Grab your free accountability resource bundle here: https://trybta.com/DL227

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP227

Finger pointing, shoulder shrugging, pouting…

If accountability conversations with your team feel like putting a toddler in time out, you’re not alone.

The thing is, people (of all ages) need structure.

They need clear expectations and well understood consequences they actually care about.

And they need ongoing support and coaching along the way.

Recently, Danny hosted a web class to teach contractors how to do just that by:

• Creating defined roles with clear expectations and deliverables
• Holding a well-structured weekly meeting designed to get your staff ready and excited to hit their goals
• Building an performance-driven environment where everyone wins

Today, we’re launching it on the podcast so you can benefit from the takeaways.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn what accountability actually means in the context of a high-performing contracting business
• Understand the Performance Management Cycle and how it factors into team accountability
• Walk through the step-by-step Goal Setting and Review (GSR) process for holding effective one-on-one meetings with your key players

00:00 - Intro

06:19 - Why is Holding People Accountable So Hard?

10:51 - Step 1: Expectation Setting

19:08 - Step 2: Meeting Rhythms (Goal Setting and Review)

21:02 - Step 3: Meeting Preparation

22:56 - Step 4: Meeting Structure

33:09 - Step 5: Annual Reviews

39:42 - Who's Holding YOU Accountable?

50:05 - Q&A

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP226

Take Garrett's Money Persona Quiz here: https://garrettgunderson.com/quiz/

Are you building wealth, or just building a business?

Because for a lot of entrepreneurs, those aren’t the same thing.

Our guest today is Garrett Gunderson. He’s built and sold an Inc. 500 financial firm, authored multiple bestsellers like Killing Sacred Cows and What Would the Rockefellers Do?, and now teaches business owners how to challenge outdated financial advice and actually build lasting wealth.

In this episode, Garrett unpacks the myths (or “Sacred Cows”) keeping contractors stuck in survival mode.

Listen in to learn how to build a life you don’t want to retire from, all while taking care of your family for generations to come.

If you're looking to build more than just profits—this one’s a game changer.

Episode Highlights:

• Get a breakdown of the major financial myths (Sacred Cows) bestselling author Garrett Gunderson says are holding contractors back from building the life they deserve.
• Learn why the traditional approach to retirement often leaves entrepreneurs unfulfilled, and what to focus on instead.
• Hear Garrett’s advice on investing in your heirs—how to instill your values into kids that are growing up in a different reality than you did.

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - About Garrett

09:02 - What does "Killing Sacred Cows" mean?

13:35 - Dangers of blindly following financial advice

17:05 - Principle 1: Abundance vs. Scarcity

28:34 - Principle 2: The Retirement Myth

41:58 - Principle 3: Cash Flow Over Net Worth

49:24 - Principle 4: Investing in Your Heirs

54:14 - Lightning Round

55:30 - Wrap Up and Money Persona Quiz

Get a copy of Cory's Client Guide here: https://trybta.com/DL225

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP225

If you’re a business owner stuck in the day-to-day whirlwind and wondering how to reclaim your time—today’s episode is your blueprint.

We’re joined by Cory Byron, founder of Vancity Electric and a Breakthrough Academy Member for over seven years. Since joining, Cory has doubled his gross profit—not by working more hours, but by installing smart automated systems that do the heavy lifting for him.

In this episode, he unpacks the exact systems that took his customer journey from reactive chaos to streamlined machine—from customer onboarding automations to virtual quoting tools, to follow-ups that actually close more jobs.

Cory is an absolute tank when it comes to automation, leveraging technology and implementing systems and every contractor can learn something from him.

Episode Highlights:

- Get a walkthrough of a REAL contractor and BTA Member’s customer experience automations and systems that increase closing rates, facilitate upsells and foster positive engagement between the company and the customer.

- Learn about Cory’s experience as a BTA Member and how the program helped him double his gross profit WITHOUT grinding harder for more hours.

- Hear about the lifestyle systemizing has allowed Cory to live. More time with family, more involvement with community and more time to do what he loves.

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - Background

03:49 - A business = a list of 50 systems

08:51 - About VanCity's customer journey systems

09:17 - System 1: Estimates

16:39 - System 2: Virtual Video Quoting

24:52 - System 3: Post-Estimate Follow Up

29:13 - System 4: Sales to Production Handoff Email

32:32 - System 5: Upsell Email

35:04 - Upkeep and team adoption

39:27 - The Payoff: Freedom to Build a Bigger Life

47:29 - Closing questions

Software mentioned:

Jobber: https://go.getjobber.com/glem5q3dftbc

NiceJob: https://book-a-demo.referral-factory.com/uEYyWFkd

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP224

As entrepreneurs, we’re constantly learning how to lead others. How to manage people, set direction for our business, and implement systems with our team.

But how often do we take the time to learn how to lead ourselves?

Today, we're talking to special guest Keith Mercurio.

Keith is a plumber turned speaker and executive coach. He is the CEO and Founder of Ethical Influence Global and does significant coaching work with our friends at Service Titan.

As a leader of leaders, Keith knows that our ability to serve others is rooted in our ability to understand ourselves. Our egos, our vulnerabilities, and our needs.

In this episode, we unpack strategies for self-leadership—self awareness, spirituality, and showing up without ego in our daily lives.

We really loved our conversation and learned a lot myself, and we hope you do too.

Episode Highlights:

• Understand the importance of self-leadership to being an effective person in business and in life.
• Learn how to show up without ego by bringing awareness to what your mind, body and spirit need in everyday life.
• Listen in as Danny and Keith reflect on how childhood experiences continue to impact how they respond to situations as adults.

00:00 - Intro

02:24 - About Keith

10:09 - What it's like working with the ServiceTitan exec team

14:20 - The importance of staying open

34:00 - How our past experience influences our present behaviour

56:19 - About Ethical Influence

01:22:47 - What does it mean to "learn how to breathe?"

Grab a copy of our free tech stack audit tool here: https://trybta.com/DL223

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP223

Ever had to shop for a software solution?

It sucks.

There’s so much out there and they all say they’re the best.

That’s why today we're talking to James Benham.

James is the CEO and co-founder of JBK, which offers technology solutions for Insurance & Construction companies. He’s also the author of Be Your Own VC and founder of the ConTechCrew podcast.

Today’s conversation is all about how to solve problems by using the RIGHT technology.

Including how to pick the problem to solve, how to research solutions using AI, and tips to get your team to actually adopt the solution you select.

Episode Highlights:

• Get a walkthrough of construction technology expert and author James Benham’s process for identifying, choosing and implementing the right software solutions for your business (e.g. CRMs, automation and AI tools etc.)
• Learn the most common mistakes contractors make when purchasing new software.
• Hear James’ tips on keeping your company innovative as technology continues to change at an unprecedented pace.

00:00-Intro

01:21-About James

07:12-How has the construction technology space evolved in the last 10 years?

11:32-How to prioritize and select the right tech solutions

29:00-Is it realistic to get all systems working well together as one streamlined process?

37:00-Bootstrapping: Make innovation a habit and a process

39:40-What’s the biggest tech mistake you could make in the next 5 years?

41:58-Connect with James

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP222

In ten years of working with contractors, we've noticed that a LOT of entrepreneurs have ADHD or other forms of neurodiversity. It’s both our biggest strength, and our biggest weakness.

And the data backs this up.

Studies show as much as 10% of adults have an ADHD diagnosis, and there’s some data suggesting that people with ADHD are statistically more likely to pursue entrepreneurship.

Chances are, you have or know someone who has ADHD. In your family, in your network or on your team.

That’s why we wanted to talk to Peter Shankman, entrepreneur, author, and advocate for neurodiversity. He’s best known for his book Faster Than Normal, where he reframes ADHD as a superpower.

Today, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. What ADHD actually is, how to manage it, and how to work with people who move a little faster than normal.

Episode Highlights:

• Understand what ADHD actually is, and what it is not when it comes to its symptoms and impacts on a person’s ability to function.
• Learn why Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal believes ADHD is a superpower for business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Get tips on how to set yourself up for success as a business owner if you have ADHD, and how to set others on your team up for success if they have ADHD.

00:00 - Intro

01:26 - About Peter

07:56 - Why ADHD is a superpower

11:04 - ADHD and dopamine

14:47 - Positioning yourself to succeed in business with ADHD

18:05 - Recognizing tasks you are great at, and the ones you need help with

20:21 - How to avoid burnout

24:32 - Tackling imposter syndrome

28:17 - Use of medication

31:04 - How do you work with a team member who has ADHD?

33:38 - What are a few best practices a listener with ADHD should adopt?

36:29 - One thing to understand about people with ADHD

38:38 - Where can people connect with you?

Get your free accountability resources from Jen here: https://trybta.com/DL221

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP221

Is there someone on your team who is not performing the way you need them to?

Someone you know you need to do a better job of holding accountable?

Someone you need to have “the talk” with?

If you’re used to an accountability conversation turning into a finger-pointing exercise that goes nowhere, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation with Jen Long, author of Own Up! How to Hold People Accountable Without All the Drama, we’re breaking down the six steps to getting someone to own their responsibilities by having one simple conversation.

Spoiler alert: this conversation isn’t about ruling with an iron fist. It’s not even about giving into all your peoples’ needs.

Danny even did a little role playing with her so you can hear what this sounds like in practice.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn the framework that accountability expert Jen Long has helped hundreds of businesses implement to create a culture of accountability within a team.
• Understand how to hold an effective accountability conversation with anyone on your team by following six steps.
• Hear Danny role play this conversation with Jen so you can actually hear what is sounds like in practice.

00:00-Intro

01:24-About Jen

05:04-Accountability misconceptions

07:50-What's unique about accountability in construction or contracting?

10:49-SOS Conversation Model (6 Steps)

11:38-Step 1: Identify Your Issue

14:24-Step 2: Analyze the Context

18:37-Step 3: Explore Impacts

20:08-Step 4: Rehearse

25:07-Step 5: Engage in Conversation

34:12-Step 6: Build Solutions

35:35-Role play

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP220

Those of you who know us know that we're huge advocates for putting as much effort into your hiring funnel as you do to your sales funnel.

And that’s exactly why I’m excited for this week’s episode.

Brandon Vaughn is a long-time entrepreneur, business coach and CEO of HireBus, a recruitment automation software built specifically for contractors.

Using what’s called the RightSeat™ Assessment, HireBus helps contractors get the right people in the right roles so both the business and employees win.

In this episode, I ask Brandon to walk us through an ideal hiring funnel for contractors, drawing on everything he learned from building and optimizing the RightSeat™ Assessment.

How do you find qualified people? How do you get them to actually show up to an interview? And how do you know that they are ACTUALLY right for the role they applied for?

Brandon covers all this and more.

Episode Highlights:

• Get actionable recruitment tips from Brandon Vaughn, CEO of HireBus, a recruitment platform built for contractors.
• Learn what an ideal hiring funnel for contractors should look like, and what you can do right away to start attracting better people while weeding out the duds.
• Hear real examples of what good recruitment assets look like for contractors (if you want to steal some ideas, we won’t tell).

00:00-Intro

01:30-About Brandon and HireBus

07:51-Brandon's experience with Wise Coatings

19:40-Why focus on recruitment?

23:56-Learnings from HireBus for contractors

27:42-What makes the best job ads?

31:18-Importance of speed-to-lead in recruitment

34:40-How to qualify and prioritize candidates

37:31-How to get the right people in the right seats

44:26-How do you get people to actually show up for an interview?

50:45-Lightning round

53:46-Connect with Brandon