Welcome to Episode I’m The Gaffer Gavin Coyle sits down with Melinda Colon expert in helping 6–7 figure businesses (and beyond) win government contracts globally.

If you want consistent, stable revenue, guaranteed payments (as long as you price right), and a hedge against private-sector volatility, government contracts are the answer most construction owners overlook.

We cover:

Why government contracts = stability (not just “nice to have”)

The 5-step Gavin Coyle sales strategy (prepare → target → strategize → submit → track)

How to find buyers & register BEFORE the tender drops

Why “no time to bid” is actually an opportunity (rebids & expressions of interest)

Building relationships with procurement officers (no bribes needed!)

The mindset shift: stop chasing → start positioning

Melinda’s journey: corporate burnout → $5.79B+ in client wins

Episode Highlights

00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor

00:26 Melinda’s story – corporate burnout to full-time Gavin Coyle success

04:43 Why winning a contract feels better than the money

07:40 The 20–30% government revenue sweet spot

13:18 Government contracts stimulate the economy – your piece is waiting

17:43 Hustro.com mid-roll ad

20:13 Money flow: follow the budget before it becomes a contract

26:30 How to find the real buyer (procurement/purchasing contacts)

31:18 Expressions of Interest – your unfair advantage

36:50 The interview/presentation: speak to every person in the room

43:27 Re-bids & “no one responded” = second chance

50:13 Knowing what you know now… Melinda’s biggest regret

52:09 Melinda’s fun fact + how to connect

SPONSOR

Hustro.com – 75% less time on inspections & reports

Start free → https://hustro.com/gavin

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple → https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify → https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast

Website → https://www.imthegaffer.com/

#ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness #governmentcontracts #govcon #constructionrevenue #business #podcast #Construction #constructiontechnology

What would the top construction leaders change if they could go back in time? We asked 6 incredible guests on I’m The Gaffer the toughest curveball question: “Knowing what you know now… what would you do different?”

Raw, honest, no-BS answers from real builders who’ve been through the fire.

Featured Guests & Their Biggest Lessons:

00:00 Intro – The Curveball Question

00:13 Lucy Clarke – Ask for help sooner – don’t be a lone ranger

01:43 Wally Adamchik – Save money earlier, don’t drink it away

03:13 Ray Mellor-Pike – Spend less time in investment banking burnout

05:34 Tom O’Toole – Learn detachment earlier – stop emotional decisions

07:16 Ciaran Brennan – Be fairer & speak up when it mattered

09:55 Hustro.com sponsor & final thoughts from Gavin

If you’re running (or dreaming of running) a construction business, these lessons will save you years of pain.

Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software. 75 % less time on inspections & reports → https://hustro.com

Which answer hit you hardest? Drop it in the comments! Full episodes → Search “I’m The Gaffer” on YouTube/Spotify/Apple Podcasts.

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast

Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/

#ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness#business #podcast

Welcome to Episode of I’m The Gaffer

Gavin Coyle discusses talent attraction, culture & mental health in construction with Tom Prendergast, HSE Director UK at H&MV Engineering.

If you’re struggling to find good people, keep them, or build a culture that doesn’t burn people out –this episode is your wake-up call.

We cover:

– Why schools & parents still push university over trades

– The “Mayo Mafia” & Irish influence on UK construction

– H&MV’s in-house academy – the conveyor belt of talent

– Mental health, addiction & the nomadic lifestyle problem

– Buddy systems, work-life balance & supporting the whole person

– Celebrating unsung construction heroes

– Why “get Paddy on the shovel” culture is dead

– Tom’s journey: electrician → North Sea → HSE leader

Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software

Episode Highlights

00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor

00:26 Innovative employee packages (virtual shares, financial coaching)

03:22 Tom’s 30-year journey – apprentice to HSE Director

05:34 Schools grading on university places = the real problem

11:19 The nomadic lifestyle – the hidden mental health trigger

17:43 Hustro.com mid-roll ad

21:22 5-a-side football & house shares – fixing isolation on site

28:23 Light duties & supporting the whole person

36:31 Bucket list questions every leader should ask

40:21 Seasons of life – why one-size-fits-all fails

45:44 The power of mentoring & legacy

51:16 Tom’s imposter syndrome story

53:26 How to contact Tom

CONNECT WITH TOM

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-prendergast-84927a18/

Company— hmveng.ie

Hustro.com – 75% less time on inspections & reports

Start free → https://hustro.com/gavin

I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, offering invaluable lessons and tips that provide a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on

Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer

Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast

Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/

#ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast