Most trades and construction businesses don’t lose money from one big mistake. They lose it from a hundred small “interpretation” mistakes that turn into RFIs, rework, delays, and budget blowouts.

In this episode, I sat down with Dennis Dixon to unpack why noncompliance is the thread tying together so many project failures, and how AI is already being used on-site in practical ways (often by the people you’d least expect).

Dennis also breaks down why many industries skipped the basics of automation and jumped straight to AI, and what leaders can do to get the upside without losing the human edge that makes great work… great.

You’ll take away:

• Why trades were early adopters of AI on-site (and what they used it for)
• Why AI works best as an assistant, not a replacement
• How noncompliance quietly drives cost and schedule blowouts
• Why hundreds of project handoffs create “interpretation risk” and RFIs
• How missing automation fundamentals is holding teams back with AI
• Why trust is dropping, and how leaders build it back through reputation and clarity
  
  

Guest: Dennis Dixon is the Co-founder & CEO of OQULi (Canada) and the creator of CODiii, a platform focused on helping AECO teams navigate compliance and reduce project friction.
Guest links:
https://codiii.com/
https://www.oquli.ca/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisod/

Wes Towers - Uplift 360: I help trades and construction companies be found, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation.

https://uplift360.com.au

Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

Trust in construction is getting hammered, and when clients shop like it’s online retail, everyone loses. Lowest bid wins, corners get cut, change orders explode, and reputations get dragged.

In this episode, I’m joined by Eugene Gershman from GIS Companies. Eugene’s come up through a construction family, ran contractor operations, and now focuses fully on development management. We get into what actually protects projects when the market’s tight: real relationships, clear fees, and refusing to build off “cheap” design that isn’t truly buildable.

You’ll take away:

• Why “permit-only” drawings can be a financial grenade once you hit site
• How low-bid wins often turns into change-order pain (for both owner and contractor)
• A better way to compare contractors: fee, margin, and how they value themselves
• Why you can’t build trust, or buildings, from behind a computer screen
• How simple “old school” touches can help contractors stand out in an AI-noisy world

Eugene Gershman is a real estate developer and the lead at GIS Companies, helping property owners structure, finance, and execute development projects from feasibility through delivery.
Guest links: https://giscompanies.co/
Feasibility Study Checklist: https://giscompanies.co/development/feasibility-study/
Eugene’s podcast (Real Estate Development: Land to Legacy): https://giscompanies.co/podcast/

Wes Towers - Uplift 360
I help trades and construction companies be found, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation.
Visit: https://uplift360.com.au

Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

Most trades and construction businesses don’t stall because of a lack of work. They stall when the owner becomes the bottleneck due to a lack of leadership.

In this episode, Dr Andy Neillie breaks down the real-world leadership shifts that help construction business owners and leaders scale: clearer expectations, better conversations, stronger trust, and a culture that doesn’t rely on you being everywhere at once.

You’ll take away:
• The “tools to team” mindset shift that separates operators from leaders
• How to build trust with your crew (and stop losing it through small slip-ups)
• Why hard conversations are a leadership skill, not a personality trait
• Simple structure that supports scale: clarity, roles, and follow-through
• How to lead with standards and care (without becoming the bottleneck)

Dr Andy Neillie is a leadership speaker and leadership development specialist who helps businesses turn managers into effective leaders.

Neillie Leadership Group: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com/

Free ebook: https://leadershipmaterials.com

Host: Wes Towers - Uplift 360
I help trades and construction companies be found, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation (SEO).

Want to be a guest on the podcast? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/