers.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about common mistakes with compensation inside the industry, key components of creating successful incentive packages, and how to structure incentives for different employee roles within your organization. I’ll also teach you how to measure the impact of the compensation you offer to your workforce.4:45 - The two biggest things you need to think about before taking on the challenge of crafting incentivized compensation packages6:01 - Common mistakes that construction companies make with the compensation they offer11:13 - Key components of successful compensation packages and some ideas you can use, including non-monetary examples18:24 - How you can tailor incentives to benefit people in specific roles inside your construction company23:08 - Ideas for evaluating the effectiveness, satisfaction, and appeal of your compensation packagesMentioned In How to Create Great Incentivized Compensation Packages for Your Construction EmployeesWorkforce Strategy Health AssessmentMixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work by Uri Gneezy Get On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
5/31/24 • 29:38
Explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the highway paving industry. AI is more than just a trendy concept; it's a potent instrument that requires a well-thought-out strategy for it to be a boon for our businesses. My own company's experience served as a case study, highlighting how AI integration, when aligned with our overarching business objectives, can significantly boost efficiency and foster growth. We delve into the ways AI can address some of the pressing challenges in the industry, such as labor shortages, by automating tasks and optimizing data entry processes. Additionally, AI's role in refining supply chain management, showcasing its potential to streamline operations and reduce bottlenecks.In this episode of The Contractor’s Daughter Podcast, I spotlight several innovative AI tools, including Fathom, Zapier, Alexa, Monday, Everhour, and Snipd, that are currently reshaping how we handle our day-to-day tasks. The key takeaway is the importance of employing AI in a smart and strategic manner to fully harness its capabilities for the betterment of our businesses.1:17 - The importance of understanding and using AI effectively and strategically.5:01 - Establishing a company AI policy and inside look at our AI policy.6:22 - Integrating AI usage with overall business strategy for growth and efficiency.8:31 - The potential of AI in addressing labor shortage problems.12:07 - AI in supply chain analytics and its impact on cost reduction and forecasting.13:35 - AI tools I use to enhance daily productivity.25:14 - Why a strategy for utilizing AI effectively in business operations is critical.Mentioned In Growing Your Business with AI: Unlocking Efficiency and SuccessHey NAPA for NAPAFathom ZapierStream DeckMondayAsanaEverhourSnipdWisdom AIGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
5/3/24 • 28:08
It’s time we dove into the hiring landscape of our highway paving construction businesses. We start by tackling the tricky task of distinguishing between toxic superstars and the much-preferred type-A team players. We’ll discuss the damaging traits of toxic superstars, who can disrupt our teams and harm our company culture. More importantly, the value of type-A team players—those with a strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and a willingness to grow and why coachability is a critical quality for potential hires.My goal in this episode of Contractor’s Daughter is to help you refine your hiring strategies to ensure a healthy, productive workforce that drives our businesses forward. Listen in for practical tips on how to test for coachability during the hiring process.1:25 - The importance of implementing interview processes and identifying the best fit candidates based on company culture, work ethic, and growth strategies to avoid making toxic hires.2:35 - How to identify toxic superstars and how their presence can have a detrimental impact on the performance of other employees.7:40 - How to identify type-A team players, emphasizing the importance of identifying candidates who are cooperative, supportive, growth-minded, and aligned with the company's values.10:55 - The concept of coachability and its significance in hiring, emphasizing the willingness and ability of candidates to seek, receive, and act on constructive feedback.13:15 - Actionable tips for implementing coachability testing in the hiring process.Mentioned In The Difference Between Toxic Superstars and Type A Team PlayersJeani Ringkob on LinkedInWorkforce Strategy Health AssessmentGet On the CalendarBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
4/26/24 • 20:05
We’re sitting down with the master of sales today, Tom Reber. Get a sneak peek into the world of sales strategies and company culture as Tom imparts his knowledge on what it takes to excel in sales within our industry. Discover the secrets behind understanding customer motives and learn how to avoid the common traps that many fall into when navigating the sales process. In my engaging conversation with Tom, we delve into the art of building the perfect team and the discipline required to achieve sales success. Tom and I explore the importance of refining your sales process and the impact it has when onboarding new talent. Tom's insights on the personal touch and curiosity in sales will leave you rethinking your approach. We deep dive into the transformative power of storytelling in sales and marketing. And Tom highlights the significance of a thriving company culture and the strategic approach to proactive hiring. If you're looking to foster a successful environment in your contracting business, this discussion is not to be missed. 4:00 - Tom explains the inside-out game of success, the impact of personal discipline on sales results, and the challenges faced by service companies in the sales process.8:09 - Tom emphasizes the importance of business owners embracing the sales role and refining sales processes before considering hiring salespeople.12:35 - The significance of understanding customer motives and the impact of emotional connection in the sales process.20:23 - The importance of taking time to optimize sales processes before hiring more sales personnel.27:43 - Why it’s critical for salespeople to create personal connections and have genuine conversations with prospects.38:48 - Tom shares the importance of continuous recruiting, the prequalification process, and understanding employee motives in the hiring process.42:23 - Examples of understanding employee motives and how it impacts loyalty and retention in the company.46:16 - The importance of accommodating employees' personal matters, such as family time, and the positive impact on employee satisfaction and loyalty.54:50 - Tom explains the five-step prequalifying phone call process.Mentioned In Unlocking Success: Sales, Culture, and Hiring Insights with Tom ReberTCF738: Build Your Team With The Right Marketing Message With Jeani RingkobThe Contractor’s FightSell Unafraid: Unleash Sales Success Through Personal DisciplineTom Reber on InstagramGrowth Strategy AssessmentJeani Ringkob on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
4/19/24 • 61:34
You’ve investigated and found the problems and bottlenecks in your construction business. You’ve identified the opportunities you should prioritize next. Now what?With the third and final piece of the Growth Strategy Flyheel, people sometimes forget to ensure they finish strong. In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about some of the things that might be getting in the way of you implementing your strategy. I’ll also reveal how to increase the value of your business as you increase the effectiveness of your operations.1:34 - My key secret to the implementation phase of the flywheel4:16 - What actually leads to a poorly defined strategy and implementation7:54 - Obstacles that could keep you from implementing your strategy12:44 - Getting back to why implementation is so importantMentioned In Why Business Owners Struggle to Implement Even the Best StrategiesGet on the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
2/29/24 • 16:06
When you investigate your construction business, you often find multiple things you either don’t like or that excite you as an opportunity. But not all problems and bottlenecks that you see as opportunities are created equal.Identifying the right opportunities to prioritize is where you can screw everything up. You might need to address something first because it has a more significant impact on your business right now. Or you might need to fix a specific problem first because of its domino effect on other areas down the line.In part two of this Strategic Growth Flywheel series on the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn how to figure out which problem or bottleneck to concentrate on first and which has the most effect on your business. I’ll dive into the second phase of the flywheel with a couple of strategies to help you zone in on where to put your focus next.3:32 - The impact of critical decision-making on 85% of business owners5:22 - One model that can help you filter out where you should focus7:37 - A tactic to try if you have a bias that keeps you in your comfort zone10:10 - A red flag that signals you’re slipping into your comfort zone How to Identify and Prioritize the Right Opportunities for Your BusinessFind Your Vital Need Assessment“How to Be a Better Decision Maker (& Why It Matters)”Fix This Next by Michael MichalowiczJeani on LinkedInConference Success Series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
2/22/24 • 16:15
When people look at your business and think about where it’ll take them in the future, what do they see?If they invest in it, they want to see the strategy. They want to know that the company has momentum, processes, and systems designed to create value.This is what the strategic growth flywheel helps you do. And it all starts with the first step: investigate.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn how to dive deep into the investigation phase. I’ll teach you how taking this first step to an overarching informed strategy will help you coordinate and eliminate boundaries between marketing and sales to increase your revenue.4:06 - The statistic that shows why you should start with investigation7:16 - A sign that your business doesn’t spend enough time on investigation10:45 - Primary and secondary data, how to get it, and the gold you can mine from it14:32 - The consequences of being too generic with your strategyMentioned In Investigate: Diving Into the First Phase of the Strategic Growth FlywheelAssessmentNational Asphalt Pavement AssociationJeani on LinkedInConference Success Series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
2/15/24 • 19:39
Almost half of business leaders have strategic planning failure because they can’t adequately track the execution of their strategy. But you need an effective strategy, though--an informed one.Does your business have a flexible framework with a top-end strategy in mind? A strategic growth flywheel provides a simple tool to generate great output that can be repeatedly used in your business.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll get an introduction to the flywheel. I’ll give you a high-level view of it and teach you the three-step process to use it so you can ensure your strategy dictates the business tactics you employ, not the other way around.4:47 - What a heuristic is and an analogy that demonstrates how it works8:31 - The three phases of the strategic growth flywheel16:02 - What happens in businesses when something like the flywheel isn’t used Mentioned In Strategic Growth Flywheel: A Gateway to an Informed Business StrategyGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
2/8/24 • 24:26
Is proactive prospecting a lost art? Whether it is or not, how do you stay in touch with that side of your business?After all, without leads, your business won’t have the customers or workforce to fulfill contracts and will eventually die out. So how do you and your sales team regard this piece of the business puzzle?My friend and special podcast guest Miles Kaplanides is back for the second part of our conversation. In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, we dive into staying focused on proactively prospecting for your business growth. You’ll learn some of Miles’ insights on selling, association participation for prospecting and business development, and so much more!1:41 - Why Miles is worried about proactive prospecting becoming a dying art4:45 - Why lead opportunities are all around you8:34 - Good daily/weekly prospecting habits to have10:27 - How association is the key to Miles’s successful business development13:22 - How association can help with workforce prospection and retention17:17 - Why prospecting can be fun (and how intentionality helps keep it that way)Mentioned In Is Proactive Prospecting Dead For Dealers and Contractors? with Miles Kaplanides4Rivers EquipmentGet On the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
2/1/24 • 25:21
Do you think of dealers as your adversaries?Too many contractors often think of dealers as those to avoid until something breaks down and needs replacing. But what if you saw them as true partners with the intention of helping you grow your business?Today, I have friend and industry peer Miles Kaplanides on the show to talk about the relationship between dealers and contractors and how it can be better. He has perspectives and insights on improving the construction industry from the sales side of equipment dealerships.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about how strife between contractors and dealers leads to inefficiency in your business. Miles and I will also discuss the value of the perfect partnership and how that looks from both the contractor (i.e. customer) and dealership side.2:45 - What the relationship between a contractor and dealer should look like8:00 - The importance of knowing who your points of contact are (as the customer)10:25 - The benefits of treating dealers like strategic partnerships and knowing all the players in each market you’re in12:58 - How the perfect partnership plays out on the dealer side15:32 - Why the entire value for the customer goes beyond the piece of equipment he or she needs19:04 - How the perfect partnership plays out on the customer/contractor side22:29 - Why going on job sites is one of the biggest ways dealers can benefit good, consistent, and loyal contractorsMentioned In Partnering with Your Dealer to Improve Operations with Miles Kaplanides4Rivers Equipment“Giving Back and Growing Are Not Mutually Exclusive” by Jeani Ringkob | MOXY: The Voice of Women In InfrastructureJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
1/25/24 • 27:02
Sales and marketing are essential to any business. But are they at odds with each other in yours? If so, then your business isn't as efficient as it should be.So how do you get both departments on the same page? Instead of having sales and marketing as silos, you need to embrace a concept called “smarketing” for the two areas to work in tandem.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn how smarketing works. I’ll also walk you through the customer journey and the benefits of implementing smarketing at each stage.1:49 - What is smarketing?3:18 - What the customer journey looks like, from awareness to advocacy7:34 - How I help clients implement smarketing at each level of the customer journey8:58 - How being really intentional about sales and marketing alignment helps the efficiency and growth of your businessMentioned In Sales vs Marketing: Align Them With the Solution of SmarketingSchedule a CallJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
1/18/24 • 14:29
The construction industry is facing a workforce obstacle right now. It’s getting harder to recruit and retain workers for your construction crews, and you’re missing out on opportunities because of it.My team and I help clients address their company’s workforce problems. But I get asked all the time specifically how we do it, so let’s dive into that today!In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about the three critical workforce problems that construction businesses face. I’ll also tell you how you can turn those pain points into a strategic advantage that makes your company stand out in its market and positively affects your ROI.5:42 - Do any of these workforce scenarios sound familiar?9:51 - Taking a look at the return on investment and opportunity costs12:27 - The cost of replacing someone and the key to keeping workers around17:23 - Are you leaving up to $10 million a year on the table?19:47 - How our Workforce Strategy Design process helps you address these workforce challengesMentioned In How We Can Help Your Construction Business Overcome Workforce ObstaclesSchedule a CallJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
1/11/24 • 26:44
If you’ve listened to this podcast for a bit, you know that I come from an entrepreneurial family in highway construction. My mom took over when my dad suddenly passed away.She and I recently appeared together on a Women of Asphalt webinar where Mom talked about her experience while I mainly discussed what women in asphalt can do today to help themselves and their organizations thrive. And today, I want to share that conversation with you and let you hear from my mom, Sandy Brasier, for the first time on the show!In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll hear about key lessons learned through resiliency, drive, and inspiration during hard times as a female entrepreneur in the business. You’ll also learn how to stand out and impress as women in the asphalt industry while helping your organization achieve its objectives, the importance of building relationships (generally and with other women, specifically) in construction, and so much more!4:28 - Key lessons I’ve learned about resiliency and staying motivated during tough times8:13 - Mom’s role in the company before Dad’s unexpected death and how she took over the business13:28 - Strategies and mindset shifts that can help you navigate challenges within your asphalt career and business19:51 - How relationships supported Mom through the difficult time in the business after her husband’s passing24:56 - The relationship legacy that Dad left behind for us28:04 - How women in construction can assert themselves as leaders and contribute to their organization’s growth and success35:02 - One thing I wasn’t aware of despite growing up in highway construction and the advantage women have in the industry right now39:40 - Where Mom found the drive to keep going forward with the family business44:49 - How building relationships with other women in the asphalt industry has impacted both of us50:50 - Final advice, inspiration, and words of wisdomMentioned In Generations of Strength: A Mother-Daughter Journey In the Asphalt IndustryWomen of AsphaltSoundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon AcuffYour New Playlist: The Student’s Guide to Tapping Into the Superpower of Mindset by Jon Acuff with L.E. and McRae AcuffBlue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Reneé MauborgneJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
1/4/24 • 59:01
Are you tired of seeing and experiencing the same old presentations at conferences and trade shows?There’s a new experience on the horizon! The upcoming PAVE/X conference promises to be different, and its co-creator, Jessica Lombardo, is here to tell us how.Jessica has made a name for herself in the construction industry. She’s been the editor for some leading publications like Asphalt Contractor and is the current editor-in-chief for AC Business Media.Recently, though, she’s stepped up her game in terms of reinventing how we think about conferences. In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn all the cool ways she and her co-creator Amy Schwandt designed PAVE/X to be better than your typical trade show. She’ll also teach you what she does to get the most out of attending a conference.3:22 - Why the PAVE/X conference is a different experience13:34 - How a career in journalism led Jessica to become involved in the industry17:29 - The most unexpected thing Jessica discovered about rolling out PAVE/X19:24 - Lessons that Jessica learned this year that she’ll take into next year21:10 - Jessica’s tips for getting the most out of every conferenceMentioned In How Jessica Lombardo Is Bringing An Immersive Experience to a Trade ShowPAVE/X | Facebook | LinkedInAC Business Media Jeani on LinkedInConference Success Series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/29/23 • 29:52
When a conference is over, what do you do next?The post-conference period is the most important stage of the conference game, but it also tends to be where things frequently fall apart. You’re overwhelmed with the backlog of emails, phone calls, and people asking questions.So, how can you make sure the post-conference phase doesn’t fall apart on you? As with the first two stages I’ve discussed in this Conference Success series, having a system and tools in place can help you successfully navigate the last stage.In this final part of the series on the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about the post-conference process I recommend. I’ll give you five tips to ensure you get the best out of the leads and information you collect during a conference event.2:16 - How to get everything into your pipeline tool4:41 - Ways to get in touch with leads and collect feedback from conference attendees9:27 - What your follow-up schedule can look like long-term12:53 - How to publish your content and creatively utilize your website post-conference15:59 - How to track your resultsMentioned In Conference Success Part 3: 5 Post-Conference Tips You Can Use to Increase Your SuccessJeani on LinkedInSalesforce | HubSpotConference Success Series: Part 1, Part 2Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/28/23 • 20:42
So you’ve decided on a conference for you and/or your team to attend. You’ve booked your spot and made your pre-conference preparations.Now what? Well, now that you’re actually at the conference, let’s help you get ten times the return on the time and money you’ll spend!In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, we continue with part two of our conference success series. Today, you’ll learn my six tips for what to do at a conference to attract the people you want and meet your objectives. You’ll also get examples of how you can implement these tips.4:00 - How to make your conference booth or exhibit space stand out8:35 - Make sure you have this important piece ready to go10:49 - How to get the most out of an education session at a conference13:08 - What to do while you’re getting contact info from leads and partners15:27 - How to get support for yourself during the conference in advance17:26 - Another name for the elevator pitch and the formula for coming up with a great one21:24 - Quick review of the six tipsMentioned In Conference Success Part 2: 6 Conference Tips to 10X Your Return on InvestmentOne-Liner Worksheet “Conference Success Part 1: 6 Pre-Conference Tips You Should Follow for Maximum Results”Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/27/23 • 24:32
Conference season is coming up! If you haven’t already, you’ll soon start looking at which conferences are good options to invest in for you and your team...Or will you? Perhaps you’re hesitating because you’re wondering what you’ll get out of it and whether it’s even worth going (for more than just a good time, that is).In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, we’re starting a three-part series on ensuring that your conference(s) of choice have an actual impact on you, your team, and your business. Today, you’ll learn my six tips for what you can do before attending a conference to get the most out of it. I’ll also show you how you can implement each tip with examples.3:56 - How to set your goals prior to the conference7:16 - How to leverage your time and resources and identify and target prospects, partners, and affiliates11:41 - What you need to do to help your audience see your messaging (and get them into your pipeline faster)16:08 - An underutilized source that you should always tap into well before you arrive at the conference17:43 - How to really level up your game and create some buzz around your brand19:44 - A pre-conference tip to help you avoid feeling overwhelmed when you returnMentioned In Conference Success Part 1: 6 Pre-Conference Tips You Should Follow for Maximum Resultsdot.Blacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/26/23 • 24:21
You have a workforce problem, and you desperately need a solution for it. But how? From where?For the last couple of episodes of Contractor’s Daughter, you’ve learned about reframing and rethinking this problem and the assets in your company that can help you build a solution.Now, in the final part of the workforce podcast series, you’ll discover how to bring it all together by applying the Strategic Growth Flywheel to your internal workforce development solution. I’ll teach you exactly what you need to investigate, identify, and then implement going forward to get a steady stream of the best-fit workers you can find for your business.5:11 - What you need to investigate before you can develop a better-fit workforce for your company8:06 - One thing you don’t want to assume about your business9:22 - What you need to identify and prioritize to help you build your internal workforce solution11:17 - What you need to implement in the final stage of the Strategic Growth Wheel for hiring great employees15:48 - Why now is the perfect time to start getting your workforce solution in placeMentioned In How You Can Use the Strategic Growth Flywheel to Hire a Great WorkforceWorkforce Playbook QuizStrategic Growth Flywheel podcast series: intro, part 1, part 2, part 3Jeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/21/23 • 19:15
Are you relying on expensive external sources to give your business leads for workers? What if you didn’t have to pay them tens of thousands of dollars to find the workforce that your business needs?You may have what you need in your business already. Even if you don’t, it shouldn’t be hard for you to develop them. And you can leverage these things in a new and fresh way that benefits your company in incredible ways.In part two of our workforce series on the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about what you should reconsider or develop within your business to attract better leads for hire. I’ll teach you about a few areas you can leverage to create an internal solution to your workforce problem.3:34 - How effective are external sources at bringing workforce leads into your business?8:30 - Looking at brand strategy, marketing, and HR as ways to get better employees13:36 - How partnerships and training employees can help with the workforce development side of your business17:33 - The benefit of having an optimized solution built into your business19:39 - A challenge to help you discover the keys to owning your workforce solutionMentioned In Areas of Your Business You Can Leverage to Support Better Leads for HireWorkforce Playbook QuizWomen In Construction ConferenceConstruction Industry Education FoundationFix This Next by Michael MichalowiczJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/14/23 • 23:47
Over the last few years, workforce changes and challenges have increased... and not just within the asphalt industry.It’s become more and more difficult to attract and retain workers. But if you have a workforce problem and want your business to grow, you need to figure out a solution so you can reverse course. And it starts with rethinking and reframing the problem itself.Today marks part one of a workforce series designed to help you turn your struggle with this particular challenge into an opportunity. Because if you do, you’ll have a competitive advantage even over employers outside the highway construction business.In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn how to reset your thinking about the workforce... and the generation that gets accused of being the cause of the problem. I’ll teach you the mindset shift you need to make and how brand strategy plays a part in the solution.4:42 - Why a workforce shortage isn’t the source of the problem we face9:55 - Two other workforce challenges that people say they have12:18 - The mindset shift that allows you to attract the workforce you need to grow your business14:40 - Why you need to think of your workforce as a fundamental level of your business18:50 - The best-case and worst-case scenarios for the businesses that don’t find a solution20:04 - Brand strategy elevation as a solution to your company’s workforce problem22:50 - Previewing the rest of this podcast seriesMentioned In How to Reset & Reframe Your Thinking About the Workforce ProblemWorkforce Playbook QuizWomen In Construction ConferenceConstruction Industry Education FoundationFix This Next by Michael MichalowiczJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
12/7/23 • 28:23
“I love it when a plan comes together.” Thriving businesses can point to those famous words by A-Team’s John “Hannibal” Smith as the key to their success. And strategy and marketing geeks like myself help make it happen.But I don’t just help businesses bring their plans together. Sometimes I get to work with state and national associations, too, like the Women of Asphalt Texas branch. They approached me about the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association (TXAPA) workforce development campaign.It was the perfect opportunity to apply my Strategic Growth Wheel process. With it, they could better understand the problems they faced and discover things they hadn’t thought of before.So, what does it look like in action? In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll see how this flywheel plan comes together through each phase. You’ll learn about what we asked about, found, prioritized, and implemented to get the maximum results and best ROI for TXAPA in the short and the long term.6:08 - The many things we discovered when we dove into the investigation phase for TXAPA15:23 - Three early opportunities we identified and prioritized for TXAPA in this process21:36 - How the implementation of this marketing campaign had ripple effects on the company and across Texas25:51 - How to see the case study for yourself (including quotes, insights, metrics, and results)Mentioned In How the Strategic Growth Wheel Helped TXAPA’s Workforce Development CampaignWomen of Asphalt (Texas branch) | Women of AsphaltCase StudiesJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
11/30/23 • 28:59
You’ve investigated and found the problems and bottlenecks in your construction business. You’ve identified the opportunities you should prioritize next. Now what?With the third and final piece of the Growth Strategy Flyheel, people sometimes forget to ensure they finish strong. In this episode of the Contractor’s Daughter podcast, you’ll learn about some of the things that might be getting in the way of you implementing your strategy. I’ll also reveal how to increase the value of your business as you increase the effectiveness of your operations.1:34 - My key secret to the implementation phase of the flywheel4:16 - What actually leads to a poorly defined strategy and implementation7:54 - Obstacles that could keep you from implementing your strategy12:44 - Getting back to why implementation is so importantMentioned In Why Business Owners Struggle to Implement Even the Best StrategiesGet on the CalendarJeani on LinkedInBlacktop Banter NetworkFollow Jeani Ringkob on LinkedIn for more resources, strategy videos, tips and news from the Blacktop Banter NetworkYou can also schedule a call with Jeani to learn more about building and marketing your heavy highway construction business and access videos and free resources on the StoryBuilt.Marketing website.Take the Growth Strategy Assessment here! It only takes a few minutes to determine the roadblock between you and the next big growth of your business.
11/23/23 • 16:06
