Articles by Russ Stephens

Marketing 8 min read

How Much Should You Spend On Advertising Your Building Company?

A residential building company should spend a minimum of 1 to 3 percent of revenue on marketing and advertising, with the highest-performing companies ...

Operations 2 min read

When Systems Work But Your Team Doesn't Follow Them

At our Annual Retreat last year, one of our top builders pulled me aside at the bar in Mexico. A few tequilas in, he started venting about something that ...

Financials 2 min read

Why Builders Struggle to Hit and Hold Their Margins

If you're running a residential building company and your net profit isn't where it needs to be, the cause almost always traces back to one of two ...

Operations 2 min read

How Policy Works in a Professional Building Company

Here’s something I see constantly in residential building companies. The owner sets a rule. A policy. Something clear and documented. And then somewhere ...

Financials 2 min read

The Hidden Cost of a Festive Shutdown For Building Companies

I received an email from a builder announcing they were shutting down for an entire month over the Christmas holidays.

Self Improvement Operations 4 min read

How to Stop Abdicating and Start Leading in Your Building Company

When you’re running a building company, it can feel like you’re doing everything at once. There’s barely time to onboard new staff, let alone manage your ...

Self Improvement 3 min read

How to Stop Working 60 Hours a Week and Build a Business That Runs Without You

Most builders didn’t get into business to work longer hours for less freedom. And yet, that’s exactly where many end up… buried under 60-hour weeks, ...

Sales 3 min read

How to Create Urgency and Close More High-Margin Contracts

If you’re finding it harder than ever to move prospects from interest to action, you’re not alone. Many builders are generating leads, but turning those ...

Self Improvement 2 min read

How to Stop the “Got a Minute?” Trap

Every business owner knows the feeling. You sit down to tackle something important, and right on cue someone taps you on the shoulder: “Got a minute?”

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