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Levers of Profit Calculator: www.coltivar.com/levers-of-profit-calculator

Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks

Steve tackles one of the biggest myths in construction: that the only way to boost profit is to work more and sell more. He breaks down the four levers every contractor can use to improve their bottom line—and reveals why most people are pulling the wrong ones.

You’ll learn which lever has the biggest impact on profit (hint: it’s not volume), how a 1% change can transform your margins, and where to find a free tool that shows you exactly what to fix in your business. If you’re stuck grinding and wondering where all your money’s going, this one’s a game-changer.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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Construction industry benchmarks: www.coltivar.com/benchmarks

Check out our free calculators: www.coltivar.com/tools

In this episode, Steve breaks down the not-so-obvious reasons why most construction businesses are working hard… but barely breaking even. He shares the top three mistakes that kill margins, the truth about economic vs. accounting profit, and why thinking you have a competitive advantage doesn’t mean you actually do.

If you've ever looked at your numbers and thought, “We’re busy—so why aren’t we making more money?” — this is your episode. Steve walks you through a simple step to see how you stack up against industry benchmarks and what to do if you’re falling behind. No fluff. No jargon. Just real talk about what’s draining your profits and how to start fixing it.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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In this episode of The Margin Method, Steve unpacks one of the biggest traps business owners fall into: growing revenue while losing margin. Through real-world stories and hard-won insights, he explains why more work doesn't always mean more profit—and how pursuing the wrong clients, underpricing jobs, and scaling without systems can erode the very thing that makes a business sustainable.

Steve introduces the concept of the “margin gap,” why it happens, and what to do about it. Whether you're under a million in revenue or pushing past ten, this episode will challenge your assumptions about growth and guide you to a smarter, more profitable path. If you're ready to stop chasing volume and start building value, this one’s for you.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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Is your business beating the stock market?

Steve shares the three metrics every founder must know if they want to grow profitably and build a business that’s both valuable and optional. Drawing from his experience as a CFO for a billion-dollar construction firm, he breaks down what he calls the "three efficiencies"—and how they reveal whether you're wasting money on sales, underperforming on labor, or sitting on a business that’s barely outperforming an index fund.

If you’ve ever wondered how to measure true performance, this one’s for you. Steve walks you through the calculations, benchmarks, and tells you exactly where to look in your financials—without getting lost in jargon. You’ll leave knowing which KPI deserves your attention... and why it might just be time to raise your standards.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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In this episode of The Margin Method, Steve shares the turning point that changed everything during his time as CFO of a billion-dollar construction company. When margins tightened and chaos crept in, he built a tool that reshaped how he approached strategy and financial decisions.

This episode unpacks the powerful intersection of finance and focus, revealing how understanding the right levers can create clarity, drive cash flow, and restore control. If you’re tired of working harder with no increase in profit, this conversation will help you reframe how you lead and scale.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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If someone showed up today, ready to buy your business, would you be proud of what they’d find?

In this episode of The Margin Method, Steve shares what really separates a company that commands top dollar from one that quietly gets passed over. Whether you plan to sell or not, this one will shift how you think about building lasting value.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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Most businesses don’t fail because they lack hustle, they fail because they lack margin.

In this heartfelt episode of The Margin Method, Steve shares a powerful realization sparked by a family trip to Paris.

Through personal stories and sharp insights, he unpacks why financial margin alone isn’t enough, and how operational and leadership margin are just as critical to your success. If you’re feeling stretched thin, stuck in the grind, or constantly running but never catching up, this episode is your wake-up call.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

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More growth doesn’t always mean more profit. In this episode of The Margin Method Steve Coughran uncovers the silent value killers hiding inside your business model and how to fix them.

If your revenue is rising but your margins aren't, it's time to take a closer look under the hood. Get ready to rethink profitability and discover the simple shifts that lead to smarter, more scalable success.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed here are those of the individual Coltivar Group, LLC (“Coltivar”) personnel quoted and are not the views of Coltivar or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Coltivar has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendations. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. Please see https://www.coltivar.com/privacy-policy-and-terms-of-use for additional important information.

Support the show