Ep 174 - "Dealing With A Downturn"

Look—most of us in this industry have lived through tough stretches. When claim volume dries up or margins get squeezed, the gut reaction is to cut, freeze, survive. But Brandon and I are asking a better question: What if this slowdown is the wake-up call your business needed? This conversation is all about what to do now and how to build a company that thrives tomorrow. We're not peddling theory—we’re sharing the stuff we’ve seen work, and what we’re doing ourselves. Why you should listen: [08:29] Why the “gravy train” of program work is over—and what replaces it. [13:20] How to trim cost without cutting muscle: smart spend vs. emotional spend. [20:16] A full-time estimator for $1,400/month? Why offshore labor isn’t just for tech startups. [27:23] The #1 reason VAs and fractional hires fail—and how to fix it. [32:16] Still using mid-level PMs to babysit losses? There’s a better way. [46:26] In-house trades vs. subs: what costs you more when things slow down? [51:42] Fractional leadership: when to stop hiring full-time and start hiring smarter. [58:05] AI isn’t replacing your team—but it might replace your excuses. [63:52] Is your tradeshow spend actually doing anything? How to rethink it. [70:23] Want to fix a $500K revenue problem? Here's how to sell your way out. You’re not stuck. But you might need a new playbook. —Chris Thank you sponsors! Liftify is for restorers who are looking to accelerate their online reviews. Consistent and fresh Google Reviews are critical to growing your online presence and establishing trust with your brand. Don’t leave it to chance; partner with Liftify and let them capture the feedback your team has earned.  https://www.liftify.com/floodlight  AnswerForce transforms the restoration industry by providing round-the-clock answering solutions.  Their skilled team ensures no call goes unanswered, capturing and qualifying leads, scheduling appointments, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Benefit from industry expertise, scalability, and customized scripting while saving costs compared to in-house solutions. With AnswerForce, your business growth potential becomes limitless. https://www.answerforce.com/floodlight C&R Magazine is the industry’s oldest and longest-running media outlet. The team brings restorers all the current news, developments, education and resources that impact our business and the teams we lead. From print media to podcasts, C&R ensures the industry news you need is accessible from anywhere.  https://candrmagazine.com  Actionable Insights. The Actionable Xactimate Profile by Actionable Insights offers live guidance for more accurate and complete estimates in Xactimate, preventing costly errors and improving your team's workflow. It's an essential upgrade for enhanced estimating accuracy and efficiency. https://getinsights.org/floodlight  Did you know... Only 30% of businesses listed for sale actually find a buyer? Even more striking, just 10% of those sell for the price their owners anticipated or higher, meaning only 3% of all business owners achieve their desired sale price. By focusing on understanding and enhancing your enterprise value, you can significantly boost your chances of joining that successful 3%. Business Health & Value Assessment Start AssessmentKnow Your Enterprise Value. See Your Potential Gaps. Complete this assessment in less than 15 minutes and receive a free assessment for your business that includes: A Lite Valuation Of Your Business Your Value Multiplier Per Your Industry Health Assessment Per Our PYB Methodology Business Value & Growth Roadmap Tailored For You Value Acceleration Strategies