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The skyline looks the same, but the rules have changed. We sit down with Dan from Reliance Properties to unpack what really moves leases in Vancouver right now—from AAA towers with destination-worthy amenities to character spaces that trade polish for soul and identity. Dan has lived the market from both sides, brokering deals and now operating a deep downtown portfolio, so the takeaways are pragmatic: tenants buy outcomes, not square footage.

We dig into the friction between short terms and real tenant improvements, and why portfolio breadth can de-risk growth by enabling credible mid-lease relocations. Modular buildouts and raised access floors aren’t just buzz; they’re how landlords recover TI dollars across multiple cycles while giving teams faster paths to occupancy. We tackle the co-working conundrum too. Yes, the per-desk cost stings, but flexibility, community, and turnkey execution are invaluable when your headcount horizon is foggy. For many, the smartest footprint blends a long-term core with elastic project space.

Culture and training keep surfacing as the differentiators that laptops can’t replace. Mentorship travels poorly over scheduled calls, and young talent learns by osmosis as much as instruction. Technology helps—Matterport tours and digital stacks streamline search—but deals still click on site, shoulder-to-shoulder, with the space doing half the selling. We also look ahead: AI could supercharge productivity, spawn new space types, or push conversions like data centers. At the same time, construction costs, carrying costs, and permitting delays still strain feasibility, while retail vacancies hint at broader civic drag that leadership and policy must confront.

If you care about how offices earn their keep—attracting talent, signalling brand, and making hard work feel easier—this conversation is a field guide. Hit play, share it with a teammate who’s rethinking their footprint, and if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what would genuinely get you back in the building?

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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We explore how ADHD shows up on jobsites and in leadership, why admin feels harder than building, and how to design simple systems that create focus without brute force. We share tactics for working memory, notification overload, and consistent growth that fit ADHD brains.

• what ADHD looks like across life, not just school
• inattentive, hyperactive, and combined types clarified
• why phones hijack attention when tasks feel boring or confusing
• the working memory gap on forms, photos, and compliance
• construction admin friction versus hands-on work
• urgency filters and needle movers to reclaim focus
• using a gatekeeper for Slack and email noise
• visual workflows and weekly meetings for accountability
• sleep and exercise as force multipliers for symptoms
• shifting from self-criticism to system design

Listen to our podcast, the ADHD Skills Lab, or message us at unconventional organization on Instagram with the word “James” for the focus chatbot

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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Price isn’t the villain—unclear communication is. We sit down with Jeff Borovitz of Sandler to explore how a psychology-led sales process helps construction companies stop chasing bad-fit bids, avoid unpaid change orders, and build trust that holds up once shovels hit dirt. Jeff breaks down the biggest trap he sees on both residential and commercial teams—premature presentation—and shows how to slow down, uncover three to five real pains, and turn conversations from “How cheap?” to “How do we make the outcome certain?”

We get tactical. You’ll hear how to spot and adapt to different communication styles so clients feel heard, not handled. We dig into handling discount pressure with questions that reframe value—like asking change order and final-versus-quoted price percentages—so you lead as the expert instead of defending your bid. Jeff also explains why revenue and profit are lagging indicators, and how strong leaders prioritize leading signals: pipeline quality, ICP fit, access to dialogue-based RFPs, and stage conversion rates that predictably move work forward.

The team also talks VUCA—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity—and the strain it puts on crews, clients, and owners. Jeff’s take: remove fear, doubt, and worry by modeling courage, setting clear expectations, and simplifying operating rhythms. And yes, AI plays a healthy role here. Use it to automate dull admin, improve precon clarity, and even rehearse tough client calls with an AI sales coach so reps show up practiced and calm when it counts.

If you want to protect margin without cutting corners, build a pipeline you actually want to win, and give your field teams cleaner handoffs, this conversation delivers a practical blueprint. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one question you want us to roleplay next.

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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Construction companies possess an extraordinary yet frequently overlooked opportunity to build substantial wealth—one that extends far beyond simply increasing revenue or improving profit margins.

Paul Atherton, founder of Highspire, reveals the powerful secret that separates thriving construction business owners from those merely keeping pace: leveraging construction expertise into strategic real estate development. As Paul explains, wealth creation happens through three primary channels—operating an efficient business, buying assets at advantageous prices, and adding value to those assets. While most industries might excel at one of these, construction companies are uniquely positioned to capitalize on all three simultaneously.

Highspire's approach centers on their "Four Cs" framework: Community that connects business owners with peers who've already achieved what they're aiming for; Content providing streamlined systems benchmarked from high-performing companies; Coaching that offers personalized guidance; and perhaps most critically, Capital—helping construction companies optimize their funding strategies and potentially raise capital from limited partners.

What makes this approach particularly compelling is how it transforms construction knowledge into a wealth-building superpower. Construction companies understand building science, estimate costs realistically, move quickly on deals, and possess extensive networks that can be leveraged for real estate opportunities. During recent market challenges, companies implementing this dual-focus strategy have consistently outperformed competitors by maintaining robust marketing and sales pipelines while optimizing their operations.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when addressing mental health across all levels of construction organizations. Paul advocates for a staff-first approach that helps team members create clear development paths—not just professionally but in all life domains from financial goals to family priorities. As he powerfully states, "Mental health is a commitment to reality at all costs."

Ready to transform your construction company into a wealth-building engine? Discover how your expertise could be the foundation for generational financial success by exploring Highspire's proven methodology.

https://www.highspire.com

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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In this episode of The Site Visit Podcast, host James Faulkner welcomes Russell Cook of Modular Interiors by Cook’s for a future-forward conversation on how modular construction is reshaping the commercial real estate and construction industries. From raised access floors and demountable wall systems to integrating smart technology and sustainable design, Russell shares deep insights and real-world examples—including projects like TELUS Ocean and partnerships with industry leaders.

Discover how modular design reduces waste, improves tenant flexibility, and aligns with evolving work environments. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at their manufacturing process, innovations in electric and data infrastructure, and how tools like SiteMax keep everything on track.

Whether you're a developer, contractor, architect, or simply curious about the future of workspace design, this episode offers actionable insights and real talk on how construction is adapting to meet the demands of flexibility, sustainability, and technology. With sharp commentary, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few laughs along the way, this is a must-listen for anyone shaping the spaces of tomorrow.

modularinteriorsbycooks.com

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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The mental health crisis sweeping through construction has reached alarming proportions, with suicide rates among workers soaring to five times the national average. But what's driving this crisis, and why aren't more industry leaders talking about it?

Ryan Englin, a 15-year veteran consultant and author of "Hire Better People Faster," brings powerful insights into the hidden struggle of construction workers and the leadership failures that perpetuate it. After growing up with a blue-collar father but choosing a different path himself, Ryan offers a unique insider-outsider perspective on what's really happening on job sites across America.

"People don't leave jobs; people leave people," Ryan explains, challenging the common industry complaint that "nobody wants to work anymore." He highlights how construction companies frequently overlook fundamental human needs – from basic respect to social connection – that could transform their workforce challenges.

Beyond addressing mental health, the discussion dives into provocative territory about how the construction industry has failed to adapt to the changing workforce landscape. While knowledge-economy jobs evolved to offer remote work, flexibility, and clear advancement paths, many construction companies still operate on outdated models that fail to demonstrate they value their people. Ryan offers actionable strategies for construction leaders to create workplaces where people not only want to work but want to stay.

Whether you're a construction business owner struggling with retention, a field leader trying to build a stronger team, or simply interested in the future of the industry that builds our world, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and offer fresh perspectives on making construction careers both successful and sustainable. Listen now to discover how caring about your people might be the most profitable business strategy you're not yet implementing.

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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Imagine mastering your craft for years, then discovering that running a business requires an entirely different skillset you never learned. That's the reality for thousands of construction business owners who find themselves trapped in what business coach John Neuenberg calls the "E-Myth" - the entrepreneurial myth that technical expertise automatically translates to business success.

Drawing from his experience coaching over 320 blue-collar businesses, John unravels why construction companies struggle to scale beyond the founding owner's capacity. The conversation explores a powerful framework: systems run the business, people run the systems, and the owner leads the people. Without this structure, construction companies find themselves perpetually putting out fires instead of building profitable operations.

The discussion dives deep into culture formation, revealing that "you don't get the culture you want; you get the culture you deserve." John explains how business owners who focus exclusively on customer acquisition while neglecting team development create fundamentally imbalanced companies. Through practical examples and compelling metaphors, he demonstrates why the complexity of relationships grows exponentially as teams expand - requiring systematic approaches rather than heroic individual efforts.

Whether you're running a thriving construction company or still working with "a truck and a helper," this episode provides invaluable guidance on building systems that scale, developing recruitment strategies that work, and maintaining your sanity along the way. Tune in to learn how to transform your construction business from dependent on you to working for you.

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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The cement industry is at a crossroads. As global construction demands soar, so do the sector’s carbon emissions—contributing nearly 8% of global CO₂ output. But Markus Kritzler, Chief Revenue Officer at Carbon Upcycling Technologies, believes there’s a way to build a better future—literally.

Markus has found purpose in a game-changing innovation: a technology that transforms industrial waste into high-performance construction materials. Carbon Upcycling’s process reinvents how we think about byproducts like electric arc furnace slag, fly ash, and clay—infusing them with captured CO₂ to create powerful supplementary cementitious materials. The kicker? These materials can replace up to 40% of traditional cement—without compromising strength or performance.

What truly sets this solution apart isn’t just its environmental impact—it’s the business case. While many green alternatives come with a hefty price tag, Carbon Upcycling’s materials remain cost-competitive, making sustainability a smart financial choice too.

In this episode, Markus breaks down the cement manufacturing process, highlighting why it’s so emissions-heavy—and how Carbon Upcycling is flipping the script on carbon in construction. Want to learn how your next project can help combat climate change? Hit play now.

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

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