The Contender’s Edge

Vinay Nair, Chief Customer Officer at SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, explains the field intelligence gap: why most of a contractor's project data lives in site conversations, phone calls, texts and email instead of in their systems, and why that leaves AI with nothing reliable to work with.
He covers record demand and the labour shortage in Canada and the US, where field data really lives, a court case decided by paperwork, and how voice capture turns what happens on site into structured records.Nothing replaces the skilled trades. Figures cited are from 2025 and 2026 reports (ABC, AGC and NCCER, BuildForce Canada, U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics Canada).Subscribe to The Contender's Edge for more.SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions: https://smrtbld.comsmrt-E voice reporting: https://smrte.aiSMARTBUILD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions/home/Zulq Malik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/Vinay Nair on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/The Contender's Edge is from SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, a Canadian construction project management platform built for small to mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors. smrtGC, smrtSUB, smrtAEC and smrt-E help contenders run projects, paperwork and cash flow without an enterprise budget or an IT department.#construction #constructionmanagement #contractors #generalcontractor #constructiontechnology

Vinay Nair, Chief Customer Officer at SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, explains why construction software rollouts stall and what owners, presidents and VPs have to do to make them stick. He covers leadership buy-in, picking a strong internal lead, finding a hero in the field, and how to announce the change to your crew.
The Contender's Edge is from SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions, a Canadian construction project management platform built for small to mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors. smrtGC, smrtSUB, smrtAE and smrt-E help contenders run projects, paperwork and cash flow without an enterprise budget or an IT department.

What does it take to grow a construction company from $50M to $100M+ in annual revenue? For John Lehmann, developing the next generation of leaders was a major part of the plan.In this episode of The Contender’s Edge, Angelina sits down with the former president of Poole Anderson to discuss how the company grew from roughly $40–50 million to $110–120 million in annual revenue during his time there.Drawing on nearly 40 years in construction, John shares how to recognize when your team is stretched too thin, turn project managers into leaders, and build a succession plan before you need it. They also discuss protecting client relationships, handling talented employees who hurt company culture, and the operational lessons John wishes he had learned earlier.If you’re a contractor, construction business owner, or project manager preparing for more responsibility, this conversation offers practical lessons on growing your people alongside your business.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Opening00:48 - Meet John Lehmann02:22 - When is it time to expand your team?05:10 - Stress-testing your team’s capacity06:16 - Why understaffing can cost you money07:44 - Developing leaders and planning succession10:17 - From $40–50M to $110–120M in annual revenue11:06 - The 70/20/10 approach to leadership training13:10 - When are project managers ready for bigger projects?16:39 - Using technology and dashboards to spot problems18:40 - Passing client relationships to the next generation22:02 - When talented leaders hurt company culture27:47 - What makes a good construction leader?30:32 - Leadership lessons John wishes he learned earlier34:51 - Connect with John LehmannConnect with John: jlehmann@constructionleaders.orgSubscribe to The Contender’s Edge for more conversations on building stronger construction businesses.#Construction #ConstructionLeadership #BusinessGrowth

Shaun started at GEN-PRO as a labourer in 2000 and became owner in June 2021. In this conversation, he walks through what actually changed: managing four generations on the same crew, why the office has a pool table and an arcade, the 6 am to 6 pm days his father set as the standard, and what it costs to be the person every decision runs through.We also get into the numbers behind the trades right now. $63 billion of infrastructure over the next ten years and an industry already 200,000 workers short. If you run a construction business or manage projects for one, this is the operational side nobody posts about.GEN-PRO: https://genpro.caSMARTBUILD: https://smrtbld.comConnect with Zulqernain Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/Connect with Shaun Dawson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-dawson-b39695302/Subscribe for more conversations with the people actually building things. 

Most contractors think their profit leaks live in materials, labour and change orders.
Leslie Dibling argues the bigger leak is the gap between what leadership thinks is
happening and what's actually happening on site. And that one never shows up on the PNL.
 
In this episode we get into what to do about it: empowering people without losing
control, defining roles so nobody's waiting on you to cut a P.O., getting HR into the
boardroom with a business case instead of a feeling, and picking a technology champion
your crews will actually follow.
 
If you run a construction business, manage projects, or you're the bottleneck every
decision routes through, this one is for you.
 
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Leslie Dibling is the co-founder of AMC Services, an organizational development firm
she started with her partner Agnes Watkinson in 2023. AMC now has 134 consultants
across Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Europe. Leslie came up through construction over
19 years, starting as a labourer, and she works on the human capital problems most
companies see but never address. She was named one of Canada's Top 25 Under 40 in
OHS in 2025.
 
AMC runs an Organizational Health Check that reveals where people and organizational
issues are leaking profit, then designs tailored changes to close those gaps.
 
Leslie Dibling on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-d-17b39a265/
AMC Services: https://amc-services.ca/
AMC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amc-services-organizational-development/
Zulqernain Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/
Vinay Nair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/
SMARTBUILD: https://smrtbld.com/
 
 

Construction companies are struggling to find skilled workers, labour costs are climbing, and existing teams are being asked to carry more work.
So the natural response is to hire more people.
But what if part of the labour problem is hiding inside the way your company already works?
In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, SMARTBUILD Chief Customer Officer Vinay Nair breaks down what he hears from small and mid-sized general contractors and subcontractors dealing with the construction labor shortage.
He looks at the pressure from two sides: contractors need more people, yet construction labor productivity has also fallen. That leaves owners and managers with a bigger question:
Are you short-staffed, or are your existing people losing too many hours to paperwork, reporting, tracking information, and repetitive project administration?
Vinay covers:
• Why construction companies are struggling to fill skilled trade positions• What the 2026 AGC and Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook says about construction hiring• Why rising labor costs put added pressure on contractor margins• Where construction teams lose productive hours• How contractors can help project managers and superintendents manage more work• How digital daily reports, inspections, safety reports, and project records can reduce repetitive paperwork• How technology can help train new construction employees• Why getting inexperienced employees productive sooner matters during a labor shortage• How structured checklists and project workflows can pass knowledge from experienced workers to newer employees• What construction owners should examine before adding another person to payroll
For construction founders, owners, CEOs, general contractors, subcontractors, project managers, superintendents, operations managers, and construction leaders, this episode offers a different way to think about labor capacity.
Your experienced people only have so many hours. Where are those hours going?
Watch the episode and tell us in the comments: Where does your construction team lose the most time each week?
 
Subscribe to The Contender’s Edge Podcast for conversations on construction leadership, contractor growth, project management, workforce development, AI in construction, and construction technology.
smrtbld.com
#Construction #ConstructionLaborShortage #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionLeadership #SkilledTrades #ProjectManagement #ConstructionWorkforce #ConstructionTechnology #Contractor

Is AI useful in construction today, or are contractors being pushed to adopt tools before they know what to do with them?
In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, SMARTBUILD Chief Customer Officer Vinay shares what he is hearing directly from general contractors, subcontractors, project managers, superintendents, architects, and engineers who are trying to figure out where AI fits into their work.
The biggest takeaway is simple: AI is only as good as the context and data you give it.
Vinay breaks down the difference between basic AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and NotebookLM, and AI that is connected directly to your construction systems and project data.
He also covers practical use cases contractors can start with today, including daily reports, RFIs, spec searches, project emails, voice notes, document review, and repetitive admin work.
You’ll also hear:
Why two people can use the same AI tool and get completely different results
Why AI hallucinations happen
How contractors can reduce bad outputs
What construction companies should know about privacy and sensitive project data
Why structured project data matters
The difference between Level 1 and Level 2 AI use
How to start small without feeling behind
What leaders should do to build AI adoption inside their company
If you’re a construction founder, owner, general contractor, subcontractor, project manager, superintendent, engineer, architect, or operations leader trying to make sense of AI, this episode gives you a practical starting point.
Follow The Contender’s Edge Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations on construction leadership, construction management, AI, technology, project delivery, and growing stronger construction companies.
 
SMARTBUILD website: https://smrtbld.com/
SMARTBUILD Construction Solutions LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions
Vinay Nair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinair007/
 
 
 

Learn why so many construction technology rollouts fail, and what general contractors, subcontractors, and construction leaders can do to make AI work in the field.
In this episode of The Contender's Edge Podcast, host Angelina Tadros sits down with John Lehmann, former President of Poole Anderson Construction, former Senior Vice President of Operations, and founder of the Construction Leadership Network (CLN).
With decades of experience leading construction companies, John shares why AI adoption isn't only a technology challenge. It's a leadership challenge. From field crews to executive teams, he explains what separates companies that successfully adopt new technology from those that waste money on software that never gets used.
You'll learn:
Why construction companies struggle to adopt new technology
The biggest mistakes contractors make when rolling out construction software
How CEOs and founders should build an AI and technology strategy
Why leadership determines whether technology succeeds or fails
How to get buy-in from project managers, superintendents, and field crews
The hidden cost of underusing project management software
Why many contractors only use a fraction of the tools they already own
How AI can reduce rework, improve communication, and keep teams working from the latest drawings
Why trust matters when selecting construction technology vendors
What general contractors and subcontractors should look for before investing in AI
How training, culture, and accountability drive successful implementation
Why the next generation of construction leaders will need digital skills alongside construction experience
If you're a construction CEO, founder, owner, operations manager, project executive, superintendent, project manager, estimator, or subcontractor looking to grow your business, improve productivity, reduce risk, and prepare for the future of construction, this episode is for you.
About John Lehmann
John Lehmann spent more than a decade as Senior Vice President of Operations and later served as President of Poole Anderson Construction. Today, he leads the Construction Leadership Network (CLN), where he helps contractors strengthen leadership, improve operations, build stronger cultures, and adopt technology and AI with confidence.
John Lehmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lehmann-a423461a/
CLN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/construction-leadership-network
Angelina Tadros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-tadros/
SMARTBUILD: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-construction-solutions
 
Subscribe to The Contender's Edge Podcast for conversations with construction founders, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, and industry leaders on construction management, leadership, AI, technology, business growth, operations, safety, and the future of the construction industry.
#Construction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionTechnology #AIInConstruction #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionCEO #ConstructionFounder #ProjectManagement #ConstructionInnovation #DigitalConstruction #ConTech #ContendersEdgePodcast

Construction is still running on paper, spreadsheets, phone calls, and information buried across job sites.
In this episode of The Contender’s Edge Podcast, host Zulq sits down with Nick from Iron Shake Inc. to discuss the future of construction, skilled trades, AI, field technology, workforce training, and what construction company owners need to prepare for now.
Nick shares his path through the trades, why construction remains one of the strongest career choices for young workers, and how field experience builds skills that cannot be learned from a computer screen.
The conversation also covers:
• Why skilled trades can offer strong earning power without years of student debt• What high school students should know before choosing college or construction• Why hands-on training still matters in the age of AI• How sleep and personal pressures affect fitness for duty• Why older construction teams accept technology at home but resist it at work
• How AI could help crews find drawings, specifications, and site information• Why contractors are hiring app developers and AI specialists• How wearable technology could change service work and field reporting• What CEOs, founders, general contractors, and subcontractors should prepare for• Why the next generation of construction workers will need trade skills and digital knowledge
This episode is for construction CEOs, founders, general contractors, subcontractors, skilled tradespeople, project managers, superintendents, safety leaders, and young workers considering a career in construction.
Follow The Contender’s Edge Podcast for practical conversations on construction leadership, construction business growth, skilled trades, jobsite technology, AI in construction, field operations, safety, and workforce development.
 
Connect with Nick and Iron Shake Inc. on Instagram: @IronShakeInc
Website: https://ironshakeinc.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcapasso/
Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iron-shake-inc
 
Want to see the full episode? Go to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMRTBLD
Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
 
#Construction #ConstructionTechnology #AIInConstruction #SkilledTrades #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionBusiness #ConstructionManagement #ConstructionCareers #JobsiteTechnology #WorkforceDevelopment

What separates construction companies that keep growing from the ones that hit a ceiling?
It usually isn't better equipment, bigger projects, or more experience. It's leadership.
In this episode of The Contender's Edge, host Zulq sits down with Zoe Dryden, a leadership coach and culture specialist from New Zealand, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing construction business owners: growing beyond founder-led leadership.
They explore why many construction founders unintentionally become the bottleneck in their own company, how to build leaders who can confidently run projects and departments, and what it takes to create a culture that people want to be part of.
If you're a general contractor, subcontractor, construction business owner, project manager, superintendent, operations manager, or construction executive, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.
In this episode:
Why founder-led construction companies often hit a growth ceiling
Leadership mistakes that slow down construction businesses
How to build leaders who don't rely on the owner for every decision
Transitioning from founder-led leadership to a scalable business
Emotional intelligence on construction projects
Holding people accountable without micromanaging
Building trust with field crews and project managers
Developing future leaders inside your construction company
Creating a construction culture that attracts and retains great people
Preparing your business for long-term growth and succession
Growing a construction company isn't about doing more yourself. It's about building people who can lead alongside you.
Watch now for practical insights that will help you build stronger leaders, stronger teams, and a stronger construction business.
Subscribe for more episodes covering construction leadership, construction management, project management, general contractors, subcontractors, company culture, construction business growth, AI in construction, estimating, contracts, and real-world advice from industry leaders.
Zoe Dryden is a Chartered Independent Director and leadership advisor who helps boards, CEOs, and business owners align strategy, governance, leadership, and culture. With decades of experience leading business transformation, she works with organizations to build stronger leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and companies that can grow beyond founder-led leadership.
Zoe Dryden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoedryden/
Email: zoe@leadershipinaction.nz
https://leadershipinaction.nz/contact/
 
Connect with Zulq: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zulqernain-zulq-malik/
 
#Construction #ConstructionLeadership #ConstructionManagement #GeneralContractor #Subcontractor #ProjectManagement #ConstructionBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #CompanyCulture #BusinessGrowth #ConstructionIndustry #Contractor #TheContendersEdge