Ep. 37 - How to Handle Honest Questions from Your Team

What truly separates successful excavation companies from those that struggle? In this revealing episode, Sy Kirby brings his core Sy-Con team—Wes, Jesus, and Sam—into the studio for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of running a blue-collar business.The team pulls back the curtain on their transformation from a price-driven company to one that prioritizes production rates and deadlines. "Our clients are way more concerned with the interest burning every 30 days than paying an extra 2-10% if they know the job will be done on time," shares Sy, highlighting a crucial insight that many contractors miss.Through raw, honest dialogue, we discover how Sy-Con has navigated the treacherous waters of cash flow management—dealing with payment terms averaging over 100 days—while implementing systems that bring transparency to every level of the operation. The team discusses how their YouTube strategy has unexpectedly become a powerful business development tool, generating millions of impressions monthly and directly leading to significant projects.Perhaps most valuable is their candid discussion about job costing and financial tracking. "You can't take a bad number out there and expect them to turn it into a good job," Sy explains, emphasizing how understanding costs at a granular level has transformed their approach to estimating and project management.Whether you're running a small crew or managing multiple superintendents, this episode delivers practical wisdom on scheduling challenges, communicating effectively between field and office, and maintaining the resilience needed to succeed in the excavation industry. As one team member simply puts it: "Just show up, put in the effort, find the work. You'll get to where you want to go."Ready to transform your approach to running a blue-collar business? Hit play and join the conversation that might just change how you think about your operation forever.Blue Collar Performance MarketingClick the link above for a free marketing audit with insights to boost your blue collar business!PodcastVideos.comPut your show in front of audiences that care with PodcastVideos.com's wide range of podcasts!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck out our Sponsors:PayDirt Support: https://paydirtsupport.com/ Spoil Stack: https://spoilstack.com/o/blueTune in to the Blue Collar Business Podcast with Sy Kirby for the rawest, most relevant stories behind building a successful business in the trades. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5 am CST—put your boots on and get ready to level up.Follow and stay connected:Website: bluecollarbusinesspodcast.comYouTube: youtube.com/@BlueCollarBusinessPodcastInstagram: @bluecollarbusinesspodcastTikTok: @bluecollarbusinesspodFacebook: Blue Collar Business PodcastLinkedIn: Blue Collar Business PodcastNever miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!